Title: Trial and Error

Author: FactVsFiction

Pairing: Hitsugaya/Matsumoto

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach Kubo Tite does!

A/N: Hey there! I haven't written anything in aaaaaaaaages! So I'm back now with a new multi-chapter. This has been lurking around in my documents a long time and I'm only getting around to posting it now. That means, like 'comfort', it's actually complete I just need the motivation to post it! (Hint hint!) XD

Trial and Error

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Hitsugaya Toshiro didn't like this one bit. He couldn't help the shot of panic that flooded his system as his world went black. He didn't like the feeling of the fabric over his eyes and he definitely didn't like his orders.

"You will suppress your reiatsu completely at which point you will be blind folded. Please await orders."

Stupid squad twelve tech. The Ice captain would have been tempted to say no if it weren't for the presence of the Soutaichou in the room and the definite warning look he was given.

Hitsugaya scowled. Nope. He didn't like this one bit. The blindfold had been secured eight minutes and thirty seven seconds previously. He was counting. Yes it was childish but all his other senses were in overload and he needed something to occupy him. He would not give them the satisfaction of seeing how much this bothered him, how much nervous energy was flowing through his system. This was a time of war and one was not easily trusting if one had any intelligence.

"Please relax tenth Captain Hitsugaya."

A very slight feeling of pride washed over him at the confirmation that he was indeed being monitored. The Soutaichou had his reiatsu suppressed. Hitsugaya did not jump.

"I don't believe that a very good idea Sir." Said Hitsugaya evenly.

"Suit yourself Hitsugaya Taichou. In a number of minutes you will be guided out into an open space where a partner will be waiting. I will ask you not to speak and not to flare your reiatsu is that understood?"

"Yes Sir."

"When I give the signal you will spar blindfolded with them. You will both use your Zampaktou in their sealed state. You will not utilise your reiatsu"

"Understood." Said Hitsugaya.

Although his voice was calm the prodigy's head was working at one hundred miles an hour. He was being tested. It didn't surprise him, logically at such a time of unrest it was vital that all Captains were in top condition and state of mind. Though he really didn't see why he had to be blindfolded… Grudgingly the short Captain accepted that he was uneasy in the situation. The Soutaichou probably did it purposely. Hitsugaya was acutely aware at that point that he relied far too much on his sense of sight. His respect for his fukutaichou rose slightly.

"It is time."

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"You will find yourself exactly ten feet apart from each other. You face each other directly. When I blow a whistle you will begin to spar and will continue until your partner is incapacitated or I blow it for a second time."

Hitsugaya nodded behind the blindfold.

The whistle blew.

Hitsugaya didn't wait around. It appeared his partner thought similarly as he heard the crunch of the ground beneath their foot and the whistle of steel through air.

The clash of steel on steel irrupted and both Hitsugaya and his attacker held their ground. A hint of a scent tickled his nostrils and he inhaled deeply to confirm. He knew that smell anywhere. Mango and Papaya, the fruity scent of Matsumoto Rangiku.

If his hands hadn't been otherwise occupied and he wasn't so poised he might of smacked his forehead. Of course it was Matsumoto. He wasn't being tested their working relationship was. After the fiasco with Hinamori and Aizen it was obvious…

He pushed her back and attacked with a specific combination move. The one he always started their sparring matches with. He couldn't be certain but if he was blindfolded it stood to reason she was too and she needed to know who he was.

She parried quickly confirming that yes, she was visually impaired too. She would've seen that coming a mile off. With their identities confirmed they kicked up the battle to a dangerous pace.

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Yamamoto watched with sharp eyes. He saw the flair of the captain's nostrils and the look of comprehension that altered his facial features even with his eyes hidden. The tenth Captain was a lot less aware of his facial expressions while blindfolded.

The old commander watched passively as Hitsugaya threw a weak combination attack and the same understanding passed across the lieutenants features. With their predicament confirmed they threw hesitation to the wind and dived into the fight.

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If he wanted a fight then that was exactly what the captain commander was going to get. Hitsugaya was going to make sure they impressed too. Matsumoto seemed to be thinking along the same lines and sparred him furiously. It was unprepared and extremely dangerous but their knowledge of each other's style allowed for them to spar confidently. The adrenaline of something new kept their other four senses hyper sensitive as they put each other through their paces.

The tenth division leaders did not do anything by half.

After twenty minutes of full contact sparring the whistle was blown. The pair were honestly surprised to hear it. It had barely felt like five minutes…

"You may remove your blindfolds." Said Yamamoto.

Hitsugaya slammed his eyes shut at the sun, scrunching his face distastefully and reopened them cautiously. He looked calmly at his fukutaichou who was currently grinning from ear to ear at him, practically bouncing with the rush. "Taichou!" She greeted happily.

"Matsumoto." He replied, his tone cool. They both turned to look at Yamamoto.

The old captain cracked an eye open. "Lets return to my office." He commanded.

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"You identified each other quickly. How?"

"Scent." Hitsugaya grunted.

"Lieutenant?"

"Taichou always opens our sparring matches with the same technique."

The Commander nodded.

"You were impressive. As you have probably already guessed in light of recent events we recurrently reviewing the relationships between all Taichous and their fukutaichou. We have deemed it of utmost importance to assure that an attachment like Hinamori-momo's to ones captain does not reappear within the thirteen protection squads ever again. That was your first exam. Testing your ability to use your other senses, your ability to identify each other in battle and your knowledge of each other's sparring styles. You passed."

Both squad ten heads nodded.

"I request that you answer a few questions."

Receiving consent from both he continued.

"You two are the last of the squads to receive this particular exam and have demonstrated the highest ability at sparring, a deviation from our predicted results, do you spar regularly?"

"Wednesday evenings." Said Hitsugaya.

"Six thirty." Matsumoto chimed.

"Every week?"

"Provided we aren't on a mission. If that's the case we usually make time on a different evening." Said Hitsugaya. Matsumoto nodded in agreement.

"Matsumoto-Fukutaichou you were quite comfortable blindfolded however Hitsugaya Taichou was not at all until he was aware it was you. Can you comment on that?"

"I spar Taichou regularly blindfolded." She motioned to her scarf. "He usually isn't though."

"Why not?"

"It's not something he enjoys." The strawberry blonde shrugged easily. "Taichou's too calculating for it. I like to fight with my ears and Taichou likes his eyes. We all have things we dislike."

"Indeed. What do you dislike Matsumoto-fukutaichou?"

"Kidou. Taichou still makes me train in it though. Disliking something doesn't make you incapable." She had a slight edge in her voice, a protective streak.

"It doesn't." Yamamoto agreed. "Hitsugaya-Taichou would you agree with Matsumoto-fuku-taichou's opinion of you?"

"She is correct sir."

The Soutaichou nodded. "You will be called for other exams sometime soon. You may return to your barracks."

"Yes Sir." Said both.

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"Rangiku-chan!" Shunsui greeted merrily. "Will you be joining me for a drink this evening?"

"I can't. Sorry…"

"Ah but of course. It's a Wednesday evening why isn't the lovely Rangiku-chan training with the Ice Taichou?"

"We cancelled it for this evening Shunsui-san. We've sparred already today."

"Ah your first exam! How did it go?" Asked Shunsui delighted.

"Well." Said Rangiku with a smile. "Anyway I was going to spend this evening with Taichou so we can talk it through. Maybe tomorrow Shunsui-kun?"

"No problem at all Ran-chan the sake is always flowing at the eighth division!"

"Unfortunately." Said a stern voice that made Shunsui cringe. He turned around with a beaming smile.

"My lovely Nanao-chan!"

"Sir you have paperwork to sign that's due at five am sharp tomorrow. If you'll excuse us Rangiku-san."

"Of course Nanao-chan. Sayonara!" She chuckled slightly watching the fukutaichou drag her captain away.

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Hitsugaya looked up from his desk as he placed a final completed form on the top of the hefty pile. Rangiku had been sprawled across the couch for two hours seemingly staring into space though Hitsugaya could tell from her eyes that she was deep in thought. He hadn't scolded her, he kind of enjoyed her presence… Deeming her lost to the world he glanced at the clock. Eleven thirty seven PM. He sighed, rubbing his tired eyes with the heels of his hands.

Matsumoto loved times like this. Although she hadn't spoken a word to her captain she didn't consider the night a waste. On the contrary, she enjoyed the silence. Hitsugaya hadn't once opened his mouth to ask her to work even though she didn't do anything. He was a real good guy when he wanted to be. He knew she wanted the company and made no comment. She liked to think he liked having her around too.

"It's late Matsumoto are you going home?"

Her attention returned to her short Taichou and she found him gathering his things to leave. She realised she probably appeared to be staring for the past minutes while lost in thought and shook her head to clear it.

"I'm going to stay here a few minutes Taichou."

"Suit yourself but don't fall asleep there that couch hurts your back." He replied gruffly. She beamed, taking the comment for what it was. Well masked concern.

"Yes Taichou." He was stepping out the door when she called out to him. "Taichou."

Hitsugaya turned back to face her.

"We make a good team…Don't we?"

His lip twitched and to the strawberry blonde's delight she was rewarded with a rare smile which seemed to light up the dim room."

"We make an excellent team Matsumoto-fukutaichou." He corrected. He turned on his heel and vanished into the night.

Rangiku smiled.

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A/N: I'm not sure about the title but for the time being it's staying anyway… Review and let me know what you think!

Slán

Becca