I tried to be better in describing things. So this time I started earlier.
But I think I failed. I'm still late on updating. Sigh.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Of Excuses and Kissing

"What... what did you say?" Rukia blinked a couple of times, wondering if this really was reality. "... Ichigo?"

Quickly, Ichigo jumped back to his senses, and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well... you know... not really... ehe..." He tried to take back what he said. "I... was... speaking figuratively."

She raised her eyebrows carefully, stepping closer the the boy, leaning to check if anything was wrong with him. "Since when have you spoken with big words, Ichigo?" Rukia was in the mood to joke after his comment.

"Ever since," Ichigo growled. "Since ever-ever... ever. Ever-ever."

So much for bigger words.

She whapped him on the head with her back hand. "Fool." Taking a pivoting spin, Rukia's back now faced him. With her arms crossed, she turned her gaze backwards to meet his. "Well... I'm waiting then."

"Waiting... for what?" He really didn't know what else to ask-- the sound of her feet tapping impatiently was already nerve-wracking. "I don't know what you want. Be specific, idiot." Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"You're the idiot, idiot!" Her voice boomed in his ears. "You still haven't explained why you going to say something, and then now you're all flustered and making up all these excuses, baka!"

Matsumoto knew she was on the losing road-- so she decided to make up for it, and at least gain something out of it. After she had written a sloppy, non-describing, bland, excuse note to her already-angry captain, she wrapped her pink stole around her neck and walked out.

"I need Byakuya!" She self-concluded, stomping her way to his office. You really couldn't understand anything else she spoke after; it was all 'money-money-money' anyways.

Renji, who happened to walk nearby, scoffed. "You're sinking that low, Matsumoto-chan?"

"Ehh?" Matsumoto's scarf swayed in the air as she cast her glance on him. "What do you mean, Renji-kun?" She batted her eyes innocently.

He grunted. "Using Byakuya for money? That's terrible." The redhead ran a hand through his tied-up hair hastily, slouching casually, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "... you can count me in."

What an unexpected surprise. Renji and Matsumoto... teaming up? Seems like a manga.

"I'll go now." Matsumoto rubbed her chin in thought, as if she was completely ignoring Renji. She took large strides, creating distance between the two.

Renji sighed, revolving the other way. He stopped though, someone still called him.

"Eh? Are you coming with me, or not, Renji-kun?" Matsumoto turned back, a finger twirling around her orange locks. "Because you know, I'm not just going to stand here like an idiot while you're standing there looking even worse!"

He nodded. "Sure," He caught up with her.

And with that, Matsumoto added a sly comment, smirking at the man. "Eh, men are better rich, don't you think?"

Renji could only shrug.

"I dunno."

"... thanks for helping me with Matsumoto's paperwork." Hitsugaya let out a sigh, slumping down onto his chair. "I appreciate it, Hinamori." He really did appreciate her company.

Hinamori laughed slightly. "Oh! Hitsugaya-kun, don't you worry." She instructed, sitting on the chair opposite from his desk. "After all you did to help me after Aizen-taichou, this is nothing, nothing at all!" She smiled gently, picking up a piece of paper from Matsumoto's stack and proof reading it.

"This one is requesting the 10th to help rebuild the north wing of the 12th's lab. Should we sign it?" She poked at the paper, looking curiously at Hitsugaya.

He shrugged, grabbing a pen and dipping it in ink. "Sure. We'll make Matsumoto pay!" He growled, head set for revenge. "Just grab a pen and use this ink." He pointed to the small ink bottle next to him.

"Okay!"

Hinamori stood up from her seat and grabbed for a quill. Finding one that she liked, she leaned forward and attempted to reach the ink bottle. She failed.

Miserably.

Tsk, tsk, Hitsugaya. Next time, please move the ink bottle closer to her? At least so she can reach it.

"Kyaa! Hitsugaya... !" She squeaked in surprise as she tripped on her own foot, falling face front-- right smack into Hitsugaya, whose face was burning up.

"...Hina- mo- ri- !"

It was only a matter of time before this would happen. Hinamori, although not on purpose, fell onto the desk, head hitting Hitsugaya's shoulder, arms subconsciously wrapping around his neck.

She shut her eyes tightly, her arms squeezing him tightly.

"H- Hitsugaya-kun!" Hinamori shrieked once again. "I-- ah... Oh? I'm not dead!" Her eyes blinked open, gazing at the surroundings. She looked up at Hitsugaya, a questioned look on her face.

He was frozen still. She wondered why.

It was then Hinamori started to be conscious with her surroundings, realizing that her arms are snaked around his neck, and that their faces were awfully close.

"... I'm so so so so sorry!" She gasped, quickly flopping like a fish off of his desk. "I... !"

Hitsugaya blinked away the heat rising to his cheeks. "I... It's... alright." He shrugged non-chalantly, regaining all composure lost and turning back to his homework.

Hinamori did the same.

It was a bit quiet after that.

Because paperwork can be troublesome.

And to Hitsugaya? Hinamori could be troublesome.

He mentally slapped his head. 'Ten more seconds and I could've kissed her then and there.'

Hinamori, once her face was out of his view, blushed. 'Ten more seconds, and I thought he would've kissed me!'

Poor hormonic boy. Poor clueless girl.

Ishida groaned, beads of sweat rolling down his pale face. "Where... where am I?" He whined to himself, spinning around to check his surroundings. "That man must've been an idiot... I wonder if I influence people too much."

It was a really, really hot day today.

"Ishida-san?" A petite voice called out, but the sun shone on her face. Well, he didn't know whether he/sha was a her or not, but listening to the voice...

... he really didn't want it to be a guy.

Especially not Kira and Hisagi. Or Zaraki, for anyone's sake.

"... Ishida-san?"

He was flustered. "... eh?" Ishida blinked, bringing his glasses up closer to his face. "Oh!" He could see closer now. "Nemu-san... what are you doing here?"

She looked at him like he was crazy. "Well," Nemu stared blankly, "this is where I... stay?" She pointed behind her, and Ishida could see the Twelfth Division clearly and in full view.

"Oh." That made him look like an idiot. So much for being a genius.

"Well..." Nemu trailed. "Would you like to come in and have some tea?"

Ishida tugged on the collar of his shirt and gulped. "Your... er... father? Won't he..." He didn't have to finish his sentence, because Nemu already understood him.

"Oh! No! My father says that he's very, very sorry, and he welcomes you in!" She nodded her head vigorously. It was true too; Mayuri had to fix his unruly, rude ways.

Not really. All he wanted was to kick Byakuya's ass and win his money.

"I guess I'm coming in then." Ishida accepted hastily, the thought of drinking tea and quenching his thirst in mind.

Matsumoto snarled, literally dragging Renji to his place. "You know, Gin had the nerve to do that!" She confessed to him angrily, pulling his arm violently.

Renji shuddered. "..."

They finally reached the office. Matsumoto pushed the door open and practically threw Renji in the room. Apparently, earlier, Renji had thought that it would be a good idea to let Matsumoto let her inner anger out, so by the time they came to meet Byakuya, she wouldn't be so...

... wild.

Guess not.

Byakuya stared at the pair before him. A fuming lady, and his nervous vice-captain.

"GIN, HOW DARE YOU?!"

Byakuya blinked, whispering in his vice captain's ear. "... Would Matsumoto-fukutaichou happen to have... P.M.S right about now?"

"No sir," Renji chuckled nervously. "M.E.N."

To the readers and reviewers!

Uhm. I said that the troublesome drunk Kira and Hisagi as well as Yoruichi, Soi Fon, and Urahara would be here, but my deadline's dead. So, I just copied and pasted it to the next chapter, or everything would be jumbled up. Sorry! The next chapter will be out faster though.

Sorry that this is pretty late-- I was watching this anime called Romeo x Juliet. It's pretty... pretty. But then again, it has nothing really to do with the Romeo and Juliet play, except the family feud, and the names of the two families.

Oh. And Peach Girl. Oh so much drama.

... I've been watching too much shoujo. Bleh.

But with these random things said, please review! Tell me what you think... and please excuse all the mistakes I know I've made!

-Tsukia tma.