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Breathe

Me The Machine by Imogen Heap

Authors note: The first scene of this chapter takes place before the events of Bodies Intertwined. Specifically it's the morning after Unohana and Rangiku slept together.

. . .

Rangiku woke up naked and alone in a bed that wasn't her own. An arrangement that was all too familiar. It was that of a one night stand which did not sit well with her.

She sat up on the edge of the bed, rubbed her eyes, and heard only the sounds of silence.

"I guess she went to work." She thought feeling disappointed. But then she smiled, remembering that Unohana was quite a dedicated captain.

She looked at the clothes strewn about the bed and floor and saw Unohana's loose white shirt. She grabbed it and turned it over in her hands, inspecting it with fondness. Then she put it on. It was comfortable, long, and loose. And it smelled good too.

Then she saw Unohana's underwear - plain, white, and without any frills - lying forgotten at the foot of the bed. She picked it up and ran her thumb across the soft fabric and smiled, recalling the sight of Unohana pulling it off of her body with haste. It too smelled like Unohana albeit in a different way.

Then she dropped it and set off to the bathroom as she needed to pee. As she walked through the empty abode her smile faded. The uneasiness she had woken with had returned. She had fallen for the great captain, she had fallen for sure, but she was unsure if Unohana had fallen for her too.

She opened the bathroom door then froze in her shuffling tracks. For in the bathtub lied none other than the one who was preoccupying her mind. And with the casual placidness that was typical of her Unohana turned her head and said, "Good morning, Rangiku-san."

"G-good morning. I'm sorry. I thought you had left." Rangiku said averting her gaze.

"Not yet, I decided to relax a bit into the morning. Do not worry though, come in, I will give you the necessary privacy." she said then pulled the curtains closed and turned the water on letting it flow loudly.

Confused at first, Rangiku soon understood, took a hesitant step toward the toilet, sat upon it, and peed.

She dried herself upon completion of her morning urination, then flushed. The flush loud enough for Unohana to hear.

As Rangiku turned on the water of the sink, Unohana turned off the water to the tub. Then she listened as Rangiku washed her hands and face, thinking about the woman she had just spent the night with and what she truly meant to her.

Then carefully and politely Rangiku pulled at the curtain and said "I'm finished."

Unohana responded by pulling the curtain fully open and saying "Ok."

Surprised and still a bit on edge, Rangiku stood frozen as she glanced at Unohana's nude and beautiful form, warped and slightly obscured beneath the water's surface.

"You're wearing my shirt." Unohana commented.

"Wh- oh yeah. It smells nice, It smells like you." Rangiku said with a blush.

Unohana smiled. Seeing this side of Rangiku intrigued and excited her.

"And are you comfortable?" She asked.

"Yes. You look comfortable too."

"Oh I am. I'd invite you to join me but sadly this tub can only accommodate one."

Rangiku smiled feeling a bit reassured, then she looked at Unohana's long black hair and felt a desire to touch it.

"Can I wash your hair then?" She asked.

Unohana did not respond immediately. Instead she studied Rangiku's face for a moment, then smiled softly and said "Yes. That would be nice."

Rangiku's face lit up and Unohana felt a little warm inside, enjoying the fact that she could have such an emotional effect upon Rangiku. That something as small as this could make her this happy.

"My shampoo is over there." she said, lifting a leg out of the water to point toward the bottle with her toes.

Rangiku smirked now. She liked that she could bring out Unohana's sexy side, or rather in this case, that Unohana brought it out for her.

She grabbed the bottle and sat on the edge of the tub, slightly behind Unohana. And Unohana sat up a bit, giving Rangiku access to the full length of her partially wet hair running down her back.
"Thank you." Rangiku said as she with cupped hands began to moisten the relatively dry portions of Unohana's hair.

Unohana tilted her head back a bit.

"Water in your eyes?" Rangiku asked looking at her face with her closed eyes.

"No, just enjoying this." Unohana responded then let out a deep long breath.

Rangiku smiled, and kept wetting her hair. Then she grabbed the shampoo, squeezed a significant quantity into her palm, and proceeded to lather it into Unohana's hair. Massaging her scalp as she did so.

Unohana smiled too now, clearly enjoying Rangiku's efforts.

"Good?" Rangiku asked.

"Very." Unohana responded.

Rangiku was glad, glad to give Unohana comfort. Then she reached for the shampoo again as more hair needed lathering and washing.

Soothed by Rangiku's tender touch and with her eyes closed, Unohana's mind returned to the dream she had woken to that morning.

She did not remember its exact beginning, instead only vaguely remembered herself and Kenpachi Zaraki walking toward each other in a sparse and almost lifeless field. What she remembered clearly however was that for some reason they had ended up fucking. Not having sex, not making love, but fucking. And fucking aggressively at that. In fact, it wasn't so much that they were fucking but rather that he was fucking her.

She was prostrate with her face in the earth, hands clutching at the deadened grass and roots, her posterior raised skyward, available and open, receptive to his penetration. And penetrate he did. Aggressively, almost savagely, railing away with no regard for her pleasure. And she enjoyed every bit of it. Though consentual, she enjoyed the forceful manner with which he took from and used her body.

And when he pulled out of her sore vagina, spit on her anus and began to penetrate that orifice too, she loved it just as much despite the pain. A pain substantial enough that she fumblingly and with haggard gasping breaths grabbed at his blade lying on the ground before her, put it in her mouth, and bit down on its steel. Biting hard enough to crack it. Biting down so that she could bear it. Its cutting edge pointed outward but still its metal cut into the flesh of her cheeks for he had wrapped his hands around the blade, and was pulling back on it. Holding her semi-upright and pulling her back toward him as he thrusted forth into her. His hands bleeding from the force of his grip. The blade her bridle.

He filled her insides with the full magnitude of his penis and soon with the fluids of his ejaculation as well. Twitching and convulsing as he had his orgasm.

And like that the assault was over. He pulled out, seemingly painfully, and flopped down to the ground, defeated by his own efforts. Exhausted and almost immobile he lied on the ground, beast like and sweaty in his tattered fabrics. Vibrance and fortitude gone from his form and fading from his penis.

But she rose above him, naked, trembling, but strong with vaginal lubrication and semen running down her inner thighs. She grabbed his sword, sat atop him with her anatomy against his, and drove his blade through the center of his chest and into the earth beneath him. Gliding it through, all the way down to the hilt. He made no protest as she did so, only letting out a faint groan. Then she lifted her hips slightly, placed his somewhat softened but still sufficiently erect penis against her vaginal entrance, and took it into her again down to the hilt. She ran her hands down his chest, sides and, stomach caressingly and slowly as she grinded her hips slowly, back and forth. Feeling his strong battle honed and scarred form. And as the light faded from his eyes and his blood seeped red and thick from his wound, she had her orgasm and woke with a start.

See she yearned for him in her own way, wanting to feel him destroy her again, to feel that rush again. And she simultaneously resented him. Both because of his manner; his crudeness, his complete and utter lack of refinement, and because he was free. He lived a life she couldn't, at least not anymore. He satisfied his lusts and hungers publicly and openly whereas she hid and buried hers. Sometimes she wondered to what extent he still held back his power and whether if they fought again, if she would be able to kill him and retake her old title. An alluring but misguided fantasy she thought. In the end, she knew in the deepest part of her soul that he had far more potential to grow and develop and gain strength than she did. She knew that her peak, as a fighter and as an individual, was long behind her. His hadn't come yet.

A yearning hatred she had toward him. And some nights, like this, he appeared in her sex dreams. She'd never admit it to herself but fucking him would be a most arousing experience. To discover that side of him if it even existed. And if it did in fact exist and was anything like his usual character then oh how satisfyingly degrading and filthy it would be to fuck him. To use him and be used. She felt ashamed of this fantasy. And she felt disgusted that she would dream of such a thing while being held in a sleeping Rangiku's arms. Rangiku who touched her so tenderly, lovingly, and passionately only hours prior. Who showed her carnal joys she went so long without. And, more importantly, who cared about her and yearned for her affection. She almost woke Rangiku so that they could touch each other again to take her mind off of her woes, but elected to let her continue to sleep.

Lying there motionless and staring at Rangiku's calm sleeping face, she became ever more disgusted with herself. For dreaming her dream, for waking up so stickily aroused, for considering using Rangiku's body in the way she considered using it, for letting herself have sex with Rangiku in the first place. Rangiku, a woman she still felt she didn't deserve the affections of. And when she couldn't take it anymore she apologetically kissed Rangiku on the cheek, got out of bed, and left to take the bath she was taking now.

"I'm done." Rangiku said announcing the completion of Unohana's hair washing. Unohana opened her eyes and saw that her face bore the same countenance of inquietude she detected earlier. Finally Unohana decided to address it.

"What troubles you Rangiku-san?" She asked as Rangiku slumped down and crouched beside the tub, sitting with her arms folded upon its edge. She paused for a moment before she answered.

"Are we just a one night stand?" She asked.

Unohana remained silent. Rangiku continued. "Last night, you said you would take my advice if only for just a night. So was it just for a night? Are we a one night stand?"

"We, I, what do you want us to be?" Unohana asked, not knowing what to say. Not knowing what she wanted them to be. Only knowing that she didn't like seeing Rangiku like this.

"I don't know." Rangiku said. "I just don't want us to be a mere one night stand."

"Do you want us to sleep together again?" Unohana asked.

"It's more than that. You know that. It's, I, I just want to keep feeling the way you make me feel. I don't want you to shut me out and push me away like I know you want to. I can see it. I can feel it. I don't like it."

"We don't have to be a one night stand." Unohana said trying to placate Rangiku's concerns. Her words failed to do so however and Rangiku continued.

"But that's the thing. I don't want you to do it for me. I want you to do it for yourself. I want you to want me. I... I'm sorry. I'm being unreasonable. I'm putting you on the spot right now and asking for things you can't exactly choose to give."

Though she most definitely was doing so, Unohana was understanding. "No it's fine. And I'm sorry that I'm dancing around your questions. The truth is I don't yet know what I want us to be. I'm still figuring this out. I have voiced my concerns to you already, and though you have tried to rid me of them, they still persist in my mind. But still, I also like feeling the way you make me feel. I like it a lot." she said as she wrapped her arms around her knees and shivered despite not at all feeling cold. Rangiku smiled.

Unohana paused for a moment then looked Rangiku in the eyes "I wont push you away Ranigku-chan. But I'm not ready to commi-" she continued but was interrupted by a sudden kiss to her lips.

"Shh." Rangiku said. "Don't say that word."

"Commitment?"

"Yeah." Rangiku said with a frown because Unohana had said it anyway.

Unohana laughed and said "Oops." oddly playfully and almost bashfully.

"I know where your heart lies now. I am satisfied. Thank you." Rangiku said. Her concerns and worries alleviated by Unohana's words. She feeling touched by the affectionate manner with which Unohana referred to her. "You needn't force yourself to say more, Retsu-chan."

"Ok Rangiku-chan." Unohana responded.

Rangiku smiled affectionately and reached out to touch her face.

"Kiss me again." Unohana whispered.

Rangiku leaned in again but before their lips touched Unohana whispered "I like this too by the way."

Rangiku laughed and said "Oh I know you do." And they kissed each other again.

The kiss broke and they looked into each other's eyes searchingly. Then Rangiku smiled, wearing an amorous expression. And Unohana returned the gaze in kind, though hers was more subdued and rather coy.

"It's getting late." Unohana said. "We should shower and head off to perform our duties."

"Ok." Rangiku responded, liking the fact that Unohana wished to include her in the shower.

Rangiku stood, Unohana pulled the plug from the drain, and Rangiku watched as the woman she so desired rose from the water. Her previously not so discernible form standing now with droplets creeping down. Kinetic despite the momentary stillness. Drips, audible above the low swirling gurgle of the drain, each little splash piercing the tranquility.

Rangiku pulled Unohana's shirt off and laid it on the marble counter then returned to Unohana who waited with outstretched arm.

"Careful, dont slip."

"Thanks." Rangiku said as she took her hand and stepped into the receding pool of water in the bathtub.

Her footing found, Rangiku pulled the curtain closed and Unohana turned round to turn on the water, bending over slighlty as she worked at the faucet handles, balancing the temperature. She knowing full well that Rangiku was most certainly gazing upon the curves of her body as she did so. Both wearing a soft smirk as this transpired.

Adjustments made, she routed the water to the showerhead, turned round, and said "Is the temperature ok for you?" as the water erupted from the showerhead and pelted her back.

Rangiku stepped closer and reached past to test it then confirmed that it was fine. Then they immersed themselves into the stream together.

"Shall I wash your hair now?" Unohana asked after some moments standing and holding each other0.

"That would be sweet." Rangiku said.

So she reached for the shampoo and washed Rangiku's long reddish blonde hair and they proceeded to wash each other's bodies, lathering, cleansing, and touching with tenderness.

Later, after they finished and Rangiku left to the Tenth, Unohana stood dressed and ready in her standard garb, waiting for her lieutenant to arrive. She soon did, arriving right on time. But first Isane slipped into her quarters to grab her medical kit, and emerged again moments later.

"Good morning Taicho." Isane said with a rather excited smile as she joined her. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"You aren't. You are in fact right on time." Unohana said smiling warmly at her lieutenant who she had seen so little of recently.

"Did you have fun last night?"

"Yes. Rangiku, my sister, and I went out. Rukia was there too..." Isane said with a bit of a blush.

"Oh. How are things with you two?" Unohana asked.

"Good." Isane said. "I'm... taking her on a date tonight."

Unohana smiled. Genuinely and feeling not a tinge of jealousy.

"I'm proud of you." She said. "And I hope your date goes well."

"Thank you Taicho." Isane said feeling very encouraged and appreciating her captain's benediction.

"Ready to go?" Unohana asked.

"Hai!" Isane said reaching out for her captains sword.

Unohana, in a rather good mood, handed it to her and they set off to the Fourth together.

. . .

Later during the workday Unohana sat rather idle. Papers and documents strewn before her on her desk. Some of them absentmindedly filled out, others partially skimmed. She twirled her pen round and round in her fingers and with a rather pensive face she thought about her.

"What am I even doing?" She asked herself. Doubts lingering in her mind but unable to take root.

Just like Unohana had done with Isane, she acted on impulse with Rangiku. Just like with Isane, she did things that her rational mind told her she shouldn't. But unlike with Isane, she did not feel a strong sense of regret. Unlike with Isane, she desired to do more with Rangiku, to grow something with her, grow something between them. Something more than a friendship in which they confessed their woes to each other. Rangiku made her feel alive, warm, and less alone, yet not quite whole.

She wanted to be with Rangiku but she didn't accept it to herself. Not yet.

Rangiku decided despite Unohana's reassuring words to accept the possibility of a future in which she and Unohana could not be together. A future in which Unohana suffocated what her heart held for her and pushed her away like she said she wouldn't. Furthermore she decided not to push for something to happen between them and instead allow Unohana to call out to her and pull her close if she chose to do so. Unohana had to want her and act on her own accord if Rangiku was to give herself to her. It had to be balanced. And so she waited and was patient but apprehensive.

Unohana focused in on the demands of her work, it helped to keep her mind off of Rangiku. But feeling the solitude of sleeping alone after such a glorious night and seeing a new radiance upon her lieutenant, a vibrance that could come from one and only one source she felt a mild envy. She wanted what Isane and Rukia had and she could have it. And so the next morning she finally accepted her feelings.

"You were right.. about Rukia." was what Isane said with such a satisfied smile when Unohana inquired about how their date went as they set off to work.

And so on the evening of the next day, Wednesday night, Unohana decided to attend the Shinigami Women's Association Meeting. Not with any intention to address the group, or contribute to the discussions, but with the sole intention to observe. To observe the one who had crept into her mind and her heart. And to observe her lieutenant's happiness. To observe what she and Rukia had between them.

Would they sit together if they didn't already? Would they keep their interactions proper, their involvement unapparent? Or would they struggle with the task, their excitement and young love leaking out slightly, noticeable only by those who knew.

And how would Rangiku behave? What would she do? What would she say? She felt a happy eagerness as the time of the meeting approached and then with a start recognized the emotions she felt for what they were, seeds that could grow into love. An unraveling of binds.

. . .

Rangiku and Nanao arrived first to the Shinigami Women's Association meeting. Rangiku greeted Nanao in her usual semi-flirtatious manner. A manner which slightly annoyed Nanao but which had become the norm in their friendship. Nanao responded in her usual slightly annoyed manner. A manner seemingly reserved uniquely for Rangiku and of course Captain Kyoraku. They sat in their usual spots and waited for the rest to arrive, Rangiku in a pleasant mood, Nanao reviewing her papers and notes with focus.

As the women arrived the empty space brightened with life and energy. Nemu arrived quietly and wordlessly, giving a general nod. The ever jubilant pink haired Yachiru entered boisterously. Rukia and Isane strolled in together, Momo and Tobiume too. Kiyone arrived with a cheerful politeness. And finally with swagger entered Sui-Feng.

All members present, Nanao looked at the time then took her usual spot at the podium and called the meeting to order. But before she could begin, Unohana opened the door and entered.

"Chairwoman!" Nanao said with a bit of surprise. "We weren't expecting you tonight." she said moving with deference to give Unohana the podium.

"An impromptu decision," Unohana responded, gesturing for Nanao to retain her position. "I come as an observer."

"Oh." Nanao said, seeming a bit confused.

"Do not worry, this is not an evaluation. I am quite satisfied with my organization. I simply decided to attend for the first time in a while." Unohana said taking a seat at the table with the rest of the members.

"O-ok." Nanao said.

Yachiru, unlike Nanao, didn't question Unohana's presence. Rather she simply exclaimed "Re-chan!" then rushed over, climbed into her lap and asked if she brought sweets.

"Of course." Unohana said with kindness as she wrapped an arm around Yachiru, produced a sweet bread roll from one of her inner pockets, and handed it to her.

Yachiru giggled excitedly as she took the food item into her hands.

"Hush now President, let the Vice President speak." she said then nodded to Nanao.

And so the meeting resumed with Nanao giving the general announcements.

Unohana looked across to her fellow captain, who sat with her arms folded, slightly standoffish as usual. Sui nodded to acknowledge her. Unohana nodded back, albeit with more grace and pleasantness to it.

She looked to her lieutenant who sat beside Rukia and smiled a small brief smile to greet her, then glanced at Rukia to acknowledge her too. Rukia bowed as best as she could in her seat, and Isane gave a small wave back with delight.

And then with a neutral facial expression she looked to Rangiku. The smallest bit of affection expressed in her eyes, then almost immediately back down to the little girl eating a bun in her lap.

Rangiku shifted in her seat.

"And for the first topic of the evening..."

"WINTER WONDERLAND!" Yachiru exclaimed in a sudden outburst, thrusting her half eaten bun into the air and startling Unohana as well as most present.

"Huh?" Sui said.

"Yes." Nanao continued. "Winter is coming, and so to bring pleasantness to Soul Society the President and I have decided to propose holding a winter carnival of sorts. Winter themed minigames, kiosks trended by approved Rukongai vendors, ice skating, perhaps skiing if we can reserve a mountain."

"Reserve a mountain?" Kiyone said finding the whole idea a bit ridiculous.

"This is a massive undertaking." Sui-Feng said. "Do we really need the money?"

"No. But if we do this we must at least break even."

"Assuming we can afford to put something like this together in the first place." Momo said.

"Assuming it gets cold in the first place." Rangiku said as Isane whispered to Rukia asking if it was even possible to rent a mountain. The whole meeting becoming ever more chaotic and boisterous.

"You said this was your idea?" Rangiku asked Nanao.

"No. It was mine." Yachiru said cheerfully.

Nanao looked exasperated and Unohana was absolutely loving the fact that they were discussing this so seriously.

"Anyway yes, this rides on whether or not it gets cold enough for lakes to freeze and snow to fall." Nanao said trying to maintain order. "And that seems uncertain to me at this point."

"Taicho?" Nanao said looking to Unohana.

"Pardon?"

"Do you know if this winter will be a cold one?" Nanao asked since Unohana seemed to know a bit of everything.

"Well I'm no meteorologist but it does seem uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. I can not say with certainty but we do not seem to be on track for a very cold winter. Sorry President." She said glancing down at Yachiru.

"Awwww." Yachiru said disappointed.

"We have portable winter." Nemu, who had been completely silent until now, said gesturing at Rukia and Isane.

"Us?" Isane said feeling suddenly put on the spot.

"Yes." Nemu responded. "You two could perhaps freeze a lake." she said.

"Freeze a lake!" Rukia exclaimed finding the suggestion ridiculous.

"I only control snow." Isane said.

"Perhaps Toshiro then." Nemu muttered in her same dry tone.

"Wh-" Rukia began to say then stopped herself and grumbled. Nemu could be unintentionally rude sometimes and in this moment Rukia felt a little offended. But Isane squeezed her leg and glanced at her briefly as if to tell her to shake it off which Rukia, being polite and understanding, would have done anyway.

"No-no. Toshiro wouldn't help us." Momo said. "He's far too sulky for that."

"Yeah. If anything, all winter does for him is make him stop complaining about how hot it is." Rangiku said.

Momo and Rangiku shared an understanding glance and the two captains chuckled at the description of their fellow captain.

"Plus it's not an issue of power." Rukia said still feeling a bit argumentative. "I could freeze a lake if I wanted to, it would just come out uneven. The waves would be frozen in place, unless I freeze it slowly."

"How long would that take?" Nemu asked.

"Probably couple days." Rukia responded.

"And no one has the time or patience for that." Kiyone said, understanding and driving Rukia's point home.

"We would have to rent a Zamboni as well." Sui muttered talking to no one specifically.

"And keep refreezing it." Isane said. "If it's not cold enough out. The ice would melt."

"Snow certainly would." Rukia said.

"And if it was cold enough for the snow and ice to endure, it would probably be cold enough for them to arise naturally." Tobiume said.

Nanao sighed.

Unohana finally spoke up. "Ladies please, we are losing focus. The proposition is sound, but perhaps a bit too grand in scope. So start simple with the kiosks and mini-games, a location, and a budget. Perhaps include tentative plans for a reasonably sized pond depending on weather of course. I doubt you'd need to reserve it. Start simple and go from there."

The group made a general sound of agreement and they effortlessly moved on to the next topic, deciding to leave the carnival discussion for another day.

Though somewhat disorderly, Unohana enjoyed the meeting. She liked the energy and casual informality of it all. And she wondered why she previously elected to not attend so much. Still however, the discussions they undertook really weren't for her. She could bring an end to the confusion and discord with but a couple statements. But that would take the fun out of it. The point of the meetings weren't simply to decide upon further action, but to enjoy the process of doing so. To enjoy the deliberation and the unity felt once a consensus was reached.

Perhaps she'd return to observe again. Observing simultaneously as an outsider and insider. Just as she did with life in general. She did so for the rest of the meeting which soon ended. A good decision it was to attend she concluded.

"You doing ok?" she asked Yachiru.

"Hai!"

"And The Kenpachi?"

"Ken-chan is fine. He's really bored lately so he plays shogi to pass the time."

"Shogi?" Unohana asked rather surprised at the revelation and finding it uncharacteristic of him. "Does he enjoy it?"

"I think so. We only started playing recently. Ken-chan gets mad when he loses but we keep on playing."

"You beat him?"

"Mhm. Almost always." Yachiru responded. Unohana almost failed to contain her laughter.

"Perhaps you two should play western chess first instead."

"We have. He says he likes Shogi better even though you kill everything in chess like you're supposed to. I'm going to go play with him now."

"Have fun." Unohana said.

"Hai. I'll tell him Re-chan said hi."

"But I didn't say hi."

"Oh. Alright. Byeee." Yachiru said then hopped off of Unohana's lap and left.

Unohana rose too and looked around. Her lieutenant, Rukia, Kiyone, and Sui were together talking amongst themselves but everyone else had gone.

So she said goodnight and stepped out, wondering why Rangiku left so hurriedly.

To her delight she found Rangiku waiting not too far from the door of the room.

"Good evening." Rangiku said.

"Good evening Rangiku." Unohana said with a warm smile.

"Come to observe the meeting eh?"

"A bit of a white lie. In truth I mainly came to see you."

Rangiku smiled. She had suspected, or more so hoped, that this was the case.

"So, did you bring me something sweet too?" Rangiku asked.

Unohana responded with a kiss.

"Will that do?" She asked.

"So sweet." Rangiku said playfully.

And then with a start they realized that Isane and Rukia were standing right beside them.

Rangiku said "uh-oh." and Unohana muttered "shit" to herself.

"I'm proud of you Taicho." Isane said. Messing with her captain though still a bit meek in her manner.

"Stop it Isane." Unohana said half seriously.

"Yes Taicho." Isane said respectfully and humbly nonetheless.

"Excuse us." Rukia said with a small bow. And then they left.

"I ought not be so bold in public." Unohana said feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Eh. It's good that they were the ones to see us." Rangiku responded. Then she had an idea. "We should do something with them. Have a dinner or something. Enjoy life together. The four of us."

"That's a nice idea. I like it. Speaking of which, would you like to go out to dinner tonight."

"Sure!" Rangiku said. "That sounds great."

"Good. Where would you like to go?"

"I don't know. I'm not quite famished but I do have something of an appetite. Where do you like to go when you go out to eat."

"There is a nice soup place I know. Most of the food is light but it's savory."

"Is the cuisine traditional? I could really go for some nabemono."

"Yes, it is traditional, and they do serve nabemono. I'm fully confident that it is also good."

"You have never tried their nabemono?"

"No. I've only ever gone there alone. I feel it would look strange and would be wasteful to order nabemono alone."

"Aww. Well then it's a good thing I'm here to go with you." Rangiku said playfully.

Unohana giggled her sweet and somehow elegant giggle and said "Yes. It is."

"It's decided then." Rangiku said excitedly as they started to walk. "Should we change into something more fashionable first?"

"It may look like something of a date if we do." Unohana responded. She immediately noticed an air of frustration briefly overcome Rangiku. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be. What you say is true. To be fair, I too prefer not to be excessively public with... things. I just wanted to dress a bit better for the occasion."

"The occasion? We're having dinner."

"Yes. That is the occasion." Rangiku responded, emphasizing her point.

"I see. So, do you consider this a date?" Unohana asked.

"We needn't call it that, but I feel it may serve a similar purpose. Do you?"

"I look at it the same way you do." Unohana responded.

Rangiku smiled as they stepped outdoors and gazed upon the night sky.

"You know, were it not for the rules of propriety, I'd extend my hand to hold yours." Unohana said.

"And I would feel butterflies and return the gesture in kind."

. . .

AN: Finally Unohana is going for it. Next chapter they have dinner together and maybe desert too ;) See y'all then.