(Untitled)

[warm_smile]

Title: Reunion.
Characters: Hitsugaya Toshiro, Hinamori Momo, Aizen Sousuke.
Location: BETA-1. Gotei Enterprises Hanger.
Status: Closed.
Warnings: None.

Comments

You haven't proven you're #1 yet.

[captain_grumpy]

Hitsugaya was standing at the top of the ramp, datapads in his hands, his attention divided. The ship was in good condition - how Matsumoto did it, he was never sure; she always seemed to be sleeping. Hinamori's parts had come. (It was the bellowing of the delivery boy that brought him to the ramps; he hadn't realized Hinamori was taking the delivery.) With a sigh, he went back to the inventory on one of his datapads, occasionally looking down the ramp at Hinamori riffling through her parts and tools. (Honestly, it was hard not to look; she was literally bouncing with each new part. How did someone get that much energy?) In point of fact, he hardly noticed the frenetic movement after a few moments.

It was when she went completely still, he looked up intently. At first he was watching her, trying to decide if perhaps the delivery was somehow wrong or she saw a - God forbid - mouse. Then, he realized she was staring, swallowing, and not paying a bit of attention to the tools in her hands.

Our guest must have arrived. Hitsugaya blinked, his gaze traveling in the direction Hinamori was staring. There he was, Aizen Sousuke, smiling disarmingly. Sparing a glance for Hinamori, and clearly remembering their earlier conversation, he stepped down the ramp and silently hoped that this, at least, would go smoothly. (A part of him admitted concern for his new mechanic, but he had no right and no business in whatever had transpired. Even so, he wasn't keen on trying to find another mechanic so soon...)

He strode down the ramp, datapads tucked to his chest. Time to meet our passenger.

[warm_smile]

Aizen stopped some seven feet from the Creeping Limit, placing his hands in his pockets. He slid his left foot out, resting his weight upon his right leg. He looked at ease - completely comfortable with his surroundings. Nothing could surprise him. His smile only increased in size and warmth, looking at the pair through two gleaming eyes.

“Captain Hitsugaya!” His attention immediately turned to the Captain, nodding slightly in respect. He was perfectly silent for a moment, taking a step forwards. “I cannot thank you enough for this gracious favor.” Another step, taking his hands out of his pockets. “Escaping this planet will bring quite the relief.”

Another step. His eyes were set upon Hitsugaya, moving his hands as he spoke. “You ship is very impressive!” He removed his glasses casually, pulling out the tail of his business shirt to gently clean them. All the while, taking another slow step. “For someone so young, your talent is obvious from the very sight of her.”

The final step. Aizen turned his head, putting his glasses back on casually, staring at Hinamori Momo some two feet from him. There was nothing more to do. Aizen's mask was in full effect, locking his passive eyes with Momo's. His smile, his open stance. All warm, all welcoming.

Was there anything else to do?

“Miss Hinamori.”

0_0 - BUT I AM!

[stowawaymomo]

Hinamori was vaguely aware of Hitsugaya walking down the ramp to meet their guest. She noticed it in the off sort of way that one who is truly focused on something notices things, it registered but it did not really compute in her mind. The links were not all fitting together because all she could do was sit their in her half crouched pose, parts in her hands, as she stared at the man that she had long ago given up for the dead.

But he was alive.

The tools dropped from numb fingers as she rose jerkily, the previous cheer and bubble effectively banished by her shock. She was aware of him talking to Hitsugaya, as she took a jerky half step forward. She could hear the words but they were simple things that fled in the wake of the much more pressing knowledge of his sudden re-birth into the living world.

When he spoke her name she took another two-steps forward, she knew her eyes were wide and she knew she probably had some silly expression on her face that coupled with the tears that were burning at the back of her eyes made her look like an idiot. She did not care.

"Ai..." she could not make herself say his whole name, could not understand how this was even remotely possible. Another step forward and she was abreast with Hitsugaya, she swallowed and tried again. "Ai.. Ai." It just was not coming out the way she wanted it to.

"Aizen," there she managed to say his name. "I..." The sudden fierce urge to run forward and throw her arms around him gripped her but she was unable to move, unable to take the few steps she needed in order to complete the action her brain was demanding of her.

She wondered, briefly, if this was what it was like seeing a ghost.

Prove it, woman.

[captain_grumpy]

Hitsugaya spared a glance for his obviously shocked mechanic as the acknowledgement for Aizen's praise died on his lips. Put plainly, this was not what he had been expecting. Considering Hinamori's attitude earlier, he honestly thought that, at the very least, she'd hide in the Engine Room for the duration of the trip. Now, the tools he had bought - the same tools she's been bouncing and squealing over just minutes before - were slipping from her fingers.

This was not what he expected, and he knew he didn't like it much. There's was a part of him that wanted to take his mechanic by the shoulders and make her tell him what in the hell was going on. How could she be so shocked? He'd already told her Aizen was coming on board.

He knew his eyes were wide with surprise, and that only served to irritate him further. His gaze flew between Aizen and Hinamori and he frowned. Someone better start explaining.

Hurry up and hug me, so I can shank yo' ass.

[warm_smile]

There was silence. Calm, peaceful silence, as Aizen stared into Momo's eyes. His smile was consistent, tilting his head in a playful manner. “It has been awhile, my dear Hinamori.” Unusually quiet, Aizen was soaking in this moment - the irony was simply amazing.

Aizen was certain that she was dead. And, it appears that Hinamori thought the same thing. Only one of them was actually happy to see they were wrong. And, to no surprise, Aizen hated being wrong. Seeing her name on the crew roster was quite the surprise. She was more difficult than he gave her credit for.

That doesn't mean she wasn't horribly predictable. Aizen stood there casually, placing a hand on her shoulder. Perhaps it was a sign. Hinamori always was a useful tool. His smile faded some, briefly looking towards Hitsugaya.

Two children. This voyage would certainly be interesting. He turned back towards Hinamori, a flash of concern taking his face. “What's wrong? You look as if you'd seen a ghost.”

*rolls back sleeves* You dont want none of this! ... Aizen! *GLOMP*

[stowawaymomo]

It was the hand on her shoulder that finally snapped her into action. She hadn't expected him to actually be the first one to touch her. He had always been a willing receiver of her hugs in the past but it he had rarely been the one to instigate anything between them.

She ignored this and stepped forward quickly, wrapping her arms around his back and pressing her nose against this shoulder she hugged him tightly. He was not dead, she told herself firmly. The reports had been wrong; she had left to early...

She held back the tears that wanted to fall from her eyes; she would not cry in front of Hitsugaya, it would be embarrassing. She let herself hold on for several seconds before pulling back a bit awkwardly, not entirely sure of her welcome (it had been several years) and smiled sheepishly up at him.

"I thought you were dead."

Re: *rolls back sleeves* You dont want none of this! ... Aizen! *GLOMP*

[captain_grumpy]

Dead? For one inane moment, Hitsugaya stared at Aizen, blinking. Dead? He certainly didn't look dead.

Which would certainly explain Hinamori's shock, if she had thought him dead.

He still wanted an explanation. Something short and to-the-point would certainly help. He meant to ask civilly; really he did, but the irritation that was welling up in him spilled over as soon as he opened his mouth.

"What the hell is going on here?"

[warm_smile]

Aizen wrapped a single arm around Momo, gently rubbing her back. He had grown used to this during their time together, and counted down the seconds for her to eventually let go. It was just another predictable part.

He looked down at her, his smile encompassing what would appear in a joyous man's face. "I was." A simple, mysterious answer, patting her head and ruffling her hair. "I certainly missed you, Miss Hinamori."

He turned his head towards Hitsugaya, giving him the same smile. Perhaps he would hug him too? That would be simply wonderful. He extended his hand in greeting, looking the young man square in the eyes. "My name is Aizen Sousuke. Executive Director of Public Relations. -- An awfully long title, don't you think?"

Chuckling softly at his own joke, Aizen casually looked up towards the hanger ceiling, shrugging. "I would much prefer a simple title, such as Captain. 'Captain Aizen.' Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

[stowawaymomo]

She would not blush, she told herself firmly as she patted down the hair he had ruffled. It was silly and she was far past that particular quirk in her expressions now that she was older and much wiser than she had been when she had met Aizen for the first time. It was silly to even think about turning pink in a situation like this!

She hid her smile at his joke by glancing at her precious boxes in order to make sure that they were still safe were she had left them. One never knew how fast or clever thieves were feeling when they wanted something and ship parts were important and expensive.

She blinked at Hitsugaya when he demanded an answer to what was going on and did blush then. She had completely forgotten that her captain was there! He was going to think that she was some silly girl instead of a mechanic! She took a step back from Aizen and clasped her hands in front of her tightly, this... was probably going to be interesting she realized.

He looked grumpy again and she was without a sandwich to pacify him!

[captain_grumpy]

Hitsugaya watched with one eyebrow slowly climbing higher and higher. His new mechanic was... mercurial, at best. He watched as she tried to put herself back into order, patting her hair and... Did she just check on the boxes of supplies behind her? He resisted the urge to shake his head; who did she think was going to mess with them? Him?

Turning away from his (never-to-be-understood) mechanic, he nodded toward Aizen. The man was still smiling pleasantly, joking and apparently feeling right at home. At least he didn't seem to be a demanding sort of man; that type of passenger Hitsugaya usually ended up pawning off on another ship before too long. He could be pleasant enough, if he wasn't a busy-body type.

"Captain certainly does have a nice ring to it," Hitsugaya said, bobbing his head once. "Welcome to my ship."

[warm_smile]

“I cannot thank you enough, Captain.” Aizen’s smile remained constant, staring at Hitsugaya with a gleeful tone in his voice. All the while, his eyes were absorbing every moment Hitsugaya made, predicting every thought that went through his head. Some parts were exceptionally easy, while others were more difficult.

He certainly was an interesting lad. After all, he had accomplished quite the feat - a Captain at such a young age. Aizen was reminded of himself, staring at a shorter, younger, whiter version of his childhood. - Oh, and Hitsugaya actually had a personality.

Something Aizen didn’t develop until it was necessary.

This ship could perhaps offer some fun, turning towards Hinamori and stepping towards her. He tilted his head to the side, raising his eyebrows in curiosity. “Are you all right, my dear?” Without hesitation, Aizen slung an arm around her shoulder, stepping in to kiss her on the top of her hair.

With these two aboard, it would at least be entertaining.

[stowawaymomo]

Hinamori blinked at her captain, before mentally shrugging. Perhaps this idle chatter was part of that whole political thing she failed at. This was why she was normally to be found hidden away in the engine room, somewhere nice and safe, with parts that did not talk back!

She could feel the heat of her blush creeping up her cheeks when Aizen slung his arm around her shoulders, and tightened the hands that were clasped together tighter to keep from embarrassing herself somehow when he kissed the top of her head. It had been to long since they had been around each other and it was affecting her like it had back when they were first getting to know each other - mostly her with bright pink cheeks.

"Yes!" She agreed, nodding her head rapidly, "I am fine!" She looked at her boxes and felt something akin to relief slip past her, and mentally forced herself to look at neither of the men around her. If she did, she was going to be bright pink for days. "I have to attend to my new parts though!"

She really didn't want Hitsugaya to think she was a bad mechanic!

[captain_grumpy]

Well, he was learning more and more about his new mechanic. Oh, he had suspected she was high-strung type, bubbly and enthusiastic, so adding jittery to his mental list wasn’t a far stretch. This was a tough universe; everyone he’d met had some sort of trauma behind them, but he honestly never suspected her of anything very untoward. Maybe he’d underestimated her. He watched her turn a bright pink under Aizen’s ministrations. Then again, maybe he’d overestimated, he thought with a small shrug.

Doesn’t deal well with personal situations, he thought as she attempted to get back to her boxes of supplies. Save her? Or let her stew a bit? Another near-imperceptible shrug and a soft snort. Women. He would have thought working with Yachiru, Matsumoto, and now Hinamori would lend him a better understanding, but it only left him more frustrated than ever before.

He blinked; his thoughts were drifting. What he really needed to do was get Aizen and Hinamori’s supplies stowed away on board. The Creeping Limit had places to be, and standing in a hangar, contemplating relationships wouldn’t get their cargo delivered. He nodded toward Aizen, who was still smiling; he’d have to ask Hinamori if it ever fell away from his face. “Thanks are not necessary.” Aizen seemed a sincere enough man, but once he - a man seemingly accustomed to more luxurious things - saw the rather small accomodations the ship had to offer, he might not want to extend thanks.

His gaze fell to Hinamori - a bright pink Hinamori. “Matsumoto can help you with those boxes, or you can press any of these hangar jockeys into service.”

[warm_smile]

"Well then, Captain!" Aizen stepped off to the side, turning towards the pair. He removed his silver rolex from his wrist, placing it in his coat pocket, before casually removing his coat. "It seems there is work to be done."

He tossed his coat onto a box, beginning to unbutton his dress shirt. "Miss Hinamori, we will have to have many talks." He gave that same smile, sliding off his dress-shirt. His white tank-top clung to his large torso, bulging with muscles. He was no ordinary businessman.

"But, until then, allow me to assist in anything! Such as carrying these boxes." He nodded, carefully observing Hinamori. Far too fun. These two would offer some entertainment, perhaps enough to keep him occupied for the next week. Just no challenge.

Although, there was only one man that could offer the great Aizen Sousuke a suitable challenge.

[stowawaymomo]

Hinamori worked hard not to squeak in surprise when Aizen took off his coat. She had forgotten how well built he was... actually, she was pretty sure that she was suddenly remembering a whole lot of things that she was supposed to have forgotten. She turned her attention to her captain, working hard to fight down the blush that would not go away. If she let herself remember… she swallowed.

“I… I can do it,” she assured Hitsugaya quickly. She definitely needed the distraction as it was. “Don’t worry about me!”

She darted towards her boxes, well more like a skip with a quick wave over her shoulder towards Aizen and Hitsugaya. “I will see you later!” She chirped, before picking up her speed again. She turned forward and did her best to keep from tripping over the boxes and flailed a little bit to maintain her balance but she managed to pull it off.

Boxes. Boxes were good.

She would definitely have to be very professional later or Hitsugaya would be grumpy.

She would deal with that. Later. Definitely later.

[captain_grumpy]

Hitsugaya stepped back quickly as his mechanic flailed for balance and raised an eyebrow. She was flighty, but he honestly couldn't blame her, so long as she managed to get his ship in orbit without incident.

His gaze fell on Aizen as he laid his coat on a box. This was a first; a passenger who actually helped with a load. Last time he had a passenger, he had imperiously demanded his luggage be carried up the ramp right this minute. Perhaps this Aizen was a man actually worth making the trip for.

With another glance at his flustered mechanic, Hitsugaya sighed and put his datapads down on a box before picking it up.

"Welcome aboard the Creeping Limit," he said to Aizen as he adjusted his grip on the box. (Damn thing was almost heavier than he was.) "I'll have someone show you to the guest quarters."