Chapter 4
Happy Birthday
By Demon-of-Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I do own my OC's and OOC's.
Warnings: This is AU and has some spoilers.
No flames, but constructive criticism is welcome.
"Ready for home, sis?" Shinji called as he walked toward her and Aizen. He watched Aizen for a few moments and then looked to Moria.
"Yeah," Moria said and then looked at Aizen, "Thank you for escorting me, Lieutenant Aizen. It was very kind of you."
Aizen smiled warmly and mentioned that it was nothing before heading off.
Shinji watched him go with wary eyes until Moria interrupted his thoughts.
"Ya don't trust him do ya?"
Shinji looked at his sister out of the corner of his eyes, "Is it that obvious?"
"You're an open book . . . I don't trust him either. Something about his eyes seems off," Moria said and then went on a tangent, "Have you ever seen what Komamura looks like under his helmet?"
Shinji narrowed his eyes and asked, "Why?"
"He's really nice and very skilled," she said and then paused as if in thought, "He seems sad though. Like he's afraid or something like that. He has a lot of potential and yet . . ."
"You read into people too much sis," Shinji chuckled and wrapped his arm around Moria's shoulders, "It's getting late."
Moria pouted her lips and mumbled, "We have the day off tomorrow though . . ."
"Yeah," Shinji said and then smiled slightly, "But we have an early dinner reservation tonight at that restaurant you love to go to."
Moria froze and then slowly looked at Shinji who nodded. He grinned as usual and then said, "It is in two hours."
"We barely have time to change!" Moria cried and then ran toward their home.
Shinji shook his head and then flash stepped in front of her, pulling her onto his back. He then flash stepped to their home. He landed lightly and then looked at Moria over his shoulder. She was blinking and looked a little shocked.
"Well, when you do that we have plenty of time," Moria mumbled, "I keep forgetting you can do that. Every time I try I land on my head."
Shinji chuckled as he watched his sister prepare for dinner at the fancy restaurant. He listened as she went into the bathroom to shower and went over to a very old armoire. He had bought it once he had some spending money and loved the look of it.
There was a koi pattern that ran up the corners, the ornamental fish slowly turning into dragons. At the top a dragon head was carved into the wood, which had a deep blue finish. The blue slowly faded into a natural tone at the bottom of the piece.
Shinji touched one of the fine handles, his fingers trailing over the inlay on the doors, so intricate and yet so simple. The pattern drew the eyes to the handles and then the eyes were drawn upwards to the dragon head.
He stared up at the dragon for a moment, noticing how the whiskers slowly blended into the koi and yet never disappeared entirely. They trailed down the entire dresser and wrapped around the first koi on each of the two front legs.
He pulled the doors open and took out a paper wrapped object, which he laid out on the bed before closing the doors.
The paper was carefully unfolded and revealed a beautiful obi.
The water had stopped and the door to the bathroom opened. Moria walked out and noticed the obi on the bed. For several moments she just stared and then she asked, "Is that mom's?"
Shinji nodded and then walked over to a door and opened it, revealing a beautiful kimono. Even though some of the threads were fraying you could still see the detail and care put into it.
"Her kimono as well," Shinji said, "For you now. You're old enough. Happy early birthday sis, hope you like it."
Moria remained silent as he walked out of the room. Several minutes later she came out dressed in the beautiful silk kimono that her mother would wear so long ago.
"I love it," she said, tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much."
"You look just like mom," Shinji said and hugged her back to hide the fact that there were tears in his eyes too, "Let's go to dinner."
The siblings headed out the door and to the restaurant where they met up with Yoruichi who was also having dinner there.
"Hey! Shinji! Who's this?" Yoruichi called, followed closely by her aids.
Shinji smiled and then turned to Moria, "Yoruichi, this is my sister, Moria. Sis, this is Yoruichi Shihôin. She is the Captain of Squad Two."
Yoruichi grinned and then said, "Nice to meet you Moria. Oh! Don't call me Captain Shihôin alright? I prefer being called Yoruichi. I don't like formalities too much."
Moria chuckled, feeling suddenly very small. A member of one of the four great noble families had just asked to be called by her first name. She was flabbergasted.
"That is a beautiful kimono Moria. Did your brother get if for you?"
Moria and Shinji both shook their heads and answered at the same time, "It was mom's kimono."
Yoruichi smiled and paced around Moria for a few moments, investigating the beautiful piece of clothing. She paused behind Moria for a moment and then ushered her into a side room.
"You didn't tie the obi quite right," Yoruichi mumbled and adjusted the elegant tie, "There. Perfect."
"Thank you Yoruichi," Moria said and looked at the tie over her shoulder, "This is the first time I've worn it . . . I wasn't sure how."
"It is an art unto itself," Yoruichi said with a wide grin, "Well let's go eat!"
Moria smiled and followed the noble out of the room. She only hoped that her birthday would be as good as the day before it.
End Chapter 4