Hi everybody! I know you probably want to kill me right now for such a late update but ya. To tell you the truth I lost my muse for this chapter. Then after that I found out my grandma has really bad lung cancer so ya. It kinda sucks. :( But I am keeping a positive attitude! I will try to finish Ch. 6 and 7 so you guys can read it! Oh, and after this week is over, I will be out of town for either 2-4 weeks tops staying with my grandma by keeping her positive and stuff. But during that time I will be writing like crazy so when I get back I can load them immediately. Anywho enjoy this extremely late chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I do own however the characters Ajisai and Saya.

Chapter 5:

Pour the Champagne, Pour the Champagne!

Eyes are wide with disbelief.

"You can't be here…"

Laughing. Dark eyes are filled with mischief.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

A scream of pain was heard.

Ichigo couldn't help but chuckle at the book he was reading. After he asked everyone if they wanted to go to the 'ball' this morning, Matsumoto insisted that she go shopping for a new dress. It was the same with Rukia. Ikkaku and Yumichika said that they wouldn't even go to one if they were ordered to. And as for Toshiro, well, he had no choice.

Ichigo announced he already had a tux so he didn't need to go. This statement brought curiosity to Matsumoto and she desperately wanted to know why he already had one. Ichigo merely replied with a 'I've already been to one' and left it at that.

Glancing at the clock, Ichigo realized that the three shinigami have been gone for seven hours or so. Seeing as it was almost seven o'clock, he decided he should start making dinner. Heaving out a sigh, Ichigo got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen.

Just as he got a bowl out to make rice, he dropped it on the floor as his hand suddenly started jerking and twitching. Ichigo looked at it for a minute and, sighing, walked towards his room. Opening a drawer besides his bed, Ichigo drew out a small, metal candy-like dispenser, with holes on the side to show how many were left. Pushing the button on top Ichigo popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed. Looking at the holes on the side, he realized he only had one left.

Putting it back into the drawer, Ichigo walked into the living room and picked up the phone. Dialing a number he held it up to his ear and waited for the ringing to stop. Once he heard a cheerful voice answering, Ichigo quickly said, "Urahara-san? It's me Ichigo. Yeah. Listen, I need to place another order in. Order ten. I know. I know."

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

Ichigo let out a small sigh as he sat in the living room waiting for his companions. After he made the call yesterday, the three shinigami came back and were hungry with a vengeance! Ichigo swore on his life and soul that he had never, ever seen anyone eat so much food! [One exception would be Orihime since she eats EVERYTHING. XP] After they ate the two women shinigami went to sleep in Ichigo's other spare bedroom, leaving the two males to clean up. Once that was done they retired into their respective rooms and didn't come out till the next morning.

He was ready for the 'fancy' event already and everyone else wasn't. Well, Toshiro was but not Rangiku and Rukia. Ichigo let out another sigh as he got up to stretch his legs. He was wearing black slacks with a plain white button up shirt, and a matching black jacket. Around his neck was a bow tie, black in color as well.

Glancing at the clock, he huffed in a breath as he ran an agitated hand through his orange hair.

"Oi Rukia! Rangiku-san! You guys ready yet? We told Ishida and them that we would be there by seven. And it's PAST SEVEN!" he finally yelled.

He heard a muffled shout (maybe two) but that was it. Groaning, Ichigo resisted the urge to bang his head against a wall. Normally, he would of LOVED the lateness to the party, but now he felt as if he just wanted to get this over with. Moving so that he was leaning against the kitchen counter, Ichigo let out a sigh. He heard a door opening and immediately his head snapped up, insults ready to fly out. However, before he could even mouth a word, he shut his mouth, eyes slightly wide.

Toshiro just walked out of his room, mumbling about psychotic fukutaichos or something. But that wasn't why Ichigo was staring. It was the outfit Toshiro was wearing. It looked like a normal black tuxedo, but on closer inspection one would see a light blue thread around the jacket, looking like a bunch of swirls when in fact they made a dragon. And on the front on Toshiro's left side, was the head with two small red sequins for the eyes.

Ichigo was sort of, well, shocked. He had never really seen Toshiro in anything except his formal shinigami attire or the school clothes he wore in his gigai. So seeing him in a tux was very different.

"Why are you staring?"

Ichigo was shaken out of his thoughts by a voice that clearly held displeasure. "Sorry. It's just weird seeing you in a tux I guess." he answered.

Hitsugaya rose a brow at that but didn't comment. In fact, he did an inspection of own. He couldn't help but think that the shinigami substitute actually looked good in a tux. Even though it was a plain one, it fit against his frame perfectly. It showed off his muscles, showing whoever was looking that he could defend himself if necessary.

Realizing that he was staring, the small shinigami quickly averted his gaze, fighting down the blush that wanted to rise. He looked at Ichigo from the corner of his eye to see if he noticed. Ichigo had, in fact, not noticed. He actually looked mad and annoyed. Glancing at the clock he let out another frustrated sigh and ran a hand through orange locks.

"Okay. We're ready!"

"It's about god damn time." Ichigo muttered. "What the hell were you doing?! Having a fashion show?!"

Rangiku and Rukia merely smiled. Rukia was wearing a strapless lavender dress that hugged the figure she had acquired over the few years he hadn't seen her. She was wearing a black choker around her neck that had a small stone hanging down, resembling a raindrop. Rangiku was wearing a red, flamenco type dress that hugged her figure as well then flared out below her hips. She was wearing a simple bracelet on her left wrist and a pair of diamond earrings on her ears. [duh! Earrings! XP]

They walked into the room and smiled at the two men. "So? How do we look?" Rukia asked, a slight blush on her cheeks.

Ichigo stared for a second longer then, smiling, said, "You guys look great." Getting off of the counter he walked over to them. "Now. Who's going to be whose escort?" he said, giving a smile.

Giggling, Matsumoto said, "I think I'll be Ichigo's. So that leaves you, Rukia, with taicho."

At that the young Kuchiki and small taicho looked at each other, blushed, then looked away. Chuckling, Ichigo said, "You guys can lie and say you're cousins or something right? Cause that's what I'm saying if they ask about Rangiku-san."

"Now Ichigo, if we're going to be cousins you're going to have to drop the –san understand?" she admonished, waving a finger at him.

Rolling his eyes, the orange haired teen nodded and looking at his companions he said, "Shall we take our leave then?"

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

Ichigo got out of the sleek limousine first and held his hand out to Rangiku, helping her out of the black car. After her came Toshiro and Rukia, looking very embarrassed. Struggling to keep his chuckles in, Ichigo held his hand out to the tenth division vice-captain. Giving him a smile, Matsumoto c wrapped her arm in his and they walked up the steps.

When they got up to the man, who no doubt was asking for invitations, Ichigo started fishing around his pocket for the invitation. Once he found it he gave it to the man. The man was about to open his mouth to ask where the other's invitations were before he saw Ichigo.

"K-Kurosaki-san! I'm sorry! I didn't see it was you!" the man stammered.

Ichigo let out a few chuckles. "It's fine. It's all right if I bring more than one person right?" he asked the man.

Nodding, he stammered out, "O-of c-c-course Kurosaki-san! Just let me know if you need anything!"

"I will." Ichigo said, walking past him into the building. Looking around he could see that most of the people who usually came where already there. Some were just loitering around the buffet tables, others dancing on the dance floor, and others just sitting down, catching up with old friends.

Glancing around, Ichigo scanned the tables before he saw a busboy walking towards him. Once he arrived, the busboy said, "Uryu-san has been waiting for you Kurosaki-san. If you like I can show you where he and miss Orihime-san are sitting."

"That would be helpful." Ichigo said with a smile. Nodding the busboy turned around and started walking. Walking after him, Ichigo snuck a look around him to see who was there. He saw some people he knew, that he actually got along with, and some were he would put into the hospital given a chance. [Ichigo! *shakes head*;)]

"Ichigo?"

Ichigo was suddenly brought out of his gazing by Matsumoto's voice. "Hai? What is it Rangiku?" he asked.

"Why is everyone referring to you as –san?" she asked, curiosity shining in her eyes. Ichigo looked behind him to see that Rukia was asking the same thing in her eyes and Toshiro… Well he was too but just wasn't showing it.

"They refer to me as –san probably because I'm part of the hospital board." He explained while walking.

"Hospital board?" Hitsugaya asked despite himself, his curiosity now showing through.

Grinning, Ichigo said, "It's kinda like the Gotei 13. The hospital board consists of seven people, including me, my dad, Ishida, and his dad. We make certain decisions, like what kind of new equipment to get, where to put the charity money we earn, what kind of charity event to hold, or if we need new rules to put forth. Oh, and if we need to fire someone."

At that Hitsugaya blinked, his curiosity peeked despite himself. "You fire people?"

"Ya. Only if we need to though. If they do something wrong, like break protocol or disobey orders, then they need to be let go." The orange head answered.

"Oh." Hitsugaya said, thinking. However, his thinking was cut short when he was suddenly stopped. Looking up and opening his mouth to snap at Ichigo he stopped, blinking. 'When did we…?' he thought to himself. He watched as the busboy that showed them to the table, did a small bow then left, no doubt walking to somewhere else.

"Kurosaki-kun! We didn't know if you were going to make it or not."

The small taicho looked to where the voice came from and realized that the voice came from Inoue Orihime, who looked really different tonight he realized. She was wearing a black dress that was sleeveless and had a turtleneck. There were flower designs laid in silver covering the dress. Her hair was done up in a bun but she still had the flower hair clips, which were the source of her powers, and had earrings on that were a small chain. When she stood up there was a slit in the dress that went up to her knee, only revealing the calf.

"I would have been here earlier if it wasn't for these two." Ichigo replied with mock anger.

Matsumoto and Rukia giggled at that and left their suitors arms to sit down. Sitting down besides Ishida, Ichigo asked, "So when do we meet?"

The raven haired man answered with a "Soon."

Rolling brown eyes, Ichigo raised his hand in the air to signal that he wanted a drink. When a busboy came over with a tray filled with drinks Ichigo turned to the rest of his friends with a smile and asked, "Who else would like some?"

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

"Kurosaki Ichigo is that you?" a voice asked.

Startled by the sudden voice, Ichigo turned around in his seat to see who was talking to him only to have his eyes widen.

After everyone around the table had gotten a glass of champagne, Ichigo asked Rangiku to dance with him, Ishida and Orihime following suit. Only Toshiro and Rukia didn't join them, both having the same thoughts; they would rather die then dance.

Switching partners once in a while, Ichigo found himself having fun for a change. Dancing to a few more songs Ichigo found himself getting tired and went back to the table to rest. It was only a few minutes of resting that he found his name being called.

"Saya? Miniko Saya?" Ichigo asked with a smile on his face. In front of him stood a woman at about 5"5' wearing a long sleeved jade colored dress. Her black hair was done in curls and framed her slightly round face. She had green/hazel eyes and her pink colored lips were in a smile.

"It is you! I thought I recognized you! How could I not what with your hair color and all!" she said laughing.

"I can't believe it! How have you been? I haven't seen you since last year." Ichigo exclaimed excitedly, standing from his chair to give the woman a hug.

Rukia and Rangiku watched with wide eyes and gaping mouths, with a giggling Orihime beside them. Hitsugaya, though looking quite calm, and bored, was looking at them something shining in his teal depths.

Pulling back from the hug he had initiated, Ichigo asked, "How long have you been in town? And when were you going to give me a call?"

Laughing, Saya replied, "Only for a day. We actually got in yesterday but I was feeling sick from the flight. And before you say anything I was going to call you."

Blinking ochre eyes, Ichigo suddenly looked over her shoulder. "So that means he's here too?" he asked.

Rolling her eyes, Saya said, "Of course he's here. He wouldn't let us travel alone."

Brows drawing together in confusion, Ichigo looked at her. "What do you mean by us?" he asked warily, suddenly wondering if his old friend had gone crazy. Apparently this wasn't the case for she merely smiled at him.

Finally actually looking at her, Ichigo realized she had a certain glow to her, and happiness was practically radiating off of her in waves. Taking in how she looked and how she was feeling, Ichigo's eyes suddenly widened.

"No…" he whispered, his smile growing.

"Yep!" she replied.

"No way! Really?" he asked, disbelief coloring his voice, making his friends look at him in concern.

She nodded this time, laughing all the while. "Yes."

Before anyone knew, Ichigo suddenly had her in a hug, saying, "I can't believe it! Congrats!"

She hugged him back, smiling all the while. "Thank you." She said. Pulling from the hug, she said, "Sorry but I have to go. My husband is no doubt waiting for me. I was on my way leaving when I saw your hair. I thought it was you and decided to stop by and say hi."

Still smiling, Ichigo said, "We'll have to get together some time and catch up. Tell that stubborn guy of yours I said hi and congrats."

"I will." Pulling away from the hug she turned and started walking away. Just as Ichigo was about to turn around to sit she called out, "And try not to send anyone to the hospital again Ichigo!"

Blushing Ichigo just waved his hand at her and sat down taking a long sip of his champagne. Looking up to see two pairs of humored eyes staring at him, he lowered his glass and asked, "What?"

Looking at each other, it was Rukia who asked, "So…who was that Ichigo?"

Blinking at them, Ichigo just rolled his eyes before he took another gulp of wine. Setting it down, he replied, "She's just a friend Rukia. She was a classmate of mine until she moved about a year ago."

Rukia and Rangiku just nodded, as if his answered satisfied them. Rangiku snuck a look at her taicho and almost gave a huge grin. Toshiro was looking a little to calm in her opinion. And it was true. For some strange reason Toshiro felt a little angry when that woman hugged Ichigo. He didn't know why but he just didn't like it. Letting out a small, silent growl, he took a small sip of his drink. Ichigo, unaware, let out a small sigh before he looked at his cell for the time. 'It's almost time for the meeting,' he thought. Standing up once more he announced, "I'm gonna get some fresh air." And with that he walked over to the balcony.

Leaning on the rail, Ichigo just looked at the sky as a small wind blew through his orange hair. Taking the last sip of his champagne, he looked up as a lone cloud covered the moon. The moment that happened Ichigo felt uneasiness surge through him. 'I don't like this feeling I'm getting…' he thought.

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

Hitsugaya let out a small sigh as he watched his fukutaicho and Rukia talk and giggle as they talked about the people that were here. He looked over to where Ichigo had gone and let out a sigh. Just as he turned around to gaze at nothing in particular, he suddenly felt a small breeze and shivered. 'Now that was odd.' He thought. Due to him having Hyorinmaru, the strongest ice-type zanpakuto in Soul Society, he is able to withstand any cold temperature. So for him to feel cold, even if only for a moment, is odd.

Before he could dwell on it any further, Ishida came over to the table. "Where has Kurosaki gone? Our meeting is about to start."

Hitsugaya looked once more toward the balcony. Giving a small sigh, he stood up. "I'll get him. I need some air anyway what with all the nonsense and everything."

Walking away from the table, Toshiro looked from the corner of his eye at the party that was going on. Not really finding what was going on exciting, he continued walking towards the balcony.

Once outside he took a small breath of the night air before walking over to where Ichigo was standing. He was about to tell Ichigo that he was needed inside when his breath caught in his throat. Ichigo in the moonlight was very…breathtaking. Hitsugaya never thought this before, but Ichigo looked very ethereal, as if he was human but not quite so. His hair looked as if it was glowing, making his brown eyes stand out as well. His tan skin looked pale. He didn't know it, but Hitsugaya was staring. He was quickly brought out of his staring by Ichigo's voice.

"Toshiro? What are you doing out here?"

Blinking, and trying very hard to force the blush that was rising, and succeeding, he said, "Uryu is looking for you. Said that your meeting is going to start." He couldn't believe he was staring at Kurosaki! Kurosaki! It was crazy. Not only had he been caught, he had stared at him, TWICE!!!

Nodding Ichigo said, "Alright. After that we'll leave." Giving him a small smile, Ichigo turned away from the balcony, not noticing the subtle rise of pink in Hitsugaya's cheeks. After Ichigo went back inside, the small captain stayed where he was, confusion running through his veins. 'What was that about?' he wondered. 'Why did I stare? It's not like me.' Looking up at the night sky, Hitsugaya wondered why he was acting this way, and why he was having these weird feelings about the orange haired shinigami.

Hmm. Ichigo likes to drink doesn't he? Anywho I hope you guys liked this chapter! Remember I lost my muse so it wasn't that great and I tried to make it long as well.

Ichigo: Wtf?! You make me sound like I like to drink or something!

Me: I do not. *waves hand* Just shut up and go somewhere!

Ichigo: And what was the deal with me sounding like beat people up all the time?

Me: I don't know! It's part of the story! Oh, and I'm also gonna start a new series too! Don't worry. I'll put that one on here when this one is done. Anywho you guys know the drill. Review please! And no flames!