Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Tired ❯ Waking Up ( Chapter 2 )

Oh whatever, I finally decided on the pairings. Hitsu/Hina and maybe some Ran/Kira.

Sorry it took so long, but I didn't think that I could make a hitsu/rangiku work anyways. too bad, so sad. But you know what would be an interesting couple? Nanao and Histugaya, I mean, how weird would that be? Life with no laughs I guess.

 

Disclaimer: This is for chapters one and two, I do not own bleach, the anime or the manga and I don't own that line I so completely stole from Batman Begins. :P

 

 

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Matsumoto woke up the next morning with a pounding headache.

 

Oh damn my eyes, she winced when the light reached her naked pupils.

 

She sat up and rubbed her temples. That is the last time I let Kira convince me to drink with him.

 

Matsumoto remained seated on the couch for awhile, staring restfully at the light shining through the screen door. It must have been early morning, the light usually didn't come through like this when she wakes up from her afternoon nap. It was nice, peaceful like and illuminated the room pleasantly.

 

It was then that she noticed that she wasn't the only one in the room that morning. At first she thought she heard whispering, then realized that it was actually breathing.

 

Matsumoto turned around to find her captain at his desk, head resting on folded arms, and fast asleep.

 

“Well, this is definitely a first,” she commented and walked towards the slumbering boy.

 

She bent down and started poking his shoulder repeatedly, “Taichou, Taichou-san wake up” she whispered.

 

He twitched ever so slightly.

 

“I guess it wouldn't hurt to let you rest for a bit.” She stared at him for a moment, She had never seen him when he was asleep before. He's actually kinda cute when he's sleeping, she thought. His face was relaxed from his usual bored appearance. He really just looked like a normal kid.

 

“Guess I'll do something useful for the time being,” she said to herself.

 

`Useful' meaning `work', she picked up a few papers from the stack of them on her captain's desk and started to fill them out.

 

Not half an hour later there came a soft, yet stern knock on the wooden frame of the door.

 

“Who is it?” Matsumoto asked.

 

“It's just me Rangiku,” replied the visitor.

 

“Oh Nanao, come in.”

 

“That won't be necessary. I just came to carry on the message that Hinamori-san has finally woken up. I thought that Hitsugaya-taichou would like to know.”

 

“Ah, I see. I'll past it on. Thanks for your time Nanao.”

 

Matsumoto waited a bit, listening to the footsteps of the 8th squad lieutenant walk away. Then she turned towards her captain, intending to relay the news, only to find that he was no longer asleep.

 

“Taichou, I didn't realize you were awake.” She said to him, politely surprised.

 

He didn't respond, just stared at the door, seeming to be lost in thought. Eventually he got up and headed outside.

 

“I'll be right back,” he informed his lieutenant before sliding the door shut.

 

Matsumoto just smiled and returned to her work.

 

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“How is she?” Kira asked quietly.

 

“Awake, do you wish to speak with the patient?” The member of 4th squad gestured his hand towards Hinamori's room.

 

Kira hesitated. “Does she know about the attack?” Does she know about Aizen?

 

Knowing what he really meant the healer shook his head. “I don't believe she remembers anything about the…attack. Would you like for us to inform her?”

 

“No, I'll do it.” Kira glanced resolutely at the door.

 

The healer shrugged, “As you wish,” and took his leave.

 

Kira paused just before opening the door. He took a moment to collect himself. His presence, however, did not go unnoticed.

 

“Come in,” came a soft voice from inside the room. He opened the door.

 

She looked pale, as expected. Her hair was loose and unkempt, adding to the image of a troubled child. Slowly the girl turned her head towards her visitor. Her eye's showed a little more than weariness. He saw a little bit of confusion in them, and a little bit of fear.

 

Noticing that her friend was staring at her, Hinamori looked to where her hands laid on her lap and blushed. “Kira-kun,” she shyly welcomed.

 

“I'm sorry Hinamori-kun, I'm just glad to see that you are alright.” He walked to her side.

 

Hinamori smiled, “You don't have to worry about me, I'm just fine! Even though the healer said that I was out for almost two weeks, I feel great, I really do!” She gave a small laugh and looked at Kira. Unfortunately her companion didn't share in her cheeriness. He was staring down at his feet, almost…guiltily it seemed.

 

“Kira-kun? What's wrong?” she asked.

 

He snapped his head up, “Huh? Nothing. It's just that…Hinamori-kun, there's something you need to know.” He paused.

 

“It's about Aizen.”

 

“What is it?” she was no longer cheery.

 

“He was the one who stabbed you.”

 

When met with silence, Kira proceeded to tell her everything that had happened that faithful day two weeks ago. He told her about the death of the 46 chamber members and how he himself lured away Hitsugaya and Matsumoto from her and Aizen. He told her about the wounds that she, the 10th squad captain, the orange-haired drifter, and the 6th squad lieutenant received from Aizen's own bloody hands. He even told her Aizen's horrifying objectives and alignment with the menos grandes.

 

When he had finished, he diverted his gaze to the floor and quietly waited for the information to sink in.

 

The wait didn't last long. At first Hinamori seemed to be crying, but as her entire body began to shake, he realized that she was laughing.

“You…think this is funny don't you Kira?” Her erratic laughs grew louder.

 

“Hinamori-chan this is not a joke-“

 

“You think this is funny! Don't you Kira!” she screamed, no longer laughing. What? It's not good enough that Aizen-sama is dead, but now they have to soil his image? Do they think that she will stop grieving over her dead captain's body if she is angry at him?

 

“Your right,” she said, not bothering to lower her voice. Already onlookers had begun to gather at the door to see what all the commotion was about. “This isn't a joke, now start over and tell me the truth this time!”

 

“No.” came a calm, commandeing voice from behind them.

 

“Hitsugaya-taichou!” Kira acknowledged.

 

“Hi-Hitsugaya-kun,” almost immediately the girl looked down at her hands folded in her lap, ashamed that she had acted so out of control.

 

“Hinamori, what he said is the truth.”

 

She snapped her head up, “How could you say that? The Aizen I know would never do such a horrid thing!”

 

“The Aizen you knew and the Aizen we all knew was a fake. He deceived us.”

 

“But he's dead! I saw his body with my own eyes!” Yes, that was it! There was no way he could have committed those crimes because he had died. Even thought the situation wasn't much better, at least it would keep these people from lying to her.

 

“He deceived us Hinamori.” The white-haired captain repeated.

 

Hinamori stared into his eyes, trying to find anything, any hint that would show he was lying. Unfortunately for her, he was dead serious.

 

For awhile all that took place was a stare down, both refusing to break their gaze. Histugaya wanted her to believe, Hinamori wanted anything but to believe.

 

Eventually, as reality began to set in, it was Hinamori who broke their gaze, once again staring down at her hands.

 

“I want to be alone,” she stated firmly.

 

Without a blink of an eye Hitsugaya turned and left the room. Kira started to follow, though glanced sadly at the girl before doing so.

 

Hinamori was left alone to cope with her reality.

 

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Matsumoto knew something was wrong the moment Hitsugaya stepped into the room. Despite that he looked as bored as ever. She watched him silently as he sat down at his desk.

 

“Taichou?” she asked, almost hesitantly.

 

“What?” he demanded, not even sparing her a glance.

 

“How did it go?”

 

“Shouldn't you be concentrating on your work right now?” he ignored her question.

 

Meaning it didn't go so well, Matsumoto gave a small smile.

 

“Did Kira show up?”

 

“Didn't you hear what I just said?” the white-haired one snapped.

 

“It's just a simple question Taichou, a mere yes or no would do just fine,” she stated.

 

“I know that Matsumoto, however right now is not the time you should be asking those questions. Get back to work.”

 

Ouch, hard-ass. Things must have gone awful with Hinamori. Matsumoto fell obediently silent for the next few minutes, a little irked at the way the kid was patronizing her. Usually his age never really bothered her, he was a good, responsible captain and knew that he could depend on her sometimes, though there were those other times that she questioned his behavior and decisions. Then again, didn't most subordinates have that problem? At least she had a captain that she could trust, not someone like Gin.

 

Her heart wrenched at the sudden thought of her childhood friend. As she worked, thoughts of him began to crowd her mind. Where was he? What was he doing? Why did he leave? Why didn't he stay here? What was he trying to accomplish? Will she ever see him again?

 

Matsumoto took a couple of seconds to calm her mind down. Histugaya-taichou was right, now was not the time to ask such things, they had work to do. Just a few more days of this torture and things will have settled down enough and the afterlife would go back to normal. Well, as normal as Soul Society could be without Gin and the other two captains.

 

Come to think of it, wasn't the first conference to decide who would replace the captains going to be held today? She snuck a look towards her captain, who was scowling at the paper in front of him. She silently wondered if he was in any condition to attend the meaning and participate objectively.

 

Then Hitsugaya abruptly stood up.

 

“What's wrong?” she asked.

 

Hitsugaya looked back at her, startled, he had forgotten that his lieutenant was present. He stared back down thoughtfully at his desk, still standing up.

 

“Nothing” he said quietly.

 

He stood for awhile, and then promptly left the room, announcing that he was going out for a walk.

 

Matsumoto wasted no time in deciding that she needed a break as well. She stood up and stretched, sore from sitting down so long.

 

Slightly perplexed at her captain's odd behavior she made her way over to her much beloved couch and sat down.

 

She tried to think, ponder about Gin, her captain, and anything else that came to mind, she really tried, but the pillows of her couch were just so soft. The cushions of which she was now laying upon were tender and flexible, so that they fit the curves of her body

perfectly.

 

A gentle breeze blew inside the room, fresh and cool.

 

She really didn't know what it was about that couch that always put her to sleep, but whatever it was, it worked like a charm.

 

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Hinamori leaned over the rail almost casually. She needed to think, or better yet, not think. Or at least just some peace. Something she could not have with 4th squad members running in and out all day asking if they could get her anything.

 

She slowly observed her surroundings. Nothing in Soul Society looked out of place, as if there had been a fierce battle recently, like she was told. The clean-up crews were good at their jobs.

 

There were soft footsteps behind her. She turned around to be greeted by the serious face of Nanao.

 

“Ohayou, Hinamori-san,” Nanao greeted her. Hinamori bowed slightly in acknowledgement, then looked back over the railing.

 

“Are you sure you should be up? You don't look to well,” Nanao noted.

 

“I'm fine” Hinamori's voice came out harsher than she wanted. She winced, then looked at Nanao apologetically.

 

“Good,” Nanao was apathetic to her tone, “Because I was sent by my captain to see if you were interested in taking up the position as the captain of fifth division. If not we'd be sure to notify the council.”

 

Hinamori instantly froze at the offer. How could they expect her to make a decision so soon? She had woken up that very day, hardly enough time to digest the changes to Soul Society in the last couple of weeks.

 

She stared blankly at Nanao. Did she really want to replace captain Aizen? She didn't even want to accept that he was still living, and her enemy nevertheless. It was all too much. Sometimes she wished that she could just fall asleep and wake up with everyone the way they were, captain Aizen still her captain, captain Ichimaru still Kira's captain, no drifters, no battle, no nothing. Everything just the way it was.

 

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice that tears were beginning to form at the corner of her eyes.

 

Nanao did, however, those hawk-like eyes of hers hardly missed a thing.

 

“May I make a suggestion?” she offered kindly.

 

The younger girl didn't seem to have heard her.

 

“Hinamori-san.,” she repeated harshly.

 

“What is it?” she squeaked.

 

“I suggest that you take the position.”

 

“Why?” Her voice sounded slightly raspy, as though she was trying not to cry.

 

“Forgive for being frank, but if you ask me, you seem to be in desperate need of a distraction. You can be sitting around doing nothing but dwell on your own pain, as I know you are wont to do. Thinking too much, as my captain likes to tell me frequently, isn't healthy. If you take up the position of captain, you will have a responsibility to tend to. And also,” Her voice lowered to a whisper, “you will have the authority to do what you otherwise cannot.”

 

Hinamori looked at her fellow lieutenant understanding what she was trying to say. If Aizen happened to reappear she wouldn't have to stick to orders, not that she would anyways, but at least if she was a captain she could use her authority to go off on her own and do as she pleased, for better of for worse. “Tell the council,” she spoke slowly, “that I will think about it in great lengths.”

 

Nanao nodded and continued on her way.

 

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“Since most of the council members are dead, I thought that it would be best to settle this issue quickly, with only the captains of each remaining squad as judges,” the captain of the 1st squad, Genryuusai explained somberly.

 

The other eight captains present nodded their heads. Kurotshuchi did not attend that day.

 

“We need to decide the replacement captains for Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tousen Kaname.”

 

Komamura Sajin wasted no time in stepping forward, “I believe, I know that lieutenant Hisagi is the best choice for captain of the 9th division.” He didn't sate why, of course, but everyone knew why. Both Komamura-taichou and lieutenant Hisagi had special attachments to Tousen. They wanted him to return to them, however, if Tousen had no intention of returning, those two would be the ones to destroy him.

 

“I second that,” Ukitate Jyuushiro said. Everyone nodded, knowing that it was the best decision.

 

“Does anyone object?” Yamamoto asked.

 

The room was silent.

 

Genryuusai glanced at Komamura, “Does Hisagi agree?”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

“Very well then, Hisagi Shuuhei is the new captain of the ninth squad. Next is 3rd squad, Ichimaru Gin's replacement. Any preferences?”

 

This time Hitsugaya spoke up, “Kira should take his place.”

 

Zaraki snorted immediately, “How do we know he won't run back to Gin tail tucked between his legs?”

 

“That's right,” Soi Fong said, “He was on their side for awhile.”

 

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes, “he was tricked, like the rest of us, he didn't know Ichimaru's objectives at the time.”

 

“True, he was simply a lieutenant faithfully following the orders of his captain,” another voice added, “then once he realized that those orders were treason, he immediately came back to our side. We need that kind of faith now in Soul Society,” Kyouraku smiled lazily. So everything he said wasn't quite all true, Kira went on whichever side that provided the most safety for Hinamori, that was a fact, but it still provided a pretty good argument.

 

“And there were more than one supposed traitors that day,” Genryuusai glanced at Ukitate and Kyouraku in particular.

 

“Any other objections? Anyone else that would be better suited for captain other than lieutenant Kira?” he asked.

 

“Humph, I don't really give a damn either way,” Zaraki said.

 

“Only here for the free food?” Kyouraku raised his eyebrow. Zaraki smirked.

 

“I personally think Kira would be an appropriate replacement for the 3rd squad captain.” Genryuusai commented, “Now, on to fifth squad.”

 

The room fell silent once again.

 

Until Kyouraku finally decided to say something, “Naturally Hinamori would be the first one to come to mind when thinking of the fifth squad captain replacement however…”

 

“Unohana, what is her condition?” Genryuusai addressed the 4th squad captain.

 

She responded, “Physically she is fine, mentally, she is still recovering.”

 

“What is your opinion on her state of minds?” 1st squad captain asked.

 

“I believe she could recover, with some time, and be adequate enough to take over the role as captain, she didn't make it to the rank of lieutenant for nothing, after all.” She smiled vaguely.

 

While Unohana was talking, Kyouraku kept nudging Kuchiki in the ribs.

 

Kuchiki ignored him as best he could, he knew what Kyouraku wanted. He wanted him to stand up for his own lieutenant, Renji's standing, to support Hinamori. Unfortunately, Kuchiki was never the one to meddle in other peoples affairs.

 

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Kyouraku pouting at him.

 

Hitsugaya spoke out again.

 

“I'm against it,” He said sternly. All eyes turned towards him. He was the last person most of them thought would be against Hinamori assuming the rank of captain.

 

“Why?” asked Genryuusai.

 

“We will face Aizen and the other traitors again in the future, I don't think she will be able to control herself when that happens.” He explained.

 

“Yes, but Unohana said that within time she will be able to heal mentally. Besides, no matter what her rank is she will still be here when those traitors come back,” Komamura Sajin pointed out.

 

“But will she have the ability to command a squadron?” No one answered. Hitsugaya continued, “Remember how she acted on first impulse after discovering her captain dead? Can we trust her to control herself next time?” he didn't mention the fact that her actions were partly due to his warning.

 

“That's not a valid argument,” Kuchiki finally said, he figured he could at least do something in his lieutenant's favor, so then he wouldn't feel too guilty afterwards, “It was a completely different situation, that doesn't mean the girl will act the same way in the future.”

 

“Is it really so different?” Hitsugaya countered, his voice rising slightly.

 

Genryuusai interrupted before he could say anymore, “I understand what you are trying to say, are we willing to take such a risk with a possibly unstable lieutenant, however, keep in mind that we are always taking risks, with every new captain and even some existing ones.” Ukitate could've sworn that Genryuusai glanced at him, again.

 

Hitsugaya stared at his feet, feeling awful. He knew that he would like nothing better than for Hinamori to become a fellow captain. He was always behind her, no matter what. But then, he also didn't want to see her dead. Aizen, if he ever came back, would either want to finish the job he started or torture her until she really did have a mental breakdown. Hitsugaya knew that he would die before that man could put a scratch on Hinamori. And if she was a captain, with authority to act on her own during wartime, then it would make it all the more easier for Aizen to find her.

 

Sad to say Kyouraku didn't quite agree. He simply thought that it was only right for a lieutenant to take over the role of her captain.

 

“What if she was willing to give it a try? Hinamori did say that she wanted to become taichou of the 5th division.” He informed the present people. Okay, so Nanao said that the girl was still thinking about it, but hey, it's not like it would create a huge problem if he happened to misunderstand some second-hand information would it?

 

Except that the boy-captain was giving him a glare that said, No she didn't you sneak.

 

“There is a good chance that Hinamori may prove to be stronger in the next encounter with our enemies. It's easy to learn from the mistakes of our past and this may be a way for her to conquer her inner demons.” Unohana quite insightfully commented.

 

“And why do fall?” Kyouraku smiled, “So we can pick ourselves up again.” Suddenly he had the feeling that Hitsugaya was trying to kill him with that scowl.

 

Genryuusai looked thoughtfully at them for a moment, “Does anyone have a better idea for 5th division captain?” he asked. The room was silent.

 

Kyouraku could name a few, Hitsugaya had one in particular in mind. However they both have said too much already for their opinions to matter.

 

“Very well then,” Genryuusai continued on, “If Hinamori believes she can handle the responsibility, then she can assume the title of captain. Meeting adjourned.”

 

The captains began to file out of the room, quietly wrapped up in their own thoughts. Zaraki grumbled something about wasting their time. Komamaru was pleased with the results. Ukitate was wondering if Ganryuusai-dono had some kind of grudge against him, and Kyouraku was trying to figure out more ways to annoy his lieutenant. Unohana, Kuchiki, and Soi Fong were all completely apathetic to the results of their meeting and Hitsugaya pretended to be indifferent but inside he was furious.

 

Genryuusai believed that Hinamori would make a fine captain.

 

Hitsugaya disagreed.

 

Either way they'd both find out very soon whether the decision was the right one or not.

 

Sooner then they wanted to.

 

For at that time, somewhere where neither man could imagine, former captain Aizen Sousuke had some spare time on his hands. And Aizen decided that he was going to have some fun.

 

 

 

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(A/N) Read and Review! though please don't tell me how boring the chapter was, I already know. Next will be more interesting, I promise.