Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 12: Sake

Jushiro followed Shunsui through the large double doors and into his friends' favorite bar. As soon as he stepped into the bar, his nose was assaulted by the smell of smoke and alcohol. The bar was completely packed. Many shinigami stood near the bar and along the walls and a whole deal more swayed to and fro on the dance floor as music played from somewhere up above.

"Can I have your attention everyone," shouted Shunsui over the murmur of voices and the clanging of glasses against table tops. The music was turned down and the bar quieted down as everyone turned to face Shunsui who had climbed to stand on a chair.

"Captain Kyoraku, what's up?" asked Ikkaku. He held a large sake bottle in one hand.

"I just want everyone to know that my wife gave birth his afternoon and I now have a son! Drinks on me!" The shinigami in the bar began to cheer and applauded loudly and after a few moments, the music was turned back up. As soon as Shunsui stepped down off the chair he was assaulted by a mob of shinigami who patted him on the back in congratulations. As soon as the mob dispersed, Shunsui and Jushiro made their way to an empty table on the far side of the room where they sat down and ordered glasses of sake.

"Congratulations!" bellowed Kenpachi as he made his way to their table. "I was starting to think that all you could produce was girls." Shunsui laughed.

"I was beginning to think the same thing,"

"Well, I might as well go ahead and tell you that if that boy turns out to be anything like the way you used to be, you better keep him away from my little girl." Shunsui laughed again.

"I think Emi can take care of herself. She did beat Ikkaku to a bloody pulp last week."

"Baldy was asking for it. He made fun of the bows at the end of her pigtails. She's strong, but I'd rather not have to worry about crazy boys chasing after her. I have enough trouble worrying about Yachiru. That little punk Hanataro keeps trying to date her. There's no chance in hell I'm going to let that happen."

"Why not?" asked Jushiro as he lifted up his sake glass. "Hanataro's a great kid."

"P-lease," replied Kenpachi drawing out the last syllable. "The kid's a total marshmallow. He doesn't even like to fight. No one likes a softie."

"Apparently Yachiru does," he replied. Jushiro had been over to the Fourth Division enough times to see that the two were completely head over heels in love with each other.

"Yachiru's too young to know what she wants."

"Anyways, wouldn't keeping them apart only drive them closer together in the long run? With most people, as soon as something becomes off limits, it only makes that something even more desirable."

"Humm," said Kenpachi as he began rubbing his chin, "I didn't think about it like that. Looks like I'm just going to have to kill him after all."

"You're not killing anyone." Zaraki spun around to see Soi Fon approaching.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the demon lady," said Zaraki as he lifted an eyebrow.

"Yachiru loves Hanataro and I won't have you upsetting my stepdaughter by killing the little twerp. Now, go get me a drink before I kick your ass again."

"You know darling, most wives make their husbands sleep on the couch whenever they get mad. They don't send them to the Fourth."

"I know," replied Soi Fon. A flirtatious smile crossed her lips as she walked up to her husband and pulled on the front of his captain's haori. "But would you love me if I was any different than the way I am?"

"Nope," he laughed. "Come on my demon woman, I'll get you that drink." Zaraki bent his left arm and Soi Fon hooked her arm through his and they both made their way back to the bar.

"What an odd couple," commented Jushiro. "I guess they really do love each other."

"Speaking of love, how are things going with Miss Tanaka?" asked Shunsui before he took a drink from his sake cup.

"Better," replied Jushiro. "We've been walking together every night for the past couple of weeks. We usually spend the whole time talking. She really is an amazing girl. I haven't had a chance to ask her out though."

"And why not? I know you want to."

"The opportunity just didn't present itself." Shunsui narrowed his eyes at his friend.

"How could the opportunity not have presented itself? You're with her for several hours every evening and based on what you've told me, it sounds like things are going pretty well."

"I just don't want to scare her away by putting her in an awkward position if she didn't like me that way."

"Jushiro, Jushiro, Jushiro—you wouldn't have been putting her in an awkward position. Girls really like being asked out. Even if they don't really like the guy doing the asking, they still find it flattering. Besides, if you don't ask her soon, someone else will and you'll lose your chance."

"I know," replied Jushiro, "That's why the very next time I see her, I'll march straight up to her and make my intentions known."

"Now that's the spirit!" replied Shunsui. "That's the Jushiro I know. But don't say it like that when you ask her."

"Like what?"

"Don't be all 'I have intentions for you.' That makes you sound like a creepy guy from one of Nanao's Victorian novels."

"What?—No it doesn't! She'll understand that that's just the way I talk."

"No, she'll think you're just an old creeper. You know what you should say? You should say—"

"Whoa—hold it right there. I don't want to hear it. The last time you told me what I should say to a girl was while we were still in the academy. I ended up going into my room one night to find three very naked girls lying in my bed who jumped me and then tied me to the bed posts."

"You say that as if it was a bad thing."

"It was horrible! They stripped me and then started tickling me. I laughed so hard that I woke the RA next door up and when he came over and opened the door, he found me naked and tied up. The jerk kicked the girls out and then just left me there with the door open for everyone to see when they went to class in the morning. The cleaning lady eventually had to untie me. I was teased for months after that."

"I remember that. You're lucky your hair changed color shortly after that. If not, you might have been stuck with that horrible nickname forever! What was it that they used to call you?"

"I don't remember."

"Sure you do."

"No I don't. I've tried very hard to block those days from my memory." Shunsui laughed.

"Okay, well say it that way or don't say it that way. As long as you same something than that'll be a step in the right direction."

"I most definitely will—the very next time I see her."

"Good," said Shunsui as he placed his empty sake glass on the table. "Now's here's your chance, she's standing right over there."

Jushiro felt his heart thud loudly before he turned to look in the direction Shunsui was pointing in. There standing near the bar next to Rukia, Matsumoto, and Toshiro stood Miya. Her back was turned to him and he took in the sight of her long black hair cascading down the center of her back.

"Okay Jushiro, moment of truth. You march right up to her and tell her how you feel. It's just like that time you fought those giant boob shaped hollows. Remain calm and focused. Don't be distracted by her…assets. And if all else fails, you can always imagine her standing there in her underwear to ease your nerves."

"What—no! If anything thinking about her in her underwear will only make me even more nervous and I'll end up stuttering and blushing like an idiot."

"Okay—absolutely no stuttering. And don't blush—that's lame."

"Right," he said with a determined nod. "Well, here goes." He got up and began to make his way towards where Miya and the others stood. As he approached, he could hear the voices of those in the group.

"I'm really sorry I had to leave you alone with my brother Miya," said Rukia. "My idiot husband just can't seem to stay out of trouble."

"Really Rukia, it's okay. I survived," replied Miya. Jushiro mentally cringed. When had Miya been alone with Byakuya? He decided that it was probably nothing important based on the tone Miya had responded in.

"Yeah, I mean, how bad could it have been—she was with Byakuya 'Sex-On-Fire' Kuchiki after all."

"Yuck! Matsumoto, please don't talk that way about my brother," whined Rukia.

"What?" asked Matsumoto innocently. "Everyone's thinking it, I'm just saying it."

"Humph," said Toshiro. "I'm not nearly drunk enough to sit back and listen to you girls go on about Byakuya again. I'm getting another drink."

"Yeah, sake!" exclaimed Matsumoto as she followed the white haired captain towards the far end of the bar. At that moment Rukia caught sight of Jushiro approaching.

"Captain Ukitake!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Hello!" Miya turned around and smiled timidly at him before reaching up and twirling a piece of her hair.

"Hello Rukia….Miss Miya," he nodded as he said each of their names.

"Rukia!" He turned around to see a very drunk Ichigo approaching. His signature scowl was missing, replaced by a large lazy smile induced by his inebriated state. Hisagi and Renji followed close behind him.

"Ichigo! What the hell?!?" exclaimed Rukia as Ichigo began to sway from side to side. "You reek of alcohol and can't even stand straight!"

"That's because I'm drunk Rukia!"

"What?!?" Rukia turned to face Renji and Hisagi. "You guys know that Ichigo can't hold his liquor! How man bottles of sake did you give him?"

"Hey, don't blame us for the current state he's in," replied Hisagi.

"Besides, he only had half a beer," stated Renji.

"Rukia!" exclaimed Ichigo again as he walked up to his wife and gave her a hug. "Rukia, let's have a baby!"

"What?!?" exclaimed Rukia, her eyes widening in shock.

"A baby. Let's have one."

"No!"

"Come on, please?" slurred Ichigo.

"No! No baby! What's with the wanting to procreate all of a sudden?" asked Rukia angrily.

"Well, Hisagi and Renji say that I'm not a real man because I haven't gotten you knocked up yet."

"What? Wait a minute—neither of them have managed to get anyone pregnant, so how are they real men?" Ichigo rolled his red bloodshot eyes.

"They've got tattoos," replied Ichigo as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yeah," agreed Hisagi.

"We've got tattoos," said Renji as he tapped his forehead.

"So whataya say Rukia? Let's have a baby."

"No, no, no! Not in a million years!" She shouted and then angrily crossed her arms across her chest.

"Well boys, she didn't go for it. Time for Plan B." Hisagi and Renji began cheering.

"What's Plan B?" asked Rukia confused.

"Well, since you don't want to have a baby, I'm getting a tattoo!"

"No! You don't have to get a tattoo to prove anything to these idiots!"

"No, Rukia, I've made up my mind. Lets go boys—to the tattoo parlor!" Hisagi and Renji cheered again and turned to follow Ichigo as he headed towards the bar door.

"Wait Ichigo! Stop!" yelled Rukia as Ichigo reached the door. Ichigo didn't stop and Rukia, Miya, and Jushiro watched as he nearly fell down as he exited the bar. "Sorry guys, I've gotta go," said Rukia, "I better go stop my idiot husband before he gets something embarrassing tattooed on his face." Miya laughed.

"Okay," she said. "I'll see you later."

"Bye Captain," said Rukia as she gave them both a wave and headed towards the door. They both waved back before seeing her disappear through the bar door. Realizing that they had been left alone, Jushiro turned back to face Miya.

"Are you not drinking anything Miss Miya?" he asked.

"No, not tonight." Crap, he thought. There goes my chance of buying her a drink. Jushiro mentally smacked himself in the head. "I'm kind of like Ichigo when it comes to drinking—just a little bit and I get really really drunk."

"I'm guessing you don't come here often then."

"I've been here a few times," she replied. "I don't really care for drinking, but I do like to dance," she said and then pointed at the dance floor. Jushiro looked over at the packed dance floor. In the middle of the floor he saw Matsumoto dancing around Toshiro as if he were a stripper pole. Jushiro's eyes widened in shock when he caught sight of Soi Fon, her leg hitched around Zaraki's waist as they did something that definitely did not look like just dancing.

"Do you like to dance Captain?" she asked innocently.

"D-dance? L-like t-tha—" Crap! he thought. I'm stuttering! Definitely not cool! His cheeks began to warm up quickly. No! Not now! Blushing's lame!

"Captain Ukitake? Captain Ukitake?" Miya placed a warm hand against his cheek causing him to snap out of his thoughts.

"Huh?" he muttered as he turned to stare down at her concerned face.

"A-are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah," he said in a small voice, "What made you think something was wrong?"

"Well," she said, her eyebrows furrowing, "You started muttering nonsense, stared off into space, and then turned beet red. I was worried you might have choked on your tongue or something."

"Nope, I'm fine," he said. He felt his cheeks slowly return to their normal color. "Miss Miya," he said after a few moments, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you. Would you possibly want to go and get some din—"

"Miya!" Jushiro was cut off before he was able to finish his sentence. He instantly missed the reassuring feel of Mayas warm hand lying against his face when she dropped it to turn around.

"K-Kazuma?" she uttered in a voice that held an equal mixture of disbelief and surprise.

"Right here," said a boy that he instantly recognized as the one who he had fought in the woods the night he had met Miya. He walked up to her with a huge smile on his face and gave her a huge hug. "I told you that you'd be seeing me soon." When he pulled away he left one of his hands on the small of her back. Jushiro immediately felt like ripping his arm off. He didn't know who exactly this guy was, but he already didn't like him.

"How…? Why…? What are you doing here?" Miya choked out. Kazuma smiled.

"It's nice to see you too," he replied.

"I don't understand," said Miya still stunned form the shock of seeing him. "What are you doing in the Seireitei and—" her eyes widened as she pointed to his obi "—when did you get a zanpakuto?"

"So many questions," he replied. "I finally managed to materialize my zanpakuto a few days after we were all released from prison. Although I'm not totally sure what all it can do just yet, I was able to tryout and wrangle myself a spot in the academy."

"Oh well congratulation," said Jushiro. Miya and Kazuma both turned to look at him.

Kazuma narrowed his eyes at him.

"I'm sorry, but who the hell are you?"

"Kazuma, this is Captain Ukitake. Captain Ukitake, this is Kazuma."

"Oh so you're Captain Ukitake," said Kazuma in a disapproving voice as he scrutinized him with his eyes. "Miya's told me about you."

"She has?" asked Jushiro looking questioningly at Miya. He saw her cheeks turn pink.

"Yes, I told him how I was staying with Squad Thirteen and how you were the captain."

"Oh, of course," replied Jushiro. There was an awkward silence between the three of them as Miya and Jushiro stared at each other for a few moments.

"I'm sorry, but did I interrupt something here?" asked Kazuma in a tone that clearly implied that he actually wasn't the least bit sorry.

"Captain Ukitake and I were just talking," replied Miya. "Actually, captain you were about to ask me something."

"Right," he said as he remembered what he had been saying before Kazuma had appeared out of nowhere. "Miss Miya would you like to go and get din—"

"Come on Miya, lets dance," said Kazuma as he jerked on Miya's arm and dragged her towards the dance floor. Miya turned around to see the surprised expression on Jushiro's face as she was dragged away. Ahead of her, Jushiro saw Kazuma smirking at him. He had clearly known what he was about to ask and had intentionally prevented him from doing so. Based on his actions, Jushiro had a pretty good feeling that his dislike for Kazuma was mutual. Kazuma quit smirking as Miya turned back around to face him and they soon disappeared from sight into the crowd of people that occupied the dance floor.

Jushiro's shoulders slouched and he slowly made his way back to his table.

"So," said Shunsui as he plopped down in the chair across from him. "How'd it go?"

Jushiro groaned.

"That bad, huh?" Jushiro didn't answer, he merely gave his friend a miserable look.

"Hey waiter!" said Shunsui as a short red headed shinigami approached their table. "Hey, we're gonna need another glass of sake each."

Jushiro groaned again.

"Correction, make that two."

A/N: Hey guys! Thank you all so much for the reviews on my last chapter. I'm glad you liked it! I hope you liked this chapter too. I had a lot of fun writing it. Please let me know what you think!

I've started a new job and my free writing time is really going to be limited from now on. I don't know if the updates will come as fast but I'll do my best. Oh yeah: more reviews = motivation to write = faster updates! Until next time!

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