Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.
One
Shunsui laughed as he caught up with his best friend.
"That wasn't fair, Jyuu, leaving me alone to face that horde."
His friend joined the laughter. "What? You enjoying pursuing the ladies but prefer not to be the one being chased? Turn about is fair play, Shun."
He just shook his head. It was true he preferred doing the chasing. But he was young, handsome, and a newly promoted captain of the thirteen squads. It was only natural that he attracted female attention. However, Shunsui had yet to meet a woman who really captivated him and held his interest romantically. Well, that wasn't strictly true. He could think of one woman who might do that, but Jyuu was in love with her, and Shunsui was fairly certain she returned his feeling. He wasn't getting in the way of that.
"So do you know what the old man has up his sleeve for tonight?"
"What did you have plans?" Jyuu teased.
"It's my birthday. Of course, I didn't have plans. I've already done the obligatory family celebration this afternoon." Shunsui smirked. "But Yama-ji typically tells us when he's up to something. It's not like him to be secretive."
Their former teacher and now commander had invited them both to dinner tonight. He hadn't given a reason to Shunsui, and he was curious to see what his mentor was up to. The two young captains made their way through the first district to the restaurant that had been named as their meeting place. They were escorted to a private room where they found Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana waiting for them. His mentor offered him a warm smile as Jyuushiro took the seat next to Unohana.
"Happy Birthday, Shunsui."
Shunsui took the remaining seat. "Is that what this is all about?"
"Well, we figured that left to your own devices you would simply spend your evening at the bar." Jyuushiro grinned at him. "This seemed a little more fun."
It was at that. Shunsui wasn't all that fond of his birthday. That came from years of the day being an event for his parents to criticism him and point out all that he wasn't doing properly. They had eased up some since enrolling him in Yama-ji's academy, but it still wasn't a favorite day of his. Dinner with friends seemed like a much better way to spend the evening.
They ordered their dinner, and the sake was passed around. They laughed and teased one another as they ate, telling stories. This was definitely a good way to spend one's birthday.