After quickly showering, Kumiko walked back into her bedroom, sun basking the room in bright light. Shunsui was snoring in her bed, face relaxed as he hugged the pillow. Kumiko watched him for a moment. Not quite believing that it was her bed he was in
getting dressed, trying not to make too much noise, wanting to let shunsui sleep for as long as he could. Kumiko noted the time, she had to leave for work now if she didn't want to be late
climbing onto the bed, she gently called his name as she brushed her fingers across his naked shoulder "shunsui?"
Shunsui opened one eye looking up to her sleepily "I've got to go to work," shunsui stretched and rubbed his tired eyes
"ok" he mumbled, as Kumiko laid a hand on his chest, stopping him from moving
"you can go back to sleep, I didn't mean you had to leave" she told him smiling at his sleepy state
"ok" he mumbled again, closing his eyes once more. Kumiko smiled at him sweetly, he was awfully cute when tired
"I'll see you at the party later" she said, leaning down to kiss his lips, which he lazily returned
"do you want me to come back to walk you over?" He asked rolling back to his side, hugging the pillow with his muscular arm
"no,renjis meeting me to walk together". Kumiko said. Not quite a lie, but not the whole truth either "if you remember, would you mind taking a tray of cupcakes with you when you leave? They're too big for me to carry all three"
"yeah I'll take them" he said, breathing evening out
"ok, I'll see you later" she told him with a smile, kissing his forehead
"mmm love you". He muttered before slipping back into sleep . Not realising what he said or noticing the shocked expression on kumikos face at hearing the words before consciousness left him
Kumiko walked to work in a daze. Cupcake held gently in her hand, just remembering to grab it in her daze.
"love you" the words echoed clearly in her head
does he love me? Or was it a slip of the tongue? She questioned herself. She couldn't deny the way her heart beated harder in her chest when she heard them. Kumiko knew she had deep feelings for the flamboyant captain
but love?
Can you love someone you haven't known that long? Part of the time they knew each other they we're arguing. Kumiko remembered the saying "there's a fine line between love and hate" wondering if he had loved her then, when she thought he hated her. It explained his reaction to finding out she had slept with urahara
Kumiko shook her head. Stopping herself questioning his sleep filled words. Deciding to forget about it. She would wait until he was awake and saying those words to her. Before she would see if she would say them back.
Kumiko arrived at the office, knocking the door loudly before walking in with her empty hand over her eyes, big smile on her face
"hey it's me! Is it safe to come in?" She called out loudly holding back a laugh
"you do realise we're training today right?" Uraharas amused voice came from the room " do you really want to tease me before I start throwing you around?" He chuckled
Kumiko lowered her hand laughing. Seeing him at his desk, fully dressed " you raise a fair point" she smiled walking over " but I have a feeling you would've been more unkind if I interrupted you having sex two mornings in a row " she laughed at his grin
"I've learnt my lesson miko, I won't be bringing anyone back to the office any time soon" he told her rubbing a hand on the back of his head
Kumiko just grinned back at him "you manage to do Everything you needed yesterday?" He asked her, writing something down on the papers littering his desk
"yeah, thank you for letting me leave, you're a lifesaver. I managed to bake 60 cupcakes for the party , here's your bribe to not beat me up today" kumiko chuckled placing the offering on the desk in front of him
urahara smiled at her before picking it up and taking a bite
"it's good" he told her around the cake in his mouth
"good enough to go easy on me?" She questioned with exaggerated pleading eyes
"it would of been, if you didn't come in and immediately start joking at my expense. Your ass is mine Satsuki " he told her, laughing evilly at her groan
Kumiko was laughing hysterically as she hit the floor hard. Urahara wasn't taking it easy on her today, explaining earlier that "if I keep pulling my punches, you won't try hard enough to dodge them. It's motivating "
motivating my ass, she thought gasping for breath
urahara bounded over reducing his spiritual pressure, smile on his face
"what was that?" He laughed at her " you did some strange roll right into my kick"
"it wasn't a roll, I was laughing so hard I fell over and landed into your kick". She told him Suppressing a grin, rubbing her throbbing hip " that one stung "
"sorry" urahara offered not looking sorry at all "I didn't realise that was a fall, I thought you were trying to dodge"
"you wouldn't have pulled your kick anyway, you ass" she laughed up at him, Kumiko groaned as she jumped to her feet, pulling her trousers down at the side to look at her hip, Urahara leaning over to take a peak
"yup, another bruise" Kumiko said, pulling it back up to cover the blackening mark forming on her skin
Urahara did look a little guilty at that "sorry miko, I'm not trying to bruise you"
"I know your not" she told him fondly "you're trying to make sure I don't get eaten by a hollow, I'd rather have a bruise than explain why my head is missing" she laughed, bruise already forgotten
"your logic makes my head hurt". He told her chucking "explain why my head is missing, wake up dead." He recalled some of the things she had said "neither of those make any sense "
Kumiko laughed with a shrug "I stand by them "
"let's see if you can stay standing " Urahara told her. Raising his spiritual pressure back up, kumikos groan turned into a loud laugh, making him chuckle
"get ready" he warned before he darted forward, arm swing out towards her. Kumiko ducked it, throwing a punch of her own from instinct. Urahara easily caught it, pulling her forward trapping her head in his arm at his side before roughly rubbing the top of her head with his knuckles
"you're supposed to be dodging and blocking, not trying to hit me"he chuckled amused as she struggled laughing in his grip. waiting until she started pulling back, Urahara suddenly let her go, momentum making her stumble back, falling to the floor once more
Kumiko gave him a dirty look that didn't work through her laugher, getting back to her feet Kumiko made a defensive stance, waiting for him to move
urahara gave her no warning as he ran towards her, leg coming up for a kick to her chest, Kumiko blocked it, crossing her arms over her chest. Urahara came back in, throwing punches Kumiko dodged, running backwards. Urahara flashstepped suddenly, kumikos back crashing into his front, stopping her roughly in her escape
Feeling rapidly moving air behind her , Kumiko darted forward into a roll, jumping back to her feet, making some distance. Urahara grinned at her rushing forward, arm coming down, which Kumiko blocked with her own. A particularly loud laugh catching her off guard, Urahara took the opening aiming a kick at her stomach which landed. Sending her to her knees winded
Urahara quickly hid his Reiatsu, and walked over to her
"you alright? ". He asked her, she was heavily leaning on one knee, head down and breathing hard. Her head dipped low, thick hair covered her face from his view. Urahara walked closer, now worried he'd accidentally hurt her
"miko? Are you hurt? Let me see" he continued getting closer ,as he stood in front of her, Urahara leaned down ready to inspect his friend, when her leg suddenly shot out, knocking his legs from under him, landing him flat on his back.
Kumiko quickly crawled up his body, sitting on his chest, pinning his arms down with her legs as she grabbed his hat from on top of his head and happily placed it on her own laughing
"that's a dirty trick". He told her with a groan, having landed heavily on the rough terrain
"it worked though didn't it" kumiko laughed gleefully"I finally got your hat" she added smugly
"you weren't supposed to be getting my hat today". He told her looking up at her grin "get your ass off me so I can kick it"
"I'm quite enjoying myself here" she teased him, they both knew Urahara could get her off him if he wanted. Kumiko was enjoying the fact he was pretending he couldn't, Urahara letting her have this win
Kumiko leaned down and peppered loud exaggerated kisses all over his face, making him laugh as he squirmed away
"get off, you Idiot". He told her moving his face to the side, Kumiko decided to push her luck before he got her off him, and quickly began tickling his sides
Urahara burst out laughing, in a higher pitch than Kumiko expected, making her grin. squirming away from her wriggling fingers "Kumiko, stop" urahara laughed out at her. Not surrendering Kumiko laughed as she began tickling him more. Urahara quickly raised his Reiatsu, much higher than the had during the training, forcing Kumiko to double over laughing, nearly landing on his face before her forearms caught her.
finally not being tickled, Urahara dropped his Reiatsu, throwing his body up and over, knocking Kumiko to her back, climbing on top of her and Pinning her hands to the floor
"and you said what I did was a dirty trick ". She panted, last of the laughs playing on her lips
Urahara leaned down and gave her a slobbery lick from her chin to her forehead. Laughing at the squeal she gave before jumping off quickly
"ugh, that's so gross!" She whined at him , wiping her face as he stood there laughing
"come on, let's go again" he told her happily, pointing his finger at her in warning "I won't be falling for anymore tricks"
Kumiko and Urahara were walking through the streets, easily talking after she had surrendered for the day.
"I need a drink after that" she told him " everything hurts"
"good thing we're going to a party then" he teased bumping her shoulder
urahara stopped outside a big wooden house, seeming raised up off the floor, steps leading up to the front door. large bushes surrounded it, enclosing the grassy garden fully, save for the entrance path
"this your house? " Kumiko asked nodding behind him, Urahara turned to look before giving her a questioning look
"you've not been here?"
"no" kumiko laughed, "were usually in the office or my house "
"huh" he said, rubbing his chin slowly "I never realised. Anyway, you want me and Yoruichi to swing by and grab you to go to Kyorakus?"
"no". Kumiko said, quickly. She hurriedly went on to elaborate , trying to avoid suspicion "I'm meeting renji before hand . We're going to walk together" she explained, acting natural
come on, don't question it she silently begged
"alright, I'll see you there then?" He checked, raising a suspicious eyebrow at her behaviour
"I'll be there, what time you aiming for?" She checked
"probably leave here around 7:30?" Urahara said thinking about what he and Yoruichi had decided on
"perfect. We shouldn't be far behind you". Kumiko leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek "see you in a bit"
"yeah later" urahara said walking into his home, Kumiko waiting until he was through his gate before rushing home
Closing the door behind her, Kumiko walked through to her bedroom "shunsui?" She called checking if he was still there. Pushing the bedroom door open Kumiko saw that it was empty
he made my bed she thought with a smile at the gesture, even if it still looked messy. Going back to the kitchen she noticed all three of the cupcake trays were gone, making her smile again
it'll be easier not having to carry them around later she thought happily, before turning to go have a shower and get ready
Kumiko sat at her vanity table, wearing a clean Shihakusho, trying to get her hair the way she wanted it .
Kumiko had grabbed the ends of her hair and pulled them up under itself to clip at the base, leaving her almost waist length hair messily brushing the tops of her shoulders. Bringing a shorter part at the front to lay down the middle of her eyes and onto her nose . Happy with what she achieved, Kumiko stood up not having anything else to do until renji got there
Kumiko walked to her fridge and grabbed a bottle of sake, the same strawberry one her friend enjoys. Opening the lid and drinking straight from the bottle, Kumiko decided she needed the liquid courage to pull off her plan. Spotting the bag of sweets on the side, that she had stolen from Kiske , Kumiko put them in her pocket as the door started knocking
walking over quickly, Kumiko opened it to reveal renji. He stood there with his arms crossed across his naked chest. Wearing dark ripped trousers, and black trainers. There rest of his body was covered sporadically in grey fur, getting thicker around his chest and neck. Kumiko noticed he was more covered in tattoos than she had originally thought
"you're a werewolf!" Kumiko realised happily
"no, I just forgot to shave" renji told her, lip curling up at her laugh
"shut up, here". She said handing him the sake, joining him in the hallway "we can drink it on the way for courage "
"Why are we hiding in a bush" renji grumbled at Kumiko, crouching down next to her in the foliage
"we got to make sure he's gone before we break in" she explained, as though it was obvious
"yeah i get that, but why do we have to hide in the bush? What's wrong with around the corner.? I'm getting poked in here. I'm bigger than you remember "
"shhh!" Kumiko whispered slapping a hand over his mouth, hearing Yoruichis loud laugh" they're coming"
renji shot her a dirty look, pulling her hand from his face. The two ducked down making sure they stayed hidden as two laughing voices walked past them and around the corner
"let's wait a minute, make sure they're really gone" Kumiko whispered, careful not ti be heard by anyone other than the grumbling werewolf
"you didn't have to smack your hand in my face"he grumbled at her
Kumiko laughed quietly taking another drink of the sake before passing it to renji "shut up and drink"
"I think they're really gone, I can't feel their spiritual pressure anymore". Renji told her softly, head tilting to the side slightly in concentration
"yeah me either. Ok let's go. Keep down". Kumiko said sneaking out the bush and to the side of the house, renji quick on her heels.
Stopping at a high window slightly ajar. Kumiko turned to renji, "let's get in through there. Can you give me a boost?" She asked him, looking up at the high window above renjis head
renji looked around before interlocking his fingers and lowering his hands for her to stand on
Kumiko put her foot in it, jumping up as renji lifted her, one foot rested on his head so her fingers could grab into the shelf, pulling herself up she quickly opened the window all the way before pulling herself in. A few seconds later Kumiko poked her head out the window "bingo, it's his bedroom, get in here". She told him. Moving out of the way as he scrambled up the wall before climbing through the window
standing up right renji looked around the room uncomfortable
"I don't know about this Kumiko"
"it'll be fine. I promise he won't be mad". Kumiko soothed him, walking to the wardrobe and opening the doors. Renji stared at her in awe, how she moved about like she Owned the place
Quickly finding a captains coat and a white Sash, Kumiko threw them on the bed looking around for what else she needed, not seeing them in the open Kumiko walked through the house, finding the living room. On the table sat the hat she was looking for, quickly putting it on her head, Kumiko tried to find the front door.
Luckily going the right way the first time, Kumiko quickly grabbed the shoes left there
running back to the bedroom with her finds Kumiko sat on the bed to change her shoes, leaving her own on the bed. before standing up to add the sash and coat
renjis laugh made her turn to him
"you really look like him with you hair like that," renji explained "all you need is his fan now"
"fan!" Kumiko said looking around "I forgot about that". She said walking to some draws and looking in them. The strange clip clop noise coming from her own feet making her smile
opening the second draw Kumiko found three fans, quickly grabbing the purple one, she turned to Renji. Fanning it over her face "how do I look?" She asked making him laugh
"just like Urahara" he said grinning"come on, let's leave before we get caught"
Kumiko followed him out the bedroom, grabbing the sweets from her pocket and putting them on her head under the hat.
As they reached the door renji opened it easily, stopping to look back at Kumiko exasperated
"the fucking door was open, why didn't we try that first? instead of climbing through the window". He demanded of her making her laugh
"how was I ment to know he wouldn't lock his door?" . She said pushing him out and closing it behind her
"he probably thought no one would be stupid enough to break into a captains home" renji said dryly
"he clearly underestimated our level of stupid" Kumiko laughed, tugging him down the steps "come on. Let's go"
Walking up the street laughing, renji said "you look ridiculous, that captains coat is way too big for you"
Kumiko laughed, sleeves swaying over her hands "so are these silly clogs. They're almost flying off my feet every step I take "
"any more of that sake left?" He asked nodding to the bottle in her hand
"yeah, " Kumiko quickly took a drink before handing it to him "finish it, were nearly there " Kumiko could hear the talking and laughing coming from the garden, the soft glow of the lanterns peaking over the walls
