A/N: Sooo . . . I lied lol. I said that I was going to finish my Inuyasha fics (which I will still do!) before I start a new story. However, I've had this story idea in my head for a while. I think it works perfectly for the Bleach world since there are so many diverse characters to choose from. This story is inspired by movies like Steel Magnolias, For Colored Girls, and others like that. So I'm not promising any happy endings lol. I'm not sure how long it will be yet but I figure it will be at least 10 chapters.

This is my first story with no OCs (except for a baby lol), no main female leads and that's rated T. This story stars, Byakuya, Renji, Ichigo, Shunsui and Jushiro. Set in the Real World, it is a combination of a lot of story arcs mixed into one. So if you have not read past the Aizen arcs and don't want to see spoilers, I'd advise you not to read. Other than that, I hope you guys enjoy!

5/31/13 EDIT: Okay I'm going to have to make this story M instead of T because it's going to start to become more graphic in chapter three lol. I apologize if anyone's personal tastes are affected by the switch.

Rated M for strong language, alcohol use, drug use, graphic violence, and sexual themes

Chapter One

January 11, 2013

Karakura City

Byakuya Kuchiki

"I think . . . my water broke," Rukia said with large eyes. Byakuya immediately dropped the cardboard box in his hands that carried his vast collection of Duke Ellington records. He quickly ran across the large, empty living room over to the fireplace where his younger sister was arranging French vases and Spanish figurines. He looked down at her with concerned eyes.

"Are you alright? Do I need to make a call to Doctor Kotetsu? This is too early." Rukia looked at him confused but bit her lip in embarrassment when she realized what she had said.

"Oh, I'm sorry nii-sama. I meant my case of Dasani. I think some of the water bottles shattered on the way over here. Some of my clothing is wet. I'm not going into labor." A wave of relief showered over the tall man.

"Do not startle me like that. I was afraid for your health and the health of my niece or nephew."

"You don't have to worry nii-sama. My baby is not due for at least six more months. I'm barely even showing. But it's very sweet how protective you are." A small smile clung to her lips. Byakuya closed his eyes and turned, walking back to his Duke Ellington collection that now lay scattered across the floor. He quietly picked each one up and carefully stored them back inside of the box. It had already been a long night, or early morning, at work and he wanted nothing more than to take a hot shower and climb into his soft, king sized bed. He sincerely hated working the 'graveyard' shift. However, he had more pressing issues to attend to. He had to prepare his old, beautiful apartment in Seireitei Hill that he used to share with his late wife, Hisana, for his younger sister, Rukia, and her fiancé, Ichigo Kurosaki. The two late teens were moving out of their guardians' habitats and moving in together as they prepared to begin their future as a real couple. At the same time, Byakuya was moving down town to a high class neighborhood named Reiokyu. He was moving into a beautiful, brand new home that he had just finished having built.

He glanced over his shoulder as he saw the nineteen year old woman unpack a plethora of baby toys and plush animals that people had given her. She beamed with joy as she held up a rather large Chappy rabbit. It was almost as big as she was. Byakuya held back a grin as he remembered how much she had been a fan of the toy when she was 14 years old.

"Nii-sama, look! Isn't this one so cute? Ukitake-san gave this one to me."

"Yes, I saw him with it one day at the thirteenth precinct. He had it tucked away in the corner of his office."

"Ohhh I really hope I have a girl, Nii-sama. I'm going to shower her in so much Chappy stuff. Oh I'm so excited! And then we have the wedding in October. Can this year get any better?!"

"You must calm down, Rukia. Please don't excite the baby."

"Oh nii-sama, I'm fine. Trust me." However, Rukia reluctantly took her elder brother's advice when she saw the stern look in his eyes. Oh, Byakuya, you really need to loosen up. The younger Kuchiki reached inside of another box and pulled out a picture of Hisana. She stared at it for a few moments. They say that I look so much like Hisana, but I actually think she was prettier than me. I see why nii-sama loved her so much.

"I think I am going to be finished for today. I'm very exhausted and it would be foolish to continue packing in this condition." Rukia set the picture to the side and looked up at her brother. He wasn't lying. His usually stoic face clearly showed how tired he felt.

"Yeah, nii-sama, go ahead and get some rest. I will get Ichigo to help me some more when he gets off work today."

"Alright. Just don't let that boy touch the far room. I want to move those things myself." Rukia knew exactly which room he was referring to. It was the room where all of Hisana's belongs was in storage. That room would eventually become the baby's room. However, Rukia knew better than to mess with it without her brother's consent.

"I won't, Nii-sama. You have my word." Byakuya nodded. He walked to the door and lifted his officer's hat and jacket from the hooks beside it. He walked out into the crisp air and snow dusted ground without saying another word.

Ichigo Kurosaki

"Ichigo Kurosaki reporting for duty."

"You're late."

Ichigo's eyes widened as he stared at his blonde superior dumbfounded. He tilted his head to the side.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said that you're late."

"Late? But I arrived exactly on time. My shift starts at 10AM. It's 10AM on the dot." The tall officer shook his head as he rose from his seat in the Station Five office.

"Listen, I don't know how you did things as a bounty hunter, but here at Station Five, we do things in an organized fashion. You're on time if you're early. You're late if you're on time." Ichigo smirked.

"What if you're late?" The blond narrowed his eyes. He was tempted to smack the orange-haired eighteen year-old over his head.

"Don't be so sassy." Ichigo chuckled.

"Sorry, Shinji. I'm not used to you being so professional."

"Well get used to it. That's how things are run down here at the Fifth. And it's Hirako-keibu as long as we're on duty."

"Right, Hirako-Keibu."

"Ahhh stop putting on an act, Baldy." Shinji shuddered as the angry voice of his long-time friend suddenly appeared behind him. He looked over his shoulder, surprised to see the tiny woman standing there with her hands on her hips.

"Hiyori?! What are you doing here? I thought you were still on leave from that injury you suffered when we had that shootout with Aizen." Hiyori Sarugaki rolled her eyes.

"I am but Hinamori asked me to fill in for her. Those counseling sessions you ordered? Yeah, she had to attend one today." A light clicked on in Shinji's head.

"Ohhhh yeaaaah. I did order her to see a counselor once a week, didn't I?" He bent at the waist and stared Hiyori right in the eyes. "Well then, subordinate, get to work."

"Shut your face, Baldy!" Hiyori said before socking Shinji in the face, busting his nose. Shinji instantaneously grabbed his face and threw his head back. Hiyori chuckled as she walked away.

"Damn you, Hiyori! I- I'm docking your pay!" Ichigo felt like he was in some popular anime watching the scene that just occurred. This is like that one manga by Tite Kubo.

"Wait a minute, did you say Aizen? As in Sosuke Aizen? The Japanese ex-cop who somehow became leader of a Columbian drug cartel?" Shinji nodded his head as he wiped away blood with a Kleenex.

"Yes, that's the one. I see you've heard of him before."

"Yea I have. I had a bounty on one of his dealers before. The one who ran the Swiss cartel. A guy named G. Jaegerjaques."

"Yes, Jaegerjaques is the sixth man in Aizen's gang. He's also the ninth on our most wanted list. I take it that the bounty did not go so well since we have reports of him being seen recently at a local McDonald's." Ichigo's breath hitched in his throat.

"Well . . . um . . . you see – "

"No need to explain. What you did as a vigilante is your own business. You get to start fresh here at KCPD." He reached over onto his desk and grabbed two manila file folders that were stacked full of papers. He handed it to the younger, brand-new police officer. "Here are your first assignments. Determining by what you have just told me, you should be familiar with the first one." Cocking an eyebrow, Ichigo opened the first folder. He felt like he had been Punk'd when a large mug shot of Grimmjow Jaegerjaques appeared before him.

"What is this?" he asked annoyed. "Are you really assigning Grimmjow to me? Is this some kind of joke?"

"No I assure you, I'm dead serious. But wait, you haven't opened the other one." Ichigo closed the file and changed positions with the other. When he opened it, he saw a mug shot of the fourth man in Aizen's gang, Ulquiorra Schiffer. "Your first assignments are to arrest both of these men within a year's time. You do that and you will most surely get a promotion."

"Hey, why me?" Shinji smirked again.

"Well, why not you? You're about to be a father, Ichigo. Do you honestly expect to support both a Kuchiki wife and a Kuchiki baby on an entry policeman's salary? As my friend, I'm offering you a chance to earn a significant raise by becoming a sergeant. But if you don't want –"

"No. I'll do the jobs. It's no problem Shin – I mean, Hirako-keibu." Shinji slapped the shorter man on the shoulders.

"That's what I like to hear. Now come along so I can introduce you to the squad."

Shunsui Kyoraku

". . . what? This can't be real." Shunsui Kyoraku felt a sweat drop form as he held the back of his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Well geez, have a little faith in me why don't you? Does it really come that much of a shock?"

"Actually . . . yea. It kinda does. I mean aren't you supposed to be at work right now? I thought that Wednesdays and Saturdays were your off days."

"Yes, but I decided to call in today. Being captain of the eighth precinct does have its benefits."

"Case and point."

"Aw now you've gone and hurt my feelings, Lisa-chan. I thought you had more faith in me." The woman rolled her green eyes.

"I see that liquor is taking effect already." She patted him on his shoulder before turning to walk away. Shunsui watched the slender figure of his favorite Urahara's Bar and Grill waitress, Lisa Yodamaru, sashay away. He whistled silently as he paid attention to how her hips swung with each step. It's not like he had never noticed before. He had noticed plenty of times. How could he not after all of those nights they had spent together? They were an odd pair. Not exactly together but not exactly single either. A closer case of friends-with-benefits he would say.

Shunsui took another sip of his favorite Japanese sake and looked over the letter again. He read it to himself out loud. "To Shunsui Kyoraku of the Station Eight. According to the powers invested in us, Central 46, we hereby name you Keibu-seshi of Karakura City Police Department." Each time he read it, it still took him by surprise. However, at the same time, it didn't. It had been a few months since the former general, Shigekuni Yamamoto, had fallen in service. Central 46 was bound to choose his replacement eventually. Out of the captains of Karakura's thirteen precincts, he and Jushiro were the most experienced. However, Jushiro's health eliminated him from contention. So who else could they have chosen?

He shook his head and placed the letter back inside of his back pocket. He chuckled before taking another sip of sake. "Oh Yama-jii. Why did you have to go so soon?"

"So soon? Shunsui, the man was like a gazillion years old. If you ask me, he should have retired long ago," Lisa said upon returning to her loyal customer's table with a plate of steamed buns and another bottle of sake.

"Don't be so disrespectful, Lisa-chan. Great wisdom came from that man. He will most definitely be missed by all who served in Karakura City Police Department." Lisa smirked.

"Yea, I guess you're right. I did enjoy his lectures when I was studying at the academy. Too bad I never became a cop though. I could have witnessed those dynamic stories first hand." Shunsui grinned as he seductively wrapped a hand around her waist. He pulled her in closer.

"I'm glad you decided against a law enforcement career. You're far too pretty to fight, Lisa-chan." Still smirking, Lisa rolled her eyes. She wriggled free from the brown haired man.

"Oh Shunsui, you flatter me."

"Eh, you know me. I'm quite the charmer."

"I'm sure. Do you want me to prepare your check?" He waved his hand and poured another glass of sake.

"No thank you. I believe I will just wait here and watch the game until the guys arrive. Plus you know how much I love spending time with you." She rolled her eyes again.

"Yes, I do. Unfortunately." Shunsui couldn't help but laugh as she walked away.

Renji Abarai

EEEEEEEEEK!

"Stop! Police!" Renji Abarai blew his whistle loudly as he chased the criminal through the streets through Kusajishi Heights one of the poorer, eastside neighborhoods of Karakura City.

"Go to hell, pig!" The criminal yelled back as she maneuvered through the people walking along the sidewalks that blocked her way to freedom. Running fast in her black boots, the slender woman panted heavily as she desperately tried to escape the red haired police officer that trailed her. The heavy package of marijuana that she clung to slightly slowed her down. Dammit Kugo! How dare you set up the drop off with an undercover cop? You should have known that this dude was a pig in disguise. Freaking idiot!

"I said stop!" Renji blew his whistle again, this time more loudly. Citizens in Karakura City stared with wide eyes as they watched the scene, reminiscent to a cop drama, unfold before their eyes. Renji was desperate to catch the woman. He had gone months without a single arrest, the only lieutenant in the entire Karakura City Police Department to do so. Even that porker Marechiyo had made an arrest within the last week. Two at that! His reputation was tainting and he risked demotion or suspension. His captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, had warned him that if he had not made another arrest by the end of January, he would be put on leave. So when he had been offered an assignment as an undercover drug dealer, he quickly jumped on it. Catching a dealer would be an easy task, or so he thought.

The dark skinned woman turned the corner and raced up a deserted alley way, hoping to have lost the man trailing her. She climbed the first chain-linked fence that stood in her way and jumped to the other side. She only took a quick moment to catch her breath as she soon heard the rapid footsteps of someone behind her. Sure enough, it was that damn red-haired cop with the tattoos. Seriously, to hell with this!

"You might as well stop! This is pointless!" Renji called after her, climbing the fence that she had climbed earlier.

"It's only pointless if you catch me and that is NOT about to happen!" Soon, a second fence appeared. The woman quickly climbed that one and jumped to the other side. She miscalculated her landing and ended up spraining her right wrist while attempting to break her fall. She groaned in pain as she quickly jumped to her feet, her white jeans and black boots dirty from the mud she had fallen into. She looked above her and saw the large billboard that housed a picture of District Attorney, Ginrei Kuchiki. That billboard means that I'm not too far from the bar. Good, I can drop this off with Kugo and then head off to the boutique.

Renji sighed annoyed as he climbed the second fence, gaining ground. I should have brought a K-9. Oh Renji, the stuff you go through to keep your job. Landing on the other side, he saw a trail of muddy footprints indicating where the deviant had been. He figured if he just put a more Usain Bolt-like effort behind his steps, he would be able to catch her. Using every ounce of energy he had left, he quickened his pace and ran at full speed.

The woman panicked as she headed toward the end of the alleyway. What used to be another chain fence that separated it from the main highway was now a brick wall. When did this get here?! Damn! She panted rapidly as she looked around her trying to find a way to escape. Think Jackie, think! Jackie began to panic more as she heard the cop's footsteps get closer. A set of steel steps that lead up to the back way of an apartment caught her eye. She figured she could make her getaway there. However that thought was short-lived.

"UNGH!" Jackie felt a tremendous amount of pain in her sprung wrist as she came crashing to the ground. Renji looked down at her with hungry eyes and a victorious grin as he wrestled her against the ground.

"I finally got you!"

"Ugh get off me! Help! Rape! Rape! He's trying to rape meeee! Hellllp!"

"Oh shut up! Nobody is going to believe that I'm trying to rape you! All I have to do is show them my badge!" He moved his black jacket to the side and revealed his golden police badge that hung from the belt of his pants.

"Get off me! Let go, you're hurting me!"

"Now why would I do that?! You shouldn't have run! It's your own fault that you're injured!" He reached behind himself and grabbed a pair of handcuffs that also dangled from his belt. He quickly flipped the struggling woman onto her stomach and cuffed her hands behind her back. "Get up!" He demanded as he pulled her up by her arms. She growled as she stared at him with defiant brown eyes.

"Police brutality. You think you can just treat people any kind of way, don't you!"

"Oh please, I'm not even being that aggressive. Just shut up and stay still." He grabbed his police radio attached to his hip. "Karakura City Station Five. Over," he said into the static filled receiver. A few moments later, a reply came.

"This is Station Five. Over," the man on the other end said.

"Hirako-keibu, I have a 10-29V and a 10-52: request for Precinct Five to send a patrol car and a K-9 unit to the alleyway before Ginjo's Bar and Grill in Kusajishi Heights. Over."

"I'm on the way, Abarai-keibu-ho. Over and out." He bent down and carefully picked up the case of marijuana that had fallen during the struggle. He held it only by the string as to not tamper with evidence. He placed it to the side. He turned to the dark skinned beauty before him.

"You and I are going to stay here until Shinji Hirako-keibu arrives. You're lucky that my captain is off duty." Jackie rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I'm shaking in complete fear," she sarcastically replied. He narrowed his eyes.

"What is your name?" She smirked.

"Beyoncé Knowles." He narrowed his eyes again.

"Whatever. I'll find out soon enough."

Jushiro Ukitake

"Now are you completely sure that you're going to be okay?" Jushiro asked concerned as he pulled up to the front Mashiba High School in the Hokutan neighborhood. The white haired boy in the front seat reddened and closed his eyes, annoyed.

"Yes, Juu-jisan. For the last time, I am fine. I am fifteen years old now. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.

"I'm aware of that, Toshiro. I just don't want you to be stranded out here alone. It might be a long time before I come back."

"I can always take the subway back home. Seriously, you have got to stop being so over protective. It's so embarrassing." Jushiro chuckled and nodded his head. He reached over and ruffled his hair a little.

"I'm sorry. I can't help it. You're my favorite nephew, you know." Toshiro rolled his eyes. He opened the door and climbed out of the car, anxious to head to Mashiba's soccer field where he would be trying out for the varsity soccer team. He was very nervous but tried his best not to show it. He leaned against the window pane.

"Yea, yea I know. I'll catch you later okay?" Jushiro nodded his head and coughed.

"Alright. Have fun out there. I know that you're going to do a great job." Toshiro waved and nodded before jogging towards the door of the school. Jushiro waited until he was inside before driving off.

He hated to be late. He could only hope that his doctor would understand. Being a single 'dad' and captain of Station Thirteen in Karakura City's Police Department were taxing responsibilities. Sometimes they interfered with his, otherwise, good punctuality. However, he pretty much figured that Retsu would not hold it against him. They had known each other for quite some time, going back to when they were college dorm mates. She was a very compassionate woman. That he knew for sure.

He walked through the doors of Karakura City General Hospital and took the elevator to the third floor. He walked to the receptionist's desk which was right in front of the elevator. The blonde young woman blushed and smiled. "Hello, Ukitake-san." He returned the smile.

"Hello, Nurse Kiyone. I have an appointment with Doctor Unohana today."

"Oh yes. She has been waiting for you. Go on back, I'll let you in."

"Thank you very much." Kiyone pressed the button and let the tall, slender man back to the area that housed the examination rooms.

"Good afternoon, Retsu-chan. You're looking mighty well today," Jushiro said with another big smile when he walked into his exam room. He promptly sat on the examination table. Retsu returned the smile.

"Thank you very much, so do you." She pulled up a stool and sat down beside him. She flipped a few pages on her clipboard. "The results from your last test have come back." He raised his brows slightly.

"Oh, so soon? I didn't think they'd be back for at least another few weeks."

"Well, diagnostics has been more efficient since we hired Doctor Kurotsuchi to run the lab. We are able to get results in rapid time now. Most return in a few days."

"That's excellent. So what's the news?" Retsu paused for a moment. She had to gather her thoughts. She had done this several times throughout her career, but it never got any easier. This time would be no different, especially considering their relationship.

"We did find a tumor on your right lung . . . and unfortunately . . . it is malignant." Malignant . . . oh . . . is that right?

"I see." Jushiro did not exactly know how to react to the news. At that moment he felt no sadness or anger or fear or anything else. He was too busy trying to process the information that he didn't know how to feel.

"But, I have some good news for you. Your tumor is located on a part of your lungs that can easily be operated on." Jushiro smirked.

"An easy lung surgery, Retsu?" Retsu smiled softly.

"Yes, I suppose I could have phrased that better. What I mean to say is that we can remove the tumor from your lung. Hopefully when we do, it will remove the cancerous tissue before it spreads further into the body."

"Well, that is very good news indeed."

"Yes it is." Retsu removed a pen from her pocket and wrote on a notepad that she had retrieved from another pocket. After she had written down her instructions, she gave it to the patient. She pointed at the first line. "I'm going to prescribe a low dosage of this medicine for you to take. This should ease your coughing spells substantially. I am also going to prescribe this medicine for any pain that you may have. This should also help fight infections. I am going to schedule your surgery about two weeks from now so make sure that you let your boss know that you are going to have to take some time off." Jushiro nodded his head in agreement.

"Yes, I will definitely do that."

"In the meantime, try not to save the day too much, Keibu." He laughed.

"I'll try not to. Thanks Retsu." He extended his arms for a hug which was gladly accepted.

"Anytime, Jushiro."

Shunsui Kyoraku

"My oh my. I can already tell that you're going to need something strong," Shunsui said with a grin as the bright red-haired lieutenant came through the doors of Urahara's and walked over to the tall table where his superior sat. He smirked as he climbed into one of the tall stools.

"That obvious huh?"

"I'd say. You look beat," Jushiro said with a warm smile.

"Seriously. Renji you look a mess. Your hotness has lost its effect," Lisa agreed as she sat down the drinks that had been ordered.

"Gee, thanks Lisa." Looking around the table, he saw that he was the last to arrive. Shunsui, Jushiro, Byakuya, and Ichigo had all gotten settled at their usual table and were already enjoying their routine get-togethers. It had been that way for at least a year. Many Friday night at eight, when they weren't too busy, the five men would sit and talk and enjoy each other's company. Sometimes other officers, like Shinji or Shuhei or Rose or Kenpachi would join them, but most of the time it was just those five.

"What was with that woman Shinji and I picked up today? She had a really smart mouth." Renji shook his head as he looked through the alcoholic beverage menu. He sighed.

"I have no freakin' clue. All I know is that she works for the Xcution drug cartel and I hope I never have to see her again. She almost made me go insane when I was waiting on you guys' patrol car." He closed the menu and turned to Lisa. "Let me get a Black Velvet and an order of taiyaki please."

"You got it," she replied before walking away.

"You made an arrest today? On an Xcution member no less? Very impressive. I am pleased Abarai-keibu-ho," Byakuya said in his normal monotone.

"Thanks captain."

"That is impressive, Renji," Jushiro agreed. "I heard that those Xcution members can be a handful."

"They are," Shunsui said. "But they're not nearly as dangerous as the Arrancar cartel or the Vandenreich's evil regime. Those guys are ruthless."

"Yes I know," Ichigo said, staring at his basket of French fries. "Shinji assigned the cases of Grimmjow Jaegerjaques and Ulquiorra Schiffer to me today. He wants me to arrest both within the year."

"You should be thankful," Byakuya said. "For Hirako-keibu to do that, it means that he has faith in your abilities as an officer. You should not take it lightly. This is a huge opportunity for you to move up in rank." He nodded his head.

"You're right, Byakuya."

"Yea he is, so don't screw it up like you did when you was a bounty hunter," Renji taunted. Ichigo balled his fists.

"You shut up! It won't be like the last time. I'm going to capture both of those guys if it's the last thing I do. I have to provide for Rukia and our child so she won't consider going back to the force." Renji chuckled as he reached over and stole one of Ichigo's fries.

"Now you know and I know and everyone at this table knows that as soon as Rukia has that baby, she is going to be itching to get back into a police uniform. Rukia as a housewife? That is something I definitely can't see."

"Shut up. I can have hope can't I?"

"Ha. Yeah, false hope."

"I said shut up."

"Why is it that everything always turns into a pissing match between you two?" Renji and Ichigo turned to see that Lisa had returned with Renji's order. She set it down in front of him and shook her head. Renji took a sip of his drink before pointing at his younger friend.

"Because he keeps insisting on engaging in dumbassery."

"Why you –"

"Dumbassery or not, can you two chill? Please don't make a scene like last time." Both Renji and Ichigo remember the occasion she meant very well. What started off as a discussion about futsal teams ended up with Tessai, the bouncer, throwing both men out into the street. It would be a long time before anyone would begin to let them live it down.

"Sorry, Lisa," Ichigo nervously said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Mmmmmhm." Lisa rolled her eyes before walking away and heading to another table. Shunsui chuckled before taking another sip of sake.

"You two are quite the characters. You should have your own show," he said. Jushiro laughed and nodded his head.

"Changing subjects," Renji said before the embarrassment continued. "Congratulations Kyoraku-keibu on your promotion." Shunsui modestly waved a hand.

"Ah, it's not a big deal, really. Don't make such a fuss over me."

"Not a big deal? Don't be so modest, Captain," Byakuya said. "Becoming Chief of Police is a huge accomplishment. A once in a lifetime opportunity."

"That's right, Shunsui. We should celebrate," Jushiro said with a smile.

"That's not really necessary – "

"Aww come on. It will be fun!"

"We could combine it with my housewarming party next weekend," Byakuya suggested. "It seems more efficient to have both at once."

"That's a great idea," Ichigo agreed. "Plus Byakuya's house is huge. A lot of people can fit in there."

"Please do not attempt to turn this celebration into a juvenile frat party, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"I – I wasn't trying to."

"More of that famous dumassery . . ."

"Shut up, Pineapple Boy!"

"Come on, Shunsui. Let your friends do something nice for you." Shunsui turned and looked at his white-haired best friend, who stared back at him with pleading eyes. What's up with him? He's usually not that insistent.

"Alright," he reluctantly agreed after a while. He really did not want to make a fuss about his promotion, but he did love a good party.

"Excellent. I will contact my caterer in the morning." Shunsui sighed and chuckled.

"Since it is both of our parties, can you make it a little less stuffy than a normal Kuchiki party?" Byakuya stared at him completely deadpan. His eyes were so blank that his blinks were noticeable.

"I don't understand. I do not host stuffy parties. Refined? Yes. Stuffy? No." Shunsui shook his head but said nothing. Riiiiight. If you say so Byakuya.

The men sat together, talking and dining for a good hour and a half before going their separate ways for the evening. As Shunsui staggered from his seat, Jushiro grabbed him by the arm to help balance him. "Guess I got up too fast," he said, steadying himself. Jushiro chuckled.

"Probably so. That or it's just that you have been drinking all afternoon. I surely hope that you didn't drive over here."

"Of course not. I'm not that irresponsible. I caught the subway from my apartment."

"Well, I'm more than happy to take you home. I called Toshiro and he's already made it in for the night so I have time to spare."

"I don't want to trouble you."

"Nonsense, you know it's never a trouble. Plus I know that something is bothering you if you have been drinking non-stop since this afternoon." Shunsui chuckled.

"We really have been best friends for too long. You can read me like a book. Alright, I'll come along for the ride." Jushiro smiled warmly.

"Great, because you're not the only one who needs his best friend's support right now."

A/N: I really hope y'all liked it. It's kind of hard for me to write from a man's perspective lol. I will update within the month. Please be patient if you do like it lol.