To my dear readers, I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. I hope you'll stay with me to the end. Just ten more chapters and we'll be done.

As usual Bleach isn't mine.

Firefly

The night was balmy and warm. The stars were out tonight, no wisp of a cloud mar the beauty of their shining glory. The moon was even shiny, lending its light along with the stars. Rangiku did not want to stay at the confines of her house when it's like this. The heat would make her crazy. Despite the open windows and shutters it would still be unbearable. So she went out for a walk. The place where fireflies dance among the trees is not too far away from her place.

If she chose to use her shunpu she will be there in no time at all. But it will be a waste not to enjoy the night. So she walked nimbly, humming to a tune she picked up from the mortal world. If her memory is not faulty, the band that sang it is called UVERworld. She would have brought back with her to Soul Society that tiny device that could play a thousand songs and videos that Big Booby-san offered to give her if not for laws restricting bringing items from the mortal world.

She sniffed the air and let it fill her lungs. It's tangent with the scent of… something. Hehehe… There's nothing to smell at all, she laughed to herself. It's been quite some time since her sense of humour worked. Glad to know it is still functional.

"Aw!" She suddenly exclaimed. She had tripped her big toe on a protruding stone on the ground and now it's stinging as if telling her that she was an idiot for not being careful. Taking stock of her surroundings Rangiku saw that she was already atop the Valley of Fireflies, as the place was called.

There they are. Cavorting with each other, delightful specks of yellow pulsing light. Hotaru.

She went down being mindful of other nuisances that she might step upon. Peculiarly, there is a mango tree set apart from the other trees where no firefly is about. I think I'll sit under it, she mused. I will be able to watch the fireflies from its branches.

"I'll climb it instead of using shunpu," she said out loud. She read from one of Inoue's self-help books that "victory is sweeter when you worked hard for it" or some other saying that mortals are so fond of. So Rangiku began her ascent up the sturdy bark of the mango tree and then to the more durable branches. She settled at a branch near the top and sat there.

"At last!" she exclaimed. If the fireflies are a sight to behold when one is looking from below it's far more breathtaking on a higher level. How she wished she could share this with somebody, anyone. Her captain certainly won't come here. He'll just scowl at me. That's a given. If she asked Renji to accompany her instead, he'd come with her and then what? It will be awkward.

Her subordinates, perhaps? Her lips twisted in a derisible smile. Those baka will just ruin the romantic atmosphere with their rowdiness. And scare away the fireflies with their noise. That would defeat the purpose of coming here altogether.

Just as another name was about to take shape in her mind, a faint rustling of leaves caught her attention. It was muffled that she nearly did not notice it. Rangiku craned her neck toward the direction the sound came from. It was at the back of tree. So near. Why didn't she feel the presence of the other person earlier? Is it an intruder? Her senses went on high alert. Her hand went to her katana and eased it out its sheath an inch.

"I am not so dangerous that you have to take out your katana in my presence."

Her eyes went round at surprise. It took her a moment to realize that her lower jaw was hanging open. She snapped it shut.

An unexpected persona materialized before her, standing atop a branch, balancing precariously, a mere foot from her.

But… What is he doing here?

"Not a lot of people come here. Most Shinigami don't really appreciate such things as fireflies."

"Kuchiki-taichou?!"

He turned his head towards her and – her eyes just went as wide as Fuji apples – he smiled! It was small but a smile nonetheless.

"I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who loves to come here to watch fireflies," Rangiku answered with a smile, turning her head slightly to this unexpected company and went back to gazing at the spectacle before them.

"Why do you come here?" Kuchiki-taichou asked out of nowhere.

"They're beautiful."

"Is that all? Or is there another, a much deeper, reason behind your visits here?"

Rangiku turned to find Kuchiki-taichou scrutinizing here.

"I used to come here with him. I came here much more often after he left. It is not to feel his presence but to motivate myself to move on."

"Like finding another romance. Hahaha!" She added.

"I started coming here habitually after my wife died. The fireflies were a huge comfort to me. Afterward when I had accepted her death I continued coming here simply to appreciate the beauty of fireflies."

She was stunned. This must be the longest exchange she's ever had with the stoic captain.

But why would he choose to confide in her? Why not Rukia-san? Perhaps, despite his seeming impassiveness he also wanted – needed – company. No man can exist by himself. One time or another he would need another human presence to interact with.

They sat in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts, neither willing to speak first.

Kuchiki Byakuya's soft "Matsumoto" made her straighten her back in attention. She felt as if he was about to give her an order. It was only Renji who could call her Matsumoto without ordering her around. And a few close friends.

"Would you mind if I call you Rangiku when we are together here? I feel that there is no need for formality during moments like this. It just ruins the atmosphere," he stated unexpectedly.

"Hai. Of course I wouldn't mind at all. And I agree with you," she replied staring at him in deeper wonderment.

"It wouldn't hurt to try calling me by my first name, too," he added.

"Ah… Erm… Uhm… Byakuya-san," she said testily.

He smiled. What gorgeous smile! He should do it more often.

"Yes, Rangiku?" he said in reply, his eyes twinkling.

He wasn't lying when he told her the reason why he came here. Not one word of their conversation was a lie. He was glad that he came tonight. More so that he had struck a conversation with her. From here, Byakuya would start wooing her. Slowly. By befriending her first. Like this. He might send her running with her tail between her legs if her were to pounce immediately. No. That would ruin all the things he had in mind. Courting a woman takes time. And plenty of patience.

She is good at keeping her real thoughts hidden. Byakuya could sense that she was befuddled by his behaviour tonight and so was somewhat wary. But she was loosening up to him. That was a good sign.

"Uhm… You should smile more often. It makes you handsomer," Rangiku suggested, her cheeks pinkening in the soft moonlight.

"Blushing becomes you, Rangiku," he said, his tone teasing. "If you want I'd smile at you until you get tired of seeing me look like a clown."

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing you smile," Rangiku reiterated. "It's refreshing to see you in an expression other than the one you wear every day."

"The people here would think it is an imposter trying to fill in my shoes if they see me smile," he predicted gravely. "I'm sure they'd try to cast me out, or worse put me down in shackles."

Hmmm… That's too exaggerated. But you never know… "It wouldn't hurt to try," she cautiously nudged.

Byakuya just shrugged. Another first. I should keep a record of these. She laughed to herself. This is history.

Rangiku looked at the man perched at the other branch. Without knowing why she felt warm just having him around. The wind blew as if it knew something she didn't…

Truth is, I don't know what's going on with the series anymore. Please tell me what you think! Comments are 3.