Author: Hey Guys! Sorry this took so long(as usual).

Disclaimer: blah blah blah Hail Tite Kubo blah blah blah I don't own Bleach blah blah blah...

I paced the confines of my room. Despite being a bit exhausted from last night I found myself waking up early the next morning. It wasn't that I was an early bird, because by no means was I, but the anxiety building in my stomach just wouldn't let me sleep in. I wasn't quite sure what I was so anxious about. It probably had something to do with the idea of having to be in Hisagi's presence all day. That…and the strange feeling someone was stalking me outside my door. There was no question that last night I was caught in a rather difficult predicament, specifically involving unwanted advances from an older and not too attractive shinigami 'escort'. For this reason I've kept to staying in my room, silently hoping and pleading that he might get tired of me and go away. I lowered to the floor and peered between the small space under my door. Two large feet stood in front of it. He's still here I thought exhaustedly. I was unsure of why I was so disheartened by this, especially since I can sense his reitsu looming through the wood.

A sigh passed my lips. I'd tried everything to get him to leave; telling him I didn't need someone to take me to Hisagi's office and that I could find my own way. I even said 'please leave me alone', but no success. You'd think after getting pushed down the stairs a guy would get the point. Why can't I be meaner like Lieutenant Ise?

"Ms. Sato, whenever you are ready I can take you to Captain Shuuhei." He said playfully through the crack in the door.

"Uh, th-that won't be ne-necessary," I told him once again.

"Are you sure? Cus' I'm a really nice guy once you get to know me." He continued. I was quite sure that I didn't want to get to know him. No matter how many kittens he claims he owns.

I looked around the room frantically. There was a small window above my bed on the opposite wall. Walking over I tinkered with the lock keeping it shut.

"Ms. Sato?" He continued.

I pushed open the window and looked at the ground below. Bushes decorated the ground below, some of which that didn't appear to feel all too pleasant if one were to fall in it.

"Come on, I was just playing around yesterday, let's start over."His tone was a bit more pleading now.

This only encouraged me to leave more quickly. I swung my legs out the window and jumped to the floor below. Unfortunately my foot got stuck on the rail causing me to fall face first into the bushes. I barely had time to scream as I was surrounded by leaves and twigs.

Crawling out pathetically, I brushed myself off and tried to regain my poseur.

Well, at least I avoided that guy. I looked at the tall building a little ways off where Hisagi's office resided. Taking in a deep breath I made my way to the headquarters of the ninth division.

This division became incredibly busy in the morning time. More than half the people scuttling around I swore I hadn't seen yesterday afternoon. I felt almost out of place as I walked around aimlessly like a lost puppy.

Once I entered Hisagi's office I saw him standing in the middle of the room. I entered the Captain's office I was made to wait in just a day before. Nothing really had changed except for the intimidating stack of papers piled on his desk.

"Ms. Sato," He called. I straightened out my clothes almost unconsciously as he approached.

"I hope you slept okay, I wanted to make sure your room wasn't too far from the office." He said sincerely.

"I slept f-fine."

Not really.

He nodded satisfied with my answer.

"If you could, could you help me organize these papers and some others sitting on my desk by the date they arrived? It would be a big help." He asked.

I glanced back at the paper that had collected on his desk.

I nodded. "Yes sir,"

"Sorry," he apologized. "I'm sure when you came here you weren't planning on having to help me do my job, huh?" He said jokingly. A shy smile tugged at my lips.

"I really d-don't mind, I do it all the time." I tried to convince him. There was no reason for him to feel bad for making me work. That's what I came here to do. Hisagi's face of guilt didn't appear to lessen though. He made his way to the larger desk and I made my way to a smaller desk on the adjacent side of the room. It was littered with other papers some in folders and some just randomly scattered about.

I didn't mind doing the paperwork really. I saw this as more of a chance to observe Hisagi. Sadly, we didn't speak most of the time. Every so often Hisagi would look over his stack of paperwork and check up on me. A light fluttery feeling would rise in my stomach each time as his gaze lingered over in my area but I hastily berated myself for my child like behavior and forced my hands to work faster.

"Ayame," He began cautiously. His voice startled me cutting through the silent atmosphere. I quickly snapped out of my busywork.

He seemed to look at me inquisitively for a moment before continuing. "I do appreciate your help. To tell you the truth I was kind of relieved that I was working with someone I knew instead of Lieutenant Ise." He said my Lieutenant' name with a bit of hesitance, as if he was remembering some frightening time with her.

"Oh, thank you." I said unsure if this was a compliment or some thought he was rambling off the top of his head. He looked at me, possibly waiting for me to say something. I wanted to say something else. To fill the silence so things wouldn't be as tense.

"It p-probably g-gets lonely...I mean," I tried to remark offhandedly but quickly rephrased my question. "It doesn't s-seem like…you have much help, here." I said a bit awkwardly.

"Sometimes my assignments may pile up, but it's never too difficult." He replied lightheartedly while still maintaining his serious appearance.

I could tell this was just an understatement. Even though I wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to matters in Soul Society I wasn't completely ignorant to the betrayal that happened not too recently. Captain Tousen among some others had left Soul Society in shambles and abandoned their former positions. I could only imagine the pressure of not only being in charge of your own squad, and the editorial duties of Seireitei Communication, but the recent investigations. Yet here I was stressing over delivering paper on a daily basis. My work load became dismal when compared to his. Despite all these responsibilities he seemed to remain all too positive. I have yet to see him even lash out at a shinigami or look stressed out. Almost as if he enjoyed his busy schedule even though a look of exhaustion usually graced his features.

Then I realized that he never seemed to have a negative disposition towards doing work. He was always the first to volunteer for Shinigami Academy missions, and was willing to help anyone out with an assignment.

But still, it really must get lonely.

"But so many people count on you…" I whispered.

"When you have many people depending on you, you'll naturally accept the work that comes along with it." He said wryly.

The ray of light coming from the window spilled over onto my paper. Before long I found myself gazing out of its glass. Flowers decorated it from outside followed by an expanse of land or a garden. It wasn't apparent to me that the Captain had had such a taste for flowers, especially since he was… blind and all. Or maybe Hisagi had them planted. But that was unlikely, seeing that Hisagi didn't seem like the type to waste his time gazing at flowers. I giggled at the silly thought.

"Captain used to like flowers." Hisagi commented when seeing my curious gaze.

"He liked their smell," He added. If Hisagi felt at all uncomfortable talking about his former captain he didn't show it. He remained composed as always.

"They're pretty," I said quietly.

"Yeah," He agreed looking out the window only momentarily.

"So, how do you like the Ninth Division so far?" His question was a casual one, but he seemed nervous to ask it.

"I-It's nice." I felt a bit more comfortable in the room now, as the invisible wall between us seemed to dissolve. Hisagi was being more talkative but I wasn't sure if it was out of courtesy or not. Oddly enough, I felt more at peace when sitting in the office alone with him. Many would say that his punk like appearance and intense eyes would be intimidating. I found it a lot more complicated to feel that way when his eyes showed honest kindness. His inquiry seemed sincere though so I continued our conversation.

"W-Well, I thi-think you're doing a good job. Everyone here re-respects you as a leader, I think." Immediately, I blushed at my own brainless comment but I forced myself to look up at the Lieutenant's face.

However, Hisagi didn't seem to laugh at my comment as I half expected him to. Actually, his scarred face gave a hint of the slightest tint of pink forming on his cheeks.

"Maybe" He said humbly, scratching the side of his temple and writing furiously on a sheet of paper. If I didn't know any better I would say that he had a pleased look on his face. But of course I knew better. Why would my silly comment make him blush?

"Sorry to interrupt you Lieutenant Shuuhei but do you happen to have the revised stories for Seireitei Communication."

Hisagi's expression seemed to take on a more serious expression. I sunk back into my chair attempting to blend in with the white plainness of the walls. Distracting anyone from official business would not be my intentions.

"Can't you handle it?" He asked.

The shinigami recoiled nervously at Hisagi's stare. "W-Well, no one's currently free at the moment. I don't think we'll have enough time…" He started to ramble uncertainly.

A small sigh escaped the Lieutenant's lips. "Can you wait a while? I'm almost finished."

The shinigami shifted a bit rubbing the back of his head timidly.

"But the person in charge of collecting the paper will be here soon…"

I looked back and forth at their faces.

"I-I," I piped up. The shinigami standing in the room looked at me with an astonished expression on his face, as if he had only recently noticed me sitting there, which he most likely was since I have a thing for being unnoticeable.

Even with the sudden amount of attention paid towards me I forced myself to continue.

"I c-could possibly…do it for you." It wasn't that I was an amazing writer or anything, but I do write quite often. I also know a thing or two about grammar.

"Really? You wouldn't mind would you?" Hisagi seemed a bit guilty to ask for more work from me.

I nodded. "No sir,"

My heart dropped a little. I kind of liked sitting in this office room. That way I could silently watch as his face hardened in thought and his dark eyes scanned the documents on his desk. I also enjoyed hearing him speaking with me, as silly as that sounded.

The shinigami looked over back towards his leader as if doubting my ability to handle the paper.

"Good." Hisagi decided. "Take her to drafting room." He addressed the shinigami who was standing by idly.

"Yes sir," He bowed. I got up from my seat and followed him out the door. Before leaving the office I felt a hand touch my shoulder. Upon turning around the raven haired man was standing in front of me. My heart traveled to my throat for some reason as I looked into his grey sharp eyes, then finding myself looking at his 69 tattoo.

"I'll come by after I'm done and we can head out to Rukongai. Is that okay?" His voice was businesslike and acted as a cold reminder to the real job I had waiting for me.

"Oh, of course." Disappointment seeped into my reply. Hisagi nodded at me and smiled a bit as I went to follow behind the shinigami.

Why were you so disappointed? Were you expecting him to promise you to lunch afterwards or something?

The mocking tone of my zanpakuto, Tsuki, resonated within my head. It didn't help that I was foolishly thinking something along those lines either. I threw a glare toward the weapon at my side. Curse you for being so intuitive.

Pathetic.

She said simply before retreating back to her slumbering state, obviously not at all intimidated by my looks.

My hands were numb by the time I got done revising papers. The chaos and confusion that followed operating a newspaper place had finally dawned on me. It seemed as if when I was done doing one task someone came to make me do another. Hopefully, the help I gave on formatting articles and revising papers helped. All that would be done now is to take it to Lieutenant Hisagi to see-

"Ayame!"

Who could possibly be calling my name? I turned in the direction of the shrill voice, only to be overwhelmed by a sea of orangey blonde hair, French perfume, and Number two Glossy pink lipstick. I was familiar with all these brands simply because I forced to go shopping with the person who buys them all the time, Matsumoto Rangiku.

She nuzzled me into her bosom tightly to the point where I was unable to breathe.

"Oh, Ayame!" She gushed. "I feel like it's been forever."

Really it's only been a couple of days. We went out to her favorite pub only a week ago where I had to drag her intoxicated body home. But I didn't bring this up, not that I could. She was smothering me with her chest.

"How have you been, and what are you doing in the ninth division, and did you try that shampoo I lent you because you're hair is looking a bit dull…" She rambled on. Using all my force within my body I attempted to wedge myself away from her while mumbling an 'I can't breathe'. Matsumoto finally let me free from her death grip where I gasped for air never so thankful for its existence.

"So as I said before, what are you doing here Ayame? Seeing a secret lover hmmm?" She asked winking her light blue eye seductively.

"Of c-course not!" I said a bit too defensively.

She laughed at my flustered reaction but waved it off all in good sport.

"I'm just playing."

It struck me as peculiar that Matsumoto was in the Ninth Division. Even though she does wander Soul Society quite often it'd make me wonder who she came here to see.

Or was she visiting him? The thought left my mind as soon as it was conjured.

"I have to help Lieutenant Hisagi with some…investigations." I said not entirely sure if I was allowed to disclose information to other people.

"Investigations with Hisagi?" She repeated. There was a way in which she arched her eyebrows and looked at me that caused my stomach to become restless. It wasn't a glare, nor was it her signature mischievous look but a look that gave off something that resembled contemplation. What she was thinking about that involved me? I wasn't too sure and that made me the most edgy.

"Wh-why are you here, Rangiku?" I asked innocently, anything to lift the unknown tension.

"Oh right!" She said remembering. She placed a perfectly manicured finger to her full lips like a child recalling an answer to a question.

"I'm here for the edition of the paper."

The paper? Was Rangiku that enthusiastic about the trivial news of Soul Society and the random musings of our Captains that she'd come all the way here just to pick up a copy? She doesn't really seem like the type of person to sit on a couch by the fire and read a newspaper, or read anything for that matter. Not that I could really say anything either. My free edition that I was given each month usually ended up in a nearby trash. Only after reading Hisagi's column, and Captain Ukitake's one on plants though.

"You like to read the newspaper?" I asked.

"Of course. I am a part of the committee." She said as if I was crazy for asking. "I only read the gossip column though and the one that gives updates on relationships." She said proudly.

Why am I not surprised?

"Enough joking though, Ichinose sends me to pick up the final draft from Hisagi every month." She said offhandedly.

Hisagi is in charge of editorial duties. So that would explain why she's here. She looked into my arms and saw Seireitei Communications printed across the front.

"Oh, looks like he's already finished." Rangiku swiped the paper from my hands in a fluid motion.

She gave it a once over flipping through the pages and looking in it for a couple of seconds. Finally she closed it and tucked it neatly under her arm.

"Good enough." She stated blatantly as if grading the quality of some fish.

Matsumoto began walking down the hallway towards the exit. I scurried after her trying to catch up.

"It must take a lot work editing the paper." I said stating the obvious. I still wanted to talk to Rangiku. In truth I kind of missed having a female companion to talk to, even if she was incredibly loud and boisterous. Also I wanted to get a little bit more information. The conversation held with Ikkaku and Ayasegawa hadn't quite left my mind. While I didn't really think about it, it nagged me in the back of my head while I dreamt.

She looked down at me and smiled. "I'm sure it does but Hisagi can handle it. I can count on him to do anything for me." She said cheerfully.

"So that must mean you guys are really close?" I said a bit cautiously but I tried to play it off as casual and harmless as I could. She seemed to take it as a casual question too, laughing at nothing in particular.

"We've known each other for a while, had a few drinks here and there. He's great when it comes to holding his liquor by the way."

"Oh,"

I found myself falling behind her speed and I quickly increased my pace again.

"So you hang out with him often?" I asked. The question that I really wanted to ask was if the rumors about her and Hisagi were true but something in my head stopped the words from reaching past my throat. I had to use subtler ways.

Rangiku glanced at me causing me to take interest in the cloud shaped like a piggy in the distance.

"Hisagi's a really nice guy but he's always working. So he doesn't usually come to our parties that much." She whined.

"Why do you ask?" Her question seemed to strike me as peculiar. Why did I ask? It shouldn't be any of my business whether Rangiku hangs out with Hisagi or not. Even if she didn't, it's not like there'd be any hope that he'd have any interest in me. Why won't this false sense of hope, the fluttering in my stomach, and the sudden feeling of insecurity I feel when her and his name is spoken in one sentence just go away!

"N-no reason…" I managed to say.

She looked at me, almost a bit suspiciously as if not believing my weak answer. Her expression soon changed back to her cheerful and playful demeanor.

"As much as I'd like to hang out more I've got to leave." She said pretending to sulk.

"Oh," I said a tad sadly but also a bit relieved. Rangiku may not seem like it but she's really perceptive. My constant string of lies would be intercepted sooner or later.

"Tell Hisagi thanks again for the paper this month." She said winking her long eyelash at me.

"Sure," I responded giggling a bit at her teasing.

"Is the wink necessary too?" My question was an attempt to be jokey despite the sudden hard feeling in my throat. Yet it only came out as throaty whisper.

She laughed at me again the sound of her voice ringing through my ears like bells.

"The wink is definitely necessary." She said in a mock sexy voice.

She passed through the gates leading outside. I began walking back to the main buildings but was stopped by the sound of Rangiku's voice once again.

"Oh, I forgot." She turned back around.

"Hm?" I turned back towards her.

"Could you also tell him thanks for last night?" She said softly. A smile graced her pink lips as she said so. The words came out as if she were remembering some dream of sorts. While the sentence held Matsumoto's usual aura of seductiveness I was unable to tell if it was playful or not. And that scared me a little.

Even if I had wanted to ask her what that meant I wouldn't have been able to, because she soon disappeared from my line of sight.

"Oh, of course." I said just barely getting the words out after she left, but as usual they landed on deaf ears.

OOOOOOOooooOOOO! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'm writning the next one as we speak so hopefully that will be out soon too.