Chapter 9: The first snow fall

That morning after the whole Byakuya ordeal I was alot calmer. Ukitake was at home finaly but i didnt know how to talk to him about the whole problem. He could be so cluless sometimes. After getting changed into a pair of light blue skinny jeans and black shirt with a white lily design on it, I put on my white boots and white flece jacket. I was going to take a walk out to see Kyoraku.

"Hey Aika, where are you off to?" Ukitake said standing in front of the door.

"Im going to see Kyoraku." I said smiling.

"I'll come with you, I have to go see Byakuya." Ukitake said grabbing his scarf. We then walked out the door.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked looking at the white haired captain

"Yes, much better. I thought about seeing your smiling face while i was sick." Ukitake said.

"Stop. Youll make me blush." I said giggling. Ukitake chuckled and grabbed onto my hand and entangled his fingers into mine.

"So what were you and Byakuya up to that you had to slap him?" Ukitake asked.

"He told you?' I asked giving Ukitake's hand a soft squeeze. "He was rude to this child who accidently soiled his scarf." I said grunting at the memmory that flooded my mind. "I bought him a new one so that kid wouldnt get in trouble."

"How did you afford that? I have a captains sallery and i cant afford it." Ukitake said

"Yeah, i just sold some jewelery." The wind started whiping my long black hair around.

"Im sorry Aika." Ukitake said. He stopped and looked at me.

"Its fine. But... He kissed me at the end of the night." I said looking down.

"Damn." Ukitake said. I looked up and cocked an eyebrow.

"Damn?" I asked skepticaly.

"Well Hisagi was in the sick bay with me and he was bragging how you took care of him and kissed him." Ukitake said. "Your beautiful Aika, but I hate having so much competition." Ukitake said. "Hisagi and now Byakuya"

"Wait competition?" I asked really confused.

"Well i am a man and I can admit when I have a crush on someone. Over the years your grandmother has kept in touch with me. I never actually thought I would really like you. But when i was sick everytime i would wake up, I would look over to me and notice you werent next to me like usual. I missed waking up to your sleeping face." Ukitake said smiling.

"Really?" I asked shocked. Ukitake re grabbed my hand and we kept walking.

"Yeah. I want to get to know you better Aika." Ukitake said leaning over and planting a kiss softly on my lips. It was just a small peck but it made me warm and tingly just the same. "By the way Hisagi is going to ask you on a date. I know I really like you but I want you to still go and explore your options." Ukitake said wraping his arms around my shoulder. This was nice.

Hitsugaya's POV

It was a cold and windy day. I had a mint green scarf wrapped up to my nose. I was walking to the squad eight barracks where I had a feeling Matsumoto was. She was ignoring her paper work as usual and i had a feeling so was Kyoraku. I growled softly at the thought. I hated having to go after her like this.

I approached the barracks of squad eight. I walked inside and people started bowing left and right. I just ignored them and kept searching for my assistant. It didnt take long. I could hear her giggles.

"MATSUMOTO!!!!!" I yelled slamming a door open.

"Oh captain. Come to drink with us?" Matsumoto asked me.

"Oh Toshiro. Come have some fun." Kyoraku said drinking some more. I rolled my eyes.

"Matsumoto. Did you finish your paper work?" I asked calmly.

"W-Why of course captain." Matsumoto said.

"Then why is there a large stack of it on your desk?" I asked closing my eyes. I didnt hear an answer and when i re opened my eyes Matsumoto and Kyoraku were gone. "MATSUMOTO!!!!" I yelled. I growled in frustration then stormed out. This is why women aggrivated me. They were so annoying and didnt know how to do paper work properly.

I entered the cold air and sighed. The cold always makes me feel calmer. My blood wasnt boiling as much any more. I was walking back to the barracks of my own squad and I ended up running into Ukitake and Aika.

"Toshiro." Ukitake said obviously happy to see me. I was not ammused.

"Captain Hitsugaya." Aika said bowing to me "How are you?" She asked. Aika was always very respectful and kind to me.

"Im alright. Where are you off to?" I asked.

"To see Kyoraku." She said to me.

"Well dont bother. He and Matsumoto are off drunk somewhere. If ypull excuse me i will go do her paper work." I said.

"Oh I could help you." Aika said. After a little argunent She followed after me to do paper work reguardless. The whole time we were in my office she was quietly doing paper work and it was a nice change. I noticed I kept looking at her. She was pretty bit tall, but she was so kind and respectful... but still to tall.

"Are you almost finished Aika?" I asked

"I have been done. Im just doodling now." She sad smiling. I walked over to her and saw her and i playing in the snow on her paper.

"Do you like the snow?" I asked.

"Yeah. I remember Matsumoto told me that you did to." She said still drawing. "Would you walk with me in the snow with me?" She asked.

"Only if you can get a hold of me on the first day it snows." I said looking at the time.

"Deal." She said happily

"Well Aika I have a meeting to attend. I will walk you out." I said as Aika stood up leaving the picture for me.

"Thank you captain." She said bowing to me before leaving. She was different. Aika was the only woman I actually liked even remotely. Why couldnt she slouch like her grandfather? And what about Hisagi? Didnt he like her? I sighed thinking of it. Finaly the meeting was ended. and everyone was chatting. A few of the captains were talking about Aika almost like they could read my thoughts. I was just quietly posted up on a wall. I wished the first snow fall would come. I guess someone was listening to me though, because at that moment Aika was infront of me after saying hi to everyone.

"Hey captain Hitsugaya. Guess what?" She asked me.

"What?" I asked looking into her golden eyes.

"Take this." She said handing me my scarf. "The first snow fall is right now." She grabbed my hand and took me outside to where i happily saw snow falling. "Walk with me?" She asked. I nodded and for that night we walked and talked and I learned all about her life. There was no doubt I liked her.