Leave Out All the Rest

Hi, ok here is the other chapter. I want to thank Makochan for her reviews as well as KiraRaven (I really love the descripton of the baby, it would look so cute like that!!) RiddimMistress,Curtis Zidane Ziraa and

msuzumaki fore the reviews, comments and support on the story.



Here is the next chapter,



Read, enjoy and review!!!



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Chapter 13

Closure: Hinamori.



Hitsugaya never thought that Yamamoto-soutaichou would receive him so early in the morning. He was expecting for the commander to be available as soon as Hitsugaya sent Matsumoto away with Yumichika, Ikkaku and Renji to do something to keep her occupied, while he had that particular chat. But things never happened the way you wish and that’s the reason why he was now in front of the big TV with the Soutaichou looking at him expectantly and Matsumoto sound asleep on the floor in the room.



On the other side Yamamoto felt Kyouraku fidget in his spot, anxious to make an appearance or to just say something. Probably something idiotic, if Yamamoto knew anything about his former student; when he went to look at Hitsugaya once again he couldn’t help but feel grateful to Ukitake and Kyouraku for telling him beforehand the reason for this meeting.



It was partly due to Kyouraku’s words that the old commander of the Gotei 13 wasn’t as angry as he should be with Hitsugaya and Matsumoto for the act of irresponsibility that led them to the situation they were in now. After all, Kyouraku was right, Hitsugaya-taichou had worked a miracle unheard of for over a century. And he, just like Ukitake and Kyouraku, was anxious to see a little baby once again inside Seireitei.



“You may speak freely Hitsugaya-taichou,” said the commander, looking at the young man calmly.



“Sir, something happened for Matsumoto-fukutaichou and… me,” said Hitsugaya, not really knowing how to say the next part.



Yamamoto opened his eyes and focused them on Hitsugaya; usually the name of Matsumoto-fukutaichou was followed by the words ‘situation’, ‘problems’ and ‘disaster’. He still remembered the last incident in which she and Kusajishi-fukutaichou had put Seireitei in uproar. But this time, he suspected Hitsugaya was more to blame that the woman.



“I hope this isn’t just like last time,” said Yamamoto, out of the corner of his eye he could see Kyouraku laughing at the memory. Hitsugaya however, grimaced at the mere thought of last time’s ‘incident’.



“No, Sir. This isn’t anything like that,” said Toshiro, a little more relaxed than before.



“Then, what is it this time?”



Taking a deep breath Hitsugaya started talking. He told Yamamoto everything that had happened ever since he slept with Matsumoto to the pregnancy. With an expressionless face, Yamamoto looked at Hitsugaya for a whole minute after he finished his story.



“I have to say, Hitsugaya-taichou, that this is highly disappointing.”



Hitsugaya couldn’t help the gleam of surprise at those words. He looked over at the big TV screen and saw that Yamamoto was looking at him with the disappointment he was talking about.



“Of all the Captains under my command, I thought you were among the more mature and honorable. To do something as irresponsible as that in the middle of a war and to even think of having a baby, a pure-blood shinigami baby, in those circumstances is unforgivable.”



Hitsugaya forced himself to look directly at Yamamoto even thought the weight of those words were making him feel bad.



“You’re actions, of course, will be punished,” said Yamamoto firmly. “But, that punishment will have to wait until this whole situation with Aizen is over.”



“Yes, Sir.”



“There is also the matter of what are you going to do.” Hitsugaya frowned at those words while Yamamoto merely raised an eyebrow. “You told me it was a drunken night in which you took advantage of your subordinate. Well, what are you going to do now?”



“Sir, I have strong feelings for my fukutaichou,” was Hitsugaya’s reply. The young man felt his cheeks warm at those words and at the barely noticeable smile in the soutaichou’s face. “Even if she doesn’t feel that way towards me, I am ready to give her everything I have, everything I am.”



“It is good to know that the honorable man I met once is still there,” said the soutaichou roughly, making Hitsugaya flinch.



Yamamoto looked at the boy in front of him, out of the corner of his eye he saw Kyouraku smiling at him with a hand on his hat and a blade of grass in his mouth that Yamamoto had seen Ise-fukutaichou slap away several times. A little more relaxed than before, Yamamoto contemplated Hitsugaya with a more gently expression.



“In other circumstances, Hitsugaya-taichou, I would congratulate you for your unborn child and wish you all the luck in the world, because you will need it.” With a sideways glare to Kyouraku, he added, “Children can be a real handful sometimes.”



Hitsugaya blinked several times, trying to understand those words; when he looked at the old man he could barely see the small smile on his face. This only caused him more confusion before he bowed lightly.



“Regardless, I thank you for the mild congratulations and well-wishes, Yamamoto-soutaichou,” said Hitsugaya.



“Now, about Matsmoto-fukutaichou’s health, I want…” Yamamoto trailed of at the sound of the door behind him opening. The old man turned around and saw Ukitake enter the room, followed close behind by someone else. “Hitsugaya-taichou, we will talk about this later on, right now there is someone that has been waiting to talk to you.”



Hitsugaya frowned but leaned forward, curious about the someone that wanted to talk to him. Once he had a clear image his eyes opened wide and his whole body tensed up while he muttered a single word: “Hinamori…”



******************************



Matsumoto turned around; her arm went directly to the place where she thought her taichou was only to find it empty. A small pout formed on her face and she opened her eyes lazily to confirm that she was alone in the room and in the bed.



‘I don’t like it.’



What? Haineko asked roughly at being woke up by her Mistress.



‘Taichou is not here! I was waiting to …’



Yes? asked Haineko when Matsumoto trailed off.



‘Well, sleeping with him is nice…I was waiting to wake up beside him.’



I see, I totally understand you. I don’t like waking up without Hyorinmaru beside me. There was a minute of silence that was soon broken by a snorted from Matsumoto. Haineko send her a curious, but amused, stare when she discovered what was bothering her.



‘Did you know that he thought of having a daughter with… Hinamori?’



No? Really?



‘Yeah, he told me so last night!! Can you believe it? Can you even imagine it?! I mean… Hinamori is a good girl.’



Sure she is.



‘But she isn’t…and Taichou is…and…’ Matsumoto trailed off when she realized how that little conversation sounded inside her head.



Yes, Rangiku? You were saying?



‘I don’t know…’



Oh, you were talking about that she wasn’t something and Toushirou-kun was…and then you stopped talking. Why did you stop? asked Haineko, even more amused than before. Matsumoto bit her lip and panic went through her at the mere thought of those…conflictive feelings that she wasn’t used to feeling.



‘I…I better stand up. I’m sure Taichou is making my breakfast.’



Matsumoto turned around before deciding to go looking for her taichou. The less she thought about those feelings and the way the mere thought of Hinamori, a baby girl and Hitsugaya made her blood boil, the better. Nearing the door she stopped dead in her tracks when a familiar, and somehow unpleasant voice, reached her ears.



“Hitsugaya-kun…I’m so glad.” The broken voice of Hinamori brought to Matsumoto, once again, an unknown feeling – heavy, painful and overall unpleasant.



Outside, Hitsugaya had a small frown on his face at the physical state he was seeing Hinamori in but his eyes had softened a little and a wave of relief washed over him.



‘She woke up, she looks better now.’



Uhm? Sorry, did you say something Toushirou? I was kind of distracted on the other side of the room…



Hitsugaya ignored his zanpakutou to return his attention to his childhood friend. From when he was standing Hinamori still looked in a trance; her eyes were tired and that light of life they had once had was now dim.



“That’s my line, Hinamori,” he said in a normal tone and let out a relieved smile. “I’m glad to see that you’ve woken up.”



Inside the room, Matsumoto grabbed the knob of the door, tightening her grip on it while her ear was pressed against the door so she could better hear the conversation. Inside her, Haineko observed the situation with curiosity while trying to control the upsetting feelings inside her Mistress.



“I…I’m happy Yamamoto-soutaichou allowed me to be here,” she said, trying at a poor attempt of a smile. “I …I was really missing you after I woke up.”



“I see,” said Hitsugaya feeling guilty for that time he denied her the small talk that Unohana had recommend. “I guess…I should apologize for that.”



No, you don’t have to apologize for anything! Hissed Hyorinmaru, clearly annoyed by the conversation and Hinamori’s appearance.



“N-No! You don’t have…I’m so sorry, Hitsugaya-kun!” said the girl with her hands hugging her lightly; a few tears fell on her cheeks and Hitsugaya gave a step forward. “I…I shouldn’t have doubted you.”



“Humph! What are you talking about?” said Hitsugaya, sounding casual, while passing a hand over his heart and smiling at Hinamori. The girl, just like Matsumoto, opened her eyes in shock at his words, at the tone he had used with her.



“B-but…Hitsugaya-kun! I doubted you! I tried to…”



“You dummy, are you still thinking about that?” Hinamori was clearly surprised at the unworried tone and the indifference Hitsugaya was showing towards the whole situation. She felt a wave of relief invade her and a soft smile made her way to her face while she dried the tears that had fallen on her cheeks.



“I…I just thought I should tell you ‘sorry.’”



You just thought?? You have to say ‘SORRY!!’ And beg for it!!! Hitsugaya rolled his eyes at his dragon’s antics and tried to make him understand that Hinamori was fine now.



Don’t believe her, Toushirou. She doesn’t look that ‘fine’ to me.



‘Look at her…she is sorry and she seems …better now.’



“Are you sure you should be out of bed?” asked Hitsugaya with a smirk forming on his lips. “I mean, look at you. It is evident by those panda eyes that you haven’t had a good night’s sleep.”



“That’s so mean, Hitsugaya-kun!” said a very indignant Hinamori. “I’m perfectly well, now. That’s why…that’s why I was thinking that maybe…”



Matsumoto bit her lower lip, she certainly wasn’t all that thrilled about that conversation and that her taichou seemed so engrossed in it. She bet five bottles of sake that her taichou had that special smile that was meant for her, not Hinamori! The next thing she knew he would want to live with their baby and Hinamori!



Jealous much? asked an amused Haineko, to which Matsumoto merely snorted.



‘As if…jealous of what? I’m not jealous; I will never be jealous. I’m far from jealous. Taichou can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants. I’m not jealous!’



That’s a relief...for a moment there I thought you were…well, jealous and overreacting. The cat’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. Matsumoto pouted and decided to ignore Haineko’s ridiculous idea and go back to listening to the rest of the conversation.



“Thinking what, Hinamori?” said Hitsugaya with more curiosity when Hinamori’s paled face suddenly turned a very faint red.



“Well, maybe…I can make a request to be sent to the real world.” This caught Hitsugaya by surprise, he looked at Hinamori as if asking her if she was serious, but the girl ignored him and continued. “I was thinking…that maybe, you could take me out and…and show me the Real World.”



“Take you out? Are you sure?” asked Hitsugaya and Hinamori looked at him with a more relaxed grin at his question.



“Yes, I…of course if you don’t mind, I could…stay with you.” More blushing from her part and Hitsugaya was utterly confused by his best friend’s reactions.



Oh, You’ve gone from a virgin, clueless idiot to a licentious, clueless idiot! said Hyorinmaru, laughing at his own joke. Hitsugaya, once again, ignored his zanpakutou and decided to do his best to make his friend feel better.



“I wouldn’t mind at all Hinamori.” Hitsugaya trailed off and turned to Orihime’s bedroom when a strong fluctuation from Matsumoto’s reiatsu reached him. He could sense some… annoyance? and for a moment he wondered if maybe Matsumoto had woken up and was waiting for her breakfast.



“Hitsugaya-kun!” Hinamori’s scream brought him back to the conversation, he turned to Hinamori to see that she was pouting at him and had her arms crossed. “You were ignoring me!”



Uh? Hinamori, did you say something?



“Sorry, I need to hurry. You were saying?” Hinamori narrowed her eyes but then she went back to her former mood.



“I was saying that…I could stay with you and we could…spend more time together. Doing things together,” said Hinamori blushing a little.



Not if I and Rangiku-chan are alive and can prevent it!



“Like I said before, I wouldn’t mind having you here, Hinamori,” said Hitsugaya, to which Hinamori’s face lit up completely. “But, you have to be aware that we’re in the middle of a mission against Aizen and his Arrancar, this isn’t a holiday.”



And just like that, the fine conversation they were having collapsed. Hitsugaya and Hyorinmaru noticed the changes in her attitude, the trance that had been erased for a moment was back with full force and her eyes had a demented gleam in them.



“That’s true.” Her voice was soft and full with something Hitsugaya was afraid to define.



I don’t have a good feeling about this.



‘Me neither.’



Are you ready?



‘Ready? For what?’



For whatever idiotic thing she is about to say. Hitsugaya was about to answer Hyorinmaru but Hinamori spoke first.



“Are you…are you really going to fight Aizen-taichou?” Hitsugaya’s body tensed up and the relaxed smile he had once disappear and was replaced by a frown.



Matsumoto frowned as well and her fists clenched at the mere mention of that name coming from Hinamori’s lips. She could only imagine what her taichou may be feeling at that moment and it was that thought that made her leave the room and walk slowly towards her taichou.



Hitsugaya didn’t say anything at all, he merely clenched his fits and his reiatsu rose for a moment. Hinamori was unaware of the effects her words were having on her friend, Matsumoto or the Captains behind her.



“Please, Hitsugaya-kun, don’t…don’t fight him…don’t hurt him!” Her eyes looked directly into Hitsugaya’s, pleadingly, with her hands joined against her chest. “I-I know he did some bad things but…this is Aizen-taichou, he…he wouldn’t do anything like that, right? He…he is being control by Ichimaru! That’s why he was behaving so differently when I last saw him!”



“Hinamori…” stated weakly Hitsugaya, but was stopped by Hinamori’s rant.



“He…he must have a good reason! That’s it…maybe he …he is letting Ichimaru believe that he is with him. I know Aizen-taichou would never do anything like that!” Once again her eyes found Hitsugaya’s and the intensity of that look made Hitsugaya angry. “Hitsugaya-kun, please…save Aizen-taichou.”



“I’ve told you before Hinamori. It’s not Hitsugaya-kun, its Hitsugaya-taichou to you,” said Hitsugaya with a cold, even voice.



“Hitsugaya-kun, please…I know you don’t understand. That’s why you have to trust me…Aizen-taichou isn’t…”



Hinamori’s speech was cut short, a little too late, by Yamamoto’s intervention. Behind her Ukitake caught her now unconscious body while he, Kyouraku and Yamamoto were wearing serious expressions. Hitsugaya stood emotionless on the spot; he felt angry and sad and so many emotions that he never noticed Matsumoto until she appeared from behind and held him tight.



“Are you okay, Toushirou?” Her voice in his ear, the firm and gentle hold she had on him, and the fact that she had said his name brought to him some kind of peace. He nodded his head while lifting a hand to softly caress her arms that were still around his chest.



“My apologizes, Hitsugaya-taichou,” said Yamamoto, ignoring for a moment the position Hitsugaya and Matsumoto were in. “I wanted to respect her wish to talk to you, but it seems that it was too soon.”



“It’s…okay,” he mumbled, still a little affected for what had happened. An awkward silence form between them and suddenly Yamamoto’s eyes opened to watch Matsumoto carefully. To Ukitake’s and Kyouraku’s surprise the woman hugged Hitsugaya even more while a small blush made its appearance on her cheeks.



“I’ve been talking with Hitsugaya-taichou about the recent…events” said the Soutaichou. Matsumoto looked at the old man for a moment before she let out a smile. “I guess congratulations are in order Matsumoto-fukutaichou.”



“Thank you, Sir.”



“I wish you good luck.” And just like he had done with Hitsugaya he looked sideways, this time to Ukitake and Kyouraku before adding. “Children can be a real handful, but at the same time a great joy.”



“Thank you, Sir.” Repeated Matsumoto, more content; Hitsugaya merely blushed when he felt a small peck on his cheek from her part. With a last few words the soutaichou left, leaving Hitsugaya and Matsumoto alone.



Hitsugaya turned around and looked at Matsumoto with a sad smile on his face that made the woman angry at Hinamori.



“Are you okay?” she repeated her earlier question.



“Yes, I’m fine.” He lied but she didn’t press him to say anything. In a way she understood and knowing her taichou she knew that she just had to wait for him to share anything with her or to go back to normal.



“You called me by my name.” The sudden comment made Matsumoto blink at her taichou before she let out a giggle at his face.



“So I did.” Hitsugaya hated the fact that he was still to short to kiss her without making her bow, but that was one of those situations in which he had to do it otherwise he would go crazy.



When they separate Matsumoto let out a content sigh and Hitsugaya had, partly, forgotten about Hinamori and the little reunion they had.



“I like it when you say my name,” he said with a small blushed when Hyorinmaru pointed out that she had said it only once. “Can you …can you call me like that more often?”



“If…if that’s what you want…Toushirou.” A tiny smile adorned his face at that and Matsumoto felt warm and fuzzy inside at the mere sight of that smile, of those eyes and that hand on her. Only her.



What was it? What was happening to her? She wasn’t supposed to feel anything like that for Toushirou. She wasn’t supposed to feel like that for anyone, not again.



Why you keep denying it? Why can you accept that you’re falling in lo...



‘Don’t! Don’t say it, Haineko.’



Mistress…



‘Not now, please.’ The cat sighed unhappily before leaving Matsumoto behind to go looking for Hyorinmaru. Matsumoto looked once again at her taichou and buried whatever emotions she had in the deepest corner of her mind and heart.



“I’m hungry,” she suddenly said with a pout; Hitsugaya snickered and shook his head.



“Let’s have breakfast and then we go to the appointment we have with Kurosaki’s dad.”



*************************



“Well, as I expect it everything is just fine.” Said Kurosaki Isshin turning, to Toushirou with a satisfied expression. “I see you’ve been doing what I advised you.”



Hitsugaya opened his eyes trying to make the man stop but Matsumoto had heard and seen the expression on his face.



“What are you talking about, Kurosaki-san?” Isshin looked over at Matsumoto, missing completely the waving hands from a very nervous Hitsugaya.



“Oh, I mean that you’ve been taking the pills I sent you.”



Hitsugaya slapped his forehead and cursed softly at the man who couldn’t keep quiet; he lifted his head reluctantly when he felt Matsumoto’s eyes on him. Just as he suspected, she had an angry glare direct only to him.



“Pills? You’ve been giving me some pills without me knowing?!” she exclaimed and the young taichou cringed at her tone.



“Did I say something wrong?” said the man with an innocent expression that Hitsugaya would had bought if it wasn’t for the small gleam of mischief he noticed in his eyes.



“Look, Mat…Rangiku, I would have told you if I knew that you wouldn’t put up a fight,” said Hitsugaya, trying to calm her. Matsumoto’s frown deepened.



“What do you mean by that?” she said. “What if you gave me some kind of poison or some kind of controlling pill that would actually give away more easily my position to hollows?”



Hitsugaya and Isshin were looking at the woman, stunned, and with looks of incredulity on their faces. Hitsugaya looked at Matsumoto and then at Isshin before he let out a tired sighed. He tried to grab Matsumoto’s hand but she pulled it away.



“How can you even think that I would give you something bad?” asked Hitsugaya, trying some to calm her, and not be amused or lightly irritated by her antics.



“I know you wouldn’t do anything like that,” she said grudgingly with a small pout. Hitsugaya let out a small smile and this time when he went to grab her hand she let him. “But, you know I don’t like medicine.”



Those words were met with a puzzled expression from Hitsugaya, “But, you asked Urahara for some medicine for your nauseas.”



“Well, yeah…but his pills have the form of little cats and have a sweet taste and they were soft and easy to chew,” said Matsumoto, with a finger on her chin, trying to remember how those ‘pills’ were.



At those words, Hitsugaya and Isshin actually looked at her with confusion and incredulity. Hitsugaya actually twitched in annoyance when he remembered the man saying something about giving Matsumoto placebos.



‘I thought he had given her some kind of inoffensive pill…not that he gave her some kind of candies!’



Aren’t those things she described what you use to eat from the bag of candies Ukitake brought to you?



‘Shut up!’



Wait, I’m only saying that because I wouldn’t mind having some! Not because you actually like those cute gummy bears! But Hyorinmaru was ignored by Hitsugaya, who looked at Matsumoto with his still twitching eye.



“Rangiku, I think those ‘pills’ you took were actually come kind of…candy,” he said trying to sound nice. “I think you’re making unnecessary drama out of this.”



Matsumoto’s pout intensified and she huffed indignantly at her taichou’s words. Isshin, for his part, couldn’t help but find the whole situation amusing; it was certainly something Urahara would do.



“So, you’re justifying the fact that you tricked me? This is just another reason to be mad at you, Toushirou,” she said with a scolding expression and her pout in place. Hitsugaya blinked several times trying to understand what she had just told him.



Uhm, yeah I should have probably told you about that…said Hyorinmaru sheepishly.



‘As soon as I can I’m going to have a talk with you’



Ah, well, I think...yes? Honey? Coming!



‘Hyorinmaru! Come back here and explain why she is angry at me!’ Hitsugaya couldn’t feel his zanpakutou anywhere near his inner world; he growled and looked over at Matsumoto before asking



“What do you mean another reason to be mad at me? Why were you mad at me in the first place?”



Suddenly, something that Hitsugaya had seen on very weird occasions happened. She actually blushed! And was looking embarrassed and on top of that she was speechless; and just like that the scold was back and she sent a furious glare his way before crossing her arms and looking aside.



Seriously, what had he done? What could possibly cause that reaction from her? He thought over the last few hours and couldn’t discover anything that could upset her. Nothing that could make her blush and be mad at the same time.



“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said with an even voice; Isshin put a hand on Hitsugaya’s shoulder just in time to stop the young prodigy from saying anything at all.



“Okay, then what I was trying to say was that it was kind of obvious that those things were gummy bears.”



“How do you know?” at that question Hitsugaya blushed a little, he cleared his throat and waved a hand, dismissing the subject.



“It doesn’t matter. Anyway what I’ve been giving to you is…”



“Vitamins,” interfered Isshin.



Matsumoto took the bottle from her taichou’s hand with a frowning, but curious, expression; she looked questioningly at Isshin and then at the bottle.



“But, I thought you say I was eating fine and that we were healthy.”



“Yes, and I still think that.” Isshin merely laughed at the puzzled expression that his words caused on both shinigami. “You see, while it is true that you and your baby are fine…these vitamins will help a little more in the process. After all, the baby is adapting to his new life and this new environment…he needs more than the food you can provide and those pills are what he needs.”



Listen to him, Mistress. Since Unohana isn’t here it would be good for both of you to follow the advice of someone that seems to know what his talking about.



‘Why are you so sure?’



Mmmhmm, I’m just sure. Have I ever failed to you? And please, don’t bring back that Incident…I was momentarily stunned back then.



Matsumoto thought over Haineko’s words as she looked at her taichou and saw that he was serious while nodding at her. If her taichou thought it was fine, then she wouldn’t object.



“Thank you, Kurosaki-san. I really appreciate that,” said Matsumoto, smiling brightly at the man that waved his hand dismissively.



“Don’t mention it. I feel honored to be taking care of the next generation,” said Isshin. “Just don’t forget, two pills per day. So your baby will grow strong.”



“Ok, then.”



“Ah, actually she finished them yesterday. I was wondering how much for another bottle?” asked Hitsugaya, Isshin looked at him with a raised eyebrow before going over a cabinet and pulling out another bottle he had a label with their names on it.



“Didn’t I just say that I felt honored to be taking care of the next generation?” said the man giving the bottle to Hitsugaya. “Here, this is my gift for you. Don’t worry about the cost.”



“Kurosaki-san, we can’t…” Kurosaki Isshin lifted a hand and stopped whatever it was that Hitsugaya wanted to say.



“I mean it. Either way, you’re friends with my son. It’s the least I can do.”



Matsumoto and Hitsugaya looked at each other before bowing slightly to the man and thanking him for the things he was doing for them.



“Please, just take good care of that baby,” he said, smiling slightly. “It seems like he is a real miracle after all.”



And with those last words Matsumoto and Hitsugaya left the clinic. Isshin saw them parted before entering the clinic. He smiled, pleased with himself, when his eyes fell on the additional information he had gathered; certainly their baby was growing stronger and he was rivaling Ichigo’s reiatsu at the same stage of the pregnancy. He didn’t want to tell Rangiku or Toushirou that Matsumoto was actually weak and that the baby needed more than healthy food.



He just hoped that she consumed those spirit particle pills like he told them to.



***********************************



Hitsugaya was walking ahead with Matsumoto close behind; she was wearing a small pout with her arms crossed, and from time to time she would glare at him but later make some kind of noise and go back to looking away from him. The young taichou didn’t know if should be amused or worried by that behavior; after all, this was Matsumoto and he knew that if he kept quiet long enough she would eventually give up and tell him exactly what was bothering her.



Since his so-called loyal zanpakutou had run away, letting her explode and tell him why she was mad at him seemed like a good choice, or at least that’s what he thought. Even like that, he couldn’t help but wonder what he had done.



He let out a small smirk when he heard the big and angry growl coming from her stomach and the big blush that appeared on her face. He decided to keep walking as if he didn’t notice anything, but out of the corner of his eye he could see her looking at him biting her lower lip a little doubtful, before showing an expression of frustration. Hitsugaya merely shook his head, he stopped and turned to her with the same smirk he was wearing earlier.



“I’m a little hungry,” he said; Matsumoto looked at him and the blush was back on her face, though this time she was wearing a relieved expression. “So, what do you say if we go to some restaurant, have something to eat, and then go for that shopping session you’ve been dying to have for a long time?”



And just like that he was in heaven when she decided to give him one of her trade mark hugs and a big kiss of thank you that left him breathless and red in the face.



“I thought you were mad at me,” he commented once they were in the restaurant. Matsumoto was occupied with her food but nodded her head at him. “Why? I don’t know…I mean I don’t remember doing anything wrong.”



There was a long moment of silence that Hitsugaya decided not to break while she finished her meal. He had long ago finished his own food and could now concentrate his eyes on her. The corner of his lips lifted up to show the smallest of smiles at her concentration and that special gleam all around her. He felt lucky. To have her there, by his side, ready to be with him to have a child with him, to form a family…he was sure he was doing all in his power to make her understand how much he loved her, to make her happy. That was his only guarantee that in the near future she would feel the same for him. Finally she lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes with a big and satisfied smile on her face.



“It was nothing of importance, Taichou.” Hitsugaya blinked confusedly for a moment until he remembered his earlier question.



“Are you sure? I mean…”



“Yes, I am. I was just being…”



“You?” offered Hitsugaya when the woman couldn’t find a good word. Matsumoto looked indignantly at him but decided to not say anything.



“So, are we going now?” she asked next; Hitsugaya merely smiled, paid the bill and left with Matsumoto by his side.



******************************



“This is so cute!!” squealed Matsumoto, hugging against her chest some baby clothing.



Hitsugaya rolled his eyes at her antics; he had heard that same sentence about all of the things they had looked at so far for two hours. When she said shopping he never imagined that they were going to do that kind of shopping, but it made him content in a way to be doing this with her. It made whatever they had more real.



“What about this?” he asked pointing to a small collection of white pants and a small blue sweater with a bunny on it.



“But, Toushirou!” Hitsugaya let out a big smile when his name left her lips. “You say you want a girl! You can’t put a blue sweater on a girl! Or pants!!”



“Why not?” he asked puzzled.



Matsumoto looked at him with incredulity for a moment. “Are you serious?”



That question made him feel a little stupid, though he thought that blue was just fine for a girl. He couldn’t really understand what the big deal was.



“Yes, I am. Even if she is a girl she can wear blue,” he replied back.



After a very short discussion both decided that green and white could be a good beginning for the clothing and went to the toys section of the store. Matsumoto was talking with a clerk about where she could find a stuffed blue dragon; Hitsugaya chuckled and kept looking around the store, looking for something he could give his baby. Something entirely his that he could share with him or her.



“I knew there must be a dragon somewhere!” she said with triumph, showing a blue stuffed dragon with a gleam of happiness in her eyes.



“Let me get this straight,” said Hitsugaya amused at her. “You didn’t want to buy that blue sweater, because if it is a girl, blue doesn’t go with girls…but, you bought the baby a dragon? A blue dragon? Isn’t that more appropriate with boys?”



“I know that’s why I bought it.”



“What?”



“Well, if you want a girl I want a boy. It’s only fair,” she said, smiling happily while hugging the stuffed animal to her.



“How is that fair?” asked Hitsugaya, though his question went unanswered when something else caught Matsumoto’s eye.



*******************************

Hitsugaya sighed tiredly when he finally sat on a chair in a café; they had at least five bags full of things Matsumoto thought were cute, beautiful or fun. Matsumoto was back with two cups; one with green tea and the other with coffee and later on a waitress brought them a plate full of cookies with muffins. Hitsugaya lifted an eyebrow but decided to keep quiet when he noticed that she seemed a little reluctant to share with him some of those cookies.



Hitsugaya took a sip from his tea and his eyes started looking around the place, watching the people go in and out, continuing with their lives, as always. Then his eyes stopped on a particular place, some place he hadn’t noticed before and a strange smile appeared on his face. He stood up, surprising Matsumoto.



“I’ll be right back.” His fukutaichou didn’t have time to ask him where he was going when he left running to the unknown place.



Hitsugaya started moving from book shelf to book shelf until he came face to face with a young woman that was smiling sweetly at him.



“Are you lost dear?” Hitsugaya frowned and glared at the woman.



“No, I’m not.”



“Are you sure?” doubtfully asked the woman. “I can help you look for your mummy if you want.”



Inside his head he heard the amusing laugh from Hyorinmaru. Hitsugaya merely glared with more force at the woman and asked her where he could find some fairy tale books.



‘So, you finally decide to appear?’



Oh, how can I miss that comment!! More laughs, then in a mocking tone. Do you want me to find your mummy, Toushi-chan? Or maybe your grandma. Don’t be scared, I will be back with them.



‘Shut up! Now that you’re here maybe you can tell me why Rangiku was mad at me?’



There was a silence in which Hitsugaya took the opportunity to ask for the right book, the woman smiled at him in a patronizing way that made Hitsugaya twitch in annoyance, though if it worked to have what he wanted he could endure it. Anything for his queen and her little princess.



Oh, that’s so cute!!!! Toushirou, that means you’re the charming prince or the king? his dragon asked a little confusedly; Hitsugaya let out a soft snickered when he actually felt that Hyorinmaru was confused.



‘Idiot, it’s obvious that would make me the…king.’ He said with a small blush and a content smirk. Hitsugaya went to pay for all the things he had bought when Hyorinmaru talked to him once again.



Did you know that Rangiku is jealous of Hinamori?



‘What? Who told you that? Jealous of what? What are you talking about?’



It was really obvious. That’s why she’s been so mad at you.



Hitsugaya left the bookstore with conflicted thoughts. What Hyorinmaru had said just brought more confusion than anything else. Why would she be jealous of Hinamori? When he was back he looked at Matsumoto for a long time, hearing the stories she was telling him about the things she saw while he was gone. There was a moment in which he just had to do it; if it was true she felt jealous then he would reassure her that she was the only one for him. So, he stood up, leaned in and gave her a deep, sweet kiss that left Matsumoto a little dazed.



“What…what was that for?” she asked, a little dazed.



“Do I need a reason?” he asked with a soft smirk and an eyebrow lift. Matsumoto smiled back and shook her head. “Of course if you want one…it’s simply because I love you.”



**************************



That night she couldn’t sleep. His words, his actions…everything was still fresh in her mind, and the fact that she was feeling confused wasn’t helping her at all.



She tossed and turned, sat, stood up and moved around the apartment trying to not wake up Hitsugaya. She certainly wasn’t ready to face him yet, not after her talk with Yumichika and the little outburst from Haineko and Hyorinmaru; now she couldn’t go to that room and face him. She needed to run away…to escape; she didn’t think she would be able to feel anything like love again. She couldn’t risk heartbreak.



“Why aren’t you in bed?” Matsumoto let out a scared squeal and she turned in time to found herself in the arms of Hitsugaya.



“Taichou! You scared me!! How many times do I have to tell you to not sneak up on me?” she said; her heart was beating hard and her cheeks had a soft tone of red on them.



“You weren’t in bed and when I came here looking for you; you were walking around all nervous and scared,” he said with a frown, then placing a hand to her forehead and another to her belly. “Are you feeling ok? Are you…are you still mad at me?”



Matsumoto shook her head and looked into his teal-emerald eyes, him looking back into her icy blue ones, making Matsumoto feel light headed and weak on her knees. Hitsugaya caught her and carry her to the bathroom.



“Are you sure you’re ok? We could call Urahara’s or Kurosaki.”



“No, I just…”



Matsumoto trailed of making Hitsugaya more worried by the minute at her strange behavior. He didn’t want to say anything at first but the moment he arrived to Orihime’s place he felt there was something wrong with her, she was being distant and cold which made Hitsugaya think that probably she was still mad at him for whatever reason.



With an extraordinary strength she made Hitsugaya lay in bed and climbed on top of him, resting her head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his chest and waist. Hitsugaya was momentarily stunned by the sudden action; he was hesitant for a moment before hugging her and noticed that she was trembling slightly. When he was about to ask what was happening she spoke first.



“Can you tell me a story?” she said in a soft and trembling voice. Hitsugaya frowned but the voices of both Haineko and Hyorinmaru stopped him from asking any unnecessary question.



She just wants to hear you Toushirou. Tell her a story.



“As you wish, Rangiku.”



Hitsugaya started talking, his voice was soft and gentle, soothing and firm. It made her feel so nice, so protected, wanted…loved. She kept hearing his voice, feeling his hands, the occasionally kiss to her forehead. His mere touch, his mere presence brought to her some feelings she was familiar with, only that they were more intense, more real than she had ever felt them.



And just before she fell asleep she knew.



She was meant to be there in his arms.



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So, here it was. Hope you like it.



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