Love to Loss Chapter 3

"So...you thought getting a rise out of me would make me feel better...Rangiku put you up to this didn't she?"

"Well it worked to some extent didn't it...and Matsumoto didn't put me-wait how did you know Toshiro?"

"I know her to do these sorts of things-and it's Captain Hitsugaya to you!"

"Sheesh give it up already, I won't stop even if you tell me too."

"And I won't stop telling you if you won't stop calling me by that, respect your elders!"

As they were walking, Toshiro and Ichigo walked together, making their way towards the 10th company barracks. Toshiro was planning to just go and do his daily duties like he regularly does, but Ichigo and his stubborn self decided to follow him, not giving up on Matsumoto's assigned mission. Since the both of them were stubborn at heart, it was going to happen sooner or later they have a bickering moment since neither of them hate to be proven wrong.

"Respect elders my ass! You look no older than a elem-"

"Finish that statement and I'll freeze your a-"

"Your threats don't scare me Toshi-"

WHACK

"OW! Damn Toshi-"

WHACK

"DAMMIT! STOP IT ALREADY!"

"I'll stop if you shut up."

"Fine already jeez!"

Since Ichigo was nursing the large bump on his head, he couldn't see the small smirk on Toshiro's face at his victory at finally shutting up the strawberry's voice. They entered Toshiro's office, the smaller of the two going to his desk automatically to start his daily paperwork. Ichigo gave Toshiro an exaggerated look, seeing him sit down at his desk.

"Well no wonder Matsumoto told me to do this...with you doing paperwork on a daily basis, you act like there's a stick up your ass."

Ichigo, still going on about Toshiro's attitude didn't notice the tick mark that appeared on the smaller's forehead, getting annoyed with his smartass remarks.

"If I had known how hard this was gonna be I would've asked for Hinamori's help-"

Ichigo at this comment stopped abruptly feeling the physical airdrop about ten degrees. He looked at Toshiro but his head was cast down so he couldn't see his expression.

Either Ichigo is missing something to this whole situation or he just said something really stupid.

It felt like both at this moment.

The two males in the room sat in a very awkward silence until Ichigo sensed Toshiro finally calm down then finally speak.

"...There is a reason why Hinamori isn't the one here and you are."

Ichigo winced at the very quiet voice the tenth captain spoke out from. Rubbing the back of his head at the uncomfortable silence, he cautiously walked up to Toshiro, trying to figure out his words.

"...Do you wanna talk about it?"

Toshiro slowly raised his head up to look at Ichigo in surprise, but then looked away, thinking about the Strawberry's offer. Just as Ichigo was about to say something else, Toshiro slowly opened his mouth to talk.

"...Well...a few days ago-"

Toshiro's head shot up sensing the hell butterfly enter the room. He let the hell butterfly rest on his finger so he could listen to the message, totally ignoring the other occupant in the room. Ichigo resisted the urge to bang his head on the wall at the total frustration he was feeling at dealing with the stubborn captain. After a little bit Toshiro let the butterfly go away and he gathered his sash and katana strapping them on and walking towards his office door. He was planning on just passing by Ichigo and let him be but the taller one had other plans. He quickly grabbed onto Toshiro's shoulder, preventing him from proceeding on to his destination. He quickly spoke to Ichigo before he had time to open his mouth.

"I have a captains meeting to attend, nothing too serious just a briefing, tell Matsumoto to complete her paperwork."

"Then can we talk when you're done?"

Toshiro doesn't say anything for a moment, he just shrugs off Ichigo's hand and walks out the door. Thinking that Toshiro won't answer him, he sighs and plans to go back to the sofa in the room but he here's the smaller ones reply.

"...we'll see..."

Smiling to himself, Ichigo goes to sit while Toshiro goes away.

Toshiro's POV

Walking through the Seretei to get to the first division, Toshiro takes the time to think about about the to the spent with the strawberry. Seeing as how Ichigo is only helping him because Matsumoto only asked him, he feels a little hurt thinking that Matsumoto gave up on him. Becoming more depressed in his thoughts, he didn't notice the figure standing a few feet in front of him until he accidently bumped into him.

"Ah! Excuse me, I'm so sorry-"

"Ah Toshiro-kun, I'm happy to see you up and about. And its alright nobody got hurt."

Seeing that it was just Jushirou Ukitake that he bumped into, he relaxed his tensed up body and allowed his thoughts to be shoved into the back of his mind so his focus was on the fellow captain walking beside him.

"So how are you Toshiro-kun? Has everything been going well for you?"

Not wanting to talk about what happened over the course of the week, he gave him the closest answer he could give him without giving anything away."

"...I've been better most days."

Jushiro gave him a concerned look, not believing he said, but Toshiro refused to look at him and give him better explanation. Knowing that he won't get anymore answers out of him, he sighed heavily and continued to walk alongside Toshiro in silence.

They then made it too the first division, being the last ones to arrive. They went to their respective spots and waited for the captain commander. Once the most powerful man in the room came in, he stood before the ten captains and banged his cane on the floor, the sound reverberating in the room.

"Everybody is now present so let the meeting begin."

Some time later the captains were dismissed. Some start hollows were sighted near the outer regions of the Rukongai, so he assigned Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Ukitake to work together to eliminate them. Just before Toshiro was about to leave the room, Captain Yamamoto called him back in. Confused he stood before the Captain and waited for him to speak.

"Have you been doing well Captain Hitsugaya?"

"...yes, why do you ask?" Toshiro asked confused.

"Do I need need a reason go ask if my subordinates are doing well?"

"No sir not to be disrespectful, but you usually don't call me back to ask simple questions. As a captain, I know what I can handle that why you choose me."

He knew he said the right thing by the thoughtful 'hmmming' sound the Captain uttered.

"I wanted to ask as I've heard the situation going on between you and the fifth division fukutaicho, Momo Hinamori. She is your childhood friend and I understand that, I just don't want your behavior related to those personal matters affecting your actions and judgment on future missions. Do you understand me Captain Hitsugaya?"

Toshiro knew the Captain Commander would confront him about this since these kinds of situations would affect him since he was still young. But instead of being offended, he took the Captain Commanders words to heart since he knew it was his version of looking out for him.

"Yes I understand. I know what my duties are and will complete them like any captain should."

"Good now that we are at an understanding, you are dismissed."

Bowing down and saying goodbye, Toshiro left and headed back to his barracks to start preparing sending his troops out to eliminate the hollows.

AN: I'm so sorry for taking so long for those of you still reading this. Writers block has hit me hard and I'm trying to come out with something. Chapter four will probably be out by next week and once I'm done typing chapter four I'm gonna work on chapter five. My goal is two chapters a week but i also have alot of other work Cuz I have SATs coming up and I'm doing fanart for another friend which is also taking time. Sorry for the lame exusces but please stick with me. Even if you don't I'm still gonna keep writing fan fiction but I do like the support. :-D