Rangiku Matsumoto ♥

Whenever they had lunch together, he always enjoyed himself – even if he never showed his enthusiasm. Lunch with Rangiku was a lot smoother and settled than one would think. They talked, and they talked about normal stuff. Every day stuff; what was happening in her life, and what was happening in his. Granted, she could get a little too detailed, but it was interesting.

A good catch-up. They spent their entire lives bottling everything in, and the only time they felt able to talk was with each other. They didn’t judge, they didn’t walk away, and they didn’t grow bored. They were interested in how the other felt, what they were doing, what they wanted to do. They were important. To each other, at least, and it would be wrong of him to turn down her invitation.

In all honesty, he needed someone to talk to anyway. And so did she.

'Fine.'

He didn’t have any place in mind, but trusted Rangiku had an idea. 

Little did he know, it made her day, no, her week. It was rare for them to interact on such a personal level considering Hitsugaya's constant need for an authoritative title and figure, but she knew he meant well inside. The two knew they were close, very close on an emotional level, without needing a title to label the degree of their friendship and trust. 

"Great," she murmured quietly, before repeating it a lot more enthusiastically. "Great!" Finally, no more bento boxes for lunch in the office. 

  "Finally! About time we ditched the boring bentos! Let's go down to one place I know for sure Taicho you'll love! The Spring Festival is almost here, so I know you'll love the new foods! In fact, I'll get started now so that we can hurry and taste their new dango recipe that I always wanted to eat,—Oh, and Taicho, get your work done too, okay? I don't want any excuses about your 'crazy' workload once I'm all done and ready!" 

Now he was going to express his anger.

Snatching a folder of paperwork, he slammed it onto the desk, heavily. Loud enough to create an echo throughout the office. ‘If you had time to help Ise with her paperwork – which I doubt she required in the first place – then you have time to finish your own damn paperwork, too!’

No, they were not going outside. No, they were not going to do something fun for lunch today. He was moody enough as it was. The last thing he wanted was to roast under the hot sun, while Rangiku found another excuse to not go into the office today. The heat made people lazy.

That was one reason why Tōshirō was dreading the approaching summer.

No one knew those dark thoughts, however, but a simple yet somewhat special lunch with her captain, (who did seem a little distant lately) wouldn't hurt anyone — right? 

It wasn't big news that wanderlust traveled through Rangiku's blood. It was just when and where it would appear at it's strongest desire. 

Really, the Captain should feel disappointed with her. Rangiku had been in temporary command of the Division while Tōshirō was away. He wasn’t very impressed to discover she wasn’t even at her desk, during this time. Frowning at her, he gave his best glare, tapping the end of his pen against the paperwork.

— "I was out helping Nanao-chan with some Squad 8 and Squad 10 paperwork!" Rangiku blurted out an excuse from the top of her mind. Hopefully that would have to do, whether her little captain believed it or not, it was still better than nothing. 

"Say, taicho, do you think we could go do something fun for lunch today? I'm getting bored of bentos in the office. It's too damn boring in here!"

Because she was in such a good mood, Rangiku decided it wouldn't hurt to come into the office a few hours later, not to break the good vibes. Her captain was probably training the squad at this time, anyway.

Entering the office, while yawning and wiping sleep out of her eyes, she made her way over to her favorite orange couch, propped herself on and relaxed.

A few seconds of relaxation was ruined when a familiar voice came from behind. 

"—Eh?! T-taicho!"