It took a matter of minutes for Nanao Ise to understand something about herself, something she had yet to understand or had chosen to ignore. She was a coward. A shaking coward. Yumichika had gladly decided to ease her by submitting to her compromise; something the squad 1 lieutenant knew could have been labeled as a win for her.

Nanao let out a shaky sigh as she allowed Yumichika to guide her down the dirt pathway, now lit only by lamps attached to the thick walls at each side. The maze that was the inner workings of the Seireitei. Nanao hadn't found her voice, even though deep down she wanted to know their destination, she already knew the egocentric beautiful man at her side wouldn't give her an answer; damn him! Why did he feel the need to surprise her like this?

"Are you nervous, My darling, or is the thin silk of your kimono allowing a chill?" Yumichika whispered.

Nanao turned her head sharply, seeing the teasing glint within his eyes. Such memorizing eyes, eyes she remembered getting lost in.

"I'm not cold." Nanao countered, realizing she had just admitted to being nervous.

Yumichika allowed a low chuckle to escape from his chest before moving his hand from the small of her back and trailing it down her forearm to lace his fingers with hers. The slight squeeze he gave her palm somehow sent a rush of warmth throughout her body that didn't have anything to do with desire, it felt different. It felt…comforting.

"What do you have to be nervous about,Nanao? I'm simply taking you out on a date. Or does that push you out of your comfort zone more than having my body?" Yumichika asked.

Nanao felt herself stumble for a few steps before righting her stride. Good grief! The man really did have absolutely no shame, speaking so openly about their relationship for anyone to hear. Nanao paused her inner monologue, tilting her head as she studied him walking next to her.

"I've never done anything like this, you know that." Nanao replied.

"Yet, I feel you trembling as if I were leading you out to fight a battle alone in the dark. Is it that distasteful to be seen with me?" Yumichika retorted, that elegant brow once again lifting with his question.

"It really doesn't have anything to do with my present company." Nanao countered.

"Then what is it about, My darling?" Yumichika pressed, his brow furrowing into a slight frown of distaste.

Nanao let out a sigh, allowing her shoulders to droop.

"Unfortunately, not everyone has the same amount of confidence in themself as you do." She replied.

Yumichika's lips lifted, his soft smile replacing the frown Nanao had not liked seeing; she much preferred it when he smiled, and knowing that she was the reason for those smiles caused a strange little flutter deep within her.

Nanao's breath caught as she felt his body lean closer to hers, their steps slowing along the pathway. She felt the heat of his breath as his lips brushed across the shell of her ear in a light caress, a whisper of lips.

" Steal some from me, then. We both know I have more than enough to go around. Besides, I think you spend way too much time worrying about what others think, Nanao. It's one reason why I chose to dress you and then flaunt you. That comfort zone of yours, you see, I rather enjoy seeing you break free." Yumichika countered, his mouth lowering to just under her ear, lips moving against her heating skin as he spoke.

Nanao felt her stomach flutter and again, she clenched her thighs together in an unconscious attempt to stifle a rush of longing and for the first time she wondered how the date would end. Would he take her back to squad 1 or would he insist she go back to his barracks? To his room? The real question was why did the thought of him taking her back to squad 1 leave her feeling bereft?

"Where are you taking me, Yumichika?" Nanao whispered.

"To dinner."

"Is that all?" She asked.

Yumichika smiled against her skin, the heat of his breath making her body begin to tremble for an entirely different reason. Nanao felt her cheeks flush and she knew that he would see her pink cheeks when he pulled back from her.

"What else did you have in mind, My darling? If there is something you want, all you have to do it ask me." He replied as he lifted his head away from her tantalizing skin.

"I-I don't want to go back to my barracks tonight." Nanao heard herself admitting.

Their gazes met, his hand once again taking possession of hers. His eyes seemed to be searching her, looking for something.

"Do you wish to make love again, or do you want to come back?" Yumichika asked, all traces of the teasing gleam vanishing. He was serious and Nanao could tell that her answer to his question was going to be a pivotal decision.

"I never wanted to leave…" Nanao answered, her reply coming out in a hushed whisper, an admission she hadn't even realized she would be capable of. To admit that she wanted to live with him surrounded by a bunch of war hungry brutes; the thought had terrified her before, but she wasn't that woman anymore.

"I won't ask you to decide now. Tell me after dinner." Yumichika compromised, deciding to pull back a little. It wouldn't do for him to smother her with his own desires, Nanao had to make up her own mind of where she wanted to be.

"Thank you." Nanao whispered back, her body now having relaxed she allowed him to usher her forward by their interlocked hands.

"Anything for you, My Darling." He answered, causing a shy smile to spread across her lips.

Nanao felt the rush of warmth cover her body as if enveloped in a hug. The smile stayed on her lips even as the two of them passed by other officers. She didn't flinch when eyes looked their way. She didn't pull her hand back, she didn't waver. Yumichika Ayasegawa may be one of the most beautiful men she had ever known but he was hers; her beloved.

Shinji Hirako lifted head from the dreaded paperwork scattered across his desk. A soft smile spread across his lips as he stood from his chair. The muffled laughter filling the hallway the cause of his own smile.

Shinji walked to the doorway , pausing to lean against the doorway of his office. Momo stopped, her cheeks flushing a light pink when she spotted him.

"Captain Hirako…" Momo began, her soft voice almost hesitant.

Shinji lifted his hand, his long elegant fingers holding a small piece of paper. Momo's brow lifted in confusion as she stepped forward, her hand outstretched to take the parchment. Shinji lifted his gaze, giving the squad 11 Lieutenant a nod.

"Captain." Ikkaku nodded back, showing his respect.

"It's already been signed, Momo." Shinji stated, his smile widening as the woman's frown.

"Y-you already knew Captain Zaraki would accept me back?" Momo asked.

"I had my suspicions. It's not like Zaraki to give complements, if he put you with Ikkaku to train, it's for a reason." Shinji replied, once again leaning against the door frame.

"Are you sure, Captain? I can stay if I am needed here." Momo forced herself to speak, her hesitation apparent on her features.

"This is what you want, Momo. For many reasons." Shunji grinned, his gaze meeting Ikkaku's once more. It was apparent by the smile on the captain's face that he found the couples relationship amusing.

"Yes. It is what I want, Thank you, Captain." Momo replied.

Shinji nodded pulling away from the doorway, his body turning to enter back into his office. Ikkaku met his gaze once more and smiled. An unspoken agreement seeming to have been made between the two men. Shinji was willing to let go of his Lieutenant if it meant her happiness and for that, Ikkaku would always respect the man.

Momo turned to face Ikkaku, her smile bright as she looked up at him. She clutched the small piece of paper against her chest, the action hitting Ikkaku right in the chest, reminding him of just how innocent Momo could be in certain moments.

"Let's go get your stuff, Shorty." Ikkaku stated.

Momo nodded before turning to walk down the hallway. Ikkaku followed her closely as she led them down the dimly lit hall. Ikkaku was struck with just how quickly his life had changed, how is priorities had changed.

Ikkaku scowled as he realized just how much he wanted Momo. If someone would have told him one day he'd be head over heals for Momo Hinamori, he would have laughed at them. It stung his pride a little to realize he'd missed her somehow.

"Ikkaku?" Momo's soft voice called out to him, bringing his attention back to the moment.

Momo stood in front of her room, her brow furrowed in question.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

Ikkaku shook his head, his right hand lifting to the back of his neck as he walked forward.

"Just thinkin'." He replied.

Momo nodded, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth before turning and entering her room. Ikkaku followed her inside then quickly closed the door behind him. He could feel the tension radiating from her small frame. He'd somehow made her anxious with his brooding, which wasn't his intention.

Ikkaku reached out taking a hold of her arm, he spun her around to face him. Her shocked gasp filled his ears right before his mouth lowered and took hers in a possessive kiss. Momo's breath filled his lungs as his tongue plunged deep, sweeping across hers.

Momo's small hands lifted, taking handfuls of fabric as she clung to him, taking his invasion without hesitation. The woman was unlike anything he'd ever known, more than any man could ask for in a partner, and that was what she was. Ikkaku pulled back, breaking the heated embrace to look down at her. Momo met his gaze, her soft lips swollen and parted, her chest heaving.

"I'm sorry I never saw you before, Momo." Ikkaku growled.

Momo's breath rushed from her chest, her hands tightening their hold as he pulled him closer to her. Understanding filled her heated gaze as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into her arms.

"You don't have to apologize to me, Ikkaku. I didn't see you, either. We never spent much time together until the training program." Momo whispered against his parted lips.

Ikkaku wrapped his arms around her, his hands gripping her by the hips, their bodies flush against each other. The heat between them seeming to rise with each panting breath. Ikkaku didn't know the first thing about what was happening to them, but he knew it wasn't worth trying to figure out. He wanted her, and she was his, that was enough.

"You gotta pack, Shorty." Ikkaku forced himself to say it, if he didn't pull them out of the heat, he was going to end up taking her right here for her whole squad to hear. Momo nodded, seeming a little dazed by her own desire before she allowed her arms to fall down his chest. Her flat palms grazing his sensitive skin as she did.

Ikkaku let out a groan mixed with dark laughter, almost as if he felt like her caress had been a taunt to his control. Momo looked up at him, her dark eyes holding a teasing glint. Ikkaku lifted his right hand and swatted the left cheek of her bottom, making her squeak and giggle.

"Woman, don't tease me…" Ikkaku grinned down at her, dark promise of revenge evident in his gaze.

"Yes, Sir." Momo whispered breathlessly as she broke their embrace and turned to pack what she would need.

Ikkaku allowed his eyes to close, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. It seemed this woman was going to be the ultimate test of his will. All she had to do was look up at him with those sultry eyes of hers and he was lost. Forcing his body to calm, Ikkaku won the inner battle. He wouldn't take her like he did against the tree here in the middle of the squad 5 barracks, he had another plan for her, one that required a bit more privacy.

Nanao exhaled a deep breath as she took a seat next to Yumichika on the bench inside the crowded restaurant. While Nanao should have known the man really was going to show her off, she hadn't realized he would choose the most frequented place.

Nanao allowed her cold hands to lay in her lap as the server walked up to their table, her smile wide as she greeted them. Yumichika smiled softly back, with his carefree tone he requested that Tea be brought to them while they decided on their meal.

Nanao refused to look up from the scarred wooden table, her nerves beginning to once again dance inside her stomach.

"Darling, if you don't look up everyone is going to think I've forced you out here." Yumichika whispered lowly.

Nanao's head shot up, her gaze meeting his as her brow furrowed into a deep frown. Yumichika stared back her with his own frown matching hers. Nanao allowed her shoulders to slump as she took in the expression on his face. He was trying to hard to pull her out of herself, to show her what life could be like together.

"Should we leave, Nanao?" He asked, his upper body bracing as if to stand from the bench.

Nanao's hand shot out, taking hold of his forearm, her long fingers clawing at him as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry." Nanao whispered as he allowed his body to relax back on the bench.

Nanao relaxed her hand and allowed it to slide down his forearm, taking his hand in hers, she laced their fingers together in a tight grip, trying to regain the control she had found on the walk there.

"Everyone is staring at me and it made me revert back for a moment, that's all." Nanao hastily explained.

"Why wouldn't they stare at such beauty?" Yumichika countered, bringing his free hand up to brush his knuckles across her blushing cheek.

Nanao let out a huff of breath mixed with a laugh. The man could charm any woman out of her clothes if he really felt the urge, yet, he was concentrating on her. She was the one he wanted to show off, she was the one who he shared his body with, his compassion, his…love.

Yumichika turned his gaze as the server returned with the requested pot of Tea and turned to face the woman.

"Have you decided what you would like to eat?" She asked.

Yumichika looked over to Nanao one brow arched as if awaiting her answer. Nanao realized in that moment that he was allowing her something she never would have imagined such a dominate man would allow. She had half expected him to order her meal for her with the way he maneuvered her.

Nanao turned her gaze to the young woman and smiled, hoping it didn't look more like a grimace.

"I'll have a cup of Miso soup and the Glazed Pork, please." Nanao answered, proud at the strength in her voice.

"Excellent choice, Lieutenant." The woman smiled warmly as she turned to Yumichika.

"I'll have the same." Yumichika answered.

Nanao turned her head, not sure what to think about his choice. Yumichika grinned back at her, the expression on his face hitting her like a fist to the gut. Had she ever really known this man!?

"I'd like to live through you tonight, Darling. Taste what you taste, see what you see. I find pleasure in watching you bloom." Yumichika stated, making Nanao's chest tighten with another emotional punch.

Nanao turned her head, realizing the server had already left the table to place their orders. Yumichika reached out for the pot of Tea and poured them two cups. Nanao accepted hers with a weak thank you. Yumichika lowered his left hand, placing it down on top of her upper thigh and squeezed. Instead of feeling like a violation, which in the past it certainly would have, it felt…comforting.

Nanao allowed her gaze to leave the table as she sipped her Tea. Her gaze scanning the crowd of officers, many of them ones under her own command while at squad 1. While eyes did look their way and some seemed to be whispering, it wasn't with mockery. Nanao realized they seemed to look…pleased.

"Nanao!?" A loud feminine voice called out over the many voices.

Nanao allowed her eyes to slide closed as her body tensed. She would have given anything not to hear that voice!

" That is you! You look so good!" Rangiku exclaimed as she came up to the table, a small jug of Sake clutched in her perfectly manicured hand. By the blush on her cheeks she'd already been drinking rather heavily.

"Th-Thank you, Lieutenant Matsumoto." Nanao answered, fighting off the blush that crept up her cheeks.

Yumichika lifted his hand from her thigh to brush a hanging strand of hair behind her ear. Nanao felt the blush heighten at his gesture. Rangiku was a woman who reveled in attention and never suffered from lack of self-esteem.

"I can't believe it! I'm so glad to see you out here living a little!" Rangiku laughed.

Nanao wasn't sure if the woman was actually complementing her or if it was somehow meant to be a taunt.

"Yumichika, whatever you have done to push her out of her shell, you keep doing that!" Rangiku slurred a little as she turned on her heal and called out to her companions.

"I'm coming! I just had to complement Nanao!" Rangiku yelled, bringing even more attention her way as Izuru Kira and Shuhei Hisagi stared over at her as if just now recognizing her.

"Does she really have to be so loud!?" Nanao grated between clenched teeth, her grip on the clay cup in her hand going white knuckled. Yumichika's hand once again squeezed her upper thigh as he turned to look at her.

"Darling, she doesn't mean you any insult. The world is something to be enjoyed to Rangiku, whether it be by drinking with friends, flirting, or shopping for something beautiful. I think she merely just likes to see you enjoying yourself with me." Yumichika explained.

Nanao paused, allowing her grip to loosen. Was that really it? Had Rangiku been teasing her in an effort to make her lighten up? Nanao allowed her spine to relax and her shoulders to droop, once more feeling a bit foolish.

"Do I always take everything out of context?" Nanao muttered, more to herself than to Yumichika.

"I would answer you, but something tells me that question wasn't one you wanted answered." Yumichika smiled warmly as his hand began to massage her thigh under the table.

"No…It wasn't." Nanao admitted, allowing her head to fall, her gaze on the steaming cup of Tea in her hand.

Yumichika lifted his hand as the server appeared again with their meals. Nanao straightened her posture and thanked the woman before concentrating on eating. Yumichika followed suit, tasting the pork and nodding in approval before taking another bite. It was one of Nanao's favorites and it somehow pleased her to see that he enjoyed it.

"You like it then?" She asked between bites of steamed rice and pork.

Yumichika nodded, his violet gaze almost looking hooded with his appreciation.

"I do. I can see why you enjoy it. I like learning what pleases you." He answered.

Nanao allowed her lips to part at what could have been taken as an innuendo. Nanao felt the heat of arousal rush between her thighs, so unexpected she let out a soft cough. Yumichika's brow furrowed as his left hand lifted to pat her back.

"I-I'm fine." Nanao managed to stammer, uncomfortable with the way her body was reacting to him in front of so many fellow officer's, her own subordinates! Good grief, what would they tell the Head Captain?

Yumichika lowered his hand from her back but didn't stop looking at her, his hooded gaze seeming to understand the inner struggle she was dealing with, the notion of giving away too much, of letting people see too much.

"Would it help if I kissed you?" He whispered to her.

Nanao's gaze widened a the thought of being kissed in front of nearly everyone she knew.

Yumichika laughed softly before turning his gaze back to his dinner, seeming to give up on the notion. Nanao paused, her mind seeming to skip as she really thought about it. Her uncle already knew she was out here with Yumichika, he had to have known they had been intimate. Why do I always seem to run myself around in circles? Didn't Momo kiss Ikkaku in front of everyone the other night? Is Momo really so much braver than I am!?

Nanao let her chopsticks drop to the plate in front of her before she turned her head back to face her lover. If people were going to talk about her, she might as well give them something to talk about!

"Yumichika…" Nanao spoke low but loud enough for him to hear.

Swallowing a sip of Tea he lowered the cup and turned his face to meet her gaze. Nanao leaned forward, placing her right palm against his cheek before pressing an open mouthed kiss against his lips. Yumichika followed her lead, allowing his eyes to slip closed as he sipped her mouth with lazy adoration and an overwhelming sense of pride.

Nanao pulled back from their kiss, her cheeks flushed from desire rather than embarrassment this time. This is what it felt like to take control of ones self, to live in the now and embrace the things life gave one to enjoy. This is what it meant to be happy.

"Thank you, Nanao." He whispered, hitting her with yet another invisible punch.

"Never thank me for showing you affection, Yumichika." Nanao protested, her hand still cupping the side of his too gorgeous face.

"Not for the affection, Darling. For the public claiming, for a while there I was beginning to think you still wanted to keep me a dirty little secret." Yumichika teased.

Nanao felt her lips spread into a wide smile before she replied.

"What's the point of keeping secrets?"

Author's Note: Once again, I find that it has taken me forever to update! With the world going a bit nuts with this whole COVID-19 crap, I have actually been rather busy. I manage a restaurant that is delivery based so where I work is considered essential. I am lucky that I have been able to keep working during this whole situation. With that in mind, I haven't been feeling much motivation to write these past couple months. My apologies. I know there are a few of you who really enjoy this story, so I decided to do another chapter of this, rather than Panther's Bite. I hope you all enjoy this update. As a bit of a bonus I thought I would include some song titles, the soundtrack of this chapter, I guess you could say. I always listen to music when I write, below is the list of songs if you would like to listen. I play them on loop for inspiration. Thanks for the support! -L.J.

1. Bad Company-Feel like makin' love ( This kind of screams Ikkaku to Momo in my mind when I listen…)

2. Bon Jovi- Bed of roses ( Yumichika and Nanao...inspiration.)

3. Eric Clapton-Wonderful Tonight ( Yumi and Nanao moment, again, with him dressing her up, it seemed to fit.)