It Takes Time

By: Le tired

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters, blah blah blah, etc.

Rated: T for some language and…stuff?

Author's Notes: Ok now I can finally say sorry to everyone who was looking forward to the second date. I felt bad since I'd already planned that they wouldn't get that date, but I didn't think I should give it away. So again, sorry I'm a bastard, but I hope it adds to the realism of the story as I'm sure most of us have had to put part of our lives on hold to take care of something that we probably didn't want to. With our characters being a captain and lieutenant in the middle of a huge conflict, I thought it'd be too fairy tale-like to just have them keep romancing so smoothly. Also, part of the reason I like both so much is because they're able to place their jobs before personal issues. All right, enough fan-girling, enjoy the chappie!

Kohryu: Hahaha yeah, those butterflies do come at the worst times. If I was a Shinigami and I saw one heading my way, I'd just run.

Cloud Ex-SOLDIER: Why thank you, it's good to know I caught the male perspective properly, as I hardly can profess to be an expert. Yeah, 'regret' is a tricky word, it can mean a lot of different things. I'm sure Hitsugaya would definitely regret some decisions (I really haven't seen anything from Zaraki to suggest that :P), but like I said, it's not the sort of regret that would cause him to act differently. As much as he may have wished things could've gone better or someone didn't have to get hurt, I believe he would generally feel he did the right thing and be able to sleep at night. In contrast, I immediately think of Byakuya, whose 'regret' is very different because he never resolved his decisions in his mind, and will likely be haunted by how he acted for a long time. I thought about clarifying or explaining more, but the passage would get bloated and take away from the pacing of the story. Thanks for reading so carefully and sharing your thoughts of characterization with me!

bandgirlz: Thank you so much! Haha it was my first real lovey-dovey scene, I can't believe how shy I got while I was writing it. Everyone else makes it look so easy! And thanks for the encouragement with the agent, I'm pretty sure it'll be rejected but you always learn something regardless :).

sagitgirlth: Haha this is why Soul Society needs more phones. They clearly have them because Matsumoto even calls Hitsugaya from one during the Bount arc, and they have cellphones for their reports in the human world. I can only assume the butterflies are meant to emphasize the dramatic aspect of a scene, so I used one for a dramatic moment as well :P.

Prince of Winter Dragons: Thanks as always for your kind reviews :). Yeah, some fics do overplay the humor, turning Hitsugaya into this poor schmuck always tortured by Matsumoto, when I think their relationship is one of equals, one of the most well-balanced ones I've ever seen. Then again, I can't think of a funnier couple in Bleach either, and after writing that intense kiss scene, I admit I definitely wanted to change the mood back into a more relaxed one with some humor.

kriitikko: Haha oh my another review bashing the butterflies. At least they got a little kissing in, right? :P

Chapter 14

Matsumoto sighed as she made her way down the street, looking neither left nor right. Luckily, her all-black Shinigami garb was a dead giveaway, and the other spirits in her path gave her a wide berth.

She felt as if she were in a daze. She could barely remember Hitsugaya dismissing her, as he'd begun dealing with this new development. She didn't remember leaving headquarters or why she decided to set out into Rukongai. All she remembered was that arrancars had come to the human world. That meant Aizen was on the move. Aizen…and Gin.

The last few days had truly been a godsend. Matsumoto had almost forgotten all the trouble they were in, and who had caused said trouble. She'd almost believed herself to have completely moved on with her life, moved on to a far better person who actually deserved her heart. She'd truly thought she'd found happiness again with Hitsugaya-taichou, and that sadness would never touch her again. But the misery festering in the pit of her stomach proved she'd only been deluding herself.

Completed arrancars. It was cold hard evidence that Aizen had not and would not disappear from their eyes forever. He wasn't content with the damage he'd caused the first time around. No, he had more in mind. There would be war and further bloodshed, more heartache for Matsumoto. And she'd definitely be seeing Gin again; something in her blood, her bones told her that with complete conviction. They were still tied together by some grotesque thread of destiny. They would have their confrontation…the only question was how it would end.

As if there was any doubt. He's a traitor and a killer and a liar. He's no longer the man you loved…if that man ever existed. All your friends and Hitsugaya-taichou are counting on you, so throw away these useless feelings! Cut him down with Haineko yourself…

Matsumoto stopped, shocked. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't really been paying attention to where she'd been going. But her current surroundings were unmistakable. The poorly-paved dirt path with clumps of dying grass on either side. The empty flat plains in all directions, with the occasional ramshackle bungalow of rotting wood. The old white pine with its hard, crumbling bark and barren branches, although it was almost summer.

District 64. It was here where Gin had found her, lying on this very dirt path, more dead than alive. How people would laugh, if she told them that she'd thought Ichimaru Gin an angel back then, his smiling face haloed in sunlight and his arms full of persimmons, as he reached out to pull her up from a world of darkness. That was how she would always remember him, no matter what atrocities he committed or people he hurt.

"You're such a liar, Matsumoto Rangiku," she whispered to herself, hot tears prickling at the corner of her eyes and blurring the desolate landscape in her vision. "You're never going to forget him, much less raise your sword against him."

The rush of memories was too much. Gin laughing and running through the grass with her. Gin sitting beside her as they munched happily on dried persimmons. Gin whispering goodnight as they fell asleep side by side every night. Always, always Gin. Before she realized it, Matsumoto had fallen to her knees on the dirt road and pressed one side of her face against its gritty surface. Lost in remembrance of that first meeting, she could almost feel the warmth of Gin's body on that path, smell him in the wind, hear him in the rustling of the grasses. "Gin…come back," she whispered brokenly. "I need you. I…still love you."

"Matsumoto…"

"Gin?" She was flabbergasted when the man actually responded. "Gin, is that you?"

"Matsumoto!" Gin's voice grew deeper, coarser. With a distinct and different accent. "Matsumoto! Oi! Answer me if you're alive!" Oh…it wasn't Gin after all.

"…Renji?" Matsumoto bolted up and blinked through her haze of tears to see Renji jogging towards her. Quickly, she stood and wiped her cheeks, hoping her face wasn't too smudged with dirt.

"Yo! What were you doing lying on the ground just now?" Renji looked worried when he finally reached her. Matsumoto didn't blame him. "Your eyes are kinda red…"

"Ah it's nothing, nothing! I just fell," she said as brightly as she could. Idiot. Of course it wasn't Gin. Gin always called you Rangiku. That nearly started her sobbing like a madwoman again, but she somehow held onto her smile. "What are you doing here Renji?"

"It's a long story." Renji sighed and scratched his head, clearly vexed. "You've heard about the arrancar invasion, yeah?"

"Yes, Hitsugaya-taichou received news not too long ago." And it's driving me mad.

"Well, I've been ordered to put together a team along with Rukia to go down to the human world and keep an eye on things." Renji made a face. "I was thinking of asking Ikkaku, but I can't find him, as usual. He and Yumichika are always roaming around, lookin' for a fight. You haven't seen them, have ya?"

"No, sorry…but I'd be happy to help!" Matsumoto latched onto Renji's arm, eager to find something to keep her mind off…that man. "Let's go search for them together, Renji!"

"Oi, oi!" Renji tried to tug his arm free, looking anxious. "Aren't you with Hitsugaya-taichou now? I don't wanna be seen messing around with a captain's girl! Or do you want him to ryusenka me?"

Matsumoto couldn't help laughing at the mental image of a Renji-popsicle. "As if Hitsugaya-taichou would ever do something like that!" She thought for a moment before adding slyly, "If you're going to worry about being seen with a 'captain's girl', I'd start with watching out for your Kuchiki-taichou, considering how close you are to his darling little sister."

"Be quiet, Matsumoto! You shouldn't say those kinds of things, you're going to get me in serious trouble!"

"Whaaat? There's no one around for miles! Don't be such a 'fraidy-cat!" Matsumoto shook her head sadly. "You're really that terrified of your taichou? I hate spineless men."

"Unlike you, I'm not blowing my captain," Renji grunted, miffed at being called spineless. His retort earned him a smart blow to the face that sent him sprawling a few feet.

"Don't be crude, or I really will say something to Kuchiki-taichou."

Renji paled considerably. "You wouldn't!"

"Try me." Matsumoto sniffed. "Besides, you're totally mistaken. Hitsugaya-taichou and I haven't done anything yet."

"Oh. But you're gonna have that date later tonight, right?" Renji managed to climb back to his feet.

"I don't think so. They called a captain's meeting pretty soon after the announcement of the arrancars' arrival in the human world." Matsumoto sighed, trying not to sound too disappointed.

The truth was, she'd never been so desperate to go on a date as she'd been after the jigokuchou's message—to go out and not be alone with her memories and regrets of Gin. She wanted to remember Hitsugaya and the security and warmth she'd felt when they were together. She was pretty certain Hitsugaya would stayed with her too, had she asked …but that was weak and selfish. She'd practically seen all the gears turning in her captain's head as he'd begun thinking of what should be done to counter Aizen's army. She couldn't drag him down like this. He was her strength, and she was determined to be his.

Aloud, Matsumoto continued breezily, "Arrancars are a pretty big deal, after all. I think Hitsugaya-taichou forgot all about the date, to tell you the truth. He didn't say anything about it, anyway."

"Aw geez, that sucks." Renji looked truly sympathetic. "I was really happy when I heard you'd finally got 'im to go out with you. Well, I'm sure he'd go with you if he could tonight, instead of attending another boring meeting."

Matsumoto smiled and launched herself at Renji again, much to the latter's dismay. She was lucky to have such good friends. "Aww you're such a sweetheart, Renji, you know that?"

"Okay okay, I'm awesome. Now leggo before someone sees us! Please!"

A little later…

"Waiterrr! We're ready for another round here!" Matsumoto sang happily from her table at the bar.

"Oi oi, just a minute," Renji protested weakly. "Some of us have a mission tomorrow!"

"Don't be such a spoilsport!" Matsumoto glared down at the red-haired lieutenant. "I'm going out of my way to throw you boys a nice send-off party, and this is how you thank me?"

"I didn't ask for a party! And you're not even paying for these drinks, so how are you throwing it?"

"Shaddup and drink. What are ya, a pussy?" Madarame Ikkaku sneered, tossing back his own cup. After another hour of aimless roaming, Renji and Matsumoto had finally tracked down the third seat when he released his reiatsu for a street brawl. Naturally, his best bud Yumichika had also been with him, and as they'd all headed to a nearby bar for an impromptu celebration, they'd also run into Izuru Kira and Hisagi Shuuhei, who'd joined them at Matsumoto's insistence. Now all six officers sat around a small bar table for an impromptu celebration. "Che, it's no wonder you had to ask me and Yumichika to babysit ya."

"Now that's going too far, Ikkaku!"

"Calm down, everyone. Arguing like this is truly unsightly." Yumichika sipped his own cup delicately.

"Yes, we're here to enjoy each other's company, not fight, right?" Kira put in.

After another moment of glaring, Renji sighed and sank back in his seat in resignation. "All right. I thank you for your sentiments, Matsumoto."

"No problem! Now…kanpai!" They raised their cups and downed them in unison. "Aaaah, this is the best, isn't it?" Matsumoto wiped her mouth with the back of her hand in a rather unladylike manner. "Nothing like a good sake break in the middle of the afternoon." She leaned back and closed her eyes in bliss.

"Huh. Whatever happened to that little taichou of yours, that you still prefer enjoyin' sake in the company of other men?" Ikkaku asked, not picking up on Renji's frantic hand signals to drop the subject. "Didn't you have some big shindig or somethin' later tonight? Half of Seireitei was talkin' about it, y'know."

Matsumoto shot Ikkaku a sullen look before pouring herself another cup. "Half of Seireitei can kiss my beautifully smooth and rounded ass. Thanks to the arrancars making a mess of the human world, Hitsugaya-taichou got all distracted and forgot about the date."

"He forgot?" Ikkaku stared at Matsumoto for a moment before bursting into uproarious laughter. "AHAHA, you got stood up, big titties! Yer crush ain't into you at all—UGEEH!" His face was smashed in by Matsumoto's sake cup.

"Hiiii waiter, we're going to need another cup!" Matsumoto cupped her mouth and called sweetly, before sitting back down as if nothing happened.

There was a moment of silence except for Ikkaku's pained groans in the corner.

Finally, Hisagi dared to speak. "I'm sorry it happened, Rangiku-san. But maybe…maybe Hitsugaya-taichou didn't forget after all. He's just busy taking care of things, and once he's done, he'll come looking for you."

"It's highly unlikely," Yumichika countered with the air of a consummate expert. "If a man intended to keep his appointment, he would have said something to her by now. I'm sorry Rangiku-san, but it appears you have indeed been dismissed." He daintily picked some invisible lint off his uniform. "Personally, I've always had my doubts of Hitsugaya-taichou's attraction towards women."

"Ha! You're one to talk!" Matsumoto snorted in amusement, making Yumichika look around wide-eyed and panicked.

"What does she mean by that, Ikkakuuuu? I'm the epitome of beautiful manly straight-ness, aren't I?"

"…"

"Anyway," Kira continued, ignoring Yumichika's cries, "I have to agree. It doesn't sound like Hitsugaya-taichou sees you as a priority. Did he even apologize to you?"

"No." Matsumoto frowned. Hmm, captainly duties or not, that was pretty rude. She'd be sure to give Hitsugaya-taichou an earful for that later.

"And you're not upset about this?"

"Not really." Matsumoto finished another cup. She was starting to contemplate foregoing the cups and jumping to the bottles themselves. "I'd probably be pretty pissed if it was any other guy standing me up like that, but it's Hitsugaya-taichou. He's such a workaholic old man when it comes to these sorts of things. I don't even think he has any hobbies or interests outside of his duties."

"That's true. He's kinda boring, ain't he?" Renji reflected. "Even Kuchiki-taichou has his calligraphy and whatnot. I've never seen Hitsugaya-taichou do anything but work. Never woulda figured a guy like that would interest a girl like you, Matsumoto."

"You're telling me!" Matsumoto shook her head. They did make a pretty funny couple, didn't they? "He's so anal and gruff, and he refused to dress up for the date no matter how nicely I asked!" She sighed, but she was smiling fondly as she complained. "He still won't smile at me or compliment me or hold my hand…and when we kissed, I had to take the initiative of all things! I hope he realizes how lucky he is!" She turned to her drinking companions for validation, but they were all just staring wide-eyed at her.

"You…kissed?"

"Of course! Like he could resist me for long!" Matsumoto smiled. How could she have forgotten to bring that up earlier? The kiss! That wondrous kiss! It just went to show what a lousy day it'd been once the business with the arrancars started and triggered all her memories of Gin. How sad, that negative memories always overtook the positive ones. But now, Matsumoto forced herself to remember the earlier, much better part of the day, and as she retold the events, she could feel herself growing warmer and more like herself. "I was actually trying to explain how he wasn't bad-looking despite his height and all that, but it just happened, you know? He wasn't very experienced, you could tell. But…he was really gentle. Made a girl feel like a real lady, you know? No jumping for the mammaries, no disrobing. He just stroked my neck and—"

Renji clapped his hands over his ears, blushing furiously. "Oi oi, that's enough, Matsumoto! That's between you and your taichou! I don't need to hear that!"

"Yeah, don't start with that nasty shit!" Ikkaku shouted, his entire bald head quickly turning an interesting shade of pink and emitting steam.

"What? Is the mental image too hot for you prudes?" Matsumoto teased. "Just you wait 'til we find a bed."

"Waagh!"

"Just kidding! Honestly, boys are so immature!" Matsumoto clapped Renji jovially on the back as she got unsteadily to her feet. "That's why I need a serious man like Hitsugaya-taichou! Anyway, I'm going to go freshen up for a minute, be right back! Keep the rounds coming, okay?"

"Y-yes…"

The men watched Matsumoto weave through the crowd. When she was out of sight, they all simultaneously let out their breaths.

"That woman is straight up fuckin' insane," Ikkaku finally growled, rubbing his still battered face. "And she wonders why her taichou doesn't want to be anywhere near her. How the hell do we always end up taking her shit anyways?"

"Because she can set Yachiru on you," Yumichika replied promptly.

"Ugh, don't even mention that name." Ikkaku looked slightly ill.

"I think I'm going to need more sake if I'm going to survive the night," Renji muttered, burying his face in his hands.

"We all are," Kira agreed tiredly. "And here I was under the impression we were here to send you three off. Instead, we've somehow ended up talking about Rangiku-san's personal problems." He touched Hisagi on the arm briefly. "Hisagi-san, is this too uncomfortable? You could leave, and we'll tell Rangiku-san that you had something to do. It's no secret that you have a soft spot for her."

"Hah…it's all right." Hisagi chuckled. "It was a bit of a shock to find out Rangiku-san was interested in Hitsugaya-taichou, but he's a good man. I'm sure he will take good care of her. Besides, we're Rangiku-san's friends. It sounds like she needs someone to talk to, so we should lend our ears."

Kira made a face. "Hisagi-san, you're too nice…you always let Rangiku-san take advantage of you."

"It's not taking advantage if she truly needs assistance!"

"Right, but…well now that she has Hitsugaya-taichou, she shouldn't need your assistance anymore."

"Sure." Hisagi rubbed the back of his neck, looking down with a sad, rueful smile. "The truth is…I really don't mind being taken advantage of. Rangiku-san is so kind and pretty…it's enough for me if I can make her smile."

"You're hopeless," Kira sighed. "It's too bad Rangiku-san didn't fall for you. It sure sounds like you'd treat her better than Hitsugaya-taichou does. From what she told us just now, it's hard to see them staying together. Maybe you still have a chance."

"Maybe. And in the meantime," Hisagi perked up, his eyes taking on an almost fanatical gleam, "I will finally have proper reports and columns for the Seireitei Communication! Finally! No more overnighters!"

The other lieutenants sweatdropped. "Hisagi-san, I think you need to stop working so hard…"

Renji shook his head, returning to their original subject. "Yeah, it's hard to believe they actually…kissed." He started to gag a little at the vivid mental image Matsumoto had forced into his head. "I mean, sure for Matsumoto, but Hitsugaya-taichou…well, I can't imagine any of the captains besides Kyoraku-taichou kissing anyone."

"Well, that is the power is beauty after all," Yumichika reasoned, joining in the conversation. "Rangkiu-san is very attractive for a woman. Even if Hitsugaya-taichou didn't like her much, her looks might be enough to convince him to keep up the charade for a while. It's sad, but there are some ugly people who just toy with women's hearts and use their bodies."

"You don't really think so, Yumichika-san?" Hisagi asked, looking anxious. "That wouldn't be right to Rangiku-san."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, Yumichika," Renji said thoughtfully. "But I don't see it. Hitsugaya-taichou isn't the friendliest guy I know, but he still seems like a pretty straight arrow. He's gotta be trying to make it work."

"Hmm, I don't know about that." Yumichika ran his fingers carelessly through his glossy hair, flipping some strands up at the end. "Ikkaku has a point, about Rangiku-san drinking with us. Surely she wouldn't be seeking out the company of single men in a bar if they were more…intimate."

"This is all besides the main point," Kira said slowly, "I didn't want to say it in front of Rangiku-san but I've been thinking…this is a pretty bad situation, isn't it? Whatever Hitsugaya-taichou feels for her, do you think he'll be pleased to see us carrying on with her like this?"

"….shit." Renji groaned and clapped his forehead with his hand in realization. "I'm an idiot. I was worrying about that earlier, but I totally forgot—"

"It's all right. We've been drinking with Rangiku-san for a long time, we didn't think and acted out of habit," Kira assured his friend. "But perhaps we should end this as quickly as possible."

"Yes, to be seen as someone trying to steal another man's woman would be most ugly," Yumichika agreed.

"Hey, I'm back!" The men looked up tensely. Matsumoto grinned and made her way back over to them. "Let's keep drinking now!"

"Rangiku-san, actually we were thinking we should get going—"

"Hey, Shuuhei, you haven't drunk nearly enough!" Matsumoto drained her cup and set it down with an angry clink. "Finish that cup already! You don't want a girl to drink alone, do you?"

"Aa, but Rangiku-san…"

"Here!" She wriggled over to the dark-haired lieutenant and filled his cup to the very brim with sake. "Now be a good boy and drink it all up." She put one arm on his shoulder and raised herself to his face level. She brought the cup to his mouth. "Say ahh~"

Her coy voice and full body pressed against him turned Hisagi beet red. "W-wait, Rangiku-san, I can do it myself…" Matsumoto leaned closer, her proudly displayed cleavage taking up more and more of his vision, complete with pink sparkles and hearts. 5…4…3…2…1…

"AAAUUGH!" Blood splurted out of Hisagi's nose like a geyser.

"Eeek!" Matsumoto pedaled back, colliding with Kira.

"Hisagi, hold on!" Renji grabbed a handful of napkins on the table and rushed to aid his rapidly exsanguinating friend. "Shit, Matsumoto, why do you always have to do this?"

"Do what? I was just trying to get him to drink more!" Matsumoto sounded indignant. Renji didn't stop to see her expression as he helped Hisagi wedge the napkins up his nose.

"Don't you know Hisagi is weak against you!" Renji frantically stuffed in more napkins. The blood flow was thankfully ebbing. It didn't look like a fourth division squad had to be called. Renji had just breathed a sigh of relief when a cold and oppressive reiatsu filled the bar, and the sixth division lieutenant felt his blood turn to ice. Slowly, he turned around, briefly catching his companions' doomed expressions, before he came face to face with Hitsugaya Toshirou, captain of the tenth division and wielder of Hyorinmaru, the most powerful ice-based zanpakuto in Soul Society.

And he did not look happy.