Leave Out All the Rest

Okay, first of all, I want to thank you for the comments I really love all of them, so Thank you!!! Second, here is the other chapter in which Toshiro finds out he is having a girl.



So, I guess I better let you read, enjoy and review the story







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Chapter 19



She



Hitsugaya left the 13th division with a headache.



Since Yamamoto wasn’t there anymore, the punishment the old man had promised was applied by Ukitake. Toushirou really missed Yamamoto, at least he didn’t oblige him to accept a bag of candy, or help him out to organize the Gotei 13, or to attend those dreadful reunions between him, Kyouraku, Stark and Hallibel. He noticed in those reunion in which he had to assist the new Soutaichou that Ukitake was too soft to do…something akin to actual work, and he didn’t want to start with Stark and Kyouraku, both were lazy and too slow at everything they were suppose to do. And the Arrancar, the woman he had fought and he thought was dead…if she wasn’t giving him murderous looks, she was sending him…well, it was a relief Rangiku wasn’t with him, otherwise he was pretty sure a big fight would break out over those looks.



Hitsugaya massaged the bridge of his nose and leant against the wall before resuming his walk towards his place. It had been a hard month for him and Rangiku. They could hardly see each other, and when they did it was to finish some kind of work and usually she was too tired or occupied with Ise-fukutaichou and Kuchiki. He was trying very hard to make it up to her, because he knew she was kind of mad at him because of that. There were small things to keep her busy until he finally got some kind of vacation… that he had only just received confirmation for. Ukitake had finally acceded to give him a week off to do whatever he wanted.



He entered his place and went immediately to his room. There on the bed was Matsumoto sleeping peacefully, she was holding something against her chest with the light of a single lamp on her face. He walked towards her, taking the sash that held Hyourinmaru off his back and putting it beside Haineko, which was resting against the night table, and sat on his bed. Matsumoto stirred but didn’t wake up; he smiled fondly at her and caressed her cheek softly before leaning and kissing her on her cheek.



Haineko is asleep, whined Hyorinmaru with a pout, Hitsugaya merely lifted an eyebrow and watched amusedly as his zanpakutou rested like a spoiled child on his field of ice.



‘And why do you want her awake?’



For the same reason you want to wake up Rangiku-chan, replied Hyourinmaru, slightly annoyed at the fact that Hitsugaya seemed kind of amused at his predicament.



Hitsugaya stood up and walked out of the room to the one next to his. In there, he could see the mess Rangiku had made trying to organize her things in the place he had once called his personal office. Personally, he didn’t care. He was kind of happy that she moved in with him, that she was trying hard to make a home… even if she didn’t have any sense of order.



How are you going to move all of this?



‘Well, we have to use the room that is on the other side of the pond, it won’t be that difficult. I can make Kurosaki help.’



And if he refuses?



‘I can tell Kuchiki to… persuade him to help me,’ replied Hitsugaya with a smirk.



I like the way you think,said Hyourinmaru, smiling; Hitsugaya nodded his head before closing the door and walking back to his room.



“Hn, you’re late, I think I have to ground you.” Hitsugaya merely rolled his eyes at the sound of Rangiku’s voice; he turned around and saw that she was smirking at the soft blush that had formed on his cheeks.



“Did I wake you up?” he asked while nearing the bed. Rangiku shook her head.



“No, I was waiting for you but I must have been more tired than I thought.” Toushirou leant in to kiss her softly on the lips and then on her belly. He loved doing that, since the first time he did it she always got that small blush on her face that he thought was only fair since she always enjoyed making him embarrassed in front of others.



“So, how was your day?” he asked. “Everything all right? Anything we should be concerned about?”



“No, nothing at all,” she answered with a soft smile; it was his way to make it up to her for not being there the last month. She couldn’t blame him, really, things had been kind of crazy after the war and they were far from being normal. Of course, that didn’t mean she couldn’t punish him once in a while. She had found that lack of sex was a good way to make him do nice things for her.



“Are you sure?” he asked with a frown of concern on his face, his hand like always making circles on her belly.



“I’m okay, really.” She said kissing him on his nose which made him move his nose in a way that Rangiku found adorable. “Oh, you look cute doing that. Here do it again,” she said. Before Hitsugaya could reply she kissed him on the nose once again and he repeated his former reaction. Hitsugaya rolled his eyes at the giggles of delight and decided to lie down and ignore her. She kept giggling for a moment before cuddling closer to him and kissing him this time on the cheek.



“How was your day?” she asked, Hitsugaya huffed.



“I still have a headache; fortunately I have a whole week free of any kind of work with them.”



“Really?” asked Rangiku excited. “So what are we going to do?”



“Well… whatever you want? I don’t really have any plans yet, only that I finally get to spend some time with you two.”



Rangiku smiled widely at his words. She liked the way he always refered to her and the baby, or his protective gestures; he was always worrying about her and the small moments they had during that month after he woke up were spent on him trying to make it easy for her. She was kind of shocked to discover that the only thing she needed to do for him to let her skip work or have naps was to get pregnant. Matsumoto moved a little and discovered that Toushirou was asleep with his arms protectively around her, she turned around and passed her own arm around him and decided that it was time for the little party she had planned for him.





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Matsumoto watched with amusement as Hitsugaya moved from one place to the other organizing their room, the wardrobe and making the bed while she drank some of the tea that he had made. She wondered how she ended up with someone like him, or, more exactly, how he could fall in love with her. He was so…calm, serious, sometimes cold and indifferent, always putting things in order and being the voice of reason and command. But that was just a public image he had made for outsiders to see.



She felt happy that he allowed her to meet his other part.



The one that was caring, dedicated, playful, relaxed and loving. No one believed her when she told some of the stories his Granny told her about him, how he was naked and was being chased by an angry Hinamori, or the boy that slept with a blue blanket that he still had with him. For some, it was really hard to imagine Hitsugaya Toushirou as a very dedicated father, worrying over Matsumoto’s health and needs and practically giving her the world just to make her smile and make her feel good.



“You know? Instead of sitting there and smiling at me like that you should help me out a little,” he said, scolding at her and glaring when she merely laughed and waved her hand in dismissal.



“But, Toushirou! Then I’m going to be more tired and unable to help you with the paperwork in the office. And I know how you hate that!” Hitsugaya rolled his eyes.



“Humph, either way you’re not going to do any paperwork today,” he replied, grabbing his zanpakutou. “Ise-fukutaichou was very kind in telling me that you, Kyouraku and Kurosaki are planning some kind of disaster, so I know for a fact that you were going to escape your duties today.”



Matsumoto pouted and had an urge to wipe away the smug smirk that appeared on his face; she just knew that she confirmed his words with her expression but she couldn’t help herself. Nanao was in so much trouble; now Toushirou was suspecting!!



“Disaster? How can you even m…” she was cut off by a pair of lips against hers, his kisses had gotten better with time and she had learnt to tell the differences between them, and right now, he was kissing her just to show her who was right.



“Because I know you, Ran. As long as you don’t destroy Soul Society I expect those two to treat you very carefully,” he said once he broke this kiss.



“So, you really are going to the Real World without me?” she said in her best whining voice and putting some effort in her pout.



“Yes, but don’t worry I’ll be back as soon as I finish.”



“Finish what?” she said with suspicion in her voice and eyes.



“That, my Love, is a surprise,” he said, smiling satisfactorily when shock appeared on her face. “Come on, I have to go to the division before I go to the Real World.”





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“Morning, Toushirou,” said Ichigo as soon as he entered the Tenth division’s office. Hitsugaya was about to reply back when another voice reached his ears.



“Morning, Toushirou.” Hitsugaya turned around and saw the small girl. The Arrancar girl that Ichigo had brought with him. The girl was smiling at him from her spot beside his chair; there was a moment of silence in which Toushirou looked at Nel, then at Ichigo who raised a single eyebrow, and then back at Nel.



“It’s Hitsugaya-Taichou, to the both of you,” he said in a gentle tone of voice to Nel while glaring at a smirking Ichigo.



“Why?” Hitsugaya looked down once again.



“Why what?”



“Why Taichou?” asked Nel, a little curious; Hitsugaya was about to answer when she interrupted. “You’re short.”



“Oh Nel-chan,” said a voice behind Hitsugaya before he started screaming at the girl; the young Captain felt the arms of Matsumoto around his neck, hugging him close to her. “If you know him as well as I do, you wouldn’t say he is short at all.”



That comment made him blush furiously while Ichigo started laughing like mad; he could also hear the snicker of Hyourinmaru inside his head.



“Ma-Matsumoto! What the hell are you saying?” he said, looking up to see her beautiful smile and eyes gleaming with content at his embarrassment. Nel merely looked around the grown-ups not really understanding the joke that had Itsygo laughing and making the short boy’s face red.



“You don’t need to be embarrassed,” she said kissing him deeply. Nel grimaced and let out a sound of distaste at the scene.



“Is good to see you, Nel-chan. How have you been?” said Rangiku walking away from a dazed, and blushing, Hitsugaya.



“I having tons of fun with Yachiru! And Itsygo and Rukia are good to me,” was all she said while looking at Rangiku’s tummy with curiosity. She remembered the woman from before, when Uki-jii gave her tons of sweets and made her laugh.



“Why are you fat?” asked Nel, Matsumoto frowned slightly at that and she turned to Toushirou, who was covering his laugh from her.



“Nel that was rude,” said Ichigo, standing beside the girl. “Besides, she isn’t fat, she is pregnant.”



Nel frown at the word and then looked at Matsumoto, Hitsugaya and finally at Ichigo. She didn’t understand what he meant by that, but she was sure this wasn’t the first time she heard the word.



“What’s that?” she finally asked.



“It means she has a baby in there.”



“You’re lying,” said Nel, crossing her arms and pouting at Ichigo, who merely smiled at her.



“I’m not.” Nel narrowed her eyes at him and then turned to Rangiku, who was trying hard not to hug the girl. She looked so cute making those faces at Ichigo.



“But how can you put a baby there?” said Nel; this time there was confusion on her face while looking at Rangiku’s tummy.



Toushirou and Ichigo went red immediately after that particular question was asked. Ichigo gaped at Nel, noticing that she had that look she picked up from Rukia. The one that told him that the girl wanted some answers and she wanted them right now. Rangiku laughed out loud this time and Ichigo glared at her.



“Go on, Ichigo; tell her how you put a baby in here,” said Rangiku in a sweet voice drawing circles on her tummy, while smirking at a very desperate Ichigo.



“Y-you…I well, you see…” stammered Ichigo for a minute, then a spark of mischief appeared on his eyes that surprise Rangiku. “Well, do you remember how Byakuya always says that I’m kind of…dumb?”



He said the last part with a grimace but Nel nodded her head; Rangiku was even more curious when he said that.



“Well, this is one of those times in which I’m dumb and it would be a good idea if you ask your uncle Byakuya this particular question.”



“But, you know everything!!!” said Nel, eyes wide opened and looking with a hint of admiration in her eyes at Ichigo. The orange-haired teen couldn’t help but smile and ruffled her hair at that.



“I know, but trust me, you want to know this from a trustworthy source, and Byakuya is just that kind of person.” Matsumoto put a hand on her mouth to conceal her giggles. “Go on, I bet he would be very excited to explain how babies are made.”



“Okay,” Nel stood on the sofa and gave Ichigo a kiss on his cheek before jumping down and running from the office. It was with certain surprise that Ichigo turned to a now laughing Hitsugaya; he watched shocked as the man stood up from his place and shook his head while traces of amusement and laughter gleamed in his eyes.



“I thought you were kind of dumb as well,” said Hitsugaya with a smirk. “But now I see that you aren’t… at least not that much.”



“Wow, this is certainly a surprise Toushirou; I didn’t know you had a sense of humour.” Hitsugaya’s left eyebrow twitched and his amusement was replaced by slight annoyance.



“You’re evil. I can’t wait to hear the scream of desperation from Kuchiki-taichou,” said Rangiku, stopping whatever argument or friendly banter between Hitsugaya and Ichigo was about to start.



“Hn, serves him right; damn Byakuya is making my life impossible.”



“Maybe that’s because he discovered both of you kissing before you actually told him you were dating Rukia,” said Rangiku; Ichigo blushed slightly and his smirk only grew.



“Well, at least he only knows I’m dating her.” Rangiku shook her head at Ichigo’s words. “But, I’m really sorry I can’t see his face when Nel asks him that particular question.”



“It would be a sight worth seeing,” commented Hitsugaya. “Though, maybe if we find Kusajishi in time we can make her go over there and ask the same question to Kuchiki-taichou.”



This comment brought incredulous looks upon him; he turned to see Ichigo and Rangiku watching him opened mouth with incredulity written all over their faces.



“What?”



“Toushirou…I never knew…you could be that… cunning,” said Rangiku.



“Well, it would be priceless to see Byakuya’s face if Yachiru is the one asking the question,” commented Hitsugaya shrugging.



“I like the way you think,” said Rangiku, smiling at him.



Hitsugaya smiled back at her, “I’m going now, take care of yourself. I won’t be long, but do you want something from the Real World?”



“No, I already gave you my list, right?” she said with a hint of sadness in her voice; Hitsugaya nodded and she bowed slightly to kiss him on his lips. “Be careful.”



“Okay, Kurosaki, out of my office.”



“What? Why?” asked Ichigo.



“I don’t want you anywhere near my girlfriend,” said Hitsugaya. Rangiku watched amused at his words and the way Ichigo was reacting. “And I need to talk to you.”



Curious, Ichigo followed the young taichou out to the entrance of the Tenth Division barracks where Hitsugaya decided he was far enough from Rangiku’s ears.



“So, are you going to talk or what?” asked Ichigo even more curious than before when he noticed that Hitsugaya was reluctant to say anything at all. Toushirou glared at Ichigo before sighing.



“I…I need help,” he said, low and with a hint of embarrassment in his expression.



“Help? The great Hitsugaya-taichou?” he couldn’t help it, he had to tease Toushirou, it was way too fun to miss it. Toushirou’s glare intensified at his words.



“Don’t flatter yourself; you’re the only one doing nothing at all that could help me out!”



“Hey, that hurts! If you haven’t noticed I have a kid, a crazy girlfriend, a strict teacher and lots of stuff to take care of,” said Ichigo. “I’m not exactly ‘doing nothing.’”



“Okay, okay; all this nonsense is taking us nowhere,” said Hitsugaya. In an odd moment of sympathy, Ichigo put a hand on Hitsugaya’s shoulder, making the white-haired Captain look at Ichigo.



“What can I help you with?” he said in a serious voice; Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes trying to find any traces of teasing or anything that could indicate that Ichigo was playing with him. But he found none of that.



“I need help moving some stuff from my place so I can start…I can do…my baby’s room.” There he said it, it wasn’t that difficult.



Ichigo opened his eyes in surprise at the request, it wasn’t that big at all, but he suspected that for Hitsugaya it was really hard to ask for something so simple. Why? Ichigo decided that he better not ask that; after all, that was what friends were for.



“Sure, whenever you want I’ll help you out with that. I take it your visit to the Real World has something to do with this?”



“Yes,” said Hitsugaya, while sighing in relief. He didn’t think that Ichigo would accept so easily, but was kind of glad he did. He would never, ever, admit it out loud but he…he…



You tolerate him, right? Asked Hyorinmaru casually, Hitsugaya let out a small smile.



‘Yeah, I tolerate him.’



“Good, then don’t worry; I’ll would help you with that and with the nursery if you want to.”



“That would be good.” Hitsugaya was tempted to say something else, but he turned around and left, leaving a smirking Ichigo behind, who, after he made sure Hitsugaya was gone, made his way back to the Tenth division where Rangiku (and lot of work) was waiting for him.





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“Oh, it’s you, Toushirou-chan,” Hitsugaya glared at Kurosaki Karin, who simply ignored him to look behind him. “Isn’t Ichi-nii and Rukia with you?”



“It’s Hitsugaya to you, and no he didn’t come,” said the young taichou.



“Yeah, whatever. So, what do you want?” Hitsugaya twitched in annoyance; the girl was just too much like Kurosaki for his own liking.



“Now, now, Karin-chan, is that a nice way to treat Ichigo’s friends?” said Isshin, appearing behind Karin.



“No, of course not, but he is way too easy to tease,” she answered with amusement that Hitsugaya certainly didn’t share.



“Kurosaki-san, may I speak with you?” said Hitsugaya bowing slightly, then glaring at Karin. “Alone?”



Isshin chuckled and nodded his head, “Of course, come, we can talk in the clinic.”



Hitsugaya followed the man inside the clinic, leaving behind his daughter; once inside he signalled a chair. There was a moment of silence in which Isshin kept his eyes on Hitsugaya. They hadn’t seen or talked to each other ever since that day, over two months ago before the winter war. Hitsugaya knew that Kurosaki was forced to tell his family about his life as a shinigami, he also knew that Kurosaki Isshin had never mentioned anything about his own ability to see ghosts or… the fact that he was a former shinigami.



“So, this silence is kind of uncomfortable,” said Isshin with a smile. “Let’s see, I have to thank you, Toushirou-san.”



“Thank me? For what? If anything I should be the one…”



“No, you never said anything about me,” said Isshin with a serious expression. “For that I’m very thankful. But it isn’t only that, I want to thank you for being friends with Ichigo.”



Isshin pulled out a picture of Ichigo when was a little kid; behind him was his mother, both of them were smiling widely at the camera, and Hitsugaya had to suppress his own smile. The scene was kind of alien if he were to compare it to the current Ichigo he knew.



“I haven’t seen him smile that much since his mother died. But I started seeing traces of…his old self the moment he met Rukia and the rest of you,” said Isshin; Hitsugaya looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his expression. Isshin waved his hand and leant on his desk. “But I bet you didn’t come here to see embarrassing pictures of my son. Tell me, what can I do for you?”



“Well, I need some advice for…for the nursery,” said Hitsugaya after a moment of silence. “I was wondering, since you’ve done this before…that maybe you could help me out.”



“Of course!! No need to say anything else,” said Isshin standing up; just in that moment Yuzu entered the place and looked at Toushirou with a gentle smile and bowed slightly at him.



“So, Karin-chan was right. It’s good to see you again, Hitsugaya-san!” said the girl to which Hitsugaya couldn’t help but smile back and greeted her with the same enthusiasm. After all, she was the only one in the Kurosaki family that had any sense of manners and always referred to him with his last name and a proper suffix.



“Lunch is ready,” she said. Hitsugaya was invited by Isshin; the young taichou tried to excuse himself but Isshin said that Yuzu-chan would be really offended and wounded in her heart if the young Captain refused the invitation. Yuzu merely nodded her head at her father’s words, and Hitsugaya knew that he didn’t have any option. When the both of them were making their way to the house an evil smirk formed on Hitsugaya’s face.



“Kurosaki-san, I was wondering if you have those…embarrassing pictures of Kurosaki.” Hitsugaya commented casually; Isshin turned around and smiled a little.



“Oh, I would be delight to show you some of them over lunch.”





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Parties in Soul Society were very common. Parties in Seireitei were even more common, overall if the eleventh squad, Kyouraku Shunsui and Matsumoto Rangiku were involved. Their parties were legendary, and whoever was invited was in for the best experience, or at least that’s what the rumours said, since the amount of sake made them forget half of the crazy (if not stupid) things they tended to do.



Night had fallen some time ago, the air around them was warm and welcoming, and the sound of music was filling the atmosphere around them. Matsumoto watched as her drinking partners, Ichigo along with Rukia and Nel and most of the taichou and fukutaichou attended the ‘small’ party she had planned for Toushirou. And, it was a good excuse for all of them to relax and try to forget the lost and the scars that war had left them.



It was something she wanted to do for him, for all the things he’d been doing for her over the years she’d been by his side; for the things he’d been doing for her the last five months.



“I just hope he likes the surprise.”



“What surprise?” said a voice behind her; as usual, she jumped, startled, and turned around to see Hitsugaya Toushirou smiling amusedly at her.



“Toushirou!” Ukitake, Kyouraku and Nanao shared a knowing smile at the spark of happiness that appeared in Matsumoto and Hitsugaya’s eyes. “You meany! How many times have I told you to not do that!”



“Do what?” replied Hitsugaya with a smirk.



“Startle me like that, you know how much they hurt these days?” replied Matsumoto with a pout pointing at her breast, making Hitsugaya blush, “Now, I’ll need a massage from you so they don’t ache so much!”



“R-Rangiku!” this last comment made both Ukitake and Kyouraku spill their drinks and Hitsugaya and Nanao blushed and looked at her reproachfully.



“You’re impossible,” Toushirou said. After a moment, he looked around and saw familiar faces in the yard of his division. “So, what surprise were you talking about?”



“Ran-chan here organized a little birthday party for you,” said Kyouraku while pouring another cup of sake.



“And all of us came here for the celebration,” said Ukitake with a gentle smile. “I guess, this is a happy belated birthday.”



“You did all of this for my birthday?” asked Hitsugaya, amazed; Rangiku nodded her head and sighed happily when his lips made contact with hers. “Thank you.”



“It was nothing, I wanted to do something special for you… and, I’ll give you the third part of your birthday gift at home,” she said, smirking at him.



“Would you please stop making those commentaries with people around?” he said, a little mortified at the knowing grins on Ukitake’s and Kyouraku’s faces.



“Nah, it’s way too much fun to say them out loud.” He rolled his eyes at that and decided to do a quick check of who was at this ‘party’.



He saw Kusajishi bothering Byakuya, who was looking down at her with a cold glare that the girl seemed unaware of. Instead she kept rambling on and on until something she said caught Byakuya’s attention.



“Toushirou-kun, what were you doing in the Real World?” Hitsgaya’s attention drifted from the scene between Byakuya and Yachiru until he saw Kyouraku, Ukitake, Nanao and Rangiku looking at him with interest.



“Yeah, what were you doing in the Real World?” asked Rangiku, grabbing his arm and making him sit beside her. “Now that I think about it you never told me.”



“You never asked,” he said simply. “But, I was… doing something that… well…”



This made the present company look with more curiosity than before at the young taichou who seemed reluctant to answer that question. Funnily enough, it was Zaraki Kenpachi who was the one to save him from answering the question.



“Hn, Hime-chan is in for a big surprise,” said Zaraki with a smile that he only reserved for Yachiru and one of her special ‘practices’.



“What do you mean?” The man merely nodded in the direction in which Yachiru was bouncing up and down in front of a small table with Byakuya sitting on the other side with a small frown noticeable on his face.



“He wants to play shogi with her,” said Kenpachi; to Hitsugaya’s surprise this brought chuckles from Kyouraku, Matsumoto and Nanao.



“What’s so amusing about it?” asked a confused Ukitake.



“A long time ago, when Nanao-chan was trying to distract Yachiru, she showed her the game,” explained Rangiku.



“I never thought she would get interested considering…”Nanao trailed off, not wanting to say anything about the man beside her; Kenpachi snorted.



“Of course I would prefer she played something more normal like poker or Hollow-hunting, or something like that…”



Hitsugaya had to refrain himself from snorting or making some comment about what Kenpachi may consider ‘normal’. He didn’t understand how poker or that ‘hollow-haunting’ thing was more normal for a girl like Yachiru than shogi, in which she needed to use the brains that the eleventh division usually overlooked.



“But, Yachiru-chan learnt how to play and she’s even better than my Nanao-chan at it.”



There was silence for a moment and they watched as Byakuya’s face changed slowly from serious to incredulous while Yachiru kept rambling on and on. Hitsugaya snickered at the sight and he could hear Rangiku giggling as well; Zaraki turned around and pulled out a big bottle that he gave to Hitsugaya.



“I would probably have made sure that on your birthday you became a man,” said Zaraki with a leer, “But I see you already took care of that.”



Both Toshiro and Rangiku blushed at Zaraki’s words and the way he nodded his head to Rangiku’s noticeable stomach, “So, I figured that I’d introduce you to wonders of sake. Here, Happy Birthday, Shrimp.”



“If, according to you, I became a man,” began Hitsugaya, slightly irritated at the ‘shrimp’ word, his blush still there, “Then, why don’t you address me correctly.”



“Ah, I’d probably do that, if ya were as tall as me…or, if ya can out-drink me,” replied Zaraki to Hitsugaya’s growing annoyance.



“Ah, touché; well played Zaraki-taichou,” said Kyouraku, taking the bottle that Hitsugaya was holding hesitant;y. “Ne, let’s see if we get Toushirou-kun to finally drink some.”



“No, I’ll pass.”



“No, you have to drink Toushirou!” whined Rangiku with a pout, “It’s your birthday and I promise nothing bad is going to happen.”



“Oh, no. I’ve seen the way you wake up after one of those,” said Hitsugaya, signalling the bottle. “I’m not drinking.”



“But, it’s only fair!” said Kyouraku. Ukitake drank some of his own sake, amused at Hitsugaya’s face and what Kyouraku may thing about ‘fair’.



“What do you mean is ‘only fair’?”



“Well, since Ran-chan can’t drink, you should drink for her!!” Ukitake and Nanao rolled their eyes at Kyouraku’s logic; Hitsugaya glared at the man while Rangiku was nodding her head in approval.



“Nah let him be,” said Zaraki, surprising them. “The Shrimp is just afraid.”



“I’m not afraid, and would you stop calling me that?” said an irritated Hitsugaya.



Matsumoto kissed him softly on the cheek before standing up and walking away from them with Nanao close beside her.



“He seems to be having fun, isn’t he?” Nanao lifted her eyebrow at those words; she turned around and saw the heated conversation between them and turned to a smiling Rangiku.



“If by fun, you mean that he is about to unsheath Hyorinmaru and fight my Taichou and Zaraki-taichou, then yes, he’s having tons of fun.”



“Oh, Nanao-chan, no need to be sarcastic.” Rangiku looked behind her to see Hitsugaya holding a cup. “Even if he doesn’t show it, I know he’s having fun. He just needs…motivation.”



“Motivation? What kind of motivation does he have, apart from Zaraki-taichou and my taichou’s reiatsu trying to submit him?”



“Maybe, that massage I said he should give me?” said Rangiku with a finger on her chin and an innocent expression on her face. “Or, the third part of my birthday gift for him.”



“You’re impossible,” said Nanao rolling her eyes, the both of them made their way to where Ichigo, Rukia and Nel were watching Renji.



“What are you doing?” asked Rangiku with curiosity.



“Renji is dancing in circles, showing us how good white looks on him,” commented Ichigo dryly.



“And it’s not just the white, you know? It’s the way this thing fits me properly and the number…” said Renji turning his head to try and see the kanji for nine on the back. “Well, I would prefer the six or the number one, but I think nine is a good number.”



“He was given the title yesterday, but it wasn’t until today that he got the haori,” commented Rukia, turning around to talk with Matsumoto while Ichigo made some comment that started another fight between him and Renji. “And he hasn’t stopped boasting about it.”



“Yeah, he’s bothering Hisagi into calling him ‘Abarai-taichou’,” said Ichigo, rolling his eyes. “He even tried to make me do that…as if.”



“I bet; at least he likes the haori and the title,” said Rangiku, nodding towards Ikkaku who was arguing with Kira for what seemed the hundredth time.



“I already told you, I’m not using that! I haven’t said yes!”



“B-but Taichou!”



“Stop calling me that Kira or I swear….”



“Oh for the love of…stop complaining, Ikkaku, it isn’t that bad!” said Yumichika. “At least, you still have the lovely number three.”



“You shut up! I ask for you to support me in this and what do I get?” Kira let out a small smirk at Ikkaku’s antics while trying to show him the haori of the third division once again.



“Come on, Taichou!” Kira said again.



“I think Kira-fukutaichou is having too much fun with this,” commented Nanao while Ikkaku grabbed Kira by his robes and yelled at him for calling him taichou, while Yumichika put in his two cents, which only made Ikkaku more pissed.



“Yeah, I haven’t seen him smile like that since…” Rangiku trailed off but no one said anything else.



There was a moment of silence between them that was only interrupted by the multiple screams and chatter going on around them. Nanao watched her friend for a moment, noticing her paled face and the traces of tiredness in her.



“Come on, let’s go over there and sit, you don’t look that well.” Rangiku rolled her eyes at the evident tone of command from Nanao and the concern in her eyes.



“I swear you’re even worse than Toushirou,” she said, pouting slightly while taking the seat Nanao had signalled.



“He is very dedicated and he worries about you very much,” said Nanao, “As I do, too.”



“I know, I know,” said Rangiku, “so, since you’re worried and all…”



“What do you want?”



“Nanao-chan! Is that all you think about me?!” Nanao lifted a single eyebrow while Rangiku put a hand to her chest. “I’m very wounded, I was merely… well, trying to make conversation.”



“Okay, what do you want to talk about?” said Nanao; Matsumoto grinned at her.



“The dango you bought is so delicious!!”



“You want some?” asked Nanao already knowing the answer.



“If you don’t mind.” Nanao left Rangiku mumbling something that the woman couldn’t understand.



“Ichigo!” waved Rangiku when she noticed him with Nel, trying to escape whatever fight had broke between Ikkaku and Renji.



“Rangiku-san, what are you doing here by yourself?” asked Ichigo sitting himself beside her, Nel climbing on top of his lap. “I heard that Toushirou is already here, but I haven’t seen him.”



“Oh, he is over there, trying to throw away the sake Shun-kun and Zaraki-taichou are trying to give him.” Ichigo turned around and saw Hitsugaya spilling the sake he had in the cup, while Zaraki and Kyouraku were totally unaware of it, Ukitake had an amused expression while watching the scene.



“I can see that.”



“Is it true you got a baby there?” asked Nel after a moment. Rangiku looked at her and smiled softly, nodding her head.



“Did you find out why I have one in here?” asked Rangiku with a grin; Ichigo merely shiver at the memory of what had happened after Rukia found out what he had done.



Nel nodded her head but a frown formed on her face, “I did, but Byaku-jii just babbled for a long time and Rukia came and she also babbled and then she said that when I was older she was going to tell me and that she was going to kill Daddy.”



“Yeah, I kind of escaped after I gave Yachiru Byakuya’s shogi board to keep her occupied and Rukia…well…”



“I don’t want Itsygo dead!” exclaimed Nel hugging Ichigo very tightly.



“I bet you don’t.”



“Can I touch it?” asked Nel, Rangiku looked at her confusedly until the little girl signalled her tummy shyly.



“Oh, well…” Rangiku looked at Ichigo who merely shrugged, not really knowing what to say. “I guess you can.”



“But, be careful Nel, you know there is a baby in there,” warned Ichigo; Nel nodded excitedly and after many attempts she softly touched Rangiku’s growing tummy. Nel’s eyes opened wide and she looked at Ichigo with excitement.



“So, how are things with… Hinamori?” asked Rangiku trying to sound casual and not really interested in the topic. Ichigo fidgeted, a frown forming on his face.



“Well, she is better now, but… kind of mad at you and Toushirou. Aizen did a god job on her and somehow made her…” Ichigo trailed off trying to look for the right words. “Look, she is mad, because she thought that if it wasn’t Aizen then Toushirou was her next option.”



“Option of what?” asked Rangiku in a cold tone, her eyes narrowing dangerously at the mere thought of what Hinamori was thinking.



“Option of a life, of a family, a boyfriend?” said Ichigo shrugging. “I don’t really understand, but I guess she only needs time… and someone not as… bad as Aizen.”



They fell silent after that; Matsumoto was trying hard not to think about Hinamori and, in her opinion, her childish and selfish behaviour towards Toushirou. It’d been weeks since they talked and every time Toushirou tried to talk to her the girl ignored him in the worst way. Even if she hated to admit it, and she felt her blood boil at the mere thought, she knew her taichou missed Hinamori and that he wanted to get things right with her. She was family after all.



Rangiku looked down to see that Nel was still playing by herself, touching Rangiku’s tummy and pulling her hand away almost immediately. This only made her smile; she wondered if her daughter would be that cute. She realized that with a mum like her and a dad like Toushirou their daughter would be more adorable. She couldn’t wait to see his face when she told him.



“Hey, how are you?” said a voice in her ear; she turned around to look at a grinning Hitsugaya behind her.



“I’m fine, how about you?” she asked.



“Well, Ukitake helped me escape those two. And I saw you here with Kurosaki and Nel.”



“So, did you like the party?” asked Ichigo; Hitsugaya sat to Rangiku’s right side and the woman took advantage of that and leant against Toushirou, letting her head rest on his shoulder.



“It’s good, I guess.”



The rest of the night they sat there talking about various topics; Hitsugaya found that Kurosaki could be quite intelligent and fun to talk with. He also discovered that the rest of the people present in his party were…like a family. It was then that he noticed how much Soul Society had changed, how much the relationship between them had changed. It was about to be midnight when Rangiku left him to return minutes later with a big cake, which Nanao had assure him Rangiku didn’t have anything to do with the preparation of.



The cake was served and everybody was just making as much noise as they could. Rangiku was trying to feed Toushirou while he was glaring at her, saying that there was no way in hell that he was going to allow that. It was fairly normal, nothing that different from what they were used to, and after a long argument, a twitching eyebrow and a dead glare, Hitsugaya obediently opened is mouth.



“Poor Hitsugaya-taichou, if his daughter is going to end up like Matsumoto…” said Ikkaku who promptly shut his mouth at the sudden silence that formed around them.



“What?” asked Hitsugaya shocked.



Ikkaku gulped when he felt the murderous looked that Rangiku was sending his way, while Hitsugaya seemed about ready to faint.



“You idiot! Couldn’t you shut your mouth!” exclaimed Matsumoto standing up lifting her reiatsu and pointing all her killing intent at Ikkaku, who was looking desperately for a way out; but no one seemed very eager to give him one.



“H-hey, stop it! I’m a Captain now!” said the bald man, grabbing Kira who still had the haori of the Third Division Captain in his hands.



“Now you’re a Captain when less than a minute ago you didn’t want anything to do with it?” said Rangiku. “Come here so I can kick your ass for…”



“We…we’re having a girl?” was the sudden mumble coming from Toushirou.



Rangiku turned to him and crossed her arms, clearly annoyed by the fact that it was another person and not her who was the one to break the news to him. Ukitake and Kyouraku watched the scene with smiles on their faces; most everyone else was doing the same. Ikkaku was sulking and whispering to himself that no one had said that the sex of the baby was a secret.



“Yes, we are,” said Rangiku, still so upset that she never noticed the growing grin on her taichou’s face or the sudden gleam in his eyes. “It was part of your surprise; I was going to tell you after the cake, but the idiot over there ha…”



Her talking was interrupt by a pair of lips against hers, and after the initial shock she gave in to the soft and sensual kiss that Toushirou was giving to her. The party guests soon found something to occupy themselves with and let the pair alone.



“Ah, if only my Nanao-chan would do something like that!” said Kyouraku. Ukitake chuckled while Nanao glared at her Captain, fan in hand, ready to hit her Captain if needed. “Maybe Ran-chan’s and Toushirou’s daughter would have a playmate of her age.”



Kyouraku smiled softly when the hit of the fan arrived; he turned around and saw a blushing Nanao glaring at him, but her usual glare had a soft spot that surprised the Captain of the eighth division.



“Maybe, Captain, if you do things right and in order, a dinner first would be a good beginning.” She left after that, leaving an open mouthed Kyouraku; Ukitake leaned in and chuckled before saying, “I know a good restaurant that I’m sure Nanao-san would enjoy immensely.”



“They actually make a …mmhmm…good couple,” said Renji, drinking some sake; Ikkaku and Yumichika looked over to Hitsugaya and Rangiku, who were close to each other, talking and smiling.



“Yeah, who would think that Hitsugaya-taichou would end up with Matsumoto?” commented Kira.



“I thought she was going to kill him after we left out about that night,” said Ikkaku; Yumichika shook his head and smiled.



“What is it?”



“I was just imagining how beautiful that girl is going to be,” said Yumichika. “And how lucky she is. Much like Yachiru or Nel.”



“What do you mean?”



“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.” Said Yumichika, Renji, Ikkaku and Kira shook their heads and the new third seat of the eleventh division sighed exasperatedly. “Ukitake-taichou is like a kid at Christmas, he’s been trying anything to made Rangiku-san and Hitsugaya-taichou’s lives easier, and he seems very eager at the prospect of a child from them. Much like Kyouraku-taichou.”



“I still don’t get it.”



“I’m not surprised, you’re kind of slow,” said Ichigo to Renji. The red-head glared at Ichigo, but before anything could be said or done Ichigo continued. “Their daughter is some kind of miracle; if I heard right, the first one to be born after a hundred years. And Ukitake-san and Kyouraku-san look like grandparents ready to spoil their new granddaughter senseless.”



“Well, if you put it that way…” said Renji.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



“So, you like the surprise?” asked Rangiku after Toushirou broke the kiss.



“I…I love it!” he said and Rangiku giggled at his obvious excitement and hugged him tightly. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? When did you find out? Why did Madarame know?”



“I wanted to surprise you; I found out while you were in the hospital, I was really sad and Haineko told me to cheer me up; a few days later Unohana-taichou confirmed her words. And Ikkaku knew, because he and Yumichika overheard the conversation I was having with Nanao.”



“This is the best surprise you could give me, thank you,” said Toushirou. Then, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes and smirk forming on his face, he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I can hardly wait for the third part of the surprise.”



“I see that Hyorinmaru does have some influence in you,” said Rangiku, smiling at him. Hitsugaya shrugged his shoulders.



“It’s kind of hard not to, when he is inside your head talking and talking and never shuts up.”



Hey! That hurt! I’m a very loyal, lovable and handsome zanpakutou with good advises! Otherwise you wouldn’t have such a beautiful girlfriend like Rangiku-chan!”



“I would love to give you the third part, you know? But I’m tired.” Hitsugaya looked kind of disappointed hearing that, but he tried to hide it from Rangiku.



“Oh, sure…I mean this party was great and I guess you spent most of your day preparing it.” Rangiku watched his reaction closely and a smirk appeared on her face.



“You sound, and look, disappointed.”



“Who? Me? No, I mean, sure I was… but… you’re tired and, well, you’re well being is first then…”



Okay, now say all of that again without stuttering and that tone of voice, and maybe she will believe you.



“You know? I can repay you later…” she leaned close to his ear and purred while saying. “You can ask anything you want me to do.”



Hitsugaya’s face went red, his breathing was laboured and he was trying hard not to do anything at all that would give his feelings and reactions away.



“I…I…I will make you pay for this,” he said, trying to sound menacing but his voice was kind of weak. Rangiku giggled and kiss him softly on the lips.



“I’ll hold you to that. Shall we go?”



“I thought you said you were tired?” asked Hitsugaya with an eyebrow lifted; Rangiku rolled her eyes and nodded her head.



“Yes, I am. And I mean it when I said that later I’m going to do whatever you want but…I’m sleepy and my feet and back are killing me.”



“Very well, let’s go.”



So, how is that cold shower? Eh? Did you take care of your little problem?? Eh? Eh? Hitsugaya growled at the amused tone on his zanpakutou voice and the obvious leer he was wearing. The damn dragon was having way too much fun, and he wouldn’t stop passing some…memories of him and Rangiku while he was trying to calm down a little and take an equally calming shower.



‘Shut up! You’re a very annoying zanpakutou, you know that?’



Yeah, but you love me anyway.



‘No, I don’t; I just have to put up with your antics because of some cruel joke of destiny or life or whatever!’



Y-you don’t love me?asked Hyorinmaru in a voice filled with sorrow that made Hitsugaya roll his eyes.



‘Oh, for the love of…are you crying? What does Haineko think about you crying all the time?’



She says that if I shut up she …well, you know… the way he was smiling like an idiot (in Hitsugaya’s opinion) and the way he was wiggling his eyebrows told Hitsugaya what he needed to know. The young taichou shuddered at the mere thought.



‘How can you two have... never mind, I’m going to bed.’



Oh, you were about to ask how we have sex, weren’t you? Well, it’s much like…



‘Don’t you dare to finish that thought or else I swear I’m going to put you into a volcano or something!’ That shut the dragon up long enough for Hitsugaya to lie down beside Rangiku who was fast asleep on her back. Hitsugaya watched her for a moment, lost in thought and in the image in front of him, when Hyorinmaru decided to talk again.



You know? She moves when she hears your voice.



‘She? You mean…’



Yeah, you’re little girl recognizes your voice; even if Rangiku-chan doesn’t feel her move she does it.



Hitsugaya moved slightly so he was in a sitting position beside Rangiku. Making sure that he wasn’t about to wake her up he leaned closer to her stomach and put a hand there, thinking on what Hyorinmaru had just said.



‘You’re not mocking me?’



No, he is not. She really recognizes both of your voices and moves every time she hears you. This time it was Haineko who talked.



Hitsugaya took a deep breath, “Hey, there.” His voice was just above a whisper, and in reality was trembling a little. He felt like an idiot, but at the same time he could feel Haineko and Hyorinmaru urging him on, to talk to his daughter. He grinned, he was having a baby girl with Rangiku, he was starting a family.



She is moving!!! She is moving!!! Haineko and Hitsugaya rolled their eyes at the sight of Hyorinmaru jumping up and down like a kid.



‘Really? Haineko, do you think I can…I can feel her?’ The Ash cat hesitated for a moment before doing what she had done once to him. And after a moment he felt it again, the small but growing reiatsu of his daughter, his and Rangiku’s.



Go on, talk to her. Rangiku’s been doing that for a long time and she likes it when Rangiku talks to her, but your voice has a funny effect on her.



Gulping slightly Hitsugaya settled in, with the encouragement of the two zanpakuto spirits, and started talking all night long until sleep overcame him.





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Okay, I was talking once with my sister and she said that she could imagine Yachiru learning how to play shogi if Nanao explained it to her in the right way. You know, changing certain words like instead of \'capture\' the pieces that you actualy \'eat\' the pieces...or something like that, I swear this sounds more convincing when we were talking about it.



Like I said before I like Stark and Hallibel, so they don\'t die, instead they kind of share their time with Ukitake and Kyouraku.



I guess this all for today, but I would come back next week.



Don\'t forget to review!