damned_institute | Day 29: Cafeteria, Brunch

Hitsugaya left the chapel no less frustrated than before. The head doctor once again had chosen not to hide his face, yet promised he would be making an appearance at some time in the near future. He didn't like being patient, but there wasn't much choice. Either the head doctor would show his face, or he wouldn't. Renji had already seen him, and knew how to find him. That was enough.

The thought of eating made him slightly nauseous as usual, but he knew he needed to get his strength up. He could either be weak and try to force his way through brunch without eating anything, or he could be smart and actually give himself something to eat. And there was rice. Rice and fruit. He took a heaping pile of rice, and grabbed as much watermelon as he could fit on his plate, then proceeded to an empty table. He scanned the room, watching for Momo. He wasn't exactly looking forward to their conversation, knowing how she'd acted yesterday; however, he knew he had to speak to her, and there was a good chance that she would show more restraint now that the drugs were out of her system.

Thoughtfully he consumed his rice and waited.

[free at the moment, pester if you wish]

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"And yakitori and gyouza too," Rangiku added enthusiastically. Hot food and cool drinks. It sounded like the perfect antidote to this place to her. Even if it didn't seem like things would be restful anytime soon even when she got back.

The older woman blinked in confusion at the apology, taking a moment to tickle the girl lightly to break her out of thinking sad things again. "Silly. What are you apologising for?" she said. "And why shouldn't you stay?" she asked, following the girl's gaze around the room. "Waiting for someone?"

Orihime was too ticklish for her own good, and she had to laugh and squirm away from the older woman's fingers. It felt good to laugh after frowning so long.

When the tickling stopped she curled back under Rangiku's arm and rubbed her cheeks up and down, wondering if maybe they'd forgotten how to smile. "I don't want any unnecessary fighting." She replied, looking up at Rangiku this time. "I don't know if I'm still expected to follow his orders and...Ichimaru-san is here. I don't really want him to get hurt either."

Rangiku grinned as she finally let Orihime go, glad to see her laughing and smiling more brightly now. That was how things were meant to be, even here.

She raised an eyebrow at the 'Ichimaru-san', but that was how Orihime was. Unfailingly polite, even to an enemy. "Gin? We arranged a truce with him, he's helping the rest of the shinigami, even if captain isn't so happy about it. And who's orders?" She wondered if this was one of the future things she hadn't gone through yet. But it was odd to hear Orihime expressin concern for him. "Why would he et hurt?"

A truce? Orihime could barely believe it. If there was anything the shinigami would hold a grudge over, she thought it would be the betrayal of their captains...unless they didn't know yet. If she didn't tell them, they could be in serious danger but if she did she would put a heavy strain on their truce.

Orihime thought for a moment, then she looked up at Rangiku, her expression serious but unclouded. "Can I ask you something personal, Matsumoto-san? I'm not trying to escape an answer, I promise."

It was certainly an odd thing to be discussing with Orihime, but she seemed to be less shocked by the idea that Raniku had anticipated. She nodded in response, smiling down at the girl. "Ask away, Orihime-chan," she replied, a little curious as to what the girl wanted to know

Orihime paused for a moment, stealing her courage. "..Are you close to Ichimaru-san?"

It seemed like the question that would answer all of the new ones. She really had no right to know how Rangiku felt, but it was important. The reasons for forming a truce were all about the head; strategy, resources, the sort of thing she was never very good at. Whether the truce was formed before or after his betrayal, the shinigami must have been sure that Ichimaru wouldn't harm their cause. Even if it was just to keep an eye on him, they must still trust him at least a little bit. They knew about this sort of thing. She knew she could trust them to make sure nobody got hurt.

So her question was personal in every sense of the word. She didn't hate Ichimaru, or even Sousuke Aizen for that matter. It was just that every time she saw them, the threat to her friends safety was at the forefront of her mind. Now that the Arrancar and Aizen weren't around she had room to wonder.

She should have known that that was going to be the question. That or some variation of it. She was quite surprised that none of the other shinigami had been hounding her about it since the two of them hadn't exactly been secretive. She was just glad that her captain knew he had her utmost loyalty. But they did deserve answers, especially since she had been the one to argue for him helping them.

She licked her lips and finally answered. "Yes, I am. I'm still loyal to Captain Hitsugaya, but I... I love him."

Orihime couldn't hide her surprise. She'd expected the older woman to say that they were friends or something even more vague than that but she should have known that Rangiku wasn't one to skirt questions, even personal questions. She said 'I love him' so easily.

Orihime sensed something far more complex about the whole situation but she didn't want to pry any more than she already had.

Still loyal...so she knew, and she still loved him. Orihime smiled. "I'm glad. Maybe...Maybe he can join us when we have that picnic in the summer."

She swallowed. It felt like a strange thing to say about someone who she'd been so afraid of for the past couple of days, and some of her anxiety still remained, but it felt good too, like the shadows she'd been avoiding were just shadows after all.

Perhaps it was foolish of her to admit such a thing so easily, but it wasn't something that she could deny. Lying or skirting the issue would just cause distrust between herself and those she was working with. It was something that she couldn't afford.

Orihime's response still took her by surprise, but it quickly turned into a warm smile at the acceptance from the younger woman. "Maybe he can," she replied. The idea was such a hopeful one, but Orihime's sweet optimism was infectious. "Thankyou."

Orihime shook her head stubbornly. "I'm the one who should be saying that. You listened to me for all that time..." She dipped her head in lieu of a bow. "Thank you, Matsumoto-san!"

An apology almost made it to her lips but Orihime bit it back, remembering what Rangiku would say. She should be her usual self and try to help the others instead of wallowing in doubts. That would be the best way to repay a kindness.

Day 29: Cafeteria, Brunch

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