Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Bleach or it's characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo.
Author's Notes: Again, I am not posting the pairing for this story until it is revealed in the story. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
When he looked at his appointment book last night and saw a very particular name listed first thing in the morning, he had not thought much about it. But now, as he lifted his gaze from the three pieces of paper to look at the woman sitting across from him, he was sure he was losing his damn sanity. Wasn't he tortured enough by his Lieutenant? Not one to just do things blindly, he lifted an eyebrow and looked pointedly at the woman.
"Are you... serious?" he asked.
The slow, lazy blinking of blue eyes as a small smile curled just the corners of her lips as she replied, "Yes. Is there something you find out of place with that?"
Again he looked down and quickly re-read the words on the pieces of paper again. He knew Nanao's handwriting and decisive wording for contracts. Hell, he respected the woman for putting up with her Captain for so long. The man was now the Captain Commander.
"I want to hear why you... are doing this, Higurashi." He said.
The soft peal of laughter from the woman was not what he had expected. But the way her blue eyes gleamed had him on edge.
"Because I promised your Lieutenant that I would drink with her. And this way, it, as that contract states, can be done in a safe environment under the supervision of a Captain. Also, I know that Rangiku-san respects you. Knows that you are not one for telling... tall tales if you will. I mean, you do have a certain reputation, Captain Hitsugaya,``she quipped.
Toshiro narrowed his eyes in speculation at the only female member of the 11th Division. He didn't try to hide his disbelief at what she was saying. Though he was curious about what kind of reputation he had circulating, only to see her smile disappear, face going into a hard mask.
"I assure you, Captain, that I am well aware of what others think about the 11th Division. That we are barbaric. And yes, I will agree to an extent. But, and I stress this, but we are not honorless. We have a higher code of honor than most of the other Divisions. So, do not think so little of us. If we make a promise we hold it," she said, her voice dropping a few octaves.
Realizing he had insulted her, Toshiro gave a small nod of his head in apology. Watching with a critical eye as her face softened, but her demeanor stayed cold, distant. A one-eighty from what he had been dealing with when she entered his office.
"Besides, Captain Hitsugaya, this way, you can have blackmail material on your own Lieutenant."
At those words, he felt his eyes shoot open wide. The dark gleam of amusement in the depths of Kagome's eyes had him shocked.
"What?" he asked, just to make sure that he heard that right.
"I said, you can use this as blackmail material on your own Lieutenant. I mean seriously, that woman has no work ethic that I can tell. Hell, I bribe her all the time with my baked goods to just leave me alone," she said, sighing a bit dramatically.
His mind instantly began to sort through things. Connecting lines from the recent seven months. It was now early November. And he had noted that Rangiku often came into the office with a small container of some confectionary. And then at the last Captain and Lieutenant's meeting, there'd been honey-coated Cinnamon Buns. Her words had him realizing she was the source of the baked goods. And from the way she was openly smiling in amusement at him meant he had been open with his thoughts.
"Fine. But I have a condition to me signing this contract... And when do you want to do this?" he said.
When she tilted her head to the side after nodding his head, Toshiro smiled back at her before speaking. "I want to spend a day observing you."
The way her mouth dropped open before she laughed aloud. Her eyes were shining brightly as her full body relaxed.
"I am okay with that. But, I need to know, will you want twelve or twenty-four hours for observing? And I need to clear it with my Captain, of course," she replied, doing her best to smother more laughter. "And tonight. The sooner this is done and over with, the better for all of us."
He nodded in assent and replied, "Twenty-four, if you don't mind."
Though he was a bit taken aback by how quickly she wanted to do this. He was looking down at the contract and the three other copies. With a deep breath, he signed his name. Then shoved three of the contracts back towards the woman.
"Thank you! Now to drop a copy off with Nanao before I give one to my Captain. Also, do not worry about the cost of the liquor. Ika-chin and Yumi-chan are buying it all. That was the deal if you agreed and signed the contract, Captain," she said as she stood up and turned to leave.
He was speechless. That was a concern, but he figured he'd make Rangiku buy the damn stuff. Drinking was not one of his hobbies. And he was sure it would never be.
"Ah, Captain, do you have a preference towards sweet? I am making some for tonight. I know what Rangiku and the guys prefer... But, as a treat for doing this, I'd like to know yours," she asked.
Once more, Toshiro was surprised. Not having to think about it, he spoke up, "I like Strawberries. Fresh, on angel food cake."
The sweet smile she gave him had him looking down at his desk, as he waved her in dismissal. He was feeling a small bit of heat flooded his cheeks, wondering if that was how she handled all the men in the 11th Division.
Neither could believe it as they watched the short dark-haired woman practically prance out of the office. But the proof sat on the desk before them. And there was no mistaking that signature on it. It belonged to the 10th Division Captain.
"Well, I will... uh... just get on my paperwork then," Shunsui said.
Nanao gave a thin smile and nodded her head. She had a fun night to look forward to. And the fact that her Captain was so stunned that he was willingly doing his paperwork had her gloating internally. As she silently made a note to treat Kagome to some meal or another for this.
Ikkaku looked at Yumichika in shock. While a deep rumbling chuckle came from their Captain, he was not quite sure of having another Captain in the Division observing their tiny little member for twenty-four hours, even if she was okay with it.
"Let him come and watch you," Kenpachi said.
Whipping his head around so fast he was sure that he'd have whiplash, Ikakuk looked at his Captain and seeing the dark gleam in his visible eye. There was intelligence and cruel calculating going. He felt sweat roll down the back of his neck as the Reiatsu spiked around the man. As he smiled that particular smile when something was going his way.
"Okay, I will send a hell butterfly to tell him. And plan a day," Kagome said. "Also, Ika-chin and Yumi-chan, he signed that contract willingly... you guys have to buy all the liquor for tonight."
Ikkaku swore then and there he could hear the pained scream of his Wallet. He'd been drinking with Kagome before. Of course, it was due to his Captain, who could swim in the shit and never get drunk. Meaning he was in a bad place until they got another large Hollow extermination mission again.
"Kagome... where are you going?" Yumichika asked.
"Oh, I have to get the ingredients for the deserts I am making for everyone tonight. And, to prep the stuff for the others to make dinner. Tonight I will not be cooking for the Division. It is either cook what I prep for Soup, or fend for your own asses," she said.
Suddenly Ikkaku was glad he was sitting down because he was sure he'd have dropped. Not only did he and Yumichika have to pay for all that liquor. But they would be denied one of Kagome's home-cooked meals. It was pure torture. And silently, he was mentally cursing Rangiku for pestering Kagome so much about going drinking together.
Giving a soft hiccup, Kagome looked at the group that had gathered for a night of merriment. Rangiku was leaning back against the wall passed out with Shuhei's head in her lap as he slept contentedly there. Ikkaku and Izuru were knocked out and holding each other. Making her realize she needed to ask for a Camera. Nanao had limited herself so she could function in the morning, and left a few hours ago. Yumichika was curled up with his last sake bottle in a corner next to Renji. Who had his arm wrapped around Ruki as she tried to lift her drunk spouse?
It was rather amusing, all in all. It was the usual group that met to drink at the bar. Sighing, Kagome stood up and wobbled a little bit due to her legs protesting being sat on for so long. Her eyes slide to the quiet man next to her, one Toshiro Hitsugaya. He had what was left of the small, personal-sized, Angel Food Cake layered with whipped cream and strawberries in his lap. His face flushed from laughing so hard at the antics of everyone.
"Well, you are my witness. All the booze is gone, Captain, and I am not drunk. A bit buzzed, but fine," she said, letting the smugness she was feeling show in her voice.
When he lifted his aquamarine gaze to meet her own, she noted he was being open with his emotions as shock colored his eyes. Though the small smile he gave her was nice. His guard was relaxed, and he was not being the stiff, uptight man he showed the rest of the Seireitei.
"How?" he asked.
"I just cannot get drunk. I mean, I hold my own with my Captain easily. And you can ask your question now that everyone is passed out, Captain Hitsugaya," she said.
The way he jerked back as she placed her hands on the small of her back and bent backward, popping her back loudly.
"Why did you chose the 11th Division, Higurashi?"
She was smiling at him as she began to move around the large training room, picking up the mess.
"Because I want to push myself to my limits without relying on kido or others. I refuse to be a weak person who has to be protected time again and again," she said — pausing once her hands were full of plates and empty sake bottles and looked at him. "So, tell me why do you stay looking like a little boy? I mean that smother's your true power."
The way his eyes shot open wide, Kagome turned and made her way toward the kitchen she'd been shown earlier. She was not ignorant; she had heard Sesshomaru's comment after he seemed to commune with the good Captains Zanpaku-to. It was named the strongest Ice-type out there. And to boot, Sesshomaru said that it was a Dragon. The distaste in his voice was unmistakable.
Feeling very content with her life at the moment, Kagome couldn't help but wonder when shit would hit the fan. It always did where she was concerned. And she had been in the Seireitei for almost seven years with peace. It had her a bit apprehensive, as did the feelings she had growing in her chest for a particular person.
TBC!