DISCLAIMER - see chapter 1
"Oto-san! The door!" Yuzu called as she bustled around the kitchen, Isshin breaking off his conversation with Tatsuki's mother to open the door, where Ishida and Ryuken stood side by side, the dark hair boy with his arms folded almost with his back to the older man.
"Ishida!" Tatsuki called from her place beside Karin on the sofa, the boy quickly entering and heading over, bowing slightly to Isshin as he passed. Heading inside Ryuken handed a bag to Isshin, who jovially greeted the Quincy into his home and was about to close the door when he heard the snow crunch at the end of his drive.
"Ichigo! How did it go?" He asked as his son and Rukia slowly made their way to the door, both carrying large metal tins, which he expected held the turkeys. Entering the room Ichigo slid his shoes off with difficulty before heading to the kitchen. Isshin took the tin Rukia was holding and took it for her,
"I checked them the way Yuzu told me and they seemed alright, and we got back as fast as we could." The redhead replied as he put his tin on the side, the honey haired girl swiftly opening the lid and cutting into the firm meat, which was, in her opinion, cooked. Doing the same with Isshin's she nodded in satisfaction before hurrying back to the over, stirring things on the stove, adjusting the temperatures and generally worrying about everything.
"Yuzu, let me help." Rukia said as she entered the kitchen, her legs bare since she had taken her boots off. With a grateful look the younger girl took her own turkey from the oven, checked it and pushed it aside, setting Rukia to work stirring the pots on the stove while she got the stuffing ready to go in.
"You two get out of the kitchen!" Yuzu ordered, shoving the two men towards the door before closing it behind them. Moving to the counter Ichigo took his coat off and gave Rukia a swift kiss before heading up to change out of his wet jeans. As he passed the door there was loud knock, and upon opening it he found Soi Fon and Byakuya, the noble pulling his hair out of the messy ponytail it was in.
"Konbanwa, come on in." Ichigo invited, taking their coats and hanging them up before directing them into the living room, though upon seeing his sister in the kitchen Byakuya headed over there to talk to her briefly. Soi Fon, finding herself alone, hovered by the door uncomfortably until Byakuya returned for her and guided her into the living room.
"Ah, you're Rukia's brother, right?" Tatsuki said as Soi Fon sat in the free easy chair and Byakuya leaned on the arm. At Tatsuki's question his sharp blue eyes turned to her, where she sat on the sofa with Ishida on one side and Karin on the other. Ishida held a wine glass filled with white wine, and Tatsuki's was now empty. Karin had orange juice for now since she was saving her one glass of wine for dinner. She wasn't allowed to drink too much at her age,
"Hai." Byakuya replied simply, an awkward silence falling across the group as they tried to find things to say or ask, none of them really knowing where to start.
"And you must be his girlfriend. I have to admit, you make a pretty picture." The sporty teen added, Soi Fon flushing slightly in discomfort as she looked up at the noble beside her,
"No, we're not together like that." She objected awkwardly, her head turning as there was another knock on the door. Ichigo, who was on his way downstairs in black trousers with a deep purple shirt, opened the door. On the doorstep he found Toshiro holding a lot of bags while Hisagi had Hinamori in his arms, the girl blushing in embarrassment,
"Hey, you okay?" Ichigo asked as he stepped back and let them in, Ryuken appearing as he sensed his services might be needed, Isshin not far behind. Hisagi swiftly deposited Hinamori on her feet, the girl blushing at all the attention she was drawing,
"Hai! Hai! I'm fine!" She insisted as she took her coat off, Ichigo swiftly taking it and hanging it with the others while Hisagi took off his shoes and jacket,
"The ice wasn't letting her shoes grip, so I carried her." Hisagi replied as Toshiro tossed his coat up to the pegs, Ichigo subtly reaching over to hook it securely when he wasn't looking. He doubted the young captain would appreciate being reminded of how short he was.
"It's a good thing you didn't go over in that pretty dress." Isshin complimented as he swept Hinamori into the room, the young Shinigami blushing brightly at his attention. Meanwhile Hisagi moved to Ishida, who was one of the few he recognised that he'd be able to talk to. He didn't fancy talking to Byakuya and Soi Fon, they were two of the most unapproachable captains he could think of, and he expected Toshiro had had enough of him already. It wasn't that they didn't get on, just that they'd been trying to make small talk for the past hour; only Hinamori could get a conversation going as they walked.
"Hisagi-san." The young Quincy greeted, Hisagi nodding as he leaned on the arm of the sofa. Toshiro swiftly made his way to Karin's side and fell into deep and easy conversation with her. Tatsuki was still making small talk with Byakuya and Soi Fon, who had settled a little now, though they were still somewhat aloof. Hinamori was talking happily with Tatsuki's mother and Isshin, while Ryuken listened, rarely having anything to add.
"Excuse me." Isshin said as he heard the phone go near the kitchen. Making his way over to picked up the wireless phone and answered, his voice ringing out a few moments later, "Tatsuki-chan! It's for you!" He called, the sporty teen swiftly making her way over.
"Hai! Merry Christmas Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime said brightly as she held her mobile to her ear. She sat on the stairs, listening to the loud chatter in the other room, where Renji and Jinta were setting the table. Ulquiorra had been helping her, Ururu and Tessai in the large kitchen while Yoruichi and Urahara had been finding glasses.
"How is it at the shop?" Tatsuki asked on the other end over the loud chatter. It seemed that quite a party was going on from what Orihime could hear, and she recognised most of the voices too. At Tatsuki's question Orihime lost a little of her enthusiasm, quickly covering it up with her usual bright tone,
"Hai! It's good! Everyone's having fun!" She replied, hearing the pause on the other end that told her Tatsuki had caught her.
"Orihime, I know you well enough by now…Did something happen? Ulquiorra didn't do anything to you did he?" She asked almost threateningly, the redhead laughing nervously at the thought that Tatsuki might rush there and give Ulquiorra a beating.
"No…not exactly…" Orihime replied quietly as she leaned back on the wooden wall and pulled her knees up to her chest, looking down to make sure no one was listening in. Ulquiorra had kept his promise, and she appreciated it, but she had told him before she left that she'd be right back after her phone call. Hopefully he understood…
"What happened?" Tatsuki asked, almost with a sigh in her voice,
"Gomen Tatsuki-chan, I always seem to put my problems on you." The redhead apologised with a small smile as she heard a chuckle on the other end,
"What else am I here for? Now spill it." The sporty teen ordered,
"Ano…I guess it might seem silly, but…I think Ulquiorra might be…may be…going off me a little." Orihime replied hesitantly, shivering slightly in the cold. The house itself wasn't cold, but since she had been in the kitchen cooking with all the heat she now felt cold on the dark empty stairway.
"What? Why do you think that? He was totally stuck on you at the Ball!" Tatsuki reasoned, the noise in the background lessening as she moved to a quieter location, obviously sensing this was private.
"I know, but…Over the past few days he's been distant…When he holds me he gets uncomfortable and goes upstairs, when he bumps me he turns away, and I can't seem to get him to tell me what's wrong at all." Orihime explained, hearing Tatsuki's thoughtful hum on the other end. That had been Orihime's reaction too; she honestly had no idea what to do.
"Have you tried just pushing him against the wall and kissing him?" The sporty teen teased, a blush creeping across the redhead's cheeks as she giggled nervously,
"No-no, but…Christmas Eve we almost…I mean, he leaned towards me like he was going to, but…he turned away at the last minute…I just don't know what to do! I've tried being distant today, but he doesn't react to it at all, he just carries on as normal…" Orihime explained, feeling troubled by the whole experience. She liked to think that she and Ulquiorra had a good relationship; it may not be completely normal or without problems, but, I thought we were close…
"Have you thought that maybe he's just nervous? Or maybe he doesn't know what to do. I say, next time you get the chance, just do it!" Tatsuki advised, the redhead blushing at the thought of making the first move. What if she's wrong, and he really has gone off me? "And don't you dare start hesitating about it! What's the worst that can happen? He apologises and says he doesn't want to, right? Well that's not so bad." The sporty teen added,
"Hai! Arigato Tatsuki-chan." Orihime thanked brightly, already feeling a little better as she listened to her friend talking about the party in the other room. Byakuya and Soi Fon were still sitting uncomfortably, not letting themselves get drawn into any conversations, though everyone else had settled into groups. "Ano, does anyone there want to talk to anyone here?" Orihime asked, thinking that at least someone might want to speak to Renji or Urahara.
"Hang on I'll check…Could you put Yoruichi on?" Tatsuki asked after a moment, the redhead hurrying back to the kitchen and handing the phone to the older woman, who took it with a puzzled expression before braking out in a grin,
"Soi Fon!" She cried gaily as she headed into the living room, talking animatedly with the younger Shinigami. As she returned to cutting vegetables Orihime snuck a glance at Ulquiorra, who was staring intently at the pan of gravy he had been told to look after, I wonder how he'd react if I just kissed him…
"Everyone seems to be enjoying this get together." Toshiro stated as he appeared at the door to Karin's room. The dark haired girl had decided to head upstairs to grab a warmer top, her white shirt not really keeping out the cold. At the sound of Toshiro's voice she turned away from the draw she was looking through with a grin,
"I know, my dad's in his element!" She replied as she turned to the white haired boy and leaned on the chest of drawers. Toshiro nodded in agreement as he headed further inside, "Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to go into a lady's room uninvited?" Karin asked jokingly,
"I didn't see a lady in here." Toshiro replied with false seriousness, giving her a small smile as she scowled at him. The sporty girl gave him a smile of her own as he crossed and sat on her bed, Yuzu's lying neatly made on the opposite side of the room. Pulling out a white jumper Karin pulled it over her head with a slight frown,
"What do you think?" She asked as she tugged at the roll neck uncertainly,
"It'll keep you warm." Toshiro replied matter-of-factly as he looked across at her, the young girl sighing as she sat next to him, an easy silence falling between them. Toshiro's aqua gaze shifted to the young girl at his side with a slightly uncertain heir. It's strange how she affects me…She's so young…
"What are you looking at?" Karin said teasingly as she jabbed his arm lightly, Toshiro giving her a warm look as he got to his feet,
"Nothing. Here." He added as he tossed her a small package, the girl catching it with ease and looking at it with a raised eyebrow, "I saw it and thought of you." He added as he watched her rip the red paper away to reveal a box. She grinned as she opened the box to find a watch with a leather strap and a football background behind the hands of the ticking clock.
"Oh yeah, this is me." Karin replied as she slipped on the watch and admired it, surprised that it actually fit, I guess Toshiro-kun got lucky with the size. "Oh wait, I got you something too." She replied as she took the older boy's hand and dragged him towards the door, his aqua eyes wide at her bold actions.
Dragging him down the stairs Karin didn't notice her father's sharp look as she headed towards the Christmas tree, only searching a few moments before she found the neatly wrapped gift with Toshiro's name on it. Passing it to him she watched expectantly as he turned it over in his hands. It was a lot like his in shape, but slightly heavier as he tested it.
"Go ahead and open it." The young girl insisted, Toshiro nodding his response as he peeled the paper away to reveal a long thin black box, and upon opening it he was surprised to find a pen. It was a strong, metal looking pen, sleek and silver in colour with his name in gold running along the side.
"You had this done for me?" He asked as he pointed out the golden characters, the dark haired girl nodding in response.
"You seem the type that needs a good pen." She said with a grin, Toshiro smiling in response as he closed the box, fully intending to put that pen to good use once he returned to his office. There's going to be a pile of paperwork waiting for me. He thought, almost sighing, "Hey! Let's join in with the game!" Karin exclaimed as she grabbed Toshiro's hand and dragged him towards his sister, who was playing a card game with Rukia and Ichigo. As he was dragged Toshiro felt his heart beat just a little faster, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly.
Hanataro sighed as he sat on his sofa and looked out at the darkening sky. It was Christmas, and a lot of people were with their families, but not him. He'd volunteered to work since he didn't have anyone to visit, and now that his shift was over he was alone; just like last year. He expected Unohana or Kotetsu might drop by later, but aside from that it was just him.
With a sigh he got to his feet and went to his small tabletop sized tree, which sat in the corner near the door. He turned on the coloured lights and admired them for a few moments before going into the kitchen and starting on dinner. Since it was Christmas he'd decided to treat himself, buying a nice salmon to go with his rice. He wrapped it in foil with butter and lemon before putting it in the oven and putting the rice in the cooker.
Turning to the tree he smiled as he saw the small pile of presents waiting to be unwrapped. I have more this year than I've ever had before. He realised as he looked over the pile. He'd had one from Rukia and Ichigo, Renji, Rin, Yumichika, Ikkaku, Yachiru, Unohana and Kotetsu as well as a few others from his squad. Surprisingly there were a few from girls he had never met before, which confused him somewhat. He had even double checked with the Shinigami delivering them to make sure he had the right house.
"Maybe I should buy one of those televisions or CD players…At least it wouldn't be so…quiet…" He trailed off with a sigh he heard the rice cooker beep to tell him it had finished. Getting to his feet he wandered into the kitchen, almost shrieking out loud as he saw the figure in his window, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Hana-Hana!" Yachiru cried as she knocked on his window, the medic sighing in relief as he opened it and let the small girl in, watching as she giggled and ran around before stopping and staring at him, "Where've you been Hana-Hana? I came to get you earlier." She beamed as she bounced up and down on the sofa.
"I was working, what did you need?" He asked in confusion, unable to think of any reason for her to visit on Christmas unless it was just to say hello.
"To invite you to the party!" She replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She hopped to the floor and hurried into the kitchen, looking in the oven hungrily as she smelt the fish. Salmon was quite expensive, so she rarely had it,
"Party?" Hanataro asked, checking on the rice and stirring it.
"Hai! The Eleventh Squad Christmas Party! We have it every year!" She replied excitedly, the medic grimacing at the very idea. If he went into the Eleventh Squad barracks he had no doubt that he would be torn apart, especially with Yumichika and Ikkaku in the real world for the holiday.
"I don't think that's a very good idea Yachiru-chan." The medic objected sheepishly as she small girl looked up at him, her saddened, pleading expression making him want to change his mind.
"Please Hana-Hana! Ken-chan wants to meet you too." She added, though if anything that just decreased Hanataro's willingness to go. He had run into Kenpachi before, however he'd managed to avoid any confrontation; he'd just continued with his work.
"I'm still not sure that's very…" He trailed off uncomfortably as Yachiru gave him the look again, his heart strings tugging in one direction while his self preservation pulled in the other. I really wish Yumichika was here right now! "Alright! I'll go." Hanataro replied reluctantly. Why do I have the feeling this is a very bad idea?
"Yay! Come on Hana-Hana!" Yachiru insisted as she tugged at Hanataro,
"Right now? I haven't eaten yet." The medic objected, determined not to miss out on his salmon dinner. It was the one thing he'd had to look forward to all day. "Have you tried salmon before Yachiru-chan?" He asked as he turned back to the rice, finding it was ready to eat.
"Hai, once I did." She replied, remembering the time Kenpachi had defeated every man in one of the Rukongai distracts. She forgot which one exactly since they were always moving around, but she did remember that after the defeat the villagers treated them like kings. They were given a hearty meal just to encourage them to leave. She'd thought it odd at the time to encourage people to leave by feeding them, since animals usually stayed around if you fed them.
"I usually save up each year to buy some. Would you like to try it?" He asked as she took the foil packet from the oven and opened it, the hot steam releasing a salmon aroma. At the pink haired girl's not Hanataro got another bowl and set of plates ready, dividing his food up, glad that he'd gotten used to cooking large portions. It wasn't unusual for Yachiru to stop by now, and Yumichika had told him to eat better too, so he'd started cooking more.
"Itadkimasu!" Yachiru cried before digging in, her cheeks reddening slightly as her honey eyes shone. Hanataro had the same look when he ate something he really liked, and as he ate he noticed the small girl had stopped shovelling her food as she usually did and was taking the time to truly appreciate it.
"How is it?" Hanataro asked with a smile, noticing how the girl beside him seemed so much older than she had a few moments ago. He knew they were the same age, but with her childish nature she rarely seemed it, and her younger looking face helped improve the image that she was a little girl.
"It's really good Hanataro." She complimented, Hanataro blushing at the sound of his full name on her lips. He'd expected a 'Hana-Hana' or no name at all, after all Yachiru gave nicknames to everybody. He hadn't even thought she remembered his full name.
"A-arigato Y-Yachiru." He replied hesitantly, purposely leaving the honorific off. Taking a sidelong glance at her he noticed a slight flush on her cheeks as she smiled at him. This is kind of…nice…He thought as they continued to eat quietly with none of the usual energy and activity at the table.
"Why didn't the skull go to the New Year party?" Tatsuki read, everyone around the table shaking their heads, "Because he had no body to go with." She concluded, tossing the cracker's joke aside as she searched for her hat, which was green. Putting it on her head she returned her attention to the table, where everyone had lapsed into quiet conversation again.
At the left head of the table Isshin sat with Tatsuki's mother on one side and Ryuken on the other. Ishida had refused to sit beside his father, and had opted to go next to Tatsuki, who was beside her mother. Not really caring where she sat Karin was next to him with Toshiro on her other side, and on Toshiro's free side was Yuzu. Not wanting to sit with strangers Yuzu had given Rukia a pitiable look and the Shinigami had taken the seat beside her at the right head of the table. Beside Rukia, Ichigo sat across from his youngest sister, and to his other side Byakuya was sitting with Soi Fon beside him. No one had been keen, but the seat beside her went to the bravest, Hisagi, and Hinamori was beside him, and next to Ryuken.
All around the table crackers had been pulled, the debris strewn throughout the plates and bowls along with various trinkets such as key rings, miniature playing cards, jigsaws and pens. Everyone around the table, including Byakuya after a little convincing, wore a paper crown, all varying in colours.
"Alright, pass around the wine and dig in." Isshin said from his end of the table, which had been fully extended to its maximum capacity, moved a little further out than usual to make more room. At his words chatter and clatter broke out as people passed bowls of vegetables and jugs of gravy back and forth. Ichigo got to his feet with the bottle of white wine and walked down the table filling glasses.
"Just the one remember." Ichigo said with a wink as he poured out Karin's second glass, the older twin grinning at her brother gratefully. Yuzu was on her first glass, but not liking alcohol that much she wasn't bothered about having another glass.
"Ichigo, I saw that." Isshin called, the redhead grinning in response as he patted his sister's head, his father sighing and shrugging it off, it is Christmas.
"Would you like some?" Hisagi asked as he picked up the brussel sprouts and spooned a few onto his plate. Hinamori didn't have much experience in seasonal vegetables like these so she just nodded, unsure whether she would like them or not. Seeing her wary expression Hisagi spooned only a few onto her plate before passing the bowl across to Ryuken.
"Could you pass the potatoes?" Karin asked, looking around Toshiro towards Ishida, who complied and passed them to Toshiro, who stole a few before passing it on.
"Rukia, do you want the gravy?" Ichigo asked as he finished with it, the ebony haired girl nodding before taking it from him.
"Could I get another lemonade?" Ryuken asked as he went to get to his feet, opting for the non-alcoholic since, technically, he was on call, and he was driving.
"I'll get it." Isshin insisted as he put a hand on his old friend's shoulder and headed to the kitchen.
"Oka-san, could I have some stuffing?" Tatsuki asked, her mother spooning a little onto her plate with a smile. The sporty girl sat back and looked around, finding it odd to be at a dinner table at Christmas without Orihime sitting next to her, or across from her. I wonder how she's doing…