Growth

For Hitsugaya Toushirou, nothing was more important than his duty, his friends, and his finally acquired growth spurt.

So what if he wasn't s tall as Matsumoto quite yet? He was getting there, finally, and nothing could ruin the sense of satisfaction he got from being on eye level with most people.

Sure, he wasn't at a Renji or Kenpachi or Byakuya level of height, but he was pretty sure he had passed up Orihime by an inch or so. Of course, he hadn't seen his old housemate for quite sometime, which Rangiku was one to remind him of constantly.

"When are you going to go visit Orihime? She always asks how you are and I'm running out of excuses for you! You know Taichou, it wouldn't kill you to leave the paperwork and take a little break."

So, agreeing with his vice-captain for once, he consented and decided to make a little trip to the living world. He even felt himself become anxious for Orihime to see just how much he had grown.

Surely she would be surprised, he thought with a smug smile as he appeared outside the girl's apartment building, snuggly fit in his new gigai. His previous one had been, of course, too small for him to use now.

But, Orihime still seemed to like making things difficult for him as he soon discovered she was not home.

Growling to himself, he took to the streets, as he expanded his senses to find her reiatsu. After living with her, he could pick on her reiatsu fairly easily and he set off in her direction.

Before he knew it, there she was at the other side of the crosswalk, long orange hair blowing, her eyes upturned to the sky with a contemplative look upon her face.

And in the next moment she was looking at him, blinking rapidly in surprise as she registered a familiar face. He smirked, but his face soon turned to one of shock as in a flash she was across the crosswalk and giving him a backbreaking hug.

"Toushirou-kun! You finally came to visit! I missed you so much!"

Awkwardly, the white haired boy reached around and gave the girl a one handed hug in return.

"Oi, Inoue, you're stronger than you think," he winced and Orihime released him with an apologetic smile.

"Gomenesai, Toushirou-kun, but I was so excited to see you! I had just been thinking that something good was going to happen today. And I was right!" her smile widened as she looked happily into his vivid green eyes.

Any moment now she'll realize…, Hitsugaya thought to himself, and just to be sure, he straightened up to his full height, which, with the help of spiky hair, was indeed taller than Orihime.

And then, when Orihime's eyes widened, a self-satisfied smile glided across his face…until Orihime seized his hand and pulled him away saying, "I know! Let's go get some ice cream! I remember you liked that one parlor not too far from here."

Face falling, Hitsugaya numbly allowed the girl to pull him away to their chosen destination.

She didn't…even…notice!

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Even though Orihime had failed to notice the change in him, Hitsugaya thought, all in all he still enjoyed her company.

At least Orihime wasn't one to talk only about breasts and sake and men as the other female he was –un-fortunate to be associated with. Truth be told, he wasn't always sure what Orihime talked about, but that was alright. She was…dare he say…endearing in her own Orihime-ish way, and he found he really had missed her.

He had missed her bright smiles and optimistic attitude. He had missed the talks the two of them had some nights, when she would bring him hot tea on the roof and they would worry to each other or just sit in silence and admire the night sky.

He even missed her strange taste in food, he thought as he watched her try to decide what flavors of ice cream to mesh together.

And when she finally decided on peanut butter and peach and the girl behind the counter turned to take Hitsugaya's order, he didn't miss the brief sweep of her eyes over his figure.

Now that he hadn't been expecting, and he gave the girl his best scowl while he ordered plain vanilla and looked to where Orihime was slurping up her mess of ice cream, oblivious to the world.

Mood going south because not only did Orihime not even notice his drastic height change but now he was already experiencing negative effects to the said change, Hitsugaya dejectedly took his ice cream and stalked out of the parlor to wait for Orihime.

"Mmm this is really good! How's yours?" Orihime asked as she joined him on the sidewalk outside.

"Its fine," he mumbled, but took a lick so as not to seem ungrateful.

Apparently his answer had been enough for orange haired girl, for she said excitedly, "Let's walk through the park!"

Tugging him away, two began a leisurely stroll through the park. And once again, Hitsugaya found himself at the end of odd looks from various females that would pass the two by.

He had wanted to grow for more attention, but not this kind of attention!

Subconsciously he moved closer to Orihime who was just finishing off her treat and had turned to smile at him, but seeing his annoyed scowl, she frowned and studied him for a moment before abruptly coming to a stop.

Turning to face her, Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"There's something different about you and I can't figure out what! It's really bothering me," Orihime frowned, tilting her head to the side as if the new angle would solve the puzzle.

Hitsugaya stared blankly at the oblivious girl, wondering if it was even worth telling her now. But before he realized what he was doing he was smiling softly at her and leaning forward to place a chaste kiss on her forehead.

He hoped now she would figure it out, for it was something he definitely wouldn't have been about to do the last time he had seen her.

Orihime continued to regard him with a studious look, but before Hitsugaya's smirk could totally fall, understanding passed over the girls face and she smiled again.

"Oh! I see now!"

Grinning triumphantly, Hitsugaya awaited the compliments he rightfully deserved.

"Yes! You are using a different shampoo now because you don't have to borrow mine anymore! Sorry, I forgot about that."

Pride shot, Hitsugaya stared open mouthed at Orihime who giggled and interlaced her fingers with his, leading him away once more.

Looking down at their joined hands, Hitsugaya shook his head and wondered how many more visits it would take to make her notice. But oddly enough, he found himself enjoying the way her hand fit in his, and the ice master decided he would keep coming as long as it took, for this was a challenge he could actually come to enjoy.

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A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed this. It was harder writing Whitey-kun than it was to write Renji or Ishida, but I gave it my best! Mmk, well please don't forget to review!