YOOHOO!!! Before I begin I'd like to give shout-out thanks to the following people for their reviews. Sweet Yet Painful, indigoia, Kage of Seireitei, Blitch, Rachel Noelle, Kohryu, Rai-Kata Reese, and batfink. Agent-G, while I appreciate the review, it was just a list of complaints, I'm sorry but I have no intention of changing anything. Sorry. You're rules mean nothing to me. I write how I please. And i apologize for the lateness, my computer lost internet for a while. On with the chapter. The lovey dovey parts start now!
Onsen Trip
Chapter 4
Alone In The Moonlight Part 1
So the worst was over. The guys had eavesdropped, the girls found out about it and got back at them for it.
Of course now that it's over. What are they going to do now? What else is there to do? Just hang out with one another. Although, not everyone thinks three's company is fun. Some people prefer two...
"You guys should've seen your faces when they jumped on you! It was hilarious!" Yachiru cackled. "Alright, shut up already! We're past this, so stop bringing it up!" Ikkaku snapped.
"Aw, we're just kidding Baldy!" Yachiru said as she scarfed down soba buns she called for just minutes ago.
Ikkaku grumbled and noticed how a few people were missing. "Where is everyone?" He asked.
"Everyone went to go around the onsen and try to relax." Isane said, she was reading a book, she thought that was relaxing.
"Then where's Yumichika?" Ikkaku asked, even he was gone. "I think he went to spa with Yoruichi, Soi Fon and Kukaku." Kiyone said. "The spa?!" Ikkaku shrieked. "Yeah, he said tonight's events made him break out so he went to try and "reclaim his beauty"." Isane said.
"Bastard, leaving me alone like this." He grumbled. Screw this, I'm going to the bar! He shouted in his mind before stomping out of the room and slamming the door.
"Such a lovely moon." Unohana said softly as she sipped her tea. Kenpachi grumbled and took a shot of his sake. They sat on a bench outside the onsen on the deck. It was reserved for looking out over the vast plantation of Rukongai and Seireitei's walls.
The full moon made sitting there even more great. "So tell me..." She began, Kenpachi's eyes glanced to her. "What do you think about when you gaze at the moon?" She asked.
The question itself wasn't as weird as the look she gave him. Her smile was soft and her eyes were shimmering in the moonlight. Kenpachi felt stiff. "I don't know... the moon makes me think of a lot of things actually. Like swords." He grumbled.
"Swords, huh? Such a violent thing to think about. Whenever I look at the moon, I always think of butterflies and fireflies." She said and glanced back up at the moon.
"Huh?" He murmured. "You know, I think of the moon as the butterfly, that has great wings that shine brighter than the rest of the world. Then the stars are the fireflies, whose glow only complements the moons beauty." She explained.
"Hmm. Such a weird thought." He grumbled again and took another shot of sake. Unohana chuckled. "It's certainly not as strange as swords." She said.
"Hmph, swords have their own way of showing off beauty. Like when they're covered in blood." He grinned. Unohana shook her head. "That only deepens it's pain." She said. "Huh?" He sounded again.
"A blade that is only used for killing only pains the sword. A blade that is used for saving lives only strengthens the sword." She explained.
"Doesn't make sense to me. The only reason a sword exists is to kill people and triumph over those who are strong." Kenpachi scoffed.
"Not necessarily." She said. She placed a hand on his. After all the conversations they've had in the past, this is the first time she's ever touched his hand like this.
It almost made him nervous. Almost.
"A sword is used to protect lives, and at times they have to be used to destroy them. But when you know that taking this life means saving another, then it will give you strength to go on." She explained with a soft expression.
For once, Kenpachi was speechless and could not respond.
She chuckled and removed her hand to glance up at the moon once more. "So think about it now. What do you think about when you gaze up at the moon?" She asked again. He shook himself to get his mind working again.
"I think about how my sword might've saved a lot of lives?" He responded and glanced at the moon too. Unohana nodded with a content smile. "That's what true strength is." She said and leaned her head on his shoulder. Satisfied to finally plan the seed of truth in his head.
Kenpachi actually blushed, while he was sober.
"Ah! This is good stuff. Want some Nanao-chan?" Shunsui asked as he held out a bottle to her. "I told you no!" She hissed. "Aw, but it's so good. Have you ever tasted this?" He asked. "I'm well aware of the taste of sake, which is why I don't drink the stuff." She huffed.
They were sitting outside on the wooden porch, with their legs hanging off the side.
"Kyouraku-taicho. I know you're aware of what I said in the baths, if you didn't mention drinking I might consider going on an actual date with you." She said and pushed up her glasses.
"You're right. I'll put this away." He said. He took the bottle and leaned to the side away from Nanao so she couldn't see and chugged it away, some spilling down his chin. When the bottle was empty he pushed it away and turned his attention back to Nanao.
"So whaddya wanna talk about?" He asked. She looked at him with a confused look. "You just drank that whole bottle didn't you?" She asked skeptically.
"No! Whaddya talkin' about?" He laughed. "Taicho I think I have to start paying the bars not serve you." She sighed.
"Then I simply gotta pay 'em more to serve me." He slurred. "That's funny, because most of the time you're borrowing your money from me." She scoffed and up her glasses again.
"That's because I'm always short on cash." He said. "Because you blow all your money on paying off your bet debts to Matsumoto and everyone." She pointed out.
"That's because I keep kidding myself when I think I can out-drink Rangiku-chan. There's -hic- no way anyone can possibly do that." He slurred.
Nanao sighed. "You need serious help Taicho." Nanao said. "Then why don't you help me my sweet Nanao-chan." He chuckled. "Who's your sweet Nanao-chan?" She demanded. "Why you are of course. There's no one I'd rather have as a lieutenant than you." He said. Nanao felt blush coming to her cheeks.
"Oh my! Are you blushing, Nanao-chan?! You never blush! To think! I made my Nanao-chan blush!" Shunsui cheered, pulling out confetti from his robes, where it came from, neither Nanao or himself knew. (A.N. Not even I know where it came from XD)
"Stop that!" She growled, the red failing to disappear.
"But I can't, I'm so happy. I actually made Nanao-chan blush!" Kyouraku smirked. Nanao blushed more. "You don't have to throw a little party about it." She turned away to hide her glowing cheeks.
"Aww, Nanao-chan doesn't have to be ashamed!" He teased. Nanao didn't want to admit it, but she was actually having fun with this.
"Nanao-chan?" He said. "Just because you got me to blush, doesn't mean anything." She said with her back still to him.
"Would you feel less embarrassed if I gave you a little kiss to make it go away?" He whispered puckering up to smooch the blush away.
Nanao's face went red everywhere and a loud smack was heard in the whole area. Shunsui had a red hand print on his cheek.
He suddenly burst out with laughter. Nanao made an angry face, how was her smacking him funny? "There we go! That's the Nanao-chan I know." He cheered. "Huh?" She grumbled. "Sure, making you nervous was fun, but I like the strong Nanao-chan who is impervious to my seductive charms." He said.
Nanao was silent for a moment. Then she smiled. "Taicho..." She started. He leaned in. "You're some kind of stupid." He fell onto the floor. "Oh!" He grunted.
"You know, you might be stupid, but I think sometimes you let on more than stupidity." She said, Shunsui rolled his head to look at her.
"At times your annoying and a complete imbecile. But at other times, you show that you care and are willing to do anything. I'm starting to think that maybe you're really worth harboring feelings for." She said with a small smile. Kyouraku felt his eyes widen.
Did she just say she harbored feeling toward him?? Or does he need his ears checked?
"Usually this is where the male responds to a confession." She fronwed. Kyouraku sat up instantly and grabbed her hand. "Ooh! Nanao-chan, I'm so happy! I'm glad you feel the same way! And it's not the sake talking, but I really think you're cute in the moonlight too!" Maybe it was the sake talking.
Nanao chuckled. "I think it is the sake talking, but then again, when is it never the sake talking?" She asked and laughed. Shunsui watched as Nanao giggled. He hardly ever saw her laugh, let alone giggle, he was glad it was him that made her start this melodic bubbly laughter.
"So... Do you wanna go get some tea, and then go for a stroll around the onsen?" He asked, even though he saw it already when he ran through it in his underwear. (A.N. Shudders...)
Nanao made a thoughtful face. "Hmm. Now that's the first time you've asked me anywhere without sake." She laughed again. "But I'd love to. Just let me go get my money." She said and stood up.
Kyouraku watched as she stood. She turned and then halted for a second. "But, I want to do something before you do something to make me want to forget it." She said. Kyouraku watched as she turned and bent down and pressed her lips to his cheek.
His cheeks went tomato red. "There might be more where that came from if you behave for the rest of the evening." She said with a sly smile and trotted inside. He placed a hand on his cheek.
He smirked. "I better start making room in my apartment!" He cheered quietly.
On the plantation Momo sat on a rock next to Izuru, they were silent and fidgeting a lot. "So I'm really sorry for eavesdropping earlier." He said, he had been apologizing all night. "For the last time, it's no big deal." She laughed.
"I can't help it, I feel bad for overhearing something so huge over a rock instead of actually seeing you say it to me." He said. "I would've liked that but I think that this was a great way to confess my feelings." She said.
"Wha??" He shrieked. "I mean, saying it like that was taking off all my embarrassment and fear away. I mean I knew you wouldn't be angry about it, but I was still scared." She explained.
"When I woke up from my coma, I felt so bad for everyone. Because I was a part of the reason for their pain. I still feel horrible for attacking Shiro like that. And I attacked you too." She said, little tears springing.
"Momo." Izuru whispered. "But I felt better when everyone was coming to see me in recovery. They said they were happy I was finally awake and that they hope I got well soon. Then you came to see me..." She looked to him.
"You came to see me more than anyone else, even Shiro." She smiled widely.
"I-I just felt a little responsible for your coma and you're a great friend and all." He stuttered, she found it funny.
"But Izuru, what I said in the hot springs was the truth, I do like you, but I didn't know how much. But now I think I'm sure." She said with a small smile. Izuru's heart raced in his chest, threatening to jump out.
"I think I'm in love with you." She whispered. Her eyes that were usually so sad, were full of truth and happiness, he had to believe her words as he stared into them.
His cheeks were bright red and his eyes were wide. She really did love him.
"Dude, you need to make a move and fast." Shuhei's words echoed in his mind. He was right, now was his chance to confess to Momo.
"I-I..." He had a hard time to find the words in his jumbled mind. "I love you too." He finally said. She smiled a smile he had never seen before. Her smile was wide and content, it was the kind of smile you'd see a girl wear when she was at her happiest. And Momo was.
"I'm so happy you feel the same Izuru." She said and leaned her head onto his shoulder. Izuru felt nervous, he had never felt this much contact with her.
He lifted his slightly trembling arms and wrapped them around her shoulders. Hey, he was nervous as hell, your arms would be trembling too.
She sighed as she sank into his warmth, he was so soft to her. She was so fitting in his arms, like she was made to be in them. Kira felt the red brighten as he rested his chin on top of her head.
Being in a coma got her thinking, there were many people she wanted to say sorry to. She kept thinking that she was going to be executed for acting the way she did. She thought she might have to say sorry to only one person.
A lot of the time she thought she wanted to say it to Hitsugaya, but now that she knows her true feelings, she would've said sorry to the one she truly loved; Kira Izuru.
Thinking something like that, she gently removed her head from his shoulder and stared up at him. He blushed like mad, she looked so cute with the calm and sweet expression on her face. He couldn't help himself. He leaned down and captured her lips. She returned the gesture.
To Kira, this was a dream come true. To Momo, this was the happiest night of her life.
"See, I was right! You are an idiot!" Rukia roared. Yelling from the bathroom. "It's your own damn fault, you jumped on me and that why the tea flew into the air and landed on your head." Renji said with his arms crossed outside the door. The sink in the bathroom went on.
"You are so dead when I get out of here!" Rukia sounded. Renji just shrugged. "I've known you since we were kids, there's no way you can take me down. And i'm a lieutenant, like i'd let an unseated shinigami beat me." He said.
"Funny how you say that when Ichigo kicked your ass, and he wasn't even legally a shinigami." Rukia smirked. "That doesn't count, because i was upset that day!" He shouted. "Upset about what?" She demanded. "What else, your execution." He shouted back. Rukia was quiet for a few minutes.
"So don't talk to me about kicking my ass, because I've gotten better since then. And i know i'd beat you in an instant." He added.
"You wanna bet?" She asked. "I'm willing to bet Zabimaru that you can't win." He smirked. "Just shut up!" She growled. He stood out there for several more minutes before Rukia opened the door, in a new robe and wet hair.
"You never even apologized." She grumbled with a frown and began walking out of the room. "Okay fine, I'm sorry I spilled tea on you." He said, she knew it was just a sarcastic joke to him.
"Say sorry to Sode No Shirayuki when I freeze your ass when we get back!" She roared. Renji laughed. "You wouldn't." He challenged. They began staring down each other, sparks flying. He pissed her off so bad sometimes. And vice versa.
She growled and turned to keep walking. Renji folded his hands on the back of his head and followed her. For a pipsqueak she was such a big volcano. Always erupting over the smallest things, even if they were her own fault.
"So your going to mad at me all night, huh?" Renji asked. "I could very well try." Rukia steamed. "Try? Does that mean you like me so much that you can't bare to be angry at me for long periods of time?" He teased. "You have no right to tease my feelings!" She shouted and turned to him. Renji was taken back a bit to see her sad face.
He felt bad. "H-Hey, I didn't mean it. Really." He said trying to calm her down.
"Honestly, I'm starting to think liking you was a mistake!" She said angrily and turned to begin stalking off. The water had dripped from her hair and onto the floor, so when she began walking she slipped and began to fall forward.
"Hey!" He called and lunged forward to catch her before her nose could touch the floor. He grabbed her by the shoulders and spread his legs to balance himself so he wouldn't drop her or him.
Rukia's eyes were wide as she stared at the floor that was only a centimeter away from the tip of her nose. "Are you alright?" Renji asked. "Y-Yeah. Thanks." She choked out. She placed her hands on the floor to hold herself up on her own. She turned her head to look at Renji.
She blushed when she found their faces just a few centimeters away from each other. He blushed too. "U-Uh..." He stuttered. He was frozen in his place, she was too.
"I'm sorry for teasing you, I didn't think about how sensitive it was to you." He apologized, she smiled when she heard the sincerity in his voice.
She gave a light chuckle. "It's fine. But you owe me for the tea incident earlier." She smirked. "I keep telling you that was your own fault." He frowned, but with playful intent. "Doesn't matter. But I think I know how you can repay me." She said with a little red tint on her cheeks.
"How?" He asked.
He wasn't expecting her to press her lips to his.
When she pulled away his face was redder than his hair. "You can spar with me when we get back. I want to see just how tough you are." She smirked.
Then he smirked as well. "You're on!" He chuckled and pressed his lips to hers again.
"Hey! Love birds! Get a -hic- room!" They heard a male drunk voice shout. Both pulled away and blushed like crazy.
Wow, what a mood killer... They thought.
Hitsugaya sat out on the balcony on the northern side of the onsen. Just across the hall from the spa. It was a nice view from there.
Very quiet, which is just what he wanted. Peace and quiet. Away from all the giggling and laughing and drunk yelling. This is what he called relaxing. Sitting on the ledge of the balcony, one leg hanging over the side, the other bent against his chest with his arm slung over it, just gazing into the distance.
He was so relaxed, he didn't feel the presence coming until it was too late.
A pair of smooth hands appeared in front of his eyes and he heard a familiar giggle, along with something brushing against his back. "Guess who, Taicho!" A voice said sweetly.
"What're you doing, Matsumoto?" He asked in an annoyed tone. "Wow, you got it right on the first try! That's really good!" She said, amazed.
"I hardly think anybody would get it wrong, you don't exactly try to hide what gives it away." He grunted and removed her hands.
"So what're you doing out here all by yourself?" She asked. "You know, everyone's with someone and having a good time. But your out here all alone." She added, hopping up on the ledge to sit next to him.
"Maybe I wanted to be alone." He said simply. He felt a little nervous sitting alone with Matsumoto, especially after hearing her say all those things earlier. What would he say if she brought it up?
"Now why would you want to be alone? You know what they say, one is the loneliest number." She said and held up a single finger.
"But two, two's company can be more fun than you think. But I'll agree that three is sometimes a crowd." He rolled his eyes.
"You and numbers don't go well." He commented. "Well, I may not be best with math, but I do know how to have fun. And you sir need to loosen up. It's your day off after all, you should come with me to explore the onsen." She suggested.
"Haven't you already explored enough?" He asked, one eyebrow raised. "I wanted to, but I was having too much fun with everyone to actually go look around. So c'mon, what do you say? Wanna go look around?" She asked.
Now that he thought about it, he never did go look around and see the place. There were a few things he wanted to see before he left.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt." He murmured. "Good! C'mon then, let's go." She grabbed his hand and turned them around to hop off the ledge and walked him to the door to go inside.
She didn't exactly drag him, just lightly pulled him. Her hand still grasped his gently and he couldn't help but blush when she didn't let go as they walked down the halls.
He tried to keep his mind on something else, but every time his gaze dropped to their hands the heat would return to his cheeks. She paid no mind to it, like it was something they'd done for years.
They kept quiet as they walked through the onsen. Walking by the spa, waving hi to Kukaku, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and Yumichika, who were giving them a strange look. Probably because of their linked hands. All four were getting pedicures at the moment. Hitsugaya shuddered at the thought of Ayasegawa enjoying that.
"He just likes to explore how the other side feels like." Matsumoto once said when he asked about him. "He knows how a man feels about beauty, but he wants to explore how a woman sees and feels beauty. I guess he took it to the next level." She explained.
They passed the spa and began walking passed the bar. Hitsugaya was a bit surprised that she ignored all the drunken men cheering at her and the overpowering smell of alcohol.
In fact, he was surprised she was even there at all when she could've just gone straight into the bar.
"Hi Shuhei! Hi Ikkaku!" She waved. Hisagi waved and went back to cheering 'chug chug' for Ikkaku who was gulping down a bottle of Sake.
After passing the bar, they went through several halls with guest rooms and ended up passing by the garden which led to the plantation. Matsumoto gasped at all the beautiful flowers growing there.
She even giggled as she pointed out their division flower blooming in the corner. All the while he just stood and looked around, with the occasional glance at their conjoined hands. Every time his face grew red again.
It didn't help when she'd look down and flash him an appreciative smile, he had to look away to hide the growing blush.
As they walked past the entrances to the hot springs, they spotted Nanao and Kyouraku. Nanao had her arm lopped through Kyouraku's.
"Ah! Hiya Rangiku-chan! Hitsugaya-kun!" Hitsugaya grunted a hello and Rangiku smiled widely.
"Hi Shunsui, Nanao!" She greeted. Hitsugaya felt the heat rise to his face again when he saw Kyouraku's eyes locked onto their hands.
Kyouraku smiled widely and leaned over to whisper something in Matsumoto's ear.
"You're one to talk Mr. Arm-Link." She smirked as she gazed at their link arms, he just chuckled. "It wasn't my idea." He said as he threw a glance at Nanao, who had a tint of red on her delicate cheeks.
"I did it! I made her blush again!" He cheered. "Oh shut up!" Nanao said and turned her head away.
"Well, let's not take up anymore of each other's time, we've got sights to see. See you." Matsumoto said and pulled Hitsugaya with her as they walked by them.
"Bye-bye Rangiku-chan, Hitsugaya-kun." Kyouraku waved and he and Nanao continued their own walk.
Matsumoto stopped at the corner to the next hall, and looked back to watch them walk away. "I see Nanao took my advice." She murmured to herself. "What advice?" Hitsugaya asked.
"I told Nanao to play it cool tonight and give Kyouraku a chance. She was a bit embarrassed to talk about it but I guess it did her some good. I did the same for Momo and Kira" She laughed lightly.
"Why do you do it? Talk to people about their private lives?" He asked. "Well, I only do it when I see the good connections they have. Sometimes all they need is a good push to get them to take care of the rest themselves. And that's all I do, is give a little push." She explained.
He took that into consideration. She didn't always meddle with peoples lives, most of the time they came to her and asked for that push.
"So, can I ask you something?" He asked, red covering every inch of his cheeks.
"Of course." She gave him a look, like she knew what he was going to ask. "You can ask anything you want."
He swallowed hard before he spoke. "Did you really mean what you said in the hot spring? About you choosing me out of all the men you know?" He asked nervously. She was a bit taken back by the question. But then she smiled and laughed a hearty laugh.
"Of course I did. You are so adorable when your nervous!" She squealed, and let go of his hand long enough to pick him up and hug him tightly.
He once again found himself in between her breasts, suffocating.
"Mafumoto! Le oh! I'm fuffohating!!!" She heard him roar, although it was just a muffle as he struggled to get free.
"Hm?" She mumbled and loosened her hug, his head thrust back, gasping. "I said let go, I'm suffocating!" He yelled. "Oh! Why didn't you just say so?" She giggled and put him down, his face completely red.
"Aw! You look so cute when your embarrassed!" She giggled and pinched his bright cheek. He just growled and smacked her hand away, and began walking in the opposite direction.
"Aw, c'mon Taicho, you know I'm just teasing!" She couldn't stop giggling.
But even though he should be really angry right now, he's not. He felt a little happy to know that she liked him with that much admiration and loyalty. That she'd choose him over all the other men she knew.
He smiled as he walked several steps ahead of her. He knew as much as she did that she would always follow him, even in the game of love.
And that's why he liked her...
Well that's all for this chapter. Now i know what your thinking. WHAT ABOUT THE ICHIHIME?! Well i'll tell you, they get their OWN CHAPTER! A whole chapter of just IchiHime for you fans out there. Now, this is the first time i've written any stories for anyone other than HitsuMatsu so i'm sorry if my little couples weren't up to your interests. But i tried with what i had and this is what came out.
Anyway, next chapter: Alone In The Moonlight Part 2. Read it, or beat it!!! JK. XD
Laterz!!! RedPearlVoice.