Hisagi opened the door, sidestepping to allow Kumiko to enter the restaurant first. Instantly Kumiko recognised it as the first one she had visited with the captains her first day. Kumiko smiled at the memory as she passed the table they had all sat around. Her life had changed so much since that day.
A familiar loud laugh caught their attention, leading them to the back of the room where they spotted Matsumoto, laughing at something they had missed
"hey guys" Kumiko greeted them warmly on their approach. Taking the empty seat next to Renji, Kumiko nudged him in the side playfully, leaving Hisagi to sit next to Matsumoto.
"hey" Renji echoed, pushing kumikos shoulder lightly in return
"you made it!" Rangiku said happily as they sat down
"I said I would" Kumiko laughed,looking around the table, returning the small wave Momo sent her" how are you all?"
"fine" Matsumoto spoke for the table, passing Kumiko a menu "we we're just talking about going for drinks soon, it's your turn to host" she directed at Renji
"I know. We'll sort something in a few weeks. Some of us actually have work to do" he told her teasingly , before looking at his own menu
"you've been helping the 3rd with the hollows right?" Kumiko asked him, nudging his arm again at remembering Shunsui mentioning it after the captains meeting, Renji nodded silently, too engrossed in the menu. "how's that going?" She directed to Kira instead , leaning forward to catch his eye
"their numbers keep increasing" he spoke from across the table, leaning over Rangiku slightly "we're getting over 30 a day. Hisagis division has been helping in Uraharas absence "
"30? That's insane" Kumiko said quietly "he's back to work tomorrow" she told him, on a brighter note "I'm sure he'll send his scouting team back out to assist"
"are you going to join?" Hisagi asked her, not having battled along side Kumiko yet.
"probably not" Kumiko admitted unhappily "not until Kage has been caught"
Catching the concerned looks of the 5 lieutenants, Kumiko smiled at them " stop looking at me like that." She laughed shaking her head "they'll catch him and I'll be back out cleansing hollows"
The group had ordered their meals, talking loudly between them. Kumiko was enjoying listening to Renji and Matsumoto bicker playfully about who has to do more for their captain, while enjoying her meal. Hisagis eyes widened slightly, looking to Kumiko, it caught her attention
"what?" She asked him, chewing her food slowly "do I have something on my face?"
"nothing" he said a little too quickly, moving his chair over slightly "how's your meal?"
"really nice. I've only been here for drinks" she explained, picking up a gyoza with her chopsticks and reaching across the table "wanna try?"
Hisagi leaned over, securing it with his teeth before pulling back "it's good" he agreed. The table behind them erupting with girly laugher. Kumiko leaned to the side, curious to the reason behind the laugher when Hisagi leaned with her, blocking her view
Kumiko smiled at him, confused as to what he was doing "you ok?"
"yeah, do you think we should move? It's loud over here" he said, looking for an empty table, nervously fidgeting
"what are you on about Shuhei, we're fine here" Matsumoto laughed at him, nudging his shoulder with her own
Renji looked at him questioningly, frowning at how uncomfortable his friend looked. Kumiko missed the small shake of his head Hisagi sent to renji, happily eating her meal.
"how're things going with Shunsui, Kumiko?" Momo leaned around Renji to ask, inquisitive smile on her face
"good" Kumiko smiled down to her dinner, feeling her cheeks darken "he's incredibly sweet" she added, looking to her face
"did he get you that? That's his divisions flower right?" Momo added, nodding to the chain around kumikos neck
"yeah" Kumiko smiled, gently touching it "he gave it to me last night before the festival"
"that's so cute" Rangiku added, looking at the pendant. "I've never seen him be so sweet before" she grinned at Kumiko, pleased they seemed so happy together
Another loud laugh erupted behind them, causing Matsumoto to look around interested
"they seem lively" she commented, turning back to the table, raising an amused eyebrow
"why don't we go get some ice cream?" Hisagi asked the table, standing up abruptly
"what the hell is wrong with you?" Renji asked him plainly "we're still eating" gesturing to their half eaten meals
Hisagi looked uncomfortable, eyes darting to Kumiko before sitting back down
"there's a good donut place up the road, Urahara showed me " Kumiko told Hisagi, confused by his behaviour "maybe we can stop in after?"
"seems like she's after all the lieutenants aswell"
Kumiko heard from the table behind Hisagi, frowning slightly at what she heard. That voice seemed familiar. Leaning to the side to try and figure out where she head that voice before, Kumiko instead sent Hisagi a bewildered look as he once again leaned with her to block her view
"ignore them Kumiko" he said softly
"ignore who?" She asked confused "what are you trying to stop me from seeing?"
"you should have seen the slutty underwear she was looking at" the same voice reached her ears, hardly trying to keep quiet anymore
Not bothering with the side to side dance she was doing with Hisagi, Kumiko placed her hands on the table and leaned up to look over his head. Catching a glimpse of the same woman who had shoved her in the lingerie store before Hisagi raised himself up to block her view
"Hisagi. Move" she told him, as renji stood up next to her, confused at what was happening. The other three has stopped eating, listening in to what was happening
"don't listen to them Kumiko" Hisagi told her again
"is that why you've been acting strange? What have you heard them say?" She asked him confused , slowly sitting back down
Hisagis face flushed. Looking like he would rather be absolutely anywhere else "nothing" he said quickly. Clearly a lie
Kumiko opened her mouth to protest when she heard the same woman speak again
"it won't last. Captain Kyoraku was all over me the other night"
"the hell did you just say?" Kumiko asked loudly, slipping out from the table to see the four woman openly talking about her. Hisagi and Renji stood up also. Renji reached a hand out to gently hold kumikos arm, keeping her at their table
The woman with dark hair tied up in a ponytail, smirked at Kumiko, too much lipstick on her lips. Kumiko immediately recognised her as the one who had shoved her in the store. She had worn that ridiculous lipstick then too
"eavesdrop much?"
"you've clearly been speaking about me. If you have something to say, I'm all ears" Kumiko told her, shrugging her arm out of Renjis grasp
"we were just wondering how many of the captains you plan to sleep with before you work your way through the lieutenants" she snarked, "seems like you've already started" she added, eyes flicking to Hisagi and Renji
"who's this bitch?" Matsumoto asked baffled to what was going on
"leave it Kumiko" Renji told her, tugging her arm again to try and get her to sit down
"I don't know why you think it's any of your business who I sleep with " Kumiko Began, seething that she had to have this conversation
"captains Kyoraku and Urahara so far right?" The woman interrupted her "slag" she muttered under her breath, making her friends laugh
"who the fuck are you talking to!" Kumiko shouted, trying to get around Hisagi who stepped in her way, anger bubbling furiously within her "what makes you think I've slept with urahara?"
"we overheard you bragging about it in the shopping district. these two next on your list?" She added, feeling safe enough with the lieutenants holding the woman back. Momo and Matsumoto shared guilty looks, they hadn't realised anyone heard their conversation "does captain Kyoraku know?"
"Kumiko, lets just leave" Hisagi tried catching Kumikos eye, moving to step between them
"no, what did you mean when you said Kyoraku was all over you? " Kumiko asked the woman, fist tightening at her sides ignoring Hisagi and Renji trying to calm her down
"five nights ago, we met eachother here. He was flirting with me all night" she bragged, earning giggles from her friends "was telling me how beautiful I am"
"you're lying" Kumiko said angrily, thinking back to what happened 5 days ago
that was the night I slept over Uraharas. He went out with Yoruichi and Jushiro she thought. Surly they would have mentioned it
"ask him" she shrugged, leaning back in her chair "he said he wouldn't forget a face as pretty as mine"
"you need to leave" Matsumoto said standing up, crossing her arms at the woman "who's division are you in?"
"4th" she said leaning back in her chair "thinking about moving to the 8th though" she smirked slightly, the dig intended for Kumiko
Kumiko scoffed at her. Stepping back from Hisagi, giving Matsumoto a chance to shut the girl up
"we're going to be informing captain Unohana of your behaviour today" she warned her Cooley
"and say what? She doesn't out rank me" the woman shrugged, nodding at kumiko "too busy opening her legs to get" she cut herself off, jumping out of her chair as Kumiko lunged at her, seeing red
Renji wrapped his arms around Kumiko, holding her tightly against him as Hisagi blocked her view
"Kumiko, stop. It's not worth it" Renji grunted into her ear as she struggled to break free.
"she's insane!" The woman shouted, the rest of the restaurant silently watching the loud exchange
"get out, all of you" Renji snapped at the table of girls
"now" Matsumoto told them "us 5 definitely out rank all of you" she reminded them, tapping her lieutenant badge on her arm. The table of girls scattered, quickly leaving the restaurant. Whispering between themselves as they left
Kumiko breathed heavily in Renjis hold, angrily staring after the mouthy woman. Not seeing the worried looks her friends were giving her . She was too angry. Angry at being talked about in that way. Angry at the names she was called. Angry about Shunsui apparently flirting with other women the moment she isn't there
"you ok Kumiko?" Hisagi asked her, pulling her eyes away from the door
"let go Renji" she said quietly, eyes softening as she looked towards the door
"you're not going to go after her are you?" He asked, not letting her go yet. As much as he would love to see Kumiko beat her ass, he didn't want his friend to get into trouble
" no, let me go" she said, feeling his arms slowly release her
"Kumiko" Matsumoto started gently, reaching her arm out to comfort her
"excuse me" Kumiko muttered storming from the restaurant, not looking back at her friends as she easily slipped outside
"kumiko!" Renji called after her, making to follow after her
"leave her Renji" Matsumoto told him, stopping his presuit"she's going to see Kyoraku"
"how do you know?" He asked sitting back down with a sigh, the conversations picking up around them once more
"she needs answers. He's the only one who can give them" Matsumoto said softly, hoping everything would turn out ok
Kumiko tried to control her breathing as she marched her way into the 8th district. Kumiko wanted to approach Shunsui calmer. More level headed. Wanting to let him explain before she reacted. Anger wasn't easily leaving her however. The words kept repeating in her mind, clouding her judgment and she made her way into the main building, reading the signs on the doors as she passed
She knew Shunsui had a reputation of being a flirt. Was she so naive to think he would stop? Kumiko wasn't helping her mood, insecurely wondering if there were other woman he had been flirting with while with her. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest at the thought. Stinging behind her eyes threatening to spill.
Seeing the sign for the captain, Kumiko knocked on the heavy door, breathing heavily through her nose.
Shunsuis lieutenant opened it, surprising Kumiko. In her rage she wasn't thinking logically
of course she would be here. Kumiko thought, it's the middle of the work day
"Is captain Kyoraku here?" She asked shortly, trying not to let her emotions be directed at the wrong person "please"
"Kumiko? Yeah he's in his office" nanao said, stepping aside, watching Kumiko warily. She didn't look pleased
"thank you" Kumiko said, walking past the lieutenant to the other door and knocking it harshly
"Im doing it Nanao chan, I swear!" Shunsuis voice came from the other side of the door. Kumiko heart ached hearing it. Opening the door Kumiko let herself in, shutting it behind her.
Shunsui looked up from his desk, pen in hand. His face broke out into a heart stopping grin at seeing her
"Kumiko? What a nice surprise!" He said pleased to see her, before taking note of the look on her face. Shunsui stood up worriedly. "Love? What's wrong ?" He asked her, adrenaline spiking in his veins
"do you have anything you want to tell me?" Kumiko asked him through gritted teeth
"uhh."Shunsui scratched his chin thinking, unsure what he could have done to get this reaction "I don't know? About what?"
""the night I stayed over Uraharas " Kumiko told him. Shaking slightly. Shunsui keen eyes caught it.
"what's wrong?" He asked her again, walking around the desk to reach out to her. Stopping in his tracks as Kumiko raised a hand, telling him to stop
"I just had some woman call me a slag in the middle of the restaurant " Kumiko told him, voice shaking "apparently you had been flirting with her the night you went out"
"I don't know who your on about love" he said confused, eyes widening at her words. Not expecting the direction this conversation was going
"been flirting with more than one woman then? Struggling to remember which one?" Kumiko said, anger spiking once more. Anger being an easier emotion to deal with right now
"no!" Shunsui spluttered out "I haven't flirted with anyone.! I don't know who you're talking about "
"dark hair, tied up. Way to much red lipstick?" Kumiko spat the description. Heart sinking at the realisation dawning on his face
"oh her? That was nothing love" he said shaking his head, trying to step closer to Kumiko. Eyebrows furrowing as she took a step backwards, tear escaping her eye.
"what did she say?" He asked her, hand falling to his side
"that you flirted all night. You called her beautiful" Kumiko rattled off, angrily rubbing her wet cheek "that you were all over her"
"that's not how it happened" he defended "please don't cry" he tried walking to Kumiko again, wanting to pull her close, kiss away her tears
"then what did happen?" Kumiko demanded, placing a hand on his chest to keep him away. Knowing she would break down if he held her
Shunsui sighed, rubbing a hand down his face annoyed she wasn't letting him close to her. "Nothing. She was flirting with me. I was being friendly." He said with a shrug, not seeing the issue "Yoruichi pointed out how it could've been taken the wrong way and I stopped, I didn't see her the rest of the night"
"Did you tell her you were in a relationship?" Kumiko asked softly, turning to look out the window "that you weren't interested?"
"will you look at me?" Shunsui asked her, trying to get off the subject. Kumiko turned to look at him. Angry eyes watering.
"answer the question"
Shunsui sighed, own emotions getting the better of him. He was getting annoyed that she wasn't listening to him.
"no" he said finally "it didn't come up. Kumiko, you're being silly" he started, reaching out to grab her again. Kumiko pushed his hand away angrily.
"don't" Kumiko said, grabbing hold of the door handle to throw it open
"Kumiko!" Shunsui called her, following her out of the room "will you just listen to me, your being ridiculous "
Kumiko spun round, angrily clenching her fists at her side, tear gently rolling down her cheek "ridiculous?" Kumiko raised her voice, not even noticing nanao sat at her desk eyes darting between the pair "I was just humiliated, in front of my friends because you" she spat the last word, poking him in the chest "decided to flirt with another woman!"
"that's not what happened!" Shunsui raised his own voice, grabbing the wrist of the hand poking him and holding it to the side. "She got the wrong idea"
"because you gave her the wrong idea!" Kumiko retorted, trying to pull her hand away from his grasp "let me go" she said angrily
"no" Shunsui said stepping closer to her, securing his hold on her wrist "not until you listen"
"captain? Perhaps it would be better to take a minute to calm down" Nanao interrupted the heated argument, eyes wide at the exchange going on next to her. She had never seen her uncle raise his voice before. It was a bit unsettling. Kumiko looked like she was ready to burst into tears.
Kumiko took the opportunity to snatch her hand from his grasp, giving him an angry look before storming out of his office
"Kumiko!" Shunsui shouted after her, making to follow when nanao called his name again
"captain Kyoraku!" She had called loudly, pulling his attention, she lowered her voice again "give her a minute to cool down."
Shunsui sighed, hand rubbing down his face before turning back to his office and slamming the door letting out his frustration