"Did you hear it again last night?"

"Yeah. I wonder who it is."

"I heard it the other night. Whoever it is, he has such a lovely voice."

Toshiro Hitsugaya seldom paid much mind to the gossip that went around the Sereitei. He didn't mind others using it to distract especially with everyone still reeling from the aftermath of Aizen's terror. But there were times it went too far and distracted the men and women under him from their work. It was easy enough most days to get them back to work. Casually walking by them, often snapped them to attention, or a raised brow as he looked at the group would send them all scattering as though they'd been caught gambling (an offense he took even more seriously). But recently while the gossip would stop, he found the groups staring at him almost… pitifully. Hearing this particular group of unseated girls in his division, he decided to find out what exactly was going on. Leaning against a wall out of sight, he simply listened as the three girls spoke in hushed tones.

"It has to be Harunobu Ogido," One girl said. "She was in the 4th for so long."

"Nah, if that was the case, wouldn't it have started sooner?" The other asked, "I mean, she was in the 4th for a long time after the ryoka incident. It has to be someone from the 12th."

"Who could it possibly be from the 12th?"

"I heard the singing started while she was in recovery at the 4th Division," The first girl said. "Besides, with how popular Harunobu is, I wouldn't be surprised if he could sing. It adds another layer to his appeal."

The third girl nodded, "You do have a point. Though, if that were the case, wouldn't a lot more people know about it?"

The second girl sighed, "Either way, I feel bad for the Captain." The others hummed in agreement and Hitsugaya leaned closer hearing himself being mentioned.

"I never would have thought she'd pick anyone but him. Especially after everything."

The first girl shrugged, "Maybe she wasn't too fond of him stabbing her through the chest."

The other two girls slapped their palms over her mouth. "You know it wasn't like that!"

"And keep your voice down!"

Hitsugaya had heard enough. His chest tightened at the realization of what these rumors were about and without leaving a trace of his presence, he used shunpo to quickly leave the area and go to find Momo wherever she might be. He tried her office first, figuring that it was the most likely place she'd be. His mind was a jumbled mess, trying to piece together how these rumors started and also trying to place who this Harunobu Ogido is and for the life of him, he had no idea.

Captain Hirako was sitting at his desk, looking over paperwork with a bored expression when he arrived. "Ah, Captain Hitsugaya," He greeted.

"Hirako."

"If you're looking for my Lieutenant, she stepped out awhile ago. Training, I believe."

"Ah. Thank you."

"Oh, by the way," Hirako stood from his desk and flashed a toothy grin, "Think maybe we should have a talk soon. There's been some… interesting stories I've heard lately."

Hitsugaya quickly turned his back, and left, ignoring how the other captain laughed humorously at his expense though at the moment he couldn't tell if he grasped the reality that had been twisted in the spreading rumors. He wondered if these were currently only swirling around the 5th and 10th divisions but knowing how many mixed and mingled with other divisions, it was more likely the rumors were all over the place, spreading like a virus of lies. The thought of the various likely versions reaching the high seated officers left him dreading the next captains's meeting. This was exactly the type of mess he wanted to avoid and now he had to figure out how to put it all to rest.

Hinamori enjoyed training in a secluded field on the opposite end of the Sereitei from the 5th Division barracks. It gave her a private place to go without interruptions and no distractions. When he arrived, he made sure to gently flare his spiritual pressure to let her know he was around before she accidentally singes his eyebrows off (again). Momo stood in the middle of a ring of burnt grass, some still glowing bright orange from the embers that hadn't gone out yet. Feeling his proximity, she turned. Her face was damp with perspiration and the edges of her sleeves and hakama were burnt an ashy grey. She looked exhausted, drained from training so hard but the moment their eyes met, she smiled brightly and sheathed her zanpakuto. "Shiro!"

He shunpoed the rest of the distance to her and her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders while his wrapped around her waist. Content for the moment to just enjoy their proximity before dropping the reason he had come to see her. Hinamori burrowed her nose into his neck and sighed happily. "You're always so cold," She said, her voice muffled by his chest. "My personal ice pack."

Hitsugaya flicked the side of her head with his finger, "Hey, we need to talk."

"Ouch! Shiro, that was mean!"

"I barely even touched you. And quit it! This is important!" He scolded as she reached up pat his head in just the way he didn't like.

Hinamori pouted and a short staring contest ensued, silently taking the measure of each other. She took a breath and stepped back out of his reach, "What is it then?" Her voice took on the serious tone she used as an officer, likely considering whatever was so important he had to come out and see her immediately as urgent Soul Reaper business.

"Rumors," He started, "Have you heard any of them yet?"

"Hm?" She cocked her head to the side, visibly confused.

Hitsugaya sighed, "There's rumors that some guy comes over to your quarters at night and… sings to you."

"And?"

"And that doesn't… bother you? That people seem to think that some guy you barely know is in your quarters after dark? Singing?"

Hinamori rolled her eyes, "I'm sure some people know its you, Shiro. You're the only guy I've ever allowed in my rooms."

"People don't know it's me. They think it's some guy named Harunobu."

A look of recognition crossed her face, "Oh! He's really nice. He'd sometimes sneak me an extra dessert while I was recovering." His eye twitched, visibly annoyed. "Wait, so… people think he's…" Hinamori blanched at the thought of her being involved with Harunobu. "Why would people even think—"

"—Exactly."

Momo huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes pensive as she thought about the rumors. "I guess there's only two options," She said. "Either we just come out and say we're together or… you show off that singing voice for all of the Soul Society to hear."

"Like Hell I'll do that!"

Momo smirked, "You said that the first night I asked you to sing that song," She said. "And now you do it every night for me." Hitsugaya grumbled while she just laughed and took him by the arm, leading him away from the field and back towards the barracks all the while making plans to go out to dinner in a very public place to begin the process of cleaning up the rumor mill.