In Spite of Appearances (Chapter Four)
Okay, it's back to our beloved senior officers of the Tenth for this chapter! And a little bit of intrigue starting up, too.
Title: In Spite of Appearances
Fandom: Bleach
Characters: Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, and eventually quite a few others in supporting roles.
Genre: Action, Drama, Friendship
Rating: M, for violence
Wordcount: 4,576
Summary: In the early days of Hitsugaya's captaincy, his working relationship with Matsumoto is less than ideal. When one of the Tenth's squads goes down under mysterious circumstances, the two must learn to work together if they hope to discover the truth.
Disclaimer: All characters and settings of Bleach are the property of Kubo Tite.
In Spite of Appearances
CHAPTER FOUR
Hitsugaya was facedown. He was sure that this was wrong, though he didn't know why. But he had the distinct impression that he should not have been lying on his face, and that there should not have been what felt like hands on his back, prodding at open wounds. That hurt, damn it. Whoever the idiot was that was doing that, he could stop now. As in immediately.
He opened his mouth to speak, to order the idiot away from him, but no words would come out. Perfect. Now he would just have to lie here and endure this for however long the person touching him decided to keep up the torture. That, or until he passed out again. He wasn't really sure that he even cared at this point.
But then a new sensation came over him. A warm one, faintly tugging at the skin of his back. Some part of him relaxed at this feeling, for he knew what it was. Very few shinigami had not felt the warmth of healing kidou before. Matsumoto must have been able to get ahold of someone from the Fourth, just as he had ordered.
His eyes flew open at that thought. Matsumoto. She'd been injured, too. Had they taken care of her already? What kind of condition was she in? He had to know if she was all right or not.
Anyone who would have taken that as friendly concern would have been mistaken, of course. It was hardly that. Just a captain wondering over the status of his vice-captain after sustaining an injury. It was his right as her commanding officer to know her condition, and that was that.
The warmth on his back faded, and with it much of the pain that he had been experiencing earlier. Instantly, he shoved the person off of him and sat up, rubbing absently at his bare back. Right. They would have had to remove the upper part of his uniform in order to heal him. That was fine. And he tried to tell himself that it was fine if they had to do that to Matsumoto, too. The Fourth was comprised of medical professionals, after all. They were trustworthy.
They had better be, or he would give them hell. Just a captain protecting his vice-captain's dignity, of course. Not a friend.
"Sir, I'm not sure that it's a good idea for -"
"Where is Matsumoto?" Hitsugaya leveled a glare on the man who had been treating him, in no mood for delays. "I don't want to hear a word of anything else until I know."
The man blinked, gaze periodically darting away from him. At another point in time, Hitsugaya might have been pleased by this; someone he frightened was someone who took him seriously. But right now, he was serious. He wanted to know Matsumoto's whereabouts and condition, and this man was going to tell him in the next ten seconds or else he wouldn't have a voice box left at all. His expression clearly communicated that much.
The man fidgeted, his mouth working a bit before any sound came out. "If you could just calm down sir, I can explain . . ."
Okay, that was it. Time was up. The bastard hadn't coughed up what he wanted to know and Hitsugaya was in a very bad mood as it was. Thwarting him on such an important issue didn't help. One hand twitched, ready to make the necessary move, but a new voice stopped him.
"Aw, I didn't realize you cared that much, Toushirou-kun!" Matsumoto stood a few feet away from him, looking a little pale and slightly hunched over, but otherwise not much worse for the wear. She had been treated first, then. Good. "I'd hug you, but my ribs still hurt something awful!"
Was it terrible that a part of him was thankful for that? Hell if he wasn't furious that she had been hurt in the first place, but having her not hug him was generally classified as a very good thing. He couldn't breathe when she hugged him like that, and without a doubt she knew it. Damn woman tried to suffocate him, bit by bit, just for her own amusement. It was a demented little game of hers.
But at least she was safe.
"That would not have been necessary." That was all he said in response to her presence. No greeting. No inquiry as to how she was feeling - she had pretty much provided that information, anyway. Just commentary on the proper way to treat him. He turned his attention back to the healer, who looked notably relieved that Hitsugaya had gotten what he wanted. "Name."
The man knelt properly, bowing his head in the required obeisance. "Nakahara Ryou, sir. Nineteenth seat of the Fourth." He stopped here, picking up the upper parts of Hitsugaya's uniform and handing them over without hesitation. "Here you are, Hitsugaya-taichou. Just . . . please be careful. I've done what I can for your injuries, but they are still rather vulnerable."
Hitsugaya grunted in acknowledgement as he took the clothing from Nakahara. Yes, yes. Be careful and all that. He had heard it before - what shinigami hadn't? - and it scarcely even registered in his mind. He stood, diligently working with his shihakushou to get it on, being mindful of the soreness that remained in his back. Damn it; he would have thought one of the Fourth's officers, even a low-ranked one, should have been able to do a more thorough job on their wounds than this. Maybe Nakahara was just new at the officer rank.
"Need any help, Toushirou-kun?"
Hitsugaya scowled in Matsumoto's direction. "I know how to dress myself, thanks." He pointedly refused to acknowledge that Matsumoto's face was completely serious, and not in the least bit amused. Which meant that she was not making some ill-advised crack about his age in front of an officer of another division. He didn't want to see it that way, if for no other reason than that would have meant that he was just unnecessarily harsh in his response. And all his harshness was necessary, of course.
Matsumoto sighed angrily and stepped over to him, anyway. Her face was a little pinched from the pain that she was in, but only a careful study of her features would have revealed it. "You know that's not what I meant. You're just trying to be difficult."
Hitsugaya snorted, casually sliding his arms into his haori. The now-familiar weight of the white cloth on his back calmed him a bit. He was still here, and he was still a captain. But then his eyes narrowed, realizing that something was still missing. Something vitally important. He shot looks between Matsumoto and Nakahara. One of them, at the very least, should know. And if not . . . That was something that he would rather not think about.
"Where is Hyourinmaru?" His voice was low and tense, but he managed to avoid having it sound like a growl. It would have been counterproductive for him to scare Nakahara witless before he could even answer.
As it was, Nakahara seemed to have frozen in fear, anyway. Well, that was useless. Matsumoto had better be more forthcoming, even if it was just to say that she had no idea. Even that would be more helpful than Nakahara was being.
Matsumoto rolled her eyes. "You don't have to get so angry over everything." She walked past him, behind the stock-still Nakahara - really, how long was the fool going to stay like that? - and bent down into the grass to pick something up. When she rose, this thing proved to be none other than Hyourinmaru, completely undamaged, blade shining keenly in the fading daylight. Matsumoto carried the sword to him with a sort of reverence, holding it across both palms for him to take. "I kept Nakahara-san from touching it, since I knew you'd be picky about that."
Pausing, Hitsugaya blinked at her words. That last bit could have been taken as a barb, but he could tell that Matsumoto had not meant it that way. She had been being mindful of his wishes, knew what they were without having to be told. He could appreciate that much, he supposed. Every once in a while, Matsumoto tended to surprise him like that. It was rather pleasant, actually. Although he wished that it wasn't a surprise. Or just once in a while.
"Thank you," he said, taking Hyourinmaru from her hands. He owed her that much, at the very least. He moved to put the sword on his back, mind willing the sheath to form once again out of water vapour. There. He was complete again. His eyes turned back to Nakahara, still unmoving, and he folded his arms across his chest. This was ridiculous. "Practicing to become a statue, Nakahara?"
Nakahara blinked at this, then sheepishly climbed to his feet. He rubbed nervously at the back of his neck before answering. "No. No, sir. My apologies; I did not mean to offend."
"Oh, don't mind him," Matsumoto piped in. "He's just a little grouch who takes things too seriously. I'm sure he doesn't mean to be rude, even though he didn't even thank you for healing us, or anything."
Hitsugaya ground his teeth at the surreptitious look Matsumoto gave him with her last statement. And here she had hated being referred to as his mother; she was certainly trying to act like that now, which was very much not appreciated. It was not her job to moderate his conduct, even if there had been something about it that needed to be moderated. Which there wasn't. He dealt with people just fine, regardless of what Matsumoto seemed to think.
How he wished that changed the fact that the damn woman had a point.
He rolled his eyes. Fine. "Thank you, Nakahara, for doing your job." The final bit was sent more in Matsumoto's direction than Nakahara's, and he knew that she would get the point of that one. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he knew that Matsumoto was not that dense.
That settled, he finally took the time to examine his surroundings. Oddly enough, they were not housed in the Fourth's hospital. He might have thought that they were treated on scene instead, save for the fact that there was no lake nearby - just a grassy plain with periodic rocky outcroppings. What the hell? What kind of trick was this? Something was wrong, and he went to what he deemed to be the first possible source.
"Nakahara. What's going on?" he asked sharply. In that second, he remembered the man's previous behaviour at his irritation, and added, "Don't you dare freeze on me this time."
Nakahara paled, and fidgeted again, but to his credit did not seize up this time. "I . . . I'm not sure I understand what you mean, sir. This is . . ."
"Not the Fourth, nor is it where Matsumoto and I were injured," Hitsugaya finished for him. Did the man really know nothing, or was he just playing at ignorance? He eyed Nakahara carefully, taking in his pallour and his shaking hands. No, this was no lie he had told. Whatever had moved them here, Nakahara had nothing to do with it.
"It's . . . not?" Nakahara sounded completely baffled. "But I found the both of you here, wounded and unconscious. It doesn't make sense that something would move you to the middle of nowhere and just leave you. Are you sure that -"
His scowl deepened. "Are you questioning my observational skills?"
Matsumoto stepped between them, forcing Hitsugaya to look up in order to avoid getting an eyeful that he did not want. One of these days, he was going to be able to look the woman in the eye without craning his neck. As it was, those eyes were full of cheerful impatience - however the hell that was supposed to work, but that was what it was - and her lips were set firmly, though they did twitch a bit, as though she were trying to keep from smiling.
"Boys, boys, let's not argue!" She turned and gave Nakahara a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Sorry about that; he's just being cranky. But it's true, you know. We were fighting near a lake, and . . ." Here, she swept a hand out to indicate the surrounding landscape. "There doesn't seem to be one in sight. It's just strange. That's all."
Hitsugaya snorted when Nakahara seemed to relax a bit at those words; colour had returned to the man's face, though his hands still shook. Really, had Hitsugaya not communicated that very same thing a moment ago? He didn't need Matsumoto to repeat his own questions, couched in softer language. There was no point in saying the same thing twice.
"Oh," Nakahara said, taking a moment to push a strand of short dark hair out of his eyes. Yes, he certainly looked more relaxed now. "Well, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can tell you about that."
"Really? You don't have a clue?" Matsumoto looked well and truly baffled now, and Hitsugaya could not find it in himself to blame her. This whole situation just made no damn sense at all.
Nakahara shook his head. "I am afraid not, Matsumoto-fukutaichou. But perhaps one of the others might, if we head back to base."
Hitsugaya blinked. "Base? Others? Mind explaining that before we go anywhere with you?"
He was not entirely convinced that this was not a trap of some sort. Everything felt too wrong, and Nakahara wasn't giving straight answers. Not in Hitsugaya's view, anyway, and that was what mattered. He hated to think that he could not trust another shinigami, but not everyone was trustworthy, and he had never met this man before. But for now, the situation was stable, and he would not yet pass judgement on Nakahara's intentions. A chance to regroup was one that should be taken.
"Well, sir, there have been quite a few others that have ended up here in some fashion." Nakahara stood straight-backed and proud, like a proper officer when he spoke. Matsumoto's gentleness must have coaxed that out of him. "All from various divisions, even another officer or two. I . . . can't say exactly. For that, you might need to talk to Okada-san; he's already got a better handle on who's who than I do."
Hitsugaya was about to answer, but when he heard that name, he stopped, stunned. "Okada?"
That was too much of a co-incidence. This man had just spoken out the name of Hitsugaya's Tenth Seat, and there was no reason for him to have known it beforehand. If he hadn't planned to go to this base earlier, he certainly intended to now.
"I see. Lead the way, then. Immediately."
Nakahara bowed wordlessly before jogging ahead. For a second, Hitsugaya felt slighted by the lack of shunpo - he could do quite a good job at it, in case anyone wondered - but then remembered the man's rank. Officers that low typically couldn't shunpo, and clearly Nakahara was no exception.
He nodded to himself when Matsumoto pulled up beside him, but made no effort to move ahead. Good to see that she could respect protocol occasionally. Besides, they needed to have a word or two anyway.
"So we're going to see Okada, hmm?" Matsumoto said lightly, an undisguised note of teasing in her voice. Just fantastic. Really. "You sure you're up to that? You know how much he upsets you; I wouldn't want you to get overly stressed."
In all honesty, Hitsugaya was not exactly sure that he wanted to deal with Okada right now. Or ever, really. The man was a nuisance who held absolutely no respect for his station. Hell, the idiot had laughed at him the day he took over the division. Speaking with him was never a pleasant prospect.
But he had no choice.
"I can handle Okada," he snapped. He didn't want to, but he could. "And I have to, anyway. Don't you realize the significance of his being here, Matsumoto? This is something that you should have noticed."
Matsumoto blinked, clearly not getting it. "Why should I be aware of something like this? That's not my job."
Grinding his teeth, Hitsugaya forced himself to calm down, just a little. Wasn't part of her job? What the hell did she think her job was? "I suppose it's too much to ask for you to keep track of mission assignments. But if you had done so as required, I wouldn't have to be explaining this to you right now."
He didn't know why he bothered. He really didn't. Even after a scant few months, Hitsugaya had come to realize the near-futility of getting Matsumoto to do anything resembling work. In the office, at least. She seemed to handle herself well enough in the field, the last encounter notwithstanding. But paperwork? Might as well do it all himself. At least people would be able to read it that way.
"Okada was in charge of the squad that was just brought back into the Fourth."
**
Aizen sat under a tree, enjoying the fine weather as he paged through a thick book. That was not his true purpose for being here, of course, but it served very well as cover. Keeping the meeting casual, even though it was completely business related, would catch his incoming companion off guard, and fluster her more than usual. It was best to keep her off balance, if for no other reason than it amused him. He always wanted to laugh when Hinamori blushed and stammered, all the while striving to be composed in his presence. More than once, he had even allowed himself to pat her on the head as though she were a puppy.
An easily deceived and eager to please puppy. It worked out very well for him. How convenient that he was able to find both her and Kira back in their earliest Academy days. They were both proving very useful thus far.
And Hinamori would shortly be given a chance to prove her usefulness to him again.
Aizen smiled as he felt her reiatsu approach. Right on time, as usual. Within a few moments, she would pass by this spot on her way back from conducting kidou drills. The girl might have trouble getting up on time in the morning, but she was punctual about everything else.
He could see her approach in the distance now, and he returned his eyes to his book. It would not do for it to appear as though he had been waiting for her. And with this façade, she would never think that it was anything but a chance meeting. Silly girl.
"Oh!"
At Hinamori's gasp, Aizen looked up as though surprised, but then guided his lips into a smile. It was not a false one, not entirely. The difference was that he needed it to convey warmth and not amusement. And that was easy enough, given how well-practiced he was at that particular task.
"Ah, Hinamori-kun. Such a pleasant surprise," he said smoothly. "What brings you by here on a fine day such as this?" As if he didn't know.
"Aizen-taichou!" Hinamori performed a quick - and unnecessary - bow. "I . . . I was just about to head back to my quarters to clean myself up after kidou drills. But if there's anything you need me to do, I'm sure that can wait."
He chuckled softly. "There is nothing so immediate as that. However," he paused here, his face turning more serious. "I do need to discuss something with you; it is rather fortunate that we met out here, in fact. Much preferable to delivering such news in a sterile environment like an office." He closed his book and patted the warm ground next to him. "Please sit."
The dismay on her face was truly a sight to behold. "Something's happened? Will everything be all right?" She hurried to sit in the spot that he had indicated, clearly too worried at the moment to fluster. "What is it?"
He kept the serious look on his face, even though he wanted to smile at her concerned babbling. "This may be difficult news for you to hear, Hinamori-kun, but I am glad that it is I who has the chance to tell you, rather than someone less sensitive. I hope that I can soften the blow, at the very least; I hate to see you hurt."
Hinamori's eyes became huge, and a frown tugged down on her lips. "It . . . it's personal . . . for me?"
"Regrettably, yes," he replied softly. "Given how close I know you are with Hitsugaya-taichou."
She gasped. "Hitsugaya-kun? Something's happened to him? Is he all right?"
Silly girl probably hadn't realized that she had pleadingly latched her hands onto his haori, silently begging him to make everything better. She was never aware of her actions around him, never aware of how obvious her infatuation with him was. Hinamori did not even know herself, much less him. If he cared for her any more than casually, he would have found that a pity.
Instead, it was far more of an amusement.
He patted her hand gently. "We cannot confirm his health at this point, I am afraid. Either positively or negatively. He and Matsumoto-fukutaichou were conducting an investigation into the loss of a squad, and have now turned up missing, themselves. No one has seen or heard from either of them since they left."
"Disappeared? Both of them? B-but . . ." Tears gathered in those too-wide eyes, but did not fall, and her hands clutched at him more tightly. "But what could do that to Hitsugaya-kun and Rangiku-san? You're going to help find them, aren't you, Aizen-taichou? You've got to find them!"
Such faith. And so misplaced, though she would likely not even know that when she died in a few years' time. But, he supposed, it was better for her that way. How cruel it would be to crush her perfect image of him.
He placed a comforting hand on her head. "They will be found. Already, orders have been issued, and Kurotsuchi-taichou has volunteered the Twelfth Division, though their involvement was only approved contingent upon the partnership with a more field-prepared division."
Hinamori blinked, eyes widening further in horror at the mention of Kurotsuchi. "The Twelfth shouldn't be involved in something like this! They'll just take Hitsugaya-kun and Rangiku-san and study them! That's not help! Aizen-taichou, we can't let them!"
"Hinamori-kun, lower your voice, please," he said calmly. "This is more the reason, I think, that another division was asked to assist. I do not relish asking you this, but I have volunteered the Fifth, and there is no one that I trust more than you." He looked away, as though overcome by a sudden disturbing thought. "The Hollows, too. Kurotsuchi-taichou would have them for study; he has expressed this interest directly. However . . ."
Aizen felt Hinamori's hands dislodge themselves from his haori, and he could imagine her face right now, drawn into a mixture of worry, horror, and determination. The perfect recipe for what he required of her. It was almost shameful how easy it was to play to her weaknesses.
"However . . . what?" she blurted. And then she gasped at her own response. "Oh, I'm sorry! I shouldn't be asking you anything you don't think I need to know. I accept the assignment regardless, Aizen-taichou."
He looked up at her as she spoke, eyes full of feigned indecision. Lowering his gaze for a second, he then brought his face back up with a more resolute expression. "No, Hinamori-kun. You had every right to ask. It is unseemly of me to question the motives of a fellow captain, but I am uncomfortable with how eager Kurotsuchi-taichou is to get ahold of these Hollows. Almost as though he has something untoward in mind."
"I don't think it's unseemly of you to worry over what Kurotsuchi-taichou wants." Hinamori's voice was firm, her face set sternly. "He might be skilled, but I agree with you that he can't be trusted. Don't the other captains understand that? He shouldn't be a captain at all!"
Far, far too easy. It was rather fortunate that Kurotsuchi was such an apt target for suspicion. The man had done little to endear himself personally to anyone in the Gotei, and had in fact demonstrated quite a bit of callousness both before and after his captaincy. That he was up to something that could endanger them all was no leap of the imagination.
"Hinamori-kun." Aizen was firm, yet gentle in his reprimand. "You must be more mindful of how you speak of a captain, regardless of your personal feelings toward him. Were anyone to hear you, it could result in harsh punishment, and I wish for no such fate to befall you. Especially since it would be my fault you were punished, for raising the matter in the first place."
Something in Hinamori's eyes still looked rebellious, though the girl did calm her ire. "You're right. It's not proper for me to talk about him that way. But that doesn't change the fact that it's how I feel."
Ah, there was that steel within her that seemed to get lost sometimes. While he needed her compliant, she was useless without that determination within her. Far better than smothering it, he instead gently guided it to be used toward his own ends. Aizen was not one who merely broke his pawns; a broken piece held no value. Using someone else's strength to help him achieve his goals was far more efficient than having to do everything himself.
He sighed in resignation. "I cannot fault you for thinking these things when I have thought them myself. But these are the orders, coming from Yamamoto-soutaichou himself. There is nothing I can do but obey, no matter what Kurotsuchi-taichou might have in mind. I hope that you can forgive me for thinking this way."
"You're not doing anything wrong," came Hinamori's gentle tones. Her face was downcast, but Aizen could see the calculation behind her eyes. She had found the opening he had left for her. "I'll take the assignment, as you have asked. I won't disappoint you, sir. Are there any further instructions?"
The smile Aizen allowed to grace his features was one of relief. Played to perfection, as always. "Thank you. I still need to finalize the details with Kurotsuchi-taichou, but I will inform you of those as soon as they are agreed upon. I do expect you will be working with his vice-captain on this venture, as he will leave little to chance. Beyond that, we shall both have to wait."
Hinamori nodded. "Yes, sir. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"
"No. I have kept you too long as it is." Aizen shook his head. "I appreciate your indulging me, but you may return to your duties now. I expect that I will be contacting you again before long."
At this, Hinamori bowed before climbing to her feet and hurrying on her way to her quarters. Aizen watched her leave, her hair ribbons flying behind her, and her zanpakutou bouncing at her hip. Such an obedient pup.
Chapter Three Chapter Five
Title: In Spite of Appearances
Fandom: Bleach
Characters: Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, and eventually quite a few others in supporting roles.
Genre: Action, Drama, Friendship
Rating: M, for violence
Wordcount: 4,576
Summary: In the early days of Hitsugaya's captaincy, his working relationship with Matsumoto is less than ideal. When one of the Tenth's squads goes down under mysterious circumstances, the two must learn to work together if they hope to discover the truth.
Disclaimer: All characters and settings of Bleach are the property of Kubo Tite.
In Spite of Appearances
CHAPTER FOUR
Hitsugaya was facedown. He was sure that this was wrong, though he didn't know why. But he had the distinct impression that he should not have been lying on his face, and that there should not have been what felt like hands on his back, prodding at open wounds. That hurt, damn it. Whoever the idiot was that was doing that, he could stop now. As in immediately.
He opened his mouth to speak, to order the idiot away from him, but no words would come out. Perfect. Now he would just have to lie here and endure this for however long the person touching him decided to keep up the torture. That, or until he passed out again. He wasn't really sure that he even cared at this point.
But then a new sensation came over him. A warm one, faintly tugging at the skin of his back. Some part of him relaxed at this feeling, for he knew what it was. Very few shinigami had not felt the warmth of healing kidou before. Matsumoto must have been able to get ahold of someone from the Fourth, just as he had ordered.
His eyes flew open at that thought. Matsumoto. She'd been injured, too. Had they taken care of her already? What kind of condition was she in? He had to know if she was all right or not.
Anyone who would have taken that as friendly concern would have been mistaken, of course. It was hardly that. Just a captain wondering over the status of his vice-captain after sustaining an injury. It was his right as her commanding officer to know her condition, and that was that.
The warmth on his back faded, and with it much of the pain that he had been experiencing earlier. Instantly, he shoved the person off of him and sat up, rubbing absently at his bare back. Right. They would have had to remove the upper part of his uniform in order to heal him. That was fine. And he tried to tell himself that it was fine if they had to do that to Matsumoto, too. The Fourth was comprised of medical professionals, after all. They were trustworthy.
They had better be, or he would give them hell. Just a captain protecting his vice-captain's dignity, of course. Not a friend.
"Sir, I'm not sure that it's a good idea for -"
"Where is Matsumoto?" Hitsugaya leveled a glare on the man who had been treating him, in no mood for delays. "I don't want to hear a word of anything else until I know."
The man blinked, gaze periodically darting away from him. At another point in time, Hitsugaya might have been pleased by this; someone he frightened was someone who took him seriously. But right now, he was serious. He wanted to know Matsumoto's whereabouts and condition, and this man was going to tell him in the next ten seconds or else he wouldn't have a voice box left at all. His expression clearly communicated that much.
The man fidgeted, his mouth working a bit before any sound came out. "If you could just calm down sir, I can explain . . ."
Okay, that was it. Time was up. The bastard hadn't coughed up what he wanted to know and Hitsugaya was in a very bad mood as it was. Thwarting him on such an important issue didn't help. One hand twitched, ready to make the necessary move, but a new voice stopped him.
"Aw, I didn't realize you cared that much, Toushirou-kun!" Matsumoto stood a few feet away from him, looking a little pale and slightly hunched over, but otherwise not much worse for the wear. She had been treated first, then. Good. "I'd hug you, but my ribs still hurt something awful!"
Was it terrible that a part of him was thankful for that? Hell if he wasn't furious that she had been hurt in the first place, but having her not hug him was generally classified as a very good thing. He couldn't breathe when she hugged him like that, and without a doubt she knew it. Damn woman tried to suffocate him, bit by bit, just for her own amusement. It was a demented little game of hers.
But at least she was safe.
"That would not have been necessary." That was all he said in response to her presence. No greeting. No inquiry as to how she was feeling - she had pretty much provided that information, anyway. Just commentary on the proper way to treat him. He turned his attention back to the healer, who looked notably relieved that Hitsugaya had gotten what he wanted. "Name."
The man knelt properly, bowing his head in the required obeisance. "Nakahara Ryou, sir. Nineteenth seat of the Fourth." He stopped here, picking up the upper parts of Hitsugaya's uniform and handing them over without hesitation. "Here you are, Hitsugaya-taichou. Just . . . please be careful. I've done what I can for your injuries, but they are still rather vulnerable."
Hitsugaya grunted in acknowledgement as he took the clothing from Nakahara. Yes, yes. Be careful and all that. He had heard it before - what shinigami hadn't? - and it scarcely even registered in his mind. He stood, diligently working with his shihakushou to get it on, being mindful of the soreness that remained in his back. Damn it; he would have thought one of the Fourth's officers, even a low-ranked one, should have been able to do a more thorough job on their wounds than this. Maybe Nakahara was just new at the officer rank.
"Need any help, Toushirou-kun?"
Hitsugaya scowled in Matsumoto's direction. "I know how to dress myself, thanks." He pointedly refused to acknowledge that Matsumoto's face was completely serious, and not in the least bit amused. Which meant that she was not making some ill-advised crack about his age in front of an officer of another division. He didn't want to see it that way, if for no other reason than that would have meant that he was just unnecessarily harsh in his response. And all his harshness was necessary, of course.
Matsumoto sighed angrily and stepped over to him, anyway. Her face was a little pinched from the pain that she was in, but only a careful study of her features would have revealed it. "You know that's not what I meant. You're just trying to be difficult."
Hitsugaya snorted, casually sliding his arms into his haori. The now-familiar weight of the white cloth on his back calmed him a bit. He was still here, and he was still a captain. But then his eyes narrowed, realizing that something was still missing. Something vitally important. He shot looks between Matsumoto and Nakahara. One of them, at the very least, should know. And if not . . . That was something that he would rather not think about.
"Where is Hyourinmaru?" His voice was low and tense, but he managed to avoid having it sound like a growl. It would have been counterproductive for him to scare Nakahara witless before he could even answer.
As it was, Nakahara seemed to have frozen in fear, anyway. Well, that was useless. Matsumoto had better be more forthcoming, even if it was just to say that she had no idea. Even that would be more helpful than Nakahara was being.
Matsumoto rolled her eyes. "You don't have to get so angry over everything." She walked past him, behind the stock-still Nakahara - really, how long was the fool going to stay like that? - and bent down into the grass to pick something up. When she rose, this thing proved to be none other than Hyourinmaru, completely undamaged, blade shining keenly in the fading daylight. Matsumoto carried the sword to him with a sort of reverence, holding it across both palms for him to take. "I kept Nakahara-san from touching it, since I knew you'd be picky about that."
Pausing, Hitsugaya blinked at her words. That last bit could have been taken as a barb, but he could tell that Matsumoto had not meant it that way. She had been being mindful of his wishes, knew what they were without having to be told. He could appreciate that much, he supposed. Every once in a while, Matsumoto tended to surprise him like that. It was rather pleasant, actually. Although he wished that it wasn't a surprise. Or just once in a while.
"Thank you," he said, taking Hyourinmaru from her hands. He owed her that much, at the very least. He moved to put the sword on his back, mind willing the sheath to form once again out of water vapour. There. He was complete again. His eyes turned back to Nakahara, still unmoving, and he folded his arms across his chest. This was ridiculous. "Practicing to become a statue, Nakahara?"
Nakahara blinked at this, then sheepishly climbed to his feet. He rubbed nervously at the back of his neck before answering. "No. No, sir. My apologies; I did not mean to offend."
"Oh, don't mind him," Matsumoto piped in. "He's just a little grouch who takes things too seriously. I'm sure he doesn't mean to be rude, even though he didn't even thank you for healing us, or anything."
Hitsugaya ground his teeth at the surreptitious look Matsumoto gave him with her last statement. And here she had hated being referred to as his mother; she was certainly trying to act like that now, which was very much not appreciated. It was not her job to moderate his conduct, even if there had been something about it that needed to be moderated. Which there wasn't. He dealt with people just fine, regardless of what Matsumoto seemed to think.
How he wished that changed the fact that the damn woman had a point.
He rolled his eyes. Fine. "Thank you, Nakahara, for doing your job." The final bit was sent more in Matsumoto's direction than Nakahara's, and he knew that she would get the point of that one. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he knew that Matsumoto was not that dense.
That settled, he finally took the time to examine his surroundings. Oddly enough, they were not housed in the Fourth's hospital. He might have thought that they were treated on scene instead, save for the fact that there was no lake nearby - just a grassy plain with periodic rocky outcroppings. What the hell? What kind of trick was this? Something was wrong, and he went to what he deemed to be the first possible source.
"Nakahara. What's going on?" he asked sharply. In that second, he remembered the man's previous behaviour at his irritation, and added, "Don't you dare freeze on me this time."
Nakahara paled, and fidgeted again, but to his credit did not seize up this time. "I . . . I'm not sure I understand what you mean, sir. This is . . ."
"Not the Fourth, nor is it where Matsumoto and I were injured," Hitsugaya finished for him. Did the man really know nothing, or was he just playing at ignorance? He eyed Nakahara carefully, taking in his pallour and his shaking hands. No, this was no lie he had told. Whatever had moved them here, Nakahara had nothing to do with it.
"It's . . . not?" Nakahara sounded completely baffled. "But I found the both of you here, wounded and unconscious. It doesn't make sense that something would move you to the middle of nowhere and just leave you. Are you sure that -"
His scowl deepened. "Are you questioning my observational skills?"
Matsumoto stepped between them, forcing Hitsugaya to look up in order to avoid getting an eyeful that he did not want. One of these days, he was going to be able to look the woman in the eye without craning his neck. As it was, those eyes were full of cheerful impatience - however the hell that was supposed to work, but that was what it was - and her lips were set firmly, though they did twitch a bit, as though she were trying to keep from smiling.
"Boys, boys, let's not argue!" She turned and gave Nakahara a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Sorry about that; he's just being cranky. But it's true, you know. We were fighting near a lake, and . . ." Here, she swept a hand out to indicate the surrounding landscape. "There doesn't seem to be one in sight. It's just strange. That's all."
Hitsugaya snorted when Nakahara seemed to relax a bit at those words; colour had returned to the man's face, though his hands still shook. Really, had Hitsugaya not communicated that very same thing a moment ago? He didn't need Matsumoto to repeat his own questions, couched in softer language. There was no point in saying the same thing twice.
"Oh," Nakahara said, taking a moment to push a strand of short dark hair out of his eyes. Yes, he certainly looked more relaxed now. "Well, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can tell you about that."
"Really? You don't have a clue?" Matsumoto looked well and truly baffled now, and Hitsugaya could not find it in himself to blame her. This whole situation just made no damn sense at all.
Nakahara shook his head. "I am afraid not, Matsumoto-fukutaichou. But perhaps one of the others might, if we head back to base."
Hitsugaya blinked. "Base? Others? Mind explaining that before we go anywhere with you?"
He was not entirely convinced that this was not a trap of some sort. Everything felt too wrong, and Nakahara wasn't giving straight answers. Not in Hitsugaya's view, anyway, and that was what mattered. He hated to think that he could not trust another shinigami, but not everyone was trustworthy, and he had never met this man before. But for now, the situation was stable, and he would not yet pass judgement on Nakahara's intentions. A chance to regroup was one that should be taken.
"Well, sir, there have been quite a few others that have ended up here in some fashion." Nakahara stood straight-backed and proud, like a proper officer when he spoke. Matsumoto's gentleness must have coaxed that out of him. "All from various divisions, even another officer or two. I . . . can't say exactly. For that, you might need to talk to Okada-san; he's already got a better handle on who's who than I do."
Hitsugaya was about to answer, but when he heard that name, he stopped, stunned. "Okada?"
That was too much of a co-incidence. This man had just spoken out the name of Hitsugaya's Tenth Seat, and there was no reason for him to have known it beforehand. If he hadn't planned to go to this base earlier, he certainly intended to now.
"I see. Lead the way, then. Immediately."
Nakahara bowed wordlessly before jogging ahead. For a second, Hitsugaya felt slighted by the lack of shunpo - he could do quite a good job at it, in case anyone wondered - but then remembered the man's rank. Officers that low typically couldn't shunpo, and clearly Nakahara was no exception.
He nodded to himself when Matsumoto pulled up beside him, but made no effort to move ahead. Good to see that she could respect protocol occasionally. Besides, they needed to have a word or two anyway.
"So we're going to see Okada, hmm?" Matsumoto said lightly, an undisguised note of teasing in her voice. Just fantastic. Really. "You sure you're up to that? You know how much he upsets you; I wouldn't want you to get overly stressed."
In all honesty, Hitsugaya was not exactly sure that he wanted to deal with Okada right now. Or ever, really. The man was a nuisance who held absolutely no respect for his station. Hell, the idiot had laughed at him the day he took over the division. Speaking with him was never a pleasant prospect.
But he had no choice.
"I can handle Okada," he snapped. He didn't want to, but he could. "And I have to, anyway. Don't you realize the significance of his being here, Matsumoto? This is something that you should have noticed."
Matsumoto blinked, clearly not getting it. "Why should I be aware of something like this? That's not my job."
Grinding his teeth, Hitsugaya forced himself to calm down, just a little. Wasn't part of her job? What the hell did she think her job was? "I suppose it's too much to ask for you to keep track of mission assignments. But if you had done so as required, I wouldn't have to be explaining this to you right now."
He didn't know why he bothered. He really didn't. Even after a scant few months, Hitsugaya had come to realize the near-futility of getting Matsumoto to do anything resembling work. In the office, at least. She seemed to handle herself well enough in the field, the last encounter notwithstanding. But paperwork? Might as well do it all himself. At least people would be able to read it that way.
"Okada was in charge of the squad that was just brought back into the Fourth."
**
Aizen sat under a tree, enjoying the fine weather as he paged through a thick book. That was not his true purpose for being here, of course, but it served very well as cover. Keeping the meeting casual, even though it was completely business related, would catch his incoming companion off guard, and fluster her more than usual. It was best to keep her off balance, if for no other reason than it amused him. He always wanted to laugh when Hinamori blushed and stammered, all the while striving to be composed in his presence. More than once, he had even allowed himself to pat her on the head as though she were a puppy.
An easily deceived and eager to please puppy. It worked out very well for him. How convenient that he was able to find both her and Kira back in their earliest Academy days. They were both proving very useful thus far.
And Hinamori would shortly be given a chance to prove her usefulness to him again.
Aizen smiled as he felt her reiatsu approach. Right on time, as usual. Within a few moments, she would pass by this spot on her way back from conducting kidou drills. The girl might have trouble getting up on time in the morning, but she was punctual about everything else.
He could see her approach in the distance now, and he returned his eyes to his book. It would not do for it to appear as though he had been waiting for her. And with this façade, she would never think that it was anything but a chance meeting. Silly girl.
"Oh!"
At Hinamori's gasp, Aizen looked up as though surprised, but then guided his lips into a smile. It was not a false one, not entirely. The difference was that he needed it to convey warmth and not amusement. And that was easy enough, given how well-practiced he was at that particular task.
"Ah, Hinamori-kun. Such a pleasant surprise," he said smoothly. "What brings you by here on a fine day such as this?" As if he didn't know.
"Aizen-taichou!" Hinamori performed a quick - and unnecessary - bow. "I . . . I was just about to head back to my quarters to clean myself up after kidou drills. But if there's anything you need me to do, I'm sure that can wait."
He chuckled softly. "There is nothing so immediate as that. However," he paused here, his face turning more serious. "I do need to discuss something with you; it is rather fortunate that we met out here, in fact. Much preferable to delivering such news in a sterile environment like an office." He closed his book and patted the warm ground next to him. "Please sit."
The dismay on her face was truly a sight to behold. "Something's happened? Will everything be all right?" She hurried to sit in the spot that he had indicated, clearly too worried at the moment to fluster. "What is it?"
He kept the serious look on his face, even though he wanted to smile at her concerned babbling. "This may be difficult news for you to hear, Hinamori-kun, but I am glad that it is I who has the chance to tell you, rather than someone less sensitive. I hope that I can soften the blow, at the very least; I hate to see you hurt."
Hinamori's eyes became huge, and a frown tugged down on her lips. "It . . . it's personal . . . for me?"
"Regrettably, yes," he replied softly. "Given how close I know you are with Hitsugaya-taichou."
She gasped. "Hitsugaya-kun? Something's happened to him? Is he all right?"
Silly girl probably hadn't realized that she had pleadingly latched her hands onto his haori, silently begging him to make everything better. She was never aware of her actions around him, never aware of how obvious her infatuation with him was. Hinamori did not even know herself, much less him. If he cared for her any more than casually, he would have found that a pity.
Instead, it was far more of an amusement.
He patted her hand gently. "We cannot confirm his health at this point, I am afraid. Either positively or negatively. He and Matsumoto-fukutaichou were conducting an investigation into the loss of a squad, and have now turned up missing, themselves. No one has seen or heard from either of them since they left."
"Disappeared? Both of them? B-but . . ." Tears gathered in those too-wide eyes, but did not fall, and her hands clutched at him more tightly. "But what could do that to Hitsugaya-kun and Rangiku-san? You're going to help find them, aren't you, Aizen-taichou? You've got to find them!"
Such faith. And so misplaced, though she would likely not even know that when she died in a few years' time. But, he supposed, it was better for her that way. How cruel it would be to crush her perfect image of him.
He placed a comforting hand on her head. "They will be found. Already, orders have been issued, and Kurotsuchi-taichou has volunteered the Twelfth Division, though their involvement was only approved contingent upon the partnership with a more field-prepared division."
Hinamori blinked, eyes widening further in horror at the mention of Kurotsuchi. "The Twelfth shouldn't be involved in something like this! They'll just take Hitsugaya-kun and Rangiku-san and study them! That's not help! Aizen-taichou, we can't let them!"
"Hinamori-kun, lower your voice, please," he said calmly. "This is more the reason, I think, that another division was asked to assist. I do not relish asking you this, but I have volunteered the Fifth, and there is no one that I trust more than you." He looked away, as though overcome by a sudden disturbing thought. "The Hollows, too. Kurotsuchi-taichou would have them for study; he has expressed this interest directly. However . . ."
Aizen felt Hinamori's hands dislodge themselves from his haori, and he could imagine her face right now, drawn into a mixture of worry, horror, and determination. The perfect recipe for what he required of her. It was almost shameful how easy it was to play to her weaknesses.
"However . . . what?" she blurted. And then she gasped at her own response. "Oh, I'm sorry! I shouldn't be asking you anything you don't think I need to know. I accept the assignment regardless, Aizen-taichou."
He looked up at her as she spoke, eyes full of feigned indecision. Lowering his gaze for a second, he then brought his face back up with a more resolute expression. "No, Hinamori-kun. You had every right to ask. It is unseemly of me to question the motives of a fellow captain, but I am uncomfortable with how eager Kurotsuchi-taichou is to get ahold of these Hollows. Almost as though he has something untoward in mind."
"I don't think it's unseemly of you to worry over what Kurotsuchi-taichou wants." Hinamori's voice was firm, her face set sternly. "He might be skilled, but I agree with you that he can't be trusted. Don't the other captains understand that? He shouldn't be a captain at all!"
Far, far too easy. It was rather fortunate that Kurotsuchi was such an apt target for suspicion. The man had done little to endear himself personally to anyone in the Gotei, and had in fact demonstrated quite a bit of callousness both before and after his captaincy. That he was up to something that could endanger them all was no leap of the imagination.
"Hinamori-kun." Aizen was firm, yet gentle in his reprimand. "You must be more mindful of how you speak of a captain, regardless of your personal feelings toward him. Were anyone to hear you, it could result in harsh punishment, and I wish for no such fate to befall you. Especially since it would be my fault you were punished, for raising the matter in the first place."
Something in Hinamori's eyes still looked rebellious, though the girl did calm her ire. "You're right. It's not proper for me to talk about him that way. But that doesn't change the fact that it's how I feel."
Ah, there was that steel within her that seemed to get lost sometimes. While he needed her compliant, she was useless without that determination within her. Far better than smothering it, he instead gently guided it to be used toward his own ends. Aizen was not one who merely broke his pawns; a broken piece held no value. Using someone else's strength to help him achieve his goals was far more efficient than having to do everything himself.
He sighed in resignation. "I cannot fault you for thinking these things when I have thought them myself. But these are the orders, coming from Yamamoto-soutaichou himself. There is nothing I can do but obey, no matter what Kurotsuchi-taichou might have in mind. I hope that you can forgive me for thinking this way."
"You're not doing anything wrong," came Hinamori's gentle tones. Her face was downcast, but Aizen could see the calculation behind her eyes. She had found the opening he had left for her. "I'll take the assignment, as you have asked. I won't disappoint you, sir. Are there any further instructions?"
The smile Aizen allowed to grace his features was one of relief. Played to perfection, as always. "Thank you. I still need to finalize the details with Kurotsuchi-taichou, but I will inform you of those as soon as they are agreed upon. I do expect you will be working with his vice-captain on this venture, as he will leave little to chance. Beyond that, we shall both have to wait."
Hinamori nodded. "Yes, sir. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"
"No. I have kept you too long as it is." Aizen shook his head. "I appreciate your indulging me, but you may return to your duties now. I expect that I will be contacting you again before long."
At this, Hinamori bowed before climbing to her feet and hurrying on her way to her quarters. Aizen watched her leave, her hair ribbons flying behind her, and her zanpakutou bouncing at her hip. Such an obedient pup.
Chapter Three Chapter Five