Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.
Birthday Gifts
July 11th
Shunsui woke to the midmorning sun in his eyes. He half expected to find his vice-captain standing beside his futon tapping her foot. He should have been in the office hours ago. Not that he normally would have been, but typically Nanao made at least one effort to get him there. Instead, Shunsui found a warm pot of tea and a neatly folded note set on a tray beside his pillow. He sipped at the tea while reading the note:
Captain,
You schedule has been cleared until noon. You have a meeting with Commander-General Yamamoto at one and dinner with Captain Ukitake this evening, but other than that your schedule is free. I've already taken care of the paperwork for the day, so there is no need to worry about that. The rest of the division would like for you to stop by headquarters sometime in the afternoon, so they can wish you a happy birthday.
Vice-Captain Ise
He smiled. Even in writing his Nanao-chan was proper and formal. Shunsui knew her well enough to read the affection between the lines. She had gone and arranged everything, so that he could have the day to enjoy as he wished for the most part. The meeting with Yama-ji would simply be an exchange of pleasantries and birthday wishes. Their relationship was not what it once was, but fences had been mended somewhat since Aizen's betrayal. It was dinner that he was looking forward to. Jyuushiro would be hosting, but at least a dozen people would be attending. It was a long standing tradition.
Stretching, Shunsui rolled out of his futon. He might as well get up now, and he could always take a nap after his meeting with Yama-ji. Breakfast was in order first. Shunsui dressed and set off to find himself a meal. It was a perfect summer day too. He grinned. Perhaps he could get Nanao-chan to indulge him today and spend some time away from the stuffy office with him.
Upon finding out the time, Shunsui headed for the First Division. By the time he had arrived at Yama-ji's office, he'd received dozens of birthday greetings and several bottles of sake. Yama-ji didn't keep him long and even presented him with a gift of a scroll of poetry. After that Shunsui decided to stop by the Eighth before his nap rather than after.
What he intended to be a quick stop turned into an impromptu party when the rest of the Eighth broke out the sake in order to celebrate their captain's birthday. Shunsui found himself with a motley assortment of gifts, everything from more sake to some rather nice pottery. He even thought he'd seen his Nanao-chan slip out of the room with a pleased smile on her face. His vice-captain appeared to be up to something.
A nap was clearly needed to recover from the party, and he took himself off to a small grove of trees to get some undisturbed rest. Besides, Nanao-chan would find him if he was truly needed for something. The sun was warm and the shade comfortable, and Shunsui was asleep before he knew it. When he opened his eyes, there was an evening breeze in the air, and his vice-captain was leaning over him.
"Captain Kyoraku?"
He yawned. "Nanao-chan?"
"You'll be wanting to get up, sir, if you wish to be on time for dinner."
"You wound me, Nanao-chan. Would I be late to a dinner in my own honor?"
She didn't even blink an eye. "Yes."
However, she was right about the time. Especially since they both would need to change clothes. Uniforms had been banned early on in his birthday dinner tradition. He grinned up at her. "And what is my Nanao-chan wearing tonight?"
Instead of the reprimand and smack of her fan that he expected, Nanao let out a small smile. "That, Captain, is a surprise. Here, Happy Birthday, sir."
She held out a carefully wrapped package.
"My lovely Nanao-chan didn't have to get me anything. Her presence is gift enough," Shunsui declared, but he still accepted the gift.
Nanao watched nervously as he shredded the wrapping. Inside, he found music scores. He blinked. Nanao was one of the few people who knew he played shamisen. He had an extensive collection of music already, but these were pieces he had never seen before. He blinked again when he realized that these were duets for shamisen and voice. Nanao-chan rarely could be persuaded to sing or play, though she was proficient both at the piano and the koto, and this was clearly an offer to play with him. He was touched.
A light blush covered her face as Nanao smiled at him. "Let me know when you'd like to practice."
With that she was gone. In a state of bemusement, Shunsui made his way back to his quarters to change clothes. Dinner was always held at the same restaurant in the Rukongai, so at least he didn't have to worry about finding the place. Still, he was one of the last to arrive, shortly behind his vice-captain. He paused a moment in the doorway to survey his lovely Nanao-chan.
She had worn the pale pink yukata patterned with white cherry blossoms he'd given her for her birthday earlier this week, and her hair was down and swept to one side in a loose tail. The last time he remembered her wearing something that color was at one of the first birthday dinners she'd attended back when she was the youngest member of his division.
"Shunsui, get in here. We can't start without you."
Jyuushiro's voice interrupted his contemplation of his pretty vice-captain, and Shunsui allowed himself to be drawn into the gathering. It was a good dinner. Despite all that was facing them and the previous betrayals, everyone seemed to have a good time and relax. They ate amidst stories and jokes, getting sillier as the night went on. Rangiku managed to convince Nanao to sing a drinking song in a duet with her, and they convinced Jyuushiro to tell the story about the time he, Shunsui, Urahara, and Yoruichi stole all Byakuya's clothes save for a bright pink yukata.
The evening stretched on and the party slowly wound to a close. Shunsui offered to walk Nanao back to her quarters. She accepted, and they set out under starry skies.
"Have you had a happy birthday, Captain?"
"Yes, Nanao-chan." He reached for her hand, and she let him take it. "It's been a very good day."
"I'm glad."
They continued the walk in silence. When they reached her quarters, Nanao slipped away from him. She went up on her tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.
"Happy Birthday, Shunsui," came the soft whisper before she disappeared into her rooms.
Shunsui touched his lips lightly with a pleased smile. His Nanao-chan always knew just the right presents to give him. He couldn't wait to find out what she'd give him next year.