"I'm not sure Kumiko" renji told her concerned, her idea sounding crazy to his ears "what if we get into trouble?"
"we won't". Kumiko promised, smiling up at him widely "no one will see us, and he won't care when he finds out anyway"
"why do you need my help if it's going to be fine?" Renji asked her unsure look in his face
"I need a look out" Kumiko laughed "and probably need help to actually break in "
renji sighed before looking down at the woman next to him. Her eyes were bright and mischievous, wide inviting smile on her face
"if we get in trouble. I'm blaming it all on you". He told her defeated, as a man of honour he struggled to refuse a woman's plea for help
Kumiko laughed and linked arms with him, surprising him. "I'll take all the blame. Don't worry it'll be fine. Might even be fun "
"yeah yeah ". He told her fighting a smirk "this staying just between us?"
"yeah, can't risk others knowing". She told him, before spotting Hisagi, Momo and rangiku standing together talking at the beginning of the market. Kumiko raised her hand to wave at the trio, getting their attention
"you two look so cute cuddled up!" rangiku told them happily as they got closer. Kumiko laughed as renji blushed moving his arm away
"we ain't cuddling up" he mumbled looking away "come on let's go" he told the group before walking into the market making them all laugh
"where we going first?" Kumiko asked no one in particular, Hisagi slowed his step to walk next to her
"apparently wherever renji wants to go". He chuckled nodding to his friend in the front.
"he's so sensitive " Kumiko laughed quietly, slipping her arm to link with Hisagi.
Hisagi blushed deeply but pulled his arm up slightly to make it easier for Kumiko to hold it
"Momo said you went to see the 5th today? To see how you react to their Reiatsu?" Hisagi continued the conversation
"yeah, it went ok. Nothing bad at least . I can see Hirako using it for his own amusement " Kumiko told him amused by the captain. She wasn't as concerned as her hat wearing friend was as the notion shinji will spring his spiritual pressure on her suddenly
"what happened?" Hisagi asked, seeing her confused look he added "Momo wouldn't tell us" . Kumiko sent a warm smile to the kind woman's back
"he made me fall asleep". Kumiko laughed "I felt tired, yawned and then the next think I knew I was waking up on his floor"
shuhei looked at her in amazement. "You know, I really admire how you handle it." He told her softly, looking straight ahead "when I first heard about what happens to you, I felt really bad for you, but you're so brave with it"
Kumiko squeezed his arm gently "thanks, shuhei, that's really sweet"
"if you've just seen the 5th. It'll be a while til you get to me right?" He asked her
"what division are you again?"
"9th, with captain komamura" he reminded her
"oh. Then no you won't be long, I'll be seeing renji and the 6th captain in the next week or so. I've already had my reactions with Urahara and Kyoraku, so you'll be after that". She told him with a smile
"I hope it's good . Should give my captain time to return, he's been away on a mission the last few days " he informed her
"will he make it back for the party?" Kumiko wondered, having not seen the 9ths captain before
"it's not looking like it". Hisagi told her shaking his head
"come on you two,". Renji called roughly from outside a costume shop, before entering it.
Kumiko just laughed "demanding git tonight isn't he?"
Hisagi laughed, letting her walk into the shop before him
"What do you think of this girls?" Rangiku asked holding up, quite possibly the smallest outfit Kumiko had ever seen
"where's the rest?" Kumiko asked with a chuckle, lifting the bottom with her fingers, trying to see if there was any more fabric
"it's a sexy bunny!" Rangiku said happily, pulling it up to rest against her body. It was basically a small black leotard with a fluffy tail and a pair of bunny ears. It left very little to the imagination
Kumiko laughed shaking her head at her friend's confidence "go for it"
"what about you? There's a sexy cat, sexy nurse, sexy maid " Matsumoto told her looking through the costumes, rattling off options
Kumiko laughed at her friend "is there anything sexy by any chance?" Rangiku just looked at her
"I've already got a costume " she promised with a smile
"im struggling " Momo said walking over "everything is either gross and scary or way to revealing "
"so wear something revealing then" rangiku said, not seeing the problem
"I saw a ballerina one?" Kumiko offered going to grab it, walking back to the girls she showed them. "It's got tights and long sleeves? So you'll be covered, the tutu is fun . I think you'll look really good in this" Kumiko said offering it to momo who's eyes lit up
"it's perfect!" She told her, the sound of loud laughing caught all their attention. Hisagi and renji were on the other side of the shop trying on silly hats and laughing at eachother
"let's go try them on" Momo told rangiku,pulling her towards the dressing rooms
"I'll go see the boys" Kumiko told them. Walking over she saw renji wearing a headband that looks like an arrow is going through his head. Hisagi having what looked like the top of a pineapple on his
"you look like renji". She told him with a laugh, Hisagi joining her as renji gave her a look
"I do not look like a pineapple " he told her sternly
"you don't not look like one either". She said, ducking as he threw a hat at her, flying over her head to smack into a passer by. The look renji gave him sent him quickly walking in the other direction
"you both get costumes?" She asked seeing them with a bag each
"yeah, just got them". Hisagi told her "you not find one yet?"
"I've already got one " she told him catching renjis eye. He sent her a knowing wink
"you just come to help the girls did you?" He asked her
"actually I need to get some other things. Thinking about it, I don't know how I'm going to carry it all home" she said, wondering if she'll have to do two trips
"what do you need to get?" Renji asked her
"I wanted to get some perfume, sweets for Kiske. And some food shopping, I need to get more ingredients for all the cupcakes you want me to make for the Halloween party". She told them counting on her fingers
"I don't mind carrying some bags for you". Renji told her, looking to the side as if he wasn't being sweet. "I'm the one who asked you to bake more, I could at least carry your bags"
"thanks renji, that'll save me doing two trips "
"ok we're done!" Rangiku came over to them happily, both her and Momo holding a white bag of their own "I want to go to that underwear boutique across the road"
both men groaned at that, blush appearing on Hisagis cheeks
"im not following you around looking for underwear Matsumoto " renji told her plainly
"why? Afraid you'll get a nose bleed?" She teased him "I need a new bra to go with my costume, it won't keep my boobs covered otherwise". She said matter of fact, not noticing the reddening cheeks of Hisagi
"you can wait outside" Momo told them, laughing at how uncomfortable they were getting
Kumiko followed the girls into the boutique, looking around at the scraps of clothing considered underwear, Kumiko gently picked one up
"what the hell is this ment to cover " she asked the girls making them laugh
"it's supposed to be sexy " Matsumoto told her "come on, the bras are at the back"
following her through the shop, Kumiko suddenly stopped, something catching her eye. It was a black matching set. Lacey bra, that looked like it was slightly padded, surly ment to stand the girls to attention. Lacey thong that had a small bow either side of the hip tying it together . Netted suspender that goes around the waist, silky Ribbon hanging down to tie to the matching stockings
it was ridiculously scandalous, and sexy as hell
"you should get it". Momo said behind her making her jump "it'll look really good on you, with your figure"
"I don't know," Kumiko said reaching out to touch it gently. It felt silky under her fingers "I don't think I could pull it off. It's a bit racy"
"I'm sure captain Kyoraku would like it" Momo told her gently before going back to rangiku
Kumiko debated with herself for a moment. Deciding she would quite like to see Shunsuis reaction to it, she quickly found her size and took it to the cashier before she could change her mind
shopping finally done, the five friends made their way out of the market, each carrying a ridiculous amount of bags. Kumiko silently thanked shuhei and renji for helping her
there was no way I could have carried it all back alone she thought.
After buying the underwear Kumiko had bought a ridiculous amount of sweets for her friend and some new perfume and moisturiser before going to get the food shop. Kumiko found all the Ingredients needed for her cupcakes, with some cute Halloween decorations she could add on top. Kumiko also decided to grab some food to be able to make dinner for Kyoraku tomorrow night.
Thinking about if she was brave enough to wear her new underwear for shunsui, a sudden chill ran down her spine, stopping her in her tracks. Kumiko looked around, scanning the area they were walking down. She could feel something out there. Hidden in the shadows.
"hey Kumiko! Come on or you'll be left behind" rangiku called from the front of where her friends were standing there waiting. Quickly hurrying after them, Kumiko tried to shake the feeling of someone watching her
"you can feel it too, can't you?" Renji muttered quietly to her, falling into step with her just behind the others
"I've felt it here before". She told just just as quiet "it feels like someone is watching me"
renjis back stiffened a little, moving to walk closer to her "I can't tell where it's coming from"
"me either, it seems to be fading though ". Kumiko said looking over her shoulder
"just keep walking" he told her " I'm paying attention. If it gets closer, I'll intervene ". He said, hand coming up to gently brush his zanpakuto
Kumiko nodded silently next to him.
Reaching the place they part, Kumiko and renji could no longer feel anything suspicious. Giving their friend's genuine smiles as the two girls bid them goodbye
renji and shuhei walked with Kumiko to take her shopping home
"thank you again for this". She told them opening her door
"it's no problem" shuhei told her, following her into her apartment. Both men putting the bags down on the table, glanced around the area
Kumiko surprised Hisagi by wrapping him up in a hug which he returned, ignoring his flushing face. Kumiko stood back and smile at him"I still appreciate it" she told him, before turning to give renji the same attention
renji wrapped his arms around her, leaning his head down he whispered "I'll do a sweep when I leave, make sure everything is fine" before pulling away. Kumiko nodded at him "thank you". She said. Knowing he would know what she was thanking him for
"right we will leave you to it Kumiko, see you at the party". Renji said throwing a hand over his head as he walked out, shuhei smiled at Kumiko again before following his friend and closing the door
exhausted, Kumiko put everything away before heading to her bedroom. Getting changed Kumiko stood by her window. Moving the curtain to peek out. Not feeling anything uneasy Kumiko climbed into bed quickly falling asleep
