Chapter 4: Toushirou
The biting cold was soothing as Hyorinmaru curled around his master in a protective embrace. Toushirou Hitsugaya gave a soft sigh of contentment as he relaxed into the ice of his dragon. A please rumble escaped the blade as it laid its head onto a clothed shoulder.
'You are overworking yourself.' The ice dragon commented dryly.
'Because I am the captain and things need to get done. Don't get snappy over it.' The tired reply caused a hiss of annoyance. 'Relax, my nap wont gone on for much longer, I am lucky to have this much time.'
'Indeed, maybe you should be stricter on your lieutenant. She seems to enjoy her supposed increase of freedom.' Toushirou scoffed gently.
'She's suffered just like the rest of us. As it is she has been making sure the seated officers are pulling their weight alomg with the non-seated.'
'Regardless, you need more help and she can give you as much.' The concern that was coming from his blade made the now taller and older captain smile softly.
'I agree. Enough worrying, Hyorinmaru, let me sleep for a bit.' The blade complied as it wrapped itself tighter around the dozing captain.
Rangiku Matsumoto snuck into her captain's office to see the man sleeping peacefully on his couch. Looking to the desk, she sprinted and grabbed the papers he had been working on and ran out of the office, to finish it for him. Better to let him sleep for a little while longer.
Turqouise colored eyes opened before squinting at the bright light coming from his open balcony doors. He definitely had slept way longer than intended, but whatever reason, Matsumoto didn't wake him. She was probably still with the squad. Yawning and stretching, the white-haired captain went to his desk to see his paperwork all sitting neatly and already signed and sealed.
'Thanks, Matsumoto.' He whispered softly around a boyish smile. Even the seemingly laziest employees work hard when their captains don't notice or are asleep.