Leave Out All the Rest

Hello my dear friends and readers. I\'m in a good mood today, if you\'re wndering about the greeting. Okay, this is a new chapter and little by little this story is nearing it\'s end. I have to say that I love this story and I dedicated a good amount of time to it, so I\'m really happy every time I read a review or when people just read it; so I don\'t write it only to me but to you too.



But there is going to be time for a good bye, for now just read, enjoy and review!





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Chapter 22



Making amends, asking questions



There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence between them.



Hinamori lowered her face with a frown in place when she remembered how conversation between them used to be so fluent and normal. Now, it was awkward and there was a tension in the air around them; something that she just knew was partly her fault.



Was she really so blind before?



“So, would you like something to drink?” The question coming from Hitsugaya broke the silence between them; Hinamori lifted her head and let a soft smile appear on her face while she shook her head.



“No, thank you, but I think they’re waiting for you,” she said softly. “I won’t’ take too long.”



Well, she better not take too long or I’m going to make sure she leaves right away, said Haineko, growling softly; Toshiro didn’t say anything but he was sure that, in a way, they could sense his agreement.



It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to talk with Hinamori, but he would rather be with Rangiku than with Hinamori; overall if the girl was going to throw a tantrum or keep giving him the cold shoulder because of his relationship with Rangiku.



“Yes, they probably are,” he said with an even tone. “So, what brings you here?”



Hinamori flinched slightly at the tone of voice he used, she turned to him and showed him a blue package she had in her hands but Toshiro hadn’t noticed until then. He went to grab it when a small cloud of ashes appeared in between him and Hinamori. The fukutaichou of the fifth division opened her eyes in surprise while Toshiro frown slightly.



‘Why did you do that? It was rude, not to mention unnecessary.’



Oh, just to make sure she knows you’re not alone…I have to protect my Mistress’s mate.



That’s my little kitty, show her! Show her!! said Hyorinmaru, hiding behind Haineko while Toshiro merely rolled his eyes at both of them.



Hinamori looked at Toshiro and it was then when she noticed that along with Hyorinmaru, he had another zanpakutou there. “Is that…?”



“Haineko? Yes, it is,” said Toshiro, looking at Hinamori apologetically. “Rangiku forgot Haineko this morning. She and Hyorinmaru threw a fit until I decided to come here for her.”



Toshiro could feel the two zanpakutou carefully listening to the conversation he was having with Hinamori; he could sense the slightly annoyance from both of them and could see how shocked Hinamori was at those words. He couldn’t blame her; no one could touch another shinigami zanpakutou; for him to have Haineko in his hands meant that not only Rangiku trusted him but Haineko did as well.



“I didn’t know…” ‘She trusts you that much’. Hinamori frowned slightly and she remembered the time she tried to grab Hyorinmaru but the zanpakutou almost froze her hand. “I…still remember that time I tried to grabbed Hyorinmaru.”



Oh, yeah…I remember, now that was funny! commented Hyorinmaru, to which Hitsugaya glare at him, Of course it was funny until you started screaming at me for trying to freeze her to death.



“Yeah,” another silence, Haineko moved impatiently and let out a loud growl that caught Toshiro’s attention.



Are you going anywhere with this non-existent conversation? Mistress is waiting! Toshiro shuddered at the tone of voice the Ash-cat had used and how annoyed she was. Now he understood Hyorinmaru a little.



“So, what’s in that package?” said Toshiro, nearing Hinamori; the girl looked at it and gave it to Toshiro; this time there wasn’t any kind of interruption from Haineko.



“I came here for two things, Hitsugaya-kun.” Toshiro looked Hinamori in the eyes and the girl fidgeted nervously before continuing. “The first thing is to apologize for my actions.”



This not only surprised Toshiro, but Hyorinmaru and Haineko; the latter two narrowed their eyes at the girl’s words, though they were slightly open to hear her explanations.



“I had a long talk with Kurosaki-taichou.” Toshiro snorted at hearing Hinamori address Ichigo with his new title. “And then with granny, and then with Kira-kun and Abarai-kun.”



Hinamori giggled slightly and for a moment his old childhood friend could be seen behind her tired and sad expression.



“And they were right; I was being selfish and unfair with you and Rangiku-san.” Toshiro moved a little not really knowing what to do, but Hinamori merely continued her rambling, “I just want to say that I’m really sorry for my attitude and well… I’m happy that you’re happy.”



Once again Hinamori surprised Toshiro; the young taichou looked at his childhood friend, who was looking at him, nervous and expectant, waiting for him to say something. Toshiro heard as Haineko and Hyorinmaru whispered between them and then turned to Toshiro.



Well, I want to send Hinamori to a mental hospital, but Haineko thinks you will probably have a better idea. Toshiro rolled his eyes; trust Hyorinmaru to think something so… idiotic; thank God he has Haineko, otherwise….



“You don’t have to apologize, Momo.” The girl in front of him sighed in relief and cheered up some when she heard him call her given name, rather than her last name. “I guess, it will take time, but… you’re still family.”



She smiled softly at those words. “Thank you, you don’t know how much that means to me. This leads me to the second reason as to why I’m here.”



Toshiro eyed her curiously and she merely signaled the package that Toshiro was holding, “I received an invitation from Nanao-san to the… baby shower.”



“So, are you coming?”



“No, I would like to talk with Rangiku-san before I… I think it would be better.”



Well, the girl has survival instincts…Mistress would be really displeased unless she tried to explain herself first. Hitsugaya hid his smile from Hinamori while he could hear Hyorinmaru softly chuckle at Haineko’s comment.



“So, this is for me?” asked Toshiro going back to his conversation with Hinamori; the girl merely giggled and shook her head.



“No, but I did buy it thinking about you.”



“What do you mean?” asked Toshiro, confused.



“Go on, open it.”



Toshiro opened the package and his eyes opened wide when he noticed a small, pink blanket inside, the texture and the design were an exact replica of the one he had hidden in a secure place, though his was blue.



Don’t worry no one is going to know that you keep it on your desk so you can take your usual afternoon naps.



Yes, Toshiro-kun, don’t worry Mistress only told half of Soul Society about it… Toshiro’s eyebrow twitched at Hyorinmaru’s and Haineko’s words, but he decide to ignore them to pay attention to a very expectant Hinamori.



“I said I bought it thinking about you but this is for… for your daughter.” Toshiro’s eyes opened wide in realization. “I still remember how you clutched your blue blanket when you were a little kid. I just thought it would be nice if… if she has something like that.”



“It’s really nice. Thank you, Momo,” he said, eying the blanket, already imagining his daughter doing the same thing he did with his own blanket.



“It was nothing, it’s the least I can do for… for everything,” she said, smiling softly at Toshiro who merely nodded his head.



Well, she does have to ask forgiveness for a lot of things…said Hyorinmaru, I guess this is a good start.



“I have to go now,” said Toshiro hearing for the third time Haineko’s growl of impatience, “I would like for you to come to the celebration, but if you think it’s better to talk to Rangiku first…”



“It’s okay. I only wanted to give you the gift; either way I have to finish some reports,” she said with a soft smile.



“Very well, thank you, Momo. I really appreciate this. Not only the gift but your words,” he said.



“Well, then… I have to go.”



“Yeah, me too. Rangiku must be really anxious waiting for the three of us,” said Toshiro signalling himself and the two zanpakutou he had on his back.



Toshiro watched as Hinamori walked the other way before he started making his way to the eighth division barracks.



‘Well, that’s a nice change, right?’



Mhm, yeah… I guess so, however I still think my idea of the mental hospital was good.



A few minutes later he made his way over to Rangiku, who was sitting and talking with Nanao, Rukia and Orihime.



“Toshiro-kun! How are you?” greeted the orange-headed girl as she launched herself at and hugged a very surprised Hitsugaya.



“I’m fine, thank you Inoue. How about you?” he said while hugging her back in a very awkward way.



“What took you so long?” asked Rangiku with a pout once she got to talk with him alone; the others went back to their conversation while Toshiro put the pink blanket on Rangiku’s lap. “Who give you this?”



“Hinamori.” Rangiku turned around; she had a frown on her face and was about to talk when Toshiro interrupted her. “She came to apologize and…to bring the blanket. She said it was a gift for the baby.”



Rangiku went silent for a moment, thinking about what Toshiro had said; inside her head she could hear Haineko’s brief explanation of what had happened.



‘Well, I have to agree with Hyorinmaru…’ Haineko rolled her eyes while Hyorinmaru merely smiled cheekily. Rangiku turned to see that Toshiro was waiting some kind of reaction from her, with reluctance she looked over the blanket.



“I guess I’ll have to thank her. Later.”



“You don’t have to, if you don’t want.” Rangiku looked at Toshiro and sighed, remembering the picture of Gin and her he put in the studio. “No, it’s okay. I guess it’s silly to keep this up, you know?”



Toshiro smiled gratefully at her and just because she didn’t want him to forget she hugged him in a possessive manner, mumbling ‘I love you’.





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The opportunity to talk with Hinamori didn’t present itself until two months later, though that could be because both women were kind of reluctant to talk to each other, if for different reasons.



Rangiku was ordered to remain at home due to an incident involving Haineko, Yachiru, Nel and a demonstration of Rangiku’s shikai – due to her pregnancy and the way her reiatsu was acting in her state, though Rangiku never considered that it could be really dangerous. Of course, the moment she tried to summon Haineko the fluctuation in her reiatsu provoked a big explosion and made her lose consciousness.



When she woke up she could sense Toshiro’s reiatsu all over the place; she could sense the fear, the worry and the guilty coming from him. After a long lecture from a frowning Unohana she found herself in front of her very angry taichou, who merely sighed in relief at seeing her well before disappearing.



“I still think he is overreacting,” said Rangiku for the umpteenth time that day; Nanao frowned at her.



I think so, too, Mistress; Hyorinmaru isn’t even talking to me…he cut our connection, said Haineko with a pouting expression.



“I don’t think Hitsugaya-taichou is overreacting, Rangiku,” said Nanao; Rangiku sat back on the chair still pouting slightly.



“But, how should I know what would happen if I use shikai?” said Rangiku.



“Isane told you the last time that due to the fluctuations in your reiatsu it was better if you didn’t use it!” exclaimed Nanao; new tears appeared on Rangiku’s eyes and Nanao’s expression softened.



“Look, you have to understand Hitsugaya-taichou. He was scared. The moment we felt it…even I was scared. You were very lucky that, apparently, Haineko wasn’t the only one there to protect you.”



“But, it’s been two days Nanao! Two days!!! You should see him…” mumbled a sad Rangiku. For a moment Nanao felt tempted to tell Rangiku that the day she suffered the accident Hitsugaya was making arrangement to propose to her. But she decided against it; it would only make Rangiku feel more guilty than she already felt.



Nanao was about to say something when they felt someone enter; Nanao sent Rangiku a questioning glance before walking towards the main hall when she found the last person she thought about.



“Momo? What are you doing here?” asked the woman, confused and curious. Inside the room Rangiku frowned slightly at the mention of the girl and she promptly wiped away the tears she had in her eyes.



“Oh, hello Nanao-san,” said the girl; she had a bento box in her hands and was smiling nervously at Nanao. “I…I heard that Rangiku-san had an…accident and she was resting at home, so I thought it would be a good idea to come and visit. Maybe have a talk.”



Nanao lifted her eyebrows in surprise; she turned around and saw Rangiku frowning slightly but merely nodded her head.



“I…I brought some dango Granny thought Rangiku-san may like,” said the girl as an afterthought; Rangiku’s eyes lit up for a moment at the mention of Toshiro’s grandmother and her fabulous dango.



“That’s very nice; here, go inside and keep Rangiku out of trouble while I go for some tea,” said Nanao, smiling at Hinamori; Nanao gave a warning look at Rangiku before leaving both of them alone in Rangiku and Toshiro’s bedroom.



There was a long moment of silence in which Hinamori looked around the room she used to know, and that now had a little of Toshiro and Rangiku in there. There were small changes from Toshiro’s part and huge ones from Rangiku; the mess she had on ‘her side’ of the room was a faithful proof of her presence in Toshiro’s life.



“You can come in and have a seat, you know?” Hinamori turned to see Rangiku looking at her with a half smile; the girl nodded her head and took the only chair available.



“Thank you.” Matsumoto nodded her head and kept her eyes on the girl, waiting for some kind of reaction from her. Hinamori sat and turned to look at Rangiku with a serious expression. “I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here, right?”



“Well, I have an idea, but yes I was wondering what could possibly make you come here when Toshiro isn’t home,” said Rangiku, her expression turning into a mask of seriousness that, in a way, surprised Hinamori. “But now that you’re here I guess I have to thank you for the gift.”



“Oh, it was nothing… like I said to Hitsugaya-kun, it was the least I can do after the way I behaved,” said Hinamori, lowering her face. “I’m sorry, Rangiku-san. I was… I don’t know what happened to me… I just want to say that I’m really sorry.”



There was a moment in which Rangiku debated with herself if she should believe the girl or not. After all she had tried to kill Toshiro, had asked him to protect an evil man, and acted like a spoiled child that didn’t obtain what she wanted.



You don’t have to forget what she did, merely forgive her, said Haineko, laying lazily on the ground and yawning slightly. If she tries anything funny we can always make whatever happens to her like an accident.



Matsumoto smiled at Haineko’s idea and decided to give the girl a last opportunity. Hinamori looked up to see Rangiku walking towards her; when she was in front of her Rangiku put a hand on her shoulder and her eyes softened slightly.



“Let’s go, I think Nanao has finished the tea and I do want to taste more of the dango your granny makes.” Hinamori opened her eyes in surprise, Rangiku let out a soft smile that Hinamori returned shyly before following her to where Nanao was waiting them





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Rangiku moved around the kitchen with some difficulty, though rather fast regardless of how big she was now that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy; quite impressive for someone as big as her, as Haineko had not so nicely put it.



Rangiku paid her no mind at all, knowing that her zanpakutou was mad at her because Hyorinmaru and Hitsugaya weren’t talking to either of them. Rangiku heard the low growl from Haineko but she only ignored it and kept humming some unknown melody.



“What are you doing?” Rangiku turned around to see Toshiro, already dressed, wearing a surprised expression, though a gleam of amusement was evident in his eyes.



“I was making your breakfast!” she exclaimed, quite proudly, moving her arms so hard that the fork she was grabbing was thrown away and flew over Toshiro’s head.



“I…see,” mumbled Toshiro, turning around to pick up the fork and hide the big grin that had formed on his face. “This breakfast thing…seems quite dangerous.”



Rangiku glared at him with a pout forming on her lips at the obvious teasing tone in his voice and that damn smirk, full of amusement, he was sending her way.



‘Damn, he looks so cute like that!’



You have to be strong Mistress, after all he made fun of your…’cooking abilities.’



Toshiro gave a step forward and tried to take a look at what was on the stove, but Rangiku moved every time, blocking his view.



“What are you making for breakfast?” he finally asked with curiosity; Rangiku narrowed her eyes at him but let out a soft smile while telling him, “I made some tea and eggs….oh, and I got to make some dango and onigiri.”



He stared at her with incredulity and some scepticism; he was silent for so long that Rangiku let out another pout while crossing her arms, rather annoyed at his hesitation. Noticing that Toshiro tried to talk to her in the best way he could.



“Really? That sounds nice. Mhm, but do you know how to prepare dango or even onigiri?” he asked with an eyebrow lifted; offended by his comment Rangiku sent one last glare his way and turned around to return her attention to whatever she was doing.



“You don’t have to eat it, Taichou,” she said in a cold voice. “I was merely being nice and trying to…do something around here for a change.”



Toshiro narrowed his eyes not believing, at least not completely, Rangiku’s words. He just knew that she was doing all of that for a more meaningful reason. After all, she had woken up at six in the morning, which was an unholy hour for her to wake up. With a soft chuckle he neared her while Rangiku started talking again.



“Here I was, planning this delicious breakfast and then cooking something nice for lunch so we can have like a picnic or something…” she mumbled, loud enough for him to hear. “ But since you seem to hate my cooking so much…”



It’s not as if we hate it, Rangiku-chan, is more like a survival instinct, said Hyorinmaru in a really poor attempt to make things better.



This comment, of course, made Hitsugaya laugh really hard while Rangiku and Haineko turned around to glare at both males. Hyorinmaru hid promptly while Toshiro had to face Rangiku.



“Sorry, that was uncalled for,” he said; Rangiku didn’t budge due to the grin Toshiro still had in place. “So, all of these nice things had nothing to do with what you did a few weeks ago that sent you to the Fourth division?”



Rangiku remained expressionless for a moment before the hurt and sadness appeared; lowering her eyes she turned around and said nothing at all. Toshiro, for his part, felt a pang of guilt for mentioning that incident. Rangiku was trying really hard for him to forgive her for being so irresponsible with her shikai. She even started talking with Hinamori and they had been quite friendly with each other for the past two weeks.



He tilted his head to the right before nearing Rangiku and standing beside her and grabbing her hand, Rangiku kept her eyes focused on the food in front of her, though she did tense up when his hand grabbed hers.



“That looks delicious and I’m quite hungry,” he mumbled. “I guess, breakfast is ready, right? And you mentioned something about lunch?”



This time Rangiku did turn and look directly into Toshiro’s eyes, which were looking at her, asking for forgiveness. She smiled a little, and, as it had happened countless times, soon enough Toshiro found himself being hugged by Rangiku.





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“Someone is awfully happy today,” said Ichigo looking down at Toshiro who looked calm and happy. “You finally forgive Rangiku-chan and stop moping over that incident?”



“I wasn’t moping,” growled out Toshiro, “but I did forgive Rangiku and we… I had a good morning.”



Ichigo lifted his eyebrow and smirked at the young taichou, “So it seems, you haven’t started the ‘it’s Hitsugaya-taichou to you, Kurosaki’ thing.”



“That’s because, so far, you haven’t called me by my name.”



“Oh, that’s right, Toshiro.” Hitsugaya shot Ichigo a glare, making the captain of the fifth division smile, satisfied.



“You did that on purpose, so I’m not going to humour you by correcting your form to address me properly.”



The both of them started taking off their captain’s haori, while Toshiro took his time to fold his haori, Ichigo merely tossed his aside and prepared himself with Zangetsu in his right hand. Toshiro put the sash over his haori and grabbed Hyorinmaru, turning around to face Ichigo. It had become a habit for them to train once a week; since Rangiku couldn’t do it anymore and Hinamori still had a lot of catch up to do to train properly with Ichigo, both of them had agreed on that weekly training session.



It was fun, for both of them, even if all they did was clash swords and bicker back and forth like children.



Ichigo gasped in surprise and blocked yet another strong attack from Toshiro that left some ice on his zanpakutou. The taichou had been fighting with the same intensity from the moment Ichigo accepted to train with him. Thankfully for Ichigo, Toshiro was way too distracted to fight properly, or else he would be in bigger trouble; another slash from Hyorinmaru and Ichigo saw the opening in Toshiro’s defence and launched a side kick to his midsection.



“Damn it!” growled Toshiro, slightly frustrated; he was about to return to the fight when Ichigo pointed Zangetsu to his throat.



“It’s been two weeks since the accident with Rangiku-san, when are you going to propose to her?” asked Ichigo as he moved in time to prevent a hit from Hyorinmaru.



“I don’t know...I’m waiting the perfect moment,” said Toshiro. “It has to be perfect.”



“Oh, come on! You’ve been planning this for two months now!” said Ichigo, attacking once again. “And there will always be something to interrupt the perfect moment you’re looking for.”



Toshiro lowered Hyorinmaru and shook his head before sitting tiredly on the ground. Ichigo put Zangetsu aside and sat beside Toshiro, still breathing fast due to the two hours of intense training. Ichigo looked sideways at Toshiro, who had a solemn look on his face; his hand was grabbing Hyorinmaru with force and his eyes were looking intently at the ground. Ichigo turned around to see Nel nearing them with that expression that Rukia had taken time to teaching the girl.



Even if he hated to admit it, Ichigo was right. He had been trying to ask Rangiku for two months now to marry him, right after the party Ise-fukutaichou had planned. But every time he tried to do it something happened. An urgent Captain’s reunion, the hidden pet Yachiru had brought back with her from Hueco Mundo. The damn Sexta Espada that after being free from Yachiru’s clutches decided to fight against a very excited Kenpachi. Then Rangiku and her ‘demonstration’ of her zanpakutou.



In short, there was always something or someone to mess up with the perfect moment.



Maybe you’re trying too hard Toshiro.



‘What do you mean?’



Well, you already live with her, you’re going to have a child with her… this marriage thing is just another step. I bet she will think that you’re the ‘perfect moment’ you want to give to her. The fact that is you asking her that should be – and I know it is – enough for her.



There was a moment of silence in which Toshiro looked impress at his zanpakutou, ‘Where did you come up with that? That was rather insightful and wise.’



I read it on a fortune cookie.Toshiro chuckle at Hyorinmaru’s commentary before turning to Ichigo.



“I guess you’re right.” This surprised Ichigo, who looked at Toshiro with narrowed eyes.



“Really?”



“Yes, why are you looking at me like that?” replied Toshiro, Ichigo shrugged and turned to Nel who had arrived with two bottles of water.



“Well, you’ve never said that I was right, even if I was,” commented Ichigo. “I just thought that maybe I hit you too hard.”



Before Toshiro could say anything at all, Nel arrived bouncing and smiling widely at them, “Itsygo!! Chibi-chan!!! Ruki-chan thought you may be thirsty and she told me to bring this so you’re not thirsty anymore!”



“Thank you Nel,” Nel blush slightly when Toshiro smiled at her and received the bottle she was offering.



“Hey! Where is mine?” Nel turned around and gave Ichigo his bottle before settling on his lap.



“So, if I’m right, that means that… you’re going to propose to her… today? Tomorrow? When exactly?” the way Ichigo asked and the sudden interest he was showing for the exact date made Toshiro turn to Ichigo and narrow his eyes.



“Why the sudden interest?”



“Well, you’re my friend, and I like Rangiku-san; I was just wondering…” said Ichigo, “You know? Because of your happiness and all that.”



“What do you think Nel?” asked Toshiro, talking to the girl that was giggling at Ichigo’s obvious nervousness. “Is he telling the truth?”



“Okay, okay… you have to know that… Half of the people in Seireitei know about you wanting to propose to Rangiku-san. At least most of the Captains know about it,” said Ichigo; this caught Toshiro by surprise. “They even started a bet on when you’re going to finally ask her. And if you propose to her today, I may win the bet.”





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“Here Jushiro, there…can you feel her?” Ukitake smile softly when he finally was able to feel the girl move inside Rangiku; his friend was excitedly putting his hand there and looking once in a while at Nanao, who sometimes would blush and other times would glare at him.



“You have such an energetic girl, Ran-chan!!” commented Kyouraku; Rangiku giggled at her friends antics and nodded her head in agreement.



“Yes, and you should feel her when Toshiro is around and talks to her,” said Rangiku with a soft smile, “It’s like she is talking back at him.”



“I know I’ve said this too many times, but, congratulations, Rangiku-san,” said Juushiro, smiling at the woman. “And talking about Toshiro-kun, where is he?”



“Yes, is he still mad at you?” asked Nanao sitting beside Rangiku.



“No, we made up this morning.”



“Really?” said Kyouraku wiggling his eyebrows which earned him a hit from Nanao’s fan.



“Yes, I want to make him lunch,” the comment made Nanao and Kyouraku wince, though Rangiku didn’t see them since she was concentrated on looking at her tummy. “But he came earlier and told me that he was going to train with Ichigo, so he told me that he would make dinner tonight.”



Nanao and Kyouraku sighed in relief; Ukitake turned to them quite confused, whereas Rangiku glared at them.



“So, Toshio-kun hasn’t said anything? He hasn’t been acting…funny lately?” Those questions from Ukitake caught Rangiku’s attention and she turned with a curious expression to the Captain of the Thirteenth division.



Nanao and Kyouraku were looking at the white-haired man with surprise at his own forwardness, but Ukitake let his charming smile show while he concentrated on his talk with Rangiku. Kyouraku turned to Nanao and shrugged, Ukitake was quite cunning (and mischievous) when he wanted to be. And they had bet a lot of money, along with Ichigo, that Toshiro was going to propose as soon as he made up with Rangiku.



“I don’t understand Ukitake-taichou. Toshiro has been…normal, as normal as he can be while being angry at me.”



“I see, well is just that, since he forgave you, and it seems like you have had a good morning, and he is making you dinner…”



Nanao was following the conversation with the same interest as the two Captains, her eyes lit up when she remembered something Rangiku had said. “Wait a minute, you said Tosh…I mean, Hitsugaya-taichou was making you dinner? Tonight?”



This conversation was becoming strange and the way Nanao’s eyes were gleaming and those smiles from Jushiro and Shunsui…Matsumoto looked at them with suspicion.



“Yes, he told me that tonight, dinner in the backyard of our home.”



“in the backyard of your home? Why?”



“Well, I want to go on a picnic; he was slightly annoyed but in the end he told me he was going to fix something nice.” She trailed off and looked at the three of them before asking, “Okay, what’s going on?”



Kyouraku, Ukitake and Nanao looked at each other before turning to Rangiku, who was waiting for an answer. “Nothing is going on, we were just curious.”



“I noticed that, but curious about what?” asked Rangiku.



“Eh…about you and Toshiro-kun and…” Kyouraku trailed off and looked around for some kind of help from Nanao or Ukitake.



“Well, the name!” exclaimed Ukitake rather loudly, Rangiku frown slightly at that.



“The name?”



“Yes, have you thought about your baby’s name?” continued Nanao.



“Well…” Rangiku lowered her gaze with a frown on her face while thinking about the question; Ukitake, Kyouraku and Nanao looked at each other with relief. They didn’t want to think what would happen if they told Rangiku Toshiro’s intentions without him knowing about it.



“Now that you said it…we haven’t thought about it, though…”



“Yes? What is it Ran-chan?”



“Well, he always calls her ‘Princess’ and I just thought that it would be nice if her name had ‘Hime’ somewhere in it.”



“Toshiro-kun calls her ‘Baby Princess?’” asked Kyouraku with smirk forming very slowly on his face.



“Yes, Shun-kun! I know that face! You’re not going to bother him about it!” replied Rangiku with a scolding expression. Kyouraku pouted slightly, though he saw Ukitake hiding his own smile; for a moment both friends looked at each other and Ukitake gave a small nod to Kyouraku.



“Shun-kun! Promise me.”



With a last glance at Ukitake Kyouraku turned to Rangiku and nodded his head sadly, “I promise you I won’t bother or make fun of Toshiro-kun for that show of cuteness.”



“Very well.” Said Rangiku not quite convinced.



“Don’t worry Rangiku; I will make sure he won’t do something like that,” said Nanao.





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Toshiro watched Rangiku sleeping peacefully on the sofa in his office at home. He didn’t quite understand how she could sleep there, but she did it anyway; something about his presence being soothing to her and the baby. He let her have her way, because it was easier and had more benefits for him.



He smiled softly at her, leaning over and putting his head on her big and round stomach; they shared a nice dinner out in the backyard of his house with some lamps lighting their night along with the moon. He had really enjoyed the fact that he wasn’t about to make anyone win any bet at all.



He could sense Kyouraku and Ukitake watching them from Kyouraku’s place and Hitsugaya made sure that all the things were put in such a way so everyone could see them and felt disappointed when nothing happened.



He was going to ask her, but on his own time. Not because Kurosaki told him he would share the fifty percent with him. Putting a hand inside his pocket he pulled out the ring he had been hiding for two months now, he had been tempted that night…but, he got sidetracked and the faces his fellow Captains made when he did nothing were worth it.



After all, Hyorinmaru was right. It didn’t matter when or how he asks; the important thing was that it was him, and only him, the one asking such an important question.



So, that’s what you two had been hiding from me and my Mistress, eh? Toshiro winced when he heard Haineko’s voice; that wasn’t what he was expecting. He could sense the ash-cat waiting for his answer and with resignation he nodded.



‘Yes, what do you think? Do you think she would like it?’ May as well ask Haineko that question, he still had some doubts about the whole thing, but Haineko was the right ‘person’ to ask about Rangiku’s opinion.



Well, Mistress is rather…strange. She was…happy with her arrangement with Ichimaru, without any kind of commitment. Haineko cuddled further against a sleeping Hyorinmaru, yawning before directing her eyes to Toshiro.



She used to say that marriage was for fools... Toshiro frowned, but Haineko wasn’t done. This is partly Ichimaru’s fault, but everything changed the moment she met you.



‘What do you mean? The moment she met me or the moment I…we got pregnant?’



Mhm, this is quite difficult; her vision of the world change day by day from the moment she met you and you became her Captain, said Haineko, yawning once again but talking with honesty and seriousness. I thought you knew this already…I shouldn’t do this. It’s not right.



‘Please? I promise I won’t say anything…I will keep it a secret if you want me to.’ Haineko looked at him and nodded her head slowly.



Well, you changed her perception of the world the moment she met you and you became her Captain. But, that night, the day she found out you have feelings for her, that she was pregnant…you gave her something Gin could only give her once.



Toshiro thought over Haineko’s words, not really understanding; Haineko giggled at his confusion and let out a loud purr of happiness.



Gin only gave her a reason to live once. For one day, one moment…You, Toshiro-kun, on the other hand, give her a reason to live and smile every day.



So, to answer your question, yes she would be delighted if you took that last step to a, as you put it so eloquently while telling stories to your daughter, ‘happily ever after.’





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The next morning Toshiro woke up early and went directly to the thirteenth division barracks; he made sure that all his work for the week was over along with those dreadful reunions with the first and third Espada. For some reason unknown to him, Ukitake and Kyouraku enjoyed them; at least he could see those Espada enjoyed their time as well… which was not the same for Grimmjaw, who was still in Yachiru’s clutches, with a collar that claimed him as her property.



“Hitsugaya-taichou, good morning; how can I help you?”



“Yes, I would like to talk with Ukitake-taichou, if he is not too busy.” Rukia smiled at him and shook her head.



“No, go ahead. “



Toshiro went inside and saw Ukitake struggling with some kind of candy; the man stopped his struggle to look up at Toshiro, who was looking mildly amused at the sight. Ukitake broke into a big smile and signalled the chair in front of his desk to Toshiro.



“To what do I owe the honour of having you here so early in the morning, Toshiro-kun?” The young taichou rolled his eyes at the exaggerated but playful tone he used.



“I was wondering if I can take the day off today.” This surprised Ukitake greatly; the main reason was that Hitsugaya Toshiro never asked for a ‘day off.’ He had the vacations he deserves, yes. But he never asked for them.



“May I know why? Are you sick? Is Matsumoto-fukutaichou fine?”



“Yes, everything is fine. I just…I thought it would be nice to have a day free from work. My third and Fourth seats are taking care of things.” Ukitake thought for a moment about the request that Toshiro had made.



“I guess I can give you that. You have the day off, Toshiro-kun. Enjoy it and send my regards to Rangiku-san.”



“I will. Thank you.”



Ukitake watched and waited until he could no longer sense Toshiro nearby, then he proceeded to call Rukia inside his office. “Rukia, do me a favour, tell Kyouraku-taichou and Kurosaki-taichou that I need them here right away.”



“Yes Sir.” Ukitake chuckled. If he didn’t ask last night, he would certainly do so today. Whether he liked it or not, Ukitake was going to make sure that this was an unforgettable day.





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“Just when I think that you can’t be sweeter or more considerate you do this.” Hitsugaya watched as Rangiku moved happily around one of the sakura trees that formed part of their division’s garden and turned to give him her best grin.



“Well, you did mention something about a picnic yesterday, so…” he said, stretching out his arms to show her the big blanket on the grass with a lot of food on it.



“But, we had that last night,” she said nearing him and putting her arms around his neck; he shrugged and led her to the blanket where he helped her sit.



“Are you comfortable?” she nodded her head and waited for him to sit beside her.



“What do we have for lunch?” Toshiro snickered and proceeded to tell Rangiku what he had prepared for her.



They spent most of their afternoon like that. At first it was only eating and making small talk until the time for dessert arrived and Rangiku decided that Toshiro should feed her, because she was too tired (lazy) to do it herself. He didn’t need much convincing and happily proceeded to do so.



“…And she said that she would do it, so I let her!” said Rangiku; Toshiro shook his head, smiling amusedly at her explanation as to why Hinamori was ‘helping’ her to clean the house. “I’m noble like that.”



“Of course, but I wasn’t asking about the organisation of the house but about your part of the paperwork, that Hinamori ended up doing as well,” he said, frowning at a smiling Rangiku. “You should stop taking advantage because she felt guilty.”



“I’m not taking advantage!” He looked at her incredulously.



“You know? You have never been able to lie to me?” said Toshiro, chuckling slightly at her pout. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “You’re beautiful, easy-going, sometimes quite cunning and not modest at all…but a really bad liar.”



“Humph, flattery is not going to take you anywhere tonight!” she said playfully, crossing her arms and sticking her tongue out.



“Mmhmm, maybe flattery won’t but…my surprise will.” Toshiro’s words made Rangiku curious but when she tried to ask him, he shook his head and decided to distract her with his lips.



“No fair Toshiro!!! You have your cuteness and those lips of yours to make me shut up!!”



“I’m going to overlook the ‘cuteness’ comment,” he said dryly.



“You’re just being mean because I overwork Hinamori and because of the incident with Haineko.”



“You know that if I was being mean to you because of the Haineko incident I wouldn’t be talking with you right now, or doing all of this for you two,” said Toshiro as he put his hand on Rangiku’s stomach.



“Yeah, I still remember your reiatsu all over the fourth division and then the cold treatment you gave me the following days.”



“I was mad and scared,” he commented softly. The sun was setting in the distance and night was approaching very fast, and the night was promising to be a cold one. He looked over at Rangiku, and pulling off his haori, put it over her; she smiled softly at him when he sat in front of her.



“I still think you overreacted! Unohana-taichou told you it wasn’t that bad and that if it hadn’t been for Yachiru’s pet… well…” said Rangiku. Smiling at him she added, “But everything turned out okay.”



“You don’t understand, do you?” Rangiku tilted her head to the side and focused on him; she had to admit that Toshiro looked handsome when he showed a relaxed expression with a soft and truthful smile adorning his face. His hair all messed up after he passed his hand over it, his left arm hanging over his left leg while the other was stretched out.



“Understand what?” He looked at her and rolled his eyes at her lack of understanding, and maybe just maybe, at the fact that he had noticed that she was way too distracted with his presence to really pay attention to whatever he was talking about.



Toshiro put his right hand inside his pocket and felt the ring that he and Hyorinmaru had forged. Urahara’s help had turned it into the perfect engagement ring, in Toshiro’s and Hyorinmaru’s opinion. He closed his hand around it, moving around so now he was sitting beside Rangiku with his face in front of hers; nervously he leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek before going back to his initial position.



“Toshiro, are you okay?” she asked, more curious than worried about Toshiro’s attitude.



“Never been better.”



“Then, tell me what I don’t understand.”



Toshiro sighed and took her right hand in his before looking at her in the eye, “I was scared that maybe you… would be so hurt that… I almost lost you.”



“But you didn’t and I know it was a stupid thing and all, but I promise I won’t do it again, at least until our baby is born,” she said, smiling softly at him; Toshiro returned her smile but shook his head.



“I know that,” he said, squeezing her hand; he lowered his face and hid his frustration. He knew he should have written down all the things he wanted to say. Now that the time was here his mind and inspiration decided to take a damn vacation and leave him alone!



Calm down, me help you.



‘W-what?’



Hey! Why do you sound so hesitant? You should know that I’m good with words! After a moment of hesitation Toshiro agreed with Hyorinmaru; after all he did need the help.



“Rangiku,” she looked at him slightly amused by his tone and the expression on his face. She didn’t know what he had planned but whatever it was had him so nervous it was cute and funny.



“Toshiro.”



“I can’t even describe how bad I felt for that night in which I took advantage of you.” This made her flinch in surprise; she looked at him but his expression never changed. “I was ready to admit my mistake, ask for your forgiveness and for an opportunity to be with you, to start a relationship with you.”



“I could keep moping about the past,” Toshiro almost, almost twitched in annoyance; he was going to make Hyorinmaru pay for that later on. “But right now I want to talk about my future with you and our baby, the future of our family and something I would have liked to do in the right order… but who said things should be like that? Right?”



Rangiku was more confused than before, and for some reason she felt an uncomfortable feeling of emptiness that she couldn’t explain. Toshiro grabbed her hand and intertwined his hand with hers before kissing it softly a happy smile on his face.



“Are you… what are you trying to say?” then a thought hit her hard and she looked at him with a panicked expression, “you’re trying to break up with me?!”



“What? No! Didn’t you hear my speech? I’m trying to ask you to marry me!” A long silence formed between them while Rangiku’s eyes opened wide in surprise and Toshiro beat himself for saying it in such an abrupt and not so romantic way.



‘This happens for following your advices!’ Toshiro was about to continue his one-sided discussion with Hyorinmaru when the hand holding his let him go.



Rangiku was shocked, she felt the tears form in her eyes and a familiar emotion going through her chest. Toshiro grabbed her hand once again, and pulling the ring out of his pocket, he looked at her – one hand holding hers and the other wiping away the tears that were falling on her cheeks.



“You know I love you, and just like Haineko said, this is the last step to our ‘happily ever after,’” he said, showing her the ring. “I want you to be mine as much as I’m yours. I don’t know how this works… but there is no one I would be willing and happy to try it with but you. So, would you marry me?”





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I like the way I end this chapter, what do you think? Well, I really hope you enjoy it just as much as I enjoy writing it. Speacial thanks to the people that has review the story, thank you guys!



We\'ll see you next time.



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