Undertones
By: WhisperedSilvers
X
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Let it get to your head then it get to mine
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say it right
"I could have gone home and change, Captain."
"The compound is across the Seireitei. Surly you were not thinking of running back and forth from the capital."
"It would be less embarrassing."
"It's just clothing Kuchiki, I highly doubt Matsumoto's top would even fit you." Hitsugaya sighed with exasperation. He had to admit, it gave him a streak of masculine satisfaction to see her in his clothing. It wasn't the standard shinigami getup; it was long white dress shirt that dwarfed her entire stature and a pair of black tights that his lieutenant had graciously given her. She looked tiny—like how he used to look.
Rukia scowled, "I'm wearing men's clothing. Do you have any idea what rumors this will cause?"
"Of course I do."
His nonchalant answer had her sputtering, her eyes widened almost frantically as she tried to put the pieces together, "W-What?"
"But do you care for the rumors?"
Rukia didn't reply because she didn't know how to reply. She looked at him in something to resemblance to disbelief. "Do you not know who my brother is?"
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow, "And that should bother me… because?"
She spluttered, still is suspicion, "Because it's Nii-sama!"
"I thought I made it clear the night before that I don't particularly care for your brother. "
"…You didn't say that."
"I didn't think I would have to," Hitsugaya replied coolly. He looked over to his desk, mountains of paperwork neatly stacked upon each other; his lieutenant would be receiving an earful. He gave her specific instructions to start the paperwork while he trained Ukitake's unseated officer. Now he had two day's worth of paperwork to accomplish, a migraine began to prod his temples, so much work and so little time.
"Right," Rukia brushed off the topic, she strapped her zanpakuto to her waist, the large shirt boxing her chest area, her tiny frame seemed almost drowning in the clothing, "Let's go."
"You're finished complaining?"
"For now of course."
He chuckled lightly, "I can't say I expected anything less."
The door broke open revealing giggling blonde, she swayed for a moment before grinning lethargically, "Captain~"
"Matsumoto, I was wondering when you were going to start consuming alcohol." Hitsugaya drawled out, he watched her with caution as she swayed unstable for a moment, his hands crossed under his chest in annoyance.
"Aw, I just had a bit~"
"Lieutenant Matsumoto it's noon," Rukia exclaimed in quite surprise, "Isn't it too early to be drinking?"
"It's Rangiku, Rukia-chan! I only had few with Renji," She giggled before hugging Rukia like a stuffed animal, her head between her breasts, her breathing muffled, "Sides', what are you doing with our precious Captain?"
"Can't breathe," Rukia's voice was inaudible as she tried to pull out from the Lieutenant's rather heavily endowed assets.
Hitsugaya quickly pulled her out of his drunken Lieutenant's grasp, eyes narrowing at how heavily she was breathing; her bewildered look only seemed to fuel the blonde's intentions.
"Matsumoto!" Her Captain chewed out, "Control your self!"
She pouted, "Did you want a hug too Captain, all you had to do was ask!"
Hitsugaya side-stepped, his Lieutenant hugging nothing but air as she fell to the ground in a heaping pile, she groaned in pain before she stoop up quickly, the room was still blurry, but she felt so light—her eyes sharpened.
"I like your shirt Rukia! It suits you." Rangiku grinned when she saw a light dust of pink appear on the smaller girl's cheeks.
"Ah, thank you." She shuffled uncomfortably before inclining her head downwards, "And thank you for the pants."
"S'not a problem, you know you're welcome to borrow anything of mine," A cat-like grin painted itself onto her face, a red blush tinting her cheeks as the implications set itself into the little Kuchiki's brain.
Rukia blinked rapidly not knowing how to respond to that.
"Matsumoto, I specifically told you to file the paperwork and send it in to Head-Captain Yamamoto—so please tell me, why the hell there is two days worth of paperwork stacked on my desk!"
Matsumoto giggled, "I did the paperwork while you were out frolicking with Rukia-chan—"
"—Frolicking?!"
"Those are just the approval forms that are needed for the new recruits—you have to evaluate them~"
The fact that his Lieutenant actually managed to do the paperwork and found time to drink was beyond him.
Rangiku was drunk not stupid.
She knew what she was doing and something tells her that—that little flash Rukia had—had something to do with her Captain, really it was manipulation at it's finest.
"We were just going to grab lunch, would you like to come Rangiku?" Rukia asked politely, ignoring the glare that Hitsugaya seemed to shoot her with.
"Nu-uh, you two enjoy your date, I'm going to find Shuhei!" Rangiku patted Rukia on her head, blissfully ignoring her squeak before sped off to find her drinking partner.
The woman with dark-colored hair blinked, "Is she always this…"
He finished her sentence for her, "Eccentric? Yes." Hitsugaya fasted his Captain's haori over his sleeved shirt, "Now, where exactly did you want to go?"
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Come and get on my level
Breathe it in with me
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"No."
"Wait what, why?"
"Why are you complaining?"
"We had a deal, Captain."
"Yes, but I'm pulling rank on this one. There is no way I'm going inside there."
"Renji, Rangiku, Kira, and Shuhei come here!"
"It's a bar, Kuchiki." Hitsugaya grumbled, he stood in front of an establishment that looked like a high-end bar; he had a zero-tolerance for alcohol. What he didn't understand is why this noble wanted to go into this tavern.
"It's not a bar," Rukia replied flatly, "It looks like a bar, it doesn't mean it is a bar."
"It's says Kyoko's Pub!"
Rukia actually rolled her eyes, "Just come inside, five minutes and if you still don't like it we can leave."
He sighed, "I can't believe you."
Rukia walked inside, Hitsugaya following her footsteps, she climbed up the steps and sighed when the pub opened up into a restaurant. The walls were pitch dark, glimmering with colored lanterns that hung in draped over the ceiling and was that grass on the floor?
"Ah, Kuchiki-san," The host greeted warmly, blue hair ruffled back and red eyes that seemed more like brick red than blood itself, "Two?"
"Yes, thank you Ren-san."
Ren lead the couple to table in the back, a small wooden table, with benches clustered around the centerpiece, it smelt like wind and smoke. It was enclosed picnic area, with festival-like decorations.
"I can see why you like this place." It wasn't a compliment.
But Rukia didn't say anything about the comment, merely smiled in a smug manner.
"It still doesn't hold a candle to Imperial."
Rukia looked at him, "Imperial is ah, high-class restaurant. This place is more relaxed. Plus the food is pretty good too."
"Oh?"
She nodded, "It's a mix of traditional and western dishes. The owner was a shinigami that used to go into the World of Living—he used to work in a restaurant there. He brought back some of the dishes that were made there—here."
"Sounds interesting." Hitsugaya replied, a shinigami that retired to become a restaurant owner.
"Mmhm," She agreed, her violet orbs twinkled silver for a moment before she asked, "So I take it you don't want to leave?
He glared at her.
"There is a proverb that humans like to quote, how did it go again," Rukia thought for a moment, the lantern on the table glowed subtly highlighting her very petite bone-structure, "Ah, here it is. Never judge a book by its cover."
Hitsugaya stared at her blankly, "It took you that long to pick up that sentence?"
Rukia hid a scowl, "It was a long time ago!"
"You're not that old."
"I'm older than you."
Hitsugaya scowled, before cooling his frown into a calculating stare. It was banter like this, where he got to see the real Rukia Kuchiki. Not the mask that the Kuchiki clan conditioned her with, so what could he say that would get under her skin? He bit the inside of his cheek before replying casually, "Most women are."
She stared, just what exactly is his angle? There had to be an ulterior movement. There just had to be, "Oh?"
He hmm'd in acknowledgment, "But that's okay," His teal orbs glinted like sapphires, "I prefer older woman."
Rukia was sure that if she was holding something that she would have dropped it and the item would have broken into millions of pieces. She refused to flush of course, so she let her nails dig onto the inside of her thighs, the slight pinch distracting her from the snide comment.
Sode no Shirayuki's voice whispered into her ear and she was vaguely startled, rarely did her zanpakuto ever speak to her in her sword form.
I can hear Lord Hyorinmaru laughing.
She blinked slowly.
He's trying to provoke you.
Well, it was working. Violet orbs narrowed, that didn't mean she would let it continue. "Does that mean you do not speak to people your own age?"
"You're not that much older than me."
"You're avoiding the question."
His fingers drummed against the glassy table, the muscles in his arm tensing at the movement, "No."
"And why is that?"
"What a pointless question," Hitsugaya commented dryly, "By the time I graduated the academy—I was already on my way to becoming a Captain, there was no one on my maturity level that age—everyone I associated with was older than me—"
"Even Hinamori-san?" Rukia touched upon a subject that was quite sensitive and she knew it. But she was tired of his evasion and his games—why not just shoot straight down his throat.
Hitsugaya's jaw twitched, but he made no move otherwise to show his discomfort. His eyes narrowed, glinting like diamonds—hard and untouchable. "Momo is younger than me."
She flickered her eyes to the flame before tilting her neck, "Was she not mature enough?"
His hand twitched, he placed it on the table, shifting his weight so he was leaning on his forearm, "Maybe she was and maybe she wasn't. When we split up from the academy—I saw less and less of her. But then again, I had become Captain when she reached Lieutenant status."
She thought that if she kept pushing him, Aizen would escape his mouth like poison and that was the last thing she wanted to talk about.
"Hm," Was all she said before a waiter arrived at the table, copper-colored hair and dazzling purple eyes, he smiled gently at the couple.
"Hello Rukia-san; how is everything?" He reached inside his pouch to grab his notepad and a pencil. He placed two menus on the table.
"It's good, how is your father Shin-san?" She replied casually grabbing the menu, the man with snow-hair followed suit.
"You know father, always doing something." He laughed with good-nature before he deliberately looked at the Captain, "A date, Rukia-san?"
She fumbled with her menu for a split-second and Hitsugaya chuckled softly at her slight stumble.
Rukia quickly composed herself and replied with ease, "Captain Hitsugaya and I decided to have lunch after training."
"Oh?" Shin grinned, before speaking to the Captain with casualness, "Does Captain Kuchiki know about this?"
"Training yes," Hitsugaya answered flipping a page, "Sharing meals, not so much."
"And I would appreciate it if you didn't say anything, Shin-san." Her tone was bright, polite even and it was laced with a hidden threat.
"Of course, Rukia-san. Would you like the usual? Or would you like some time?"
Rukia clicked her tongue, "Can we have a pot of white peach tea? I would like some time to look over the menu."
"That's fine." He scribbled their order onto the notepad before quickly inserting, "I'll be back shortly, take your time."
He left.
"Your brother comes here?" Hitsugaya asked quizzically, he placed his menu onto the table.
"Discreetly, of course." Rukia answered, her eyes scanning the menu.
"And you know this because?"
"Because," She sighed, "Because, because even Nii-sama has a sense of humor."
Those beautiful teal orbs of his blinked, "Captain Kuchiki and a sense of humor. Should that even be in the same sentence?"
"Funny really," Rukia deadpanned, "Nii-sama likes the peppered yakitori they have here." She placed the menu onto the table after mentally selecting a dish; "He usually has Renji to pick it up here to avoid suspicions."
"Captain Kuchiki is a closet-eater?" His tone had a touch of surprise.
"Something like that," Rukia stopped the smile that was twitching at the corner of her lips.
Shin returned with a tray. A green kettle and two teacups, placing the china on the table, he grabbed his notepad again, "Are we ready to order?"
Rukia didn't miss a beat, "Shrimp and vegetable *tempura, with a bowl of *hayashi rice."
"*Karē raisu with chicken and a plate of gyoza."
"I'll have those right out," Shin smiled, "Would you like anything else Rukia-san, Captain-san?"
Rukia looked at Captain Hitsugaya whom shook his head.
"No, that's it."
"Alright, I'll go put the order in. By the way Rukia-san, the old man is back—if he comes in seeking for an audience—please, do not hesitate to call me." Shin replied almost apologetically.
Rukia laughed lightly, it almost liked she was breathing funny and Hitsugaya followed her shaky movements. He had never seen her laugh before—snicker sure, but not exactly laugh. This was barely a chuckle, "Will do, Shin-san."
He smiled and left carrying the menus.
Hitsugaya poured tea for the both of them. She inclined her head in thanks while picking up the cup, carefully sipping the hot liquid.
"I take it you know the owner well?"
"I know his son, very well."
Teal orbs sharpened, "How well?"
Rukia didn't miss the implications. As much as she would like to evade the subject, it was only the matter of wanting to evade the subject—she didn't. She wanted to irritate him. She deliberately sipped her tea, the hot liquid scalded her cheeks before swallowing—she inhaled deeply.
"Well enough."
"That didn't answer my question."
"Then perhaps you didn't ask the right question."
"Kuchiki," Hitsugaya's voice was pressed; he placed his teacup onto the table and crossed his arms.
She paused, "Why does it matter?"
"Why are you avoiding the question?"
Because, she wanted to say—Rukia and Renji met Shin on the streets when she was living in the Rukon District, he was adopted by a third chair shinigami. They were friends for weeks, until the shinigami came and took him in. That was the last time she saw him. Years later, Renji had introduced her to this place and soon she and Shin were reunited.
The whole of Seireitei knew she was adopted—from where, that information was still unknown. If she liberated this small piece of information—who know what consequences it could bring? Not that it was a secret—it's just that too much information is never a good thing. She wanted to keep it that way.
"Renji and I met Shin before I was adopted. Before the academy." Rukia stated simply, she poured some more tea.
Hitsugaya watched her movements.
"We were friends for a bit before one of the officers decided to adopt him—since then I haven't seen him. Renji brought me here before the Bounts had invaded the Soul Society. I try to visit him at least twice a week."
"That's quite noble of you, Kuchiki." He noted, "I'm sure his father certainly appreciates it."
"Of course." Her eyes glimmered with something before it was gone again, "He is a very interesting person."
"Oh?"
"I suppose you will see soon enough."
Hitsugaya felt a very familiar reiatsu approaching, actually a couple of very familiar reiatsus approaching the establishment. It was gone in a flash. He tucked this piece of information for later. He wondered about his Lieutenant though, just what in the world was she doing?
Rukia was staring at him intently. Her eyebrows furrowed, she was still confused. It's been two days since they started training and she was sure that they were spending a ridiculous amount of time together—all of his time with her. If they weren't training they were eating and didn't he have Captain duties to accomplish? What was he doing spending all this time with her?
"Is there something wrong?" Hitsugaya asked, his hand propped under his chin, his eyes locked on hers.
"No," Rukia tried to think of an excuse; she replied quickly, "I was just thinking I should visit Captain Ukitake later."
"Why?"
She tried to rake her brain for a logical answer, "Well, I have to check on the paperwork."
He cocked an eyebrow, "Paperwork?"
He sounded like he didn't believe her, now she had to be rational. What should she say?
"Yes. When Captain Ukitake isn't—well, I usually do his paperwork." Rukia replied slowly, come to think of it—she hasn't heard from her Captain in a while.
"But shouldn't his Lieutenant—" He stopped abruptly in the middle of his sentence, he grimaced—he had almost forgotten. A touch of frost clouded her vision for a moment before she shattered the ice, "If you're doing the duties of a Lieutenant, shouldn't you be promoted already?"
Rukia blinked, "What?"
Hitsugaya sighed, this was bothering him for a while, "Look. You developed your shikai into what—three moves? Your swordsmanship is pretty good, your Hakuda is probably one of the best's sets of skills I've seen for someone in your rank and your kido is well advanced. The only thing you're missing is your Bankai—which you only need if you're going to be Captain. Your shinsei sainou is developing rapidly—I see no reason to why you shouldn't be promoted."
Rukia could hardly believe what she was hearing. Not only was he praising her discreetly of course, he was questioning her as to why she wasn't promoted to being Lieutenant. Her cheeks didn't even color in embarrassment—she looked at him in shock.
"I-I," She stammered, "I can't be promoted just like that!"
"And why not?"
She looked at him with wide eyes, "You do realize there is a Lieutenant's exam to become a Lieutenant."
His eyebrows raised in surprise, "What are you talking about—the Captains recommend their Lieutenants—"
Rukia shook her head, "That's only for male Lieutenants, and female Lieutenants have an exam before they are promoted to Lieutenant status."
Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed, his teeth clicked, "I've never heard of such a thing."
She stared at him, before sighing, "I take it Rangiku was a lieutenant before you became Captain."
"Yes," His eyes widened, "Does that mean Momo—"
Rukia swallowed, "Hinamori-san's test was different," She looked at her teacup, before running a hand threw her hair, "It wasn't like the standard test."
"Explain."
"Hinamori-san's strengths lie more in Kido, therefore her test had to deal with more psychological and spiritual conflicts." Rukia paused, "But you see, we are not supposed to know what the Lieutenant's tests entail."
"What do you mean?" His tone was confused.
"Each test is different—no, what I mean is…" She sighed; it was already difficult enough to explain, "Every female officer that wants to become a Lieutenant must go through an exam. All of their tests are the same—however the present Lieutenants are forbidden to speak of the test, unless they are administrating it. If there are officers that specialize in a field such as Kido, research, and so on—then the exam will be customized so they can take the exam for that specific area."
Hitsugaya blinked rapidly, the exam sounded…chauvinistic. "Then how do prepare for the exam if you do not know what the exam is made up of?"
"There is a week given before the exam to prepare. It's a mission—the test." Rukia replied darkly, "Once you receive the assignment, you have one week to prepare and if you fail, you fail."
"And how is it administrated?"
"A Lieutenant proctors the exam in the presence of one captain and another lieutenant." She glanced at the lanterns, "Once the assignment is complete, the paperwork must be filled out and sent to the Head-Captain—promotion is immediate."
Hitsugaya was irritated, "How was I not informed about such a thing?"
"To be frank Captain," Rukia flickered her eyes back at him; "Most Captains are unaware of such exams—unless they are receiving a new female lieutenant."
Hitsugaya stared at her. "Then why don't you take the exam?"
"Captain Ukitake doesn't think I'm ready to be a Lieutenant."
"That's total crap." He stated bluntly, there was something else.
Rukia smiled thinly, it was nice to feel someone having faith in you. "Unfortunately, that is what it came down to."
"You do realize, if you manage to master your shinsei sainou and achieve Bankai you would be Captain material?" Hitsugaya deepened his voice.
She stilled, "Really?"
"Of course."
Shin came in with their food. He placed the plate of gyoza and tempura on the left side of the table and their rice bowls adjacent to their chopsticks. "Please enjoy."
"I have never seen blue gyoza before," Hitsugaya felt his mouth part slightly, as he twiddled with the small dumpling.
"It's a festive dumpling. Try it." Rukia bit into her tempura, inwardly savoring the buttery texture of the shrimp.
He plopped the dumpling into his mouth, chewing slowly, his eyes widened in delight, "It's good. Is that lemon grass?"
"Mmhm, Kyoko's specialty."
"I can see why you like this place, Kuchiki."
"Isn't it obvious?"
He laughed lightly at the comment and she couldn't decide if it was inappropriate or not at the way her stomach seemed to warm at the sound.
She sipped her tea before digging into her rice. The stew was savory, her tongue rolled around a piece of carrot before she chewed onto the gamey meat. Rukia couldn't help but compare him to her older brother. Despite them having somewhat the same characteristics—they were completely different. His lips glimmered a dusty pink under the lights of the lanterns and when Rukia poured herself some more tea—she sipped letting the hot liquid burn her throat—a distraction was most needed.
"What time do you want to train tomorrow?" Rukia suddenly asked, her chopsticks picking up a soybean and swirled it in the tempura sauce.
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow, "Why do you make it seem like that after this meal I won't see you till tomorrow?"
Her jaw loosened for a minute. Her eyes widened with surprise, her brain cells couldn't find a reply that had the proper amount of wit to retort with. She stuttered before she found her voice, "Well, don't you have to evaluate the new recruits?"
"Yes."
Rukia was speechless.
"It's noon." Hitsugaya merely stated before sipping his tea, "We are going to evaluate the new recruits."
She stilled, "We?"
"We." He confirmed.
Rukia couldn't help the dry rebuke that escaped her lips, "You need this lowly unranked officer's opinion?"
Instantly a finger went under her chin, the appendage lifted her head and fiery aqua-colored orbs met icy mauve. It didn't register in her brain at how close they were. He leaned across the table, if she blinked her lashes would brush his cheek and suddenly there was less air between them.
"Don't think you can get rid of me that easily, Kuchiki," Hitsugaya murmured, thick lashes half-lidded, she was close enough to notice that his lashes weren't silver like his hair, but closer to charcoal—a true shade off black. "It's going to take more than your morals to have me ruing the day I met you."
I don't think I could ever regret meeting you.
That is what he said this morning and now he was reminding her—now she didn't know what to do.
"Shouldn't your Lieutenant be helping you evaluate your recruits?" Rukia's eyes narrowed, she refused to intimidated. She has known too many stoic, overwhelming and very strong people to be pushed around like a doormat.
"That atrocity is most likely highly intoxicated and she would serve no purpose as to accompanying me to the barracks."
"Your third seat—"
"Vacant."
Rukia was running out of excuses, "Surly you can evaluate your recruits—"
He didn't disagree, "Of course I can," The finger underneath her chin pushed upwards, effectively closing her mouth, he leant back into his chair focusing on his karē raisu and raised his chopsticks, "But I think it would very effective for your training."
Rukia stabbed her shrimp with her chopstick; Hitsugaya watched with mild amusement, "How would this help me with my training?"
"It's a training technique that I discovered before I became a Captain."
Which quickly translated to: I'm going to teach you something I haven't shown anyone.
Now she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Rukia didn't answer, she at the last piece of her tempura before finishing up her stew. Her face was crinkled into a mask of frustration, she didn't bother to keep the calm façade she usually had painted—this man was going to drive her insane.
And it was all because of a stupid flash—if she hadn't seen that damn flash, she would've been perfectly fine to train with him. But no, the Gods seemed to think that her life wasn't miserable enough—so they decided to throw in a wrench and what did it cause?
It caused her to see the possibilities.
Which meant she had no control over the situation.
"Captain~"
Hitsugaya sighed, he remembered he felt her reiatsu earlier, hers and a few other familiar signatures. He should've known not to enter when the little Kuchiki said that his lieutenant, Hisagi and Abarai come here routinely.
"Matsumoto," He replied blankly, he watched his sparring partner pale and wondered what could have caused such a reaction.
"Captain Hitsugaya—I apologize are we interrupting?" It was Shuhei who spoke next, and then the dark-haired man noticed the little Kuchiki in front of him, "Rukia!"
Renji appeared behind him and she paled even more.
"Have you recovered from your injuries?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Have you recovered as well?"
"Apparently," Hitsugaya interrupted, his eyes gleaming with irritation, "He is well enough to consume alcohol." Shuhei scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, one of his arms held onto his Lieutenant who was quite hammered, "As for your other question, yes. You are interrupting."
Rukia actually glared at him.
"It's alright Shuhei, we were just about finished." Her lips curled when she felt a chilling glare from across the table, "Renji, what the hell are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be training with Nii-sama."
Now Hitsugaya had seen bits and pieces of the Little Kuchiki's temper, so imagine his surprise when she spat acid at her supposed best friend—whom actually was her brother's Lieutenant.
He coughed uncomfortably, "Well, your brother sent me on a few errands. He has a meeting right now, so I am not needed till later." He raised a brow at the situation in front of him, as much as Renji wanted to, he didn't forget the day when Rangiku and him snuck into the barracks and watched them train. There was just so much tension and hormones. Perhaps now was the time to see if he can get some answers, "Are we interrupting your date, Captain?"
This time the question was directed towards Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya did not take the bait, "And if you are?"
Matsumoto didn't want to seem unimportant, so she giggled teasingly, "Aw Captain, that's good! Everyone was wondering if you were asexual or y'know gay~"
"What."
Rukia placed a hand over her mouth to stop herself from smiling.
Rangiku didn't even seem to acknowledge the cold that seemed to be frosting over her hair, "Mmhm! All the Captains placed bets last month."
Renji chuckled nervously when began to see his own breath, "Rangiku, I think that's enough—"
Rukia's shoulders were shaking.
The blonde kept going completely unaware of the chaos that she was creating, "But y'know Captain, I kept thinking…what if you started to split like amoeba? I mean there would be two of you!"
Rukia began to laugh. Bright, peals, of laughter escaped her pastel-colored lips—she was laughing so hard that she couldn't cover her mouth. She was shaking and Hitsugaya just watched her. He hadn't even gotten a smile out of her—now she was laughing—a full deep-bellied laugh and he hadn't realized how beautiful she looked when she was laughing.
She was breathing hard, trying to contain her laughter, she used her fingers to wipe a few stray tears. Her cheeks hurt—she had forgotten how long it's been since she's laughed.
Renji watched her with a soft smile and Matsumoto was still grinning.
"Aw, Rukia my little darling~" Rangiku hugged her side, "Aren't you precious, like a little doll!"
Rukia released a few chuckles, "Don't you think you have had enough to drink, Rangiku?"
"Sake is everything Rukia~"
"At least hold it down."
She pouted, "Captain, stop corrupting my sweet little girl."
Hitsugaya was still staring at the alien scene in front of him. Rukia was laughing, she actually released a genuine laugh and really he shouldn't be so interested in the vulnerable, happy and bright sound—but he was. Now his Lieutenant was practically leeched onto his sparring partner, nuzzling the little woman like a cat and she was smiling.
Really, today was just interesting.
"I didn't do anything to her."
"She was never this strict!" She whined, swaying and Rukia had to grip the table to keep herself from swaying.
Renji instantly grabbed her form, "Okay Rangiku, let's get you back to your office."
Shuhei grimaced, "We apologize for disturbing you Captain, Rukia."
Hisagi grabbed Matsumoto around the waist, while Renji held onto her shoulders and both of them used shunpo to leave the establishment.
"Well, that was interesting." Rukia declared, sipping the last of her tea.
He paused his movements, teal orbs glinting like sea-foam, he replied softly, "Yes, it was."
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I don't want to think
I don't want to talk
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The walk to the Tenth Division underground barracks was relatively short. She looked at the sun and it's location—it was nearing three in the afternoon. Hitsugaya opened the door and motioned her inside—she entered first and he closed the door. It was dark under the seats of the arena; on instinct her fingers attached themselves to the hilt of her zanpakuto.
"Let's go."
She answered after a moment, "Right."
There were fifteen officers scattered on the field. Sparring—at least that's what Rukia thought they were doing. Their zanpakuto's clashed with each other in an awkward angle, they were sloppy and she had to swallow a laugh. The Captain of the Tenth Division had his work cut out for him.
"This is going to be a long day," Hitsugaya grumbled to himself, his ears picked up a slight huff on the right side of him, his eyes narrowed. Was she laughing at him?
With nonchalance, Hitsugaya casually placed a hand on her head—she narrowed her eyes, why did he have to grow and she still stood the same height? But the question was—why in the world was he touching her so offhandedly?
"What," Rukia's voice was flat, "Are you doing?"
"Using you as an arm rest."
A moment of incredulity passed through her, "In case you haven't noticed, I am not an armrest."
"I know," His eyes met hers, "You're going to be the training model."
She stilled, "I'm what?"
Hitsugaya coughed loudly gaining the attention of the new recruits, the trainees paused their movements before standing in formation. "Sir!"
"Today I will be evaluating your…abilities in swordsmanship. If you think you are Tenth Division material do not hold back." His tone was grand and it demanded respect, it sent her stomach to her knees. He was a born leader and it made Rukia look at him in awe for a slight moment, "The Tenth Division has no need for cowards. You will shatter every known fear, you will push yourself beyond the limit and you will be the pride of the Soul Society."
Hitsugaya's hand that was resting on her head suddenly moved to her shoulder, his other hand grasping the other shoulder. His grip tightened on her shoulders, when he spoke, his tone was deep and right next to her ear. The term bewildered was an inadequate term to describe how she was feeling.
"This is Rukia Kuchiki, she is a Lieutenant candidate for Squad Thirteen. She is a model shinigami—she will be testing you."
She turned her head to look at him in disbelief.
"Are you insane?"
The recruits watched in mere surprise at her attitude towards a Captain. Rukia tried to shrug off his hands and walk back towards the seat of the arena—his hands tightened onto her lean shoulder bones and she only moved a few steps away from him—her feet dug into the tightly, compacted soil.
"Kuchiki,"
"Why did you tell them I'm a Lieutenant candidate when I'm not!"
He sighed in annoyance, one hand that was gripping her shoulder curled around the back of her neck and she froze. The grip he had on the back of her neck had her stomach tying knots. He turned her face towards his slowly, he pressed his thumb onto the muscle that she didn't know was straining, easing the tissue into relaxing. "Do you want to be Lieutenant?"
"Yes," Rukia replied exasperatedly, "But I haven't even spoken to Captain Ukitake or even Nii-sama—"
His eyes sharpened at the sound of her brother, "Don't worry about it." His thumb stroke the indentation where her neck separated into her spine, his eyes glimmered like sapphire, "Now," he released her, "Show them what it really means to be a shinigami."
Hitsugaya used shunpo to lean against the sidelines; his eyes were intense and calculating. It was her move now.
"Ah, Kuchiki-san." Boldly one of the trainee's spoke up, "What would you have us do?"
Rukia blinked. What would she have them do? Judging from their spar—if she could call it that—they needed help with their swordsmanship—they needed proper training.
If there were fifteen of them, she bit her lip and thought for a moment. Something was niggling in the back of her brain—perhaps she could use this tactic to evaluate the recruits, but she would have to be careful.
"I want you in five groups, three in each squad." She commanded and she had to admit to herself—it was nice to have this kind of power.
Immediately the recruits dispersed and she knew the Captain was watching intently. Rukia gave each group a number, she tightened the obi around her waist that held Hitsugaya's shirt and grabbed her zanpakuto.
"Squad one, I want you to attack me. Full on." Rukia demanded, because they were new recruits they haven't discovered their zanpakuto's name and because of this they couldn't release their shikai. They would have to depend on their zanjutsu.
"Together?" They hesitated.
"Yes," Her tone was clipped, "Don't wait for me to attack—you don't want me to."
Rukia raised her zanpakuto and slashed the air—the wind snapping at the blow, the recruits charged at her. Her katana clanged with one recruit, she snapped her hand back to stop the blade behind her, ducking, their zanpakuto's clashed with each other—she slid her blade across the other—he coughed when he was slammed back.
Again, she used her foot to kick the other shinigami into the other—her zanpakuto drawing the both of them to the ground. "Next group."
Squad two's tactics were different from the previous squad. Squad one would rush blindly into battle, always leaving an opening. Squad two was looking for a weakness—she narrowed her eyes, she wouldn't give them anything. Rukia slashed her zanpakuto in the air before jumping over one recruit—she slid back using the blunt part of her hilt to push him onto the ground. There was another one behind her, she grabbed his arm and pressed her zanpakuto against his neck. The other one tried to tackle from her from the side—she called out, "Bakudō Number One: Sai!"
He fell to the ground with a limp.
"Next squad." Rukia called out, her tone drenched with indifference.
Squad three was working in a team unlike squad two. Her eyes glimmered with approval.
They were learning.
That's what he wanted her to learn. Hitsugaya wanted her to learn how to manipulate her opponent's movements, so that she could have the advantage. It was a brilliant tactic. Not only was she learning, the recruits were starting to pick up where they went wrong.
Rukia slashed her zanpakuto with scruffy, his hair tangled into a mop. She pushed him back into another shinigami—she slid her zanpakuto over his head and another—sweaty, his hair glistened with perspiration—came it her from behind, he was about to slash her when she used shunpo and then called out, "Hadō Number One: Shō!"
It was one blast that knocked over three recruits in a row.
"Next," Rukia almost didn't dodge the swing that the redhead threw; she ducked and tightened her grasp on the grip of her zanpakuto. She noted that he was trying to overpower his teammates—not good. The other recruit actually threw his zanpakuto at her and she got angry. She was appalled at their behavior—the disrespect! "Bakudō Number Four: Hainawa!"
A golden rope tied the three shinigami together and disabled their movements. She held her hand to the next group. Rukia growled, "Are you out of your mind? What makes you think that throwing your zanpakuto like it's nothing is okay?"
"Look lady—"
"No, you fool. How will you ever learn your zanpakuto's name if you treat it like a tool?" She wanted to shriek at their recklessness, "Zanpakuto's are your partners! Zanpakutos aren't a tool you get to throw away when you don't need them or pick them up when you feel like you need them." Rukia grabbed the boy with the smart mouth by their collar, "How the hell will you receive your shikai if you don't establish a relationship, you dolt?"
The redhead snorted, "As if you have room to talk Kuchiki-sama." He spat the word like poison itself, "We all know that you are an unranked officer yourself—"
Hitsugaya appeared in front of him and the words got stuck in his throat.
Captain Hitsugaya's orbs were glowing like the ocean itself—destructive and shimmering with rocks of aqua. His jaw clenched and unclenched, this time he grabbed him by his collar and hissed, "Hold your tongue."
Rukia stepped back, but he pinned her down with just his eyes.
"You watch the way you speak to my partner, you imbecile. Rukia may be an unranked officer because her brother did not want her in the field," Her eyes sharpened, he continued, "But that does not mean she doesn't posses the skill to become a ranked officer." He released his collar and stepped back, frost covering the ground he stood on, "Just because she is from a noble clan does not mean she didn't have to earn the respect of other Captains—in fact, she was the catalyst as to why the Soul Society is still standing to today. Rukia is a model shinigami—I have no use for weak-minded boys such as yourself on my squad—you are dismissed."
The redhead lowered his head, grabbed his zanpakuto and left the barracks.
Hitsugaya exhaled shakily and turned his head to look at Rukia—she stared at the walls of the barracks. He released the recruits and walked towards her. For the first time since he began training with her, he didn't know what to say. "Kuchiki, I apologize—"
"Don't." She said flatly, "Don't apologize. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, Captain."
"That wasn't an the point, Rukia!" He snapped, "That was public humiliation. Why would you allow someone so petty—to degrade you like that?"
"It doesn't bother me."
"Yes," He sighed with exasperation, "Yes, it does."
Rukia turned her head; she refused to look at him. The fact of the matter was that it did bother her, but for many years—when the clan would whisper rumors, or when she would hear some of the soul reapers gossip about her—she had to learn to ignore it. It didn't help that she would remember what they said—
She felt a hand cup her chin, a thumb on the lower side of her jaw and for a split-second the hand snapped her head, so now she was facing burning teal teal orbs, fire crackling in those eyes of his and dark lashes fanning his face.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you," Hitsugaya commanded harshly, against her will violet orbs locked onto his. Her face was carefully masked into a blank expression, but her pupils were widening at the graveness of his face.
Warily, Rukia grabbed his hand that was closed against her chin and slowly pulled it off her person, "I do not appreciate being man-handled, Captain Hitsugaya."
He took a step back, "I don't appreciate you not giving me the attention I deserve."
Rukia's eyebrows rose at the implications. She didn't comment. "Right," She nodded more to herself before she continued, "Look, it doesn't bother me. You think if I let everyone's judgments bother me—that I would shrivel up and die?"
He stared at her.
"No, I refuse to grovel at their feet and make myself smaller." She scoffed, "I am a Kuchiki—we don't—I don't bow down to scum."
He smiled, it wasn't a full beaming smile—it was a crooked smile and it had her heart lodged up her throat. His eyes were half-lidded and the barest hint of teeth—the small traces of indents that looked like dimples—her eyes flashed—Kei's dimples—against prominent cheekbones.
Rukia blinked slowly. Those were Kei's dimples—her son's dimples and wow.
"Looks like you can take care of yourself, Kuchiki."
She rolled her eyes, "Naturally."
Hitsugaya laughed.
.
.
.
I'm up here waiting for you
I'm so high, high, high
.
.
.
"I hope I never become a Captain," Rukia groaned, looking at the small mound of paperwork that she finally marked, stamped and approved. There were at least fifty packets left she had to look over.
"And why is that?" Hitsugaya asked curiously, he stamped a paper with the word rejected in red ink before circling the word with his brush.
"Too much paperwork."
He chuckled, "That certainly is a drawback of having Captain status."
"How many more evaluation packets do we have left?"
He counted the stack left, "Twenty."
She grumbled, "I still have to help out Captain Ukitake!"
"Don't worry about it," He said absently, "His third seats are covering your absence."
Rukia looked at him suspiciously before stamping approve on one packet, "How do you know that?"
"I ran into them earlier."
"No you didn't." She stared at him, "I was with you the whole day."
Her heart hammered when she said that last sentence.
"Alright, I lied." Hitsugaya conceded, "I received a note this morning not to pay mind to your division while you were training."
She was still suspicious. "Right."
"You don't believe me."
It was a statement not a question.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Rukia paused mid-stroke on her paper. She didn't answer, she stamped completed after the packet.
"Kuchiki."
"Yes?"
He tried again, "Kuchiki."
"Yes?" Her teeth gritted.
"Kuchiki." His tone was exasperated.
"What?" She snapped. Her eyes snapped to his, his pointer finger brushed her cheek. Amethyst orbs widened at the small movement.
His aqua orbs twinkled when he presented her his forefinger, black ink smudged onto his fingerprint. "You have ink on your face. Please try and refrain from writing so hard,"
The brush snapped.
"And breaking my writing utensils." He added with mirth, giving her a spare brush.
Smug was an understatement when it came to him.
Rukia snatched the brush and dipped it into the ink—ignoring the very amused Captain.
The door unlocked revealing a sober blonde, carrying what looked like snacks. "I'm back!"
"Welcome back," Rukia greeted, grateful to having another person in the room other than the very arrogant, smug ice-captain.
"Aw, don't you two look cute." Rangiku cooed, her Captain was sharing her desk with the little Kuchiki. He sat in his chair and the little girl sat across from him.
"Matsumoto." Hitsugaya greeted, a hint of annoyance coating his tone.
"Anyways~" She sang, she held up the bags, "I brought some snacks, since Captain did order me to grab some food." She walked towards the desk, "For our highly-esteemed Captain," Rukia coughed to hide a snicker, he shot her a glare and this interaction did not go unnoticed from the Lieutenant whom was absolutely beaming with joy, "I have some *gyoza, *unagi, *castella and mochi—I think there's a bottle of *genmaicha too."
He blinked, "That's a lot of food, Matsumoto."
"Don't worry Captain, Rukia-chan and I are gonna still some!" Matsumoto grinned before turning to Rukia and nuzzling her with her face, "As for my darling Rukia," She grabbed the brown bag, rummaged inside and placed a small can it in front of her, "Ta-dah!"
Rukia's eyes sparkled, "Ice cream?"
She nodded enthusiastically, "Lemon-flavored ice cream with strawberry marshmallows shaped like Chappy—I remembered Renji saying that you loved Chappy—"
"Chappy?" Hitsugaya interjected with amusement.
Rukia's ears burnt with embarrassment, she refused to look at him, she hastily opened the can, grabbing a plastic spoon inside the bag, she scooped the creamy delight and plopped it into her mouth.
She sighed.
"Good, huh?" Matsumoto declared, "I thought you deserved a treat for dealing with our very grumpy Captain."
"Matsumoto!"
"Thank you, Rangiku." Rukia was so very sincere when she showed gratitude, the blonde had to suppress the urge from crushing her into her very well endowed chest.
So, instead she squealed, "You're so cute, Rukia!"
Matsumoto was ready to trample the small Kuchiki when her Captain pulled her target out of the way; his hands were curled underneath her shoulder blades and pulled her towards the side of his chair.
"Matsumoto! Get a hold of yourself, woman!"
She pouted, "Stop hogging Rukia-chan!"
"I'm not! You nearly crushed her this morning!"
"Stop being so dramatic!"
Rukia watched the scene with poorly veiled hilarity; she calmly began to eat her ice cream. She didn't mind his hands on her shoulders, as long as her ice cream was still in her possession—she wouldn't care if he iced his office.
Definitions:
*Tempura- Deep fried vegetables and shrimp in a light batter.
*Hayashi Rice- Thick beef stew on rice.
*Karē raisu- Rice with curry.
*Unagi- Grilled eel.
*Gyoza- Dumplings filled with meat and vegetables.
*Castella- Sponge cake.
*Mochi- Sweet rice cakes.
*Genmaicha- Green tea combined with roasted brown rice.
Character development~
Very slow character development. Rukia's shell is cracking—Rangiku is plotting and Byakuya—well, he's next.
Note: Songs used- Mars by Jay Sean.
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