'The plan is inherently flawed. I refuse, Hyorinmaru, to go into battle unprepared under any circumstances. '

'You take yourself way too seriously, kid. You're asking a girl out, for crying out loud, not fighting Aizen!' Hitsugaya bristled at the name, and Hyorinmaru amended, 'Or Ichigo or Kenpachi or someone.' Touchy subject, much? 'You even know she'll say yes.'

'No, no I don't,' Hitsugaya snapped, 'So you say.'

'I'm always right,' Hyorinmaru offered a condescending grin. 'I got Shunsui and Nanao weeks before that happened, didn't I? And Byakuya and Renji, and Ichigo and Rukia, and Kenpachi and Unohana– I've gotten them all right, you know. What makes you think you're so special I'd get you wrong?'

'I know, Hyorinmaru, it's just... different... with Hinamori. I know, it's just Hinamori! It's not that I don't trust you; I do, with my life and Soul Society on the line. It's just...'

'Hinamori, I know.' There was, for once, no sarcasm or condescension in Hyorinmaru's voice, only camaraderie and compassion. Hyorinmaru's unadulterated fondness filtered through the daily barriers. They both knew how much was at stake here; almost Hitsugaya's entire relationship with his most precious person was on the line, and even cynical Hyorinmaru couldn't fault him for being so in love.

It lay between them, unsaid but mutually understood, that Hyorinmaru didn't have to do this. His matchmaking speculations were not usually tested on such high stakes, and Toshiro would have lived happily ever after with his "unrequited love" had no one staged an intervention.

Yeah, not so much. It was out of a combination of concern for Hitsugaya, a desire for his happiness, and intense boredom that he had called on Tobiume. Hyorinmaru was a heavenly being of unimaginable age, and he was pretty damn confident in his abilities to set up a cute boy with the girl that liked him. If he couldn't do it by now, it was obviously impossible. He knew, as Tobiume knew, that this would only end in happiness for both of them, one way or another.

'They're just so cute,' he thought to himself, 'and so self-conscious. What IS it with this generation?'

'Hyorinmaru? Are you ready?'

'I was born ready, Shiro-kun.'

'You are ridiculous.'

'You love me.'

'I do.' There was a moment of heavy, mutual silence, and then Hitsugaya swung the door open, nearly whacking Hinamori in the process.

"Shiro-kun!"

"Hinamori!" They stood there dumbfounded for a moment, their zanpakuto laughing in their heads, before resuming their stroll.

"Turning in paperwork?"

"Yeah," smiled Hinamori, "I suppose you already have yours in?"

"I made Matsumoto get up and do it this morning," he drawled, trying to look composed. "Are you off for the evening when you're done?"

"Yep!" she chirruped, "and Kurosaki-taicho gave me the day off tomorrow too."

'Why do I suspect you might have a day off tomorrow too?' Hyorinmaru piped up. He was ignored.

"Then... would you want to do something tonight? Hitsugaya wasn't one for stereotypes, but his throat still constricted as he waited. Hyorinmaru wanted to laugh at him, btu he was too busy holding his breath.

Hinamori turned to look at him, surprised. "I would love to!" she exclaimed, radiating delight. "What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking," he faked thoughtfulness, "maybe we should drop into Seireitei to get dinner?"

"That sounds great!" Momo looked thrilled with the prospect of going anywhere with Hitsugaya. They parted a moment later at the first division's door, and as soon as she was gone Hyorinmaru started the barrage.

'Hmm, I wonder who called that one...'

'You did, Hyorinmaru.'

'And will you stop angsting now?'

'I have never done any such thing. I merely felt understandable anxiety.'

Hyorinmaru said nothing for a moment, waiting.

'Oh wise and noble prodigy-captain,' he began slowly, 'what does 'angst' mean?'

'That depends on where you're going with this.'

'Well... not to quote or anything, but according to "angst" means "a feeling of anxiety".'

'Shut up, Hyorinmaru. I'm busy basking in success.'

'Seriously? Seriously? Fine. I'm just going to gloat.

...for the next two centuries.'

'I figured,' Hitsugaya smiled, and they strolled away to make reservations.

A/N: Finally! Finally! I know it's been forever, but please don't lynch me. It's a long chapter, too, just to apologize. Now that I've got all that silly plot out of the way, I can go back to mindless sarcasm and wordplay. I also plan on revising the previous chapters, to make them more fleshed-out. I hope you all enjoyed, and please review!