AN: Hi all, I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Thanks to ScarletKira, that person who forgot to login, TsukiakariNoMichi and DayDreamer-BleachLover for the nice reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy the story. Yes, I'm writing this note after the fact, thus the thanks to people that have review this chap. :) Forgot to do the disclaimer, so I figured I'd put in a few quick words here. Oh yes, and the song you'll see below is She's Got a Way by Billy Joel, another thing that I don't own. ;) Enjoy! Please R & R.
Disclaimer Time: **I don't own BLEACH, or any of it's characters.**
Ichigo woke bleary eyed. They had stayed up so late the previous night. They? He sat up quickly and glanced to his left… Rukia looked angelic as she lay sleeping peacefully. They didn't… Did they?... He pulled the covered up peering down and his pants were still on…He sighed quietly in slight relief. He hadn't wanted to rush into this. He tried to remember what had happened…
"It seems we're out of tea," Rukia said with a frown at the couple drops that came out of the pot dripping into Ichigo's cup.
"I suppose I should be going then…" Ichigo replied. There was silence for what seemed like an eternity as the two stared at each other.
"You don't have to," Rukia whispered.
"What?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"You… don't have to go," she replied bringing her gaze to meet his. He smiled gently and nodded as he rested back into his chair. "Oh, I have an idea." She rose from her chair and walked into the kitchen. She opened a high cabinet and was clearly reaching for something. Ichigo stifled his laughter seeing her attempts at reaching whatever it was. He got up and walked over standing behind her.
"Need some help?" he asked a slight smile on his face. She looked over her shoulder at him and pointed to a bottle on the upper shelf. He reached it with ease placing it on the counter. "Sake huh?..." he said looking at the bottle.
"I have been saving it for a special occasion," she replied with a smirk as she quickly went and got new cups and brought them and the bottle to the table.
"Special occasion?" he echoed questioningly. She said nothing, simply smiling in reply as she handed a cup to him. She walked over to the radio turning it on. A song started quietly,
"She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere"
He couldn't help the smile that came to his face. He stood from his seat taking her in his arms and they slowly danced as the song continued on….
"She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere"
"She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her
And ev'rywhere she goes a million
Dreams of love surround her ev'rywhere"
"She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me, I get turned around oh oh oh"
"She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her any way"
The two danced, laughed and talked into the wee hours of the morning. They both began yawning heavily. "I suppose I really should go…" Ichigo said as he noticed the sky starting to lighten out the window.
"Stay…" Rukia replied as she looked up at him. He smiled placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I don't want to rush this," he told her sincerely.
"Just stay, until I fall asleep?" she requested. He looked at her softly and nodded. She led him to the bedroom and they lay down. She nestled herself close to him with her head upon his chest. He gently wrapped an arm around her and they were soon both sleeping.
He lay back down sighing at the memory and continued to watch Rukia sleep.
Jyuushiro walked up the street trying to shake the slightly guilty feeling he had after sneaking out of the party the previous night. He had the best intentions but still wondered if Shunsui had made it back to his house in one piece. He had hoped that the situation might bring Shunsui and Nanao together; he just hoped that it didn't get Shunsui into any trouble…
In his meandering he noticed a new café. He walked in and the heavenly aroma of fresh baked pastries and coffee hung in the air. He looked into the case that displayed the beautiful confections pondering what he should have.
"May I help you?" a quiet voice asked. Jyuushiro looked up and couldn't help the surprise that flashed across his face.
"I didn't know you had a second job Nemu," Jyuushiro said.
"There was no reason for you to know. May I take your order?" she replied in a monotone voice. He smiled softly at her then looked at the menu board behind her.
"What would you suggest?" he asked.
"All of the products sold here are satisfactory. There is a line forming behind you, please make your selection," Nemu told him despite her words her tone didn't display any impatience, it really didn't display anything. She was always very reserved and attempted to remain emotionless.
"You know you're not going to make a lot of sales with a pitch like that!" Jyuushiro said with a soft laugh. She stared blankly at him and he cleared his throat feeling quite awkward. "I suppose I'll have a medium green tea and one of those peach pastries."
"Very well then, your total is $4.31," she said quickly ringing up his order. He pulled out a five from his pocket and handed it to her. "Please have a seat where you like and your beverage and pastry will be brought to you." He nodded giving another smile as he moved off toward one of the tables at the front windows.
After sitting for a bit he heard a commotion. He looked over toward another table where Nemu had brought an order to an already impatient man. Nemu stood taking his berating without saying a word.
"Can't you get anything right? I wanted the apple strudel and the blueberry latte! Not an apple cider and blueberry scone! You're completely useless! Not to mention that you've got no personality what-so-ever! I can't believe this! I've been waiting forever and you screw it up!" the man yelled throwing his hands in the air managing to flip the tray out of Nemu's hand. "Great you can't even hold a tray! What sort of excuse for a server are you?" standing getting within inches of her as he continued his tirade.
Jyuushiro stood quickly after seeing this scene. He walked over attempting to remain calm at the sight of this man's verbal assault on Nemu, who remained indifferent about the entire situation. "Sir, I believe you've made your point, I'm sure that they can get you a new order…" Jyuushiro said as he maneuvered himself between the man and Nemu.
"Why don't you mind your own business? Or is this little useless bitch your girlfriend?" the man scoffed.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Jyuushiro asked as his right hand balled into a fist at his side.
"Alright, that's quite enough!" the café manager said walking over to the two men. "I am going to have to ask you to leave sir…" he told the disgruntled customer.
"I hope this shop goes under!" the bitter man barked as he turned and walked out.
"My apologies Mr. Setsuno, but the order in the system stated that he wished for the beverage and pastry that I brought…" Nemu stated.
"That's the least of my worries Nemu, are you alright?" the manager Mr. Setsuno asked.
"Yes, I am fine. I will get back to work directly sir," she replied as she went to pick up the tray and clean up the mess the man had made.
"Nemu, why don't you take a break…" he replied gently as he took the tray from her. "I'll take care of this."
"But…" she started and he quickly cut her off telling her to relax and that it was time for her break anyways. She sat down at a table in the rear corner of the room and Jyuushiro had followed her.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked as he put a hand on the seat next to hers. She simply shook her head motioning for him to take the seat. "Can I ask you a question?" he said as he sat.
"I thought you already had," she replied.
"Well, another question then…" he said with a laugh.
"As you wish," she told him.
"Why are you working here?" Jyuushiro asked. She looked over at him and nervousness flashed in her eyes for a second. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" she replied quietly.
"That didn't look like nothing? Are you in some sort of financial trouble that you have to work here? I'm sure that…" Jyuushiro started and she stopped him mid-sentence.
"It's nothing like that. I just…" Nemu paused she couldn't tell him… Her eyes fell for a moment as she looked at the bruise on her arm and quickly pulled her sleeve down.
"Nemu…" Jyuushiro said as he softly took her hand in his and pushed her sleeve up to reveal a bruise in the form of a hand clutching at her arm. "Someone is hurting you?" he looked at her with concern.
"It's alright… I do a lot of stupid things," she replied taking her hand back and tugging her sleeve down.
"This isn't alright Nemu… There's nothing you could do to deserve being treated this way…" he replied gently.
"He's just protecting me. I can be really foolish, so he has to protect me," she told him her eyes remained down as she spoke.
"Mayuri?..." Jyuushiro asked he knew that Nemu's older brother had always seemed over-protective but he never thought that he would go so far as to hurt her.
"I have to get back to work now," Nemu said as she stood.
"Please, wait Nemu…" Jyuushiro said as he stood also.
"Everything is fine Mr. Ukitake," she told him.
"No, it's not…." He told her and paused. She turned around looking at him. "Call me Jyuushiro," he told her with a smile. "Do you mind if I stop by here later?"
"No," she replied..
"See you soon!" he said smiling as he began walking out he turned back and waved to her. She gave a small wave and watched him exit through the door.
" See you, Jyuushiro…" she whispered quietly and went back to work.
Nanao woke with a start looking around at the unfamiliar room. She remembered why she was there as soon as she went to move her feet and her ankle throbbed. She paused looking around the room and was a bit surprised at how calming the colors were. The walls a cocoa color, the sheets were a pleasant cream color and the curtains and other accent pieces were a deep burgundy color. She would have figured his room to be more vibrant and obnoxiously colored, and not nearly as clean.
She was finally able to swing her legs off the bed and her feet set upon the floor and began her attempt to get up but the floor was… very soft and warm… and… Moving… She gasped as a moan escaped Shunsui's lips. She skittered back onto the bed and Shunsui sat up from the floor. He smiled lazily at her through slightly glazed eyes.
"Good morning lovely Nanao…" he said giving a slight wave.
"What… What are you doing on the floor?" she asked surprise still on her face.
"I must have walked in my sleep," he replied shrugging still smiling. She raised a disbelieving eyebrow and narrowed her eyes on him. "Scouts honour." He told her. Granted that wasn't the truth but he didn't really want to say why he had really come in…
Shunsui had been tossing and turning on the couch when he heard something. It sounded like crying… He followed the sound to his bedroom. He stood silently at the door. He could hear her quiet sobs as she muttered in her sleep.
"Why... why did you do it?... Wasn't this life enough for you?..." her bitter words choking out. "Lisa.. You weren't supposed to leave me alone like this…" she sobbed speaking of her older sister who had commit suicide a few years ago.
Shunsui slowly and silently opened the door. He slipped in trying not to make a sound. He sat down on the floor next to the bed placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "It wasn't your fault Nanao…" he whispered. He had known Lisa; they had been good friends. It came as a shock to everyone who knew her when the word that she had commit suicide came out. "I'll never leave you…" he said as he held her hand and watched over her.
After a while she quieted down and he lay down on the floor next to the bed. Finally he could rest… Being near her seemed to ease his soul…
"Shunsui?" Nanao asked waving a hand in his face as he stared off lost in memory.
"Why don't we get breakfast?" he said as if he hadn't missed a beat.
"I really should get going… Besides, where would I go to breakfast like this?" she asked still wearing her dress from the previous night. He smiled widely, she hadn't said no.
"I can take you to your apartment to get changed and we can go to that cute diner next to Kaoru's Bookstore," he told her. She paused pondering a moment and gave in allowing a little smile to form on her face.
"I guess you probably wouldn't give up anyways so I we might as well," she replied.
"Perfect," he said as he walked over to his closet. He began pulling his shirt off and Nanao's cheeks blazed red as she stared at his muscular form.
"What are you doing?" she yelled as she put her hands over her eyes. He turned around, still shirtless and walked over to her pulling her hands down from her face.
"Well I can't exactly go in this wrinkled up suit now can I?" he asked with a smirk. Her cheeks flushed more as she took in the sight of him. She bit her lip and looked away. "You can wait in the living room if you want to…" he said gently letting go over her hands.
She nodded silently and went to make a quick exit. Unfortunately her ankle wasn't willing to let a quick escape occur. As soon as she put all her weight on her injured ankle she began to cringe shrinking down. Shunsui went over to her and put an arm around her waist guiding her to the bed. He looked at her ankle and it was bruised pretty well from the previous night's fall.
"You wait right here…" he told her and walked off to the bathroom. He got some pain reliever lotion and a bandage to wrap her ankle. He took her ankle in one hand and gently rubbed the liniment on as she winced a bit at first. "I didn't figure you for such a big baby Nanao," he teased. She made a perturbed face at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed quietly as he finished wrapping her ankle with the bandage. "There, wait a few minutes and the pain reliever should kick in." He walked back to the closet picking out a random outfit and walked back to the bathroom to change.
Nanao's ankle began feeling better as they walked out to Shunsui's car to head to her apartment. He helped her into the car and walked around getting in himself. He pressed a button on the dash causing the entire roof of the car to slide back into the trunk. Nanao looked up at the perfectly blue sky and sighed quietly. Shunsui glanced over with a sideways smile before starting the car and getting on their way.
Shunsui took them on a bit of a scenic indirect route to her apartment but Nanao was actually too busy enjoying the gorgeous view of the coast to pay much attention to the fact that what should have been a twenty minute drive turned into an hour.
"I'll wait here," Shunsui said as they pulled up to her building.
"How do you know I'll come back then?" she replied trying not to smirk.
"Well if you're inviting me up, I'll be happy to accompany you. I'd hate for you to injury yourself again," he said with a laugh as he got out of the car and quickly went to her side to open the door for her. She rolled her eyes at him as he put a hand out to help her out of the car.
"How did I let him talk me into this…" she mumbled to herself.
"What was that?" Shunsui asked curiously.
"Nothing…" she replied as she walked toward her building with Shunsui in tow.
"Good morning Miss Ise! Oh my, who is this handsome young man?" the elderly building manager asked.
"Good morning Mrs. Yoshino. He's just a friend. Shunsui, this is my landlord Mrs. Yoshino, Mrs. Yoshino this is Shunsui Kyoraku," Nanao said introducing the two.
"My, my, I never knew all the ladies in this building were so beautiful…" Shunsui said with his most charming smile as he took Mrs. Yoshino's hand and placed a soft kiss on it.
"Oh stop it!" Mrs. Yoshino said giggling as she waved her other hand in front of her face.
"It was nice to meet you Mrs. Yoshino, I hope to see you again," Shunsui said with a grin.
They continued on to her apartment and went inside. Her small apartment as immaculate as Shunsui had expected. But when he started to look around he noticed the small sweet personal touches. A few black and white photographs placed on the walls that displayed her affection for those close to her.
There were side by side photos of the female group from their office, on the right everyone was perfectly serious and to the left they were all making faces and in silly poses. There was a photo of Nanao and a clearly very drunk Rangiku. Another of Nanao looking as though she were almost getting the life squeezed out of her by Yoruichi. Lastly was a picture of Lisa and Nanao with matching Christmas stocking caps on with a glowing lit pine tree behind them. He had spent so much time looking at the photos that he didn't realize she was standing right behind him.
"Ready to go?" Nanao asked. He tried not to be surprised by she could tell by the quick breath he took in that he had been absorbed in looking at something.
"Sure, let's go," he said as he put an arm around her shoulder and turned them toward the door.