Rangiku woke to the feeling of lips on her bare shoulder. They were dry and warm, and were slowly making a trail up toward her neck. Her long red hair was gently swept aside as she tilted her head up, allowing more access to her slender neck. The arms that surrounded her bare waist tightened a fraction as the lips reached her jaw.

Turning slightly, Rangiku looked over her shoulder to the face of the man holding her. Lazily he opened his eyes to look at her, his gray eyes piercing her own. Reaching across herself, she brushed her fingers along his right eye were the three scars ran across it. He closed his eyes and turned his head to lay a kiss on her open palm.

Her breath hitching, Rangiku wrapped her arm around his neck and turned in his embrace to kiss him. He easily adjusted for her movement, moving one of his hands up to cup her head while the other still held her at the waist. His lips found hers easily and the two shared a soft, gentle kiss.

Tears stung the back of her eyes at the tenderness of his touch. Her free hand came up to cup his check as she broke away from his lips. She kissed his nose then trailed her lips down his tattoo, stopping to kiss his eye then the 69 tattoo beneath it. Pulling away, she brushed her thumb across his striped tattoo.

He opened his eyes and gave her a gentle look. Letting her head go, his hand came up to brush away the lone tear that had escaped. He then leaned forward to kiss the wet trail up to her eyes, kissing each before cupping her checks in his hands and kissing her forehead.

Fresh tears began to fall as Rangiku felt the emotions she had been trying to keep under lock and key break from their chains. The fears of the coming battle only heightened her distress.

Hiccups escaped from her as she shut her eyes to stop the tears. This was not how she wanted to spend her night with him. Not a ball of tears over the future.

His lean, strong arms came up to cradle her as he tucked her head under his chin. Gently, he rocked her while shushing her with his soft whispers. A few sobs escaped her as she wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him for the moment. The sound of his deep, baronet voice and the feel of his arms holding her tight made her feel safe and secure. Something she had never felt before while in the arms of a man.

As her tears and sobs lessened, Rangiku loosened her hold on him and let the soft strokes of his hands on her side soothe her. The touch awoke the small flame in her and she wanted more.

Rubbing her hands along his back, she tilted her head up and kissed the underside of his jaw. His head titled down and Rangiku eagerly meet his lips. Again, the kiss was compassionate and light, his lips light against her needy ones. Their lips broke apart and he gently rubbed their noses together before kissing her temple.

Frustrated with his soft approach, she opened her eyes to voice her opinion only to stop at the look in his eyes. His grey eyes watched her with all the love and devotion he felt toward her. They were clear and focused. Not anything like the shielded, distracted look they always had anytime they were together.

And suddenly Rangiku knew they could never go back to their previous relationship. Not after tonight.

Again, she cupped his cheeks and kissed him, but this time she was tender. And when they pulled apart, she opened her eyes to show him her own feelings toward him.

Touching their foreheads together, Rangiku began to say, "Shuuhei, I lo-"

"Shh, don't say it now. Wait," he whispered as he brushed their lips together. "Wait, till we're together next time."

The prickly feeling of tears bit at her eyes again at the implications he was leaving unsaid.

Wait. Till next time. Give me something to fight and live for in the coming battle.

So Rangiku kissed him, letting her actions tell him how she felt. And he responded in kind, telling her exactly how he felt for her.