Tea for Two

It was winter in Karakura Town and everyone was busy shopping for presents for the coming Christmas. Though he already finished buying presents, still he went out and joined the bustling crowd to look around and if anything caught his fancy, he would simply purchase it.

Three hours and several shopping bags later, he bought (again) a number of presents for his sister Rukia. Knowing that she has a penchant for rabbits, he saw a new novelty shop that sold the latest Chappy the Bunny items. With loads of shopping bags in both hands, it was then that he felt tired and decided to go to his favorite coffee and tea shop before heading back to his townhouse.

She saw him approaching and her heart made its usual thunderous flip flop whenever she would see him. Ohh my, he's such as dreamboat, she mused, admiring his tall build, his lean, muscular physique… the shiny shoulder length hair that oh how she would love running her hands through and feel its silkiness… his face though patrician in features were one of a kind… though most of the time his expression was serene and often stoic, one would drown in those dark grey eyes of his. And his lips, one would blush at its pinkish hue and when he spoke with that suave baritone voice of his would render one speechless and awed by his presence. He was the head of one of the four great noble families in their country and for someone with great stature, he was a simple man, and she felt honored that he was one of the patrons in her shop. In a way, it was also through him that Rangiku's coffee and tea shop became known in their town since when they heard that Byakuya was one of the patrons, his fangirls would come in hopes to see the handsome noble. In the end, they also became her regulars since they love her coffee and tea concoctions and her mother's pastries.

But alas, for one simple Rangiku Matsumoto, this man who would frequent her shop would only politely order his favorite peppermint & chamomile tea, sit at his favorite nook and would either read his book or surf the internet with his notebook and afterwards would nod at her and leave.

As Byakuya approached the counter Rangiku was in her usual cheery self and greeted him.

"Konnichiwa Byakuya-sama, would you have the usual?" she asked, smiling broadly at him

"Yes please. And also some scones and a box of oatmeal cookies to go. Thank you Rangiku-san" he replied and went to his favorite spot.

Unknown to Byakuya, his favorite nook was also a personal favorite of hers. It was located at the rear of the shop, with two comfortable single-seater sofas and a small coffee table. It was beside a clear French window that has a splendid view of a small garden full of Chinese bellflowers and a lone cherry blossom tree with a wooden bench underneath at the corner. In the middle of the garden is a small fountain.

Byakuya settled himself comfortably; the shopping bags were neatly laid on the adjacent sofa. He took out his mobile phone and dialed a number. Moments later he was busy speaking to the other line. As Rangiku prepared his tea, she could not help but admire the tone of his voice, so calm and yet so manly. She was placing the scones he ordered in a saucer when she overheard him talking to a maÎtre'd, making reservations for dinner. How lucky that woman is… she thought. Who was that lucky woman who would have dinner with him? Probably a noble too like him? Or is she one of the regulars here? But I haven't seen him with a date here in the shop either… for the longest time I knew him as one of my regular patrons, he always come here alone…. Ahh well, a girl can only dream…

Rangiku was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she did not notice Byakuya was standing in front of her, and when she came to her senses, she was awed since he was looking at her inquiringly.

"Rangiku-san… is my tea ready?" he asked softly.

"Ahh… ano, hai, hai! I'll bring it, just a sec…" she stammered. Darn Rangiku! Great choice of words! How glamorous can you get! She scolded herself as she hastily set the tea cup and scones on the tray.

Rangiku set the tea cup and scones gracefully at the table and smiled at Byakuya who merely nodded. As she finished attending to another patron she was surprised to see him standing near the counter and silently waited for her. Shyly she went to him and smiled, asking "May I help you Byakuya-sama?"

"Can a have an additional tea cup and a pot of tea?" he asked

"Of course… I'll bring it to your table as soon as I prepare it." Rangiku replied.

He definitely has a date, and obviously he's waiting for her. She sadly thought as she was brewing his tea. As she forlornly took the teapot and cup to his table, she noticed that he looked awkward.

"Byakuya-sama, is everything alright? Do you need…"

"Rangikucouldyouhaveteawithme?" Byakuya stuttered, a blush appeared on his cheeks

"H-huh? P-pardon me?" Rangiku stammered as she timidly gazed at Byakuya

"I… mean, could you have tea with me? It seems that you need to relax even for a moment… you look tired" Byakuya said. He was back to his composed self.

"Oh, thank you" Rangiku replied, as she was about to take a cushioned stool nearby, she was surprised that he beat her to the task and let her seat on the sofa as he sat on the stool. They sat almost beside each other, since the other chair was occupied with loads of shopping bags.

As they sipped their tea, their conversation flowed from everyday events to politics and the environment and even Rangiku's favorite, fashion. She enjoyed talking to him, awed that he was such as good conversationalist and even aware of the simplest things. He's one person whom you can talk to and just be yourself, she thought. He is such as gentleman too, since he took the stool and let her take the sofa seat instead.

Both had a great time chatting that they did not notice it was already nighttime until one of her staff politely bade them goodnight.

"Oh my, I lost track of time!" Rangiku exclaimed, embarrassed since she remembered that Byakuya made dinner reservations over the phone earlier

"Its only 7:30 Rangiku-san… do you have an appointment?" Byakuya asked, as he lifted the teapot to help her clear the table, Rangiku suddenly took the teapot and accidentally touched his hand.

"Sumimasen Bya---" she stammered and was surprised to see his lips curve in a small smile. Oh dear kami… he's so gorgeous! She thought, as she took the teapot from him.

"I… ahh… its okay Byakuya-sama, I'll clear the table." Rangiku stammered as she took the tea cups and placed it on the tray. She was surprised that Byakuya still helped her place the saucers on the sink, turned on the faucet and began washing.

"It's alright Rangiku-san. I also know how to do dishwashing" Byakuya casually said, as he took the teacups and teapot from the tray. Though she was awed at his sudden friendliness, she focused herself on clearing the small kitchen and proceeded on checking the cashier register. Byakuya asked for his bill and when she handed him the receipt, she was surprised when his hand touched hers.

"Rangiku… can I invite you to have dinner with me tonight?" he asked

Rangiku was astonished at his invitation. The dinner reservation… was with me? He had me in mind… ME?? She thought, she could not believe what was unfolding right before her very eyes, and her hand was being held by his, so warm and soft… she wanted to faint with giddiness right then and there.

"I… ah… I…." she stammered, tongue tied. Say yes Rangiku! She scolded herself, though she could not utter those simple words.

"Is that a yes?" Byakuya softly asked, and as Rangiku who was too surprised to speak only nodded in answer to his question, a curve began to spread on Byakuya's lips and moments later he was smiling fully at her.

"Cat got your tongue Rangiku?" he teased, as he softly kissed her forehead. As soft sigh escaped from her lips, followed by a chuckle. Rangiku's chuckles were so infectious that seconds later, Byakuya joined in and both were laughing.

"You know…you should do that more often… to smile" she said, as she gazed at him, amazed at how gorgeous and carefree he looked when he smiled.

"I know… thank you Rangiku… for making me smile" he said as he gently embraced her.

-fin-

... the idea came to me as i was writing (and editing) my other story while listening to my music collection (talk about multi-tasking! lol) i hope you like it... took me 3 hours to finish this, if there are some grammar errors (especially on the verbal time) my deepest apologies.

...next episode... toshiro and karin

and... belated merry christmas!