Toshiro stared at the door, not even sure how to feel. He turned tentatively to his lieutenant, who was just staring at him blankly.

"What?"

She continued her staring, making Toshiro feel like he was being X-Rayed. The pair just stood there in silence.

"Matsumoto, what...?" he repeated, even though he knew full what she was staring at him for. Her blank facial expression turned to anger and disbelief.

"What was that?" she snapped, staring him down.

"What? Spit it out, Matsumoto."

"Don't play stupid!"

"I'm your Captain, treat me with respect!"

Rangiku continue to glare at him, and he fidgeted uncomfortably.

"You made a girl cry. She just played a prank, is that really so bad? I can't believe you would say those... those things! You're awful!"

"I-I did not! It's her own fault for crying for no reason and not letting me apologise, nothing to do with me. Also, the utter disrespect-"

"You were going to apologise? Then why didn't you go after her?"

"It's not like it would help anything, Matsumoto."

"She really liked you, Taichou. Apologise to her!"

"I-I... I know!"

Rangiku sighed, opening her mouth to say something.

"I know she... l-liked me. It's clear that she doesn't anymore, and so there's no point in trying to win her over. It's not my problem."

His gaze drifted back to the door for a split second, but he turned away. Instead, he stood rigid and stared defiantly back at Rangiku.

Her eyes bulged, and her mouth popped open. The glare was gone, and in its place was a look of pure shock. She peered forward, squinting as she thought. A smile crept up onto her face- and not the good kind. It was the kind of smile a child would make when they stole a cookie from the cookie jar.

"I didn't tell you to win her over. I told you to apologise. Is there a possibility you may like her?" she asked mischievously.

"No. I don't have time for that sort of thing, Matsumoto. You know that."

Rangiku looked to the door, shot him one last glare, and walked out after you.

You felt tears prick at your eyes as you circled behind the building. You knew that there was no possibility that he was going to come after you, so you didn't even bother running away. You kneeled down, leaning against the wall.

I'm pathetic. Why am I crying? Why do I feel so vulnerable? And why the hell did I say that? I... I may like him, but... love?

At this point, you didn't care that you were letting your reiatsu pour out. You didn't care who was currently trying to crawl away as they were crushed by the power leaking from you, and you didn't care who was shivering in cold. You didn't care that people were on their way over to you, trying to find out what the disturbance was. You didn't care. You crawled over to a tree, and leaned against it, panting.

Toshiro glanced out the window, and he abruptly stood up as your figure came into view. He watched as rain pelted down, soaking you. He smushed his face against the window for a better look. You would probably laugh at the sight.

(L/N)... but why is she sitting out in the rain alone? Where's Matsumoto...?

Then a feeling came over him.

Her reiatsu! It's... what?!

His mouth fell open as he watched several of his squad members, struggling to crawl away. A few of them were passed out, their spiritual power too weak to withstand it. In fact, Toshiro himself noticed that his body felt heavier than usual and that he was breathing differently. He began to make his way to the door, then noticed movement. Was she moving away on her own? No, was someone else approaching her before he did? He glared out the window, noticing his lieutenant and some other people as they attempted to shout out and stop you.

You heard footsteps coming towards you. Someone placed their hand on your head, and tears fell even faster at the warm gesture. You looked up, and your eyes drifted up to the owner of the hand.

Kyoraku Taichou.

You felt a little bit disappointed. Some part of you had hoped that it was Toshiro, here to apologise.

Here to make you feel better.

Shunsui pulled back and bent down a little to look you in the eyes. You cursed mentally at how short you were.

"Why is such a pretty lady so unhappy?" he questioned, smiling warmly. Toshiro grinded his teeth. He couldn't hear what he said, but a faint blush dusted your cheeks.

Who is he to think that he can talk to her like... that?!

"Kyoraku T-Taichou..." you managed to whisper, and you wiped your tears away, embarrassed. You quickly realised he was looking at you almost worriedly.

"Ah! No, I... er..."

"What's going on?!" several unknown voices shouted, and you looked up to see a huge crowd of shinigami standing in front of you both. You recognised some people- Renji, Rangiku, and Ukitake.

You frowned in confusion.

"What's going on...? What do you mean?"

Renji, Rangiku and Ukitake walked over, peering at you silently.

"We felt your reiatsu spike really high, and came to see what was happening..." Rangiku answered. You frowned at her, confused, as the crowd of people began to disappear.

You stood there, your mouth opening and closing as you nervously fidgeted with your shihakusho.

"Sorry..." you managed to splutter. You took a deep breath to calm yourself as four pairs of eyes watched you intently. Renji was the first to speak up.

"Oi, short stuff!"

You managed a weak smile. Toshiro glared out the window fixedly.

Abarai Renji.

Never had he felt angry at the young man before now. He didn't even know why he felt angry now, in fact.

"Hey... er... Ren-Ren."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Rangiku told me you call her Ran-Ran. Isn't it a little too similar?"

"Well, maybe, but it's-"

"Way too similar, agreed."

"Renji-"

"Is amazing, agreed."

"Stop-"

"Being awesome, agreed. Wait, I mean... no."

You stood up and narrowed your eyes.

"Oi, what do you wa-"

You faltered as he lifted a bright pink umbrella over your head. You looked up to him, then rolled your eyes.

"What's in it for you?"

His shoulders heaved as he let out a long-suffering sigh. It sounded as if the world's problems were resting on him.

"Nothing... I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. That's just the type of friend I am- caring and oh, so giving."

A burst of affection developed in your chest.

"You're an absolute idiot," you announced.

Toshiro wanted to forget about it, but he couldn't tear his gaze from the window. You and Abarai, so close, him holding a delicate umbrella over your head. The way you looked at him so fondly, and the way he made you smile. He didn't admit it, and probably never would- but it all made his stomach twist uncomfortably as he watched your conversation. He imagined all sorts of things you could be saying to each-other.

"I might be an idiot, but so are you, sitting the rain... what're you doing that for?" Renji asked you, checking your forehead for a temperature. You quickly slapped his hand away.

"Err, thanks for asking, but really I'm fine! I mean, look at me, I'm better than ever!" you chirped, all-too cheerfully. He raised an eyebrow.

You mentally cringed.

If I were to succeed in fooling Renji, I would have to excuse myself for acting lessons, because this is beyond pathetic.

"I'm not stupid. You're a mess right now. A-Actually, Rangiku told me everything... but I just, um... I'll do your paperwork, so you go and rest, alright?"

You looked at him adamantly.

"No! You can't just do my paperwork! I-"

"So you're going to go in there and get it?"

You fell silent.

"Baka. I'll get Rangiku to go get it when she's ready, but for now, let's just go rest. We can... we can read books or something. Well, you can read books. I'll raid your fridge." he muttered, saying the last part almost too quiet to hear. You hit him over the head, then brought your attention to the umbrella.

"Why do you even have a bright pink umbrella?"

"I... well, I... It's Rangiku's!"

Rangiku shook her head, and you just grinned. Kyoraku rested his arm on your shoulder and began to lead you to his division. Ukitake walked beside Renji, and Rangiku walked behind you all as if guarding you. They all practically encased you, making you feel safe. As you all walked together, all Toshiro could do was stare down at his paperwork.

~

ive been rly sucky with writing lately (ask my english teacher.) but I wanted to write this for my own reading pleasure lmFAo so don't kill me ;w;