Kumiko followed renji into the garden, slipping her hand through his arm to support her self walking across the grass
these damn clip clop shoes are going to break my neck Kumiko thought, the too big shoes trying to slip from her feet at every step
"you alright there?" Renji asked her looking down, watching her amused as she argued with the shoes
Kumiko gave him a wide smile " these damn chopsticks he calls shoes are going to break my neck tonight" Kumiko chuckled as he laughed loudly.
Turning past the tree where they had their first date, Kumiko scanned the opened up garden. Music was filling the area, slightly upbeat. There were tables scattered around the grass with white table cloths covering them. Each table had a lantern on it, throwing its glow over bottles and cups full of alcohol. Kumiko spotted the orange frosted cakes she had made, seemingly already half eaten
Many groups of people all dressed up were sat at tables or standing around together talking or laughing, Kumiko couldn't see anyone she recognised yet.
"renji! Kumiko!" A loud voice got their attention. Matsumoto was waving wildly at the pair, getting some looks from some near by men. The costume was tiny. Fishnet stockings went up her legs, a grey bodysuit hugged her figure snugly, breasts threatening to pop out at any moment. Cute bunny ear sat on her head. Matching the white fluffy tail Kumiko knew was hidden behind her. Walking closer Kumiko could also make out a pink rabbit nose drawn on her own.
Momo, Hisagi and Kira who were all standing around her, turned too look at their friends arrival
"fucking hell," renji muttered so only Kumiko could hear "she's going to fall out of that costume if she keeps bouncing around like that"
Kumiko laughed loudly, tapping his arm playfully
"perv. Stop staring" she teased him walking away before he could protest
Kumikos feet slapped the ground as she hurried off to greet the woman, captains coat dragging on the floor behind her "hey". Kumiko said reaching them, as they began laughing at her costume
"you came as Urahara!" Matsumoto laughed, looking her up and down. Kumiko pulled the fan from her pocket, with a flick of her wrist she opened it up and Started fanning her face
"my my how observant of you, rangiku san" Kumiko said trying to speak like urahara making them laugh again
"that's brilliant, does he know you've come dressed as him?" Hisagi grinned widely
"no" Kumiko told him in her normal voice " me and renji just broke into his house and stole all this" she grinned at him waving to her attire
"you broke in?" Kira asked looking concerned
"yeah, through a window " Kumiko laughed
"she stood on my head" renji grumbled reappearing, handing Kumiko a drink
""thanks" she told him with a smile before taking a long drink, looking at her friends costumes
Momo was wearing the costume Kumiko picked up, she looked graceful and elegant. Really beautiful. Kira was covered head to toe in bandages wrapping around him, a mummy, Kumiko told herself before looking at Hisagi
he wore a leather vest, dark trousers with two guns resting on his hips, the big hat giving him away
"you're a cowboy?" Kumiko asked Hisagi playfully
"I didn't know what else to go as". He shrugged "so I just picked up the first thing and this was it". He explained with a shrug
"suits you" Kumiko said with a straight face, making the girls giggle
"when are you going to show urahara what your wearing Kumiko?" Momo asked laughing, wanting to see his reaction
"I'll go find him in a bit" she told her, linking arms with the small woman "I want to have a drink with you guys first"
"oh quick an empty table!" Matsumoto interjected running over to it and sitting down. The other five following
Kumiko sat down between Renji and Hisagi, looking at all the sake on the table
"shunsui wasn't kidding when he said he was getting loads of alcohol " Kumiko muttered
"there's another table full of sake and spirits over there" Hisagi pointed over kiras head
"will you go get us a bottle of vodka and shot glasses shuhei ?" Matsumoto asked him sweetly from his other side, pressing herself into him
Hisagi shot up out of his chair with a blush "no problem". He said before walking off
Kumiko laughed "you're so mean rangiku . You're going to give him a heart attack one day "
Matsumoto laughed waving her off "he'll be fine "
Hisagi returned with the bottle and shot glasses, starting to pour them all a shot
"when are you coming back on a mission Kumiko?" Kira asked her from next to renji
"why, do you miss me?" She asked him playfully "soon hopefully, kiskes working on a new tracker for me. I imagine once it's done he'll let me back out" she added, making him nod
shuhei passed the shots around, raising his own
"kanpai!" He said to the table. Everyone raised their glass repeating 'kanpai' before throwing them back
"ugh". Kumiko shivered "I'm not drunk enough to ignore the taste" she said taking off Uraharas hat to grab a sweet from the bag hidden there. Popping it into her mouth to get rid of the taste, Kumiko hid the bag back in the hat before putting it on her head , earning some laughs
"you even got sweets!" Matsumoto laughed, thoroughly enjoying herself
"sweets are the best part of this costume " Kumiko laughed "these damn clogs are going to be the death of me"
"alright Kumiko," renji got her attention "rock paper or scissors?"
Kumiko laughed "you're starting that already?"
Renji shifted to face her. Hands ready to play "it's a party ain't it? It's the best way to get drunk"
"alright". Kumiko said preparing herself
"rock, paper , scissors, shot". They said together both throwing out a rock
"damn, I thought I had you then". Renji laughed accepting the shot from Hisagi who was watching
Kumiko grabbed her own, drinking it quickly making a face. Quickly grabbing her sake to get rid of the taste. Renji laughed at her reaction, handling his own much better
"are you having fun Kira?" A new voice joined the table
Kumiko turned to see captain amagai standing behind Momo, smiling down at the table. He was wearing an animal print long dress? Kumiko tried to figure out, being held up on one shoulder, half of his sculptured chest on display
he's a cave man! Kumiko realised
"yes sir" Kira responded politely, amagai turned to address the rest of the table. Stopping at seeing kumiko before laughing
"I thought you were Urahara for a moment then kumiko. " he laughed loudly, the table joining him
"hi captain amagai " she greeted him warmly "you drinking tonight?" She asked cheekily
he laughed shaking his head "im afraid not, I'm just enjoying seeing everyone have fun" he told her sweetly "though Kyoraku keeps trying to get me to drink" he laughed
Kumiko smiled at hearing the man's name.
"do you know where urahara and shunsui are?" Kumiko asked him
"yeah they're near the house, sitting around the big table there. Ukitake and Yoruichi were there last I saw" he told her before looking down at Momo who had asked him a question
Kumiko leaned back in her chair trying to look at the house where amagai said they were sitting, too many people were in the way to see though
"well I'm going to say hello to a few more people, I'll see you all soon" amagai bid them goodbye before heading off to a group standing near by
"we should play a game". Matsumoto stated
a few groans met her idea
"we're playing rock paper scissors rangiku" renji told her patiently
"yeah I know, but it's too slow " she whined
"let us get a little more drunk first, then we can bully the guys into playing game" kumko told her laughing, handing her a shot "I'll do some shots with you until then"
Matsumoto smiled at her before swallowing two shots quickly, Kumiko shook her head. Someone will have to carry her home at this rate.
"Matsumoto remember you have work tomorrow " came another new deep voice
"but captain? It's a party! We have to get drunk" she whined at the grey haired boy, man? Standing behind her, unhappily dressed in sports clothes. Kumiko racked her brain trying to think of the name of the sport
"enough" he told her shaking his head "I trust you'll all keep an eye on her?" He asked the table
"we got her captain Hitsugaya" renji told him, seeming good enough the captain walked away
"who was that?" Kumiko asked him
"Hitsugaya, 10th captain, matsumotos division ". Renji explained easily
"oh yeah, I remember him from the meeting. He's young to be a captain ". Kumiko mused
"he's very strong". Renji admitted with respect
"right, I've put it off long enough" Kumiko said finishing her drink before topping it up with another bottle of sake " im going to go find Kiske, I'll come find you all in a bit " she told them standing up
after waving at the table Kumiko started walking to the house
Weaving in and out of people, concentrating on not letting the shoes fly off her feet, Kumiko got closer to the house and was able to see her friends . Shunsui sat on the end of the table. Chair to his left empty. The right was filled by ukitake, then Yoruichi, there was a man sitting opposite her, which Kumiko assumed would be Urahara,
getting closer to the table, Yoruichi looked over and spotted her, barking out a laugh at the sight. Kumiko grinned back, taking out her fan and wafting it at her face. Turning around to see what made Yoruichi laugh so hard, Urahara caught sight of her, standing up shocked, before jogging over to her.
"what did you do?" He laughed at her, walking over to help her walk to the table
"im dressed as you!" She told him happily, wrapping her arms around his
"I can see that" he smiled down at her " how did you get my things?"
"I broke into your house". She laughed, as he shook his head at her
"you could've just asked " he chuckled in return
"it was more fun seeing your shocked face"
"are those my shoes?!" He asked looking down making her laugh again
"yeah, they're going to kill me . You have massive feet" she laughed holding onto him tightly
"I don't have massive feet". He defended, "your just little" he added, pulling at his own captains coat drowning her
Kumiko took note of his costume, he had on white trousers and a long white lab coat, crazy metal disk on his head, realising Kumiko laughed
"you're a mad scientist!"
"I said you would get a kick out of my costume". He grinned, walking her to the seat next to him
Kumiko sat down at the table grinning at everyone there
"hi" she Said happily
"you look amazing Kumiko" Yoruichi told her laughing.
"so do you" Kumiko complimented. Yoruichi was wearing a tight leather full body suit, with a black tail, cat ears and whiskers drawn on. It really suited her
"so this is your really sexy costume you said you were wearing?" Kyoraku chuckled from next to her dressed as a pirate. Long hair down for once, falling over his shoulders. Big black captains hat sat on his head. One eye covered by an eye patch. His long sleeved white shirt was opened half way. Showing off his chest
Kumiko laughed remembering "yeah, how do I look?" She teased, fanning her face again
"Adorable. Hi love" he said leaning over to kiss her. Kumiko flushed at the public display, catching jushiro smiling at them
"it's like looking at two Uraharas". He laughed at her. He himself wore a long blue coat with gold stars with a matching pointy hat.
He makes a good wizard Kumiko grinned at him
"how are you? Ive missed you. sorry I haven't been back to visit, it's been non stop" Kumiko told him genuinely upset she hadn't managed to check on him
ukitake held up a hand gently "im fine. Got to take it easy for a few days. But I'm much better. Don't concern yourself"
"did you get through all the soup I brought you?" Kumiko asked him
"I did, thank you. You've saved me from Shunsuis cooking once again". He laughed at Kyorakus reaction
"hey, it wasn't that bad" he defended himself
"you made my microwave explode" jushiro told him calmly making Kumiko laugh
shunsui rubbed his chin thinking "I think it was defective"
"was the oven in my divisions kitchen defective also?" Jushiro teased him, kumikos eyes going from man to man
"no, that one just hates me". He grinned at his friend, leaning across the table to grab hold of kumikos hand, thumb gently rubbing circles on the back of it
"when I cook again I'll make extra. I'll bring it over to keep in the freezer for if you become unwell again " Kumiko told ukitake kindly
"you don't need to go through the trouble Kumiko" he tried, but Kumiko held firm
"I want to. I felt awful not being able to help you the other day" she told him with a small smile "cooking for you is the one thing I can manage. Please accept that I'll be filling your freezer"
"how can I say no to that" he smiled at her warmly
Kumiko glanced around quickly "party seems to be a big hit" she commented
"it's always been a favourite of mine"ukitake said "it's nice seeing everyone dress up and have fun. well, almost everyone". He said nodding towards captains kutchiki and kenpachi, both wearing their traditional captains uniform
"they've always been boring" shunsui laughed at him, grabbing a bottle of sake and topping up his glass before filling up kumikos
"you trying to get me drunk?" She asked him playfully. He sent her a wink in response
Kyoraku then offered to top up ukitake who refused "I think Unohana might come after you if you get me drunk shunsui" he told him, laughing at his friends widening eyes
"what she doesn't see won't hurt me" he laughed back
"what who won't see shunsui san?" Came a sweet voice from behind him. Shunsui jumped out of his seat spinning round to come face to face with captain Unohana, wearing a sweet smile
"I uhh. Good evening Retsu san. Are you enjoying yourself?" Shunsui spluttered out, rubbing the back of his head, ignoring Kumiko and jushiro laughing behind him
"its a wonderful party shunsui san. I'm enjoying seeing everyone enjoy themselves" she told him
Kumiko got out of her seat, leaning on the arm of Urahara chair, saying politely "would you like my seat captain Unohana?"
The graceful woman sat down, smiling at Kumiko
"thank you Kumiko san. I won't take it for long" she said turning to ukitake to speak to him. Shunsui gingerly sat back in his chair sending Kumiko a "help me" look. Kumiko just laughed turning to Urahara, who has wrapped an arm around her waist, incase she fell off his chair
"here" he said handing her a shot glass "it's been ages since we've drank together "
"remember what happened the last time you two got drunk together " Yoruichi chimed in, making Kumiko choke on the shot she was drinking, Urahara sent Yoruichi a look as Kumiko stood up to wipe down her front, drying it somewhat, another voice joined them unexpectedly from behind, making Kumiko jump "yo"
Kumiko turned to see Hirako, dressed as a vampire walking up behind her. A huge man with spikes in his hair behind him
that must be captain kenpachi Kumiko realised, looking up at the scary looking captain
"hello shinji" Urahara said politely
shinji laughed at seeing what Kumiko was wearing
"you what to be careful Hiyori doesn't mistake you for him and kick you in the head" he laughed nodding at urahara
"I'll be on the look out for her"Kumiko chuckled, getting ready to sit next to urahara again
"hey Kenpachi,look what I can do" Shinji said suddenly, raising his spiritual pressure quickly
"Shinji don't!" Urahara shouted too late, scrambling to his feet
Kumiko immediately passed out, falling backwards into into Shinji who caught her easily. Kenpachi laughed loudly looking over Shinjis shoulder at kumikos sleeping face, Jushiro and Shunsui stood up seeing Kumiko fall
"what the hell happened ?" shunsui asked shinji, currently holding a sleeping kumiko
"my spiritual pressure makes her fall asleep". He told him gleefully, kenpachi laughing behind him
"alright youve had your fun" urahara told him sternly "knock it off"
"you're no fun" shinji complained, handing Kumiko over to him and dampening his spiritual pressure
"not as good as the reaction you give her Kyoraku, but still fun" he grinned at the man sending him daggers
"cut it out shinji" Yoruichi told him sternly"or I'll let both urahara and Kyoraku kick your ass"
shinji threw his arms up in surrender, grin still on his face "she'll be fine, come on kenpachi, let's get another drink" he told the big man, walking away
Urahara sat back in his chair, Kumiko fast asleep in his arms "hey miko, wake up" he told her gently, nudging her awake
kumikos eyes blinked open, looking up at Urahara. Confused she looked around the table. Shunsui and jushiro were stood up looking at her worried. Unohana was smiling gently at her
"what happened?" She asked. Sitting up straighter on her friends lap
"shinji happened" urahara said still annoyed
"did he raise his spiritual pressure?" Kumiko checked with him, at his nod, she laughed
"he's going to be a pain in my ass isn't he?" Seeing the still standing captains, she added for their benefit "im fine. I just fell asleep "
they slowly sat down at her words, ukitake sending her a small smile before continuing talking to Unohana . Shunsui still looked ticked off, angry eyes following shinji as he walked further away
"gimme a second," she mumbled to Urahara, squeezing his hand as she got up. Kumiko walked behind Unohana to come stand next to shunsui, gently perching on the arm of his chair
"hey" she said gently bumping his arm making him look at her " what's with the grumpy face?"
Shunsui sighed, trying to let go of his annoyance "he just wound me up. I don't like him using his spiritual pressure against you like that, to make fun of"
"don't be mad. He's an idiot, but hes harmless. He'll get bored of it soon enough" she told him, cupping his face gently
"you're too forgiving" he told her with a smile. Letting go of his anger,his arm went around her to push her off the arm of the chair and into his lap.
"it's not that bad". She promised "I just take a little nap. No bad feelings involved. Now, are you going to stop making grumpy faces and pour me a drink?" She teased him making him smile
"sorry love," he told her with a smile, grabbing the closest bottle and filling her cup "is there anything else I could do for you?"
"just be happy" she told him quietly, resting her head on his shoulder
"how could I not be happy with you sat on my lap?" He said lowly in her ear "even if you are dressed up as Urahara".
Kumiko laughed at that. Pulling off her hat and grabbing the bag of sweets. She put the hat quickly back into her head before grabbing a couple sweets and shoving them into her mouth
shunsui laughed at her, remembering the time Urahara dropped his sweets in the captains meeting, resulting in his hat being banned
"don't tell me you stole my sweets too miko" Uraharas voice crossed the table
Kumiko turned to grin at him "no, these are mine. I hid them from you so you would eat them" she laughed. Grabbing one from the bag she gently chucked in in the air towards him, clapping when he leaned in his chair to catch it in his mouth
"man of many talents you" she jokingly praised him. Urahara laughed around the sweet, pointing a finger at her he said "and don't you forget it"
Kumiko was back in her seat since Unohana left, joining in the conversations, drinking heavily
"Kumiko! There you are" Matsumoto called running up behind her and wrapping her arms around her
Kumiko smiled up at her drunk friend "hey rangiku, you having fun ?"
"this party is the best" she told her before looking at an amused shunsui "your party's are the best"
shunsui laughed at how drunk she was, draping herself over Kumiko "im glad you're enjoying yourself"
"come dance, " she quickly turned back to Kumiko " there's a few people up dancing and we want you to join us "
"oh I don't know". Kumiko said laughing awkwardly "I'm not any good at dancing, I've got two left feet remember ?"
"so? who cares? It's fun" she told her, squeezing her tighter "please? Please come dance "
Kumiko sighed quickly downing her drink, "fine, one dance" she caved, hearing urahara laugh next to her
"what are you laughing at chuckles?. You're coming with me" she told him standing up and pulling his arm
"I don't dance miko" he told her with a smile
"well neither do I. Come dance or you ain't getting your clip cloppy shoes back" she told him tugging on his arm, pulling him up from the chair
"that's not what they're called miko"he laughed trying to stop her pulling him away
"that's what I've been calling them for days" she laughed tugging him with her, ignoring the laughs from the other three
" I still don't dance" he tried reasoning with her
"you do tonight Kiske" Yoruichi said from behind him, pushing him towards the dance floor, making Kumiko laugh
"you can't fight us both " Kumiko reminded him,
sighing in defeat Urahara said " fine. One dance" allowing himself to be dragged along unhappily
reaching the dancers, Kumiko pulled them to stand next to the lieutenants dancing, a bit shocked to see renji and shuhei dancing with them. Getting a cheer from them as they turned up, Kumiko turned to face Urahara, Yoruichi already dancing with Matsumoto
Kiske stood there still, not sure what to do with himself "you've got to try" Kumiko told him, grabbing his hand and spinning him around in a circle under her arm, which he had to duck under
"I feel silly" he told her laughing , spinning her round in a circle
"look around, we all look silly" she told him with a grin, looking round "except for renji" she said surprised "who knew he could dance?" Kumiko said making urahara laugh
Urahara grabbed her hand, pushing her away from him to pull her spinning back into his side
Kumiko laughed happily " see! You can dance!" She told him, as he did it again
"nah, I'm just used to throwing you around" he smirked at her, picking her up and spinning in a circle making her laugh.
Kumiko managed to keep him dancing for three songs, until the tempo of the songs changed into a slower more romantic song. The pair looked at eachother, eyes widening before laughing, ready to go back to drinking, shunsui walked over stopping them
"you don't want to dance with me?" He grinned at her, taking her hand
Kumiko smiled up at him nodding her head eagerly
"I'll leave you too it". Urahara chuckled turning to escape,
"oh no you don't" Yoruichi said, grabbing him by the collar, spinning him back round "you can slow dance with me"
"but, Yoruichi "he started to complain as she dragged him off to a clear area. Making Kumiko laugh
shunsui grinned at her before stepping close, hands resting on her hips. Kumiko raised her hands to wrap around his neck smiling up at him.
"I didn't know you could dance". She teased at his easy footwork, leading Kumiko around gracefully
"I was made to take lessons as a child, to ensure I didn't embarrass the family at Nobel gatherings " he told her before grinning "I used to dance like urahara before that"
Kumiko laughed turning to look at her friend, stiffly holding onto Yoruichi while looking down at his feet in concentration. It seemed like Yoruichi was leading him. Kumiko grinned widely at the sight
looking around Kumiko saw ukitake dancing gracefully with unohana, a bit more distance between them than was between her and shunsui. His hands gently holding her waist respectfully
Kyoraku looked to where Kumiko was looking, a big grin on his face . Catching ukitakes eye, shunsui sent him a big wave before making kissy faces at him . Ukitake just sent him a look, before spinning them around so Unohana was facing them
shunsui quickly looked back at Kumiko to avoid meeting her eye. Kumiko laughed at his antics shaking her head
"I still find it funny how scared you are of her" she giggled leaning her cheek on his chest, enjoying their dance
Kyorakus laugh vibrated in his chest
"shhh, she has super hearing". He whispered to her "are you having fun?" He asked in a normal volume
Kumiko nodded "yeah, it's the most fun I've had in ages" she said, before stumbling in her shoes "stupid clip cloppy shoes" she mumbled down at them, sliding her foot back into it easily
Kyoraku laughed at her arguing with her shoes before gently raising her chin to look at him. Shunsui leaned down and kissed her gently
the song ended, ending their kiss. A fast tempo song immediately started up again,
"did you want to continue dancing?" He asked her, spinning her around like Urahara did
"no, I'm ready for a drink". She told him with a laugh, reaching down to take off her shoes to hold in her hand . Bare feet hitting the grass Kumiko sighed "that's better. I don't know how he wears these all the time"
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