Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams Come True ❯ Toshiro Hitsugaya ( Chapter 20 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.
Toshiro Hitsugaya
When he had been offered the Captaincy of 10th Division, he'd been surprised and very proud. He was the youngest Shinigami to ever make Captain and achieve bankai and he knew it was an achievement that no one could take from him, not that anyone was trying, but some people seemed singularly unimpressed. In truth, it was one person who was indifferent and that person was supposed to be his friend. Weren't friends meant to celebrate your achievements with you, not ignore them?
That was only one thing that annoyed him about his unlooked for promotion. Another aggravation was no one had told him the down side of being a Captain. He didn't know there could be drawbacks before he accepted; how would he know? He'd barely become a Shinigami before the offer was made. Dazzled by the unlooked for recognition, he had eagerly asked about the duties. At that time no mention had been made of the mountains of paperwork, the meetings, the training, the petty decisions he had to make, mediating disputes between members of his division. It all took up so much time. Instead of being able to delegate tasks to others and expect that they do the work, he had to check that the work was done and then insist any problems were resolved as soon as possible. He knew that it would take less time for him to complete the job, but if he kept doing other people's work he was reprimanded by the old man and that grated on his nerves.
As he was still so new to the Seireitei when he became a Captain, he was unaware of the competition between the Captains. Not all the Captains participated, some were even friends with each other, but on occasions he just wanted to leave the room if two Captains with particular grudges were there at the same time. At present it was worse than normal. Captain Ichimaru, Captain Zaraki, Captain Kuchiki and Captain Kurotsuchi seemed to have issues with each other, or was it that Captain Zaraki had issues with all of them? To make the situation more intolerable was the ongoing hatred between Captain Zaraki and Captain Tosen. Now he knew all this, he wished he could go back in time and refuse the offer, but it was too late. He was Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya, the commander of 10th Division, and the angriest person he knew.
He had to hide the anger. He was not like Captain Zaraki who didn't care if anyone and everyone knew how he felt, but he found it hard to remain as unmoved as Captain Kuchiki. Toshiro felt it was imperative he maintained his dignity at all times because he was so young that people expected him to make mistakes. Expected was the wrong word. Hoped? Anticipated? Wished? Desired? Whatever. There was the careful observation, the almost fanatical scrutiny for any possible blunder. If he did make that error, what would be the consequences? With his luck he wouldn't be demoted; in reality there would be no demotion but he'd probably be given some unpleasant task that the other Captain's had refused.
To be a Captain required the ability to bankai, or kill the holder of the Captaincy or be voted into the office. The thought that rattled in the back of his mind was that he had been appointed Captain at such a young age due to the desperation of the Captain-General to fill the vacant role as quickly as possible, and he was the only candidate. It was true he did not like that thought, it breached his confidence and that he did not need. Due to his lack of assurance he felt he should appear as the most confident, meticulous and orderly Captain in the Seireitei, so people would not guess his fears.
To compound the problem his Assistant Captain, on occasions, made him grind his teeth with rage, but he wouldn't think about that now.
People tried to belittle him, calling him the boy Captain, or the boy genius, the emphasis constantly being on his youth. Others treated him like a kid or a cute little child with a desire for lollies and little else. He acted less childishly than many of the Captains but his struggle to gain respect incensed him. What did he need to do? Kill someone? If that was the case, he'd already drawn up a list of candidates.
Even when he ignored all these matters that made him want to pound his head against the wall, there was still the person who enraged him more than any of the others.
Momo Hinamori, friend for most of his life, graduate of the Academy, Assistant Captain to Sosuke Aizen, Captain of 5th Division, and the person who constantly forgot his position and treated him like a kid brother. How would anyone revere him when she tousled his hair in public and called him Toshiro? He had wasted as much time trying to instruct her in the correct protocols, as he had with his own Assistant Captain, who had the unfortunate habit of regularly calling Captain Ichimaru, Gin. The Captain of the 3rd Division had mentioned it in passing one day and then on another occasion, the constant smirk in place, as he made light of the situation. If the situation was inconsequential, why did he mention it more than once? Yet again he had spoken to Matsumoto and Momo about using the correct titles. Next time he might save time and tell them together, or make a recording. Why bother? It never had any effect.
It was twilight and he was sitting in a deserted garden, his feet resting in the cool fish pond. He was willing to shed his dignity, due to the heat of the day and the privacy of the place. No one else was there, probably all napping inside and he wanted to sit quietly, thinking his thoughts and watching the fish swim around his feet. A few moments of reflection were necessary before he meditated and he needed to meditate today. The Ryoka had made everything more difficult and the constant state of emergency put all the Shinigami on edge. Swishing his feet through the water, he watched the fish dart away from the sudden movement, the flashes of colour almost indistinguishable in the gathering dusk. He yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth and scratched his nose which had suddenly developed an itch.
“Rangiku thought you would be here. I've been looking for you Toshiro,” said Momo's voice, amused with a hint of indulgence and condescension.
Condescension and indulgence. Was that any way to talk to a Captain? He was aware that the muscles in his body that had begun to loosen up became taut at the tone of her voice. “Captain Hitsugaya,” he replied automatically. “What can I do for you Assistant Captain?”
“There's no need to be like that, Toshiro, no one else is here.” Reproof now coloured her voice. She knelt down next to him, ensuring her head was above his.
She was going too far now. “Captain Hitsugaya is the correct title, or you may call me Captain,” he did not hide the anger when he spoke. It would be pointless because it seemed to be leaking out of his body into the air surrounding him. “I will ask again, what do you want from me, Assistant Captain Hinamori?” As he glared at her he noticed she was carrying a sheaf of papers and guessed that was the only reason for her visit. It was rare that she would come to see him out of friendship anymore.
“My Captain sent me. He needs you to sign some papers and provide comments on some documents. Captain Aizen said they were urgent and needed to be completed today so I immediately started looking for you. If Captain Aizen said they were important, they must be, and I think you should stop dangling your feet in the pond and do some work.” Toshiro smarted under that comment, but Momo, heedless of his reaction continued. “Captain Aizen is always working; he is so committed to his duties that he hardly takes enough rest. I worry about him, but he tells me not to be silly. He cares so much for the people in his Division. Look at how he tries to advise the Captain of the 3rd Division, all the time, because he was his former Assistant Captain, and does he receive any thanks for his care?” Momo continued on for some time in this vein, but Toshiro tuned her out.
This was the main reason Momo annoyed him: she never stopped speaking, or thinking, or dreaming about her Captain. She was blind to any good qualities that were displayed by other Shinigami. Any task Captain Aizen needed done was a priority for Momo and she expected it to be a main concern for everyone else, regardless of their rank. Deep within his mind he asked the question, yet again, if she had been allocated to him as his Assistant Captain, would she have become as besotted by him as she had by Aizen? He doubted it.
In some ways the utter dedication struck him as vaguely inappropriate and aberrant. In all the time he had known her, she had never been this infatuated or influenced by another person for this length of time. He had hoped that the way Assistant Captain's Abarai and Izuru mocked her fanatical behaviour might have some effect, but she ignored their comments and remained totally absorbed by the perceived godlike qualities of her Aizen. Toshiro recognised that sometimes he became extremely ill-tempered at the mention of the man's name because of how many times Momo would bring it into a conversation, usually in the context of his superiority to all the other Shinigami. On one occasion Matsumoto had mentioned his name in passing, while she was chatting about some new training he'd been exploring and Toshiro had snapped at her, a quick nasty aside that had stunned her into silence. He'd apologised quickly, a rush of guilt proving that he had reacted incorrectly and was using her to exorcise his persistent bad mood.
“Toshiro, are you even listening to me? You have to do this now. Captain Aizen is waiting,” Momo's voice interrupted his thoughts as she proffered the papers she held.
“Assistant Captain, I have advised you twice in the last few minutes to call me by my proper title. You have approached me on official business and I would like to conduct this business in the correct manner. Please be mindful of the proper protocol,” he knew he sounded like a stuck up prig, but he was suddenly tired of his friend. “In future, would you please convey any communications through Assistant Captain Rangiku?”
Her sudden silence and shocked expression reminded him of his recent experience with Matsumoto. On this occasion he felt much less guilt.
“I am…. I am sorry, Captain. It is difficult to forget our earlier friendship. My Captain says they expect too much of you for one so young and new to the responsibilities, and he tries to help you every possible way he can. He says he thinks the Captain-General should have been more patient and waited for an older, more experienced Shinigami to reach bankai, and offered him the Captaincy of 10th Division, so you wouldn't be burdened with such a hard job while you are still learning. I know my Captain kindly told you about some errors in your paperwork so you wouldn't keep making the same mistakes. I'm beginning to think you are less courteous than Captain Ichimaru. Why you became so rude and hard, I don't know, but I'm not remaining here to be treated this way,” Momo prepared to leave, her anger evident.
Toshiro made a face at the implied criticism. Captain Aizen was trying to help him? Young, new. Another person condemning him behind his back, but making it sound like praise. “Before you storm off, you should give me those papers and documents. You don't want to disappoint your Captain, do you, Assistant Captain?” Toshiro kept his voice dry, ignoring the impulse to apologise. If he did it might indicate that he wasn't serious about his lecture.
Flushing, Momo handed him the paperwork she was clutching tightly, her expression stony. He glanced at the papers and sighed. This would be no simple task, he'd have to read each one fully and then provide comments. There was one page which required a simple signature, but glancing at the content, Toshiro felt a slight sense of outrage. It was a recommendation that Assistant Captains should be included in the regular Captain's meetings. He knew exactly what would happen; the meetings would take even longer. He quickly wrote a comment indicating he did not support the suggestion, signed it, and handed it back to Momo.
“I'll look at these tonight and send them back tomorrow, Assistant Captain. If that is all…” he said, hoping she would take the hint and leave.
Momo was looking at the comment he had written, incredulous disappointment on her face. “How can you disagree with my Captain's suggestion? It would make the meetings more interesting and it would mean that Assistant Captain and their Captains would work more efficiently. I think you should agree, Toshiro.”
Getting to his feet, Toshiro stood as straight as he could and looked squarely at Momo. “Assistant Captain Hinamori, I will not allow my Assistant Captain, let alone anyone else, talk to me in that manner. I make my own decisions and do not appreciate them being questioned by a messenger. I have nothing further to say to you.” Turning his back to her he reclaimed his sandals and walked out of the garden, back to his office, holding the papers so tightly in his grip that some of them began to tear. A few seconds later, someone fell into step beside him.
“How are you my Captain? I thought you were taking the evening off, in fact I suggested it, because you've been working too hard,” Matsumoto's musical voice provided a calming effect on his angry thoughts. “Why don't you go home and rest? You've done enough today and the work will still be there tomorrow. I think you work harder than any other Captain.”
“Except Captain Aizen,” Toshiro said, the bitterness overcoming his normal reticence.
Matsumoto laughed. “Do I sense a recent conversation with Assistant Captain Hinamori? You're always in a bad mood after she has told you about the excellence of her Captain. Sometimes I wish I could place some gaffer tape over her mouth when all the Assistant Captain's are waiting for you to finish your Captain's meetings, or at the Shinigami Women's Association, and then I wouldn't have to listen to her. I have yet to see Sosuke Aizen walk on water or bring the dead back to life, no matter what claims she makes. Ignore her.”
Toshiro stopped walking and thought about her comments. “Thank you Matsumoto. I'm taking this too seriously.”
“It's always difficult when dealing with friends, isn't it? Or people who were once your friend. but then seem to forget the past so easily. I think we've all experienced it in one form or another,” her voice and face expressed the words she seemed unwilling to say.
Toshiro remembered his recent conversation with Captain Ichimaru about swapping Assistant Captains, and felt a pang of sympathy. He hoped that no one would mention the rumour to Matsumoto. “Captain's have to be careful how they act, Matsumoto. I know it's hard, and I don't even begin to understand what type of man Captain Ichimaru is. I'm grateful you are my Assistant Captain, even though you could help with the paperwork more often.”
Her tinkling laugh did not make him wish to kill someone, this time. “Captain, come out and have a drink with me. I need cheering up and the night is too long to spend it without a friend.” She intercepted his worried glance and giggled. “Not like that, Captain. I will defer to your need for distance. My heart is already given to another and my suggestion is made from pure friendship and respect.”
Toshiro nodded slightly. She had now admitted, obliquely, something he had suspected for the whole time they worked together. Matsumoto loved Captain Gin Ichimaru, the man who had, to all purposes, refuted her and only recently denied any interest in her. Noticing the far away look on her face, he realised that in many ways their situations were similar. She was in love with a man she had known most of her life, who now either ignored her, or reminded her to call him by his correct title. Toshiro's life long friend ignored his status and was obsessed with her Captain to the exclusion of all other matters.
“Assistant Captain, let's get drunk. I want to forget everything, especially the fact that I'm a Captain. Tonight, call me Toshiro, but don't hug me or ruffle my hair. Let's make this place give us something in return for our work. I want some fun!”
Hugging him in spite of his protests Matsumoto almost squealed in delight. “It's about time. This will be my last hug for tonight, unless you ask for one. I know the best place. What about the papers, though. You don't want to take them with you.”
Toshiro looked at the wad of papers in his hand. “We'll have to drop these in my office first. Let's hope there are no other messengers waiting for me there.”
Walking quickly to the office he threw the papers on the desk, preparing to leave almost as soon as he arrived but someone hovered at the doorway, seemingly worried about her reception. It was the Assistant Captain of 4th Division and she seemed highly agitated.
“What is it Assistant Captain Koutestu? I believe working hours are over for the day and I've decided I'm having a break for the night. I hope you don't require an urgent answer.” He tried to be patient at this further interruption.
“I'm sorry Captain Hitsugaya. Captain Unohana was very disturbed to receive the recent suggestion from Captain Aizen, regarding the inclusion of adjuncts in the regular Captains meetings. I know I don't want to attend the meetings. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to say that. She wishes to ask the opinion of other Captain's regarding the suggestion.” Her head was lowered into a deferential pose as she conveyed the message.
“Ask me tomorrow. Or if you insist on an answer, come out and have a drink. I've decided to have some fun even though we are in an emergency situation. I'm sick of having to act like a Captain all the time.” He asked on the spur of the moment, hoping that another person might help provide a little temperance to his Assistant Captain.
He could see the hesitation. It was obvious that Isane Koutestu wanted to enjoy herself, but wished to obtain the answer her Captain desired. “One drink only, no alcohol, if you agree to provide your response,” she agreed quietly.
Returning to the outer office, Toshiro noticed that both Assistant Captain Shuhei and Assistant Captain Izuru were lounging against the wall with Captain Kyoraku was sitting on a chair at Matsumoto's desk, a straw clutched in his teeth.
“I thought we'd make it a party. This is the first time you've agreed to have a drink with me,” Matsumoto said. At first shocked that a simple drink with his Assistant Captain was now becoming a festivity; he felt that this new development was an antidote to the poison that was Momo Hinamori.
“Momo isn't poison. She just irritates the hell out of me. She always has, but now she's worse than ever before,” he rationalised. “Does Aizen like the adoration? For a short time I wanted Momo to think of me the way she thinks of her Captain, but I don't want that anymore. I'd feel like a surrogate, she'd take me because she couldn't have the one she wanted. It's so damnably hard to try to remind her that I'm a Captain and still remain friends. Now we've had a fight. I want that drink. There's no way I'm going to let these thoughts remain.”
Matsumoto led the way to a bar where she was greeted with affectionate familiarity. “Assistant Captain, I see you've recovered from the last time you were here. I warned you about that last drink you insisted on having. A Fluffy Duck does not mix well with shots.”
Matsumoto looked a little abashed. “Hisagi bet I wouldn't. He said I wouldn't drink a girly drink, but he passed out first.”
“Don't mention Fluffy Ducks. I feel my teeth go on edge at the thought of one of those,” Hisagi looked a little pale at the memory. “I think I'll just drink water.”
The others burst into laughter with the exception of Toshiro and Isane. “That's what you said last time. Stop trying to pretend,” Captain Kyoraku chuckled lazily. “Gaku, if any of us order anything stupid or disgusting, just pour a sake. If there's an emergency, let Captain Zaraki or Captain Fon handle it. Tonight I don't care.”
“You don't care any night,” his Assistant Captain said sourly, appearing suddenly and startling them all. “I thought I'd find you here. The Captain-General has requested that all Captain's and Assistant Captains refrain from drinking during the emergency. I have come to remind you of that. You, whatever your name is, you are not to serve any alcohol to these people. They need to keep clear heads. Come with me, Captain. You still have work to do.”
“But Nanao, I wanted to have a little bit of time away from work. Don't be so cruel to me. I'll work tomorrow.” Captain Kyoraku said attempting to flirt with her. “I promise I'll work hard tomorrow. I did some work today.”
“You mean you dozed all afternoon, promising you'd sign papers. You didn't sign the papers and you are coming with me now. Why can't you be more like Captain Aizen? Assistant Captain Hinamori never has to remind her Captain of the work he needs to do.” Assistant Captain Ise was completely unmoved by her Captain's attempts to placate her.
Toshiro shuddered at the mention of the Captain of 5th Division. Could he never escape from the man?
“By the way, is this celebration because you're swapping Assistant Captain's with Captain Ichimaru, Captain Hitsugaya? Assistant Captain Hinamori told me the rumour earlier and I would like to know if it is true.” Assistant Captain Ise asked the question in a matter of fact manner.
The room went suddenly quiet, as everyone turned to listen to the answer. Feeling his shoulders tense at the question, Toshiro avoided looking at Matsumoto. “I don't know anything about that,” he said, very gruffly.
“Is that why you asked Gi… Captain Ichimaru to your office? To ask him to swap Adjuncts?” Matsumoto's voice showed no emotion. Noting the absence, Toshiro shot a glance at his Assistant Captain and the Assistant Captain of the 3rd Division. Both looked very edgy and he wished, with all he had, that Momo had kept her big mouth shut.
“I heard a rumour; not really a rumour. Captain Tosen told me that Captain Ichimaru was thinking of asking for the exchange,” if he told a lie he knew it would be discovered. He may as well tell the whole truth. “I don't want to change,” he added quickly and saw Matsumoto nod gently, her eyes fixed on him, waiting the final part of the answer. Assistant Captain Izuru looked tense and unhappy. No matter which answer he gave he knew that one of these two people would be hurt. Unfortunately, the truth would hurt Matsumoto and he hesitated before he added quietly, “Captain Ichimaru assured me there was no truth to this story. He does not wish to swap.” He swallowed, his throat feeling raw from inflicting this pain on his Assistant Captain. He watched her lids drop over her eyes, concealing her feelings and knew that she was hurt by this revelation.
Assistant Captain Izuru seemed pleased by the news, smiling in relief at not being rejected by his Captain, until he looked at his friend's closed eyes and dejected attitude. He moved to put an arm around her shoulders, but she shrugged it off and sat down at the bar while saying to the waiter, “Give me a drink, now. I don't care what the Captain-General does. I'm having a drink and if you want to lecture me Nanao, you might just find the empty cup jammed in your ear. Why can't you keep your bloody rumours to yourself?”
“I'm sorry,” Toshiro noticed that the Assistant Captain looked aghast at the situation her words had created. “Momo, I mean Assistant Captain Hinamori assured me that Captain Aizen, or was it Captain Ichimaru said the transfer was going to happen and you were being told tonight.”
“I think you'd better go,” Toshiro advised her quietly. “Apologise later, when she's had some time to get used to the idea. Assistant Captain Izuru, maybe you should leave too.”
At his hushed suggestion Captain Kyoraku, his Assistant Captain and Izuru left, Izuru landing a quick peck on Matsumoto's cheek before he walked out the door. She pushed him away, refusing to look at him and he departed, his shoulders straight, but his head hanging.
“I'm staying, Captain. I think Ran needs some company, and you'll probably want to follow Captain Yamamoto's orders,” Assistant Captain Shuhei said firmly, taking the seat next to Matsumoto.
“I think I will stay too,” Assistant Captain Koutestu said as she sat next to the 9th Division Assistant Captain. “I'll have whatever Matsumoto's having and I'll pay.”
Sinking onto the seat next to Masumoto, Toshiro heard his voice say, “Tonight my Assistant Captain means more than some stupid orders. We'll dispense with titles and get drunk together. Give me a drink, and keep them coming. Let's toast those people who betray us, in word, thought or deed. I give you Momo Hinamori,” he lifted his cup and drained it.
“Gin Ichimaru,” growled Matsumoto and followed his lead.
“Ikkaku Madarame,” Isane said, surprising them all as she drained her cup. “He doesn't know it,” she said catching their expressions.
“Isane Koutestu,” Hisagi said touching his lips to his cup and then draining it with a savage motion. His words caused Isane to splutter over the mouthful of sake she had just taken.
Toshiro glanced at Matsumoto, noticing her eyes had become round, probably as round as his own. Isane was coughing, the liquid obviously having gone down the wrong way.
“I won't answer any questions, so don't freaking ask,” Hisagi said as Matsumoto opened her mouth. “More sake,” he ordered the waiter who speedily refilled their cups. He drained that one as soon as it was poured as did the rest of them. The party was rapidly turning into a drinking contest, the winner being the one who would become unconscious first.
After more cups were drunk in silence, Toshiro felt the need to explain. “Matsumoto, I asked Captain Ichimaru if he wanted to swap because I didn't want to swap. You irritate the hell out of me sometimes and on occasions I'd do anything to get you to be silent, but you're my friend. You never betray me or constantly talk about how wunnerful, wondur, wonderful Captain Aizen is. Hearing that name makes me want to puke, or maybe it's the sake.” Toshiro blinked slowly at his Assistant Captain.
“What do you see in that bald headed git?” Hisagi demanded of Isane. “All of 11th Division are insane, not just their Captain. They're a bunch of psychopaths and he's one of the worst.”
She looked embarrassed. “He's sort of cute and he's been nice to me since he's been under our care. I only sort of like him because all the other men in my Division are either demented like Iemura or Love Gods and I don't like either type. You've always been very remote, only ever talking of work and you never smile at me when I smile at you. Would it hurt your face to smile, just once?”
“I asked you out for tea,” Hisagi began.
“And then asked if there was any chance of restoring your Captain's eyesight. See what I mean? Business. Always work. You're so serious and when I asked it you wanted to talk of anything else you started talking about how you hoped to reach bankai in another 10 years,” Isane retorted.
“What was I supposed to say? That I think you're cute? It was a cup of tea and you seemed bored,” Hisagi drank some more sake. “Should I say nice things to someone who seems to be daydreaming about something else?” He pulled a face and motioned to the waiter to refill their cups.
“You could have talked about something else, something you read, or asked me what I like. Do you think I can read your mind?” Isane also drained her cup and then swallowed hard. “I'm not used to this much alcohol.”
“That's because you're always acting like your Captain's shadow,” Hisagi retaliated. “I'm amazed you came out tonight without running back and asking for permission or if she would come and hold your hand.” Hisagi's voice was rising dangerously and Isane was flushing a dark red.
“I thought you weren't going to talk about it,” Toshiro slurred after gulping another cup. A fight would be a pain in the neck and he'd be expected to stop it. Was it his 8th or 10th drink? He'd forgotten. “How many have I drunk, Matsumoto?”
“I'm not keeping count,” she said resting her head on Hisagi's shoulder. “Gin used to keep count. He'd always bloody tell me how many drinkies I'd had. He never let me get up to 8, saying it was a bad idea. Bloody man. We had….,” before she could finish her comment she started sobbing loudly, her shoulders heaving as she wept. “Why couldn't he love me? Is it so hard to love me?”
“I counted 12 drinks, but then stopped. Not this again,” Hisagi said patting her hand, exasperated affection clear in his voice. “Come on, Ran. He's not worthy of you, you know that. Forget the scumbag and find someone else. You've been hooked on him for too long and it's doing your head in. And you, Captain, Toshiro, whatever the frig you're called, forget about Momo. She's the biggest bore in the whole of the Seireitei. Ah, hell, we're all so darned hopeless; loving people who don't love us in return. Hey, barkeep, I want a Brandy Alexander.”
The waiter ignored him and poured another sake. Hisagi looked offended. “That's sake. C'mon Ran, you want a Brandy Alexander, don't you, all creamy with the mutneg and the randy and the other stuff. Or maybe…”
“I'd really like a Screaming Orgasm, but that's not goin' to happen, is it? Not with any of you, or anyone else, either.” Matsumoto laughed harshly and began to cry again, removing her head from Hisagi's shoulder and pillowing it on her arms on the bar.
Toshiro was feeling tired and wondered if he should copy his Assistant Captain and rest his head on his arms. He didn't want to copy the crying. The crying would be weak. Was a Screaming Orgasm a drink? He didn't know that he'd want to try it.
“All men are rats. They only hear what they want to hear and I want another drink,” Isane said, hiccupping. “Do you think I'm cute Hisagi?”
“I think you shouldn't have another drink. I want one though and I'll let you have a sip if you're good,” Hisagi offered.
“No more drinks,” Gaku said quietly, so that the other patrons would not hear the refusal to serve them.
“Give me the bottle,” Toshiro ordered.
“No. You've had enough,” Gaku said politely and slowly as if he was talking to a small child.
“Don't speak to me like that. I'm a blasted, or do I mean wasted, Captain. I'm sick of people treating me like a kid. Want some respect. Give me the frigging bottle and don't answer me back, that's an order,” Toshiro was proud that he didn't slur any words when he commanded the man.
“See me in the morning, Captain. I have an excellent hangover cure,” Gaku said as he reluctantly placed the nearly full bottle of warmed sake in Toshiro's hand.
“Thanks. Here, let's all have another drink,' Toshiro poured the liquid near the cups and actually managed to fill them, while spilling much in the process. He felt a hand on his shoulder and started, shocked at the sudden contact, but held the bottle, refusing to spill any more.
Hisagi had picked up his cup and was offering it to Isane who was giggling and hiccupping at the same time. Each time her lips neared the cup, Hisagi moved it further away. Every so often he would touch his lips to the rim of the cup and then turn that part of the cup to face Isane. Toshiro wondered if these two were flirting.
“I finished my paperwork and escaped Nanao.” Captain Kyoraku had returned and was leaning gently on Toshiro. “Obviously I am too late and you're all pretty far gone. Time to go home. Come on Ran, stop crying about Ichimaru and try to stand up. No, you don't want any more to drink, Captain Hitsugaya, Toshiro, put the bottle of sake down, I think you'll be sick if you drink another cup. Hisagi, stop making a fool of yourself; and Isane, I don't think your Captain would be very pleased if she sees you in this condition. Hold your breath and try to stop the hiccups. No, come on stand up. Each of you, try to act like senior Shinigami, not drunken sots. At least make an effort not to fall over until we get out of here,” he urged quietly. Captain Kyoraku by dint of cajoling and pushing, and with the help of a few amused Shinigami, managed to get the four very drunk officers out of the bar and into the street. “I think I'd better take you to the closest place you can sleep it off, none of you seem capable of walking any distance. The nearest residence happens to be your quarters, Captain. I'm sure you won't mind. You're all so drunk you won't need a chaperone, but I'll stay to make sure none of you are sick. Damn, why do I feel guilty? Rumours so often cause trouble.”
While the Captain muttered to himself he led them, as they lurched through the streets, until they arrived at Toshiro's place. After a few minutes, while Toshiro tried to remember how to open the door, they were finally inside. “I'm goin' to bed,” Toshiro said walking into his room and lay on his bed. “So, this is what it's like to be drunk,” he thought. “I wonder if a hangover is as bad as I've been told.”
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Author's Note:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter featuring Toshiro and as you can see I didn't pair him with anyone. I think this character will feature again later and we'll see what happens then.
Please review. Make me smile.
MS