Hello Kiddies. I'm back! *laughs mischievously*
I'm sorry I wasn't able to post last friday as usual, but between my writer's block and my three S's (school, soccer, swimming) I've been really busy. I apologize for the delay.
Once again, I want to thank those who've left reviews, as well as those who have read the story. You continuously brought me ounces and ounces of joy during the last week. Test week really put a cap on my brain. Thank you for your wishes as well.
Ok, so onto chapter 11 *cheers*. This one was really hard for me to write. I don't know why, but I've seen that most people find Byakuya's POV hard to write. However, for me, Rangiku is harder. I guess I'm not that good with the girl talk.
Oh, right! This chapter is written from her persective. Rangiku's POV people!
Well enough with the banter. Onto the eleventh chapter.... Is it me, or does that rhyme? :/
Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen.... I've been watching the Pendulum Arc lately, and being reminded of Tousen's stupidity just makes me want to kick his nuts. So that's what I'd do. But I own nothing, so the little Tousen will live to see another day.
Jigokucho stands for hell butterfly in Japanese. Just in case you didn't already know.
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Just what I needed, a jigokucho. Now my day's complete.
Attention all Taichos and Fukutaichos. An emergency meeting will be held this afternoon at Yamamoto-sotaicho's office. Attendance is mandatory. Talking Points: Hollow invasion in Karakura.
Now I have to go to the office and inform my Taicho. Ugh!
Ok, I just have to finish wrapping these bandages around my arm and I'll go.
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"Good morning, Taicho!"
I wasn't in a good mood since this morning, but I won't burden my taicho with my problems, so I played dumb.
"Matsumoto, where the hell you've been all morning?"
"Aww, isn't this the cutest? Taicho was worried about me!" I replied, jumping across the room to hug him.
"Lay off me, Matsumoto" he slurred, gasping for air as I held him in my bosom.
"Are we in a bad mood today, Taicho? Is it because of the meeting?"
"So you did find out?" He answered sarcastically, pulling himself away from my hold.
I could feel something different in Toshiro. It was something I hadn't sensed since the end of the war, and it worried me a little. I decided to put my work face on and be serious about things.
"Sorry I'm late, Taicho. I got held up at home," I replied smirking, "and yes, I got the message. Do you know what's going on?"
Well, maybe just a little serious.
"If you would have come earlier you'd know. Now you'll have to wait until the meeting."
He was acting distant, which is saying something considering he always keeps people at arm's length. He didn't do it to me as much, but he was putting some extra effort in today.
"Oh, come on, Taicho! What happened was that I came across Yoruichi and we went to Soi Fong's for tea, but then she morphed into a cat and accidentally scratched my arm. Very strongly I might add." I said, trying to rid him of his stress.
I never expected him to buy into my story but he wouldn't pry, so it was as good excuse as any. And he might just find my 'story' amusing.
"Well if you must know, Kuchiki-taicho was here this morning."
What? That bastard came looking for me? That's some nerve he has!
"Why was he here?" I asked, intrigued, trying my best to conceal my surprise.
So what if he came looking for me, I don't care.
Then why did you ask?
Ugh, this is going to bug me.
"Matsumoto, are you listening to me?"
"Oh, sorry, Taicho. You were saying?" I didn't realize I had drifted in my mind.
"He was here with Abarai to discuss the latest information coming from Karakura."
So Renji's back. Good, that ought to get Rukia off my back.
"What did Renji find out?" I asked, snapping back into shinigami mode.
"It seems that the hollow activity he was assigned to follow was prompted by arrancar."
"Arrancar? We kicked their asses in Hueco Mundo, how are they still messing with us?"
"Well, they defected from Aizen's army and hid in the Menos Forest after the war. They've taken control of lesser hollows and most likely Gillian class Menos."
This is serious. We expected some arrancar to still exist but we didn't expect them to make any kind of move so early on.
"So what are we doing about this?"
"That's what the meeting is for, Matsumoto. We spoke to the Sotaicho, and he summoned both Taichos and Fukutaichos, so I'd say some people will be sent to the human world soon."
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Toshiro was insistent on us being early for the meeting, which is why we left for the Sotaicho's office just a few minutes after I arrived at the office. I believe he did this to keep track of where I was, fearing I might disappear on him and forsake the meeting altogether. I accepted reluctantly, as this could prove uncomfortable considering my situation.
I was certainly in no mood to run into a certain captain who, I'm sure as my name is Matsumoto Rangiku, is dying to give me his 'heartfelt apology'. Bastard.
I don't want his apology, or any of his hypocrite demonstrations of affection. He clearly showed me he doesn't care, and if he doesn't, why should I?
You can't decide who you care for. Need I give any examples?
Shut up, will you?
He's a taicho and I dared him to spar. He doesn't have to apologize for the wound as it was me who let my guard down. If he cut me, it's up to me to suck it up and learn from it. The next time —which won't happen because there will be no next time— I won't fall for that move.
Anything that Rukia had implied or I could have perceived about him was nothing but an illusion. He's the same overbearing, arrogant, heartless bastard that he is any other season. Why Rukia would believe any different from her brother, I don't know. Maybe she settles for that illusion.
She doesn't settle. It's not an illusion.
Whatever, you're annoying.
I braced myself for what I believed would be an awkward moment; Byakuya asking to speak to me in private while I search for an excuse to avoid him, Toshiro watching in surprise and Renji spacing out as usual. Well, part of it would have to be real as the rest is simply to bizarre to believe.
Such was my surprise when we arrived and no one was there. I swear, Toshiro is a little — no, strike that— very paranoid with being punctual.
I decided it was best to be vaguely frustrated at my Taicho's unnecessary insistence in being early than to boil in rage at the thought of Kuchiki Byakuya, which is why I forbade 'that' idea from making its way to the forefront of my thoughts.
Keep telling yourself that, maybe someday you'll really believe it.
Do I have to spell it out for you? S-H-U-T UP!!
I sighed in frustration at the realization that I was now being stalked by my thoughts. I shook my head and I could almost see Toshiro stare confusedly at me, as if he didn't know something was bothering me. Something different than waiting for the meeting to start.
This is why I opted for remaining immobile until the meeting begins, not bothering to consider how this would raise a flag in my taicho's mind if my previous reactions had not.
However, I knew he wouldn't ask any questions. It's not in his character to snoop, so I didn't worry.
After a good half hour had passed all the captains and lieutenants had arrived. Well, all but one.
Was he trying to make one of his 'grand entrances' or just make his presence known to me? Bastard.
Wouldn't you love to know?
Ok, when we're at the meeting you won't be able to do this, so just say what you're going to say and get it over with.
You already know all I have to say. I'll stop once you accept it.
Done. Accepted. Geez, if I could flash my tongue at you I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd do it but it would be acknowledging my madness, and I refuse to do that.
"Are you okay?" Nanao said, tapping me on the shoulder to get my attention.
I was slightly confused by her question but quickly brushed it, opting to act as if nothing happened.
"Hi, Nanao-chan! I didn't know you were here. This waiting would have been a little less boring with you around."
"Really? You seem to be quite occupied with your thoughts. I waved at you but you didn't notice."
Busted. I never believed for a second Nanao would buy into my false normalcy, but it was worth the try.
"Does this by any chance has to do with—"
"If you would be so kind to enter we may begin this meeting," The first division's fukutaicho announced to the room of shinigami in front of him.
Saved by the bell, so to speak. Nanao strode off with Kyoraku trailing behind her, unable to finish her question. Toshiro beckoned me to follow him and I did, walking in his footsteps.
Is he not planning to attend the meeting or he's just that much of a coward? Ugh, who cares?— Don't you dare to say me! Got it?.
Silence. Apparently that irritating voice had vanished from my head.
Once we were in the room, all captains took their respective positions and waited for the sotaicho to commence the meeting. As usual, the lieutenants placed themselves behind their taichos, which is why Nanao was to my left and Nemu to my right.
And, right beside Nanao was a red pineapple who is that bastard's fukutaicho. And where was such bastard? Right in front of him, being his normal self.
How he had entered the room without me noticing his presence, I don't know. What I do know is that he was trying to avoid me, or else he would have been early and I would have spotted him.
However, I'm here on business, so I won't dwell on the reasons why he eludes me. Or at least I'll try, since the Sotaicho is about to speak.
"Thank you all for being here so promptly. As it was said in the message you received, there's a group of arrancar planning to invade Karakura. Before we discuss any course of action, Kuchiki-taicho will brief you in the specifics of the mission and the information acquired by his division."
So that's why I didn't see him, he was already inside. How did I not think of that?
I flinched, as I could sense that voice coming back to haunt me. I inhaled deeply and tried to relax, hoping that would calm it down. It worked, so I pulled myself together and listened to him, determined to not let his voice get to me.
He was talking about something or the other, probably repeating what Toshiro had said to me. I tried to listen but I was distracted. Damn it, why does he have to be so gorgeous? But when he opens his mouth… it just ruins it.
Thinking he would let me in… that idea had to be the stupidest that ever entered my brain. Why do I have to look at him? And why can't I stop?
My eyes were still focused on him, and I noticed that his scarf, the one that costs more than Seireitei itself, was missing. I wondered if that had something to do with what happened this morning. Nah, I don't care.
"Jackass…" I whispered so softly it was nearly inaudible, though someone heard.
Thankfully Toshiro was standing in front of me. He would have certainly called me on my dizziness but he was focused on the meeting. Unfortunately, the other person in the room capable of saying something about this was standing to my left, and she will do something, I just don't know when.
Nanao shot me a look full of disbelief, and I couldn't deny the fact that I agreed with the expression. This is completely unlike me, so all I could do was to hide my emotions from her and smile to the best of my abilities. I know this won't stop her worrying but at least it will delay her reaction.
"Yama-jii, what are we doing about this then?" Kyoraku spoke, breaking the trance between Nanao and me.
"We shall send a contingent of shinigami to patrol Karakura. If any of them comes across any arrancar, their orders are to annihilate them and any hollows that are a part of the group. They shall remain in Karakura until further notice. If this period of time becomes prolonged, the assigned shinigami will return to Soul Society to be relayed by a different contingent. We'll maintain this course of action until we get rid of them all."
"Who should we send then?" Ukitake-taicho replied.
"Many of you have managed operations in the Human world before, but since this was brought to our attention by the sixth and tenth division's taichos, they should attend to this problem to begin with. If their stay becomes too long I shall select others to replace them."
I know the sotaicho hasn't said anything about me, but Toshiro won't leave me here in charge. I just know he won't. So we are leaving for the human world, along with Kuchiki Byakuya. That won't be awkward at all.
"I don't believe is necessary that both Hitsugaya-taicho and I depart for the human world at the same time." The bastard replied.
If his face wasn't as emotionless as usual, I would have sworn he agreed with me. Finally the man shows some sense, even when it's just his cowardice talking.
"Would you please state your reasons, Kuchiki-taicho?"
"Leaving two divisions leaderless for an undetermined period of time would be in detriment of the reconstruction efforts. I suggest only one of us leaves first as the leader, and then the other would take over the duties once sufficient time has passed."
So there goes my theory. He didn't say it because of me, or at least he didn't hint it.
"I agree with Kuchiki-taicho, Yamamoto-sotaicho. It's important that we don't overlook what's happening in Seireitei because of this situation, so I'm volunteering to depart first, along with Matsumoto, to lead these efforts."
See? I knew that would happen, so I wasn't surprised. Oh well, I guess a couple of days away from Seireitei could do some good. Plus, I could go shopping.
On the other hand, someone else in the room was surprised. Is either that or someone just kicked Byakuya where it hurts.
"Wouldn't that leave your division helpless, Hitsugaya-Taicho?" Ukitake-taicho pointed.
"The state of affairs in the division is completely normal. The officers have a designated plan for situations like these, so I can assure the division won't suffer in our absence." My Taicho replied.
"Very well then, it's settled. Histugaya-taicho will depart tomorrow morning along with his Fukutaicho for Karakura. Abarai-fukutaicho will leave as well, as he was assigned to this mission in the first place."
Finally this meeting will end. I've got things to do.
"I have a suggestion to make, Yamamoto-Sensei—"
Damn it!
"—Perhaps Kuchiki Rukia should depart as well. She is well acquainted with Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends, and they may be helpful in battle, so involving them would only benefit our plans."
"I accept your suggestion, Ukitake-taicho. Please order Kuchiki Rukia to settle her affairs and depart with Hitsugaya's party tomorrow."
Silence was heard throughout the room, and right then I couldn't help but look at the man, who seemed to be collected as usual but it could only be a mask. If Renji and Rukia leave, he's all alone.
Anyway, that's not my problem.
Still, you care.
You again?
I let out a soft sigh, but it was not because I worried over him. Really!
"Since all's been settled, this meeting is adjourned." The Sotaicho announced.
All the Taichos started to leave the room, followed by their respective fukutaichos. I turned and walked alongside Toshiro.
When we were at the door I felt a tug in my arm, pulling me away from my Taicho.
"We have to talk, Rangiku. Right now!"
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The tugging on my arm dragged me across the First Division's halls and out into the streets of Seireitei, despite my resistance. It stopped once we were in the vicinities of the Eighth Division.
She is of a smaller build than me, so it never ceases to amaze me how she can force her will on me when she decides to do so.
"Nanao, what the hell?" I asked, annoyed by her imposition.
"You're not fine, Rangiku. Perhaps you should talk about it?" She replied, raising an eyebrow at me.
"What are you talking about, Nanao?"
"You don't need me to tell you, Rangiku, so don't beat around the bush. What's going on? What happened to your arm?" She said, pointing at the bandages.
"That? It's just a little accident that's all."
"Does that 'accident' have to do with Kuchiki Byakuya?"
I tried my best to hide my surprise at her question, failing miserably. Not having any other options to resort to, I tried avoiding her question.
"What does one have to do with the other, Nanao?"
"You were staring at Kuchiki-Taicho during the entire meeting. And notice I said staring and not looking."
"I wasn't staring, Nanao, he just happened to be in my field of vision. What was I supposed to do? Not look at the Sotaicho?"
"Come on, Rangiku, be honest with yourself. You were staring at the man. If not, why did you curse him out then?"
So she did indeed hear me say that. Nanao was trying to trap me with her reasoning, but I wouldn't budge so easily.
"Nanao, he is a jackass. Everyone knows that."
"Alright. If so, then why stating the obvious?"
"Just felt like it."
"Oh, so it does have something to do with him?" Her brow rose once again.
"From where do you get that?"
Nanao sighed in frustration, unable to back me into a corner with her questions. However, she is not one to give up so easily, so she tried a more direct approach.
"Look, Rangiku, we can dance around the subject all you want, but you know you'll end up telling me about it, so why won't you spare me the trouble and spill already?" She said, adjusting her glasses.
I was annoyed by her insistence, but I knew she didn't mean any harm by asking. So I decided to share what happened. Perhaps venting would help, though I consider that unlikely.
"They are both related. Kuchiki and the bandages."
"You need to be more specific, Rangiku. Admission to my question is not enough."
"Maybe if you let me finish you'd get your specifics." I answered, vexed by her commentary.
"Ok," She repressed a sigh, "talk then."
I paused for a moment before I resumed speaking.
"We sparred this morning. He said something or other and I said something or other, I got pissed and then he got pissed, and then he cut me." I said, downplaying what had actually happened.
"That was it? He just cut your arm?"
"Don't say it like it's a minor thing, Nanao. He cut me!"
"So? It's not the first time you've been injured. Also, based on what you just said I'd say you're not that upset about it."
"Not upset? Are you kidding me? I'm furious!" I shouted.
"And why is that, Rangiku?"
"Need I say it again!? He cut me! Kuchiki Byakuya took his precious sword and just decided to hurt me. Purposely!"
"Oh, hush you," she said, hitting me on the shoulder, "now, are you upset because he cut you or because he hurt you?"
"They're both the same thing, Nanao."
"No, they're not. You don't need me to spell it out for you, Rangiku." She said, appealing to my common sense.
"But he—"
"Really, Rangiku?" Nanao replied, shooting me a look that compelled me to admit the truth.
"Alright, Nanao! Are you happy now!?" I yelled, releasing all my pent-up frustration at the man.
"When was I unhappy?" She answered, pausing for a moment before giggling.
"Stop mocking me, Nanao!"
She chuckled once again "I'm sorry, Rangiku, it's just so easy to do it," She said slyly, "so what are you going to do about it?"
"What can I do, Nanao? It wasn't me who started it. If I try to get closer he'll just push me away again. As far as I'm concerned, his intentions are clear. And I do have some pride, you know?"
"Perhaps you're right, but knowing you I'd say you provoked him, didn't you, Rangiku?" She said, narrowing her eyes at me once again in an attempt to force me to concede the truth.
"What are you implying, Nanao?"
"You wanted him to show you that he's not indifferent towards you."
"And I get that through him hurting me? How?" I asked.
"You're not looking at it properly, Rangiku. He wouldn't let you get away with provoking him, and you wanted him to, to serve you as proof," Nanao laughed at the simplicity of the situation, "gosh, he really got to you, didn't he? It's not like you to be so oblivious to these kinds of things."
I sighed at her truthful observation. "Yes, that seems to be happening lately," I answered, "ever since that idea crawled into my brain and nested there."
"So you've said before, but there's nothing wrong with that, Rangiku. I'd say it's quite a pleasant feeling."
I rolled my eyes at her remark, "Not so much when it involves a guy like him, Nanao."
"Come on, you really think he's okay with this? You think he's not having problems handling it too?"
"Of course he is," I replied, "this is not about him, it's about me. I usually know how to handle these things."
Nanao stood closer to me and patted me on the back, trying to lift my spirits.
"On behalf of us women who don't know what to do about their love lives, welcome to the club."
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Alright, so I've to go to soccer practice now, so I'll make this short.
Nanao-chan!! Gosh, I love her. As I said before, I've been watching the pendulum arc, and little Nanao just enamored me. I swear, writing Rangiku and Nanao's conversation was the hardest part about writing this chapter. But in the end, I like how it turned out. Nanao said just enough. I wonder if she could actually drag Rangiku through the ground, considering her assets.
Now, onto the bad part. The updates. I won't be able to post chapter 12 this week. I already started writing it, but I have a big test next week and I have to refine my programming skills to make sure I pass, so this week the majority of what I'll write will be on Delphi language. Sorry to keep you hanging, but duty calls. However, I'll post as soon as I can, and after next week there I'll have a couple of weeks without any tests, so I should post more often then.
Once again, I apologize for delaying this chapter and the next one as well, so I ask you kind reader to please don't hate me. If you do I'll tell Byakuya and he'll go Bankai on your behinds.... Nah, just kidding. He will however, be angry if you don't leave a review, so click on the button at the end of the page and leave a comment. Let's make my inbox happy people :D.
Have a nice week my lovelies.