Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.
Five
Shunsui accepted a toast from his laughing lieutenant. Officially, Nanao had only been the lieutenant of the Eighth Division for five days now, but she had been filling that role long before her promotion. Truthfully, Shunsui had her in mind for the position ever since she had made fifth seat and proved herself to be an invaluable officer. Of course, if he had told her that at the time, Nanao would have insisted she wasn't at all suitable.
He helped himself to some of the grilled chicken and sushi before passing the platter on to Rangiku and Nanao. Rangiku was currently trying to coax Nanao to sing for the assembled group. If she wasn't successful in the next ten minutes, Shunsui planned on joining her efforts and pulling the birthday card. Knowing his Nanao-chan as he did, she would probably protest that she had already given him a birthday present and therefore did not need to sing. And as much as Shunsui knew he would enjoy the beautiful tokkuri set Nanao had found for him, he wasn't about to be cheated of a chance to hear her sing. For some reason she was unaccountably shy about her talents.
Jyuu elbowed him. "You're looking lovesick again, Shun. Have you fallen once again?"
Shunsui sighed. "I'm not really sure, Jyuu. Besides, she's not ready to have someone yet. I just know she fits with me. Like you do though it's not quite the same. You're my brother, but she's definitely not my sister. She's special to me though."
His friend smiled. "You have plenty of time to figure it out. That is as long is she doesn't murder you for not doing your paperwork."
He laughed and turned his attention back to his now blushing Nanao-chan. He'd worry about their hearts later. First he had to convince her to sing for them all tonight.