Leave Out All the Rest

So, after a very horrible, terrible week I recived some good news to celebrate I decide to publish the new chapter of my story today instead of saturday as I usually do it.



Well, I want to thank to all the people that had reviewed the story, thank you very much to all of you for those lovely comments that made me smile once in a while.



Here is the next chapter,



Read, enjoy and review!!!







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Chapter 12



Love, like jealousy, always finds a way



For the next few days, Matsumoto found herself beside a very efficient and devoted Hitsugaya. Not only with his duty as a Captain and as a Shinigami, but also as a… father. He took it upon himself to be aware of everything that Rangiku may need or want, and he, along with Kurosaki Isshin, was doing a splendid job of feeding her and looking after at her.



She was pleasantly surprised when she discovered that her taichou knew how to cook and that he actually did an excellent job with it. Or that he actually knew what made her feel a little nauseous, when she felt really tired or hungry, or simply when she wanted to do something different and special.



So, the question of what ‘terrified’ really mean to her taichou still remained. Really, what kind of man would do all the sweet things he had been doing the last few days after they first saw the baby? She was terrified, and while she had emotional and motherly moments, there were also times when she just wanted to… to make everything disappear.



A man in love, was the answer Haineko offered the busty woman.



Day after day, Matsumoto Rangiku stood there, in the background, analyzing her taichou. Trying to understand, how a man like him ended up falling in love with her? She was lazy, she had never done her paperwork, she drank at almost every opportunity she got, she flirted with almost everybody – granted most of the times she did it to obtain something, but still. On top of that she still loved a man that didn’t deserve her affection.



So, what did she do to deserve a man like him? While he knew she was giving them an opportunity, he never took advantage of that. Not again at least. He didn’t pressure her to accept him in any way. Not even when she tried to flirt with him.



Of course that didn’t mean that he didn’t have small changes towards her. There were moments in which he was more kind and affectionate to her. When that special gleam appeared in his eyes every time he looked at her and only her. When he would let out a soft and relaxed smile that Matsumoto thought was originally only meant to be Hinamori’s, but that now she found was meant to be hers as well.



And everything was so damn confusing, because even like that, even with the possibility present there were moments in which they seemed so far apart. Sometimes she blamed it to the fact that he was shy, others because maybe he didn’t know what to do or how to do it, and there were times when she was actually honest with herself and admitted that it was because both of them were protecting themselves from any unnecessary pain.



Matsumoto, of course, found that ironic given the fact that her taichou sometimes could act so lovingly and possessive towards her. But there were times when he could be so distant and uneasy, and it was in those times when Matsumoto really noticed how much she missed him, how a part of her felt incomplete, empty without him beside her. How sometimes his mere presence was enough to make her feel better; other times she enjoyed the fact that he smile only to her, or that he had a special Hitsugaya-scold meant only for her. It made her feel special and loved in a way she had never felt with Gin. And every time she made that comparison, she felt guilty because she knew that her taichou could never be like Gin. He would never leave her; he would be always there…



But the real question here Rangiku is: are you ready to be always by his side?



“This is so unexpected.” Nanao’s voice reached Matsumoto, interrupting her musings and her possible answer to Haineko’s question.



“Hitsugaya-kun’s actions weren’t that…honorable,” said Ukitake with a small frown. “But, I can assure you, Rangiku-san, that his words and feelings for you are real.”



“I have to agree with Juu-kun on this one. Even if he hid his feelings so well, he is being honest with you,” added Kyouraku.



“Indeed, it seems like you have Hitsugaya-taichou wrapped around your little finger,” said Yumichika sitting on the floor beside the big TV that was also their direct link to Soul Society, and from where Ukitake, Kyouraku and Nanao were talking.



”Do you really think so?” she finally asked. Both Orihime and Yumichika nodded their heads.



“Definitely. You should see the way he looks at you when you’re not looking,” said Orihime.



Matsumoto sat there, taking one of the cookies that Orihime had brought earlier; she was really confused and the talk she was having with all of them was to clear up her mind.



“Even like that, to take advantage of you in the state you were in that night…” Kyouraku and Matsumoto watched amusedly as a flustered expression took form on Nanao’s face. Her tone had been so hard and cold that Yumichika, Orihime and Ukitake were looking at her with surprise.



“Sorry, I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”



“Au contraire, Mon Chérie. You looked only more beautiful like that.” The smile on Kyouraku’s face was wiped out by Nanao’s cold glare.



“Uhm, even like that…” interjected Ukitake before his friend could end up in even more trouble, “ I have to say, that after hearing your story, I’m still surprised at the development of the situation.”



Silence followed that commentary, then, not being one to be silent for too long, Kyouraku said, “That was quite unexpected, indeed. Hitsugaya-kun is certainly a prodigy if he got you pregnant on his first try.”



Matsumoto actually blushed at the comment as the others, minus Nanao, broke into soft laughter that broke the little tension that had formed before.



“Taichou, you should be more…subtle,” scolded Nanao, reinforcing her words with a hit from her fan to Kyouraku’s head once again.



“So cold Nanao-chan! I was merely voicing what you and all present were thinking.”



Nanao glared indignantly at her taichou but decided to remain silent. Matsumoto and Orihime giggled at the pair’s antics, while Ukitake let out a tired sighed that called everyone’s attention.



“Are you feeling well, Juu-kun?” asked Kyouraku; Ukitake let out a smile and nodded his head.



“Yes, actually I was wondering what Yamamoto-soutaichou will say once he finds out about this.”



Kyouraku’s eyes opened wide at those words and he actually looked startled at the mere thought. Matsumoto looked at them a little worried.



“What is it?” she asked. “You don’t think he is going to react…badly, do you?”



“Well…”



“Oh, no. This is my life and my body, he can’t actually get mad because I got pregnant!” replied Matsumoto, to which Kyouraku smiled gently at her.



“Of course not Ran-chan. He would probably keep to himself whatever opinion he has of you… but, Hitsugaya-kun is in for the worst scolding of his life.”



“But why?” asked Orihime a little confused. “I know that Toushirou-kun did certain things wrong… but he is ready to take responsibility.”



“Of course he is, and that’s Hitsugaya-kun for you,” said Ukitake with a smile. “But, it is not the best of times to have a baby.”



“Yamamoto-soutaichou will likely get mad for the fact that they chose a war time to have a baby,” continued Yumichika. “That and the fact that Rangiku-san is a fukutaichou and a powerful shinigami that won’t be able to fight in the winter war is a …”



“…A unwanted development,” finished Ukitake. Orihime and Matsumoto nodded their heads in realization.



“Now that you said that…I didn’t think about it that way,” Matsumoto sheepishly replied. Nanao rolled her eyes at her friend before replying.



“Seriously, you didn’t think we or Hitsugaya-taichou would allow you to fight in this war in that state?”



“No, of course not,” said Matsumoto.



“But, even after all this talk, you haven’t answered my first question Rangiku-san.” Matsumoto looked over at now serious Ukitake.



“Sorry Ukitake-taichou, what question?”



“What do you really feel for Hitsugaya-kun?” Matsumoto diverted her eyes from the screen and concentrated on the plate full of cookies in front of her.



Ukitake watched the woman for a moment; neither Kyouraku nor Nanao said anything but both of them were waiting anxiously for Matsumoto’s answer. Even Yumichika and Orihime were kind of curious, for them the small changes between Taichou and Fukutaichou of the tenth division didn’t go unnoticed. However, there wasn’t enough to determine Matsumoto’s feeling.



“I know this isn’t my place, but I feel that it is necessary that someone tells you this,” said Ukitake. “I respect Hitsugaya-kun a great deal and, like Shunsui, I consider him a close friend.”



With her head still turned from the screen Matsumoto let out a small smile. Her taichou would feel really happy to hear that, even if he never said it out loud (and he would never admit it out loud), Matsumoto knew that Hitsugaya considered both men as his closest friends.



“I know he wouldn’t like what I’m about to say but… I deemed it necessary.” This time Matsumoto did look at Ukitake and listen to him carefully. “Hitsugaya-kun is a fragile person when his feelings and the people he cares about are involved, it doesn’t matter how strong he tries to make us believe he is.”



“I know that, Ukitake-taichou,” mumbled Matsumoto; Ukitake nodded and his expression softened a little when his eyes found Matsumoto’s.



“Good, I’m glad you know it. Because he is in love with you, he has been for a very long time now, and I know he would do everything in his power to make you happy. Am I wrong?” Yumichika, Inoue and Matsumoto shook their heads. “Then, I ask you again Rangiku-san, how do you really feel about him?”





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The screen went black as soon a they finished their little conference with Matsumoto and the others. The trio remained silent for a moment before Kyouraku broke out in a big smile.



“It seems like very soon we’re going to have a little Shiro-chan running around Seireitei.”



“Or a little Rangiku-chan,” offered Nanao with a smile of her own.



“You two look positive things are going to turn out okay,” said Ukitake; Kyouraku and Nanao looked over at the white-haired man with confusion.



“Why shouldn’t we? In bad times, like this one, a baby may as well be what we need,” commented Kyouraku.



“You may be right, Shunsui. But…”



“What is it?”



“I was wondering if we did the right thing not telling Rangiku-san anything about Hinamori-fukutaichou waking up.”



Both Kyouraku and Nanao looked at each other before Nanao turned to Ukitake, fixing her glasses and giving the man a smile he had never seen on her.



“That’s because we know Rangiku, Ukitake-taichou,” said the woman. Ukitake lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “She just needs the right… motivation to pursue what she really wants but is too afraid to have.”



“And, Hinamori-fukutaichou is part of that motivation.”



“And what is the other part?” asked Ukitake curiously.



“Jealousy.”





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They didn’t give her the time to react. As soon as she arrived to the warehouse she knew Ichigo was in, two unknown shadows cornered her, and she felt the cold contact of two blades against her neck. Rukia stood there with her heart beating fast and adrenaline rushing through her system; out of instinct, her hand went directly to her zanpakutou when a menacing and bloodthirsty voice reached her ears.



“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you… shinigami.” The last word made Rukia gasp and her eyes opened wide when she found herself in front of the owner of that voice.



It was a blond girl of not more than thirteen or fifteen human years old, a mask with a horn resting on the right side of her face. The girl was looking at her intently, and Rukia could see that one of the blades against her neck belong to her female captor.



‘Is she really…a mere kid?’



“Tell me, what is someone like you doing here?”



“What are you? what does Aizen want this time?” The girl growled clearly annoyed by Rukia’s question and the black-haired shinigami felt the sword piercing her skin enough to draw a few drops of blood.



“I’m the one asking the questions here. Tell me Shingami, what are you doing here? Why have you been spying on this place for the last several days?”



Rukia’s surprise grew with those words; she never noticed anyone when she went to that place. She didn’t know that she had been spotted, otherwise she wouldn’t have been so careless.



“A friend of mine is in there,” was all she could think of. Her mind was running at a mile a minute, thinking over the possibilities and planning a way out.



“A friend? Yeah, right,” the girl said with an unpleasant smile. “There is no one in there ready to make friends with shinigami.”



“Kurosaki Ichigo!” exclaimed Rukia when she felt the blade move deeper into her neck. The girl stopped for a moment and looked at her with narrowed eyes.



“What?”



“I said his name is Kurosaki Ichigo.”



There was a moment of tense pause. Rukia could feel the other blade hesitate a little and she even saw the little conflict in the girls’ eyes, before her resolution was back and the unpleasant smile was back.



“Sorry, never heard of him.”



Rukia opened her eyes in surprise and a little measure of fear when she saw the intentions behind the girl’s eyes. But just in that moment, a blond man made his appearance, stopping the girl.



“What the hell, Shinji??!!”



“What are you doing, Hiyori?”



“Isn’t that obvious?” The man, Shinji, looked at Hiyori for a moment and then at Rukia.



“Let her go, Lisa. Come, Ichigo wants to see her.”



Rukia had felt this strongly unwelcomed two times in her life. The first one was the time Kuchiki Byakuya introduced her to the elders of the Kuchiki family. The other one was that moment. Of course with the elders, it was a feeling of annoyance and reluctance. But, with these people… they looked at her as if she was a threat that should be exterminated before she could finish them off.



“So, how’d you find me?” Rukia tore her eyes away from the group and looked for the first time in many days at Ichigo.



He sure had changed in the last week he had been absent. His old confidence was back and a new fire could be seen in the way he moved, talked, and of course in the way he was looking at her. For some reason, Rukia felt the sudden urge to blush when she noticed that Ichigo didn’t have a shirt on. Her eyes went back to his face and she saw a tiny smirk that made her glared at him.



“I followed Orihime to this place, after that it was easy to feel your reiatsu,” said Rukia, crossing her arms and trying to hide her blushing face.



“I see, and what are you doing here?” This question earned him a hit on the arm and a very angry glare from Rukia.



“What do you mean what I’m doing here?! You went missing for a week and when I finally find you, that’s all you have to say?”



“Well, I would say sorry, but last time you told me that wasn’t enough!” replied back Ichigo.



“Well, guess what? This is the right time to say sorry again!”



“Well, too bad, because this time I’m not going to say it!”



By then, both of them were screaming and Shinji and the others were looking in amusement at the little bickering contest between Rukia and Ichigo. Ichigo was breathing hard and his face was really close to Rukia’s and he felt his face warm a little.



“Sorry,” he mumbled very softly, but loud enough for Rukia to hear it. Rukia let out a triumphant smile and nodded at her head towards the Vizard.



“Who are these people, Ichigo?” she asked. Ichigo turned around and saw that none of them were pretending not to listen to the conversation.



“They…they’re helping me out.”



“Helping you out? With what?” Ichigo scratched the back of his head, thinking if it was wise or not to tell Rukia anything about it. He contemplated his options for a minute or so until he heard the exasperated sighed from Rukia. “Well? Are you going to tell me or not?”



“They are helping me out with my inner Hollow.”



Ichigo stood there not really sure what he was waiting for, not really aware of his fear. But whatever he expected, Rukia hugging him was not one of those things. He turned in her arms and with trembling hands gave her a very awkward hug.



“You idiot! Couldn’t you tell me that so I didn’t worry so much?!” exclaimed Rukia against his naked chest. The cold breath from Rukia felt fresh on his skin and suddenly he was very aware of the situation and the position they both were in.



“I...I didn’t want to worry you or anyone else,” Ichigo said weakly, gulping slightly. He was really grateful when Rukia let go of him, he didn’t know how much he could… restrain the reaction his nether regions would have to that particular contact with Rukia.



“Do you trust them?” asked Rukia looking at Ichigo’s eyes. The young shinigami nodded his head without a single trace of hesitation and that was enough for Rukia. “I’m going back to Soul Society with Orihime, to train with her there.”



“I see, then I should keep going with my training” there was a moment of silence before Rukia turned around and made her way to the stairs with Ichigo close behind.



“You better get stronger because I don’t think we can handle any more of your whining,” said Rukia, smiling at Ichigo; Ichigo was about to reply but was silenced by a pair of lips against his.



The kiss didn’t last more than a few seconds, but it was enough to leave him dazed and shocked. He felt himself blush but when he turned Rukia had already left. Shinji appeared behind him with a big smirk in place.



“If I had known that you would get so motivated with a kiss, I would have done that earlier in your training.” The magic moment was broken and Ichigo turned to glare at Shinji.



“Shut up!”





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The next day, early in the morning, Rukia and Orihime left for Soul Society, leaving Hitsugaya and Matsumoto alone in Orihime’s place. That day they had planned to go to the movies and for a cup of coffee and to do some shopping, but their day was interrupted by a strong rain.



Matsumoto watched with a pout outside the window and a squeal of fear escaped her mouth when a thunderbolt, followed by a roar of thunder, broke the silence with a long booming noise.



“What is it?” said Hitsugaya, a little shaken by the sound. Matsumoto was curled up on the couch, looking everywhere but at the window.



An amused smile appeared on the taichou’s face and he neared the woman, who hugged him immediately after she noticed him. Hitsugaya patted her back soothingly, still amused by her reaction.



“Taichou, can you make it stop?” she asked for the umpteenth time that day.



“I already told you that I can’t intervene with this world’s weather,” he said. Matsumoto looked over at him with a big pout and puppy dog eyes.



“Please? I can’t take it anymore. Everytime it seems the rain is about to stop it’s only to came back stronger than before and with more thunder!” Hitsugaya felt really bad, but he couldn’t do what she asked, not this time at least. It was forbidden for a reason.



“Sorry, but I can’t do it.” Matsumoto huffed but didn’t let go of Hitsugaya, instead she yawned and curled up against him. Toushirou smiled softly and he closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Matsumoto in his arms. He caressed her hair and at some point his hand went directly to Matsumoto’s stomach. Soon she would be two months and Hitsugaya couldn’t be happier in his life.



While he agreed with Matsumoto that things where happening so fast, he couldn’t deny that he actually felt happy. He was doing everything in his power to make things better for her and his baby. He was ready to face the consequences with Yamamoto-soutaichou and fix the situation in every way he could.



I know something you don’t know… said Hyourinmaru amusedly; Hitsugaya shot his eyes open and growled, annoyed.



Ever since the visit to Kurosaki’s clinic, the dragon had bothered him every time he could with the same thing.



‘Not now Hyorinmaru.’



Oh, are you grumpy, Toushi-chan? Is that because I haven’t told you if you’re going to have a boy or a girl? Or because you haven’t had any in over a month and a half ago?



‘Look who’s talking? Did Haineko already forgive you for being idiotic?’



Would I be in such excellent humor if it wasn’t like that? No one can resist this cool and handsome dragon.



Hitsugaya rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything at all; looking down he saw that Matsumoto had fallen asleep in his arms. With a shake of his head he lifted her carefully, so as to not wake her up, and carried her to Inoue’s room. Once there he covered her and left the room.



You know… started Hyorinmaru with an all-knowing voice. I can tell you something that would work in your benefit…



‘I highly doubt it.’



Oh, but it would really work…



‘No, thank you.’



But…Toushirou…This time Toushirou looked at Hyorinmaru, dumbstruck when he saw a few tears appear in the dragon’s eyes. All I want to do is help you out…



‘Ok, no need to be dramatic…’



It’s the mood swings, said Hyorinmaru, pleased with himself; Hitsugaya looked at the dragon and rolled his eyes.



‘Isn’t it supposed to be Matsumoto who is the one with the mood swings… which in turned could affect Haineko?’



If you put it that way…



‘Ok, let’s hear this idea of yours, before I have to endure more of your unnecessary babbling.’







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I have to admit that you two did a great job,said Haineko, watching the results of a whole afternoon of work and pleased with her little dragon and his master.



Didn’t we? And it was all my idea! Haineko actually laughed, amused at Hyorinmaru’s antics.



‘Do you really think Mats…’ Haineko growled in annoyance and Hitsugaya correct himself. ‘That Rangiku is going to like this?’



I’m sure she will. Go on, she is about to wake up.



Once Hitsugaya cut the link with both zanpakutou Haineko purred seductively at Hyorinmaru, who perked up at the cat’s evident good humor.



So, this was really you’re idea?



Yes, it was. Do I get a pleasant reward for this?



Of course, as soon as you tell me why you didn’t think to do this for me before.





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The smell of popcorn in the air was one of the things that woke her up. The other one wasn’t as pleasant and made her feel a little scared when she noticed that it was late in the afternoon and there wasn’t any light on.



“Taichou?” she called tentatively, the door of the room opened very slowly and Matsumoto let out a scared scream.



“What the hell? Matsumoto?” said Hitsugaya, entering the room and turning the lights on.



“Taichou!! Why did you scare me like that?” cried the woman with a hand on her chest. “They jumped and since they’re a little sore it hurts a lot.”



Hitsugaya blushed a little at the comment but went to Matsumoto and sat beside her with an apologetic expression.



“Sorry if I startled you.”



“It’s okay; I guess I should have waited for you to enter the room before screaming like that.” Hitsugaya rolled his eyes but gave the woman a smile while offering her a hand.



“Come, I have a surprise for you.”



Matsumoto looked curiously at her taichou, exited by his words and the anxious expression he was wearing. After a moment she took his hand and let him guide her to the living room. All lights were out and the only light in the whole apartment came from the big TV and some candles put strategically around the room. In front of the TV there were pillows and some blankets and a big pile of cookies, DVD’s and a bowl full of popcorn.



“Since we couldn’t go out…and you…you said that you wanted to go to the movies and all, well I just thought that we could use the big screen, and use it for our benefit.”



“Taichou…Thank you.” Hitsugaya’s heart skipped a beat when she gave him the most brilliant smile he had ever seen.



“Glad you like it,” he said with the goofiest smile he had ever worn. “Go, you can put in the movie you want while I go for the rest of the food and the drinks.”



Matsumoto watched as her taichou left her there with a tug in her chest and a warm and overwhelming feeling. She sat on some of the pillows and her hand went immediately to the pendant that her taichou had given to her almost a year ago. Hainkeo purred contently when the reiatsu from Hyorinmaru and Hitsugaya went soothingly through her from the pendant to her hand and her whole body. Calming her and making her feel protected. Memories of her taichou and the time they spent together passed through her mind, making her feel a sense of loneliness that was replaced by longing and affection as soon as she felt her taichou sit beside her.



“Here, you were protesting the other day because you’ve been eating healthy so I thought that a pizza and strawberry shortcake would make you feel better,” said Hitsugaya, putting the food in front of them. “And also I remembered that you said you really like that orange juice so… I brought you a glass.”



“Thank you.” She said in a soft voice that made Hitsugaya look at her with a frown.



“Are you ok?” he asked. Matsumoto turned to smile at him, but the young taichou saw the tears in her eyes. “Hey, what are you crying?”



Matsumoto gulped when his hand started wiping away her tears, he was being so careful and loving. He had a worried frown and was looking at her, trying to decipher what was bothering her. Matsumoto’s heart clenched and she neared her taichou and kissed him softly on the lips. Hitsugaya was caught off guard and it took him some time to react to what was happening.



But the moment he recover he put a hand on Matsumoto’s waist and deepened the kiss; Hitsugaya felt Matsumoto open her mouth slightly and he felt light headed when the tip of her tongue found his and a groan of pleasure left her mouth at the contact. They both were lost in the feeling of each other, heat was going through them and their breathing was getting harder as Hitsugaya brought Matsumoto closer to him. After what seemed like hours the need for air made them break the contact, though they were still near enough to each other to feel the other’s breath.



Hitsugaya’s eyes looked intently in Matsumoto’s, both of them recognizing the desire and the longing in the other’s, but neither of them did anything to start another kiss. Hitsugaya’s eyes went from Matsumoto’s eyes to her lips, and finally to the hand that was still clenching the pendant he had given to her for her birthday; he smile softly at her before backing away from her a little. Matsumoto pouted in disappointment but settled herself against her pillows before her eyes settle on Hitsugaya’s lap; her eyes went wide and she felt herself blushing at the sight.



“So, uhm...shall we put in the movie?” asked Hitsugaya, evading Matsumoto’s eyes and trying to hide his exited ‘little’ friend from her.



‘How stupid I can be? Really, letting that kiss get to me!’



Oh, ‘little-chan’ wants to go out to play!!!



“Shut up!”



“What?”



“Uhm, nothing. I just…Hyorinmaru was being annoying,” said Hitsugaya with a small blush. Matsumoto nodded and decided to let her taichou cool off a little.



Even though both of them were looking at the screen, neither of them were watching the movie. Matsumoto was trying to organize her thoughts and feelings that had gone into turmoil after the kiss. Why had she done that?



Maybe you’re starting to like your taichou in more than one way… suggested Haineko.



Matsumoto didn’t even consider the idea; she merely curled against her taichou and started talking to him while watching the movie. At first, Hitsugaya was a little doubtful because of his earlier reaction, but as soon as she started asking questions and he answered some of them willingly, he relaxed and enjoyed their conversation.



“Come on, Taichou. I promise you I won’t get jealous,” said Matsumoto winking at him, Hitsugaya shook his head, amused, but decided to please her.



“Okay, yes that girl is ‘hot’ as you put it so eloquently.”



“See that wasn’t so hard,” said Matsumoto, grabbing another bite from her pizza. “So, is she hotter than me?”



This time Hitsugaya took a long time before answering. He looked at the girl and then at Matsumoto, to the girl again, and finally settled his eyes on a pouting Matsumoto. He smile wickedly at her and in a whisper he said.



“You put it hard this time,” said Hitsugaya to which Matsumoto’s pout intensified.



“Really?”



“Nah, I can’t think of anyone hotter than you,” said the white-haired boy, putting a handful of popcorn in his mouth.



“Oh Taichou, if you keep telling me these compliments I’m going to start thinking that you’re flirting with me,” said Matsumoto slyly; Hitsugaya’s lips turned up in a small smirk.



“Is it working?” he asked, Matsumoto opened her eyes, surprised at the change in her taichou and after a minute or so she let out a happy giggle. They went silent once again and enjoyed the rest of the movie, comfortable together.



It was past mid-night when Hitsugaya noticed that Matsumoto had fallen asleep; he shook his head, amused by the stubbornness of the woman. He had told her earlier that if she was tired she could go to bed, but no, she had to stay until she fell asleep. Hitsugaya turned off the TV and stayed in the darkness for a moment. His thoughts were back to the kiss he shared earlier with Matsumoto, and the nice conversation they has during the movies. He turned to her and caresses her cheek.



“Are you falling in love with me?” he asked in a whisper; he was confused. It wasn’t as if he didn’t like when she hugged him, or gave him some kisses on the mouth, cheek or forehead.



The thing was that every time she did that he got confused. Did she like him? Was she experimenting with him? Was it only because she had no one else to do that? A heavy sighed left his mouth and he turned to looked at her once again. A few years ago, if someone was to tell him that he would fall in love with that woman he would have laughed so hard that people who know him would think he had gone mad. But now…it was just impossible not to feel that way towards her. That’s why the mere thought that she could be experimenting or playing with him hurt so much and made him feel uneasy at her sudden change. It was unexpected; he thought she would never feel the same way.



He knew the moment he realized that he had feelings for her, he was in some big trouble.



Sure she was lazy, he had to hunt her down so she would do the paperwork, she got drunk almost everyday, she flirted with everyone, especially when she needed a favor or wanted something special.



But she was also kind; she was the first person to treat him like a superior, like a Captain and a man. Not a kid or some gaki that thought he could become captain. She had accepted him right away, no questions asked. On top of that, she was kind, funny, patient; intelligent, cunning, loyal… even after the Ichimaru incident she was there by his side.



So, what are you going to do if she isn’t experimenting or playing with you? Hitsugaya was so used to Haineko’s voice by now that he didn’t jump this time when her voice appeared out of nowhere.



“What else can I do?” he said, lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the bedroom. “Love her even more.”



Hitsugaya put her on the bed and was about to leave when her voice reached his ears.



“Taichou? Wait…” Hitsugaya turned around and saw her pat the side of the bed. “Please, I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”



After a moment of hesitation Hitsugaya turned around and lay beside her. Matsumoto hugged him as soon as he was there and she sighed contently.



“So good, Taichou. I missed sleeping with you,” she said in a sleepy voice.



“Yeah, me too,” he said, hugging her to him, a hand as always on her stomach making lazy circles there.



“We should think of name for him…”



“Or her.” This time Matsumoto opened her eyes and looked at him.



“Her? You want a girl?” Hitsugaya went red at that question, which made Matsumoto’s curiosity grow.



“I…yeah, I always liked the idea of having a girl.” This surprised Matsumoto and an unknown feeling of sorrow and annoyance appeared in her.



“Really, with whom?” she asked in an even voice.



“Well, the first it was Hinamori. You know? She was… for a long time my first crush ever, so it was only natural to think that kind of thing.”



Hitsugaya never noticed the gloomy expression that appeared on Matsumoto, and Rangiku never recognized the feeling of annoyance and some kind of pain at the mere thought of her taichou thinking about Hinamori in that way.



“Sure, so you thought of having a girl with her.” Once again Hitsugaya never noticed the tone of voice Matsumoto had used to refer to Hinamori or the imaginary situation. He keep distractedly drawing circles around Matsumoto’s belly.



“Well, I thought of a big house in Soul Society, or an apartment,” said Hitsugaya. “It was nothing really, just one day when Ukitake started talking about his younger days and it made me think about what I wanted in my future.”



“And you decided then and there that you want a big house and a daughter with Hinamori.”



“Yeah,” said Hitsugaya. Matsumoto moved uncomfortably in his arms and he looked at her with curiosity. “Are you ok?”



“Perfectly fine.”



“Okay…” said Hitsugaya, frowning, confused. “Anyway, after that…a long time after that I discovered that Hinamori wasn’t the one I kept imagining in that picture of my family.”



“Really?”



“No, around that time I started noticing you… and, well… here we are.” Matsumoto hugged Hitsugaya tightly and Hitsugaya couldn’t help but feel even more confused than before.



“So, now you imagine me instead of Hinamori.”



“Well, yeah. Now more than before, because I know you’re having my daughter.”



“Or son.” Hitsugaya chuckled.



“Or son.” He said; Matsumoto closed her eyes, enjoying the strong grasp he had on her.



“I’m sleepy now, but tomorrow you’re going to tell me why you want a girl so bad and what name had you thought of for her.”



“As you wish.”





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