Chapter Bonus
(Byakuya)
She was magnificent. A piece of art that had come to life.
I blinked, unable to believe my eyes as she stepped out in a long, silky kimono. It was the lightest of greys, speckled with white lilies and darker grey lilies. A wide, black obi sat high on her small waist, lined with white lilies and thick bands of grey.
Her mentor passed her a long, sheer shawl to drape from her elbows. It bunched up in her arms as she held them to her side, the material tumbling down behind her like the spray from a waterfall. The sleeves of her kimono were long too, covering her hands and giving her a childish nature. She wore a complete face of makeup for the first time since she starting training; her face covered in thick, white paint. Black ribbons were strewn in and out of her intricate, blond bun, floating behind her just like the shawl.
I heard Kumiko clap in delight, and even Ginrei made a kind remark. Shizuko bowed her head in thanks. Her eyes lowered, keeping them cast down until she felt the hot flush of embarrassment pass. Then those grey irises flicked up to mine, framed by the only hint of color on her—a deep, scarlet that was drawn in a long line away from her eye. Her gaze was almost cat-like, and I couldn't look away. I didn't want to as her red lips lifted into a soft smile.
"Well they'll love you—if your young heir's reaction is anything to go by," Shizuko's mentor, Miss Chiyotsuru, giggled. Her grin only widened as I snapped back at her, "Oh don't be shy, Mister Kuchiki. She is a gorgeous girl—enjoy the sight while you can. She'll be leaving soon to charm the socks off all the other young, high lords."
"The only socks she'll be charming off are those of the—" I was cut off when Ginrei cleared his throat meaningfully. I gulped down the remark and bowed my head, "I'd best be going. Training and whatnot…you look very nice, Shizuko."
"Thank you, Byakuya," She bowed, tipping her head forehead. She was so short and as she tilted her head, I saw more of her neck and shoulders than should have been allowed. The white paint tapered off in a handful of lines, giving way to her creamy pale skin.
I shook my head and stormed off before she had stood up. Stupid, little girl prancing around like an angel. She hadn't stopped going on about becoming a maiko and a geisha forever, and I was glad that she was finally going to do just that.
One less distraction for me to worry about.
(Kisuke)
She held the sword well. I wasn't surprised—she was Squad Eleven, after all. I took my time lingering, eyes sweeping across her slowly, savoringly. Beads of sweat trailed down her face to her neck, to her breasts. I flexed my jaw for a second before looking away.
"Captain Urahara," Captain Kiganjo clapped me on the back with enough force to make me cough up a lung, "Coming to check out my officers again—you can't have any of them, before you ask."
I chuckled, "I was taking a stroll around the neighborhood and decided to see what you all were up to. Though I should have suspected fighting."
"It's important to keep them sharp—even the best blades blunt and rust." He called out to his subordinates, "Alright! Take a quick break—we'll have at it in a few minutes."
Lieutenant Ichinose sheathed his sword and headed towards us. I spoke with distractedly as I watched Kumiko sheathe her sword and headed towards the water fountains. If she had noticed me—which I'm more than certain she had—she gave no hint or no acknowledgement.
"Captain Urahara, since you're here," Captain Kiganjo spoke and I came back to the conversation I was in the middle of, "Why don't you help me out?"
"I'd love to—what did you have in mind?" I smiled tightly, because I was resisting the urge to look over as she bent down.
"My officers could all do with a brush-up in hand-to-hand combat. And since you're a legend of Hakudo, I was hoping you could go up against them."
"Sure, why not!"
"Great! Maki, go pass it on," Kiganjo began walking away with his lieutenant, "Stay put, Kisuke. I'll be right back—just grabbing a couple more of my boys."
With no one to focus my attention on, I found myself turning around. Kumiko was standing tall again. The tips of her hair were wet and clumped together, resting against the curves of her chest. With a handful of water in her cupped hand, she bent slightly forward again to splash her face. It was like watching a goddess bathe, and I couldn't tear my eyes away.
She ran a hand down her face, opening her eyes. Her gaze was already on mine, eyes narrowed as a sly smirk crept along her face. She took her time walking up to me, sweeping her hair behind her. She moved with fluidity but the earth almost shook with every step she took.
I couldn't ignore the sway of her hips as she came closer, or the way she gripped her zanpakuto like she owned the world.
Bowing her head, she bit back her growing smile, "Captain Urahara. It's a pleasure seeing you again, sir."
I loved watching her cheeks flush as I grinned back at her, "Kumiko. I'm sure that the pleasure is all mine."
She came to stand by my side, her sleeve brushing against mine. I looked down at her, smiling softly as she met my gaze. I just wanted to snatch her up and whisk her away. After the water show she had given me, all I could think about was throwing her into a shower and climbing in with her.
"How has your day been, Captain?" She looked away, as if she could read my thoughts. The shade of red on her face only deepened.
"Better now that I'm here. Yours?"
She shrugged like she didn't have a care in the world, "Yeah. It's been okay."
I could only laugh and she fought her own grin. And then as quickly as our conversation started, it ended as Maki and Kiganjo approached us again. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it so quickly that I almost missed it.
And then she was walking away, "See you around, Kisuke."
"Hopefully sooner rather than later," I murmured before turning back to her captain.
As she found out that night that we would see each other much sooner. And as I found out, she wanted to take a shower just as badly as I had wanted to.
Byakuya's POV needing a little more elaboration? Hold on a couple more chapters ;)
AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT Y'ALL BUT I NEEDED ME SOME KISUKE/KUMIKO FLUFF. So thank you for indulging me haha
It was weird writing this chapter, because it was only when I was writing about Kumiko and Shizuko's behavior side-by-side did I realize that they're like really different. Shizuko's a shy little cinnamon roll, and Kumiko's a sassy burrito...no? Yes?
See you guys in two weeks!
