Chapter 13: Dance with Me

Me: *sniff* I didn't know you guys cared so much! TTwTT. I love you all so much! *glomps everyone* So please enjoy this longer and more romantic chapter.

Gin: Diving into the romance already are we?

Me: What do you mean already? We're on the thirteenth (fourteenth if you count the prologue) chapter already! Plus I think this story is really overdue for a dose of romance.

Naoko: I'll say.

Me: One more thing, if you guys dislike Reginald now...*starts cackling evilly* You're going to absolutely hate him as the story goes on.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or Swan Lake, just a slew of OCS*

Oliver sighed with a touch of irritability. "Honestly how long does a woman need to put on a dress? I mean seriously!"

"It's not just that but woman also has to put on her make-up, do her hair and there are three of them which means it'll probably take longer since they'll have to share the bathroom mirror." Yumichika explained.

"I never really gave into the debate of whether you were homosexual or not Yumichika but after hearing that I think might have to agree with those who think you are gay." Uryu replied.

The feathered Reaper gave an indignant snort, "This coming from the man who sews better than most professional seamstresses and let's not forget your penchant for making dresses."

Before Uryu could let loose a retort the girls' hotel room door opened. Nemu wore a long strapless black dress with green sequins on the bodice and hem. She had a matching clutch and stole draped around her arms. Her hair had been swept partially down her ears and pulled into a chignon bun. Angelica wore a knee length crimson red dress decorated with gold flowers on one side and sleeves that were off her shoulders. Her hair was worn down in a cascade of natural blonde curls.

Naoko stepped out last and Yumichika's breath caught in his throat. She wore a floor length satin lilac (wisteria some would argue) dress. The some of the fabric came together like a belt around her waist cinched with a glittering crystal belt buckle. She wore a matching jacket with three quarter inch sleeves. Her navy hair had been pulled into a bun adorned with a small crystal tiara.

Ugh, why did she have to choose such a disgusting color? Kujaku grimaced.

But Yumichika ignored him, far too captivated by Naoko's beauty. She looked up and her blue eyes shyly met his.

"How do I look?" She asked softly.

Yumichika gapped a few times like a floundering fish but he soon found his voice. "You look...absolutely beautiful."

Naoko felt her heart lighten and pick up speed. She shyly looked away out of some new habit she developed when Yumichika complimented her. The Quincy princess couldn't understand why out of all the people she's ever received compliments from Yumichika had the knack for making her blush and feel shy. So she decided to see if she could return the feeling.

"You look quite handsome yourself." She replied honestly.

Yumichika and the other two men were dressed in tuxedos with different colored ties. Oliver wore a dark brown American style suit with a crimson and gold tie. Uryu wore a dark blue British style suit with a white and blue tie. While Yumichika was the only one wearing a truly black suit with a pale gold tie. She let her eyes slowly roam up and down his body, taking in the handsome sight.

"Well are we already to go?" Oliver chirped while offering his arm for Angelica to take.

The other couples nodded and mimicked them. Naoko felt her heart do a small leap as she threaded her arm around Yumichika's.

The feathered Reaper leaned over and whispered, "Personally I love the color on you but Fuji Kujaku is throwing a fit. He absolutely loathes that color."

Naoko smiled a bit at finding out she ticked off the narcissistic sword spirit. "Well you can tell dear Kujaku that I'm not looking for his approval. Also inform him that purple and its many variations is the symbol of royalty."

She looked into his wisteria eyes as she said the last part.

Purple meaning royalty huh? Maybe this will get Kujaku to shut up about how much he hates that color. Yumichika thought as he helped Naoko into the car.

Even if that ugly color does have an attractive meaning I still hate it. His sword half-heartedly snapped.

The Royal Rose Theater was a grand gilded building with marble staircases, supporting pillars and pieces of beautiful artwork hanging on the walls. The theater room itself was an enormous red and gold room with a large glittering crystal chandelier hanging from above the slightly domed ceiling. The dim light accentuated the deep crimson color of the large curtain that hung down upon the stage. The box seats lined the walls each slightly higher than the last.

"Choice seats here." Oliver said with a bit of awe as he and the others filed into one of the box seats near the stage.

"At least up here you get to see the entire stage plus this is a little more private." Uryu replied. When he was purchasing the tickets he decided to splurge a little, mostly it was for Naoko.

The young lady was looking down at the sea of red seats and the grand stage with childlike wonder. Her grandmother had once brought her to a theater like this to see a play when she was a little girl and Naoko loved it. Not just the performance but the beautiful grandeur of the building. It made her feel so regal and pampered.

Yumichika noticed the softness in her face like she was reminiscing about something. She looked so beautiful and cute with that half-lidded and distant look in her eyes. There were times when he wondered what didn't or couldn't make this woman beautiful.

"Do you enjoy theater Naoko?" He asked.

She snapped back to reality and looked at him and blushed again. "I do enjoy a good play or performance. Mostly I just love the experience of coming to such grand theaters. It always made me feel like a princess."

"Technically you are one." He replied quietly.

The princess smiled, "Yes I know, but when I was a little girl that's how I felt."

They still had a few minutes before the show started so Yumichika decided to keep the light conversation going. "I know this may seem like an obvious question but do you even like ballet?"

Naoko kept her eyes on the stage but a light smile crossed her lips. "I do actually. I watched Swan Lake being performed on TV once when I was little and I fell in love with it. I watched that performance to the point that I knew all the moves and chorography by heart."

"Do you practice ballet?"

She spoke before she could stop herself. "Yes I do. I've been practicing ballet for the past eight years now. It requires strength, determination, balance and endurance."

All qualities that you possess. Yumichika perked up a little. That would explain why she was flexible when fighting. There was no way someone could twist their bodies the way she did without some sort of way to practice.

Naoko blushed a little. She had no idea why she just admitted that. Practicing ballet was a private indulgence of hers that no one, not even her brother, knew about. And here she just let it slip past her lips so easily. What was it about Yumichika that made Naoko so unrestrained? Why did she feel so comfortable spilling her most inner thoughts to him?

Keep it together! Remember loose lips sink ships. And stop blushing! She chided herself.

"I don't suppose I could get a glimpse of your ballet skills?" Yumichika asked feeling a little hopeful.

Naoko's jaw tightened slightly. "No. I don't perform for an audience."

"That's probably because you have stage fright." Uryu smoothly interjected.

"I do not!" Naoko hissed turning to face him.

"Oh really?" He asked with a bit of brotherly taunting in his tone.

Naoko was about to hiss back a retort when the lights dimmed and the orchestra started to play. The thick velvet curtain lifted reveling all the costumed dancers on stage. The combination of soft beautiful music and graceful dancing of the performers was enchanting.

Yumichika had to admit that he was beginning to like ballet...especially the form fitting tights and flowing skirts. He could easily picture Naoko wearing such outfits and dancing on her tiptoes. Just as his thoughts were about take a turn down a certain alley Kujaku interrupted.

You're supposed to be watching the ballet not imaging your girlfriend in tights and all. Honestly your mind is slowly becoming more perverse and eventually this will all build up to you and her passionately- Kujaku was about to go on before being cut short.

Stop! Please I would never go that far! If you would just stop putting those dirty thoughts in my head-

Remember Yumichika I'm a part of your soul but your thoughts are your own. His sword gladly reminded him.

Since he had to reply to that Yumichika focused back on the performance. Now it was at the part where the white swan, who was really a young woman under a curse, had appeared before the prince. The pair danced elegantly in sync with each other.

Naoko studied the dancing pair intently. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to dance that in sync with someone. If she could ever find someone who could compliment her movements with her own without a word and just a simple look. Her eyes slinked over to Yumichika before snapping back to the stage. But something caught her eye; it was a head of bright pastel orange hair.

Oh fucking crap! She mentally cursed. The princess looked a little closer down in the audience and sure enough it was them.

"Brother," Naoko whispered getting Uryu's attention. "Look down at about the center of the audience."

He did and his eyes widened a bit. It was Colette and Reginald. It didn't look like they had seen them and were more focused on the ballet. So there was a chance they hadn't seen them, but Uryu wasn't about to count on that.

"What do we do?" His sister asked quietly.

Uryu thought for a moment, "Act nonchalant and just hope they haven't noticed we're here."

Naoko nodded and looked back at the stage. Soon the second act was over and it was time for the intermission. Some people started standing and leaving to use the restroom or grab a brief snack. Naoko stood and stretched her arms a bit.

"I'm going downstairs for a bit, my legs need some exercise. Anyone want anything while I'm gone?" She asked.

"A bottle of water would be nice." Angelica lightly hinted.

Naoko gave an acknowledging nod and turned to leave.

Colette's powder blue eyes calmly slid upwards to the box seats above. She saw the princess leave and no one accompany her. Perfect, she thought.

She rose from her seat, "I'll be back in a moment. I need to have a word with a certain royal."

Reginald wasn't paying attention and she didn't care. He had his eyes stuck on a blond woman with a very low cut black dress.

Colette couldn't help but scoff lightly and shake her head. Men, honestly.

When the princess returned a few minutes later she looked a little frightened and shaken. She wordlessly handed Angelica a small bottle of water and sat in her seat. Her face was an unhealthy white and her fingers were tightly clenched. Yumichika looked at her with concern but she didn't meet his gaze.

"Naoko are you-?" Uryu started to ask before she cut him off.

"I'm fine brother."

The others exchanged looks before settling back down as the curtain rose again. During the rest of the performance Naoko was steadily curling and uncurling her fingers. She could feel her heart sinking like a stone through water.

Yumichika gently placed his hand atop hers. Naoko stiffened and relaxed her hand hoping he would move his but he didn't. Part of her was glad for his warm comforting touch and the other part wished he'd move his hand. Small indulgences like this would only make things that much harder in the future.

She focused on the ballet trying to block out the sweet feeling of Yumichika's hand. Soon the black swan appeared on stage dancing with the prince. She was the deceiver, the one who lured the prince away from his true love. The story played out, the prince realizes his mistake too late and the real princess is dead. He then commits suicide and the couple rise together into Heaven.

The curtain fell and the audience fell into a roar of clapping and cheering. It truly was a beautiful and moving performance. The group soon filed out of the theater and into the warm summer night just like everyone else.

"The night is still young. What now?" Angelica asked casually.

Oliver looked in the direction of the Eiffel Tower, "Well seeing the Eiffel Tower is on our 'sites to see' list."

Naoko closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply as she felt the elevator continue its rise. To her it felt like it was taking forever. Her claustrophobia was picking a nice time to kick in and she tried to quell her raising constricting fear. She was perfectly fine with taking the stairs but no Oliver insisted that they take the elevator saying it would be practical and faster.

Stupid Oliver for getting me in here. Stupid me for letting him. She chided herself. It was easy to be angry; it distracted her from her panic. Damn it all are we there yet?

As if reading her mind the elevator slowed to a stop and let out a soft ding as the doors part. Naoko calmly but hurriedly walked out of the elevator. Uryu couldn't help but chuckle a little at his sister's expense; she was funny to watch when she was trying to keep her panic from destroying her dignity.

The view from atop the tower was stunning. The entire city could be seen and it was all lit up like the stars in the sky, perhaps brighter. Thousands of small glittering golden lights shined through the black landscape below.

Naoko rested her hands on the edge and looked out. Yumichika quietly stood by her while the others were looking out at the other sides of the tower.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" She softly asked.

He nodded wordlessly. There was a small orchestral band up on the top floor as well and they started to play.

Huh. If there was ever a more obvious sign for you to make a romantic move Yumichika its now. Kujaku said trying to be helpful.

I'm not going to make a romantic move or any such thing. Though being in such a...beautiful setting and with music too... He nibbled on his lip for a moment.

He held out his hand to her and she looked a tad surprised. "Would the young princess do me the honor of dancing with me?"

Naoko blinked at him a little shocked. But she smiled softly and placed her hand in his, "How could I deny such a polite request from such a handsome gentleman?"

Yumichika felt his heart lighten and start to race as he led her from the edge and to the center. He placed his hand on the small of her back and gently gripped her hand that he still had in his. Naoko rested her free hand on his shoulder.

They slowly started to sway their bodies and move their feet in time with the music from the band. Naoko was surprised that Yumichika was taking the lead and he was dancing quite well, better then she expected.

"You're quite a good dancer, I'm impressed." She said before he spun her in a twirl and back.

The feathered Reaper couldn't help but smile with a bit of pride. "You can thank Nanao and her crash course in waltzing. She said it was vital that we all knew this dance lest we bring humiliation to the Gotei."

The Quincy princess let out a soft giggle at the thought of all the captains, lieutenants and even seated officers learning how to slow dance. That must've been quite an amusing sight. Naoko started to tire a little but she didn't want to stop nor part away from Yumichika.

She rested her head on his shoulder and removed her hand from his only to place it on his other shoulder. The Reaper was a little taken aback but he then laid his now free hand atop hers. He lowered his head until it rested comfortably against hers. Both couples smiled softly at the gently warmth the presence of the other brought.

Naoko's heart felt light and warm. She couldn't help but compare how different this moment felt to when she had been slow dancing with James only a few months ago. With James her heart had been thundering with romance and passion that almost made it burst. But here with Yumichika she could feel a gentle but strong fire burn in her heart.

She decided that she like the feeling that the latter made her feel. She pushed all other thoughts aside, good or bad, and concentrated on what was going on here and now.

Yumichika had to admit that all he was looking for was just a brief dance with her and didn't expect it to take such a romantic turn. That didn't mean that Yumichika wasn't enjoying the moment. He loved the feel of Naoko being so close to him and how relaxed she felt, it made him relax too. He was a little grateful right now that Kujaku wasn't making any know-it-all comments. Speaking of whom what was that preening peacock man doing?

"I knew it. You can't hide your romantic wants and needs from me Yumichika." Rui'iro Kujaku chuckled.

He was leaning against a pillar in the marble gazebo like building that was coated in green vines in Yumichika's inner world. The flowers that surrounded the building with a massive array of colors and species of flower. There were also hundreds of green leafy trees, some with blossoms and other with fruit. The waterfall and river was crystal clear and ran seamlessly through.

The sword spirit noticed something about the flora of the world. It was brighter, healthier and all around much more beautiful than ever before. He cocked an eye brow and plucked a nearby lily. The flower was pure snow white and silky soft to the touch. The aroma it gave off was heavenly.

"Hmm. I wonder..." Kujaku mused aloud. He then smiled and chuckled to himself. "I'd be crazy it think that was the reason. But I'd also be crazy to think it wasn't a possible cause."

He took another sniff of the flower before starting to walk and hum along the way.

*Holy crap this was long. Now excuse me I have to go to a rehearsal dinner for my cousin's wedding which is tomorrow. *leaves*

Gin: While the authoress is away, the characters will play. *Rips clothes off to reveal a can-can dancer's outfit complete with fishnet stockings*

Ayame: Its official I've been permanently scarred.

Naoko: *slaps hand over eyes* Just be thankful it's not Aizen or someone else doing this.

Seirin: Bet you'd like to see Yumichika in fishnet stockings and dancing like that.

Naoko: *nosebleeds and faints*

Seirin: That was fun, so guys please review and damn it Gin if you're going to wear a revealing dress shave your legs at least!*