Authors' Note: Sorry for the long wait...for those of you who have actually been waiting. XD But I've been enjoying my winter break, and I lost the inspiration to write for a while. I got caught up with family and friends. But now that classes begin tomorrow, I'll be procrastinating...which means that hopefully I'll have chapters to post later. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it, and please review. They make me happy and encourage me to write more.

NOTICE: This story is now being dedicated to my friend BlackBelt, who has been an inspiration, and an encouragement to me. She is a magnificent author, and if you are interested in HitsuRuki, she has a great story in the works right now. Thank you so much for everything, and I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story...since it is dedicated to you. :3

White Phoenix

Chapter 3


The footsteps stopped coming towards her, and when she looked down she noticed a group of younger Shinigami-in training. She lowered her sword and sheathed it, quite embarrassed that she had not noticed them before.

"Hi, Rukia-fukutaicho!" One of them said, bowing deeply. He seemed unfazed at the fact that she drew her sword at them.

She raised an eyebrow. "How do you know me?" She asked.

"I heard that you were going to be Hitsugaya-taicho's new lieutenant!" A young girl said, clapping her hands together. Rukia figured all of Sereitei would know sooner or later.

"Wow, so you actually get the privilege of working for Hitsugaya-taicho?" One of the boys asked with wide eyes. Rukia nodded. She did not know if it was what she considered a privilege, but she took it as a compliment that she was good enough to be in a rank, even if temporarily.

Rukia knew he was stiff, and his work ethic was tough. Though that may have been true, Matsumoto said that there was something underneath the hard exterior; something that needed time to come out. She even remembered when Matsumoto would get excited about Hitsugaya-taicho even showing a hint of emotion.

It would be a long time now before Hitsugaya-taicho would reveal what is underneath his hard shell; the one who nearly shattered it was gone. She felt a sharp pang of sadness for the beloved lieutenant. Though she did not know Matsumoto very well, she always seemed cheerful, and was a trust-worthy person.

"Right, Rukia-chan?" The child's voice broke her thoughts, and she looked down at him and smiled.

"Sure."

He squealed with joy. "See I told you I was right! It won't be hard climbing the ranks. After all, Rukia-chan did."

Instantly she wished she had paid attention. "No no, you see, I only got this rank because I am training to become a lieutenant. Since Matsumoto-fukutaicho is no longer with us, they needed someone, and it was decided that I be temporary. Temp-o-ra-ry." The children nodded their head in understanding, but she had a feeling they had no clue what she had said.

"So, I can't become a lieutenant or captain?" He asked innocently, tilting his head slightly to one side. She enjoyed his lack of knowledge; it made her feel a little taller.

"You could, with a lot of training," She replied sweetly, patting the top of his head. "You cannot even become a recognized as a seat until you have proven to be strong enough."

"Like me."

Rukia turned and saw Ikkaku coming towards her and the children. They seemed to shiver in his presence, and all ran off but the one small boy who was consistently under Rukia's arm. "I wanna be just like you!" He exclaimed with delight as he turned heel and followed after his friends. Rukia shook her head and managed to smile a little.

"You are now a hero, Ikkaku-san." She said.

He puffed out his chest and smiled. "I was a hero before any of those kids decided they wanted to be me."

"Did I miss that memo?" She jeered, sticking out her tongue. "I hope they realize that the bald head comes with the package."

"Ack...You…-I—ugh!" He threw up his hands and stared at the ground, shaking his head. "You can be so mean, Rukia-chan."

"I do not try to be. Sometimes egos just need to be put in their place."

"I don't have an ego!" He argued, pointing to himself. She rolled her eyes and began to walk away, shouting behind her, "Yeah, you wish."

Ikkaku ran and caught up to her. It was at that moment she noticed how dull his eyes were, despite him being his natural, cocky self. He smiled, but could nearly see behind his mask; he seemed tired, or had a lot on his mind. Either way, it wore him out.

"Did you see Hitsugaya-taicho at all today? He went to see Yamamoto-genryusai, and then he vanished." He asked out of the blue, ignoring the little spat they had a moment before.

She shook her head. "No, I haven't. He's in the infirmary, you know."

Ikkaku stopped in his tracks. "Why is he there?"

Rukia shrugged lightly. "Byakuya-taicho said that he was resting. His grieving must have left him weak."

Her heart reached out to him, and she prayed he could feel it. Rukia clearly remembered when her own blade pierced the one and only person who understood her. It seemed now that she and Hitsugaya had something in common. They lost the only people who saw underneath the hard, puzzling exterior.

Ikkaku nodded. "Yeah…I haven't gotten much sleep these past two nights myself. I kept having nightmares, and Matsumoto's face kept appearing…the face before she died."

Now Rukia understood the bags under his eyes and the strained smiles. He was struggling just as much as Hitsugaya was, only from a different perspective.

"So…I'm guessing you watched her die?" She asked quietly, her eyes searching his.

"Yes." He sighed sadly. "I felt so helpless, standing there." The cocky side of him vanished, and his face was stone strait. He turned and stared into the sunset.

She placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ikkaku." He glanced back at her and nodded.

"It's alright. She fought like she should have, and she knew the risks. I'm just glad Hitsugaya-taicho was with her." He smiled. "Thanks, Rukia-chan."

She smiled back. "Actually, it's Rukia-fukutaicho now." She boasted, attempting to lighten the mood, "I am Hitsugaya-taicho's temporary lieutenant." He closed his eyes and sighed with contentment.

"That's good. He may need someone like you."

She sighed and looked down the side of a white wall that stood over them, eyes narrowed against the sun. "I hope you are right, Ikkaku."

They stood in silence for another brief moment before he turned to look at her. "Wanna help me finish my rounds? I usually go alone, but I'm in the mood to shower someone with my presence." She stifled a laugh; at least his attempts to keep from being gloomy were working.

"I would love to be showered with your presence, oh great one," She bowed deeply, "But I really should try to be at Hitsugaya-taicho's door before he arrives."

"Very well, but you are missing out." He boasted, staring down at her. In his moment Ikkaku did not realize that she slid her foot under his and tripped him. With an arrogant gaze he growled from the ground, dust flying around him.

"You are lucky you're lieutenant now, Rukia-fukutaicho."

She shrugged. "I know."

I wish it would be this lighthearted around Hitsugaya-taicho, she thought.

--

"Wait, taicho! You should not leave just yet."

Hitsugaya now stood in the main room, his clothes back on and face strait. He had his hand on the flap to the entrance when Unohana stopped him in his tracks. She had a pleading look in her eye, but he could not allow her worry to inhibit him from getting back to where he was needed.

"I have to." He stated as he pulled the flap open.

"It has only been one afternoon," Unohana pointed out. "You need longer to rest yourself. Grieving can cause some side-effects, and…"

It was his turn to stop her. "Unohana-taicho, I appreciate your concern, but as captain I must return to my duties. It came first before anything, and it will remain that way. I will come to you if I need help."

With that, he pushed his way out of the room, leaving Unohana to stare after him with sorrowful eyes. "Hitsugaya-taicho, I do hope you come to us for help...for your sake."

Hitsugaya walked on auto-pilot towards his office. He knew he was lying when he said that his duties will always remain first, no matter the circumstance, but he wanted to deal with this on his own. He felt trapped inside of that room, and needed to be where he felt comfortable. He felt awful for lying to her face, but it had to be done.

Even if he spent two days there, it would not have done any good.

His heart was broken; it had been shattered into tiny shards of ice that were beginning to melt away into the dark. He knew that one day it might be repaired, and that things would probably be okay, but not this day. He felt as if he had only begun to grieve for his dear Rangiku, and there were many more days to come.

"I missed a whole afternoon's worth of work," He muttered angrily to himself, realizing the cost for being lazy was a higher price than he thought. Quietly he shuffled down the hall and approached his office. His wandering thoughts made the trip quicker than he expected. Silently Hitsugaya opened the door and walked into the empty room.

Matsumoto…

He could feel her reiatsu encompassing him. The couch was empty now, as was her desk, which was piled high with papers she never finished. He knew it would keep him busy, which he wanted, but knowing it was her work made it hurt. With a small sigh he made his way over to his desk and sat down, rubbing his temples.

"H-Hitsugaya-taicho!?"

He nearly fell out of his seat as he looked over to see a body hunched over inside of the doorway, head pressed flat to the floor. Before he spoke, he composed himself. "Can I help you?"

When the head popped up, he was nearly taken back. Rukia now knelt before him at his office door. She noticed the confusion playing on his face, and bit her lip softly. He must have forgotten why she was there. Rukia felt out of breath; she left Ikkaku halfway in order to be here before her captain arrived, but she barely missed the opportunity.

"Hai, taicho. I am here as your temporary lieutenant."

He suddenly remembered the conversation with Yamamoto and Byakuya, and nodded. "I know," he lied. "Please, come and sit down." She found her way to the couch and eased herself onto the cushions. She could feel Matsumoto's reiatsu there.

They stared at each other for what seemed like hours, and Rukia began to feel uncomfortable. Does he not want me to help? Was I later than I thought? Questions were buzzing through her head rapidly as his stare softened.

"So…Rukia," He started, noting her nervous shifting, "They tell me you are training to become a lieutenant."

She nodded humbly. "Yes, taicho. Byakuya-sama said it would be good for me."

"I see."

Suddenly his features hardened again. There was anger in his eyes, mixed with sadness and guilt. She could not pick out which one was dominating, or if they were aimed at her, but either of these may bode ill for her tonight. She squirmed.

"I-I'm sorry." She whispered. "I do not want to be in the way."

"Do not think such things. We are both doing as we are told." Hitsugaya replied, his features softening again. Her insides wriggled in anxiety, and felt as though he only agreed to take her in order to please Yamamoto. He probably knew he could handle both jobs on his own without her.

"I understand taicho, but that does not necessarily mean that you want me here."

She felt like clamping her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. Hitsugaya fumbled with some papers lying in front of him, from what she could see they were unfinished. His eyes never left hers.

"You may, or may not be correct, but it also does not mean that I will ignore you, and expect nothing of you." He placed his fingers delicately together, and kept his gaze on her. She could feel his misery seeping out of him, though his eyes were still, and his body relaxed.

She nodded. "Of course, taicho."

"And also do not expect to be anything less, or anything more than Rukia." He stated sharply, as though he wanted to make it clear that she would be nothing more to him than Rukia. She felt hurt, but at the same time understood his reasoning.

"I understand. Do others need to call me Rukia?" She asked seriously, attempting to sound professional.

He shook his head. "No, to them you are lieutenant, and must be addressed as such. As for me, you are not."

Rukia could hear the bitterness in his voice, and at once felt infinitely small as she sat before him. Every reaction he gave her was normal, but she could not help but feel degraded. This particular feeling she kept to herself. She was grateful for this opportunity, no matter how she was treated.

"Of course, taicho." She repeated again. There was hardly anything else to say for fear of upsetting him.

The silence was awkward as she sat on the couch expectantly, and he at his desk, fingers laced together gently as he looked at her over his knuckles. Rukia felt a small shiver run up her spine. He seemed to be assessing her just by looking her over.

"U-Um…Byakuya-taicho also said that I am to learn the schedule and the tasks of a lieutenant, as part of my training." She croaked, glancing in due time to see his eye twitch.

"If that is what is ordered of us, then it must be done." He said, grabbing his pen. "But for now, go and sleep. Tomorrow is when your duties begin."

Without hesitation she stood up and bowed towards him. "Yes, sir. Goodnight, Hitsugaya-taicho. And thank you."

When he grunted in response, she took that as her cue to leave, and quickly escorted herself out of his office. As she walked back to her quarters, she had a feeling tomorrow was going to be a long day.


Author's Note: Well, sorry these chapters are short...its bothering me that I cannot seem to make them longer. When I do, I have a hard time concocting another chapter. Forgive me. ;; It's either they are short and have more chapters..or vice versa. Hope you enjoyed it either way. Thank you all for reading. :3 The next chapter will be up within the next two weeks.

EvilMoose