"Oh—Captain Hitsugaya. What brings you here?" the soda jerk asked, surprised to see the young captain in his ice cream parlor; it wasn't exactly a place Toshiro frequented.
"Captain seems to have a soft spot for this little cutie," Rangiku grinned, mussing Hunter's hair.
Toshiro glared at Rangiku; Hunter grinned; Hayden laughed hysterically.
"Toshiro and I are childhood friends," Hunter explained, coming to his aid. "I've been away for awhile and just returned today, so I'm being spoiled!" she giggled.
"You're always spoiled," Toshiro sighed.
"So you admit to having a soft spot for her?" Hayden prodded—literally, prodding Toshiro in the side, grinning.
"You're her brother, Hayden. You've seen what she's like when she doesn't get her way."
"Ahh…. That's true," Hayden chuckled. He decided to the obvious dodge slide.
"Let's look, Shiro!" Hunter grabbed Toshiro by the sleeve and tugged him over to examine the ice cream flavors.
"She's so… childlike," Rangiku commented. "I didn't expect that—Toshiro tends to hate anything childish."
"She's enthusiastic," Hayden agreed, "but she's more mature than she lets on. Toshiro knows that. She puts on an act, just like he does."
"You know her well," she observed.
"Of course. She's my baby sister."
"Hm. I think you're more mature than you let on, too."
"Hey, my immaturity is 100 percent genuine!"
"Hayden, stop flirting with Rangiku and buy me ice cream!" Hunter interrupted.
"Why can't you buy it yourself?" he asked. "You have just as much money as I do—it even comes from the same place!"
"But I want you to buy it!"
He groaned and pulled out his wallet. The issue wasn't the money—the issue was his sister.
"Hey, you didn't deny that you were flirting with Rangiku," Hunter pointed out, taking a lick from her rocky road, banana split, and strawberry ice cream cone. Hayden and Rangiku had kept it simple, with chocolate and vanilla, respectively; ice cream cones were too childish for Toshiro.
"So?" Hayden cocked an eyebrow at her, amused. "I see no reason to. And Toshiro didn't deny having a soft spot for you."
"Of course he has a soft spot for me—I'm adorable!" she tilted her head to the side, giggling.
"Of course," Hayden laughed.
"Hey, Hayden, I'm going out drinking with some buddies tonight. If you're free, you should come with us," Rangiku said.
"Kyoraku and Hisagi are both out on missions, Matsumoto," Toshiro reminded her.
"What?! Why didn't I know that?"
"Did you read your memos?"
"Uhhh…."
Toshiro just sighed.
"Oh, well—I'll bring Izuru!" She quipped. "I'm sure he's free. So, how about it?"
"Sounds good," Hayden grinned.
"You should take Toni, Hayden," Hunter suggested. "If she doesn't start socializing ASAP, she'll go crazy—and drive us crazy! Besides, I think she deserves it after all those times you dragged her along as your DD. How many times do you think she saved your drunk ass?"
"Countless," he admitted, chuckling. "You don't have to convince me, y'know. You don't mind if I bring one of my sisters along, do you, Rangiku?"
"Not a bit!" she quipped. "The more the merrier!"
She and Hayden laughed as Hunter shoved her ice cream cone in Toshiro's face; he obediently took a lick from the strawberry scoop, and Hunter smacked a big, sticky kiss on his cheek.
"Your lips are sticky," Toshiro complained, wiping at the syrup on his cheek.
"I sorry. I fix," she grinned and licked his cheek.
"Hunter!" he pushed her away gently, his cheeks tinting pink.
"What?" she giggled. She looped her arm through his, grinning up at him innocently.
He tried to glare at her, but she didn't exactly make it easy. He was more successful at glaring at Hayden and Rangiku, but neither of them was fazed; they just continued blatantly laughing at his expense.
"I'll get you back for that."
She looked up at him, surprised—he had never even threatened to 'get her back.' Even Hayden and Rangiku stopped laughing.
"What do you mean, Shiro? What are you gonna do?"
"You'll see."
"Shiro!" she groaned. "Fine."
She spent the remainder of the walk pouting and eating her ice cream cone.
"Hunter!" Hayden yelled suddenly.
"What?"
"You're about to pass our house."
"…Oh."
Hayden chuckled and opened the gate to their estate.
"Haven't been here in awhile," Toshiro murmured as they walked through the front yard and into the house.
"It hasn't changed any," Hunter said, shrugging.
"I came here a few times with Gin and Jaedelyn," Rangiku said, looking around. "It always mesmerized me. It's just as incredible as I remember it."
"Thanks," Hayden grinned, "not that we can really take any credit for it."
"Welcome home," a soft voice said.
A girl came into the room. She had blue eyes and brown hair with a single blue streak that fell to her hips in soft waves. She wore a dark blue knee-length skirt and a pale pink top. Her eyes were warm and friendly, as was her smile. She was about Rangiku's height—about 5'8".
"Hey, Brookie!" Hunter chirped. "Did you remember to take your medicine?"
"Sure did!" she smiled, then turned to Toshiro. "Hey, Toshiro. How've you been?"
"I've been well, Brook. You? How are you feeling?"
"Good. I've been doing much better. I think we finally found the combination that'll work for me."
"That's good."
"Yes." She turned to Rangiku. "Ah, I'm sorry—I should've introduced myself first. I'm Brooklyn Atchison."
"Rangiku Matsumoto. Lieutenant, 10th Division."
"Ah, I remember you—Jaedelyn's friend. So you work with Toshiro now."
"That's right."
"I hope he doesn't push you too hard."
"Nah—he tries, but I get my breaks."
"You mean you run away," he grumbled.
Rangiku shrugged, grinning.
"Hey, Brookie, do you know where Toni is? Rangiku and I were gonna take her out with us."
"I think she's in her r—"
Hayden was halfway up the stairs before Brooklyn could finish her sentence.
"You look cute, Brookie," Hunter said. "You going out?"
"Thank, Hun. Just for a walk."
"Awful dressed up for a walk," Hunter teased.
"Well, since we've just come back, I thought I'd look nice in case I run into anyone important."
"Or cute?"
"Yes, or cute," Brook laughed. "Anyway, I'm off. Don't burn down the house while I'm out."
"We won't!" Hunter chirped. "We might freeze it, though."
"As long as it's still standing!" Brook laughed again, walking out.
"Be careful!" Hunter called after her.
Hayden came down the stairs just after Brooklyn left.
"Brook go out?"
"Yeah, she went for a walk. Where's Aniston?" Hunter asked.
"She said she has to get ready. It might be awhile," he sighed.
"Why don't I give you the address, I'll go and get Izuru, and you can meet us there?" Rangiku suggested.
"Sounds good. Hunter, do you have—ah, thanks," he took the paper and pen from Hunter and wrote down the name and address of the bar. "Why don't we plan for an hour from now?"
"Ok, I'll see you in an hour. Bye, Hunter!" she mussed Hunter's hair and left.
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