Kazeshini sat in the tree waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Even though the Zanpakuto rebellion had been long over with, he still felt that this was the best way to train his wielder. Anything to keep Shuuhei's mind as sharp as his blade.
"Kaze, goddammit! Get your ass out of that tree and face me head on. We had an agreement." Shuuhei's voice scolded as his scowled up into the branches.
"Shinobi don't attack face to face, Shuuhei. You should know this by now."
Shuuhei sighed, exasperated. "You are NOT a Shinobi. And nor am I. We are a Soul Reaper and Zanpakuto."
"Are you saying I can't dream about being a shinobi?" Kaze cackled maniacally, before launching his blade in Shuuhei's direction.
With little effort, Shuuhei parried the trajectory and leaped out of the way of the second blade. "Yes. That is pretty much what I'm saying."
It wasn't long before Renji made his way through the trees to see his senpai training.
"Training hard, I see," he commented.
Shuuhei and Kazeshini turned to greet the red-haired Lieutenant.
"Renji, 'sup?"
"You heard about this fancy dress party that Rangiku's putting together?"
"Not until now. You mean Captain Hitsugaya is allowing Ran to organise a party? That'll be a first."
"What's this about fancy dress?" Kazeshini questioned.
"Not happening, Kaze," Shuuhei warned.
"Aww come on. I got a great idea already."
"You're not dressing up as a damn ninja."
"That wasn't my plan, but good to know," Kaze cackled. "Actually, I was thinking we could go as each other."
Shuuhei spluttered and choked as his drink went down the wrong way. "WHAT? Are you serious?"
"Why not? I think you'd suit long hair. Back me up, Renji."
Until now, Renji had been stifling his laughter at the conversation unfolding in front of him. "Oh, no. Don't be dragging me into this."
"You started it, Renji." Shuuhei turned to his Zanpakuto. "I can't see you cutting your hair."
"That is what wigs are for. I'm sure Rangiku has an arsenal of wigs in her possession."
"NO!" Shuuhei persisted. "We are not dressing up as one another. And I don't know if we're going yet."
"I think it'll be fun to see you two there," Renji finally commented, encouraging them to go.
"Thought you didn't want to be involved in this conversation, Renji." Shuuhei commented.
Renji shrugged with a smile. "You know I can't help myself. Though, I'll leave you two to discuss it, yeah?"
The 6th Lieutenant then turned and walked away from his friend.
…
Later that afternoon, Shuuhei knocked on the door to Squad 10 Captain's office.
"Lieutenant Matsumoto, Are you in?"
"Shuu," the busty blonde's voice called. "What can I do for you?"
"I hear that you're planning a party."
"Oh, good! Are you coming? It's fancy dress!" Rangiku's excitement was not hidden as she dragged Shuuhei into the room.
"I'm not sure yet. I mean, I got no costumes or anything."
"I have plenty of wigs if you wanna see and then we can find something to fit around it."
"Have you been talking to Kazeshini by any chance?"
"No. Though I know Haineko communes with him on a regular basis. Especially since that whole business with Muramasa." Rangiku mused. "Anyway, have you any ideas of possible costumes?"
"Haven't got anything in mind, yet."
Rangiku's eyes gleamed. "Well, let's just see, yeah. Come on."
She ushered him out of the office, and they made their way to Ran's quarters.
"Come on in, Shuu. Don't be shy."
As Rangiku brought her collection into the dining room, she placed each wig, on it's stand, on the table. After a moment's pondering, she looked towards her crush. "Hmm, I think you'd suit long hair."
"Really? Why long hair?" Shuuhei questioned.
"You like rock music, right? Well, there was an era in the World of the living whereby rock stars had long hair. I believe it would work for you."
Rangiku picked up a long, black wig and held it up against Shuuhei's face. "Oh, yes. This one would be perfect for you. It even works well with your tattoo."
"I don't know," Shuuhei commented, unsure of what he was getting himself into. "You really think so?"
"Definitely. Why don't you try it on and see?" Rangiku encouraged.
Shuuhei sighed. He had no choice. Once Rangiku got an idea in her head, she ran with it and no one could dissuade her. "Alright,"
Taking the wig, he placed it on his head. Rangiku smiled. "Oh, yes. I knew you'd suit a long one. Very handsome."
Shuuhei blushed slightly at his crush's words. "Am I?"
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you? You coming to the party then? Just know, I won't take 'no' for an answer."
"I guess I don't have a choice then, do I?"
It wasn't long before Shuuhei had his full ensemble planned out, with thanks to Rangiku. He did find it surprising that she had some clothing that fit him and wasn't too revealing. In the end, he changed into a pair of black skinny jeans, a leather jacket with a denim waistcoat over the top. She even convinced him to wear some black eyeliner. Complete with the waist-length, black wig, Rangiku pushed him in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom.
"What do you think?"
"Well, it's different. Though I can't deny, it looks alright," Shuuhei confirmed.
"It looks better than alright. I love it. It's very you." Rangiku beamed.
Shuuhei couldn't help but smile. Looking back at his reflection, he found himself getting excited for the upcoming party. He took note of how he looked before deciding to get changed back into his shihakusho again. The party was tomorrow, but now he was excited about it.
"Thanks, Ran. I guess I'm coming to the party after all."
"Yeah, Just don't mess up that wig, alright. It's one of my favourites."
Shuuhei laughed. "Heh. You know I won't. I'll catch you later."
"See you later, Shuu."
…
The next day, Shuuhei and Kazeshini were getting themselves ready for the party when Kaze saw the wig.
"Ah, so you went with the long one after all. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."
"And I knew you were plotting with Ran for me to go with it."
"I'm sorry. Are you complaining? Seeing as you spent all afternoon with her yesterday, I think not."
"So, that's what it was. I was wondering why you suddenly wanted to spend more time with Heineko."
Kazeshini cackled as he nudged his wielder. "Thought we'd give you a little alone time."
Shuuhei shook his head with a smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Kaze."
"Any time, partner."
…
At the Wolf Den Tavern, the party was well underway. Many Shinigami were dressed up as planned. Some as animals, some as various other people. In the corner, Shuuhei saw Rangiku coming towards him.
"Hey, Shuuhei?" Rangiku called from the opposite side of the room. Her long red wig stood out as she moved among the crowd.
Shuuhei stood at the entrance in his own costume. "You went with an anime character, I see."
"Well, I saw Orihime watching this show and knew straight away that I'd have to try the costume at some point.
Shuuhei laughed. "Who did you get to be parts 2 and 3 of 'Team Rocket'?
At that moment, a purple wig glided in with a pair of cat ears trudging along behind.
"Why the hell are you so goddamn happy, Yumichika?" Ikkaku chided, his whiskers twitching with hatred.
"Yumichika? Who's that?" the 5th Seat of Squad 11 asked. "I'm James. Meowth, you have to play along."
"Like hell I do. I'm outta here." Ikkaku groaned as his companion blocked the door.
If it weren't for the fact Ikkaku looked like he was about ready to kill someone, Shuuhei would have fallen on the floor with laughter. Instead, he gave a slight inward chuckle as his Zanpakuto cackled in the background of his inner world.
"Hey, Shuu. Can I come out and laugh at him?" Kaze questioned.
'You could, but I don't recommend you cackling like a maniac.'
"You know I can't promise that. It's in my nature." Kazeshini manifested in his own costume. Together, he and Shuuhei looked like half of an 80's Glam Rock band.
"Kaze, look at you. Handsome as ever." Heineko decided to make an appearance at the same time, dressed as a Jiggly-puff to match her wielder's Pokémon theme.
"Why couldn't you have gotten your Zanpakuto to be 'Meowth'. She's a cat, right?" Ikkaku complained.
"You think you'd suit 'Jiggly-puff' better?" Heineko giggled, purposefully poking fun at the 3rd Seat of Squad 11.
Before anyone could say anything else, Captain Zaraki and Yachiru came in dressed as two school girls.
"Uh… Captain? What are you wearing?" Yumichika asked, a little unsure of why his Captain would suddenly start wearing a skirt.
"What's wrong with it? It's a fancy dress party after all. Not to mention, easy to fight in."
"But, you do realise that's a girl uniform?."
"Don't care. I'm here to have fun. Plus, it keeps this one happy." He pointed to the bubbly Lieutenant on his shoulder.
"Got it, just had to check."
"Kenny-chan. I found Byaky over there talking to Ren-Ren." Yachiru pointed over into the corner where the 6th Division officers were.
"Ah, good. Glad to see he didn't skip out on this gig. Have fun you guys."
Yachiru looked back as they began walking away, grinning. "Smile, Baldy. That costume suits you."
"Why do I have to be here?" Ikkaku grumbled under his breath.
…
As the party drew to a close, Ikkaku had loosened up, with the help of the copious amounts of sake he had consumed and draped his arm over Yumichika's shoulder. "Y'know. This isn't so bad after all."
Yumichika smiled at his partner. "I knew I could get you to enjoy yourself."
Opposite them, Rangiku had scooted closer to Shuuhei. "Hey, Shuu. I really do love you with long hair."
Despite his mind going catatonic for a moment at the comment, Shuuhei put it down to the sake.
"She likes you partner. Even Haineko said so." Kazeshini piped up in their inner world.
As if to answer Shuuhei's internal struggle, Rangiku pulled him into a kiss, leaving her red lipstick upon his own lips.
"Shuu, you know I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. I love you."