Note: I'm really sorry for the slowest update ever. This chapter is still just sort of getting things started, but I promise, it gets SO MUCH BETTER. I'm more of a long-term kind of planner, though, so it may take a while.
"Shut up," a rather peeved-looking Grimmjow growled, shooting daggers from his eyes at one Abarai Renji.
The redhead faked contemplation for a moment. "Hmm...I don't think I will," he stated, grinning arrogantly at the older man. Trying to control his laughter, Abarai cleared his throat. "Sorry...It's just...she's so...and you're-" Renji's words were lost as he failed to control his chuckles.
Grimmjow's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked dangerously. Just as he was ready to spring from his position on the couch to tackle the redhead to the ground for a sound beating, the door to the lounge was flung open to reveal none other an Urahara Kisuke.
"Ah, Grimmjow-kun, so glad you're here. I'm afraid you would be at the shop! I've heard that you have yourself a date!" Urahara exclaimed merrily as he clapped his hands together.
Grimmjow glared at Renji, who was stifling chuckles before making an undignified grunting noise. "It's not a date," he growled, earning a snort from Renji.
Kisuke flipped his fan in front of him to hide his mischievous grin. "Tsk tsk, Grimmjow-kun! You must treat Hikari-chan like the lady she is! If you scare her away, what are we supposed to do?" he asked. At this point, Grimmjow scoffed and opened his mouth to fire off a snide remark, but Urahara continued, "Tessai and I picked out some suitable clothes and made a reservation for you at Saiyuki Steakhouse. Eight o'clock. Don't be late, ne, Grimmjow-kun?"
Grimmjow, visibly trying to control his anger and shaking with the effort, bit out, "I can make my own fucking reservations and pick out my own fucking clothes!" It didn't help that Renji hadn't stopped snickering the entire time.
Urahara just grinned even wider, if possible. "I'm sure you can, Grimmjow-kun, but we can't afford to have you mess up! If you do, you'll be alone forever, and the Shinigami racing name won't ever be restored to it's former glory! But, no pressure. We picked you for a reason!" Urahara practically sang, fan still obscuring his cheshire grin.
Grimmjow scoffed. "Which would be?" he asked, not willing to admit that he was curious why he was chosen for this particular task.
"Your general lack of manners, terrible attitude, stubborn personality, and overall unapproachability, of course!" he said dismissively as he gleefully sauntered out of the room. He paused and turned around at the doorway, suspiciously appraising Grimmjow and recollecting his severe lack of finesse. "She agreed to the date, right?"
Grimmjow's frown deepened as he tried to control his building irritation. Do they think I can't do anything? It's a fucking date, not rocket science. he thought bitterly. "I told her I'd be there at seven-thirty," he spat, wanting to smack that cocky grin right off Urahara's face.
Kisuke rolled his eyes, unconvinced. "Call her up or something," he suggested as he left the room. "And don't act like such a caveman when you do," he added, popping his head back into view and ducking back out just as quickly when Grimmjow chucked a sneaker at him.
Grimmjow was relieved when Kisuke left, and relaxed muscles he hadn't realized that he tensed in his rage. "And remember to shower! I can smell you from here, Caveman-san!" Urahara called from down the hallway, clearly amused.
Grimmjow punched the coffee table. "Fuck you, Urahara! You're dead!" he exclaimed as he stormed out of the room with murder written all over his face, leaving Renji to roll on the floor, clutching his sides all by himself.
Hikari woke up to the faint sound of Nanao's alarm going off in the next room. Knowing that her friend would be up immediately to take a shower and get ready for work, Hikari decided to start breakfast so it might be ready when her friend was finished. Nanao had a big day today- it was her first mock trial against Kyoraku Shunsui, her boss and mentor for the past year. Nanao was an apprentice and intern at Kyoraku's private law firm, and hoped to make her big entrance as a criminal prosecutor when she finished law school in December. Hikari had seen her practicing some closing and whatnot before, and she was wholly impressed with Nanao's skill and intellect. She thought it was interesting, however, that her roommate would be the apprentice of one of the city's best criminal defense lawyers when Nanao was dead-set on being a prosecutor. Hikari continued to contemplate these things as she steamed rice for natto and began to scramble some eggs.
Hikari was almost finished when Nanao walked into the kitchen, giving the air a sample sniff and announcing, "This smells delicious." Nanao began to set the table and make some tea while Hikari dished up some natto, eggs, and toast for each of them.
"Are you excited for today?" Hikari asked, trying to keep her own excitement out of her voice. She was excited and it wasn't even her mock trial.
Nanao shrugged coolly. "I suppose. More nervous than excited, I think," she explained as the pair sat down at the table to eat.
Hikari smiled sympathetically. Nanao got nervous very easily- it was just in her nature to do so. She was a textbook perfectionist, and often put more pressure on herself than necessary, in Hikari's eyes. She was largely successful, though, so Hikari figured she must have been doing something right. "You'll do great. I know it," Hikari offered her friend in encouragement. "Plus, I'll be there to cheer you on! It starts at five, right?"
Nanao smiled gratefully. "Right," she confirmed before a moment of silence lapsed over the breakfast table. Nanao decided to change the subject; she didn't want to psych herself out with all of this thinking about the upcoming mock trial. "So, what was up with you last night? You must have stayed out pretty late."
Hikari's smile slipped a little and she heaved a short sigh, mostly at memories of her irritation at a certain blue-haired client. "Rukia, Rangiku, and I went out for drinks after work and saw some clients at Umaeda's," she recalled.
The two young adults spoke for a while longer before Nanao suddenly stood from her seat. "Shit!" she exclaimed, as she ducked back into her bedroom to grab her bag and briefcase. "I've got to get to the shobou; I'm going to head straight over to Kyoraku's after work, so I won't be back home," she informed her younger roommate as she snatched the last piece of toast from her plate and pulled on her jacket.
Hikari smiled, starting to clear the plates from breakfast. "Okay," she noted, steadying the plates in her hands. Hikari called out, "Good luck!" but Nanao was already flying down the hall and to the shobou.
Hikari sighed and finished up the dishes before checking the time. It was almost nine o'clock and she didn't have to be at the onsen until noon, so she changed into a sleeveless top, some jogging shorts, and tennis shoes and climbed the stairs to the complex's private gym. It wasn't as nice or elaborate as the gym that the university offered, but she had the entire place to herself most of the time. Kyuuten jogged a few miles and piddled around with the stationary bike and stair stepper until around ten-thirty when she headed back to the apartment to get ready for the day. After a shower and a quick email check, it was time for her to head to the onsen, so she grabbed her bag and keys and headed out.
Momo preferred to walk to the Tokyo Police Department-the place of her internship-and usually only took the bus if it was too cold or raining. Today, however, was a lovely day and Momo was enjoying her mid-October walk. Upon entering the precinct building, she shrugged off her jacket and scarf, hanging them on one of the empty hooks on the wall.
"Good afternoon, Hinamori-kun."
Hinamori turned around and was greeted with the warm and smiling face of her mentor, Aizen Souske. "Good afternoon, Aizen-taicho!" Hinamori greeted with a respectful bow and a bright smile. He patted her head in a friendly and affectionate gesture as the pair walked to his office.
"How are you today?" Aizen asked cordially while nodding to a few of the officers who greeted him as they passed.
"I'm great," Hinamori announced with a smile. Which was true. She was great-fatigued and stressed, sure-but great. She loved her internship and there was never a doubt in her mind that she didn't want to join the force when she graduated in the spring. "How have you been today, Captain?" she asked politely.
"Wonderful," he answered as the duo arrived at his office door. "I've got a surprise for you, Hinamori-kun," he said as he pulled a name plaque out of his jacket pocket, which had her name rather elegantly engraved in brass and 'intern' inscribed directly underneath. He presented it to his intern with both hands, smiling at the first confused and then delighted look on her face.
"A name plate...?" Hinamori asked, tilting her head to one side, somewhat perplexed. It didn't matter if she didn't know what it was for, or what this meant, it was enough that Captain Aizen was somehow recognizing and rewarding her effort. She slowly reached out to take the plate, bowing deeply as she did so. "Thank you, Captain Aizen."
However, when she straightened herself, she noticed that Aizen had opened his office door and was waiting for her on the other side. She stepped in quickly as Aizen let the door fall shut behind her and immediately noticed a change in the office, on the back wall next to the window, was an additional desk. As the realization dawned on her, Aizen spoke, "I have decided that since you were going to be taking on more responsibilities and all, you should have a desk of your own."
Momo felt like she was going to bust at the sentiment, and expressed her gratitude again with another bow. "Thank you very much, Aizen-taicho!"
The older man chuckled and patted her head once more. "I have this paperwork set aside for you to do; it's from the Masao case last week. You remember the one?" he asked. Hinamori nodded. "It shouldn't take you very long. Could you just double-check the evidence filing? I'm terribly sorry, but I have a meeting with the chief momentarily and need to go," he explained, sincerely apologetic that he was leaving her to her own devices.
"Yes, sir," Hinamori smiled and took the file to her desk, along with the evidence case that had been on the floor beside it. Captain Aizen was probably one of the kindest people she had ever known. He helped anyone in need, and he was always exceptionally calm and patient with her. It was unusual that a captain would take on an intern, but Aizen had insisted that the best way for Hinamori to gain a complete experience with the police force was to work with someone in an authoritative position. He let her sit in on interviews and interrogations, frequently asked her opinions, and was confident in her abilities. As Momo went through the paperwork for the Masao case, and sifted thought the evidence, checking the bags and serial numbers, she reflected upon these things. Aizen was everything her father had not been, and she profoundly respected him. Even though she had only been working with the TPD for three months or so, she had a strong connection with Captain Aizen.
Hikari stifled a yawn as she changed from her work uniform to her regular clothes and stretched her hands to the ceiling after pulling on her shirt. She hadn't had a lot of time to sleep last night, and she was beginning to be able to tell. She wasn't able to take any breaks between clients, as Saturday was one of the busiest days for the onsen, but she was grateful that her shift had been only four hours. She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder before she clocked out and headed downstairs.
"Kyuuten-san! Kyuuten-san!" Hanataro called, waving his hands at her from the reception desk. Hikari closed the short distance between them and could tell as she got closer that the awkward youth was flustered.
"Yes, Hanataro-san?" she inquired.
"Earlier, perhaps around two o'clock, a man called and asked for your personal contact information. He said he was a friend? I got his name," he announced as he shuffled though some papers before triumphantly pulling out a pale yellow sticky-note. "A Ja...Jeager...jaques Grimmjow?" he said, struggling with the difficult pronunciation and not noticing Hikari slap a hand to her forehead.
She sighed, not knowing whether to be annoyed or disturbed by Grimmjow's actions. "Thank you Hanataro-san. From now on, could you please not give out my personal information?" she asked nicely, but Hanataro's face dropped regardless.
"O-oh! Oh, no! Kyuuten-san, I'm terribly sorry! I didn't give out your address or anything. I won't share your information anymore!" he bowed deeply, hoping that she wasn't angry.
'No, I suppose I gave him my address,' Hikari thought to herself, which she somehow found simultaneously amusing and annoying. "It's quite alright, Hanataro-san," she made a considerable effort to make her voice light and flashed a big smile as she patted his head. He didn't mean any harm, poor kid. "I've got to go, though. I'll see you tomorrow!"
The day had gotten cooler since that afternoon, and Hikari shivered when she walked out of the onsen. She shrugged on the thin jacket that she had brought with her, and pulled her phone out of its pocket. She had intended only to check the time, but the screen flashed '8 missed calls'. She scanned though the call log, noticing six of the eight calls were from Nanao and two from an unknown number. She quickly saved the unknown digits into her contacts as 'Do Not Answer!', seeing as how she had a pretty good idea of who it was. She then punched the speed dial number for Nanao's cell phone and waited for her friend to answer.
"Hikari! You called!" Nanao answered eagerly after only one ring.
"Yeah, sorry I missed your calls; I just left the onsen," she explained. "What's up? Is everything okay?" Hikari asked while taking note of the shuffling and clattering noises coming from Nanao's end of the phone.
Nanao huffed into the phone before picking up the pencil holder and stapler that she had knocked to the floor. What was wrong with her today? Her nerves were all over the place! "Everything is fine. Could you stop by the apartment before you come to Kyoraku-san's office, though? I got coffee on my blouse this morning at the bookstore; would you mind bringing me another one?" she asked her roommate.
Hikari smiled softly into the phone as she crossed the street close to their apartment complex. "Of course. Which one do you want?" she asked.
"Either the blue or the purple one. Whichever one has the least wrinkles."
Hikari laughed at her friend; their iron had broken about a week before and Nanao had been pressing her clothes between Hikari's textbooks instead. Hikari made a mental note to buy a new one after work tomorrow. "Sure. I'll be there around 4:45. Do you need anything else?"
Nanao shook her head into the phone, even though her friend couldn't see her. "That's all. Thanks Hikari!"
It didn't take Hikari long to find a suitable replacement shirt for Nanao, and decided to bring both the blue and lavender blouses, just in case. After packing her friend's clothes in her bag, Hikari changed from her casual jeans and t-shirt to something a little nicer for Nanao's mock-trial. She opted for a mid-thigh length black jumper with black, opaque tights and a turquoise long-sleeve shirt underneath, which matched her scarf almost perfectly. Realizing she was behind on time, Hikari quickly pulled her long hair up into a ponytail and secured it with a ribbon as she hurried from the apartment, prepared to sprint to midtown if the buses were too crowded.
On the way to Kyoraku's office, traffic was terrible and Hikari barely made it by 4:45. She found Nanao waiting for her by the entrance, and looked visibly relieved when Hikari arrived.
"I'm really sorry I'm late!" Hikari explained while nearly shoving the bag of Nanao's shirts into her arms as the pair scrambled to the restrooms.
Nanao flashed her friend a smile, but it was strained for all of her anxiety. "You're right on time, Hikari. Thanks again for picking up a change of clothes for me," she said as the closed herself into one of the stalls, talking to Hikari thought the wooden door. "So, how was work today?" Nanao asked as she tossed her stained blouse over the top of the stall for Hikari to catch and stuff in her purse.
Hikari figured that Nanao needed to relieve her mind of thoughts of the impending trial, so she gladly recounted her day. By time she had finished, Nanao had since changed and was straightening the shoulders of her blazer in the mirror. Hikari gave her friend an enthusiastic smile of approval, "You look great. Very professional. I'm glad you chose the lavender one-I liked it better." Hikari noted that her roommate was characteristically anxioius, but knew that her friend was also very excited for her mock trial and a chance to prove herself to her coworkers.
Hikari hugged her friend goodbye and wished her luck as she departed for the spectator section of the courtroom duplicate and Nanao took her place at the table in the front of the room for prosecution counsel. Kyoraku was already seated on the side of the defense, looking as relaxed as he had every time Hikari had ever seen him. She took a seat in the audience next to an older man with long, white hair, whom she recognized from the Christmas party Nanao took her to last year. His name was Ukitake Jyuushiro and he served as an accountant of sorts for Kyoraku's firm.
"Ah, Kyuuten-san, it's a pleasure to see you again," he said amiably as she sat down beside hime, offering his hand to shake.
Hikari smiled warmly at the older man and took his hand in her own. "Likewise, Ukitake-san."
There were still a few minutes before the trial was scheduled to begin, so Ukitake picked up a small conversation. "Is Nanao-san nervous?" he asked, seemingly concerned.
Hikari nodded, "Very. I'm confident that she'll do well, though. She always does."
Ukitake smiled at her roommate at the front of the room, who was setting up her papers on the table in preparation for the trial's start. "Nanao-san is very bright and talented. Probably the best intern we've ever had by far. She'll do very well," he agreed just as the heavy oak doors behind them were drawn to a close and the audience was called to attention.
Hikari watched in anticipation, nervous and excited for her friend, as the trial began. Since Nanao was taking the offensive position as the prosecutor, she made the first moves, calling upon mock-witnesses and presenting her evidence and argument to the jury. Hikari noted with awe how realistic the set-up was, and wondered how often the miniature courtroom was put to use. It seemed awfully elaborate and well-planned. She kept up with most of the case, but was occasionally thrown for a loop when either Nanao or Kyoraku would object and spout off a bit of legal jargon. In these situations, Hikari would watch Ukitake from the corner of her eye and could more easily discern what had happened based on his reactions than by trying to decode the elite lingo of the court.
By the time each party delivered their closing arguments, Hikari was sure that Nanao was the victor. She had heard her friend practice the final speech many times in the apartment, but watching her unleash it before a courtroom full of people was very different. A sense of pride welled in Hikari as she watched her friend, and had to fight down the urge to clap at its conclusion. She was too busy beaming at her friend to pay much attention to Kyoraku's speech, though it wounded smooth and elegant as his words danced around the courtroom.
The audience was dismissed for a ten minute break as the jury came to a decision, so Hikari waited for Nanao outside the courtroom. When her friend emerged, Hikari enveloped her a huge hug. "That was amazing, Nanao!" she praised, even though her friend looked a little doubtful.
Nanao pushed her glasses to the bridge of her nose, looking uncertainly at Hikari. "Do you really think so? I don't think my cross-examination of the second witness was very thorough..." Nanao was stopped when her smaller roommate took a hold of her shoulders and looked at her seriously.
"Nanao, you need to believe in yourself. I do. You were great in there," Hikari said. She didn't understand how her friend could doubt her own abilities because she truly was so talented. "I certainly wouldn't want you prosecuting me," Hikari added with a smile to lighten the mood.
Nanao laughed a little at this. "You're right. Thank you very much, Hikari," she said, seeming a little more relaxed. The two sat in a comfortable silence until the court master called everyone back inside to hear the jury's verdict. Hikari gaver her roommate's hand a squeeze and mouthed 'good luck' before she took her own seat. Ukitake joined her shortly, though they didn't speak. Hikari watched the jurors intently, looking for any indication that her friend would be declared the victor of the mock trial, but found none.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge asked the box of supposed jurors. Hikari wondered briefly where the firm found all of these people to participate in the mock trial.
She was pulled from her musings as a middle-aged man stood, clutching a folded sheet of paper in his hands. "We have, your honor," he announced before continuing, "In the mock case of the State versus Tsubaka, we find the defendant guilty."
Hikari squeaked in excitement as the other members of the audience milled about, gathering their belongings. Nanao won! Hikari was out of her seat like a streak of turquoise lightening and met her friend halfway to the stand. "Congratulations, Nanao!" she squealed, hugging her frind tightly. Hikari could have sworn that she hadn't ever seen Nanao smile so widely.
"Congratulations, Nanao-san," Ukitake said as he joined the pair of girls, smiling warmly.
Nanao bowed to show her respect to Ukitake, "Thank you very much, Ukitake-san."
"Nanao-cha~n!" Kyoraku sing-songed as he milled over to where Hikari, Nanao, and Ukitake were standing. He draped an arm around Nanao's shoulders, much to her obvious chagrin.
Ukitake chucked at his long-time friend, "It looks like you're going to be out of a job soon, Shun."
Kyoraku shrugged off-handedly. "Well, you win some and lose some. I'd rather lose to my lovely Nanao-chan than anyone else," he quipped, not the least bit deterred as Nanao smacked his hand off for the second time. "Let's celebrate Nanao's victory! Drinks on me!" Kyoraku announced. Nanao looked reluctant, but agreed nevertheless.
Hikari hung back in the group, checking the time on her phone-it was 7:38. She realized she had fallen further back than she had intended to. Kyoraku turned around, noting her hesitance, "Aren't you coming to celebrate with us, Hikari-chan?" he asked, trying again to get his hands around Nanao.
Just then, Hikari's phone vibrated in her hand and the words 'Do Not Answer!' flashed across the screen. She pressed the 'ignore' option on the screen and shoved the phone to the bottom of her purse. "Of course," she said, wrapping her scarf around herself a little tighter as the group stepped into the dusk of the city. Technically, she never agreed to dinner, anyways.
Author's Notes:
Nanao works part-time at a 'shobou', which is a bookstore.
I don't know much about the Japanese court system, so I set it up like the American one.
Please read and review! I need some feedback =)