Chapter 5
Matsumoto was waiting at the gate as Aoi walked up. "Alright! I was starting to worry that 'Killer' wasn't going to let you out!" Aoi shook her head. "He's really sweet. I'm kind of sad that I've been such a bother to him."
"You've been trouble to poor Kira?" She heard the voice and turned, grinning. "Kyouraku! I haven't seen you in a few days! How are you?" He smiled nodding. "Well. It's been quiet around here lately. What's that I heard about you giving Kira trouble? I can't imagine you being trouble to anyone."
"I hadn't meant too. In the last twenty four hours I passed out, got beaten up and stabbed, got drunk and poor Kira had to teach me how to do the paperwork."
"You were beaten up and stabbed?!" Kyouraku's eyes widened as Aoi nodded. "The third squad's still getting used to me. I thought Kira was going to kill that poor man!" She sighed. "I don't want to know what he's going to do when he finds him today..." Aoi started fidgeting with her fingers as she looked back. "Why's that?" Kyouraku asked and Aoi frowned.
"When Kira found the guy he didn't know yet that I'd been stabbed. Maybe I should head back..." Kyouraku reached out and grabbed her, holding her close to his chest. "Listen to me, let him be. Kira will have to learn to function with you there, as well as with you not there. Just calm down and relax. He'll be fine without you."
"Alright." She looked up at him and nodded. He could tell that she wasn't happy about this at all and frowned. "Remember, clothing and furniture. We're here to buy you everything you need." She nodded and Kyouraku smiled down at her. "We'll get you some dango." She looked up, still not looking happy and nodded.
"You really want to go back, don't you?" She sighed but nodded. "I do, but you're right. We need to not be by each other all the time. I'm sorry, let's head out."
Kyouraku frowned. This was quiet, even for her. She walked forwards, looking into the window and noticed an obi in one of the window fronts. Her eyes widened as she looked at the pictures of it with this gorgeous purple kimono.
It was a lilac color, covered with deep blue flowers. She turned to Matsumoto who just laughed and nodded her on. She nodded and smiled before running into the store.
She came out about ten minutes later, the obi on over her haori. What do you think?" She asked, turning and Matsumoto nodded. "It's nice!"
"You look beautiful!" Kyouraku grinned.
"Absolutely breathtaking!" She turned and grinned, bowing to Ukitake. "You flatter so much!" she looked up at him and he nearly laughed.
"I agree with him." She turned to see Hitsugaya walk up. She grinned and ran over, hugging him. "Hitsugaya! How are you?" He backed away from her, straightening his haori and trying to hide his blush. "I'm fine. Looks like you're doing well?"
"We're not talking about that." Kyouraku smiled nervously and looked over at Aoi, smiling, but looking down worried after. "What do I do if he kills him?" She looked over at Kyouraku, causing Hitsugaya to jump up. "Kill?! What?!"
The situation was explained, the further explanation causing Kyouraku to wince. "That's not like him at all." Kyouraku frowned as they walked to the next shop.
"I don't think I've ever seen him stand up to anyone unless it was an order." Ukitake spoke out, nearly laughing. "Here's the thing, you lived, he's learning to deal with it. We have no choice now but to ask him to kindly take care of her."
"I don't think that'll be a problem." She said with a slight smile at the memory. "He told me he fully accepted me as his captain. He actually knelt down to say it." Matsumoto nodded.
"It's tradition at the ceremony like you had last night."
"No," Aoi looked forwards. "It was before that. The only one there was the one that attacked me."
Kyouraku looked over at Ukitake. "You're thinking the same thing that I am, aren't you?" Ukitake frowned. It's unfortunate, but I think you're right." Hitsugaya knew what they were talking about and rolled his eyes. They looked over, smiling. "You don't agree?"
"One of the most mind numbing, yet infuriating things ever is an insane vice captain. I can't imagine the horror if the rolls between us were switched." He looked over at Matsumoto who sighed and shrugged. "It would be about the same as it is now, only I'd probably be gone more often. More trips to the human world." She shrugged and looked over at Aoi. "That reminds me, What did you think of Ichigo?" She looked over confused.
"Ichigo?" Aoi tried to think. Hitsugaya sighed. "Matsumoto, she passed out before they were introduced. He was the blond that was with us in the human world." Aoi nodded and thought. "I didn't really see him. That Urahara guy was interesting, though." She looked up at Matsumoto who just stared.
"Do you mean you think he's interesting, or you're interested in him?" Aoi shook her head. "I don't even know him! That's horrible!" She giggled and looked forwards, seeing eyes on her.
He nodded at her as he passed and she smiled, returning the gesture. She turned and walked backwards, not hiding the fact that she was staring at him. "Aoi, don't." She looked over at Matsumoto who was just mortified by what she'd seen. "Byakuya's a little... out of reach of anyone."
"He tried to save me from another fight with Kempachi at the first gathering. He seems nice, if not a little absent minded." Hitsugaya looked over, curious. "Absent minded?"
"He was looking around the table nonstop, as if his mind wouldn't stay still. I'm curious to know what he was thinking..."
"Hold on a sec." Matsumoto turned and ran off, going up to him. She spoke, but out of ear's reach and pointed to Aoi who was absolutely mortified by this whole thing. She blushed bowed her head, hoping he'd just ignore her. She was even more mortified when he turned and looked at her. He turned back to Matsumoto and spoke for a second before turning and walking away.
Matsumoto walked up and smiled at her. "I think he likes you." Aoi looked up at her, eyes wide. "What?"
"He told me, if you want to know what he was thinking, you need to ask him yourself! He usually doesn't act as if he wants anyone to talk to him! Go!" Aoi shook her head and was terrified as Hitsugaya turned her, shooing her off. "We'll be here!"
Aoi walked forwards a few steps before looking back at everyone shooing her forwards. She turned back around to see Byakuya standing still, watching her. She ran forwards and bowed low, still horribly embarrassed by this. "I apologize about this! I was just curious, I wasn't expecting her to come to ask!" Byakuya nodded and sighed.
"You've gotten into a... lively group. It doesn't surprise me that they're all pushing you into talking to me." She looked up and stood, smiling, still blushing. "So, If it's not personal, or too much of a bother, could you tell me what you were thinking about the night of the get together?" He looked down at her and nodded. "I was a little stuck, thinking about a technique I've been working on." Aoi nodded. "Alright! I hope it turns out well..." She bowed again and turned to walk away.
"Aoi." She turned back to him and was surprised to see his eyes soften for a second. "You're perfect the way you are. Don't let them corrupt you." She just stared, her mouth in a little 'o' as he turned and walked away. She headed back, the look on her face told them that he'd said something she'd liked.
"The start of a romance?" Matsumoto looked over at Kyouraku, who sighed. "First Kira, now Byakuya! I'm totally outclassed in this."
"Such a thing. It's sad, really. I know I can't beat Byakuya." Ukitake looked over at Hitsugaya, who just looked at her, eyes wide with wonder. "Maybe someone else was tempted..." Ukitake looked back over at Kyouraku who shook his head. "I'm pretty sure he has a thing for the older of the Kurosaki girls." He grinned down at Hitsugaya, who just shook his head and sighed. "It's not like that, either way."
It was nearly six when they approached Aoi's room, a sweet little man carrying the rickshaw with their stuff. Aoi started moving all of the stuff into the room before tipping the man. "Thank you." She smiled and bowed lightly as the man looked in his hand, happy. "Thanks!" He took off, the rickshaw behind. "We'd better head out. Nanao will have my head for being out this late. I still haven't made it to the office!" He grinned at Ukitake who sighed, shaking his head. "That's sad, Kyouraku. Making your poor Fukutaicho do your work for you!" He shook his head but looked down at her with a smile. "I'll be headed out as well. You get comfortable. We'll have a get together again soon, alright?"
"That would be great!" She beamed and Ukitake sighed before turning and headed out.
"I think he has feelings for her. I've never seen him acting so... dreamy. It's odd." Hitsugaya looked over at Matsumoto, who nodded in agreement. That really was odd.
Hitsugaya looked up and sighed. "He's right, though. We have to get to bed. We have work to do in the morning." He looked over and smiled lightly at Aoi. "Please take care. If you need anything, you know where to find us." He nodded and looked over at Matsumoto, who reached out, taking Aoi in for a big hug. Aoi wasn't surprised when she whispered into her ear. "I'll be here around eight to pick you up. It's a good night for a party."
She backed away and grinned. Aoi smiled, laughing as Hitsugaya stared at her, his arms crossed. "Alright, maybe tomorrow then." She wasn't happy about it, but Aoi was a little more so. She could have some time to get her quarters in order, so there wasn't a huge mountain of stuff just inside her door.
She started trying to pull out the individual things and take them to where they'd go, but she gave up and started sorting them into piles, each representing a room.
It was great when she'd finally finished around ten that night. She smiled as she walked through, looking over the lamps, the light blue shading they cast across the rooms. She walked out of the living room. Unlike the all blue living room, she'd done the kitchen in red. Her bathroom was white, her bedroom in purple. She smiled as she looked and laid down on her bed.
The futon was softer than she thought it would be and she was out in a moment.
She woke early, going and finishing the paperwork before Kira had even made it to the office. She headed to the assignment office and carefully selected them, placing them on the board as no one was there yet. She was done by seven.
She walked back to the office and started a pot of tea.
"Sorry! I slept in!" She heard and turned, a smile on her face. "Would you like some tea?" She held out the glass she'd just poured and Kira nodded walking over. "The obi's a nice touch. It looks good on you." He smiled and Aoi nodded, smiling back.
Aoi poured herself a mug before walking over to the table and sitting, leaning back with a sigh. "So, now what?"
"Where's the paperwork?" Kira asked and Aoi smiled. "I finished it and already put it up for assignment. Kira nodded.
Kira took a sip of the tea and sighed, trying to release the stiffness from his muscles. "Did you have fun yesterday?" He smiled, trying to make conversation and she nodded. "It was a lot of fun. Kyouraku and Ukitake kept picking on me though." She looked down at her tea, a light blush crossing her cheeks in remembrance of the conversations of everyone that they felt had a crush on her. Kira frowned. "Really?"
"They pick on me about friendly stuff. It's alright. I just wish they didn't keep telling me people have crushes on me." Kira looked up. "What? Like who?"
"They say the other does, they both tell me that Hitsugaya does, they've told me that Kempachi does, and they started that you and Byakuya do." She blushed again at the 'you' part and Kira looked up, clearing his throat. She looked up at him, smiling pleasantly. "Don't worry, I know you don't. I'm such a bother on you sometimes." She giggled lightly and Kira frowned. "You're not that much of a bother." She looked up, wondering if he'd really meant that, and what was implied by him saying that just then.
She stood and stretched, chugging down the rest of her tea. "I'm going to go train if there's nothing else you need?" She turned to him and he stood, shaking his head. She nodded and turned opening the door to see two shinigami in the doorway.
"Aoi, Kira, we have a mission." Aoi turned to Kira who frowned, standing and chugging the rest of his tea. "I shall do everything within my power to assist you." Aoi bowed low and Kira sighed, taking her by the shoulder and lifting her back up. "You're too formal."
"I think she's formal enough for herself." Byakuya's eyes narrowed at Kira and he looked down at her, surprised. "Alright. What are we needed for?"
"Hollows, of course. What else?" Renji frowned and yawned. "You'd think they would sleep in."
"Silence, Abarame. We don't have time now. There's a grouping in Karakura town. About fifteen Menos Grande." Aoi frowned. "I can only handle six myself. I'm hoping you can get the rest." She looked at Byakuya who looked at her a little surprised. "I should be able to handle six. Abarame?"
"I think me and Kira can handle the others. Let's go."
Kira looked down at Aoi who's eyes were lit up at seeing Byakuya. He sighed, not really knowing why it bothered him.