Hello, the reviews I received in the last chapter were really great! I felt very sad when I couldn't answer the ones that were not signed. So right now I say thanks ^_^ here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
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Chapter 4
Moonlight Encounter
A few days passed and winter had finally come.
Snow had fallen the previous night.
"Captain Ukitake, this is from my captain" The red head bowed and handed the piece of paper
"Oh, thank you Renji" he opened the letter "am I suppose to give a reply?" he noticed that Renji still stood in place
"Ah, no I just wanted to know where Rukia was, haven't been able to talk to her recently" he looked up to see the captain smiling
"She went to give a package to squad eleven captain, she'll be back soon. Miss her?" he sat down, starting to rummage through the drawers.
"No, I just, I was just wondering about her plans. Ichigo is coming today to celebrate Christmas Eve with us tomorrow, is she going to have a free day today?" Renji himself had been given the permission to stay with Ichigo as soon as he arrived
"Yes, thank Ichigo for introducing this holiday of Christmas from the living world. Anyway, I did give her the day off but I have to warn you that she looks very depressed" Ukitake smiled when he found what he was looking for
"Why do you say that?" Renji became worried though he didn't show it
"You just have to give one glance at her eyes" he said almost unbelievably. Just then she came in
"Hello Renji" she gave a small smile before facing the captain "I delivered it safely, anything else I can do?" Ukitake had not been wrong about her. But for someone who had been exceptionally happy these past few weeks, being sad was rare.
"That's all, you have the day off" Rukia again gave a small bow and left, Renji following behind
"Hey Rukia what's wrong?" She walked in silence until they were outside. She looked about
"The first snow was last night, white wonder stretches out for miles" she put her hand above her eyes, emphasizing what she told
"Are you let down that you didn't see the snow fall? Is that what the gloom is about" Renji wanted to laugh but held it in. She looked puzzled; then again, why not let him think that. The reason had been that because of over pile of work, she couldn't go see Toshiro that night; it would have been cool to see it with him. But why would she bother to tell him, it was her secret, their secret.
"See there they are" they both looked up to see Hinamori and Ichigo walking towards them
"Yo, how's it going?" Ichigo grinned as he stood in front of Rukia
"Hey Ichigo, don't bother Rukia, she's mad she wasn't able to see the snow fall" Renji finally decided to let out his laugh only to get punched in the face by his subject.
"See you around Ichigo" she says in a sarcastic tone and walks away, Momo decided to follow to check on her.
"Rukia" Momo tried to reach out but felt unworthy to touch such a noble beauty
"Oh, Lieutenant Hinamori, are you headed this way too?" Rukia asked politely
"Um yes" It was partly true
"Can I join you? I need to clear my mind up a bit" Rukia was embarrassed somewhat
"No problem, I'm going to Captain Hitsugaya's office to pick up Matsumoto. We're going to finish decorating the big room for the party, want to help us?" Hinamori asked half-heartedly, it would be strange to have her there not knowing much about her.
"Yes thank you, I like decorating plain little rooms" Rukia remembered Ichigo's closet
"Are you going to the party tomorrow?" Momo was not ready to be in an awkward silence
"For a while, I convinced Byakuya to come too. It's going to be the soul society's first Christmas party and I don't want him to be left out. Are you going with someone?"
"n-no, but I hope Captain Hitsugaya goes so I can give him the present there" Momo's blush brought a strange sadness to Rukia. It was evident that Momo liked him.
"Didn't you use to call him shiro or something like that?" Rukia had heard it from Toshiro but he himself didn't know her reason's to stop. Quite frankly he preferred it this way.
"Yes but I don't like calling him that anymore" Momo had gained some distance from him ever since the incident with Aizen, and believed that she didn't have the right to call him by a nickname
"Hey Rukia I'm sorry" Renji and Ichigo were back a few. Rukia looked back and started to run, to talk to Momo would be to continue on with the same subject. It lifted her spirits a bit to run. Hinamori had no other option than to go along.
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"Please Captain, they want my help" Rangiku pleaded for the hundredth time that afternoon
"Matsumoto, you have too much work. It's what you get for not doing it yesterday like you were supposed to" Toshiro was annoyed as he looked at the desk whose surface could not be seen.
"I'll do it after the whole Christmas thing is over"
"What! That's stretching it too far, it needs to be done before hand" He folded his arms and closed his eyes to try and cool his frustrations.
"It's holiday, let her Captain" he looked to the door quickly and found Rukia smiling "how about if I make a deal. I'll do her job and you two can help out in the big room" Hinamori stood shyly behind her as they walked closer
"But it's her responsibility" he protested, it was hard for him to hold down his smile
"She'll know the consequences next time this happens" she said just as stubbornly but calmly. Toshiro sighed and looked at Rangiku whose eyes started to sparkle at the chance that she might be free
"Just this once"
"Thank you so much! And thank you Rukia, oh, you're so sweet" Rangiku hugged her tightly "I owe you one big time" at that moment Renji and Ichigo came, out of breath.
"You should go too Captain" Rukia went around the desk "If it comforts you two other guys will be there"
"I'm not going to leave you to all the work, say what you want but I'm determined to stay and help in this" he pouted, looking away. Rukia laughed and insisted no longer. Toshiro in return gave a weak smile to her. The ones watching found something unusual about the scenery. Too relaxed with each other.
"Well come on you guys, we can't bother them while they're working!" Rangiku chirped as she pushed them all out
"D-don't you think they were, y'know, all friendly and stuff" Renji asked anyone in particular
"Toshiro always acts like that" Ichigo tried to comfort both Renji and himself
"I don't think we should leave them alone-w-with the work that is, since I'm lieutenant and all I can help greatly" Renji turned around only to get yanked by the collar
"Stop being jealous, Toshiro's always about work" Rangiku defended her captain, though she herself had a curiosity. The captain had been acting gloomy all morning.
"I'm not jealous! Of that tomboy being with Hitsugaya? No way!" Renji walked forward faster to hide the crimson blush.
"At least Ichigo is more conserved about his jealousy" Rangiku called after him
"I'm not jealous!" They both yelled and this time started running.
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This one didn't have much RukiaXToshiro but it was needed to understand the story. See you in the next chapter. There will be a lot of RT in that one HAHAHAHAHA…….