Bleach: The Captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya x OC

Chapter 6: Murasame

I found myself beginning a familar routine. If doing paper work as a third seat was difficult, doing it as a captain was a nightmare. The division was backlogged by three months and with my second-in-command out of commission, thanks to the handiwork of Aizen, I had my plate full for the foreseeable future.

I really needed to start delegating.

I had three boxes set up by the side of my desk to help keep me organized: Finished files, partially finished files and files that could burn in hell. It really did help to keep my workspace tidy.

Every now and again I needed to take a break. I would walk the perimeter of the room; massaging the cramps from my hands and neck. sometimes I would stand at my window, watching the wind pick up dead leaves and carry them across the cobblestone path. Fighting the will to procrastinate, I would return to my desk and climb my personal mountain of paperwork once again.

Several times, I noticed squad members peeping in through the window. When I looked up at them from my work, I would offer them a smile. They would either jump or scatter like a silly flock birds. By about the fourth time they ran, I was fed up. Reaching into my desk drawer, I found a marker, some tape and a piece of paper. I scrawled a few words on the paper and giggled to myself. Walking over to my window, I taped the paper so that any passerby could read it:

FUN FACT FOR THE DAY:

CAPTAIN YUKI ONLY ATTACKS HER SUBORDINATES ON THURSDAYS

I made my way back to my desk and continued on with my day.

***

By mid afternoon, I had tackled half the workload I had set out to do; surprisingly my burn in hell box was only half full. Some would call that a win. Just as I was beginning to stretch in my chair, a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in." I called.

Kensei was back again, still quiet and still very bruised. He brought with him, another tray laden with a full pot of tea and two little tea cups. Clasping my hands together, I smiled at him eagerly. "What kind of tea do you have for me today Kensei?"

He placed the tray in front of me without a word and proceeded to salute me. "Grab a chair and sit down. You don't need to act like a robot around me." I urged.

I filled the little cups with fragrant green tea and handed one to him. I held mine in my hand, feeling the warmth of the cup easing the tension out of my cramped hands. Blowing on the steam rising out of it, I took a sip.

We didn't say anything for a little while. It was quiet enough that I could hear the second hand of my clock tick. Finally he put his cup down and looked at me. "That note you put on your window captain," he began, "it says you only attack us on Thursdays."

I wasn't sure what he was getting at, I had obviously meant it as a joke. "Yes and your point being?" I tried to keep a straight face.

He furrowed his brow and stared at the ceiling. "Well I'm pretty sure you attacked me on a Sunday, captain." he gave me a perfected deadpan look.

The tea in my mouth dribbled out as I tried to hold in my laughter. I held up a finger and swallowed it quickly and then could no longer contain myself. I laughed until my ribs hurt and tears sprang into my eyes. He couldn't keep his face straight either and soon after he dissolved into laughter. I gave myself a few minutes to take some deep cleansing breaths. Laughter really was the best medicine. I guess he wasn't so bad after all.

Composing myself, I changed the topic. "You didn't need to write me an apology yesterday, Kensei." he frowned at me. I added quickly, "but I accept it all the same. Thank you." I poured us both more tea.