Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.
Three
Shunsui glanced down at his companion. Nanao looked rather adorably confused. He hadn't exactly explained what they were doing because he didn't want to scare her off. But he wanted her here tonight. Nanao Ise was a rather remarkable young woman. He was looking forward to seeing what she would grow into. Somehow this little girl had not only managed to snap him out of the depression he had fallen into after Lisa and the others' disappearance, but she had also caught his interest.
He would admit that was part of the reason he had gone out of his way to make sure that she had a good birthday just a few days ago. It hadn't hurt that Shunsui had enjoyed himself that day more than he probably had since the beginning of the mess. Nanao had fallen asleep in his lap while watching the fireworks, and he had tucked her into to bed with a smile. She really was something. Of course, if she knew that she was joining his birthday dinner tonight along with a number of other captains and officers, Nanao would probably bolt on him.
Hopefully once she got to know Retsu, Jyuu, and the others, she wouldn't be so intimidated. Shunsui was pretty sure he had surprised her when he'd asked her to join him for dinner tonight. Of course, Nanao had already surprised him by leaving him a carefully penned birthday note illustrated with cherry trees in bloom. He had no idea that she was an artist before then.
"Captain, where are we going?" Nanao almost sounded exasperated with him.
Shunsui smiled down at the little girl in her pink yukata. "We're going to my birthday dinner, my adorable Nanao-chan. We're almost there."
As he ushered her into the restaurant, Shunsui couldn't help grinning at the wide eyed expression she wore as she caught sight of the guests. Nanao was going to be great addition to the annual party. If he could keep her from running out on him, that was.