Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Oh Captain! My Captain!	By : BlueDragon Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 38885 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own nor make any profit off of Bleach and its characters. That all goes to Tite Kubo and affiliates.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
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A/N:
- Movies/books quoted or manipulated*: The Italian Job, my rift on Gone with the Wind lol

- Warning: Adult++ content, Mature Audience only

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Chapter Seven
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Rangiku glanced at the closed window behind his desk for the hundredth time. The wind whistled through the shutters and caused them to rattle against the building. She twirled a pink, light-up pen distractedly in her fingers. As the minutes ticked by, her anxiety slowly increased. Even with years of stress management and meditation, she was growing more worried. Toshiro still hadn’t transported back from District 61 and it was getting close to 9 o’clock. On a typical Friday night, she would never be caught dead in the office this late but she didn’t want to leave until he returned.
Her anger from being dismissed earlier had extinguished hours ago. She was an adult and, as a personal rule, didn’t want to linger on negativity like that. As a self-proclaimed master of distraction, whether that was distracting others or herself, she was pretty good at shaking it off. Even if the cause of her frustration was a certain stupid man, Rangiku’d had work to do. She was expecting to get snowed in tonight, so she’d busied herself by helping everyone prep. They had heavy plastic wrap taped around all the inner windows. The big buildings, like the food hall and dojo, had been sealed up except for a single designated entry/exit point to keep the heat in. The barracks had plenty of blankets; candles and oil lamps; firewood; and enough supplies and tools to get them through the night and dig out in the morning should they need to. She’d even had some of the guys stretch reflective rope between the buildings in case of white out. She ordered everyone to stay indoors but that didn’t always mean they would stay put. There was always someone who didn’t listen or something that would go wrong.
A crisp, double knock sounded and Rangiku’s eyes went to the open office door. Third Seat Nakahara fleetingly looked down the hall and then nodded to her in greeting.
She waved him in. “Hey, Ichijin,” she welcomed with a smile.
Not all Japanese men could pull off a beard but his diamond-shaped face and chiseled features allowed him a lot leeway. The guy could pull off any beard or hair style. His midnight black hair had grown out past his shoulders to his upper back and his beard was getting a little long. He still managed to make it look good, though. He was a handsome guy. Rangiku had always liked him and never regretted bringing him in to Squad Ten. Ichijin had a very peaceful disposition and she could always rely on him to be honest and level-headed.
As he walked toward her, his kind eyes were curious, “I was finishing up in the Lounge and saw your light on. I’m surprised you’re still here, Lieutenant.”
Rangiku subconsciously glanced at the window and Ichijin picked up on it immediately, “You’re waiting for the Captain.” It was a statement more than a question.
She sighed unhappily and tapped out a rapid rhythm with her nails, “He should’ve been back by now.”
A small frown marred his features, “Captain Hitsugaya seemed… disgruntled when we left for the Seireitei.”
That was the understatement of the year. He’d been pissed! If anything dared to cross his path tonight, heaven help them.
Rangiku didn’t need to mention to her Third Seat that she had gotten into a shouting match with his oh-so-venerated Captain. It wouldn’t exactly be professional of her to get Ichijin involved in any of their personal drama. That was definitely something that needed to stay between her and the Dragon Man. She couldn’t help but wonder if that’s why he was still out there, though. Toshiro seemed to have established a pattern lately of disappearing to burn off his frustrations. Maybe he needed to be alone out there, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.
Ichijin interrupted her thoughts, “It’s unlike you to worry, Lieutenant.”
There wasn’t any judgment in his eyes and Rangiku didn’t take the comment personally. It wasn’t like he was telling her she didn’t care. “I think I’m just ready for this day to be over.” Rangiku heaved a sigh and plopped her hands onto her desk.
Never one to miss tiny details, Ichijin nodded calmly at her prompt to change the subject. If the Lieutenant didn’t want to discuss the fact that Captain Hitsugaya was hunting out in this blizzard, then he wouldn’t push it. She knew him better than anyone, so if she wasn’t going to call it in to Central, then he trusted her decision. He took in the open tome taking up the majority of her desktop and his warm smile reached his dark eyes, “What chapter are you on?”
“Eleven,” she grumbled with a roll of her own. “I was able to get a little ahead.” She shrugged, “I’ve had nothing better to do.”
Rangiku sighed unhappily and looked inside her large coffee mug. The baby pink cup simply had ‘Not Today, Satan’ written in a pretty golden script and was big enough for at least two or three normal cups of coffee. Yumichika had given it to her last year for their Secret Santa gift exchange and she used it whenever she could. She took the final sip of her fancy black tea and sat back in her chair and stretched.
She stood with a groan and turned toward the kitchenette. Rangiku was trying to decide if she wanted to switch to a caffeine-free tea when Ichijin’s question stopped her in her tracks.
“Lieutenant, could I have a word with you regarding Fifth Seat Sonoda-san?”
Rangiku looked at him in surprise, “What about her?” A whirl of thoughts flooded her mind. Surely, he hadn’t picked up on what she thought was going on between them. Guys were generally clueless when it came to girl drama, right?
Ichijin looked like he was choosing his words carefully and Rangiku tried to control her features. She wouldn’t give anything away. She watched him quietly until Ichijin was ready.
“She needs to talk to you about… a personal matter.”
Oh, god. She really didn’t want to do this right now.
Rangiku folded her arms beneath her bosom and frowned at Nakahara, “Why hasn’t she come to me herself?”
Ichijin’s eyes glanced to the office door and back to her. With a slight bow of his head, his mouth stretched thin as if he were preparing to be admonished, “She’s waiting in the hall, Ma’am.”
Astonished that Rangiku hadn’t noticed the younger woman’s nervous reiatsu sooner, she blinked when Yuri Sonoda shyly poked her head in the doorway from the hall. Ichijin strode over to the door and ushered her in. Rangiku watched him gently push Yuri toward her desk and nodded encouragingly.
“I’ll be in the Lounge when you’re done,” he murmured before quietly sliding the door shut to give them privacy.
The younger woman’s pretty caramel eyes swung back around and locked with Rangiku’s. She honestly looked a little worried and Rangiku wanted to know why. At the end of the day, she was still in charge of Yuri’s wellbeing and, for some reason, her intuition was telling her that she shouldn’t be suspicious of the girl’s motives just yet.
In an attempt to look less defensive, she relaxed her body posture and leaned casually against the side of her desk, “Would you like to have a seat?”
Yuri looked over at the pale yellow sofa that still remained on the other side of the office by the coffee table, “If you don’t mind, Lieutenant.”
Rangiku shook her head nonchalantly, “Not at all. I’m going to make myself another cup of tea. Would you like some?”
Yuri looked like she was unsure, “I’m not sure if I should. I’m pretty sensitive to caffeine and I don’t want to stay up all night.”
Rangiku nodded, “I have a non-caffeinated herbal tea that has spearmint and lemongrass and then I also have this amazing dark chocolate powder that makes a mean cup of cocoa.”
Yuri’s doe eyes widened with interest and a light pink fanned across her cheeks, “Hot chocolate sounds really nice.”
Rangiku smiled in understanding, “Give me a few minutes.” She thought that sounded pretty good, too, and put a shallow pot on the stovetop and clicked the burner over to medium. While that started to heat, she went to the fridge for milk and then poured in what she thought would be enough for two cups. Once the milk just started to steam, she whisked in the fragrant chocolate powder mixture until it was the right color and consistency. Rangiku waited until it was nice and hot and then poured the hot chocolate into the mugs she’d set aside.
Walking back into the office, she handed one steaming mug to Yuri and then sat down on the other end of the sofa with her own cup. Rangiku blew on her hot chocolate and carefully sipped the creamy liquid. Rich chocolate assaulted her senses with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Rangiku sighed happily. She watched Yuri do the same and her eyes widened in pleasure. Cocoa could be an extended olive branch, right?
Rangiku nodded to herself and gave the young woman a minute to gather her thoughts.
Yuri stared into her cup and blurted, “That little girl today… Have you ever heard of a case like this before?”
Rangiku’s shoulders drooped at the reminder of the day’s events, “If you’re referring to how she was found… physically… No. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a Hollow doing this before.”
Yuri worried her lower lip. Her voice was quiet, “This case bothers you…”
Rangiku tried not to let her defenses go up but her back straightened. She tried to sound dismissive, “I’m fine.”
Yuri’s eyes immediately went to her and widened, “You know what the Captain says F.I.N.E. stands for…”
Rangiku blew out a begrudging huff of amusement, “Yeah, unfortunately.”
“Freaked out…”
“Insecure, Neurotic, and—”
“—and Emotional*,” Yuri finished. She nodded and looked at Rangiku with concern.
“Anyone with a conscience should be bothered by what we saw today,” Rangiku countered calmly. She wasn’t offended, but she didn’t really want to bring the subject back up. She didn’t want to get worked up over it again.
Suddenly, Yuri blurted, “I’m glad that you’re my Lieutenant, Ma’am…”
Rangiku’s eyes widened in bewilderment.
Yuri nodded with a frown, “You aren’t cold-hearted or emotionless like some of the other lieutenants and captains. You actually care.”
Rangiku turned to face Yuri and leaned against the side of the sofa. Uncomfortable with what she thought was supposed to be a compliment, she asked, “What’s this all about, Sonoda-san?”
She looked down into her cocoa and murmured, “Captain Hitsugaya won’t let me ascend any higher in the ranks…”
Rangiku blinked in surprise. This conversation was not going as expected. Is that what Yuri was worried about? She nodded in understanding, “You can’t go higher until you can access your inner world and discover the name of your zanpakuto.” Rangiku bent her knee and tucked her foot under the other leg and set her mug on her thigh, “You know the ranking determines the level of difficulty on the missions you get sent out on. You’re a talented soul reaper but you still wield the asauchi. Until you can release your shikai, the Captain doesn’t think it’s safe.”
Yuri sighed forlornly. “I understand… I just… I’m struggling…”
Rangiku frowned, “Struggling with what?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” she said quickly, her voice wobbled. Everything seemed to pour out of her like a faucet had been turned on, “I’ve tried meditating. I can’t seem to turn my thoughts off. I get distracted by the slightest things. I think that’s why I have to organize things just so. I can’t seem to focus if everything isn’t in its correct place.” Yuri’s eyes met Rangiku’s and started to get watery, “I thought perhaps, if I couldn’t access my inner world, that maybe my zanpakuto’s spirit would try to communicate with me some other way but I’ve done nothing but fail. I can’t hear even a whisper. I can’t feel anything. What if I can never do it?”
The young woman was getting more upset and Rangiku interrupted her, “First of all, everything you’re describing to me is totally normal. Every soul reaper worth their salt has had to go through this stage. So, please, take a deep breath. It’s okay.”
Yuri forced her lungs to inhale deeply and slowly let it out. “I had a 5-Year Plan… I was supposed to be further along than this,” she said softly.
Rangiku chuckled knowingly, “That’s not how it works, unfortunately. Zanpakutos are known for doing things their own way, in their own time, not yours.”
Yuri’s voice took on a wistful note, “I was hoping that mine would come to me in a dream, like Captain Hitsugaya…”
Rangiku rolled her eyes sarcastically, “Not everyone meets a legendary dragon in a dream when they are a snot-nosed brat. Some do find them in dreams, but many don’t. I didn’t.”
Yuri’s eyes blinked in astonishment, “How did Haineko-sama come to you?”
Rangiku huffed in exasperation, “I was in a situation like you, kind of stuck and not progressing like I wanted. It took years… but then I started seeing just snippets. I saw many a flash of a tiger’s tail disappearing around corners. Sometimes it was a young tiger walking away from me in no hurry at all but, no matter how much I chased, I could never catch up.” Rangiku rolled her eyes, “Eventually, I was seeing her lounging around on rooftops or asleep in the trees, like a lazy bum. The first time we made eye contact —I’ll never forget it— she looked at me with utter disdain; like I was the most annoying thing she had ever set her eyes on.”
Rangiku hummed in irritation and her expression dried out like beef jerky when her eyes glared at the ceiling.
Yuri tried to politely hide her smile by sipping her hot chocolate.
Rangiku slightly shook her head, “It wasn’t long after that that I realized I was the only one that could see her. No wonder Haineko had been exasperated with me.”
“But I thought the two of you were so close,” Yuri remarked.
“We are,” Rangiku nodded earnestly. “But it’s not uncommon for the relationship to be a little rough in the beginning. Sometimes Haineko and I are like two peas in a pod and then others we’re like two cats fighting over food; most of the time we get each other, though. We’re a good team.”
Yuri frowned in thought, “How did you gain access to your inner world?”
Rangiku sipped her hot chocolate and glanced at Toshiro’s desk, “The captain before our Captain helped me with meditation. In the beginning, I didn’t have much luck with sitting there in the lotus position hoping I would feel something—” Yuri was nodding her head vigorously in agreement and Rangiku smiled, “—but eventually I was able to get there. In order to really understand my reiatsu, I had to learn and practice Tai Chi and Yoga to find my center and balance my chi. I still do it almost every day. It’s part of my morning routine when I come to work.”
Yuri’s dark, sculpted brows furrowed, “Why don’t you offer that as a training regimen?”
“I used to,” Rangiku shrugged. “This was so many years ago, though; back before Captain Histugaya was in charge of Squad Ten. Some aspects of it are already included in the martial arts and kido training. I suppose, it’s a bit redundant. Not that many people ever showed up for class, so it was phased out of the curriculum.”
“I can’t say if it’s redundant, Lieutenant, but I would sign up for those two courses without hesitation,” Yuri rushed. She looked down into her lap hesitantly and then her eyes reconnected with Rangiku’s with determination, “Is there any way you would reconsider bringing that back?”
Rangiku’s golden eyebrows rose and she inhaled deeply as she thought. For months, she and Yuri Sonoda hadn’t exactly gotten along. Before Nanao had suggested her rival theory, Rangiku wasn’t even sure she liked the young woman. It was just part of the job sometimes. Besides the obvious fact that some people were flat-out unsociable, she couldn’t be friends with everyone. Even though she was naturally extroverted, Lieutenants were encouraged to be firm. You weren’t supposed to make friends with your subordinates because they needed to respect the chain of command. However, despite the young woman’s flirtatious attempts to get Toshiro’s attention, Rangiku was beginning to wonder if she’d misunderstood the girl. There was almost a kindred spirit kind of thing going on here and Rangiku decided she wanted to help her.
“I tell you what,” Rangiku swallowed the last of her hot chocolate. “Monday, I’ll meet you in the dojo after I dismiss everyone for their warm up and run. We’ll do a one-hour session, see if that’s the route you want to take, and then you can join the others for the rest of the morning training.”
Yuri’s eyes practically sparkled with enthusiasm but she controlled her response, “Thank you so much, Lieutenant.”
Rangiku turned and leaned forward to set her mug on the coffee table. “You’re welcome.” A big yawn surprised her and Rangiku’s hand covered her gaping mouth. She scooted to the edge of the cushion and it looked like Yuri took that as her cue to wrap things up.
Sonoda quickly finished her drink and stood, “Thank you for the hot chocolate. You were right. It was delicious.”
Rangiku stood and took both of their mugs. “No problem,” she smiled. “You two better get to the barracks. I have a feeling it’s going to be rough tonight.”
Yuri nodded, “Yes, Ma’am.”
As her Fifth Seat headed to the office door and she to the kitchenette, Rangiku paused with a frown, “Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the results you want right away. Sometimes it takes a while. It took me years…”
Yuri stopped at the door and turned to look at her again. She frowned but seemed hopeful, “I understand. However, this feels like a step in the right direction, Ma’am.”
Rangiku leaned her back against the door frame to the kitchen and nodded, “Okay, good.”
Yuri bowed respectfully, “Thank you again for your counsel, Lieutenant.”
Rangiku smiled at the formal gesture and made a shooing motion with her hands, “Any time, Sonoda-san. Now get out of here and stay warm.”
Yuri nodded and opened the office door, “Goodnight, Lieutenant.”
“Night,” Rangiku called as she went to the sink. She heard the door shut as she washed their cups and set them on the drying rack. She felt good about her decision to help her Fifth Seat.
Haineko harrumphed in her ear. Rangiku imagined her ocean-hued eyes squinting and her tail flicking in irritation.
Rangiku walked back into the office and saw that Haineko had manifested herself and was stretched out on the sofa by the coffee table. These days she preferred to reveal herself in her animal form instead of her human form. The firelight from the corner reflected off of her gorgeous gleaming fur and the jewel-encrusted pink collar around her neck. Unlike a typical orange tiger, Haineko’s coloration was an array of auburn reds and mahogany. It was a striking combination with the black stripes and snowy white belly and markings. Her magnificent head lay on the armrest and her blue-green eyes stared at Rangiku peevishly.
“What?” Rangiku asked briskly.
“Why do we have to be nice to her?” Haineko grumbled.
Rangiku glared back impatiently, “You are literally in my head. You know why.”
The feminine features of the tigress morphed into a grouchy pout. Her burgundy tail flicked impatiently and Rangiku noticed a pink ribbon tied into a bow near the end. After a moment, the pout changed into a quizzical expression, “And if she tries to seduce our Dragon Man?”
Rangiku stiffened. Haineko’s question was quite to the point and the subject was one that immediately made her hackles rise. But there wasn’t a single moral thing she could do about it if Yuri decided to act on her feelings. Even though the thought of Yuri trying anything made her want to sharpen her claws on the younger woman’s face, she had to take the high road. Rangiku wasn’t just a woman lusting after Toshiro, she was his Lieutenant. And Yuri had tried to seek Rangiku’s guidance. She couldn’t betray that. Rangiku sighed, “She wants to learn and part of my job is to teach. If she goes after Toshiro, we’re just going to have to trust him.”
Haineko’s expression was wry and her tone was overly mischievous, “You were supposed to say, ‘Then we’ll destroy her.’ ”
Rangiku huffed in amusement and took on a British accent, “’Tis looked down upon to slay those you aren’t supposed to.”
The tigress’ eyes rolled sarcastically, “Killjoy.”
Another yawn interrupted her master and closest friend. Haineko could feel her exhaustion and watched as the tired gesture sapped her energy. Rangiku was both physically and mentally wiped out. The girl’s death had hit her hard which was unusual. Rangiku didn’t usually take things so personally. They couldn’t afford to grow attached when so many of the souls out there perished. Rangiku hadn’t even met the girl… but there was no denying the impulsive, inherent need to protect the little ones.
The big cat’s turquoise eyes came back to Rangiku’s and softened, “You need to rest. Go home. We can yell at him later.”
Haineko’s concern seemed to suck the conflict right of Rangiku. Her shoulders slumped a bit, “I don’t want to yell at him. I just want him home.”
The beautiful tigress hauled her large body up to sit primly in the center of the couch, “You know Toshiro and Hyorinmaru can take care of themselves. There’s no point in hanging out here. There’s lots you can do while you wait. You can get a fire started, pour yourself some sake, take a hot shower, do a puzzle, read a book, try crocheting again—”
“Okay, okay. I get the point,” Rangiku chuckled. Any hesitation she had seeped out of her at the promise of a steaming hot shower.
Haineko nodded in amusement and disappeared in a blip. Rangiku walked to the fireplace and secured the decorative metal screen in front of the diminishing flames and headed for the office door. Her signature pink scarf hung by the door on a hook; she looped it around her neck and quickly donned the stunning red kosode she’d worn out in the field. She stepped out into the hall, shutting the door behind her, and noticed the Officer’s Lounge was dark. Rangiku heard the low murmur of her Third and Fifth seats as they made their way toward the door that lead out to the breezeway. The manner Ichijin had approached her about Yuri felt protective in a way. The young woman evidently felt comfortable enough to confide in him about her worries and he’d been trying to help her. Rangiku had never seen Ichijin in a relationship with anyone but he was a private person. She wouldn’t be surprised if she found out that he’d had a hundred girlfriends and never knew simply because he kept to himself. Of course, he could just be trying to be professional and help his subordinate work through this, but Rangiku couldn’t help but wonder if Ichijin’s interest in Sonoda was more than platonic.
“Hm,” she hummed in thought. The wind made a sucking noise at the back door and Rangiku looked at it in resignation. She was going to do what Haineko suggested but the day’s eerie events left her feeling restless. Rangiku walked up to the back door and exhaled slowly. Her skin practically crawled with unease as the biting wind licked at her fingertips through a hairline space where the door met the frame. She kept telling herself the disturbing feeling would settle down once Toshiro returned, but he was taking forever. Maybe, after her bath, she should do some mindfulness exercises...
Flashstepping as swiftly as she could, she was in her apartment and locking the door in under fifteen seconds.

*~*~*

Rangiku heard three slow knocks and a thud against her door. She set the book she’d been reading down. Who on Earth would be visiting at this hour? She waited for a moment and listened to see if whoever was out there would knock again.
When nothing happened, she sighed and rolled onto her side to slide out from under the covers. Heaving another sigh as she left the toasty warmth of her futon, she got up and forlornly eyed the heavily padded bed she occupied beside the fireplace during the coldest months of the year. Her teeth chattered when her bare feet touched the icy wooden floor for the few seconds it took to step into her fleece-lined house slippers.
Her pulse quickened nervously and she hurried to the door. Had Toshiro returned? She hadn’t felt him yet… Was something wrong? Oh god, had they found another dead girl?
The snow storm out there was really bad. Since she’d left the office, the shrieking wind had only gotten worse. If she knew where that stupid man was, the ominous sounds of the blizzard wouldn’t have worked her up into an upset stomach. A nice little hot sake toddy would have been a pleasant way to unwind and enjoy the wintery weather but she’d been afraid the alcohol would make her sick. So she’d skipped it and gone straight for the shower. It had done little to reduce her growing anxiety but at least she was clean and warm.
Was he still out in District 61? How could she possibly go to sleep knowing he was out there in that?
Rangiku tightened the calf-length, burgundy wine colored kimono around her body and braced herself for the cold wind that was about to invade her cozy apartment. After unlocking the deadbolt, she grasped the handle and cracked the door to peek outside.
A tall, broad-shouldered outline stood in the darkness. Strong hands held the outer doorframe. The man’s head was bowed as if he’d been resting his forehead against her door while it had been closed. Rangiku instantly recognized the thick, silvery hair that plastered to his skull in wet, messy spikes.
“Captain!” she gasped in shock. The blizzard howled behind him and the white-out made visibility past the sidewalk impossible. The snow blew across and around the building at a harsh angle and his dripping clothes clung to his powerful frame. Rangiku jerked the door open halfway and grasped his slick, muscular forearm. His skin burned her fingers and she pulled, trying to get him inside and out of the elements, but he didn’t budge. “You’re soaking wet!” Her hand tingled where his heat connected with hers and she let go.
“Is something wrong? Did something happen?” she worried.
His head remained bowed but she heard his rough voice, “I couldn’t find him.” Suddenly she saw his eyes, looking like volcanic glass in the darkness. They narrowed bitterly and his growl almost didn’t sound human, “He was hunting you and I couldn’t fucking find him.”
Rangiku shivered at the eerie thought. That thing was still out there? She shook her head as a gust of wind rattled the building. Her eyes looked at him with resolve, “Another day, then.”
Toshiro drank in the sight of her. The pretty cranberry kimono made her striking crystal blue eyes pop with color. She was a vision of light and warmth out in his cold, dark world.
A form of craze had taken hold of him. For hours he’d searched, working himself into a frenzy. Even with the low, heavy snow clouds plowing through, taking almost all visibility with them, he’d searched every hole, every cave, and every pile of anything in the damn district. Anywhere that bastard might be hiding. Fucking coward.
There was something about all this that was really messing with him. Maybe it was the wind wailing like a banshee or perhaps it was simply a culmination of the day’s events, but paranoid images had begun haunting his mind since the search party had left and the remaining daylight disappeared. Despite being wholly alone and unable to see much of anything, the isolation and the environment hadn’t bothered him. He felt in control of that much of his faculties. You didn’t always need eyes to see.
It was the constant mulling; he kept wracking his mind of possible ways that thing could somehow follow her home. Toshiro had tried to keep his mind occupied by taking audio notes for his report but he hadn’t been able to focus. He still hadn’t even done the damn thing. Toshiro’d felt like he’d been on the verge of an anxiety attack. He’d actually had to meditate with Hyorinmaru out in the middle of a white-out. He still couldn’t believe that he’d had to resort to that to calm down. Even with meditation, he’d ended up transporting out of there.
Hyorinmaru had been crystal clear. If the only way to quiet the rage inside him was to see for himself that she was alright, that she wasn’t in any danger, then he needed to go. Go to her, Hyorinmaru rumbled.
“I needed to make sure you were safe,” Toshiro rasped.
A gentle, comforting smile graced her features, “I’ll always be safe with you.”
Rangiku felt his gaze on her even before she flipped on the porch light and saw his dark, ocean-hued dragon eyes for herself. “Are you okay?” she asked quietly.
Instead of answering, he looked at her for several more heartbeats before lowering his attention to her mouth, the front of her kimono, and all the way down to her light fawn colored slippers. White puffs from his heavy breathing disappeared quickly in front of his frowning face. She shivered more in awareness than from the bitter, cold wind that eagerly pushed through the door. Rangiku folded her arms beneath her breasts and said through chattering teeth, “Would you like to come in?”
She found it odd that he just stood there; like his feet were glued to her front step. “Toshiro, it’s freezing cold!” she whined loudly.
He glanced back up to her face, seemed to hesitate, then stepped inside. The wind whistled and made a sucking noise as Toshiro shut the door behind him and leaned back against it. Breathing like he hadn’t quite recovered from a run, he remained at the door while Rangiku moved to the top step of her genkan. She gasped when she got a good look at him. He was soaked-to-the-bone; completely drenched. Alarmed, she hurried to the linen closet by her bedroom and grabbed some towels. There was no way he could handle being wet for very long in this kind of weather! Rangiku couldn’t believe he still wore the summer uniform in the middle of December. Most of the soul reapers had switched to thicker socks, or more protective footwear, and almost everyone was sporting scarves or jackets to be able to bear the dropping temperatures. Toshiro wore his teal scarf, but even that had a calculated reason. What was he thinking?
Toshiro’s anxiety from the last few hours, the bloodlust of the last few days, the months of frustrated, sexual energy… Somehow it kind of settled like sediment in water. At that moment, all he could hear were Rangiku’s words, her unshakable faith and trust in him. I’ll always be safe with you, echoed in his mind. It shook him to his core. For months, maybe even years, he’d kept her at a distance. All for what? So he wouldn’t get hurt? He knew the risks; had seen others suffer dearly for getting involved with their officers. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember why that was important anymore and the last of his resistance just melted away. The simple fact of the matter was that he hadn’t been able to do his damn job today because of her —Her scent, her mood, her safety. Her— and he wasn’t even sleeping with her. So, what was the fucking point?
Rangiku arrived back at the genkan and faltered when she saw how his body was in point of fact steaming. Little piles of sleet pellets and snow had accumulated on his shoulders and her eyes widened as it melted rapidly into his clothing. It was like watching an ice cube disappear into a hot cup of coffee.
His zanpakuto and scarf were hanging on the hook mounted to the wall next to Haineko. Toshiro’d just finished pulling off his sandals and wet tabi. His back arched as he bent over and Rangiku stood there dumbstruck. She could actually see steam swirling off of him! Was he overheating or something? In this weather?
He straightened and she gaped at how the moisture around his broad chest and shoulders escaped in the heated vapor. “Toshiro…” she murmured.
His dark tourmaline eyes looked into hers inscrutably. Rangiku leaned forward and flicked a pink bath towel open, whirling it up and over his head. “You’re steaming like a bowl of soup,” she fussed. Rubbing the towel over his hair and neck, she frowned while she tried to dry him off.
Toshiro inhaled deeply. He couldn’t help it. Under that towel his eyes rolled as he breathed her in, tasted her scent on his tongue, and it punched him right in the solar plexus.
Toshiro stepped closer below, still in the genkan, and she shuddered when her breasts inevitably brushed against his wet chest.
The fullness of her tits pressing into him scorched his blood, sending raw heat to his cock. His hands stopped hers from moving. The towel slipped from her fingers and slid off his shoulders and down his back to the floor.
The volcanic heat coming off of his testosterone-infused body was immense and, despite his dripping clothes, an inviting flush tightened her chest and spread warm tingles across her flesh. Trying to keep a cool head, she cleared her throat uncertainly. His grip loosened on her wrists, so she brushed her fingers through the slippery hair on his forehead. “You’re burning up,” she whispered.
Toshiro’s teal eyes scorched into hers and Rangiku trembled under his feral stare.
Her voice was barely audible, “Are you getting sick?”
Even though they were in her dark hallway, a small glow of firelight made it to her front door. The golden reflection made his eyes look like sea glass but somehow allowed her to see his pupils dilate. He shook his head slowly.
“No,” he finally spoke.
Ignoring the pairs of house slippers she left out for guests, he took the step up from the genkan. The move forced her to shuffle backward.
His mind was made up. Toshiro took a predatory barefoot step toward her. His growl was rough, bestial, “My blood is on fire.” Toshiro’s hands slid down her arms. “And this time I’m certain that no amount of fighting or killing will soothe it.” She shivered when the pads of his thumbs brushed across the sides of her breasts. He leaned forward and slid his hands around her waist and pulled her against his hard chest, nestling her belly up against his harder erection.
Toshiro’s voice was raw, “You’re the only one who can fix it.”
Rangiku lost the ability to breathe and slid her shaking hands up to grip the wet collar of his kosode. Her kimono was soaking up the water and plastering to her body but she didn’t care. The way he was looking at her —with desire burning like teal, molten lava— his meaning was clear.
One of his hands came up so he could brush his thumb across her jaw. “I’ve been trying to just get through each day without losing my control. Every day I’ve wanted to touch you; every day I’ve imagined what it’d be like to take you a dozen or so different ways.” She shivered and Toshiro’s expression changed to one of resolve. “I’m tired of fighting it, Rangiku,” he said in a low rumble.
Rangiku stared up into his handsome face. The way he was looking at her made a delicious knot form deep in the pit of her stomach. They were both clothed and yet he turned her on with nothing more than the press of his body and the sound of desire in his voice.
“Just in case I’m not being 100% clear,” he added, “if you don’t kick me out right now, we’re going to have sex.”
The exasperatingly rational voice of her conscience piped in, What about tomorrow? She couldn’t dismiss his struggles. He had been fighting the attraction they had for each other and the last thing she wanted to see was remorse in his eyes tomorrow morning. That would hurt far more than a bruised ego and a cold shower ever would.
Toshiro immediately noticed her hesitation and stiffened with unease. After all this time, had he read their situation wrong?
He mentally shook his head. No, she wanted him. He could feel it in her responses. Hell, he could fucking smell it. Between that amazing little kimono she had wrapped around herself and the musky scent of her arousal at seeing him, he hadn’t been able to talk for a good minute after she’d let him into her home.
“Rangiku,” he croaked. The desperation in his gravelly voice must have registered.
She looked up and blurted, “If you’re going to have any regrets, I want you to leave.”
The air left Toshiro’s lungs in a whoosh of relief. He lowered his face and pressed his lips to her throat just beneath her ear. “The only thing I regret,”—he nipped the shell of her ear and smiled when she gasped—“is how much time I’ve wasted…” Toshiro licked a hot, wet trail down her neck, paying special attention to the pulse that galloped wildly beneath her skin. He growled and sunk his teeth into the muscle between the base of her neck and shoulder. Rangiku hissed in pained pleasure and moaned when his mouth released her. Her eyelashes fluttered dizzily and Toshiro murmured, “All while somehow knowing that I’d end up on your doorstep.”
Rangiku breathed in shakily. Holy shit! All these months of torture and he’s finally here trying to devour her in her genkan. But if he was ready to take this step, then she wouldn’t hesitate either. She smiled, “So… you aren’t going to freeze up or run away if I do this?” She pressed her lips against the sexy pit in his throat, a location Rangiku’d been daydreaming about a lot lately, and swirled her tongue into his skin.
A deep groan vibrated his throat as he slid a hand past the small of her back to palm her behind roughly. She sucked his hot, salty skin into her mouth and pulled open the front of his robes to reveal a portion of his upper chest.
“Or this,” she murmured. Her fingers loosened the outer obi knot at his waist and then moved his kosode and shitagi impatiently aside to run her fingers up his muscular belly and pectorals.
“I want you, Toshiro Hitsugaya,” she said with a smoky voice that made his excited body jolt in arousal.
She ran her tongue up his neck and nipped his adam’s apple. “I want to kiss you all over.”
Toshiro’s fingers tangled in her silky locks and he brought his mouth down onto hers. “Not until I kiss you first,” he rumbled through a hot breath.
He kissed her hard and sent hot, aching passion across her skin. It tightened her breasts and made her thighs want to clamp together to relieve the pressure. The kiss immediately turned into a ferocious feeding frenzy. All of his pent up frustrations were poured into it. Rangiku hung on for dear life as his tongue ravaged her mouth and raised her onto the balls of her feet, greedily seeking more. His body dominated hers with a passion that made her toes want to curl and all she could do was let him take what he wanted —what they both wanted.
His hands were everywhere at once, pushing at the top of her kimono until her breasts spilled out and her nipples rubbed his damp, hard chest. Rangiku’s sensitive tips felt every fibrous thread of his robes.
Toshiro’s hands slipped up the slopes of her breasts. God damn, she had amazing tits. The kind all men dreamed of. Pink nipples lay at the center of each and Rangiku sighed when he finally cupped one of the heavy globes. She gasped in surprise when he pinched one of her sensitive tips hard between his thumb and forefinger. The sting sent shock waves of aching want straight down to her crotch and Rangiku pulled her mouth away from his. She moaned raggedly into his neck when he pinched harder and kept the pressure steady by rolling the dark pink tip in his fingers.
Toshiro steered her backward and they stumbled halfway down the hall before he pushed her up against the wall with a grunt.
His breathing was heavy, “Rangiku.”
Toshiro’s hands slid to her ass and he ground his incredibly hard penis against her. “One time isn’t going to be enough.”
Rangiku’s body ached with response and she swayed further into him. “Twice?”
He shook his head and Rangiku hooked her thigh over his hip.
Toshiro palmed her flesh, “All night.”
She liked to have sex all night. Rangiku rubbed against him with a whimper in reply.
He groaned deep in his chest and rocked his hips to meet her, slowly thrusting against her.
He was hard as a club and Rangiku didn’t think she’d ever wanted anything in her life like she wanted this right now. Liquid heat was flooding her center with aching need and she moaned the next time he ground against her. It was torture and pleasure all at once, but it still wasn’t what she needed. It wasn’t him inside of her.
Toshiro’s hands molded to her breasts again but released her soon after. He eyed her hungrily as they bounced but he had another important destination in mind. His hands smoothed down to her waist and deftly untied the bow that held her flimsy garment together. The damn thing still managed to block his view and he needed to see all of her. He needed to find out if her honey slicked center tasted as sweet as she smelled.
The kimono opened fully and Toshiro groaned at the sight. Nestled against his clothing-covered, throbbing dick, Rangiku’s trimmed, darker strawberry-blonde curls were glistening with her liquid desire. She was so goddamned wet, she was coating the front of his hakama. The temptress squirmed against him and he grit his teeth when he almost exploded in his pants. His callused hand slid up the leg she had on his hip. Rangiku whimpered when he pushed it between their bodies and cupped her mound.
A flash of heat spread to the core of her body and Rangiku’s knees buckled. His other arm tightened around her to keep her from falling.
His voice was strained, “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
His fingers slid lower and parted her flesh, touching Rangiku where she craved it the most. “Especially right here,” he said, his voice raw.
The heavy ache became razor sharp and his touch was the only thing that satisfied it.
Toshiro teased her hypersensitive flesh. His middle finger grazed her clitoris in smooth, teasing circles and she cried out, jerking and writhing against him with shaking breaths. His dexterous fingers denied her another graze and swooped down to dip into her soaked entrance. Two fingers slide in deep and it’s so flipping good. As he intimately explored her, his fingertips curling and stroking inside, he pulled her into the zone. When his thumb stroked her clit, her cunt pinched tight around his fingers and Rangiku threw her hips into him, grinding.
Toshiro removed his hand and she practically sobbed at the retreat. Rangiku whimpered when he slowly sucked the glistening digits into his mouth, his dragon eyes burned like dark turquoise flames. His long feral growl of pleasure turned her on so much she was shaking.
“Never tasted pussy so sweet,” he groaned.
The heat roared back into her cheeks. She was mildly surprised that she hadn’t caught on fire yet. Was spontaneous combustion a thing? Can sex be so powerful it turns a person into a little pile of ash?
His growl was hoarse, “I love that I make you this wet.”
“Let’s do something about it,” she panted desperately.
Rangiku steadied the one foot she had on the floor before she unwrapped the other from around him. Toshiro’s hands were on her waist but she huffed, “You have too many clothes on.” She wanted skin. Her fingers were shaking but she managed to untie his outer obi and pulled it loose. His robes sagged open and she roughly tugged the ends of his sopping wet kosode and shitagi out of his hakama before shoving everything off his shoulders. The heavy, soaked garments hit the floor with a loud, wet thud and she slid her palms across his defined chest as she kicked his clothes down to the genkan. Toshiro yanked her kimono the rest of the way off and chucked it somewhere down the hall. Rangiku licked a hot trail up to his hammering pulse while she untied the inner obi that held his hakama up. She jerked them down his legs and left him standing in his underwear.
Rangiku’s heart pounded loudly in her ears. Except for this one piece of clothing, they were both naked.
She contemplated that for a few seconds while she admired his powerfully built form… Then she was on him. Rangiku eagerly pressed her breasts into his steaming hot, hard chest and then started running her hands over as much of his tight skin as she could. Her cool fingertips traced over the planes of his stomach, across his obliques; over iron-hard muscles and smooth, searing skin.
Shivers rippled through him. “Fuck,” he whispered.
She flattened her hands, stroking up until her fingers brushed over his flat, male nipples, then down over his abdomen and hips. Her fingers traced every dip and hollow and she relished how the muscles jerk and tremor in response.
Rangiku touched him everywhere. She kissed him like he was her last meal and Toshiro’s mind was gone. His pulse pounded and his body hummed. It was crazy and hot and honest, like nothing he’d ever experienced. Toshiro had had wild sex before but this was different. They weren’t just giving in to a purely physical need. This was all-consuming surrender. He couldn’t think beyond all the parts he wanted and in what order he wanted them —didn’t want to. Her nails dug into his flank and he groaned.
She looked up into his burning dragon eyes and watched his reaction hungrily while her hand dove beneath the elastic of his boxer briefs. Toshiro sucked in a breath and pulled back to watch as she wrapped her soft hand around his hot, velvety thickness and squeezed. She stroked his shaft up and down and her body throbbed hollowly and ached for release. Lavender eyes looked up into his temptingly and she smiled. He was bigger than what she had fantasized about and she wanted every long, hard inch of him.
Toshiro’s breathing was rough and choppy. “I can’t wait any longer.”
Rangiku felt a wave of heat wash over her flesh in anticipation. She nodded vehemently and panted, “Okay.”
She moved first and dragged her hard nipples down his stomach to tease him. Her deft fingers hooked the waistband and her hands moved swiftly. She shoved his underwear down his muscular thighs and his cock sprang free. A sculpted, fully aroused ice god of war stood before her. His entire body was a walking, breathing work of art. Rangiku sighed in excited pleasure. Her eyes twinkled, “You’re a beautiful man, Captain Hitsugaya.”
Toshiro stepped out of the underwear at his feet and damn near set her aflame with the desire in his eyes. “I’ve got nothing on you, sweetheart,” he breathed hard.
His penis bobbed at her in greeting as she kneeled on the floor. Rangiku reached for him and ran her palm up his shaft. His whole body shuddered at her touch and she smiled wickedly. A pearlescent bead of moisture leaked out of the tip and rested in the cleft of his succulent head. She spread it with her thumb and licked her upper lip slowly.
Rangiku caressed his hip with her other hand, her fingernails scraping lightly. “Want me to take the edge off?”
Toshiro choked out a huffing laugh and gently pushed her hands away. “I won’t last five seconds in your mouth,” he said seriously.
He reached for her and helped her up. “Besides,” he breathed roughly as his hands slid down to her butt and then down to the backs of her thighs. Toshiro lifted her effortlessly and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist. He pinned her back against the wall in the middle of the hallway and groaned when Rangiku squirmed against him. Her naked, dripping wet slit ground against his muscular belly and his dick bounced eagerly. Toshiro took a few deep breaths through his nose, trying to calm down. His eyes opened and locked with hers. “I want to come inside you first,” he growled hotly.
Rangiku nodded, breathing heavily against him. “It’s been a long time for me, Toshiro,” she whispered.
His eyes steadied, “I’ll make it good.”
She believed him and ran her hands through his damp hair and kissed his mouth as he lowered her onto his cock. Toshiro teased her entrance, only pushing the tip in at first. A stitch of pain made her eyes widen when her body resisted the rest of his intrusion. Toshiro’s hot eyes were locked onto hers the entire time. She was so ready for him that there was only intense pleasure after that. Rangiku sucked in her breath and held it as the big head of his penis slid up into her, stretching her tight flesh. Once seated to the hilt, she honestly didn’t know who moaned louder; him or her.
Her eyes closed and she squeezed her muscles around every pulsing inch of him.
For just a split second, the sensation blinded Toshiro.
“Fuck, you’re tight,” he snarled. Her heat sucked him off, right down to his balls, sending a vicious kiss up his spine.
Rangiku’s eyes fluttered open. His dragony orbs got hotter with each passing second.
His breathing was heavy and his voice didn’t even sound human. “I’m not going to last very long,” he growled out.
“You think I will?” she laughed breathily. She didn’t care if he lasted to the count of three. She’d take it. Three seconds of Toshiro sounded better than anything else she’d had in a very long time.
He huffed and ground his pelvis into hers, crushing her tender breasts into his rock hard chest. Her stomach stuck to his and he nearly pulled out before plunging deep inside, touching her cervix and sending lightning bolts of pleasure zinging through her body.
Rangiku gasped his name. “Yes,” she hissed beside his ear. He moved again. “So good,” she moaned forcefully. In and out he thrust. With each drive forward, her breathing grew choppy, her skin tight, as he pushed her faster and harder toward release. Rangiku cried out when he rubbed against that sweet spot deep inside, “Right there. Don’t stop!”
Toshiro clenched his jaw. Good god, she was going to kill him. Every hot whisper and moan sent him closer to the edge. His muscles tightened and flexed with each drive of his hips.
Rangiku’s whole world narrowed and centered on Toshiro and where his body joined with hers; stroking her inside and teasing her G-spot. Liquid fire poured through her veins. His steaming hot body and hard muscles scorched her skin and burned her up. Hot tingles singed across her flesh and she couldn’t remember sex ever being so good; so intense. Maybe it had but she didn’t think she’d ever been so utterly consumed with the intense pleasure. With wanting it so much that nothing else mattered.
She might have called his name. She wasn’t sure what was coming out of her mouth as he drilled into her. Higher and hotter she went until the first wave of orgasm hit. Rangiku moaned or screamed or something as she exploded into a million pieces. Her heart slammed in her ears and she saw stars as Toshiro pounded into her body, untamed and wild in a hot sexual storm of hands and lips. Every cell caught fire and she opened her mouth and screamed as the second wave washed over her.
Toshiro couldn’t stop himself from driving into her again and again, throwing everything he had against her body. He was barely keeping the fire in his balls from burning them both down, but he refused to stop for her release yet. He only flogged it harder, higher, splitting her open with an animal glare in his eyes.
She was clenching him so hard he thought he’d shatter and his shoulders tensed. The pleasure was so intense it was wringing him from his own head.
Toshiro’s grasp on her ass tightened almost painfully. Desperation had his hips pumping like a human jackhammer. Instinct commanded him to sear her from the inside out. A possessive need to claim her real deep, to bind her to him, took hold over him so completely he couldn’t have stopped himself from coming if he’d tried. His own release hits so hard his vision blurs. Growling ferociously, everything flashed garnet red for the briefest nanosecond and then he plunged to the hilt and stilled.
A scorching wave of fire flooded her depths and Rangiku was right there with him. Her lavender eyes rolled back in rapture and then her lips feverishly met his. The muscles in his arms and chest turned to chiseled, hot granite, and Rangiku whimpered at the beautiful sight. The breath whooshed from his lungs and he cursed long and loud.
Her pussy milked his cock like a vise. Toshiro’s balls pumped, churned, and urged him deeper. Deeper. Goddamned deeper.
He held himself inside of her for what felt like forever, pulsing with every last drop until she felt herself overflow with their slick, steaming heat.
Rangiku pressed her mouth into his and savored every second of him falling apart. He stole mewls from her lips with deep, thrusting kisses.
Toshiro was fucking trembling, every muscle firing on its own, when he was able to finally see straight.
Securing one arm around her and the other hand against the wall, Toshiro slowly lowered them both to the floor before his legs gave out. Her back slid down the wall; both of his knees hit as he sank down and Rangiku moaned when the jarring sent her channel fluttering around his throbbing length again. Toshiro groaned and rest his forehead against her shoulder, crushing her tight against his chest. They sat there for several minutes, wrapped around each other as their climaxes subsided and their bodies came down from their highs.
“Holy shit,” he murmured between ragged breaths.
A husky laugh left her throat. Rangiku tangled her fingers in his damp hair. “If I’d have known you were this good, I would have thrown you in the bushes and done this after we kissed on my birthday.”
The air whooshed from his lungs in an amused huff. Toshiro lifted his head to gaze into her eyes with a smile that nearly stopped her heart. “If I’d known it would be this good…” He nodded in a matter-of-fact manner, “…I would have let you.”
Laughter bubbled up from her chest and Toshiro had to force himself to breathe at the sight of her wild hair and flushed delight. After a few more minutes, the night air began to cool her skin and she shivered. Toshiro kissed the crook of her neck.
Rangiku sighed happily and pressed her lips against his ear. “That was amazing,” she whispered.
Toshiro lifted his head and looked into her contented, lilac-hued orbs. “It isn’t over, beautiful,” he said.
She smiled, “Oh really?”
He lifted her and pulled out, admiring the mess he’d left behind that steams out of her, and ran his hands up her bare back. “Honey, I’ve just gotten started.”
Rangiku sighed and kissed the corner of his mouth. She liked this increased use of endearments.
Toshiro pressed a quick kiss to her lips before standing. She gasped in surprise and tightened her arms and legs around him.
He gave her a smug look and grabbed her butt, securing her against him. Toshiro walked purposefully toward her living room, molesting her cheeks, “You still sleep next to the fireplace this time of year?”
Rangiku leaned back with a raised golden brow. “Why, yes I do,” she grinned.
He nodded with a single-minded determination and went around the corner of her sofa, gently dropping her onto the futon. “Good.”
Rangiku watched him crawl over her with corded arms and a smirk. He was gorgeously bronzed in the warm firelight and she blatantly ogled the pectoral and abdominal muscles bunching under his skin. She raised one of her long legs and caressed her shapely calf across his side.
Toshiro accepted the invitation and smoothed his hand over the silky flesh. He leaned over her with smoldering teal eyes, “This is the part where all you have to do is lay back and breathe.”
Rangiku licked her dry lips, “What happens if I stop breathing and pass out?”
His face was just above hers. His eyes looked at her wryly and he mumbled, “I’ll wake you when it’s over.”
Breathy laughter bubbled up from her chest and faded into the warm air of her apartment.

Several hours later, Rangiku was face down on her futon. The blizzard still howled outside, occasionally making the chimney whistle, but none of the anxiety from earlier remained. The fireplace snapped and cracked beside her and every muscle in her body was relaxed. She felt like a human-shaped pile of jello. It was around two or three in the morning and she was struggling to stay awake. However, her eyes fluttered open every few seconds due to a certain man’s talented mouth licking and kissing its way across her skin.
Toshiro had made it his quest to explore every inch of her body and she was inclined to let him. Whatever he wanted to do to her, she was his to do with as he pleased. Her Captain had more than lived up to her expectations. They’d already had sex three times. After the hallway, he’d started all over on the futon with clear intent to take his sweet time. Toshiro had a sinful mouth and knew how to put it and his wicked hands to good use. She’d lost her ever-loving mind when he’d gone down on her. They’d taken a snack break after that, where he devoured most of her leftovers from the fridge before they ended up in her spa tub. They spent a good hour in there, soaping their bodies and sliding their mouths across clean, wet skin; enjoying the interesting places the bubbling jets of water touched. She was honestly a little shocked no one was breaking down the door to see if she was okay. She had not been quiet during any of this.
She was so deliriously satiated and happy that the Head Captain himself could’ve walked through the door and she’d probably just smile and wave.
One of Toshiro’s warm, callused hands smoothed up the back of her thigh on up to squish on her butt. Rangiku smiled. His steamy breath was her only warning before his smooth lips pressed against the triangular space just above the cleft of her cheeks. Her eyes opened in amusement and she flicked some hair over her shoulder to look at him.
He was working his way up, across, and around her booty; seemed to be fascinated with it. Toshiro’s face was relaxed and at ease and it warmed her insides to know she was the reason behind that contentment.
She caught his attention and puckered her lips into a pout. “Kiss my butt,” she murmured mischievously.
One corner of Toshiro’s mouth quirked and he leaned down and bit her behind instead.
The sharp nip made her squawk in mock outrage but she ruined the effect by bursting into giggles.
Toshiro smiled and spread his hands out over her cheeks again; his thumbs pressed in to massage around her tailbone. She really had a great ass. Her thighs were still his favorite part and he fully intended to devote more time to them to let her know, but this thing was perfect. Perfect heart-shape; perfect twin dimples.
He laved his tongue in and around one of the indents. “Did you know these are called the Eyes or Dimples of Venus?”
Rangiku smiled, “Dimples? Are you saying I have a fat butt?”
Toshiro snorted, “Not those kinds of dimples.” His thumbs massaged them gently, “And not at all. Your ass is spectacular. The Dimples of Venus are considered one of the ultimate symbols of femininity.”
Rangiku looked over her shoulder at him again. His eyes were warm and inviting and she smiled in return. “So, yet again, you’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a girl?”
An easy laugh left his mouth. She got him on that one. “Yes. I guess I have.” He pressed his mouth to the base of her spine and kissed his way up. Enjoying the shivers that followed, Toshiro crawled forward to settle in beside her. He kissed the pink sucker bite on her shoulder and murmured, “Remind me to heal this later.”
Rangiku’s eyes fluttered open sleepily, “Not too worried about it.” She gasped as a jaw-cracking yawn sapped her strength. “It’ll probably be gone by Monday,” she mumbled.
He hummed and Rangiku stretched languidly. She scooted and rolled onto her side and smiled when Toshiro wrapped around her like a big man-blanket. He reached down and pulled the comforter up to cover her and Rangiku sighed happily.

The beep of an electronic device off in the distance had Toshiro’s eyes opening groggily. Why was that sound familiar? His eyes became heavy again as sleep lured him back into the comfortable ether; they rolled back and closed drowsily. Soft skin from a feminine thigh moved against his bent knee. His eyes slowly blinked open and he looked slightly to his right to see the beauty wrapped around his body like an octopus. His right arm was asleep. He’d lost feeling in it a long time ago but hadn’t been in any hurry to wake her up to address the issue. Her face was resting against an oddly shaped, small plush pillow on his upper arm. The pillow made her cheeks and lips squish out in a cute, open-mouth pout and his lips tugged at the corners in amusement. She’d probably deny that he’d witnessed such a thing.
Another set of electronic beeps and a click sounded somewhere in Rangiku’s apartment. Toshiro blinked at the ceiling in confusion.
A sucking noise followed and then the sound of shuffling feet, scraping shoes, hard breathing, and a louder, more solid click. Toshiro frowned, still staring up at the ceiling, completely mystified. What kind of dream was this?
“I can’t believe her code is her birthday,” came a wry, female’s voice.
“Can you believe Squad Twelve reported 28 inches of snow this morning?” a softer voice huffed in disbelief.
“There’s at least 2 feet right here. Did the door actually shut?”
“I got it shut,” answered the other familiar voice with a grunt.
“Pretty quiet in here for someone who said they’d have hot tea waiting for us,” came the wry voice again.
“I mean… I knew she’d be asleep.”
“I don’t know why I expected differently.”
There was a pause and the noisy, crunchy rustle of what sounded like a plastic bag. “Well, it is like a cave in here. My eyes still haven’t adjusted.”
“Rangiku, we’re here! Are you awake?” called loudly from the genkan.
“Ummup!” Rangiku’s words blurted out in an incoherent slur making Toshiro nearly jump out of his skin. He blinked at her as she nuzzled her face onto his shoulder. Her soft hand moved to caress his pectoral with a pat-pat before she unceremoniously slung her arm out across his stomach. Then she was out again without even a flutter of her long, dark eyelashes. His arm was tingling back to life and Toshiro stared at her. He didn’t get it. There was simply no way two people were just coming into her home. No way.
“Yeah right,” muttered the sarcastic female.
Muffled footsteps shuffled down the end of the hall. Suddenly, it sounded like someone stumbled, “Ewhoohoooo! What was that!?”
The loud squeal of disgust rang through Rangiku’s apartment and Toshiro’s eyes widened in shock.
“What happened?”
“I tripped on something wet and cold!”
There was a pause, “What is that…”
A gasp, “It’s a uniform!”
A wet plop of saturated fabric hit the floor and there was another gasp, “A captain’s uniform!”
Suddenly, there was an explosion of house-slippered footsteps running down the wooden flooring of the hallway. Two figures appeared above and behind the sofa that Rangiku parked beside her futon.
Toshiro blinked rapidly as he tried to focus. His childhood friend’s big brown eyes were like saucers. “Momo?” he asked in bewilderment.
Her mouth was agape, “Shiro-chan?”
“Well, well, well,” smirked Nanao victoriously.
Toshiro stared at the two women for several seconds before it finally registered that they were actually standing there and he jerked his head to look at Rangiku. She was covered by the tangle of blankets but it was still abundantly clear that her naked breasts were plastered to his equally naked abdomen. Toshiro’s hot-nature made him typically kick out of blankets but he was pretty sure he wasn’t exposing himself. His hand quickly smoothed up her wrist and forearm to gently grasp her elbow. He shook her arm urgently. “Rangiku,” he hissed.
Rangiku inhaled deeply and shook her head. “Nope. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.” She stretched, sighed happily, and uttered one last, “No.”
Toshiro glared at her dryly. The blanket draped like a shabby tent as he raised his arm. Without mercy, he brought his hand down and clapped it hard against her unsuspecting bottom. The loud slap seemed to reverberate around them.
Rangiku woke with a wail, “Ow!” She jumped forward in a panic and fell onto his chest with a pathetic flop. “Why would you do that?” she whimpered dazedly, rubbing her stinging butt cheek with her hand. Rangiku’s eyes looked up at him pitifully and followed his line of sight to the two women standing behind her couch.
“Oh, hi!” Rangiku smiled sleepily. A few seconds of silence from her two friends and Rangiku looked back down at Toshiro. She was using his chest as a pillow to prop her forearms against. He looked flabbergasted, like he couldn’t believe she was letting this happen. Rangiku’s eyes slid over his chest and stomach, simply appreciating the sight, and jerked back up to the women in understanding, “Oh.” Rangiku secured the blanket a little more around his hip, heard him growl, and looked back up at the two women with a sly, sheepish smile, “Hello.”
Close to busting out laughing, Nanao smiled cheekily, “Good morning.”
A night full of moans and groans and toe-curling orgasms had fried her brain. She stared at her friend, completely stumped. Rangiku’s eyes narrowed uncertainly. “I, uhh…don’t remember why you’re here…” she admitted.
Nanao chuckled with delight and lifted the oddly bulging grocery bags for her friend to see.
Immediately understanding, Rangiku blurted, “Oh!” Again, Rangiku looked around the room to take in what was going on. Toshiro naked under her and growing more irritated; her two best friends there with food. “Oh.” Rangiku looked down at Toshiro’s squinting eyes and then back to Nanao, “Sadly, my friends, I’m going to have to take a rain check.”
Nanao laughed, “You know what? It’s totally fine.” Nanao walked toward the kitchen and put the bags on the top shelf in the refrigerator. Momo was still in a state of shock and couldn’t form words so Nanao hooked her friend’s elbow and began dragging her toward the hallway. “There’s plenty for the two of you,” she stated cheerfully. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend! See you Monday!”
Quick steps were heard going down the hall toward the genkan. In under a minute, the two ladies had exited her place. The door slammed shut and an electronic beep and grind of metal sounded as the deadbolt locked.
Rangiku looked down at the irritated man beneath her. She pat her fingers over his downturned mouth, “Shh, don’t be mad, Angry Dragon.”
Toshiro snatched her fingers away with a huff, “What the hell was that all about?”
“We were going to have a nabe party,” she said matter-of-factly. Rangiku heaved herself up to straddle his hips and suddenly had his undivided attention. The breadth of his pelvis spread her wide open and her inner thighs stretched. She rolled her hips, grinding her core against his pubic bone. His teal eyes rolled a bit and fluttered shut. Rangiku smiled when his erection greeted her booty, practically thumping her, and pulsed eagerly between her cheeks. She slid her hands up her ribs and cupped her breasts. She pinched her nipples between her knuckles and breathed out shakily when he thrust against her. Rangiku wasn’t ashamed to notice how quickly her body got wet for him, already raring to go for the next round.
Toshiro’s hands slid up her killer thighs and grasped her hips. He growled at her, “You do not fight fair.”
She shrugged with an impish grin, “Why should I?”
Rangiku slid her hands over and up his chest. Leaning all the way forward, she rubbed her hard nipples against his. He grunted eagerly and smoothed his hands across her ribs and back down to grip her ass on each side. Rangiku chuckled and leaned further to kiss his parted lips. “Aren’t you the one who first said I was a ‘master of deflection and distraction’?”
Hot breath mixed with hers in an amused huff, “Yes but that’s…”
Rangiku intentionally wiggled against him, cutting him off. She chuckled when he blinked up at her, forgetting the rest of his sentence.
He retaliated by digging his fingers in to her flesh harder and spreading her cheeks wider. She moaned when her vagina opened for him, stretching. Rangiku suddenly wasn’t in the mood for messing around anymore. God, she loved how his body felt between her legs as she straddled him. She needed to feel him splitting her open again; craved the feel of his heartbeat throbbing through his thickness, burning snugly inside of her. Rangiku reached between their bodies. Her fingers found his rigid shaft and his eyes closed sharply with a small, almost shocked sound escaping his lips. Rangiku gave him a sultry smile and didn’t waste any time guiding his tip to her open, dripping core. She jiggled her booty left and right a few times. Her soft flesh bounced in the aftershocks and she moaned as the generous head of his penis nudged and teased her tight entrance as a result. Toshiro didn’t seem to have a problem letting her take the lead and her body shivered in sweet anticipation. She pushed back just enough to allow his head to penetrate and squeezed him in little pulses.
“Fuck,” he choked out as she suckled his sensitive tip.
Toshiro’s breathing was rough and she moaned when their eyes connected. His were so passionately hot. Holy crap, this man wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Rangiku’s eyes never wavered as she slowly sat up straight, engulfing his thick length.
They both groaned and Rangiku squeezed him as tight as she could. Tremors wracked her body.
“You feel so good,” she sobbed.
The sensation of her slick inner muscles gripping him like a velvet vise almost made him climax then and there. She panted above him and rolled her hips. What a fucking glorious sight. Toshiro’s hands slid to her thighs and he squeezed on each side. “Rangiku,” he groaned hoarsely.
Unable to remain still any longer, Toshiro bucked his hips and thrust deep. She quivered around him with a gasp of pleasure. He growled and raised his knees, planting his feet a bit, and slammed up into her again. Her rump rubbed against his thighs and he growled deeper in satisfaction, losing all thoughts of finesse to the rhythm. They crashed together frantically. She’s all heat and want. All fiery, screaming need for his thrusts and he marveled at how bad she wanted it. She rode every inch of him like it was what she was made for.
Rangiku feverishly watched Toshiro focus on the place they were joined with a consuming hunger that took her breath away. She could feel lava-hot tingles race up her spine knowing that it got him off to watch his glistening cock surging and reappearing; claiming her tight sheath.
Rangiku put her hands on his chest and the angle change made her mewl. And if that hadn’t made her keen, the sight of all those beautiful muscles flexing and bunching as he fucked her definitely would have.
Her heavy breasts bounced enticingly in front him. Snarling at the temptation, he leaned up and snagged a pink nipple between his teeth. Toshiro sucked her hard into his mouth and one of his hands slipped between their bodies. His clever middle finger slid between her swollen, slick folds and found her clitoris. Rangiku cried out and jerked against him. Her thrusts faltered but he kept his other hand on her hip and stayed in control, slamming up into her harder and faster. The insistent circling of his finger had her jerking and arching almost as if her body was trying to get away from the intense pleasure that zapped through her.
He released her nipple with an audible pop and growled savagely, “Now, Rangiku. Come for me now. Come with me.”
Oh. As if she’d been waiting for the command, Rangiku shattered into a million pieces. She cried out, her whole bodied seized, and her climax triggered his. He cursed and she felt him swell and pulse wildly inside of her. Their joined parts throbbed and squeezed together enthusiastically, seemingly egging each other on. His whole body was rigid and covered with a gleam of perspiration. They stayed like that, panting and gazing at each other, for several long minutes.
Once her heart had become steadier, Toshiro’s snowy brows furrowed and one of Rangiku’s rose in question. He was still deep inside her and she could tell that his mind was already wandering. She still hadn’t finished with him. Her body was still quivering in little convulsions around him, milking him for every last drop. What on Earth could he possibly be thinking about?
“Context,” Toshiro said gruffly as he tried to even out his breathing.
“What?” she chirped with a tilt of her head.
“You enjoy taking my words out of context,” he repeated.
She chuckled merrily, “Oh, so you got your train of thought back, huh?”
His rough hands smoothed up and caressed her thighs. Toshiro slid his thumbs under her knees and the next thing she knew, he had her on her back.
“Through some miracle,” he smirked.
They both sighed when he withdrew. Toshiro groaned seeing her soaked cunt. A stream of his cum seeped when he pulled out. The cream from both of their wild orgasms made his cock gleam. Fuck, that was hot and god damn if he didn’t want to eat that pussy again.
He made a quick trip down her body. Rangiku gasped in surprise when he slid one thigh over his shoulder.
She caught his head, gripping his hair, before he got started. Rangiku’s eyes were wide and she laughed, “Again? Are you trying to kill me?”
Toshiro groaned but, despite her tight grip, a warm chuckle left his throat, “Just going to clean up the mess we made.”
She shook her head in dismay. Rangiku was so hot and sensitized. She didn’t know how much more she could take. “Go easy on me,” she murmured. Who would’ve thought those words would leave her mouth?
Toshiro’s teal eyes glittered mischievously and he smirked, “My recovery time isn’t quite that quick. Just relax.”
Rangiku nodded and released his hair but looked at him like she thought he’d get carried away again like last night. It was a fair suspicion on her part. Toshiro smiled and spread her thighs more. He sighed at the stunning view. There was just something about seeing his cum mixed with hers that made him want to beat his fists against his chest like a caveman. He breathed her in deeply. The scent of their sex was wonderful to behold. His essence permeated hers in a bestial claim and he growled against her mound possessively. If anyone out there had a nose like he did, the message was clear. Rangiku Matsumoto was his.
God damn, she was lovely. She was so pink and luscious. The beast in him growled in approval and Toshiro gave her a slow lick, from bottom to top. Tremors made Rangiku’s thighs shake and then start to close in on his head. She shivered and he forced her to stay wide open. His lips quirked and he took his time gently lapping up every last bit of evidence. The sound of her soft sighs above him made Toshiro hum in agreement. This time he wasn’t actually trying to torture her. Even though he was being gentle, he could tell by her little jerks and gasps that she was tender. Toshiro wondered if he’d been a little too rough.
“Are you sore?” he mused aloud.
Rangiku leaned up on her elbows to look down at him past her boobs. She felt heat rush to her cheeks. She didn’t know why she was blushing. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen and tasted every bit of her now.
She didn’t want to admit something that would make his arrogance sky rocket but she didn’t want Toshiro to feel bad when there was no reason to. Rangiku gave a little shrug, “I haven’t had sex in over a year and I didn’t exactly ask you to be gentle.”
Toshiro frowned, “I could have been.” Could he? Honestly, he wasn’t so sure that was a true statement. He’d almost been in beast-mode last night.
Rangiku shook her head, “I didn’t want gentle and I don’t regret anything.”
He looked equal parts concerned and chagrined but the wicked sparkle in his teal eyes told her all she needed to know. He didn’t regret anything either and the sudden uncontained lip twitch ruined the effect. She snorted at his antics as he nuzzled her inner thigh.
Toshiro lazily kissed his way back up her curves. “Over a year, huh? That should be a crime against humanity,” he murmured. He kissed her sternum and then looked into her eyes, “A woman like you should be fucked and often, and by someone who knows how.”*
Rangiku blinked. She felt all warm and tingly inside. “Are you asking for the job?” she asked glibly.
Her quirked golden brow made him puff out his chest, “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”
Rangiku ran her fingers up his sides and smiled in pleasure when she saw the shiver race through his body. His nipples tightened and she pinched one. He growled and she looked up at him. “Be serious,” she whispered.
Toshiro’s eyes sobered up, “Fuck yeah, I want the job.”
Rangiku smoothed her hands on up his pectorals to his neck. Toshiro’s mouth still glistened from their arousals and he slowly ran his tongue along his lips. He growled in satisfaction and Rangiku encouraged him down to her lips. His tongue rubbed against hers languidly in smooth strokes and she sighed into the kiss. She could taste herself and him on his tongue and she mewled into his mouth.
An angry warble growled up from Toshiro’s stomach. Rangiku pulled her mouth away and burst into laughter.
Toshiro’s head hung in defeat, resting against her ample bosom. His deep voice was muffled, “I can go no further.”
Rangiku shook against him in her mirth. Toshiro lifted his head and, to his delight, her breasts bounced in a dance underneath him. He sighed in pure male appreciation at the sight.
Clearly not trying too hard, she pressed her hands against his shoulders as if to push him away. She smiled up at him, “Well, let me up. I can at least get us some tea started before I start chopping veggies and getting everything ready.”
“You’re going to share?” he asked a little too casually.
Rangiku looked at him like he was dense and smacked him upside the head, “Yes, you idiot.”
He looked like she’d stunned him stupid and she griped, “I just kicked my girl friends out for you. They left the food here for us to enjoy.”
She whacked him again and Toshiro protested, “Ow! Hey! I made it a rule to never date coworkers. I don’t know the proper protocols.” That was the truth. He honestly didn’t know how to proceed. It was one thing to have sex with her and quite another to play house. He’d never been in this situation before. Toshiro had never spent the night with a woman to then spend the day in bed with her, even with Maria. He’d always gone back home and had certainly never brought a woman back with him. Then again, he’d never been with a woman quite like Rangiku before. Toshiro chose his wording cautiously, “I don’t… want to assume anything.”
Rangiku closed her eyes and sighed with an expression of extreme patience. Her eyes opened with purpose and she cocked her head, asking plainly, “Do you have somewhere else you need to be?”
Toshiro looked into her crystal blue eyes. Although her tone was pointed, he didn’t feel like she was jumping his case. His features relaxed, “No.”
Rangiku’s eyes softened. Her fingers caressed his corded arms. “Do you want to stay?” she inquired simply.
There was hope and expectation in her eyes. “Yes,” he answered honestly. Nothing pressing came to mind and Toshiro couldn’t think of one damn thing more important than her and right now. Even if something did, Toshiro knew she wouldn’t judge him if he decided to leave.
Rangiku smiled, “Then stay.” She playfully smacked his shoulder, “Look at us! We’re communicating.”
She looked pleased with herself and he huffed in amusement, “I thought I communicated just fine last night.”
Her sky blue eyes sparkled, “I believe that was mainly non-verbal communication.”
He frowned as if he was offended, “I used words.”
Rangiku laughed, “We didn’t exactly have a deep, existential conversation.”
Toshiro chuckled at that and bent down to nip at her breast. “Quit complaining like I didn’t give you exactly what you needed last night.”
The comment was so cocky, she gaped at him in surprise. His teal eyes sparkled with confidence and mischief. He was so sure of himself. Her inner-feminist rebelled but her words caught in her throat when his mouth nibbled along the column of her neck.
She shivered against him and he smirked. He whispered gruffly into her ear, “Oh my god, right there! Toshi—! Toshi—!”
Rangiku gasped. Her words had been incoherent at the time, but she knew now that he’d committed them to memory. Her face went up in flames. “I can’t stand you,” she griped.
Toshiro chuckled, “I didn’t realize my name was that difficult to get out but, honestly, I like the way you say it.”
“Get away from me,” she huffed like a mad kitten.
Toshiro looped her hands around his neck and smirked, “Do you have any idea how hard it was not to lose my damn mind with you saying those things?”
Rangiku tagged along for the ride as he rearranged them to sit up. He was sitting beside her. She straightened her shoulders and tried to throw his cocky statement back at him, “Quit complaining—”
His hand slid up her neck and brought her face closer to his, cutting her statement short. Toshiro’s voice dropped an octave, “I like the way you said my name.”
His thumb caressed her jaw and Rangiku’s eyes fluttered shut. “I thought you were hungry,” she murmured, trying to change the subject.
He pressed his lips into hers, “Mm,” he hummed. Toshiro licked her luscious lower lip and growled, “Say my name.”
She really couldn’t help herself. “Toshiro,” she whispered. Her heart fluttered in her chest in excitement. Good lord, this man’s libido was something else.
He leaned back a bit and his teeth flashed briefly with a hint of arrogance but he shook his head, “No, say it like you did last night.”
Realization made her eyes widen and she felt her cheeks grow hot again. She started to shake her head no, but he cupped her face with both hands.
“Please,” he murmured with dragon eyes.
He did use the magic word, Haineko purred into her ear out of nowhere.
Rangiku smiled internally. He certainly had… and good manners should be rewarded…
She made sure to let a little, sultry moan escape before she sighed out, “Toshi…”
Toshiro groaned and claimed her lips heatedly.
A strange, muffled ring hummed in the hallway. It rang two more times before Toshiro realized that it was his communicator.
“Shit!” he cursed loudly. Toshiro’s body exploded into motion. He disentangled himself from the shocked, beautiful blonde and scrambled out of the tangled sheets.
“What’s wrong,” she yelled in alarm. The ringing was unrelenting and Rangiku watched his naked, athletic body tear around her sofa and disappear down the hall like a tornado. Loose papers and things she had stuck to her fridge with magnets went flying in his wake.
“It’s the Head Captain,” he called out urgently.
“What?” she squawked. Rangiku covered herself self-consciously with the blanket like the Head Captain was walking through the door.
“I forgot to submit my report last night,” he barked in frustration. The old-fashioned ringtone clanged persistently.
Toshiro cursed again as he struggled with the tangled lump that was his sopping wet uniform. He finally found the collar and dug into the inner breast pocket and ripped the device out. The loud peal echoed down the hall and he cringed at the volume. He didn’t know what he looked like, but he stood up straight, squared his shoulders, and made sure his hand held the device high as he answered the call.
The Old Man’s grisly face appeared on the glaringly bright screen. “Head Captain,” Toshiro acknowledged with a squint of his eyes.
Yamamoto’s eyes narrowed incrementally, “Captain Hitsugaya, you failed to check in last night.”
Always to the point, he thought. Toshiro looked chagrined. “Yes, Sir. My apologies. I went straight home to bed.”
The Head Captain’s stare was formidable. Considering Toshiro was standing bare-assed naked down his Lieutenant’s dark hallway, it was difficult not to twitch or squirm under that gaze but Toshiro didn’t budge. He didn’t even know what time it was.
After a long moment passed, the old man’s ancient eyebrow rose, “I see that you have also failed to send in your report.”
“I will get on that at once, Head Captain,” Toshiro said quickly.
The Old Man nodded in approval. His expression dried out a bit, “Judging by your state, I assume that I interrupted your Saturday morning. Take your time and get it to me by the end of the day, Captain Hitsugaya.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
The screen went black and Toshiro exhaled heavily in relief. He looked down at himself. Any chance of his erection returning after that phone call was unlikely.
Rangiku heard his bare feet pad back down the hall. He stopped in the entryway to her living room. They looked at each other with wide eyes.
Rangiku burst into giggles, “You look like you just missed getting hit by a truck.”
“An apt description,” he frowned, looking spooked.
Her expression dried out into a smirk, “You went straight home to bed, huh?”
His eyes mirrored her amusement, “Well, I did. It just so happened to be your bed.”
Rangiku snorted, “And not your home.”
Toshiro gave her a shady side-eye, “Now why would I volunteer information unnecessarily? Besides, it’s the same address.”
Rangiku snorted as he tossed her a straight-faced wink before disappearing down the hall again. She heard a grunt.
Toshiro’s deep voice called from the genkan, “Can I use your washer and dryer?”
“Oh, sure,” Rangiku crawled off the futon. She wobbled a bit before she steadied herself. I guess I am a little sore, she thought. Her legs trembled slightly; her thighs burned like she spent the last twelve hours riding a horse and not something a million times more addicting.
Her lips quirked. Now that was something she was never going to complain about.
Toshiro appeared in the entryway to the living room and was cradling a wad of wet clothing in one arm. His other hand held the communicator, his thumb tapped and swiped across the screen. “Thank the gods this thing is waterproof,” he remarked distractedly. Shaking his head in frustration, he walked into the kitchen and set his communicator on the table.
Seeing Toshiro walk around in the buff, all corded muscle moving in fluid, sexy strides, could make a poor girl’s heart stumble.
Rangiku smiled at him standing there in all his naked glory. There was power in the tension of his shoulders. Confidence in the way he held himself; strength in that back that carried so much upon it.
Rangiku sighed. Definitely not bashful, that was for sure.
He looked up and his eyes glowed when he caught Rangiku mid-stare. Her tone was saucy, “As much as I’m perfectly content to ogle you the rest of the day, I think we need err on the side of caution and get dressed.”
Toshiro’s teal eyes sparkled in amusement. “Caution? What exactly do you have planned today? Should I be afraid?” he asked, smiling.
Rangiku huffed out a laugh and sashayed toward him, “Well, I figured the nabemono would last us a couple hours and, let’s just say, I have learned that it’s a bad idea to cook while naked.”
Toshiro wryly nodded as if he completely understood, “I see.”
“I’ve lost count on how many times my boobs have gotten a pop from something on the stove.” She stopped in front of him, “I have also accidentally burned a nipple on a screaming-hot cookie sheet.”
Toshiro’s expression transformed. He gaped at her in horror and then it morphed into pure sympathy, “Your nipple?”
Rangiku laughed, “Surprisingly, it healed pretty fast. Who would’ve thought?” She gave him a quick peck on the lips, “I think I have something you could wear in here.” His cool fingers skimmed her hips before she scooted past him to head for her bedroom. A wet hand groped her bare bottom and she jumped. A shiver racked through her body as the water from his touch instantly chilled and she choked out a laugh, “Cut that out!”
He smirked arrogantly and didn’t apologize.
Rangiku walked into her bedroom and found her wet burgundy kimono in a pile on the floor. She picked it up and tossed it to Toshiro as he slid open the closet door in the hall that housed her washing machine and dryer. He caught the wadded up bundle without looking and added it to the wet clothing he dumped into the washer. Rangiku rolled her eyes and went into her walk-in closet. The chill got to her again, reminding her that the building was probably buried in snow and she was still naked. Rangiku smiled and donned the squishy, pink bath robe that hung near the door.
The closet had two levels on the left side. All of her modern clothes for the World of the Living hung within the top. She kneeled, sat on her feet, and started rummaging through a large assortment of stackable, shallow boxes. Most of them contained different kimono or obi but Rangiku vaguely recalled storing a bright piece of fabric in one of the boxes.
She wiggled her cold toes and called out, “Hey, do you see my slippers anywhere?”
Toshiro’s shadow appeared a minute later and Rangiku glanced his way as he set the wool-lined house shoes in the doorway. “Thanks,” she smiled.
He nodded and eyed her full closet, “So, this is what a black hole looks like, huh?” Rangiku squinted at him shrewdly and he chuckled, “You called it a black hole, didn’t you?”
Blinking in recognition, she laughed, “Oh! Yeah, I refer to it as The Abyss.”
“Ah,” his lips quirked. He didn’t know how she knew where everything was in there. She probably doesn’t, he snorted. He’d never seen anything quite like it. A person could play a game of hide-and-seek and not be found in some of the denser sections. “I could just use a towel,” he offered.
“I have something that might work,” she said. Rangiku found the box she was looking for and rearranged them so she could restack. She opened the thin container and took out the lightweight material. A flowers-and-dots motif travelled all across the wash of cheerful marigold yellow and dark golden yellow-orange in a watercolory swirl. Unfolding it with a flick, she eyed the fabric, “It’s actually a giant scarf but I’ve used it for all sorts of things. I folded and twisted it into a short summer dress once.”
Toshiro nodded. After helping her stand, he took it and walked back out into her bedroom. Rangiku eyed his superb butt as he exited. The man was built like a lean, mean fighting machine and she wasn’t even trying to pretend like she wasn’t peeking at all his parts.
She scooted her feet into the soft slippers and leaned against the closet door frame, watching him as he inspected the material. Toshiro folded it in half lengthwise and held it out horizontally. He widened his stance. Rangiku’s eyebrow rose and her head tilted at the peculiar movement, and then he tied it around his waist in a perfect sarong in less than ten seconds. The vibrant scarf ended a little above his knee; he’d folded a cascading knot in front of his hipbone that showed off a little thigh. She was thoroughly impressed.
He was tucking and rolling the material snugly around his hips, when Rangiku asked in surprise, “Where did you learn to tie a sarong like that?”
Maria was the person who’d taught him. Her free spirit was a big believer in the simplicity of a sarong. You don’t even have to bend over to get dressed if you don’t want to, she used to laugh. She’d tried to convert him years ago but it wasn’t like he could wear one to work.
His common-sense alarm started tingling and Toshiro eyed Rangiku warily. Some women didn’t take kindly to exes being brought up. Toshiro didn’t have a burning desire to discuss his past sexual partners with her, but he didn’t want to hide anything either. From years of personal experience, he knew Rangiku could be relentless when something piqued her interest. He’d rather be fully transparent if she had questions. It’d be a hell of a lot easier in the long run.
Toshiro sighed and eyed her uncomfortably, “From an ex.”
Rangiku chuckled and walked up to him, smiling at his honesty. “Ooo, an ex-girlfriend,” she replied in a sing-song voice.
She waved her hands up and down, wiggling her fingers in the air, and pretended to see something spooky. Her interpretation of ghost noises made the corners of his mouth twitch.
Toshiro playfully smacked her hands away and wasn’t overly successful in controlling his smile. “You’re unbelievable,” he huffed sarcastically. He was honestly relieved she wasn’t acting weird about it.
Rangiku laughed warmly. Even before he’d rocked her world last night, she’d known the guy wasn’t a newb to the birds and the bees. Toshiro was an attractive, charismatic guy. Of course he would have exes. Nothing surprising there. Rangiku was intrigued, though. Besides Momo, he’d never mentioned any women before.
She had more than a few men in her time. Toshiro was already familiar with the worst, most painful one from her past.
“You didn’t want to talk about my exes, did you?” she wondered aloud.
Toshiro frowned at her, “No.”
Rangiku’s lips raspberried at his typical, to-the-point style, “Pfff.” His sincerity was completely convincing and she decided to change the subject. Despite the wintery theme of her apartment, he looked like he’d just stepped out of a Hawaiian brochure. She sidled up to him and caressed her fingers across his navel. The outrageously attractive V of muscles alongside his hips clenched like he was a bit ticklish there and Rangiku smiled as she waggled her eyebrows at him, “It looks good on you.” His snowy eyebrow rose and a spark of awareness heated his eyes. She saw his pupils narrow and, in mock alarm, she turned and rushed out of the bedroom in a comical hurry, “Oh, no you don’t, Mister. No more hanky-panky until we feed the Dragon!”
Toshiro sighed morosely, “I suppose you’re right.”
He headed toward the living room and exhaled in relief. Toshiro was feeling a little dazed and he wasn’t sure if it was because he’d finally satiated his lust for her, albeit temporarily, or if he was going into the ravenous stage of ‘you need to eat before you fall down’. He was hungry enough to eat a horse but it was probably both. And, honestly… Who wanted to talk about exes?
“Hey, will you put up the futon and get the kotatsu out?” she called out.
Toshiro heard water running as he went through the entryway and walked toward the large storage closet to the left of her fireplace, “Sure.”
Rangiku positioned the kettle on the burner and turned it on high. She began pulling ingredients out of the fridge and setting them on the counter, “The blanket is above the closet. There’s a plastic sheet up there, too.”
“Okay.” Toshiro slid open the pocket doors and took it all in. He was sure it made sense to her but it needed some serious organizing. Surprise, surprise.
It was divided into two horizontal sections and was stuffed to the gills with all sorts of pillows and cushions. A large vacancy on the bottom shelf told him the futon belonged there. Toshiro made his way to the object in question and took a knee. The memory of her writhing against his face when his mouth had plundered her pussy last night came to the front of his mind. His lips quirked in pure, male satisfaction and his dick stirred at the memory. God damn. He didn’t know if he could ever look at her fireplace the same way again.
Toshiro straightened the sheets and blankets before he tri-folded the queen sized futon, wrapped the straps around it, and tied it up in secure, easy to release knots. The mattress wasn’t as heavy as it looked and it fit perfectly in the space provided on the shelf. The rectangular kotatsu was folded up in the space next to it. There was a tangled up clump of cords located haphazardly in front of the table. I suppose that goes with it, he thought dryly. Toshiro grasped the cords and table, and took them out onto the tatami mats where the futon had vacated. He unfolded and locked the sturdy legs and went about untangling the cords that powered the heating element. There was an extension cord mangled up in the mess, a charger of some kind that he couldn’t figure out what it paired to, and a 10 foot string of colorful Christmas lights.
Toshiro rolled his eyes dryly and plugged the cords actually needed into the heating element. He got up to plug the extension cord in to the nearest outlet on the other side of the fireplace. She had a brightly lit Christmas tree all decked out in that corner by the heavily draped window. He’d barely registered its existence earlier but it was now reminding him that Christmas was only two weeks away. Toshiro frowned. He still hadn’t gotten her anything but yesterday’s events had given him an idea. He needed to contact Ichigo as soon as possible and see if the substitute soul reaper could hook him up.
On his way back he paused in front of the metal screen. Toshiro didn’t normally have a fire going all day and night but Rangiku didn’t handle the cold very well. Grabbing a fire poker, Toshiro spread the glowing embers out and gingerly laid some kindling onto the andiron and topped it off with a few small logs. He didn’t want it roaring but didn’t want it to burn out either. After moving the screen back into place, he made sure the kotatsu was working and then took the table top off, setting it on the sofa.
There was a small sliding door above the closet. Assuming that’s what she’d been talking about, Toshiro eyed it suspiciously, “There isn’t going to be an avalanche when I open this, is there?”
Rangiku was at the sink washing vegetables and turned with a comically unsure frown, “No?”
Toshiro gave her an exasperated side eye and heard her laugh softly when he squared off with the closet. Testing the circular finger pull handle, the door seemed to move without obstruction. The further it went, the more the blanket in question bulged out like a minty-sage colored intestine. Toshiro carefully slid out the comforter, paying close attention so he didn’t snag the soft fabric. Once the fluffy thing had completely emerged, he shook it out and laid it across the table.
“Don’t forget the plastic protector thing,” she reminded as she put her white earthenware rice pot on a burner.
Toshiro went back to the closet and eyed the small space above his head. There was a small, wooden stepping stool next to where the kotatsu had been but he didn’t feel like taking it out. Turning sideways, he reached up and felt around cautiously. She had all sorts of crap up here. He pulled out another tangled up bundle of Christmas lights, a gardening book, a gift bag full of rolls of ribbons, and a neon green water gun before his fingers came across what felt like a rubber pad. He pulled it out.
“That’s it,” she called out with a nod.
Toshiro examined the monstrosity as he unfolded it. The splash guard felt and looked like a square, white shower curtain and it had what he assumed were children’s cartoon animals smiling happily all over it. “This is what they call ‘kawaii’ in the World of the Living, right?” he asked nonplussed.
Rangiku turned toward him and snorted as he laid the plastic liner on top of the blanket, following it with the rich, redwood table top.
“Yes,” she chuckled.
Toshiro griped, “Do any of your things actually match?”
Rangiku thought about it, “My clothes?”
His face deadpanned and Rangiku gave him a toothy, cheeky grin. She turned back to the counter and started digging in a drawer. “Don’t judge me. That sucker was a bargain,” she smiled. Rangiku could practically feel his eyes roll. She sniggered as she took her nakiri knife out of its sleeve and set it on the counter.
Rangiku leaned down and dug around another drawer that had her kitchen towels and aprons. A flirty, black apron was sending her good vibes. The apron was about mid-thigh in length and fit like a 50s retro style dress. It narrowed at the waist and had gingham ruffles along the heart-shaped top and flared skirt. Rangiku fastened the matching black and white gingham ties about her neck and then the ones around her waist.
She opened the fridge and grabbed her last remaining onigiri. She wasn’t the most organized person in the world but she did try to always keep certain things in the refrigerator. If she could get past her penchant of procrastinating, Sunday was one of her main meal prepping days. That was tomorrow. Visuals of snow dunes as far as the eye could see filled her mind with dread. Maybe Toshiro could go pick some stuff up for her… Rangiku reached up and grabbed the pencil she permanently kept up there and wrote ‘onigiri’ on her prep list and ‘eggs’ on her grocery list. As with most things, if she didn’t write it down, it wouldn’t happen.
Toshiro was getting his communicator set up to write his report. Although he’d flung some sitting pillows out by the kotatsu, he was sitting down at her kitchen table by the patio door.
He was busy situating the device so that the built-in laser would project the blue virtual keyboard onto the surface of the table when she walked up to him, “Here.” Toshiro looked up, his eyes dragged up the apron, and she smiled the saccharin smile of a waitress, “Your tea and snack, Sir.”
His expression brightened, “Thanks.”
He accepted both and, as she was turning away, he said her name. Rangiku stopped and looked at him again.
Toshiro’s voice was contemplative, “When we’re like this, don’t call me ‘Sir.’ ”
Rangiku’s eyebrows rose in surprise, “I didn’t even think about it when I said it.”
Toshiro took a sip of his tea and set the cup down and frowned, “I know you were just trying to be funny but, after last night… this morning…”
His low rumble trailed off and a cold-hot thrill rushed across her skin at the animal look in his teal eyes.
Toshiro blinked a few times and shook his head to clear it. He shrugged in acceptance, “I can’t look at you just as my subordinate anymore. When it’s just you and I and we’re lounging about like this… No ‘Sirs’ and no ‘Captains.’ ”
“Except when you’ve got me on your desk, right?” she asked playfully with a hopeful look in her eyes.
Toshiro’s serious expression dried out and he waved his index finger at her, “I see we need to discuss work and home boundaries.” Rangiku huffed in protest, but he interrupted her, “I have got to do this damn report, so it’ll have to wait.”
Rangiku snorted. ‘Work and home boundaries?’ Was he serious? Good lord. Could he never relax? No wonder he got so grumpy all the time. A few illustrations from The Kama Sutra would help him with all that but she needed to feed the man first. “I’ll be making a racket chopping,” she warned and turned.
“Don’t worry about me,” he replied.
His tone already told her he was focused on the details from the day before. Rangiku approached her oven again. “Ah!” she grabbed her long cooking chopsticks and stirred the rapidly boiling rice. She turned the heat down and put the ceramic lid on. Rangiku ripped open the package of sliced beef, cut it into smaller pieces, and placed it into a bowl. It was a good thickness; not razor thin, like for shabu-shabu hotpots, but thick enough that it wouldn’t disintegrate while it stewed. She opened the lid of her fermented kimchi container and blinked rapidly when the stank hit her nose, “Whew!” Rangiku poured some of the fiery red, spicy juices into a glass measuring cup, set it aside, and then poured a splash of sesame oil over the meat, added some salt and pepper, and massaged it all together with one hand. Her other hand pulled out a decent chunk of kimchi from the container and set it on one of her smaller cutting boards. After setting the bowl of meat aside, she quickly chopped the kimchi into chunks, put it into another bowl, and set the board into the sink. Rangiku washed her hands again and went to her island where she’d spread out all the vegetables to dry.
For a long while there was a comfortable silence between the two as they worked. The only sounds were the precise clacks of her knife on the large wooden chopping block and the quick, rhythmic tapping of his finger tips on the wooden table top as he typed.
She had a large platter made of beautiful acacia wood that she was steadily filling with the wide assortment. Cubes of tofu lay in the center of the tray and spread around it were some chrysanthemum greens, baby bok choy, daikon radish slices, a pile of 3 inch cut garlic chives, chunked white onion, and rectangular fish cake sheets cut into wide strips. She had separated and piled up a considerable amount of shimeji and enoki mushrooms and the big, fat green onions were cut into diagonal ovals. She had a container with two large servings of uncooked pork dumplings she’d picked up from a local market the other day. They would plump up perfectly throughout the meal.
“Do you want udon or ramen noodles?” she asked.
Toshiro looked up and his eyes brightened in anticipation, “Definitely ramen.”
She grabbed two packages from the pantry and opened them to take out the flavor packets. She tossed them in a drawer for another time and squat down to pull out her wide, ceramic donabe pot. As she remained in the deep yoga squat, the loosely tied knot of her pink robe gave and her boobs bust out like a can of biscuits. The coarser material of the apron caused her nipples to pebble against the fabric and she knew she had an obscene side-boob thing going on. Rangiku rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically.
Toshiro’s amused voice sounded from the table, “You know, I would not be opposed if you decided to forgo the robe.”
She huffed a laugh and looked at him, “Some of us are cold in these temperatures.”
Toshiro’s lips quirked, “Hm.” He knew of a great way to keep her warm.
Rangiku set the donabe on the counter and then grabbed the portable gas stove she stored under it. She stood up with an exaggerated groan and re-wrapped her robe back into place, “Did you finish your report?”
“Almost. Is there more tea? I could use a refill,” he held up his teacup.
“Oh, sure. I made a whole pot,” she smiled. Rangiku set the hub on the counter, “Hey, will you set this up on the kotatsu for me?”
His eyes perked up, “Hell yes.” Rangiku laughed at his enthusiastic response and the chair groaned when he quickly got out of it. Walking past the spread on the island, his nostrils flared as he eyed everything hungrily, “This already looks good and you haven’t even started cooking.”
Toshiro traded his cup for the square case that contained the stove and padded over to her kitchen table again.
“I know, right? Momo and Nanao picked out some good stuff. I’m looking forward to how it’ll turn out.”
He nodded eagerly as she grabbed the tea kettle and poured him another cup. Toshiro fiddled with the unit and, after he was satisfied that it was working properly, took it over and set it upon the kotatsu. “Anything else I can do to help?”
“No thanks. I’m about to start.”
He nodded and came back to the kitchen table and started typing again.
Toshiro frowned. He’d always made it a habit to do reports immediately upon arriving from a mission so that everything was fresh in his mind. Recalling the details of what he wanted to include was turning out to be a task. He’d been in a very different headspace yesterday. The Captain of Squad Ten was considered a rational and disciplined person. People relied on him to keep it together in tense situations. And he had for decades. But last night… by the time he had decided to abandon District 61, he’d practically been unhinged. He’d never felt so out of control in his life. Now that he was going through each step of the day with a clear head, it was almost like reading someone else’s story instead of having been an active role in it. He wondered what the Head Captain would think if he really knew. Toshiro wasn’t a liar and he wouldn’t start now, but he was torn. If he volunteered all the information, someone with a keen mind, like the Old Man or perhaps even one of those cold bastards from Central 46, would be able to decipher quite a bit. Should someone conduct a psych evaluation with yesterday’s data, it would be clear from his erratic behavior that he’d been emotionally compromised. He didn’t want this case to be taken from him. It was his job and his problem. He’d be damned if he’d let someone else see this through.
He needed to play his cards right so he could close this case. Right now, his paper looked like a list of one-sentence bullet points. If he submitted this rough draft, it would be just as telling as his behavior had been. He might was well write, ‘I was foaming at the mouth,’ and wave the assignment goodbye. He needed to rewrite it into his typical format so no one would think twice. Soul reapers like Renji Abarai and Akon were still going to submit their statements as representatives of their squads and his account needed to, at the very least, corroborate with theirs.
Rangiku approached him with his tea.
“Thanks,” he said distractedly.
Rangiku smiled and shook her head at him. She turned back toward the kitchen and went through her check list. Everything was chopped, the meat was ready to go, the rice was set aside, the dashi broth was on the counter. All she had to do was make her soup base and she could start.
Rangiku turned the main burner on medium high and set the heavy, donabe on to preheat. Afterwards, she measured out different amounts of red miso, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and some Korean gochujang and gochugaru. Both of them enjoyed spicy food. She’d always thought it ironic that someone, who so embodied iciness, would love nuclear-level spice so much but, boy oh boy, did he. So, she knew he’d love the kick. Being careful not to spill, she slowly stirred it all together with an adorably small wooden spoon and set it aside.
With her mise en place ready to go, she clapped her hands together excitedly, “Alright, alright!”
Toshiro looked up a bit in surprise and snorted when she shook her shapely ass in a little booty dance.
Rangiku swirled some oil into the pot and grabbed the bowl of meat, “Let’s do this.” She dumped the beef in and it spit and sizzled back at her. Rangiku stirred it quickly and spread the meat out so it could sear. Once it got the color she wanted, she threw in all her aromatics. The chopped garlic, green onions, and white onions hit the oil and within 30 seconds the heady scent had Toshiro audibly groaning hungrily from the table. She laughed in understanding while she stirred vigorously.
“I’m not going to make it,” he pleaded pathetically.
“Chew on a carrot,” she grinned at him. “It’s going to be at least thirty minutes.”
Toshiro frowned as she teased him and grunted before he resumed typing. His fingers hammered harder on the table top.
Rangiku poured the kimchi and spicy juices in to deglaze the pot and it roared to an angry, shallow boil. After making sure all the delicious browning bits had been scraped off the bottom, she turned the heat off and poured in the deep crimson, saucy paste mixture and watched it stop boiling.
Rangiku started placing the rest of the ingredients in. She laid the snow white tofu in the center and put the two different types of mushrooms opposite of each other like spokes on a wheel. After that, she artfully arranged the garlic chives, greens, bok choy, thick daikon radish slices, and fishcake around the tofu. It was so pretty!
“It’s like an edible mandala,” she heard directly behind her.
“Gah!” she swung around and whacked him.
“Ow!” Toshiro flinched with a laugh.
“Don’t sneak up on me when I’m cooking!”
“I don’t even remember how I got here,” he groaned pitifully.
“I gave you my last onigiri, Toshiro! A tuna mayo onigiri! So it should have lasted in that black hole stomach of yours,” she exclaimed with a wave of her cooking chop sticks.
His lips were downturned in a sad expression, “But that was thirty minutes ago.”
Toshiro attempted to peer around her to gaze upon the steaming pot and she pointed to the table haughtily, “Out! Go back to your chair, Sir.”
His head jerked and she blurted out quickly, “I mean, Mister! Err, Man… Go back to your chair, Dragon Man!” Toshiro’s face transformed into that of pure martyrdom and Rangiku laughed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t even mean it formally.”
Toshiro grumbled as he went to sit back down, “I’m almost done. I just have to reorganize this piece-of-shit report.”
Rangiku’s brow rose at his language, “Having problems?”
He sounded irritated when he huffed, “No.”
She didn’t believe him, “Uh huh.”
Toshiro looked at her, “It doesn’t sound right. The writing style doesn’t feel like… me.”
“So what? It’s just a debriefing,” she shrugged.
“I don’t want to give Central any reason to take me off this assignment. I want to nail this creep,” he said firmly.
Understanding lit her features, “They aren’t going to take you off this. No one wants to go out West, much less as far out as the Meishin Mountains. You’re the reigning authority out there and they know it.”
“I’m also just as sure Central 46 will accept any excuse to not use government resources. You saw how uninterested the Council was when I approached them about checking out District 61,” he shook his head in disapproval.
Rangiku had seen that. She’d never understood how they could sometimes care so little about the common folk when so many soul reapers came from those villages. The same soul reapers that fought their battles so they wouldn’t have to lift a finger. Unlike their positions, not everyone in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads came from noble families.
Her hands settled on her waist, “Well, I’m about to take this over to finish cooking on the kotatsu. Maybe you’ll be able to write better after you get some food in your belly.”
Toshiro knew the exact opposite would occur. After getting his fill of their meal, he’d see her warm and happy and then his body would be ready for another round of smoking hot sex. Then a nap. And the process would repeat again and again until he was far, far away from her bed and body. How was he supposed to use his brain after all that?
“I need to finish,” he muttered with determination.
Toshiro nodded and went back to typing again and Rangiku grabbed her container of dashi broth. The residual heat from the donabe was starting to make the current liquids simmer. Trying not to disturb the vegetable arrangement, she cautiously poured in the broth and watched the different liquids mix. Rangiku saw the container of raw dumplings and gently nestled a generous amount upon the other ingredients. She placed the heavy clay lid on the pot and grasped the handles on each side. Well aware that the starving eyes of a certain man followed her with each step, Rangiku carefully walked over to the kotatsu and set it on the burner. She considered teasing him about how he was looking at the donabe with more passion than at her, but then Rangiku saw him peeking at her butt as she bent over and felt mollified.
Rangiku smiled and her golden eyebrows quirked in satisfaction. She clicked the burner on and adjusted the dial to cook the nabe at a simmer. Purposefully ignoring her ravenous captain, she made her way back into the kitchen and stacked all of her used bowls onto the big platter and placed them into her sink. She stuck a large bomber of beer in the freezer and got to work on the dirty dishes. Once she’d placed the last bowl onto her drying rack, she opened her cabinets and started picking out dishes to use for the nabe. She had a variety of ceramic bowls that she’d accumulated over the years. Rangiku tended to collect ones that appeared to have colorful crackled glass marbles within the glaze. She selected two medium sized bowls and small plates and stacked them. Opening the silverware drawer, she grabbed two sets of attractive rose gold plated chopsticks with white bases and then she snagged two short glasses from another cabinet.
After grabbing what she could, Rangiku took it to the kotatsu and set the table. Hearing the simmering pot gurgling, she turned the heat down a hair and realized she still needed spoons for the two of them and for serving. After she got the items and set them on the table with a spoon rest, she went to the closet and slid the door open. Rangiku wanted lots of pillows and began pulling some out to go around the kotatsu. She had some that were meant to be like sofa cushions for the floor and pulled them out too. Toshiro could always rearrange if he didn’t want them.
“Are you making a fort? I don’t recommend that next to a fire.”
His tone was sarcastic and she turned to look at his amused features. She looked at him dryly, “I don’t plan on doing much after we eat, besides being a lazy bum. So, I’m preparing a nest to burrow into.”
Toshiro’s teeth flashed as he grinned, “Like a tick.”
She sighed with strained patience, “God damn it.”
Toshiro’s deep chuckle made his beautiful stomach clench and Rangiku threw a napkin at him as she returned to the kitchen.
He caught the piece of fabric with a smirk and tossed it back at her. He resumed typing but shrugged with a smile, “I’m sorry, but you practically set that one up for me.”
Rangiku rolled her eyes as she went to the fridge. She grabbed her container of yellow pickled radishes and huffed, “I can’t begin to describe all the ways I hate being referred to as a parasite.”
“Well, you’re the most beautiful tick I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he commented amiably.
He was definitely making fun of her but the insecure, little girl that remained within her psyche blushed with pleasure. Sure they’d had sex multiple times —amazing sex— and, yes, she knew he wanted her, but every time he told her how he thought she was beautiful, she felt a little mushier inside. She knew people found her attractive but the men that she had allowed into her love life had consistently not been vocal about it. Once they got her into bed, most of them disappeared. Most of the time that feeling was mutual. She didn’t have any great desire to see them again either. Their skills in the bedroom had mainly been for themselves and not for her benefit. Whatever, she mentally shrugged. Toshiro was definitely not like that and that was what was important right now.
Gin had told her she was pretty once when they were kids, but she’d never heard him say anything like that again. He’d never been one to express himself but, after meeting Sosuke Aizen, he’d slammed shut like a clam. It shouldn’t matter at this point. Gin had been gone for years but she still felt regret that they had communicated so poorly. To this day, Rangiku didn’t know what he really had felt about her. She’d made a vow after his death, that she would make communication a top priority in her relationships.
Rangiku looked over at Toshiro as she opened the container and pulled out a long chunk of daikon. The mustard-yellow stained radish rolled after she set it on her chopping block. She grabbed her nakiri knife from the drying rack and quickly sliced the pickled radish into thin half moons. Sneaking a piece into her mouth, she hummed in pleasure at the sweet and tangy taste and nice crunch. The pickled radish would cut the fattiness of the meat and alleviate the heat throughout the meal.
After she placed that into a bowl, she attempted to walk it out to the kotatsu. His bleak, hungry expression as he glanced her way made Rangiku take pity on him and she held out a couple slices of radish for him. Toshiro sucked her fingers into his mouth like a vacuum so quickly she laughed in mock offense. He waggled his eyebrows at her and swirled his wet tongue over her digits.
“Ew,” she laughed.
His mouth made obscene sucking noises before he pulled back and munched on the crisp treat blissfully. Rangiku wiped her hands on her black apron like she was grossed out and walked over to set the bowl down. She had a feeling she could offer him tree bark right now and he’d eat it.
She settled her hands on her waist and contemplated aloud, “Okay, the kimchi stew is almost done. I have a lot of rice. I have noodles. I have pickles. Do I need something else?”
Toshiro looked up, his eyes widened, “Are you asking me?”
Rangiku looked at him curiously, “Is that enough food for you?”
Toshiro nodded at the set up on the kotatsu, “I would think so. You packed quite a bit in there.”
Rangiku went to her fridge and opened it, “I can never tell with you. This was kind of it for the day. Besides dessert, I wasn’t planning on cooking again, but… I have some more garlic chives and there are potatoes in the pantry. I could make a chive pancake to make the stew stretch further.”
“You’ve already gone to so much effort. If I get hungry later, I’ll just whip up something quick and easy.” Toshiro nodded earnestly and picked up his communicator from the table. He started tapping and dragging his finger around on the screen.
A little relieved that she didn’t have to prepare anything else, she decided to get comfortable and check on the nabe. Rangiku had decided earlier to claim the side of the table closer to the fire since Toshiro probably wouldn’t want to be there. On his side were a few choices but on her side there were all sorts of pillows and vibrantly colored floor cushions. They were similar to the ones she’d spread out for her birthday party but smaller and meant for a space like this instead of a more open floor plan. With the fireplace happily crackling away and spreading warm light in the living room, it kind of had an Arabian Nights vibe to it with all the rich colors and fabrics. If she ignored her over-the-top Christmas tree, it was hard to believe that it was so cold and dismal outside right now.
Rangiku lifted the lid to the donabe and used the cooking chopsticks to gingerly go through the various ingredients to check on their doneness without disturbing everything.
Toshiro glanced her way and almost groaned. The aromas coming from that pot were going to kill him soon. He’d basically gotten the damn report where he wanted it. It wasn’t perfect but it was in the same neighborhood of his typical statements; same format, just a bit brusque. Toshiro was known for being blunt and he was hoping that no one would think twice. Nothing in there should refute the others’ reports or raise any questions.
He read over it one more time and sighed in resignation. That was as good as it was going to get. He tapped the screen and a window popped up to confirm his document had been sent. He sighed and his communicator clacked loudly against the table.
“Done?” she asked, replacing the lid.
“Yes,” he muttered unhappily. Toshiro stood and walked over to her patio door and cracked the deep red blackout curtains. All the white light nearly blinded him and his eyes slammed shut in surprise. He squinted warily. There was at least 2 feet of snow covering Rangiku’s patio. The attractive patio table and chairs looked like someone had dumped a bathtub-full of marshmallow fluff on top of them. Toshiro smiled and all the frustration the report had given him just seemed to evaporate. Fat snowflakes were falling quickly in cottony clumps. There wasn’t much wind now but it was coming down heavily enough that he could hardly see past the fence that separated their apartments from his training facility. The massive ginkgo was just a blur but he could tell the ancient tree was cloaked in white.
Rangiku abruptly wiggled up against him so she could peer out as well. She gasped and her eyes widened in wonder. Toshiro’s arm went around Rangiku, bringing her in closer to his heat. She sighed happily until his hand travelled lower to palm her ass. Rangiku couldn’t stop the grin.
Toshiro waggled his eyebrows suggestively, “Want to go make snow angels?”
She abruptly looked at him aghast, “Are you nuts?”
He chuckled and squeezed her rump playfully, “All you need is me to keep you warm, Rangiku.”
Rangiku slapped his hand away and gave him a dry, you’re-full-of-shit look, “Not just no but, hell no. I prefer warmth and sunny beaches, thank you very much.” She turned and sashayed into the kitchen, “The food is ready.”
“Thank the gods,” he groaned. Toshiro let the curtain close and hurriedly followed her. “Do you need me to do anything?” he asked.
Rangiku remembered where she’d put his drink to chill and gasped, “I forgot the beer in the freezer! Will you take it out and check it?”
While he busied himself with that, Rangiku took off the lid to her rice pot and breathed in the heavenly aroma. There was something about perfectly cooked rice that made her happy. After fluffing the rice a bit with her rice paddle, she doled out hefty portions into two black lacquered bowls. The bowls had crimson red interiors and the black lids had hand painted golden cranes swooping across the tops.
She set the lids on both bowls and glanced his way, “Did it freeze?”
Toshiro had opened it over the sink. It hadn’t overflowed but still made a healthy fizzing sound as the carbon dioxide escaped. He listened as he gently swirled the contents in the bottle, “It’s fine.” He looked at her with a happy sparkle to his eye, “It’s really cold.”
Rangiku smiled at him, “I already put glasses on the table.”
Toshiro looked at her as if she’d taken him by surprise, “You’re going to drink beer?”
They walked to the kotatsu together and Rangiku’s tone was teasing, “Well, yeah. That’s why I bought it.”
Rangiku bent over to set the rice bowls down and jumped when a male hand touched her butt. “Stop that! You almost made me drop the rice,” she laughed.
Toshiro swiveled down onto a floor cushion and sat cross-legged. “You’d already set it down,” he shrugged with an unapologetic smirk. He poured the ice cold dark golden brew into her glass and then filled his own. Rangiku sat and rearranged pillows so she didn’t have to sit on her feet. As Toshiro removed the lid to his rice bowl, she got rid of the lid to the donabe and turned the heat down more.
The simmering bubbles had a glossy sheen to them and Toshiro breathed in the steam hungrily. “Can I stir it up? Or do you want to see all the things?” he asked, ready to attack.
Rangiku huffed out a laugh, “Knock yourself out.”
Toshiro grabbed the large spoon and carefully stirred everything together. He set the spoon on the rest and then dipped his personal spoon into the bright red broth. Trying not to spill, he blew on the lava-hot liquid and quickly sucked it into his eager mouth. His eyes pinched shut and he growled out fiercely, “Shit, that’s good.”
Rangiku chuckled, “Don’t burn yourself.” She spotted a dumpling and plucked it out with chopsticks to set on atop his steaming rice. He gave her an appreciative glance and spooned a little broth onto the rice before taking a gargantuan bite. He sighed happily and Rangiku smiled. “I got those dumplings from the fish market. It’s a pork and prawn mixture. They get shipped in from South Rukongai along the coast.”
“They’ve got a nice bouncy texture,” Toshiro remarked as he started plucking out different mushrooms and setting some beef onto his rice.
Toshiro set a dumpling onto her waiting rice and Rangiku picked it up with her chopsticks. The dumpling wrapper had gone a bit translucent and she could see the pretty orangey-pink flesh of the prawns in the filling. She blew on it and carefully bit it in half and sighed happily. Rangiku spooned some of the rich red broth onto her rice bowl and nabbed a small chunk of enoki mushrooms. She slurped them up and added some tender veggies to her rice.
Over the next couple hours, they grazed through and savored the spicy kimchi stew.
Although Toshiro consumed a much larger portion then she did, Rangiku still got everything she wanted out of it. After the biggest ingredients had disappeared, they tossed in the instant ramen and she knew Toshiro had thoroughly enjoyed slurping noodles. Switching it up with the sweet, tangy pickled radish and ice cold beer, everything tasted so good together. Toshiro made her laugh the whole time and she quickly realized how completely comfortable she was with all of it. Having him over, enjoying a home cooked shared meal with the lingering promise of more steamy sex. It kind of surprised her how normal it felt. He was almost naked in her living room and it was like they’d been doing this for years. It felt good.
Toshiro had a napkin for his mouth and another one to mop the sheen of sweat from his brow. He dabbed the tissue against his hot cheeks and murmured huskily, “You know what comes next, right?”
That got her attention. She placed a hand upon her bosom, “Ooo, pray tell.”
“Fried rice,” he nodded, deadly serious.
Rangiku deflated like a balloon. She should’ve known he was still focused on food. Her hand went to her full stomach. “I don’t know where I’ll put it,” she whined.
Toshiro snorted. “Never surrender,” he growled and she chuckled at his gusto.
A sudden burst of inspiration hit her, “Oh, I can use some of it to make omurice later.” Toshiro nodded eagerly and she slowly got up and wobbled toward the kitchen. A sneaky, warm hand slipped up the back of her thigh and Rangiku slapped it away when she passed him. She heard him chuckle and shook her head in amusement as she reached the fridge. “Can you turn the heat up somewhere between medium high and high?” she called out. Rangiku pulled two eggs from the carton and cracked them into a small bowl and then grabbed the two additional bowls she’d prepped earlier. One had more chunked kimchi and the other had thinly sliced nori and green onions.
She paused and looked at the glassy-eyed, mostly unclothed handsome jerk. The marigold yellow scarf had bunched up his muscular thighs. There were a lot of beautiful muscles on display as he sat there, contentedly waiting for her. She shook her head. Who has sexy knees? Man, she had it bad. Get it together, girl, she reprimanded herself.
Rangiku grabbed the bottle of oil she kept near the stove. “Hey, could you use the ladle and get most of those liquids out?” she asked.
Toshiro nodded and grabbed the ladle, “Do you have a bowl I can use?”
“Just put it in my bowl for now,” she called. Rangiku lifted the lid to her rice pot and decided to take the whole thing. She grabbed a rectangular tray and set everything on it so she wouldn’t have to make multiple trips. Toshiro had just laid the ladle onto the rest when she returned. She swirled in a good glug of oil and it shimmered back at her quickly. Rangiku poured in the two eggs and the oil spat at her energetically. She scrambled it up and when they were three-quarters done, she dumped in the kimchi, nori, green onions, and then the rest of the rice. She stir fried it all together and then poured in the remnants of the stew that he’d ladled into her bowl. Toshiro’s nostrils flared and he looked so enthusiastic that her lips raspberried as she vigorously stirred it all together. Rangiku waited until the liquids incorporated and turned the heat down. She could hear the light searing and the crackle became louder as she gently pressed it all down into the pot.
Toshiro impatiently grabbed his spoon, clearly intending to dig in immediately, and Rangiku rapped his knuckles with her wooden spoon. “Not yet!” His face fell and she laughed, “The crusty rice is the best part and you know it. Just wait like five minutes.”
Toshiro frowned, “Fine.”
Rangiku chuckled, “You just ate enough for four people. You can wait ten minutes.”
His eyes squinted, “You said five.”
“Ten would be better,” she smiled cheekily. Rangiku gathered the majority of their dishes onto the tray but Toshiro stole it and stood.
“I’ll do the dishes. It’ll keep me busy until that’s ready,” he commented as he walked to the kitchen.
Rangiku wouldn’t argue with a man who wanted to do the dishes. No way. She settled back in to her pillows and stretched her long legs out under the kotatsu. The toasty warmth made her toes wiggle happily and she sighed.
She listened to water running and splashing the dishes in the sink. That strange sense of normality struck her again as she gazed upon the bronzed skin of his strong back. Toshiro’s expression was almost peaceful as he busied himself cleaning up and putting everything in order; his idea of order, anyhow. ‘Everything has its place,’ he’d always say in the office. Rangiku wondered with amusement if he was so neat and tidy with every aspect of his life. She’d known him long enough to know the answer was probably a resounding yes. It wouldn’t even surprise her if he organized everything in that brilliant head of his with a mind palace. She’d never let those kinds of details stress her out. And she’d never choose to do chores as a source of therapy. Spring cleaning was definitely cathartic for him and something she usually disappeared for…
“Don’t fall asleep on me,” he called from the kitchen.
Rangiku smiled, “I’m about to start burrowing.” She heard him chuckle and warmed at the sound. She took a sip of her beer. It was still cold and crisp but she was so full that she didn’t want it anymore. “Could you bring me a cup of tea? I left some on low heat on the stove.”
Toshiro nodded and dug into the cabinet that housed her glasses. He grabbed a short white tea cup and poured in the steaming golden-green liquid. He knew she liked it with a little lemon and honey. Unconventional, yes, but it wasn’t like she was conventional in the first place. Toshiro grabbed one of the wedges she’d left on the counter and squeezed it in. He stirred in a spoonful of honey she stored in a cabinet by the stove. Toshiro wasn’t going to let the bomber go to waste. It wasn’t every day he got access to good beer.
He walked back up to the kotatsu and saw her patting the fried rice with a spatula, listening to it sizzle. “How’s it coming along?”
Toshiro handed her the cup of tea and she nodded, “I don’t think it needs the ten minutes. I think it’s good to go.”
He sat himself down and growled at her enthusiastically like a bear. Rangiku chuckled and dug out a hefty portion back into his bowl, making sure to give him plenty crunchy bits of rice. She turned the heat off and, despite how stuffed she felt, Rangiku gave herself a few bites worth to taste. It was the best kimchi fried rice to date. All those flavors developed from the stew made for a bomb ass fried rice and it would be great in the morning when she made them omurice.
Toshiro groaned, “Damn, woman! Every time I eat your food, you surprise me. This is delicious.”
Rangiku’s chest swelled with pleasure, “Aww, thanks.” She liked that he loved her cooking. It only made her want to cook more for him.
“You really outdid yourself, Rangiku. That was the best nabemono I might’ve ever had and this kimchi fried rice is fucking good.”
She glowed with the compliments and laughed at his language. “Just wait until dessert. Last night I made purin-purin.”
The way she sang the words reminded him of the musical ring of a bicycle bell. Toshiro took a monster bite of fried rice and smiled, “Oh, is that what you were hiding in the fridge?”
“Yes,” she laughed at his full mouth. Rangiku rocked her head left and right cockily, “I caramelized sugar and everything. They are beautiful. I made four because I wanted an extra one to myself after the girls left,” she chuckled.
“And they aren’t here,” he said in an unremorseful deadpan.
Rangiku grinned cheekily, “My thoughts exactly. An extra one for each of us.” She remembered the gleeful shine in Nanao’s eyes earlier when they busted through her door. Momo’s mouth might as well have been dragging the floor she was so shocked. Rangiku sighed, “I will have to make some sort of consolation prize. You know how women are, right? You know I’ll have to spill the beans when they get me alone?”
Toshiro straightened. He was a private person, so women’s need to gab was a foreign concept to him. He did not sit around and talk about shit with anyone, really. Toshiro also knew how close the three had gotten in recent months. After Rangiku’s birthday and during his descent into madness, they seemed to have gotten pretty close. They were like the Three Musketeers around here and all three had been testy around him. The other two women had been professional but even Momo had been giving him her version of the cold shoulder. If it was all due to them adhering to the ‘chicks before dicks’ mantra, then he figured that it was in his best interest to let her divulge and have her girl time.
He sighed, “I don’t like it, but I know you’re going to do it anyway.”
Rangiku smiled. He was always the realist and he definitely knew her. “It’s not like I’m going to describe your dick in detail.” Nanao’d probably ask to get a laugh, but Rangiku wouldn’t say much.
Toshiro had taken a bite of rice and choked. After he beat on his chest a few times, he got out roughly, “Do you actually talk about that?”
His expression was horrified and she laughed, “Honestly? Yes.” Toshiro’s eyes went really wide and she rushed, “But not about our partners! Geez! It’s more Nanao and I appreciating the views and using our imaginations. Momo can’t handle it when we start going X-rated.”
Toshiro sighed loudly and clunked his bowl onto the table. Rangiku laughed, “I promise I won’t tell them everything.”
“But it’ll be more than I feel comfortable with,” he stated with a dry look.
“Probably,” she nodded. “But you don’t socialize like I do, Toshiro. Anything I talk about with my friends is infinitely more than you would talk about with your friends. So everything I could possibly think to talk about would make you uncomfortable,” she teased. Rangiku set her bowl down, removed her legs from under the kotatsu, and crawled toward him on all fours over the cushions. She watched his sharp eyes zero in on her cleavage and chuckled. Rangiku walked her hands up his thighs and then onto his shoulders. She pecked a quick kiss to his lips, “But that’s because I’m an extrovert and you’re an introvert, which is another reason why we’re such a good team.”
Toshiro growled and, in the blink of an eye, had her straddling his lap. His hands gripped her ass and his mouth claimed hers in a steamy kiss. “We do make a good team,” he murmured, sliding his hands to her waist.
Rangiku felt his fingers deftly undoing the ties to her apron and her heart thudded. The bow in the back released and his hands smoothed up her back and into her long hair. His tongue licked her lower lip and she opened for him. Kissing Toshiro made her brain shut off and her hoo-hah fire back up. She mewled into his mouth. The next thing she knew, he had her on her back, lying atop her soft cushions. Her hair was feathered out, her apron was gone, and her pink robe was shoved aside. Rangiku looked up at him in surprise.
Toshiro huffed in amusement and pressed quick kisses between the valley of her breasts and made it clear he was going south again.
Rangiku remembered almost too late what they’d been eating the last few hours. She gasped in alarm before rushing out, “That spicy mouth of yours better not go near my vah-jay-jay until you brush your teeth.”
Toshiro jerked to a halt in surprise, “What?”
She laughed at his expression, “Spicy foods can burn…”
Toshiro’s eyes widened and he backed away from her spread legs. He stood quickly and Rangiku smiled. The bulge pressing against the thin material of the scarf was extremely defined.
Toshiro pointed at her, “Don’t move.”
In a flash he was gone and Rangiku laughed. “Make sure there’s no orange oil on those lips,” she called.

*~****~*
A/N: Well! Cheers to the end of their misery! You’re welcome.
Also, I kind of feel the need to apologize for how damn long this chapter was. By this point in my writing I figure y’all just have accepted this. I thought about splitting it in half but decided to keep it all together. I also realize I could have ended it a lot sooner by saying something along the lines of, “They ate their meal over the course of several hours and hung out until Monday rolled around,” but… I’ve been watching tons of cooking videos on YouTube lately, especially Korean cooking, and just felt like having a little fun with it. I really appreciate the communal cooking aspect found in Korean, Japanese, and other Asian cultures.
July 30, 2020: Chapter 8 is started and seems to be cruising along, but I don’t know how long it’ll take to finish. I had to get their first lemon chp out and have thought of little else for months lol. Wish me luck.
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- 8
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Oh Captain! My Captain!