Happy birthday Hitsugaya

Day 1 Crystal Cup

It was a cold morning for Byakuya's likeness. It was mid-winter, and the year was closing in. Everyone was happy and bubbly, and it seemed that Byakuya's little sister was in her element. Rukia Kuchiki was standing in the garden with her black yukata smiling as she gazed at the sky.

Byakuya stared at her for a minute until he started to shiver.

So he decided to start the day.

Once in his captain's hiori, he walked across the Seireitei to his division. Everyone in the barracks greets him with formality and respect, and he holds his head high and walks past them. When he reached his office, he hoped to see Abarai doing his paperwork, but his lieutenants were nowhere to be seen.

Disappointed, he sat at his desk and looked at his calendar. He had every Captain's and Lieutenant's birthday marked across his calendar, and in which he was staring at one with an intense glare. Hitsugaya's birthday is about three days away. December 20, today was December 17th.

He looked out his office window; nothing out of the ordinary, Shinigamies of his division happily pottering around, some talking while others running.

"I might as well do my job," Byakuya told himself, taking up a brush and dipping it in ink. But he didn't write anything. His mind was filled with the date of Hitsugaya's birthday. He wonders if anyone had planned for a party or any celebration for the captain of the tenth.

So Byakuya placed his brush on the table and walked out of his office. The Shinigamies still greeted him; he ignored all of them and headed toward the tenth division.

The tenth-division low-ranking soul reapers looked at him with awe as he passed them. Some even stuttered out a standard greeting.

Once he reached the tenth captain's office, he knocked on its door, and someone gently told him to enter. Quickly he opened the door, and Lieutenant Matsumoto was lying on the couch while Captain Hitsugaya was sitting behind his chair, eyes wide.

"Umm, Captain Kuchiki, what brings you here." He asked. Byakuya thinks for a moment.
"Happy birthday", He declared stoically.

"Umm, thanks? But I think your three days early." Hitsugaya said, chuckling. The small captain's eyes darted towards his lieutenant. Byakuya couldn't see what she was doing, but he guessed it was unpleasant for her captain.

"I know! I... want to tell you earlier," He said, feeling awkward. "Good day," Byakuya said politely and left out the door. On his way out, he could hear Matsumoto's laugh.

But he didn't care. Byakuya needs to think of something for Hitsugaya's birthday.

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Toshiro looked out the window and wondered why Kuchiki would come up here to congratulate him on a birthday.

For him, his birthday was nothing but a word and a horrible day he lost a friend.

No one dares to congratulate him instead of Rangiku or Isshin, who used to do that a lot before he left.

Rangiku was still laughing at what had happened. "Adorable Captain! Did you see his face!" Shrieked Rangiku, who seemed to cannot hold her barking laugh.
"Matsumoto." He warned her, but she was still laughing; she wiped her tears away and grinned at Toshiro.

"Captain. He's into you." Her comment caught Toshiro off. Why would she say that they were co-workers? Besides, the relationship between the captains has been frowned upon a lot.

"Don't be absurd. Do you think someone noble like him could get a liking on a peasant who happened to be captain?" Toshiro snapped; Rangiku protectively put her hands up and backed away.

"But still, Captain~ how come you know? Captain Kuchiki isn't stupid, and he won't just wander up to the tenth division to say Happy birthday." Whined Rangiku, sloshing down on the couch and proceeding to pour herself a drink.

Toshiro never saw Byakuya as someone he could see as closer, but he does have to admit Byakuya Kuchiki is attractive.

Toshiro hoped that Kuchiki wouldn't do anything. He wasn't so keen on celebrating his birthday, but at the same time, he was craving a little bit of attention.

"Anyway, Captain~ would you mind if I go have some drink~!" Said Rangiku fluttering her lashes at him. At this point, he just gave up on giving her work, and she'll find a way to navigate that.

Toshiro didn't say anything and just groaned and returned to the paperwork. Rangiku happily hopped off the couch and sprinted out the door. "THANKS, CAPTAIN~!" Screaming as she bypassed some lower ranks.

Once he finished the paper works, he was assigned and decided to take a little stroll down the field. The field was painted white, and a small glister of snow fell from the sky. There's no one, only Toshiro gazing at the empty lot. The Silent was calming. With so many noises around his division, a little bit of silence was needed.

But, of course, his break was cut short by Matsumoto's loud shrieking called him.

"CAPTAIN!" She waved her hand left and right, swinging furiously as if he couldn't see her. Toshiro sighed; there goes his moment of silence.

"What?" He snapped, and Rangiku skittered toward him down the hill. Once she was in his full eyesight, she was panting.
"Damn! There's a gift for you! It's in your office." She said, taking a deep breath. Toshiro frowned because he wasn't keen on gifts, primarily if this gift was related to his birthday.

"Fine," he said, walking past Rangiku up to a hill full of snow.

Once he reached his office, he saw a big, well-decorated something on his table. Big one!

He cautiously got closer to it and poked it with the pen that Ichigo gave him forcefully once. 

It didn't move, nor did it explode, so without hesitation, he ripped the papers around it, stripping it a good look.

When he was finished, he was surprised to see a diamond-looking cup similar to a block of ice but beautifully pottered. 
Rangiku cooed at the cup behind him. Making him turn around and warn her.

There was a note inside the mug.

"For Captain Hitsugaya,
Happy early birthday!
Sincerely Captain Kuchiki"

Toshiro looked at a piece of paper with a comprehensive eye. So this is what Kuchiki was doing— and was probably thinking of a gift to give when he wandered to his office. He didn't know what to feel about it.

On the one hand, he needed a new mug, but on the other hand, this has to be expensive and is probably handmade and costume just for him. He turned the cup around, examining it with persistent eyes, contemplating whether he should accept this gift.

"Captain...What are you doing?" Rangiku peered on his shoulder, looking at the mug. "You're not throwing it away, right?" She asked.
Toshiro snapped, "of course not! You know it is rude to throw away someone's gift given to you." He said while placing the mug carefully on the table; he stared at it and realised.

That he liked receiving gifts.