This is just a short one shot piece that portrays the one sided love Matsumoto has for Hitsugaya. I wrote it for a contest where we had to pick a Division and construct a story revolving around its members. Hope someone out there enjoys it, if only a little.

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I've always been in second place. Second to you, second to her: second, second, second.

I've never particularly minded being your vice-captain. You've always treated me kindly enough. You've never belittled me or made me feel useless. On the contrary, you are more caring than most people could even begin to imagine. In all actuality, I love being your vice-captain. I love when you praise me. It literally makes my day. After any sort of compliment from you, my innards coil in a sickly happiness, and my head becomes light, floating up to the clouds where it stays for the remainder of the day.

Coming in second to her, never sat well with me. What makes her special in your eyes has always been a mystery to me. Sure, at times I admired how much you cared for her, but it was in the same way that one might admire an abstract piece of art. You appreciate it simply because you know that is what you are supposed to do. You might not comprehend what the work of art is trying to portray, and you may not even like the art, but you know it is a thing that was created to be admired. So you admire it.

When you see abstract art, you think "I could create something ten times better." That is exactly how I feel when I get the chance to observe the two of you together. I could care for you better. I could treat you better. I could be a better lover. I could be better for you than she is. I am better. In the end, I'm not better. I am two steps behind. I am still in second place.

I didn't follow to help save her. I followed to make sure that you were alright. I know how strong Gin is. It's not that I didn't believe in your abilities. I just couldn't bear the thought that you were putting yourself in the position to be injured while I was sitting at home. I ran as fast as I could to the source of the enormous amounts of Spirit Force. When I arrived upon the scene things were looking up for you. Hyourinmaru had Gin ensnared, and you were announcing to Gin that it was the end of his life.

Then, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Shinsou charged you. Experienced as you are, you quickly dodged the attack. However, it soon became apparent that Gin's target wasn't you, but the now unconscious Hinamori. For a fleeting second, which felt like an eternity, I seriously contemplated letting Shinsou skewer her. Maybe then I could climb out of second place, and work my way into your heart. Maybe then I would be recognized by you outside of the battlefield. Maybe, maybe, maybe…

But I knew that this was wrong. You wouldn't seek comfort in my arms. Saddened and depressed, you would push away from everyone. You may never love again. You may never be happy again. I knew this. And I didn't think I could ever bear to see you that way. So I leapt out of hiding, just in the knick of time. I blocked Gin's attack. I protected Hinamori.

Later that night, after we had left behind Gin and Izuru, we stood together over Hinamori's bed. She was still unconscious, but, nonetheless, she was alive.

"Arrigato Matsumoto," you said to me. "If you hadn't had come Hinamori would be…." you trailed off. "Arrigato."

I didn't know what to say. I felt the all too familiar sense of my stomach twisting and my head becoming light. I was possessed with the idea of confessing my feelings; my feeling for you, and the feelings that had flooded through me while Shinsou had been approaching Hinamori. But I didn't. "You're welcome Taichou," I replied.

Some people are never meant to win first place.