Disclaimer: (glares) I'm sleepy. Do I really have to say this? Whatever. Bleach does not belong to me.
I apologize for the extremely late update. My laptop, with the incomplete version of this chapter, decided to crash and erase my hard work. I just got it back. Oh, and school started. I no longer have a cast, but I'm stuck in an ankle brace for six weeks. This sucks. But at least I can walk now.
After about an hour of socializing, Arianri and Kasumi had to say their farewells to everyone. Arianri was walking with a limp and had her left arm in a makeshift sling.
When they reached Kasumi's new apartment, they were pleasantly surprised by it. It had 5 rooms: a kitchen, a bathroom, two bedrooms, and a living room.
"Whoa… Yamamoto must like you a lot, mom." There was even some basic furniture, which included a couch, two futons, and a dresser.
"No, I think it has more to do with a status thing." Checking out the kitchen, they found an empty refrigerator. There were pots and pans in the cupboards, however.
"I'll have to go grocery shopping if we want to eat something tonight." Kasumi had not been impressed with the cafeteria food at the American Branch, and had given herself a crash course in cooking. This had resulted in fires at first, but she was a half-way decent cook by this point. She wouldn't starve to death.
"I'm going to go take a nap, then," Arianri announced, fleeing to one of the bedrooms before Kasumi could force her to come along.
She was prepared to do just that when there was a knock on her door. Rolling her eyes, Kasumi went to answer it.
"Howdy, new neighbor!" chirped the stranger. "I'm Rangiku Matsumoto! I live two doors down!"
Kasumi stared blankly at her for a moment, before remembering her manners. "I'm Kasumi Chimamire. The injured person is my mother." She indicated Arianri, who had poked her head out of the bedroom to see what was going on. She waved, then went back to catch a little sleep before her departure later that evening.
"Would you like come in?"
Matsumoto accepted the invitation and plopped down on the couch. Kasumi sat down beside her. "So, Kasumi, what Division are you in?"
"Ninth," she replied. Her neighbor's eyes grew wide, and then she started laughing extremely hard. "What's so funny?" Kasumi asked after a couple of minutes, confused as to Matsumoto's reaction.
Rangiku patted her on the back, tears streaming from her eyes in a comical fashion. "It's just ironic, I guess. I mean, with your scars and with Shyuuhei's—it's just funny!"
Kasumi smiled tentatively. "His scars are rather unique, I guess."
"You've met your new Captain?" Kasumi nodded. "Well, did he say anything about me?"
Kasumi frowned, thinking. Then she brightened. "Yes, he did mention you." Matsumoto leaned forward expectantly. "He said that I should make myself known to the Shinigami Women's Society, or else you would pound his head in."
This, of course, sent the 10th Division's Lieutenant into another fit of giggles. "He really said that?"
"Yes."
After she had stopped laughing, Matsumoto looked at Kasumi with renewed interest. "You don't look Japanese, where are you from?"
"I just transferred from the American Branch. I don't have the proper uniform yet, though, come to think of it." Kasumi stood up and rummaged through her duffel bag, bringing out a pen and pad of paper. She started scribbling things down. "In fact, I need to go shopping for a few things."
If Matsumoto had been a dog, her ears would be perked up and her tail would be wagging. As it was, she was nearly bouncing up and down with excitement. "Can I come?! Can I come?!"
Kasumi's eyes widened, a slightly scared expression on her face. She was getting a very bad feeling about this…
She sighed, giving in for now. "Sure, I don't know where anything is, anyway."
Matsumoto squealed and gave Kasumi one of her 'Hugs of Death'.
What have I gotten myself into? she vaguely wondered as she tried to breathe, Matsumoto's cleavage making it a difficult task.
"Matsumoto, you do realize that clothes—other than my uniform—were not on my list of things I need right now?"
"Call me Rangiku! And, in answer to your question—so what?"
Kasumi sighed and let herself be dragged through the store. "At least tell me why we're in the formal section?"
"You didn't know? I guess not. There is a formal event for all shinigami coming up in a month. Oh, and I know some guys that might be interested in you! I'll have to introduce you!"
"No thanks, I'd rather meet a guy on my own. The last time my friends tried to hook me up with someone, it was a little disastrous." She shuddered at the embarrassing memory. "Besides, if I don't have a date, I can escape that much faster."
"Not one for parties, huh? Well, we'll just have to change that!" Rangiku got a determined gleam in her eye that sort of scared Kasumi.
"They—my friends from when I was alive—said that too. Then I pulled a disappearing act and vanished for a week."
"That's a little over the top."
"It was rather hilarious, though. They even sent out a search party to find me." Matsumoto couldn't think of anything to say to this. Then, as she spied some nice dresses, she abruptly changed the subject.
"Try this, and this, and this! OH!!!! These too!!" She shoved at least ten different garments at Kasumi, guessing as to her size. Bewildered, the girl didn't protest as she was led to the fitting rooms and forced to try everything on.
She ended up buying a silver dress that hung from her neck and had an intricate string pattern in the lower back portion. It reached all the way to her ankles and it was simple in design. No unnecessary frills. Kasumi secretly liked it a lot—not that she would admit it anyone.
"I can't believe you wouldn't let me see it on you!" Matsumoto complained loudly as they headed towards a department store.
Kasumi smiled. "Actually, there is something on my back that is rather embarrassing. I'd prefer to keep it to myself, at least until the party."
"Seriously? What is it? Another scar?" Matsumoto was looking at her curiously.
She shook her head. "Well, it's really a tattoo." She glanced away, chagrined. She quickly looked at the shopping list so that she wouldn't have to discuss that topic anymore. "I need plates, silverware, glasses, and bowls. Not to mention food." She glanced at her new neighbor. "Oh, would you like to eat with us tonight?"
Exited over the prospect of a free meal, Matsumoto quickly agreed. As they bought the silverware though, she realized that she had never used a fork before, and mentioned this to Kasumi.
"Don't worry, it isn't that difficult. I'll teach you." Matsumoto watched with trepidation at what Kasumi was buying, wondering what could possibly be made from some of the things that were being loaded into the cart. What on earth could all that cheese be for?
"I need a set of knives…" Kasumi mumbled, pushing the cart towards that section. "Cutting boards too…"
Kasumi was positive that they had defied the laws of physics when they were able to carry everything back to her apartment. Matsumoto helped her put everything away, leaving out the things that Kasumi said she needed for dinner.
"What are you making?"
Kasumi looked up from slicing cheese. "An American dish, so be patient."
Once the thing—whatever it was—began to cook, Matsumoto was able to smell it all the way from the living room. Arianri decided to wake up right about then, as well. She looked half dead, with her hair messed up and dark circles under her eyes.
Matsumoto started getting antsy. "How much longer till it's done, Kasumi?"
The girl checked the timer. "Another ten minutes. Guess I'll make the salad now." She went to the refrigerator where she pulled out a prepackaged bag of salad that came with dressing and croutons. "We can eat this while we wait for it to cool down." Recognizing Arianri's questioning look through the sleepiness, she replied, "It's Caesar—and yes, it comes with its own parmesan cheese."
Satisfied, Arianri returned to staring blankly at nothing in particular until Kasumi handed her a bowl of salad and a fork. She woke up after that, digging in gratefully, ignoring the world.
After they were done with the greens, Matsumoto now had a basic grasp of what to do with a fork. Kasumi grabbed some plates from the cupboard and dished up the cheesy concoction that she had created previously.
Matsumoto carefully tried the food. Her eyes lit up. "This is great!" She started eating with great vigor.
"Glad you like it. It's macaroni, in case you were wondering. This homemade recipe is one hell of a lot better than that crap they put in boxes, believe me. Try it with ketchup."
It had taken awhile to get Matsumoto to leave the apartment after dinner. She would be back for breakfast and dinner the next day, she vowed. Kasumi got the distinct feeling that she was going to have to up her food budget and cut back on some fun things.
She wondered if Matsumoto would be willing to share some of the food costs, seeing as how Kasumi wouldn't dine alone ever again. At least, if her busty neighbor had anything to say about it.
Arianri left too, saying her goodbyes to her daughter. She had a ship to catch back in the living world. For some reason, she didn't like flying. ("If we were meant to fly, we'd have wings!" she had complained once.)
Kasumi got ready for bed, taking her shower now instead of in the morning when she would be pressed for time. Setting her alarm, she got the feeling that tomorrow would be a good day.
Oh, she thought it would rain, too.
College started today too!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! Updates will probably be few and far between, sorry guys. Feedback would be appreciated.