She met him that afternoon in the same area as before. He was waiting for her with Kira. They began shortly after that. The first part of their match was very similar to hers with Kira. Quickly, though, she became bored with that. "Perhaps you could release your Zanpaku-to…before I start to doze off," she teased.
They were both surprised by that. Kira laughed a little and Hisagi had no choice but to give in to her. As soon as he did, she flash stepped in front of him and ran the palm of her hand along the flat of her blade. Her breath hitched in her throat as she did, "Amazing, it is pure energy now?"
"Yeah," Hisagi didn't realize it because he was so entranced by Haushinka but during this exchange, her daggers had gathered behind him in a very threatening way. Kira was very amused by this and didn't want to ruin it so he tried to keep his reaction to a minimum.
The only warning Hisagi received was the slight smirk on her lips before she flash stepped again and appeared behind him and her arsenal. He quickly turned to face her and stumbled backward at what he saw. "What the hell was that?" he complained as he picked himself up off the ground.
"She's on the special forces for a reason, you know," Kira called to his friend, unable to contain his amusement.
"I'm dead…I guess that means you win," Hisagi conceded and allowed his sword to return to it's normal shape and structure.
She bowed to him and did the same.
"You have to let me buy you dinner this time," Hisagi insisted.
Kira was surprised by his friend's forwardness but, at the same time, relieved.
She appeared hesitant at first but eventually accepted, "I suppose that's permissible…under one condition."
"What's that?" he asked suspiciously, knowing that he would have done anything she could ask of him.
"I would like to clean up first," she confessed.
Hisagi was glad that she thought he could be worth the effort. "Of course. I'll be by later to pick you up."
They went their separate ways after that and, once it wouldn't be too suspicious, Kira caught up with Haushinka as she made her way back to her quarters.
"Haushinka, may I have a word with you?" He knew she had a few minutes to spare but wasn't sure if she wanted to spare them on him.
"Of course, Vice Captain Kira. What can I do for you?" she asked innocently.
He started by congratulating her on her total victory.
"Thank you, I was really hoping I would beat him," she admitted guiltily.
"Well, there's no sense in fighting someone if you intend to lose," Kira pointed out.
"Actually, if I thought he would ask me out right away if I lost, I might have thrown the fight."
Kira paused, stunned by the girl's honesty. "R-really?"
"Why are you so surprised? You were the one who told me to be more forward with Vice Captain Hisagi. I don't think I could have been more forward without asking him out myself…I thought it would be more polite if I allowed him the opportunity to ask me again before I resorted to something so drastic."
Kira laughed a little. "I suppose you have a point there." He left her shortly after that.
She was more than ready when Hisagi came to get her. She was glad that he did because she was beginning to pace, second guessing her forwardness earlier.
He walked her to a nearby café and, to his surprise, she held his hand while they walked. Her hand was much smaller than his but her grip was firm, assuring him that even if he wanted to let go, he would have to forcibly pull away from her. She seemed to take comfort in their physical contact and that reassured him.
Just as they were about to be seated Renji came up behind them. He brought a hand down hard on each of their shoulders and greeted them. She tensed and squeezed Hisagi's hand but didn't move. It was obvious to everyone but Renji how uncomfortable Haushinka was but she wasn't about to do anything about it so Hisagi did. He pulled his hand from hers and pushed Renji against the wall with an audible thump. He didn't say anything as he withdrew and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, allowing the hostess to seat them. Renji appeared confused and offended at first but quickly recovered and sat with his friends.
"You didn't have to do that," Haushinka began when they were seated.
Hisagi shrugged and gave a small, noncommittal sound. "He's a dense idiot. It's the only way I could get my point across."
"Oh? And what point would that be?"
Hisagi blushed and stammered a bit. That was enough of a reply for her and she reached across the table to him. She was disappointed to find he was holding what was most likely a menu so, she carefully took it out of his hands so she could hold them. This time her touch was more intimate. Her fingers traced his, every detail and this time he couldn't hold back the shiver he felt from her light touches.
She was about to say something but the waitress came back. "Please order for me," she requested. "These are useless to me," she complained while handing the menus in the general direction of the waitress. Not that she couldn't have ordered. She knew what was on the menu from the smells that drifted through the café.
He did as she asked and the waitress quickly left.
"I like your hands," she continued with a slight blush.
He found himself continually without words when with her. It was a state he was not used to but somehow he managed. "Thank you. I like you."
Her hands stopped moving but didn't move from his. "R-really?" It sounded like she didn't trust his words when he did eventually find them.
"Of course," he sounded appalled by her questioning him.
She didn't verbally return his sentiment but he didn't really expect her to. She'd already shown some of her affection for him and that was enough for the time being.
As they ate, Hisagi noticed that the table where his friends were seated was watching them. It was making him uncomfortable and he was considering saying something to them.
"Let them be, they're not hurting anyone," she suggested.
He nearly growled. "I still don't like it."
"They're just curious. If we don't react to them, they will eventually stop. Besides, your friend Renji is still steamed that you slammed him against the wall. You should give him some time for them to cool him down."
He gave her a puzzled look. "How do you…"
"They think their being quiet but I can still hear them," she bragged. "If they say something offensive, I'll let you know but until then…I would like your attention."
He was still unsure but her flattery overcame that and he once again directed his entire attention toward her. Since she hadn't started moving her hands again, he initiated the movement. It was his first opportunity to really touch her and appreciate it. Her skin was warm and soft and he got the impression that the rest of her was that way as well. He was saved from overstepping his bounds by the waitress returning with their meal.
The rest of their diner was pleasant and peaceful and they left before his friends were finished with their meal. Unsure as to how to proceed, Hisagi took her back to her quarters after a short walk. It was starting to get dark when they sat down on her front steps.
"Thank you, that was wonderful," she smiled.
He carefully put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. At first, he expected her to pull away but, to his surprise, she rested her head on his shoulder. He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. He found her presence soothing and he was glad that she no longer seemed apprehensive around him. She breathed deeply, taking in his scent and making a small sound of contentment.
They sat this way, in near silence, until dark overcame them and she was the first to move. She lifted her head, her warm breath tickling his bear neck, "I had a wonderful time…I hope we can do this again soon." She lightly kissed the side of his throat before pulling away from him and standing.
He nearly whined at the loss of contact after something so intimate and sweet. It took all his energy to not take her into his arms and not let her go. "I would like that very much," was all he could manage.
They said their good nights and she went inside. Several minutes later, he left her steps and headed toward his own quarters, lost in thought. He should have expected the ambush that awaited him but, alas, he was too distracted.
"Oi! What the hell was that all about?" Renji demanded as he stepped up beside Hisagi.
Hisagi gave him a puzzled look. He thought it was pretty obvious what his evening had been all about.
"I though you were going to shove my shoulder out of the socket!" the redhead continued to complain.
"Oh, that," Hisagi smirked just slightly.
"Don't 'oh, that' me! I demand an explanation!"
"I thought I made myself pretty clear," Hisagi retorted.
"So you two do have something going on," Renji accused playfully.
Hisagi cocked a brow and gave his obnoxious friend an impatient stare. "Is there a point to this?"
Renji just laughed. "You're awfully protective of her if you don't have something going on."
Hisagi sighed a bit.
"She didn't seem to mind, though."
"She thought it was unnecessary."
"That doesn't mean she didn't appreciate it."
"And she didn't appreciate what you did," Hisagi smirked.
"Oh? How could you tell? She didn't even react."
Hisagi just laughed, knowing there wasn't a way that he could describe it and if he tried it wouldn't sound right.