Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or it's Characters. Bleach (c) Kubo Tite

Chapter 9

I did fall asleep, but not for a long time. I opened my eyes and sat up. I heard 2 familiar voices speaking. It was Ukitake and Byakuya. They were both dressed in formal wear instead of their shinigami uniforms. Why were they here?

"Ah, she's awake." Ukitake said.
"She should be hungry by now." Yoruichi said.
"We'll give her time to get dressed."
"Ok. I'll get changed too."
"What's this all about?" I injected.
"Oh, we have orders from above to go on assignment tomorrow, so I thought we would celebrate your birthday tonight." Ukitake stated.
"Ok. I'll go get dressed." I said and bowed as I left for my room.

I wanted to wear something different than what I wore this morning. I wore a dark purple kimono earlier, so I wanted a different color. I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in." I said. It was Yoruichi already dressed in a yellow kimono with a flower pattern and a light blue obi, holding a light pink kimono in her arms.
"This is for you." She said. "It's tailored to your size. So it won't be so bulky on you."
I smiled as she began to dress me. She helped me tie my white obi in a large bow behind me. My hair was worn it with several sakura shaped combs in my hair. I looked very pretty in the mirror with my dark hair contrasting with my light colored face. My eyes were large and dark, they seemed a bit unfamiliar to me. I noticed the kimono I was wearing had a sparse sakura pattern on it. It was beautiful and soft.
"You look good, Hisana." Yoruichi said with a smile.
"Thank you, Yoruichi-san, for everything."

We walked to the entrance of the mansion where Ukitake and Byakuya were waiting. Ukitake reacted in a small blush with his mouth open. Byakuya barely glanced our way. There was an open aired, black horse drawn carriage waiting. I was very surprised! I did not even get such a treatment when I was alive. I was helped on to the carriage and sat next to Yoruichi while Ukitake and Byakuya sat across from us. Byakuya was right in front of me and I felt awkward looking at him. I kept my gaze outward looking at the scenery.
It was already completely night. There crickets chirping. The sound of the wheels and the steps of the horses had a nice rhythm to it.
"So how do you like living with Yoruichi, Hisana-chan?" Ukitake asked me.
"I like it very much, Mr. Ukitake."

"That is not how you address a captain." Byakuya scolded me.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Captain Ukitake-san."
"It's all right, we are not on duty at the moment."
"So, were are we headed to?"
"A Korean BBQ restaurant. I hardly ever have a chance to go there. But the food is excellent of you cook your meat well."
"Korean BBQ? What's that like?"

"You've never had it? I was sure they had some restaurants like that in Kyoto..."
"I never really ate at a lot of restaurants in Kyoto in my lifetime. ."
"That's unfortunate. But not to worry, you'll find out what it's like tonight." he said with a wink.
The carriage stopped and we arrived and a large restaurant that smelt like BBQ. When we walked in, I was amazed at what I saw. There were many tables with BBQ grills built into the tables! That was the most wildest thing I've ever seen in a long time. Weren't people worried about the risk of large fires?
We sat down at a table in the middle of the restaurant. The restaurant was mostly full and busy, but we seemed to attract everyone's attention. I took my place next to Yoruichi while the two men sat across from us. A drunken man with a short beard and long hair tied in a loose braid came to our table. His cheeks were rosy, and he had the most perverted smile I have ever seen.
"Jushiro and Byakuya eating, with beautiful women? Have I already passed out?"

"No, you haven't Kyouraku-san." Ukitake said.
"Oh, well if this is real then..." Kyouraku said while taking a seat next to me on the bench I was on. He scooted over right next to me and put his arm around me. He stunk of saki. I covered my nose and mouth with my hand. The smell was unbearable. I thought I would vomit.
"How are you doing tonight, miss lovely?"
"If I answer, will you not breathe heavily into my face?"
"Do I smell that bad?" Kyouraku sat back from me and asked.
Yoruichi and I at the same time said, "Yes."
"Well," Kyouraku said as he was standing up. "I will go home and wash up and return here. You ladies will be waiting?"
"I can't guarantee anything. We eat rather quickly."
Kyouraku sighed deeply and left.

"How did astinky perverted old man become a captain?" I asked in quiet shock.
"He may be a drunken pervert, but he is an excellent fighter." Yoruichi told me.
"Oh I get it! So he must be a drunken fist master! I've never seen one in action before." I said excitedly.
"That could be possible." Yoruichi said with her hand on her cheek. She had a huge smile on her face and it looked as if she was trying to prevent herself from laughing. Ukitake had the same expression. While Byakuya's eyes were closed and his face was calm.

"Did Byakuya fall asleep?" I asked in a whisper. Just then Byakuya opened his eyes and looked at me. "Maybe not."
A server brought out 2 plates of various meats to our table. I was excited to try out cooking on the grill. With my chopsticks, I placed out some meat on the grill. It sizzled nicely. I stared at it and nothing else and wondered when to turn it over. I poked at it with my chopsticks slightly, to see if underneath was cooked. When I felt good enough about the color, I turned them over so they were cooked on the other side. When it was done, I placed it on my plate. But instead of eating, I put more meat on the grill along with everyone else.

Yoruichi put some rice on my plate and motioned for me to eat. I took a bite of meat and rice, it was delicious! Shinigami sure knew how to eat. Except for Byakuya, who ended up not eating again. Maybe he was on a diet? After dinner was done, Ukitake pulled out a small box he had with him. It had a small bow on it.
"Happy Birthday, Hisana-chan." He said while handing it to me.
"Tiny dango?" I asked while holding the box.

"I did not have much time finding a gift, but I'm sure you'll like it."
I unwrapped the box to fine a beautiful sakura hairpin. It was different from the kind I was wearing. This was more delicate and detailed.
"Thank you, Captain Ukitake-san!"
"I'm glad you like it."
Yoruichi and I rode the carriage back to the Shihouin mansion while Ukitake and Byakuya said that they would walk back to where they lived.
"Yoruichi-san, why did Byakuya not eat anything tonight? He did not even eat at lunch with us."
"It's difficult for him to eat in front of a girl he likes."
"Oh, so he likes you?"

"Not at all. He likes you, I can tell."
"How do you know of such a thing?"
"I've know Byakuya since he was born. He may act cold and strange. But today around you he acted extra strange. Especially not eating anything. Byakuya is a man who likes to eat a lot."
"I'm just a new person, that's all."
"You sure act comfortable with everyone you meet. Well, when they're not drunken perverts."
"I don't think, he, thinks that way about me."

"You're too young to realize it right now, but in years you'll know what I mean." Yoruichi winked in my direction.
I didn't say anything else that night. I was pretty tired and wanted to sleep in. Next week coming would mean a change in my life. Like it hasn't changed enough already. I wanted to become a shinigami, even though I do not understand want it means to be one. I wanted to be like Yoruichi, and Ukitake, and maybe I could pull off a little bit of Byakuya when moments needed it. I laid down in my bed, and fell asleep quickly.