Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.
Nine
His birthday dinner was smaller than it had been in years. There were several reasons for that. Rangiku hadn't been able to make it since she was currently living in the real world with Gin Ichimaru. When the man had been sentenced to exile after the Winter War, she had followed him. Neither Kisuke nor Yoruichi had returned to the Seireitei after the war. Lisa had, however, and she had joined them tonight, but Shinji and Hiyori hadn't. Toushiro was actually out on a date with Momo so he had an excuse. Still even though there were only a handful of them here tonight, everyone was having a good time.
Shunsui smiled as his wife leaned against him. He would never tire of thinking of his Nanao-chan as his wife. They had been married this past spring, and Shunsui didn't think he had ever been happier. There was still quite a bit of clean up and healing to do from the Winter War, but the Seireitei was slowing putting itself back together, perhaps even better than it had been before. And Shunsui was quite determined to make the most of his new life with Nanao. They had an entire future ahead of them to enjoy.
With a grin, Shunsui stole a kiss from his lovely Nanao-chan, and she let him. There was no better way to spend his birthday. Food, friends, and his Nanao. What more could he need?