Christmas Nightmare (Bleach Fanfic)

Twisting Heart

About five minutes after dinner had finished, Ichimaru and Isshin found themselves glancing at the door suddenly. As Rukia glanced up at them, they glanced away. Isshin suddenly stretched and let out a fake yawn. Taking a good look at his son, giving him a very decisive glance, he spoke up rather quickly. "I am rather tired from the duties in the clinic today, so I'll be heading up to bed."

Ichigo, confusion written on his face stared at his father. However, he had gotten the hint and spoke up himself. "I think I am going to go work on my homework."

At that, both of the males headed up the stairs. Gin glanced over at the kitchen, where he could see that Toshiro was absorbed fully in the task of helping the girls with the dishes, so he had yet to notice. He simply went and sat on the couch, his entire body tensing up, wondering why it had to be the wrong time for this to be happening.

Rukia heard the knock on the door and hurried over to answer it, having become used to being part of the Kurosaki family. Ichimaru could hear her voice all the way from the couch. "Matsumoto-san?"

"I'm sorry for showing up like this, but I heard from Ise-san that taicho was here. I rather need to talk to him." This caused Ichimaru to flinch, his eyes opening in frustration. Glancing over at where Toshiro was, he could see that the small taicho stopping to pop his head up. However, his head darted back down despite the fact he had tensed up himself. He may not have heard Matsumoto, but he could now feel her reiatsu.

Rangiku stepped into the room, her eyes suddenly darting over to where Ichimaru was. She let out a deep sigh and walked over, sitting down on the couch. Glancing into the kitchen, she could slightly see Toshiro at the sink with the two girls. As she bent over, Ichimaru spoke up. "I really need to talk to you about something."

The female paused for a second, then turned to him. Her face lacked the anger that she had when she has seen him earlier, but it was replaced with a rather pained look. Her eyes were filled with a high level of disappointment. "I'm not ready to talk to you Gin, so please don't even try. Taicho is actually enjoying himself around children his age, so I don't want to lose it with you right now, not in front of them."

At that, Gin opened his mouth, but then closed it. He watched as Toshiro glanced up, the child also having a pained look in his eyes, but for a different reason. "Matsumoto?"

"Hello." Rangiku almost called her small captain by his title, but paused, thinking about the fact that while Karin knew about the rank, the other sister of Ichigo did not. "I need to talk to you about something Hitsugaya."

"Well, maybe I don't want to talk to you. Ever think that I am still mad at you?" Toshiro stated, taking a plate from Karin and drying it so that Yuzu could put it away.

"Shiro-chan..." Gin's voice indicated that he didn't approve of the boy's behavior.

Letting out a sigh, Hitsugaya handed another dish to Yuzu. "Can I finish helping Karin and Yuzu-chan with the dishes?"

At that, Matsumoto blinked a couple of times, but a content smile spread on her face. Leaning on the couch arm, she spoke up. "I don't mind."

After a few minutes, the threesome finished and Rukia ushered the two girls upstairs so that the three could have a more private conversation. Toshiro wiped off his hands and walked over to the couch. "What do you want Matsumoto?"

"Shiro-chan... you could speak to her nicer." Ichimaru commented, his eyes open and indicating that he didn't' like the fact that the situation between the three of them in truth was not a good one.

At that, Rangiku let out a deep sigh. "I'm used to him talking to me like this though. He's mad at me, so his curt responses are justified. He is my taicho, is he not?"