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 16



I didn’t start the fight…









Hitsugaya was trying very hard to control himself and not let his emotions get out of hand. He needed to think things through clearly before he set up a good plan to catch and, if possible, destroy Ichimaru Gin. He didn’t think for a second that the man had left; even if he couldn’t sense him, he knew Ichimaru was close.



“Is Rangiku-san okay?” asked a worried Yumichika. Hitsugaya merely nodded his head and his eyes drifted for a moment to the room where she was still sleeping peacefully.



“Ichimaru has some nerve, eh?” said Ikkaku, and even though he tried to say it in an unworried way, Hitsugaya could see that he, just like Yumichika, was worried. And, even if he had a hard time understanding that Rangiku liked them as her friends, Hitsugaya was grateful. “Bet the bastard is still out there…so, you want us to go looking for him and kick his ass, Hitsugaya-taichou?”



Hitsugaya snorted at those words and he tried to stop the smirk that was forming on his face, “I want you to look for him, but I’m not so sure about you facing him. He was a Captain after all, and I don’t think either of you are ready to fight at his level.”



“And you are?” Ikkaku and Yumichika turned to look at Matsumoto. She had appeared in the doorway and was looking at Hitsugaya with a scolding expression.



“That comment is quite offensive,” Hitsugaya replied, looking at her with concern. “How are you feeling?”



“I think, considering last time you fought him, that my comment is necessary.” She ignored his other question and crossed her arms in front of her. Hitsugaya looked at her for a moment before taking his eyes from her.



“I’m not going to discuss this with you, Matsumoto.” She flinched, hurt at his use of her last name.



Ikkaku and Yumichika fidgeted, a little uncomfortable with the situation, but decided that it was really wise to keep their mouths closed. Hitsugaya felt bad at his words and the way he knew he was making her feel, but he had made a decision last night and he wasn’t about to let Ichimaru Gin hurt them.



With a sigh he returned his attention to Yumichika and Ikkaku. “Like I said, I want Madarame to look out for the traitor or any traces of his reiatsu. Ayagesawa, I want you to inform anything of this to Abarai, Urahara and Shihoin Yoruichi. Then, I expect you to be here at 11.”



Both men nodded their heads and left as soon as the young Captain was done with them. The place was left in an uncomfortable silence that neither Hitsugaya nor Matsumoto were very eager to break. He felt like trash the moment he turned around and saw tears in her eyes, without thinking twice he stood up and went to her, wiping away some of her tears. She looked at him with angry eyes before she returned to the bedroom leaving his hand hanging in the air.



‘She’s really angry.’



Yeah, but right now it’s not our main concern, you can make it up to her later.



‘I know, but I don’t like seeing her like that.’ Hyourinmaru nodded his head, understanding his masters’ words.



You have time, you know? It’s early and your appointment with Kurosaki Isshin isn’t until nine. Go to her.



He found her curled up in the bed with his pillow hugged strongly against her chest; he let out a soft smile at the sight before lying down next to her, hugging her from behind, just as tightly as she was hugging the pillow.



“What are you doing to me?” she asked in a whisper.



“What do you mean?” but she didn’t answer, instead she turned her head and looked him in the eye with worry all written in her own. “Don’t worry about it; nothing bad is going to happen. We knew why we were sent here, Rangiku; regardless of my feelings towards you and the family we’re starting I’m still a Captain of the Gotei 13.”



“I know.” She said turning completely in his arms so now they were facing each other. “It’s just…”



“Yeah?” he asked when she trailed off.



“Well, it’s 7 in the morning and I’m hungry; besides, I get really cranky when I get woke up so early.” Hitsugaya laughed at her words and she slapped him on the arm.



“I see, so what do you want for breakfast?”



Neither of them said what they were thinking nor the fears that had appeared the night before. But it was fine for them, Hitsugaya understood her concern and she understood his actions; even if they didn’t like it, it was something they had to do. While Matsumoto didn’t like the idea of Hitsugaya fighting all alone against Gin, she knew that she wasn’t in the right physical state to fight or do her duties as a shinigami. And with the amount of years she had spent by his side as his fukutaichou, she couldn’t ask him to be by her side and let others fight…even if she and Haineko were very tempted to tie them up and not let them go.



“Oh, how about some orange juice, eggs, mhm ohh! Some onigiri, maybe miso soup and some bacon , cookies with some of those muffins I tried last time…maybe some tea?“ she said with a bright smile that Hitsugaya didn’t return.



“You know? When I asked you what you wanted for breakfast I meant something more…” she turned to him doing puppy dog eyes, sobbing slightly and Hitsugaya merely sighed.



“Okay, I’ll be right back. You can get ready while I do this.”



So, if you’re like this with her alone…I can’t imagine you once your…baby is born



‘Shut up!’





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“You’re doing a great job, Rangiku-san,” said Isshin, smiling down at the woman. “I see you’ve been following my advice and of course we can’t ignore the young man you’ve got by your side, eh?”



Rangiku looked at Toushirou, who was looking slightly annoyed at Ichigo’s younger sister, who was looking at him with the same annoyed look; both of them seemed to be discussing something that neither Rangiku nor Isshin could hear.



“It’s very weird to find someone like him,” she said with a found smile on her face when the girl started laughing at her taichou and comparing both their weights.



“And by the looks of it he is going to be a good father,” said Isshin chuckling slightly.



“Yeah, he seems so prepared for that… I’m still scared about the whole concept. I think he’s going to do a better job than me,” she said, somewhere between amused and serious. “I’ve never thought of me as a mother… so, I don’t know if I would be a good one.”



Isshin sat beside her and contemplated her for a moment; Rangiku was genuinely surprised at his sudden change. And not for the first time, something at the back of her mind told her that there was more about that man that met the eye.



“Don’t worry too much about it right now,” Isshin said, still looking at his daughter trying to argue with Hitsugaya, who’d decide to ignore the girl while playing with his cell phone. “Right now you’re doing a good job, so I don’t really know why you say those things. However, if you’re still worried, rest assured that when the moment is right, I know, and Toushirou-san agrees with me, you will become a great mother.”



“Thank you,” said Rangiku standing up more cheerful than before. “I think we better go before...”



“Yes, I understand.” Said Isshin watching Karin and Hitsugaya entangled in another discussion.



“Toushirou stop bothering Karin-chan,” said Rangiku grabbing him by his arm. Hitsugaya snorted at her words and turned around.



“Yes, Toushirou-chan...” The young prodigy twitched but before he could reply Matsumoto dragged him out of the clinic.



“Thanks for everything!” And with that they left.



Karin watched them from beside her dad, and after a moment she went inside, kind of sad that she couldn’t keep her game of annoying the ‘white-haired guy.’ She was sure he was just like Ichi-nii, and maybe if she bothered him enough she could get something out of him. Isshin stood there trying to look casual and disinterested but… he couldn’t ignore the shadow he saw following the young pairing.



“I guess it can’t be helped,” he said, letting out a bitter laugh before entering the clinic. “Karin, I need to go to the candy store!!! I gave Rangiku-san and Toushirou-san all the lollypops I have. Be right back!”



“Yeah, whatever!” was the reply from the other side. Isshin shook his head and with a sigh of resignation he left his house.





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“You sure you don’t want one?” asked Rangiku with a teasing smile; Hitsugaya looked at her for a moment before turning his head away rather fast the moment she decided to put the candy once again in her mouth.



“Pretty sure, I don’t like candies.”



“But you love those gummy bears!!!”



“What?! I…I…” he was about to deny it until… “Hyorinmaru! “



She…she blackmailed me!! I couldn’t say no!!



“Oh, Taichou, you shouldn’t be angry with Hyorinmaru.” She said leaning over and grabbing him by his arm “He told me lots of stuff that I’m sure would be beneficial for you later on.” She winked at him at the young taichou could only sigh.



“Some zanpakutou I have…and you, you shouldn’t follow his games!” Rangiku gave him a peck on the lips, smiling slightly at his indignation.



“But it’s too fun to let it pass, you look too cute when you’re embarrassed.”



“I don’t…” He didn’t have the chance to finish the sentence when a spiritual pressure broke through the apparent calmness of the day.



As soon as those presences were detected, Hitsugaya felt the cell phone move in his pocket; he looked down at it and his fears were confirmed. Arrancar. He looked over at Rangiku, who had a frown on her face and was ready to take the gikongan to her mouth.



“What do you think you’re doing?” asked Hitsugaya stopping her; she looked at him with decision.



“What does it look like? We need to go and stop these guys.”



“We? You’re not going.” Without expecting an answer from her, he took the pill from her and put it in his mouth. Once in his shinigami form he turned to Rangiku. She was clearly displeased with his words.



“You…you can’t go alone!”



“I’m not going alone. Ayagesawa, Madarame, Abarai, and probably Kurosaki are out there,” he said, looking at Rangiku; he didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone, not after what had happened last night or the last fight he had with the Arrancar. But it was his duty, and he was hoping that maybe Ichimaru was in the place where the Arrancar had appeared.



“Stay here, you will be safer in here,” Hitsugaya glance at Matsumoto before turning his back at her “I’m going.”



“Be careful,” was all she could say before Hitsugaya left the place.



Mistress… Matsumoto noticed the worried tone in Haineko; she put a hand in her pocket and popped out another pill.



‘I’m worried about him. Last time they hurt him a lot and it was because I wasn’t able to help.’



I know you’re worried; I am, too. But you can’t go, not in that state, not with the possibility of Ichimaru being out there.



‘I can’t stay here!! It’s a fukutaichou’s work to… ’



Watch his Captains back, I know. There was a moment of silence, then with a sigh Haineko prepared herself. Let’s go, but if I tell you to stop and retreat you will do it!!



‘Okay, let’s go.’





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As soon as he caught up with the rest, he discovered that Ayagesawa was trapped in one of the tentacles from the guy that proclaimed to be the Sexta Espada. Madarame stood beside him with a serious look, watching the fight while his body was obviously itching to take part.



Without waiting for an invitation or some acknowledgement from the Arrancar, Hitsugaya pulled Hyorinmaru out and attacked.



I can’t sense Shinsou here. Do you think they’re here?



‘I don’t know, but we won’t find out until we get rid of these nuisances.’



Then let’s go wild! exclaimed Hyourinmaru, smiling wildly and raising his reiatsu along with Hitsugaya’s.



Yammi looked interestedly at the new-comer; the power coming from him caught his attention but he wasn’t able to do anything at all due to Luppi’s own attack.



“Oh, My! They don’t teach you manners back in Soul Society, do they?” asked the Sexta Espada with a playful smile that he hid behind his hand. “What a cute thing you are…I bet you look even better when bleeding.”



“Tsk, I want you to try,” said Hitsugaya, smirking at the Espada. “I don’t have time for games so, let’s finish this quickly.”



“As you wish,” Luppi replied with a secret smile. All his tentacles, but the one that had Yumichika in his power, attacked Hitsugaya. He barely had the time to protect himself before collapsing against the ground.





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Matsumoto was running on an empty street. She could feel Toushirou’s and the others’ presence, along with three more that she supposed belonged to the Arrancar. She was a little annoyed at the fact that she got tired so easily and that her abilities weren’t as they used to be due to the state she was in. But at least she was getting closer to them, she turned around and was able to see a park when the scream from Haineko made her stop and put out her sword.



Mistress, behind you!! Her attack, however, was stopped by a hand grabbing hers and another on her hip. She gulped and couldn’t believe her eyes when she found herself in front of Ichimaru Gin.



“Ma, so ‘ggressive, Ran-chan.”



“Gin.”



This time things were different, and both of them noticed it the moment their eyes met. Behind Rangiku’s resolution and cold façade was a slight trace of fear at what the man in front of her could do. And behind the smile and peaceful expression of Gin, contradictory feelings could be watched. What kind of feelings? Rangiku didn’t know and it wasn’t important at the moment.



“Why so silen’? Cat got’cha tongue?” Gin asked mockingly. Matsumoto’s expression softened for a moment and in that moment she made a decision.



“So, it was you after all,” she said, struggling against his hold without any success.



“Meh? Whatcha talkin’ ‘bout?” he asked in an innocent voice.



“The dream I had. It was you.”



“Ah, nope, wasn’ meh at’all. Shinsou got carried ‘way when he…” Gin trailed off and grabbed Rangiku with more force and brought her against him. His face was close to hers and his eyes had opened slightly to look into hers. “When he foun’ out ‘bout the li’l bundle o’ joy o’ yers and…Shiro-chan.”



“Gin, let me go,” she demanded in a cold voice; a chill went through her body at his words and the way he said ‘Shiro-chan’.



“Why shou’d I? Las’ time ya was ready ta leave wit’ meh,” said Gin, chuckling slightly.



“Things are different,” she said, still struggling to free herself from his grasp. “You made your decision, you left and I stayed. Things are not going to be the same between us. Never again.”



Gin tilted his head to the side and mumbled, “Don’ tell meh ya really think yer in love wit’ Shiro-chan? Tha’ ya forgot all ‘bout me? Tha’ hurts, Ran.”



But his voice and the way his smile was returning to his face told Rangiku otherwise; she thought over her options with Haineko trying to decide the best course of actions, trying to make a decision that wouldn’t hurt her or her baby.



“I don’t think I am, Gin, I know I am in love with him,” she said in a whisper. “If you really feel that way about me… let me go.”



“But, how could I? Did’n I tell ya once tha’ this time I wasn’ ‘bout ta leave ya? Tha’ this time I’d make sure ya hold on’ta meh a li’l longer?” Silence filled the street then. “It took meh a while, but I convince’ Aizen-taichou, and maybeh if we tal’ ta ‘im…he may let ya conserve the kid. We c’n form the famileh ya always want’d; now ya ‘ll come with meh.”



It wasn’t a request, it sounded more like an order. And the way he was leaning over her told Rangiku that ‘no’ was not an option. With a last glance at Gin she grabbed Haineko more forcefully, then…



“Unare, Haineko!”



Gin was caught in the attack, more from surprise than lack of ability. He had opened his eyes and was looking at Rangiku with shock all over his face. Matsumoto had taken a fighting stance and had a serious look on her face.



“Sorry, Gin. You lost your opportunity a long time ago. Toushirou, he is…he is what you will never be,” said Rangiku, with a fond look on her face when she spoke Toushirou’s name, “And I sure as hell won’t let that bastard Aizen come near me or my baby.”



“Wrong answer, Ran,” said Gin lifting his reiatsu enough to make the woman in front of him breathe with difficulty and bend her legs slightly. “‘Cause, I wa’n’t askin’ ya. I’m gonna take ya with meh, and ‘ventually ya ‘ll love meh once ‘gain.”





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This guy was getting on his nerves. Cocky, arrogant and a talkative…the kind of opponent he just wanted to finish with one slash of Hyourinmaru. But he needed to be patient; otherwise sennen hyourou wouldn’t work as he wanted it to.



“Is that all? I thought that since you came back from the dead you would have something more interesting,” said Luppi.



“You shouldn’t underestimate our strength.” Hitsugaya could feel the fight taking place up in the sky; he sensed Urahara’s arrival the same moment another spiritual pressure reached him. This time his own reiatsu rose and his eyes became a mix of blue and red when he recognized it. Ichimaru Gin. That was Ichimaru’s reiatsu and beside his…



“Rangiku!” He didn’t waste time. With incredible speed he grabbed Hyourinmaru and proceeded to leave the scene to go over to Matsumoto, but not before taking care of the Espada in front of him.



“Where do you think you’re going, Hitsugaya-taichou? I haven’t finished my game with you.”



“But I have,” said Hitsugaya, grabbing Luppi by his hand and gripping it with force, making Luppi grimace in pain. “I don’t have time to lose with the likes of you. Sennen hyourou.”





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Rangiku was having difficulties breathing or maintaining herself on her feet. Inside her she could sense Haineko struggling to keep her and the baby safe. With wide eyes she saw Gin approaching her, very slowly, mocking her because she wasn’t able to do anything.



‘Where are you, Toushirou?’ She couldn’t keep herself awake anymore and Gin was too close.



“Don’ struggle, Ran. I’s no use, an’ ya ‘ll only hurt ya’self and li’l Shiro-chan.”



“My, how ungraceful from your part, young man,” said an unknown voice. “Treating a woman like Rangiku-san like that.”



Gin didn’t have time to react when he saw the newcomer in front of him and in between him and Rangiku. Matsumoto lifted her head and she was speechless at the sight in front of her. She knew that man, the man in front of her, Kurosaki Isshin, couldn’t be there and it was highly impossible for him to see shinigami. But here he was, with his doctor’s coat still on, an unconcerned look on his face and a sword in his hand. But, it couldn’t be…if that was the case they would have noticed, they would have sensed the strength he was showing right now.



“I thought Aizen taught his subordinates how to behave themselves?” he asked with a serious look.



Ichimaru stood there and let out a soft chuckle at the sight in front of him. He could have thought that he was a current Captain in the Gotei 13, a replacement for Aizen, Tousen or himself. But there was something… familiar about him. Matsumoto was even more surprised at his words, how did he know Aizen? Could it be that Ichigo… no, it was clear that the representative shinigami kept his shinigami’s activities a secret from his family.



“Eh, I don’ know how ya know ‘bout Aizen-taichou, bu’…isn’ it a li’l dang’rous fer a human like ya ta face someone like meh?” Gin asked rhetorically, scratching the back of his head with one hand while the other went directly to his zanpakutou. “Even if ya have a toy li’e tha’?”



“Who said you have to fight?” replied Isshin with a smirk. “You can just stay there while I beat you to death.”



“Ah, I don’ thin’ tha’s an option, though… we c’n get ta an arr’ngement.”



“Arrangement?”



“Yeah, ya give meh Ran and I won’ kill ya.”



“How arrogant,” replied Isshin. “You see, it’s that kind of thinking what will bring Aizen’s fall in the end.”



A tensed silence followed those words; Gin looked to his side and then in front of him, measuring and thinking over his possibilities. For him it wouldn’t be that difficult to take on both of them, he put a hand on Shinsou.



“I’m not arr’gant; I’m mereleh statin’ the reality.” Gin found himself surprised for the third time that day. The man in front of him pulled his sword out and stopped a strong thrust from Gin without even moving a little from his spot. “Who are ya?”



“Me? I’m nobody.” Gin moved in time to prevent the slash from the man, he stood there contemplative as to what he should do, but before he could do it he felt it… Ulquiorria’s presence and then out of nowhere Negacion surround him. Slightly annoyed by that, Gin merely smiled at the people below him, then his eyes focused on Rangiku.



“I’ll keep meh promise Ran, soon as I finish off tha reason yer so ‘tached ta Soul Society.”



Matsumoto slightly grabbed the white coat of Isshin and he turned around to see her there; with a soft smile he turned around kneeling in front of her.



“Are you okay?”



“I…you…but…”



“I know. You should rest, it’s not good for the baby to stress yourself like that,” said Isshin, putting a hand in front of her eyes and before she knew it she fell unconscious in his arms.





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“What the hell were you thinking?!” Matsumoto could see clearly that her taichou was beyond angry.



He was in front of her and the temperature of the room had dropped drastically to the point that all those present were hugging themselves. She looked for someone to help her, to say something to back her up… but all of them decided that either the floor or the fake ceiling of Urahara’s basement was more interesting. She met his cold eyes, filled with something Matsumoto didn’t think was possible, at least not from her taichou. Tears.



“I know that what I did was a little irresponsible…” she started but he didn’t let her finish.



“A little? Do you have any idea how stupid it was?!” he said through gritted teeth. “Of all the stupid things you have done under my command this is one is the… you… do you know how… how scared I was?”



“And I wasn’t? I was just as scared as you! Why did you think I left in the first place?!” she replied, her own voice rising but with a broken tone in it. “Either way it wouldn’t matter if I left the apartment or I stayed, he would have come!”



“No he wouldn’t!!” exclaimed Hitsugaya. “You thought I left you there without protection? After the first time he came?”



Those words caught Matsumoto by surprise and she let it show on her face; she hadn’t expected it, and, well, the fact that she couldn’t sense anything around the place…



“Of course you didn’t notice, why should you? Why would you notice that I love you enough to leave you with good protection… unless of course, you knew and the truth is that you want to see him again?!” As soon as those words left his mouth he stopped. His eyes opened in surprise and he looked at Matsumoto, who had a similar looked on her face, accompanied by hurt.



“I…I…” she couldn’t form words and Hitsugaya merely stood there; then, without a warning, he left the basement.



Matsumoto was about to follow him when a hand stopped her; she turned around to see Renji with a frown on his face.



“Let him go. You two need to calm down a little.” Matsumoto nodded, but as soon as she did that tears started falling on her face; Renji looked helplessly at Yumichika, who hushed him with a movement of his hand and hugged Matsumoto.



“It’s ok, I bet he feels as bad as you and that’s why he left,” said Yumichika in answer to a question only he could hear.





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Hitsugaya welcomed the fresh air of the night, his mind was in a turmoil and he felt like a real idiot, like scum. He felt… bad for what he had said to her, for the words he had pronounced and how hard he had been.



Why couldn’t she understand that he was worried? Why couldn’t she stay at home? Maybe if she had, she wouldn’t be unconscious in Urahara’s place when he arrived. Or made him feel betrayed, or making him doubt… again.



“A cigarette?” Hitsugaya gasped in surprise when he saw Kurosaki Isshin was beside him offering him a cigarette. The man smiled slightly and looked at him with seriousness.



“I…I don’t, thank you,” was all he could say.



“Don’t you think you were a little too hard with her?” Again, Hitsugaya couldn’t hide his surprise, this time at the man’s words.



“This is… none of your business, Kurosaki-san; overhearing private conversations is rude,” said Hitsugaya, gaining some of his temper.



Isshin looked at him and chuckled, putting out a cigarette and looking at it for a moment before taking it to his mouth.



“I only do this at my wife’s grave,” he said. Hitsugaya blinked, really confused by the man and the comment he had just made. Isshin looked over at him and shook his head. “Were you scared?”



“What?”



“Were you scared because of Rangiku-san’s well-being?”



Hitsugaya hesitated for a moment before nodding his head. “Why? Why were you scared?”



‘What the hell? Who does he think he is?’



Just answer the damn question Toushirou! Sometimes you just need to open up a little… maybe talking to him will clear some of your doubts better than Rangiku-chan.



‘How? How could he do that?’



You haven’t noticed, eh?



‘What? Noticed what?’ But Hyourinmaru didn’t say anything else and Hitsugaya was once again in the street looking at the dark sky with Kurosaki Isshin beside him. The man was looking straight ahead of him, waiting patiently for the answer to the question he had made.



“I don’t have to tell you anything, this is none of your business. And I would be really grateful if you keep for yourself some of the details of that conversation. I am really grateful for your help with Rangiku and our baby… but don’t mistake yourself, if I see there’s a risk to me or Rangiku, well…” said Hitsugaya with a cold voice; he turned around and was about to leave when Isshin talked to him once again.



“She said your name; she actually confirmed to him that what she was feeling for you was real, and that she was starting the family she always wanted with a man that really wants her back, that wasn’t about to leave her.”



Those words hit Hitsugaya in the deepest part of his mind and he had to process what the man was saying. He didn’t turn around but stood there, wanting to know if there was more.



“He got mad at her after those three words left her mouth…”



“What?” Hitsugaya turned around, shocked, and noted that Isshin wasn’t behind him anymore, but rather to his side; the man smiled down at him before putting a hand on his head and ruffling his hair playfully, to Hitsugaya’s annoyance.



“What? I’m afraid I’m not the one you should be asking this…you overreacted back there, Toushirou; but I totally understand. If I was in your place… who knows, maybe I would have done the same.”



“Why are you saying all of this?” asked Hitsugaya, escaping the hand of the man and looking at him with a frown.



“Why not? Now, go in there and apologize to Rangiku-san and explain to her why you acted that way.” With a last ruffling to his hair, Isshin walked away with Hitsugaya looking at him for a long time.



Then…



He looked at himself, his shinigami’s robes on along with his haori and Hyourinmaru on his back; he turned, shocked, to the place where Isshin had walked away. He was about to follow him when...



“I think you owe him your silence, Hitsugaya-taichou,” said Urahara Kisuke from the entrance of his shop. Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes at Urahara, but remained silent; he looked down the street once again before returning inside the store.





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However, Hitsugaya never had the time to apologize or fix things between him and Rangiku. As soon as he had entered the place, a call from Soul Society had him occupied all night long. As if that wasn’t enough, the next day they found out, and confirmed, that Inoue Orihime had disappeared; and by the looks of it she had gone willingly with one of the Arrancar.



Matsumoto, just like the others, didn’t believe it; they wanted to stay and help Ichigo, but orders were orders and soon after that they left the Real World and were back in Soul Society. That could only mean that all of them were getting ready for the oncoming battle, and he wouldn’t have time to talk to Rangiku properly.



It had been hard enough that he hadn’t been able to apologize and that every time they talked to each other it was awkward; they didn’t look the other in the eye and there was an obvious tension between them. As soon as they arrived to Soul Society he approached her but…



“Rangiku-san!”



“Oh, Isane? What are you doing here?” asked Matsumoto, clearly surprised at the fukutaichou of the fourth division. The woman smiled at her sheepishly, with a small blush on her face when her eyes drifted for a second to the scolding form of Hitsugaya.



“Unohana-taichou requires your presence immediately in the fourth division; she said you will know why.” She looked sideways at Hitsugaya that was looking everywhere but at her, a little hurt at that Matsumoto smiled at Isane before nodding.



“Yes, I know. Let’s go.” Hitsugaya lifted his head and was about to stop her when Byakuya interrupted him.



“Hitsugaya-taichou, Yamamoto-soutaichou is waiting for all Captains at the first division barracks.”



And just like that another opportunity to talk with each other was stopped; with a last glance at Matsumoto, Hitsugaya followed Zaraki and Byakuya to the first division.



“Man, this is so messed up,” said Ikkaku.



“You bet it is.” Replied Yumichika with a hand on his forehead. “Hitsugaya-taichou and Rangiku-san have been acting like that since that fight at Urahara’s. On top of that there is the situation with Orihime.”



“So, are you guys going to help Ichigo or what?” asked Ikkaku casually; Renji and Rukia looked at each other for a moment before turning around.



“Yeah, it’s a probability, you want to tag along?” asked Renji; Ikkaku scratched his chin, contemplative for a moment.



“Who knows? Maybe, maybe not…that depends on what’s going to happen from this point on.”



“You better think faster,” said Rukia with a worried tone. “I don’t think that Ichigo is going to be patient at all, and frankly I don’t think I can do it either.”





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“Well, it seems like you and your baby are in good health, Matsumoto-fukutaichou.” Matsumoto let out a forced smile at Unohana’s words. “The person that took care of you in the Real World did an interesting job. May I know who it was?”



Matsumoto looked out of the window, remembering the interaction between Isshin and Gin and the way the man had acted. She couldn’t remember anything else and she was kind of sad she couldn’t talk to him, to thank him and maybe to obtain some answers… but of something she was sure, she wouldn’t say anything unnecessary.



“It was Ichigo’s dad. The man runs a clinic and Ichigo told us to go over there,” she said; Unohana looked at her for a moment until finally she nodded her head.



“He did well in taking care of you and the baby. Now that you are back in Soul Society things are going to be a little more different for you, Matsumoto-fukutaichou.”



“I know.”



“Good, because my first recommendation,” said the woman with a sweet smile that sent shivers through Rangiku’s back, “is to stop any unnecessary force; alcohol, of course, is out of question; the amount of work you’re going to have is going to be limited to mere paperwork and some other easy tasks you can handle in your state.”



“Ah, no alcohol for you, Rangiku-chan? That must really be torture. And what I am going to do without my drinker partner?”



Matsumoto’s face lit up at the sound of Kyouraku’s voice; the man lifted his hat and smile brightly at her with Nanao close behind.



“Shun-kun! Nanao-chan!!”



“I guess that’s all I have to say, please if you have any doubt at all don’t hesitate to come to me.”



“Thank you, Unohana-taichou, I will.”



Matsumoto stood up and walked to her friends; Kyouraku was the first one to react and he took one of Rangiku’s hands and turned her around a little before whistling and smiling gently at her.



“My, my Rangiku! This look certainly suits you! You look more beautiful, and certainly cuter than before.”



“Stop hitting on Rangiku-san, Taichou. I don’t think Hitsugaya-taichou would appreciate that,” replied Nanao with a smile of her own.



“Yeah, he seems rather grumpy already.” At those comments Rangiku’s smile faded, along with her mood.



“It’s good to have you back, Rangiku,” said Nanao, hugging her friend. “So, you want to talk about it?”



“Oh, Nanao-chan what a wonderful idea!! Let’s talk about this over some tea.”



As an afterthought, Matsumoto added, “And cookies?”



“And cookies.”





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She left her bathtub and put on a robe. She felt better now that she was back and had Nanao and Kyouraku to talk to. Both of them had understood her for a moment and then they had taken Toushirou’s side. She understood they were mad and worried, and Kyouraku had given her a different vision of the situation from his point of view, which certainly helped Matsumoto understand her taichou a little.



And even like that, she felt miserable. He wasn’t in the office, neither in the division nor in the training grounds where they used to use for training. She was so tempted to look for him in Hinamori’s place but… the mere thought that he may be there hurt so much that she preferred not to confirm, or refute, her doubts.



A single tear fell on her cheek and soon after that another one and another until she was sobbing uncontrollably. Why hadn’t he come? She knew he didn’t have anything to do related to Soul Society or anything else because Shuu-kun had said they had that day and the next one off. Then, why didn’t he come? Did he not…



Matsumoto stood up at the knock on her door, she walked towards the door while wiping away her tears, and opened the door to find herself in front of Hitsugaya.



She didn’t have to react though, as soon as she opened the door she found herself being pushed inside, her lips against his and soft words whispered in her ear.



“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…I was a fool…I…”



Soon after that she found herself on her futon with Hitsugaya hovering over her, kissing her everywhere he could reach, trailing kisses all over her neck, collarbone, to her cleavage down her chest. His hands were wandering around in soft and needy caresses; it was a contradiction itself when his kisses were so hungry and demanding.



His caresses were like a bolt of energy that sent her to a different world. Their world.



Hitsugaya’s kisses, hands…his whole body was apologizing along with him, following in each one of his words, encouraging each one of her moans. It was more than passion; it was more than an experiment or an accident…



And Matsumoto felt complete the moment they looked into each other’s eyes and Hitsugaya used his hand to stimulate her, used his mouth to make her scream from passion, used his whole being to make her his, to make her feel love. And the moment she felt him inside her, that she noticed he was marking her again, this time somewhere in her neck she couldn’t resist anymore…



“I love you,” she said between breaths, her fingers running down his back and her legs around his hips, and he…he was moaning her name while repeating the same words she had uttered. With a final thrust he came inside her, still repeating those words to her over and over again.



“You know? That was our first official fight as a couple?” she said, her head on his chest and her hand hugging him strongly. Hitsugaya made some noise in acknowledgement but otherwise he kept his eyes closed and his hand caressing her back softly.



“I won’t be able to see you that much,” he said after a moment of silence. Rangiku lifted her head and look directly into his eyes.



“Why?”



“We need to prepare for the war; Hyorinmaru and I are going to be out for a little while.”



“But…but, what about me and the division?” she asked; Hitsugaya caressed her face and smiled softly at her before lifting a little and kissing her on the mouth.



“You will take care of the division with the help of Ise-san. Don’t worry the plans are going to be over soon and I will be able to tell you everything.”



“I’m going to miss you,” she said, returning to her old place.



“Me too, I’m going to miss both of you.” Matsumoto let out a big grin before closing her eyes, feeling once again complete and protected.





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Hitsugaya wasn’t kidding when he said that he couldn’t spend more time with her. The next days she barely saw him and she barely had the time to look for him. Things were happening too fast; Rukia and Renji had gone to Hueco Mundo to help Ichigo retrieve Orihime, and Urahara was preparing some kind of special technique to protect Karakura Town.



She, along with Nanao, was getting things ready to stand behind and protect Soul Society and the real Karakura Town, which mean that she had to do all the paperwork she hadn’t done in a decade. But the small moments she spent with Toushirou were worth all the paperwork and the work she had on her. Even in her state and the fact that she received help from his third, fourth and fifth seats, there were a lot of things that she and Nanao needed to get ready while the Captains were deep in their own, personal, preparations.



And just like that the fight was getting closer and closer… They never said anything, but it was obvious that Hitsugaya’s main objective in the battle field was going to be Gin. Matsumoto wanted to say to him to be careful, to not do anything stupid, but then she remembered that he was Hitsugaya Toushirou, young prodigy, and more importantly, he wasn’t someone to take lightly.



“Be careful, okay?” he said for the umpteenth time, caressing her stomach and giving it a peck that made Matsumoto blush when she noticed that Kyouraku, Nanao and Ukitake were there.



“I always am.”



“Ise-san, please?”



“Hey!! What’s that suppose to mean?” she said with a pout. Hitsugaya merely smiled at her but he was relieved when Nanao nodded at him. “Either way, you are the one that should be careful, I’m the one stuck here, remember?”



With a last kiss Hitsugaya left his division with Ukitake and Kyouraku; the young taichou was mildly annoyed at the smirks each one of them were wearing.



“I noticed that you didn’t say anything, Hitsugaya-kun.”



“Anything about what?”



“You know, about Hinamori-fukutaichou being the one assisting you in this battle.”



“Yeah well…” Kyouraku chuckled and put a hand on his shoulder.



“Don’t worry we won’t say anything,” said Kyouraku. “I know how Rangiku-chan can be when she is mad and jealous.”



“What a relief,” Hitsugaya replied dryly.



“Well, now we just have to make sure you’re back in one piece.”



“I think we have to make sure that all of us come back here in one piece,” said Ukitake, with a serious voice when the three of them arrived to the point of reunion and the rest of their little army was waiting for them.





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Well, if you\'re wondering about Isshin...I really like him and I think that so far his participation (as a shinigami) in the manga and the anime is...well, there isn\'t any kind of participatin or interaction. So, I decided to let him do a little appearance in here. About the lime scene...well, this is my first time doing something like that so, don\'t be hard on me



Okay, hope all of you enjoy this one. Again thanks for the support with all the reviews.



Don\'t forget to review!