"Oh, c'mon, Taichou, it won't kill you!"

"I said no, Matsumoto," Hitsugaya snapped, turning his head away. "I don't want any."

Matsumoto grinned that foolish grin of hers and held out her spoon. "Come ooon...just one bite? You'll love it, I promise!"

"No."

"You're no fun, Taichou. C'mon, you need to loosen up! Try new things! That's the fun of it all! C'mon, just one bite and I promise I'll leave you alone."

He doubted that; Matsumoto always seemed to find some way to annoy him no matter what they were doing. If he gave in this time, it would only encourage her. He crossed his arms and turned away.

Kurosaki Karin was sitting nearby, and she glared at him. "Just do it. Pick your battles, Hitsugaya."

"I didn't ask for your input," Hitsugaya snarled, "and it's Hitsugaya-taichou!"

"She's like the old man; sometimes it's less of a headache just to do it and get it over with."

"Don't compare Matsumoto to your father, Kurosaki. He's just eccentric; Matsumoto is completely insane."

"Pop's at least as psycho as she is, and twice the pervert," Kurosaki Ichigo said. "C'mon; Rukia said she wanted to meet us at Urahara's in half an hour, so just do it so we can leave."

"No."

"Taichou, it's melting!" Matsumoto whined. "Don't be so uptight! It's goooood..."

"Would you clam up, Matsumoto! I don't want it!"

Unfortunately, while yelling at his vice-captain, Hitsugaya had opened his mouth enough to allow her to shove the spoon into it, and he had no choice but to swallow. Choking as he pushed Matsumoto away, Hitsugaya leapt off the stool he had been sitting on and stomped toward the door.

Okay...fine. So maybe this ice cream stuff wasn't so bad after all.

But damned if he'd let her know that!

...Crazy old witch.


I think Matsumoto is manipulative, too.