Chapter 2: Date Night

'Up…down…no, up…!' she thought. Yoruichi's dark iris locks cascaded down to her waist. She then intertwined her hair and fingers up into a messy bun. Of all days, today her mane decided to be incredibly unmanageable; she didn't know how to style it. Yoruichi ran some more oil through her hair. 'Down,' she finally thought, 'this will make me look relaxed and easy-going.' She had been flash-stepping up and down the Soul Society all day running errands, so she did not have much time to get ready after her bath. At least she smelled nice. She had bathed in water infused with vanilla and honey oils; she thought this fragrance would imply she was caring and sweet. Her skin and hair glowed under the light and were also incredibly soft; perfect to touch. She grinned at the thought of this mystery man's hands on her.

Yoruichi murmured to herself in front of the mirror, pinching and poking her face. She was nervous. 'What if he doesn't like me?' she thought, 'No, he will.' She would look her best tonight – he would not be able to take his eyes off her. Yoruichi rummaged through her drawers and found some old lipstick.

"'Sweet Grenadine'," it read. She tested the sunset pink-red hue on her moist lips, pouting.

"Perfect!" Yoruichi topped off her lips, adjusted her hair one more time then tried on her dress. She had found it in her wardrobe the night Rukia told her about the date. She went for a short coral peplum dress with a scoop neckline. It was fun, but classy. She swirled in the dress that exposed the skin on her back. The hairs on her neck erected at the thought of this man's lips there. Yoruichi embraced herself. 'You look fine, don't worry.' She hadn't been in a dress for a long time. She finished off by sliding on a pair of nude peep-toe platform heels and a pearl bracelet.

Yoruichi left her quarters just before moonrise. Tonight, she would get a lift to 'Bar Mado' like a princess should. Flash-stepping through the woods would do her no good; it was the first time she worried about messing up her hair and look. As she rode closer towards her match, she looked up at the sky – there were no stars.

"A blank canvas," she said to herself, "A fresh start."

Byakuya sat at a secluded table in the bar. Rukia was right – it was quiet. The walls and tables were walnut wood and most of the lights were candle-lit. The space had an earthy smell sweetened by the wild berry ornaments on the centre of each table. Soothing music warmed his ear as he looked up from the table. A few couples sat having drinks and a man was reading. He had been waiting for 13 minutes. He was early, but he was still waiting. 'Fault one,' he thought to himself. His ideal woman would have been early. He swirled the iced green tea in his glass and looked out the window. He had told himself he would not drink until she got here. 'She…this mystery woman…'

He imagined her scurrying in a lady-like manor over to his table, and bowing apologetically, 'Forgive me, Kuchiki-dono'. She would have beautiful glowing skin and black hair tied up. Ideally she would be in a modest, luxurious traditional garment of plain colour not to draw attention to herself. No jewellery, minimal makeup and certainly no sky-scraper heels. She would be noble.

'I haven't even met her yet and I'm always thinking about her.' This couldn't be good. It was highly likely this woman would not match his ideal; she would be a commoner. Did he really want to go through all the hassle of getting his elders to accept her, like what had happened with Hisana? He began to have second thoughts. Did he even want a relationship at such a time? Because of this arrangement he had to rush his work this evening.

'I did not think this through,' he thought. Byakuya got up to leave. As he turned, he couldn't have asked for worse. This Demon Cat, Shihouin Yoruichi entered the bar and had spotted him. She beamed at him. He quickly turned away, sitting down pretending he hadn't seen her. Yoruichi sat on a stool on the other end of the bar near the entrance, wondering what Byakuya was doing here. 'It's highly likely Yoruichi will try and converse with me if I try to leave,' he thought, 'I am not in the mood for her games.' He decided he would wait for his mystery girl. He could leave once Yoruichi was gone.

Byakuya had been waiting for 33 minutes now. She was very late. He took off his grey sheen slim fit suit jacket and rested it on his chair. He loosened his black tie and white shirt. 'Perhaps she is not coming,' he thought, slowing rubbing his temple. He felt stupid, angry. This was unacceptable. Byakuya stood up to leave again.

"Where are you going, Byakuya-bo?" His eyes twitched at the sound of that voice – the sound of that name which he hated being called.

"I was just leaving," he said, toting his jacket.

"Don't leave, have a drink with me!" Yoruichi asked, almost desperately. Byakuya just wanted to go home. He sighed and turned to face the princess. His eyes widened. He had not paid attention to her when she first entered the bar. He would never admit it, but she looked beautiful. The dress she wore revealled parts of her body he had never seen before; parts he wanted to see. He looked into her chrome eyes; she looked saddened. 'I will sit with her. Perhaps my mystery lady will turn up in time.'

"Very well," Byakuya uttered. Yoruichi smiled again and sat opposite him.

"You look tidy," she told Byakuya, signalling a waitress over to serve them. "Special night?"

"I had a meeting," he replied, finishing his green tea.

"This late? Must be some meeting," she said, watching him. A young girl came over to order their drinks. They both took sake – Byakuya insisting it be the finest one they had. "It's funny, because I was supposed to meet someone too." He said nothing. There was an awkward silence between the two. Yoruich's eyes searched the bar; it was only getting emptier. She tried to disguise her trembling lip and reddening eyes by smiling harder. Their drinks arrived and Yoruichi did not hesitate to toss it back. She requested the waitress "Bring some more over."

Byakuya gracefully sipped his sake. Yoruichi had drank so much she felt the alcohol burn under her skin.

"Do you want to know the truth, Byakuya?" He watched her mouth slur as she spoke. "I've been stood up. The great Princess Shihouin!" she exclaimed. He was slightly embarrassed; she was making a fool out of herself as usual. "I was supposed to be on a date tonight. Rangiku set me up with someone on that stupid Matchmaking service and he didn't show. I feel so stupid…" She wasn't going to cry – not in front of him. But she was tipsy so she had to pour out her sorrows to someone. Byakuya nearly choked as he sipped his drink. 'Of course,' he thought. He too felt stupid. 'It was her – she is the mystery woman. This was a mistake.' He was definitely going to leave now.

"That's unfortunate. Go home Yoruichi. Stop drinking." Byakuya stood up and placed some money on the table. He put on his jacket and left the bar. This suit, the questionnaire…it was all a waste of time. He should not have listened to Rukia.

Yoruichi watched him leave. It had been 1 hour and 40 minutes since she got here. She was alone in the bar and finally freed her tears. She envied Kisuke as he was not bothered by silly things like love. She raised her glass to drink, but the smell of the sake became sickly; she just tossed the glass aside. Looking up at the dark velvet sky with watery eyes, she saw a star.

"That star is alone."

Notes: Noouuuu Yoruichi-sama don't be sad! *Cries too* How could Byakuya do this? *Sob sob* Don't worry. In the next chapter when the truth is revealed Byakuya will know the true meaning of 'demon cat'! But what will it lead to then?