Kisuke played with a stray lock of his pale blonde hair before tapping his fingers on the table. Isshin was supposed to meet him at L'été, a high-class French restaurant inside Palace Hotel Tokyo, twenty minutes ago. To his frustration, Kisuke called him several times but he didn't pick up.

He sighed as he examined his surroundings. They screamed elegance and luxury with all the detailed stylings, a view of the ocean, and a two-story chandelier above his head that he was sure cost more than he made in a year. Not to mention, everyone was well-dressed and there was a feeling of elitism among them. Even though he wore one of his best dress shirts, he felt severely out of place.

He didn't come to places like this often, but Isshin insisted that he had to try this restaurant, claiming it was the best in the city. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head when he saw the prices and he protested before Isshin insisted that he'd treat him to celebrate his recent promotion.

While Kisuke was deep in thought, Shihōin Yoruichi, heiress of the rich and influential Shihōin family, walked into the restaurant. Numerous eyes drifted towards her direction, admiring the beautiful woman and her alluring figure. Yoruichi gave off a confident, yet elegant aura.

She was there to meet someone her father set up for her a while back. She wore a navy blue dress that showed off ample bosom and leg. It was perfect for getting on the nerves of her suitor, who preferred modesty and grace— neither of which she was a fan of. She needed to break off the arrangement, though she wasn't sure how to go about it yet.

Her eyes searched the restaurant, hoping her suitor hadn't already arrived so that she had time to think of a plan. Someone stood out to her, and she paused. He stood out like a sore thumb— a blonde-haired man, hair slightly messy, wearing a green dress shirt, and sitting alone, looking like he didn't want to be there. A cat-like grin slowly curled up on her lips.

Kisuke was still fidgeting, feeling antsier as time went by when his phone finally rang.

"Isshin? Are you on your way?"

"Sorry Kisuke, I can't make it. Something came up."

"What happened? Don't worry about it, we can reschedule."

"Ichigo got into a fight with someone at school."

"Again?" The boy was only ten but when his mother died, he became rebellious and caused a lot of headache for Isshin. "I hope everything works out."

"Yeah, I hope so too," Isshin said with a sigh. "Since you're already there, you might as well try it out."

"You want me to eat here alone?"

"You'll be fine. I have to go, I'll update you later!"

"Wait—" he protested but Isshin had already hung up.

Kisuke ran a hand through his hair. Well, might as well make the best out of it. He looked through the menu and a sigh escaped his lips. "Maan this is expensive," he grumbled to himself.

His eyes tore away from the menu when a woman sat down in the seat across from him. Kisuke gazed at the woman and couldn't help but admire her bright golden eyes, long purple locks that stopped a little above her waist, and supple curves pronounced by the fit of her dress. Wow. Wow was an understatement but that was all his brain managed to muster at the moment.

"Um... can I help you?" he asked, scratching the back of his head, a sheepish smile plastered on his face. He knew for a fact that she had caught him gawking at her.

Yoruichi rested her chin on her hand and smirked at him, golden eyes almost predatory. "Listen, I overheard your phone call and I have a proposal for you."

Kisuke looked flabbergasted. "A proposal?"

She nodded, giving him a mischievous smile. "Let me dine with you. I'm supposed to meet a suitor but I'm not really feeling it. I need you to pretend to be my date so he'll leave me alone. In return, I'll pay for the both of us."

"Wouldn't it be easier to just tell him you're not interested?"

"Nah, he's a stubborn guy. He doesn't even like me, he just wants to marry me for the pride of his family." She rolled her eyes. "Plus, it's more fun this way. Wouldn't it be boring to eat here by yourself anyways?" she said with a convincing grin.

While she had a point, some part of him felt like this wasn't going to end well. Yet even if it wasn't for the free meal, he was sure she would make for some interesting company.

"Well, alright," he said, still in disbelief. Feel free to take a seat, Miss…"

"Yoruichi."

"Yoruichi-san."

She grinned. "Just call me Yoruichi. And you are?"

"Kisuke. Urahara Kisuke."

"Kisuke… has a nice ring to it," she said, her voice low, absentmindedly twirling a strand of hair with her finger.

He swallowed. "So Yoruichi, do you have any recommendations on what to order?"

"You can't go wrong with the côte de veau de lait aux châtaignes," she said in a perfect French accent.

Oh, that's how you say it. "And that's?"

"Essentially veal chops. It's delicious, trust me," she said firmly.

"I'll trust your judgment. I guess you come here often?"

She looked highly amused at the question and chuckled, almost bitterly. "A sickening amount. A lot of my clients like coming here. I guess you don't come here often?"

"What gave it away?"

She laughed. "Well for one, you're underdressed. Not that I care. I think it's refreshing."

That left him flustered and he could feel his face heat up. Luckily, the waiter came by at that moment, pouring them both a glass of wine. "Miss Yoruichi! I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?" he asked, and his eyes traveled toward Kisuke. "This is… not Mr. Kuchiki?"

"Ah you know, same old, same old," she said, waving a hand. "And nah, this is Kisuke. There's been a change of plans. When Byakuya comes, just tell him I'm over here."

The waiter raised an eyebrow at that. "Hoho, ever the rebel. Sure thing. What can I get you two this afternoon? The usual, Miss Yoruichi?"

"Yes please."

"I'll have the… veal chops," Kisuke said.

"Good choice," Yoruichi said approvingly, and the waiter bowed to them and left.

"So when this suitor of yours comes, what exactly should I do?"

"Hmm just sit there and look pretty. Knowing Byakuya, he'll probably just scowl, call us undignified, and throw a fit before leaving."

And that's supposed to be a good thing…?"

She shrugged. "He'll get the message."

Moments later, Kuchiki Byakuya walked into the restaurant.

"Speaking of the devil," she murmured under her breath.

Kuchiki Byakuya was an attractive man, to say the least. He was tall, lean, handsome, and one of Tokyo's most coveted bachelors. However, Yoruichi wasn't interested in him. He had the personality of a washboard and she needed someone who had a sense of humor. They watched as he spoke to a waiter, looking confused and then annoyed. Eventually, he made his way towards their table, his expression stoic.

"Oi Byakuya-bo!"

Byakuya looked back and forth between the both of them. "Yoruichi, what is the meaning of this?"

"It is what you see. I found better company," she said nonchalantly.

Byakuya turned to study Kisuke closely, disapproval showing on his features. "With him? Your taste in men remains distasteful as ever I see," he sneered.

Her body grew rigid and Kisuke sensed a change in her cool, playful demeanor. "What did you say?"

"You really need to stop doing charity work. Why don't you see someone closer to your own social status?"

Yoruichi abruptly got up and lunged towards Byakuya, grabbing him by the hem of his shirt.

His eyes narrowed at her. "You know it's not in your best interest to go any further."

She gripped his shirt tighter before eventually releasing it, knowing he was right. Besides, she didn't feel like being on the front of the newspaper for assault the next day. She cast one final glare at him before backing off. "It doesn't matter that you're the future heir of the Kuchiki family. To me, you're just a brat with a shitty personality," she hissed.

Byakuya frowned and stepped towards Yoruichi, reaching to grab her arm. Suddenly, one of the glasses filled with wine was tipped off the table, the glass shattering and the contents spilling all over Byakuya's shoes, pants, and some of his suit.

"Oops," came a voice from behind the two of them. "I'm a bit clumsy. Sorry about that." Kisuke shrugged, an unapologetic smile plastered on his face.

Yoruichi gaped open-mouthed at Kisuke before bursting into a fit of laughter. At that moment, Kisuke thought he had never heard anything better than the sound of her infectious laughter filling the room.

Byakuya was fuming. "How dare you! Do you know how much my outfit costs? You won't be able to pay for it with even a year's worth of salary! Not to mention the glass—"

"Oh shut up Byakuya," she said, rolling her eyes. "You don't have a single cut on you. Send me the bill and I'll pay for it. Just get the hell out of here."

"This won't end well for you, Yoruichi," he spat, before leaving.

"Sorry about that. I caused some trouble for ya didn't I?" Kisuke said, turning to look at Yoriuchi with a genuine look of apology on his face.

Yoruichi shook her head. "Are you kidding? That was hilarious. It was worth every yen that I'm going to pay!" She laughed with mirth, and he saw some tears in the corner of her eyes.

He grinned. "I felt like I needed to do something... it seemed like what he said struck a chord in you."

She bit her lip. "Honestly, I didn't expect that of him. The last time I saw him he wasn't that much of an asshole."

Kisuke scratched his head. "Well, on the bright side, our lunch arrived during all of that. Fancy joining me?"

"Can't," she said with a sigh. "There are too many eyes on us now and I don't want to get caught up in the paparazzi. I don't think you do either."

"Aww I was looking forward to this meal."

She chuckled. "We can pack it for you to take home. I'll order another one for you for good measure." She winked. "Don't worry, I've got you covered."

Kisuke put a hand to his chest dramatically. "How nice of you!~"

"Trust me, I could get you a hundred meals with the act you just pulled off," she said as she watched him pack his meal. "Okay, let's get out of here. Did you drive?"

"Nope, took the subway."

She looked surprised. "I'll have my driver take you home then."

"I'm al—"

"Let me," she said firmly. "It's the least I can do after getting you into this mess."

"Alright." He didn't think he could win against her stubbornness.

She dragged him into her car where her driver, Tessai was waiting and introduced them to each other.

"Can you drop him off Tessai?"

"Yes Yoruichi-dono, where to?"

Kisuke told him his address and went on their way, with Yoruichi recounting to Tessai what happened, laughing the entire time. They finally arrived at his house, with a car parked in the driveway.

"You have a car, why didn't you drive?" said Yoruichi,

He shrugged. "It was close by and I like taking the subway sometimes. Thank you for today, Yoruichi-san."

She smirked. "No, thank you. Now whenever I feel down I can just think about the time when you spilled wine all over Byakuya."

He laughed and waved to her and Tessai before leaving the car. "See you."

Yoruichi smiled to herself. What an interesting guy.

Kisuke arrived home and warmed up his takeout. Finally, he could see what all the fuss was about. He took a bite and smiled. She was right. This is delicious.