AN: Hi again readers, apparently I'm on a roll... Hopefully you enjoy! Please R & R! Disclaimer Time: **I don't own BLEACH, or any of it's characters.**
Rukia had just left the office and was checking her mobile for messages. As she was doing this one came in. "Dress nice tonight, I'm taking you some place special. - Ichigo." She clutched her phone and smiled wondering where they were going to this time. She got on the train to go back to her apartment excited to find out what they would be doing that night.
Rangiku practically dragged Nanao the entire way to the bus. Nanao was grumbling and glaring the entire time the women pulled her around. "Alright, we're going to stop by your place first. We need to get you into a dress! We're going out on the town!" Rangiku said giddily. Much to the disagreeing mumbles of Nanao. "Don't be such a stick in the mud."
"I had things to do this evening," Nanao replied curtly.
"Like what?" Rangiku asked curiously.
"Like work," she replied in an annoyed tone.
"The work day is over! It's time to have fun!" Rangiku told her. Nanao knew she wasn't going to win so she just slumped down into the seat defeated. They got to the stop for Nanao's apartment complex and exited the bus making their way up to her apartment.
Rangiku noticed how sparse and organized the place was. The wood floor shone brightly and everything was immaculate. Rangiku walked into Nanao's bedroom opening up the closet and finding it full of suits for work, organized by color and style. Shoes neatly lined the bottom of the closet. Rangiku sighed in slight frustration. There wasn't a cute dress to be found in the closet.
"That's it! We're going shopping!" Rangiku said with authority. Nanao rolled her eyes as she was pulled along yet again by the larger woman. They went to a boutique just a few streets up and Rangiku began hunting through the racks for something that would suit Nanao. "What size are you?"
"What?" Nanao asked not paying attention as she huffed not particularly wanting to be in this store.
"Your size… Oh never mind, here try these on," Rangiku said as she handed Nanao a pile of dresses and a few boxes of shoes almost knocking her over.
Nanao grumbled more and stalked over to the dressing room. She picked through the dresses, some there was no way she would ever try. Like the hot pink strapless mini dress. Then her eyes set upon a blue dress. She held it up to herself looking in the mirror. The dress was a deep blue with a mesh overlay in a variety of shades of blue making it look like gentle waves in the ocean. She decided to try it on. It fit snugly to her body coming to just above her knees the skirt portion was slightly flowy as she moved assessing herself in the full-length mirror in the dressing room. She looked through the boxes of shoes and found a cute low heel strappy blue pair and slipped them on.
"Nanao, come out! I want to see what you look like," Rangiku pleaded at the dressing room door. Nanao looked at the door hesitantly. This wasn't the sort of attire she ever wore. She hadn't even looked at the price tag yet, she was sure it was probably far too much for her to afford. "C'mon Nanao." Rangiku tried using a soft coaxing voice. Finally Nanao took a deep breath and pulled the door open and stepped out with her head down. Rangiku gently placed a finger under her chin forcing her head up then took Nanao's glasses off. "You're so pretty Nanao, this is perfect." Rangiku said gently with a smile. Nanao's blushed slightly at Rangiku's kind words. "You are definitely getting these!" Rangiku pulled the tag from the dress and got the empty shoe box. Nanao went to protest and Rangiku shushed her, "This is my present to you! You need to cut loose now and then." She said as she winked taking the tag and box up to the clerk to check out.
"Thank you," was all Nanao could mutter when Rangiku returned ready for them to leave. Rangiku was already pretty dressed up in a strappy form fitting short dress that was a sunny yellow with a colorful high heels splashed with light yellow, blue and pink.
They made their way to Nanao's apartment to drop her work clothes off and then they were off. "Where are we going anyways Ran?" Nanao asked curiously.
"Oh it's this lovely club called Tenran. A few of the girls from the office will be meeting up with us there," Rangiku told her in an excited tone as they walked to the subway station.
"Tenran?... Isn't that a bit… Expensive?" Nanao asked quietly.
"No worries, it's ladies night, drinks are free," Rangiku replied with a smirk and a wink. Drinks were free that night, but she didn't think Nanao would need to know that it was because the company would be picking up the tab for Shunsui's party. Nanao gave a slight smile and nodded her approval. "You are going to have a great time!" Rangiku said as they exited the train and began walking up the stairs of the subway station and got to the club.
There were exotic looking flowers placed about the entrance and the sloping curved glass doors gave the place an intriguing look though one couldn't see through the smoked glass inside the club. Low music emerged each time door opened. The two walked in and they were met by the maître'd.
"Do you ladies have a reservation?" he asked pleasantly as his eyes wandered toward Rangiku's ample bosom.
"Oh come now, do we really need a reservation?" Rangiku replied flirtatiously. The man blushed slightly and led them in.
"Ranny girl!" a boisterous voice called out and they found a former colleague Yoruichi waving wildly at them.
"Yori!" Rangiku replied giddily as she hopped over to her pulling her into a hug. "So I see we're the first to arrive? Do you know when the others will be here?"
"Not sure, who is your friend Ranny?" Yoruichi asked looking quizzically at the young lady in blue.
"That's Nanao!" Rangiku replied with a smirk. Yoruichi choked on her drink and looked again at the girl.
"Sexy sexy little Nana!" Yoruichi said with a catlike grin. Nanao blushed looking down at the floor.
"Don't be so shy, have a seat. I think the others should be here soon. Oh look, here they come!" Yoruichi said loudly and pointed toward the door. Clearly she had already had plenty of drinks.
The group filed in consisting of Retsu Unohana, Soifon, Isane Kotetsu, Nemu Kurotsuchi and Orihime Inoue. They took seats at the neighboring tables where Yoruichi, Rangiku and Nanao sat.
"Who is your new friend?" Orihime asked pleasantly also not realizing it was Nanao.
"Okay everybody, so I don't have to say this again, it's Nanao!" Rangiku said loudly with a laugh. There were a few 'wow's around the table and they all told Nanao how nice she looked. They all talked and laughed getting the 'free' drinks.
"Oh look it's Ichi and Ruki!" Yoruichi said as she saw the two enter the lounge. Ichigo face palmed as soon as he saw the woman exaggeratedly waving to them… He had hoped for a nice quiet evening with Rukia… Clearly that wasn't going to happen.
"Sorry Rukia…" Ichigo mumbled as they sat down at a table near the others.
"What for?" she asked quizzically.
"I was just… Nothing, never mind," he said clamming up. He just couldn't tell her that he wanted to be alone with her. They were just friends after all, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship. She looked over at him and shrugged to herself. She was wishing the group wasn't their either.
After a couple hours the private room next to the bar began to get loud. There was whooping and singing and carrying on. Nanao looked around curiously when she thought she heard a familiar voice singing slurred and slightly off key. She looked over at Rangiku who shrugged innocently.
Suddenly the doors to the private room opened and out came none other than Shunsui his arm around one of his clients as they walked toward the bar since the drinks weren't coming fast enough. Shunsui's eyes fell to the group of ladies. He gave a sly smile to Nanao who quickly turned back to her drink.
"Excuse me for a moment," Shunsui said releasing his client as he turned to walk toward the women. "Well well, I do hope you lovely ladies are enjoying yourselves."
"Well of course, how could we not when you're picking up the tab," Yoruichi purred as she tipped her drink toward him and proceeded to drink the remainder of its contents. Nanao's eye twitched… Picking up the tab?... He's buying everyone drinks with company money?
"Now now Nanao, before you get upset…" Shunsui started as he stood next to her. Her glare was practically burning through him. "This is not only for client relations but also for company moral."
"Moral my ass. You always do this! Every week it's this party or that gala! You're going to put the company in the poor house!" Nanao yelled as she stood facing him. Shunsui began laughing. "And.. Just what is so funny?" she said in a perturbed tone as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"You're so cute when you're mad lovely Nanao…." He replied with a grin. Just as she was about to smack him he gently grabbed her arm and went into a dance move, spinning her quickly and dipping her. "Why don't you all come in and join the party? You too Ichigo, Rukia, enjoy yourselves!" he smirked still holding Nanao in his arms. As much as she wanted to be furious she could feel her cheeks flushed. He picked up her drink and handed it to her as he kept his right arm around her and lead her into the room with him.
"My my, and who is this Shunsui?" one of his clients asked as he eyed Nanao.
"This is my lovely Nanao," Shunsui replied. While he was still smiling there was a dark possessive tone when he said 'my'. As if to ward away any thoughts the man might have about trying to go after her.
After a couple hours Ichigo asked Rukia if she wanted to go someplace else. This definitely wasn't their type of scene. She nodded without a word and he lead her out and they walked down the street together. The silence between them was deafening.
"I…" they both started and then laughed at each other.
"Go ahead," Ichigo said with a slight smile.
"Well, I…" Rukia paused and then continued, "I had a nice time with you. I wanted to thank you for taking me out tonight." Rukia cursed herself in her mind, why couldn't she tell him how she really felt, about him.
"I had a good time too… Would have been better without the trouble makers, but it was still good," Ichigo replied with a slight laugh. "So… Did you want to go somewhere else? Or would you like me to walk you home?" Rukia looked at him and paused, thinking. She definitely wanted to spend more time with him but she didn't want all the interruptions.
"Do you want to come back to my place and have some tea?" she asked and immediately her gaze went to the ground and a rosy tint appeared on her cheeks. Ichigo smirk to himself, she looked so innocent.
"Tea sounds nice," he replied. So they kept walking toward her apartment.
Everyone at the club imbibed and partied until the early hours of the morning. Nanao had long since stopped drinking but every time she attempted to leave either Shunsui or Rangiku had stopped her. Eventually she ended up taking a seat by Jyuushiro who was the only one that was still fairly sober since Retsu had left earlier.
"How are you doing Nanao?" Jyuushiro asked with a gentle smile.
"Okay I guess… I just wish I could go home," she replied with a sigh and she put her hand over her mouth stifling a yawn. Jyuushiro laughed quietly and nodded.
"I can understand, it looks as though I'll be carting Shun around again…" he replied and they both looked over to find him leading a group dancing the Mambo. The two laughed as they watch his wild movements. It wasn't long before Shunsui walked up and pulled them both up and made them join in the dancing. Nanao hated to admit it but she was having fun and she let a laugh escape her lips. The music slowed down and Shunsui gently and gracefully took her in his arms holding her closely.
"Are you having fun Nanao?" Shunsui asked quietly. She silently gave a slight nodded. "That's good, that's all that matters to me…" She glanced at him a moment in confusion but lowered her gaze again assuming that it was merely the alcohol talking.
Eventually everyone began staggering out. Nanao was about to leave and an arm wrapped around her waist pulling her back. Shunsui rested his chin on her shoulder. "Can I walk you home?" he whispered.
"You look more like you need someone to walk you…" she said trying to maintain a cold tone.
"Oh well since you're offering, that would be very kind…" he said as he moved so that his left arm as resting around her shoulders.
"I didn't offer anything!" she squeaked. He looked down at her with a pouting look in his grey eyes.
"But lovely Nanao, it seems Jyuu has abandoned me…" he whined. She rubbed her forehead and let out a long sigh. He really didn't look to be in a condition to walk very far though so she shook her head giving in and began walking with him. "Thank you beautiful Nanao…" he whispered and his warm breath gave her goose bumps.
They walked on for some time. It had already been very late when they left and now the sky was starting to get a pink hue of the rising sun. They made it to a small house that was right on the water. It was a quaint place with a gorgeous view.
"I need to get home," Nanao said they stood at the front door.
"Why don't you stay? I can drive you home later," Shunsui said.
"No, no, I couldn't do that," she replied quickly as she stepped back.
"Cross my heart, I would never hurt you, I'll even sleep on the couch and you can have my bed," he said.
"No, I... I have to go!" she said as she tried to run off. Her ankle turned in her shoe and made her fall to the ground. Within a moment Shunsui was right there and picked her up. Despite her protesting he brought her inside. It seemed strange how sober he appeared now as he tended to her scrapped knee and put ice on her ankle.
"Rest now my Nanao…" he whispered as he ran a gentle hand through her hair taking in the soft scent of lavender from her. He quietly walked out of the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He lay down on the couch letting out a long sigh as he closed his eyes and attempted to get to sleep. But all he could see was her… Her smell was still on his clothes… He could hear the quiet laugh she let escape while they were dancing together… He'd never get to sleep at this rate. He pulled a pillow over his face groaning as his thoughts stayed focused on her…