Toshiro's POV

Later that night, someone brought in another chair so both Matsumoto and I could sit. Most of the night, Matsumoto sat at the foot of the bed and spoke to the unconscious Kuchiki. I just sat on one of the chairs. After a while, I asked Matsumoto why she was talking to Kuchiki-san if she was unconscious. She said that she read somewhere that it helped with someone's recovery. I didn't believe it would help but I stayed quiet about it. At least Matsumoto had hope for the girl. I stayed quiet for the rest of the time. That is, until Matsumoto wanted me to speak to the girl, too. I didn't want to tell her that I'd be wasting my breath so I came up with something else.
"I don't know Kuchiki-san that well. You should keep speaking to her."
"Then that's all the more reason to speak to her," she said enthusiastically. How could she still be this enthusiastic? It's so late and she's still speaking to Kuchiki and now wants me, of all people, to speak to her.
I sighed, "Fine." I got off my chair and went towards Kuchiki-san. Matsumoto squealed with excitement.
"Rukia-chan, my Captain's gonna talk to you now!" She got up and motioned for me to sit at the foot of the bed. I did then sighed. What am I supposed to talk about to an unconscious person I barely know?
"What should I say?" I asked Matsumoto.
"I don't know, introduce yourself I guess," she said anxiously.
I sighed. This is so weird but I guess there's no helping it. "Hello Kuchiki-san, I'm Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of the 10th division. We met earlier today—"
"He's the one that caught you when you fell, Rukia-chan," interrupted Matsumoto.
"Yeah, and… Matsumoto I can't do this."
"Yes, you can, Captain. Tell her about your day."
"Fine, well today I woke up and I went straight to work. I had a lot of paper work to get to. More than you'd think because Matsumoto's such a lazy lieutenant."
"Hey, don't listen to him, Rukia-chan!" she exclaimed.
I let a small laugh out. "She doesn't have to listen to me if she knows you well, Matsumoto." I was starting to get more comfortable with this. I kept speaking to Kuchiki-san. Matsumoto would join our 'conversation' sometimes. I actually found myself laughing sometimes. I was actually enjoying myself.
"Anyway Matsumoto came to work a while ago and she was drunk. She messed up the smallest things. She messed up paperwork and it was so annoying. But the funniest thing happened. It was during lunch. We were eating and she got thirsty. Instead of the sake she brought for lunch, she picked up a bottle of ink and drank it! She drank the whole thing before realizing that it wasn't her sake. I think that the ink actually sobered her up because she wasn't slurring when she was yelling at me for letting her drink all of the ink. It was funny, right, Matsumoto?" A response didn't come. I looked towards her and saw that she had fallen asleep. I then realized that I didn't have to keep speaking to Kuchiki-san. Something in me still wanted to though. I kept talking to her for a long time. I felt comfortable with it.
"Kuchiki-san, I wish you were able to see the night sky right now. It looks so beautiful."
"Really, can I see?" At first I thought it was Matsumoto. Then I realized it wasn't. It was Kuchiki-san. I felt my cheeks go red as I looked over towards her. I was speechless. She was awake, but how long has she been awake?
"You're awake?"
"Yeah," she replied.
"How long have you been awake?"
"I don't know. I woke up and you were talking. I thought you were talking to Matsumoto but she's asleep and you addressed me when you spoke. I just listened to what you were saying. Oh yeah, can I see the sky?"
"Um… yeah go ahead."
She started to get up but then stopped. I knew that she couldn't. How is she so weak that she can't even stand? Something came over me and I went over to her side. I placed one of her arms around my neck and then placed my arm around her waist. I walked her over to the window.
"Wow, you're right. The sky looks so beautiful right now."
"Yeah, the sky's not a dark blue like it always is. It's more like a dark purple tonight," I said. I turned to face her and she did the same. I then noticed her eyes. They looked just like the sky. They were the same dark purple, they were both so beautiful.
"Awwwwww! That's so cute!" Matsumoto said… while drinking a bottle of sake?! When did she get that?! I was about to yell at her but then stopped as I realized the way Kuchiki-san and I were holding each other. I felt my face go red. I looked towards Kuchiki-san and saw that she was also blushing. She got out of my arms then bowed.

"I'm so sorry, Captain Hitsugaya!" I put my arms on her shoulders and her head shot up.

"No, it's my fault, Kuchiki-san," I said to her. I felt myself smile a bit. She started to blush again.

"Awwwwww, you guys look so perfect together!" Matsumoto squealed.

"Together?!" Kuchiki-san gasped. Her face got even redder.

"Yeah, you two are close in height and you both look so darn cute!"

"Cute?!"

"Matsumoto, stop, you're making her uncomfortable!"

"Awwwwww, he cares about you, Kuchiki-san!"

"Cares?!"

"Matsumoto!" I yelled.

"Ok, ok, I'll shut up," she said.

"Sorry about her, Kuchiki-san," I said.

She looked shocked. Was it because of what Matsumoto said or because I apologized? Then she smiled. "No, it's fine, really. Oh, was it true?"

"Was what true?"

"That you caught me when I fell."

"Yeah, I guess I did," I said shyly. Something about her makes me feel… different. Wait, she could hear us while she was unconscious?

"Thank you," she said then bowed.

"You don't have to thank me, Kuchiki-san."

She came up and looked me in the eyes. Then she smiled. I don't know why but I love that smile so much. What's happening to me? When I saw her I had a weird feeling and when she passed out I was so worried. I barley even knew her and I was going crazy, on the inside. And now I find myself admiring her smile.

Maybe you're in love with the girl.

How can I love someone I barely know, Hyourinmaru?

It's possible, Toshiro.

But—

Don't deny it Toshiro.

Maybe you are right. Maybe I am in love with her.

Maybe?

All right, all right, I'm in love with Rukia Kuchiki