Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Oh Captain! My Captain!	By : BlueDragon Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 38885 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own nor make any profit off of Bleach and its characters. That all goes to Tite Kubo and affiliates.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
*~****~*
A/N:
- Movies/books quoted or manipulated*: some of the haiku are from Avatar the Last Airbender and from a book called The Panda is Fat (lol); Willow; Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Shakespeare; 13^th Warrior; Empire Strikes Back (yeah, I said it); Braveheart
- Introducing a new-ish character. Even though she doesn't speak a lot of Spanish, I included the punctuation that goes along with the language just to remind you that she IS speaking with a heavy accent.
- Warning: Adult++ content, Mature Audience only

**~*~****~*~**
Chapter Eight
**~*~****~*~**

A balmy breeze caressed Rangiku’s upturned face. With her eyes closed, she listened to the energetic roll of the waves across the beach and the papery swish of palm fronds swaying around her. Gentle sprays of salty mist carried along the wind and she sighed deeply in contentment.
She opened her eyes at the sound of Haineko’s exaggeratedly pleased sigh. Rangiku’s partner in crime was in her human form at the moment, soaking up the sun buck naked on a neon pink towel beside her. Her shapely, tanned butt cheeks suddenly clenched in a big stretch and Rangiku snorted when Haineko’s arms and legs stuck out as if she were a giant ‘X’.
“This is the life,” she mumbled into the towel and wiggled her toes in the sugary sand.
This was her and Haineko’s inner world. A tropical beach that went on indefinitely; lined by a heavily shaded verdant jungle and complete with a happily gurgling, active volcano off in the distance. Rangiku took a sip from the fruity rum-doused drink chilling in her hand and looked down at her own naked body.
Today was not a day to hone their sword skills. Today was a day to absorb some vitamin D and unwind. This was her happy place. A place she’d stumbled upon by accident, way back when. Like everything else atypical about her and her career, she hadn’t found her inner world through strict routine and dedicated practice. Although Tai Chi and Yoga had helped Rangiku understand her reiatsu, she’d found her inner world by simply wishing she was somewhere else and imagining a place so wonderful that the chaos couldn’t get to her. And when she had opened her eyes from what she had thought was daydreaming, she’d met Haineko face to face for the first time.
Rangiku smiled at the memory. This place was her safe haven. Where she could do whatever she wanted without pressure from others. And that included sun bathing naked next to her best friend and sometimes getting rip-roaring drunk. Although, the effects of the alcohol never did last when she came back to reality, the experience was therapeutic. So, she considered it a form of mental health and wellness and refused to doubt her need to do it.
Tropical music drifted along the warm wind and Rangiku smiled. “Paradise,” she sighed in delayed agreement. The ice clinked as she brought her drink up to her lips for a sip and then looked over at her naked companion. It amused her to no end how often her zanpakuto chose her birthday suit. The tigress would definitely become a nudist if given the chance.
Rangiku unabashedly checked out Haineko’s bare, juicy booty again and realized the temperamental cat wasn’t sporting her signature tail.
“I’m surprised you’re not in tiger form today,” Rangiku remarked as she munched on the maraschino cherry from her drink.
Haineko turned her head to the side. Her eyes were closed and her words slurred, “Meh. Gotta feel the sun on my skin. Doesn’t feel the same on my fur.”
Rangiku gazed out and watched the waves, “You were in your human form for so long, I almost forgot you could switch.”
“I’ve been feeling myself lately, for sure. It’s hard not to prowl around on all fours when there’s a hot dragon and man duo charging the air around them with their deadly pheromones,” she quipped. Rangiku snorted and nodded in agreement. Haineko wiggled and rolled over on her towel. Her large breasts wobbled and bounced as she settled onto her back and her nipples pointed to the sky. There was a wicked grin lighting up her beautiful face. Her turquoise eyes sparkled and fluttered in rapture, “God! When he fucked you on the kitchen counter last night after work, I almost died.”
Rangiku burst into laughter. Her face heated but she’d learned a long time ago that Haineko appreciated Rangiku’s sex life just as much as Rangiku did. She sucked a gulp of her drink down through the tiny straw and shook her head, “You aren’t kidding. That man is a beast.”
Haineko chuckled, “And dominant. Jeez! The way he just grabs you and does whatever-the-fuck he wants… Mm!” She nibbled her lower lip, “That does things for me.”
Rangiku stared up into the sky and sighed, “Meee too.”
They were both quiet for a minute. Rangiku was remembering how aggressive Toshiro had been. Which was why the fact that he was trying to establish boundaries was bewildering. The stubborn jerk was convinced they couldn’t have sex at work and she was just as determined to make it happen. It was stupid! What was so terrible about having sex on the couch after lunch or on his desk after a meeting? Huh?
Granted, it hadn't even been a week since this whole thing started and she knew he was just trying to be discreet. But that didn't stop her from flaunting the goods and teasing him all day. Once that clock-out time rolled around, Toshiro was practically foaming at the mouth.
At least, she liked to think so. Yesterday, Rangiku hadn’t even had time to get dinner started before the vegetables went flying because he'd plopped her ass up on the counter and fucked her on it.
Damn, it was so good, too!
She couldn’t honestly remember sex ever being so good or having it get better each time. They seemed to be having a real problem keeping their hands to themselves, even with Toshiro trying to refrain at work. And not even in a purely sexual sense, either. She was starting to realize that he was quite affectionate when they were alone. Not in the clingy sort of way, but she could tell that he liked touching her. He would slide a hand down her back or rest it on her hip when she preceded him into a room. Quiet little gestures that she knew were ultimately possessive in nature but she couldn't deny that she liked it.
She knew it was basically because everything was new and exciting and it would change after things had settled down with time but still... It felt totally natural to be with him in this way.
They hadn't slept apart since the snow storm. Toshiro had tried Monday night to stay in his own apartment, but he only made it til about 10 o'clock before he'd knocked on her door again. So, she guessed she'd won at least that battle.
He was being ridiculous. Home and work boundaries? Bah!
Evidently reading her mind, Haineko chuckled, “Just get naked. That’ll show him who’s boss real quick.”
Rangiku snorted and smiled at her cheekily, “Yeah, that'll show him.”
They clinked their glasses together in a cheers and the sound of their laughter was gently smothered with the crash of a noisy wave. The two women sighed in unison.
The alcohol made Rangiku’s cheeks and neck feel warm. She smoothed a hand over the oiled skin of her sternum and looked out across the beach.
A whirl of large, beautifully crystallized snowflakes twirled by on the breeze and disappeared. Rangiku’s eyes widened in surprise. Even when she was training, her world was warmth and happiness. There was not one form of cold in existence here. Haineko’s turquoise eyes popped open when an intriguingly animalistic growl grumbled far off, almost beyond their hearing. The volcano rumbled off in the distance.
The two women blinked at each other.
A distinctly cold breeze rushed by. It almost felt like someone had opened and closed a freezer door on them.
Haineko's nipples pebbled in response and she shivered, “Someone’s trying to get your attention.”
Rangiku frowned in a sad pout and whined, “I don’t want to go back. It’s so cold!”
Haineko groaned as she sat up and crossed her long, shapely legs. Her large breasts plopped onto her thighs, making a sticking sound, as she slumped forward. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and mumbled, “I want to show you something out at the mountain next time you’re here.”
Rangiku glanced at her and grinned, “Ooo! Did you find another diamond?” They were always discovering surprises out there. Haineko had started a little crystal zen garden a couple years ago with what they’d collected so far. It was out by her ‘Clothing is OPTIONAL’ sign beneath their favorite palm tree.
Haineko smiled mysteriously, “You’ll see.”
Rangiku sighed forlornly, “Well, I guess I’ll see ya later. Pump some of this heat my way.”
“You got it, sister!” Haineko smirked and flopped onto her back again.
Her large breasts bouncing like a trampoline were the last thing she saw before opening her eyes to a set of hands directly in front of her face.
“Gah!” Rangiku yelped and deflected them away from her with a sharp whack from her hands.
Toshiro jerked his hands away with a surprised chuckle. “Sorry,” his lips curled in amusement.
He was sitting in front of her cross-legged and their knees were touching.
“What were you doing?” she asked incredulously. Her heart raced like she’d woken from a nightmare.
Toshiro’s eyes brightened with genuine fascination, “You had this bubble of reiatsu surrounding you and I swear it felt like it was 100°F in there.”
His hands raised and Rangiku looked on dryly as he felt around the air in front of her again.
Toshiro hummed, “Fascinating. I wonder when you started doing that.”
Rangiku shrugged, “Maybe it’s because it’s cold…” She looked past him and realized no one else was in the dojo. “Where’s Sonoda-san? We were… Where’d everyone go?” she asked in disbelief. The place was deserted.
This time of year, she usually had everyone do their workouts inside the dojo before making them brave the courtyard to clear snow and do drills. After lunch today, she'd sent almost everyone out to check for any repairs but a few had asked to sign up for her new mindfulness class. Even they were all gone.
Toshiro smirked, “They left a couple hours ago.”
“What? Hours?” she squawked.
“You’ve been in here all afternoon. It’s almost time for dismissal. I got tired of waiting for you and was trying to get you to come out of it so we could go to dinner.”
Toshiro hopped up onto his feet with an upbeat energy she found a bit much and held his hand out for her in offering. She frowned at his hand.
The corner of his mouth quirked. “Someone's grumpy,” he mused with warmth in his dragon eyes.
Rangiku pouted at his teasing but couldn't hold in her smile. Toshiro smirked in response and she sighed heavily, “I didn't want to leave. It's so perfectly sunny and warm there...”
She thought back to the snowflakes she’d seen on the beach. That had never happened before. Toshiro had never penetrated her inner world. Rangiku put her hands in his and he pulled her up onto her feet. His body heat was deliciously warm and she had to step into his arms. She heard his huff of amusement as he hugged her tighter to him. Rangiku frowned and murmured into his chest, “I saw snowflakes on my beach and I could’ve sworn I heard Hyorinmaru. That’s what got me to leave.” She looked up to his curious face, “Is that even possible?”
Toshiro frowned, “Is what possible?”
Rangiku huffed, “Is it possible for one zanpakuto or soul reaper to be able to enter another person’s inner world?”
Toshiro blinked in surprise, “No, not even in theory. Each person’s inner world is their own. Period.”
Rangiku looked down at the tatami mats at their tabi-clad feet, “It felt like Hyorinmaru was there, or just beyond the horizon.”
Toshiro brought her chin back up with his finger. He stroked her luscious lower lip with his thumb. Rangiku's crystal blues locked with his and softened. Toshiro didn't hesitate. He didn't want to think about how long this would last with her but he felt adamant that, if he wanted to do something, he should. The cravings he had for her were unlike anything he'd ever experienced and the only thing he could do to relieve that yearning was to immediately follow up on it. With some precautions, of course. Knowing no one was nearby, he dipped down and pressed his lips to hers. Rangiku’s mouth parted on a sigh. He pulled just enough away that he could murmur, “It’s more likely that you were just reacting to my reiatsu. I was trying to wrap it around yours.”
Rangiku sighed when his hot tongue softly licked her lower lip. It had the same effect of taking a sip of hot chocolate that got you all warm and toasty. He growled into her and she leaned up onto the balls of her feet to get closer to his delicious warmth.
Toshiro hugged her tighter. She cooed softly against his mouth and he pulled back a bit with a huff. She blinked at him and Toshiro touched his forehead to hers and sighed sadly, “I need the largest bowl of ramen or chanko nabe you can find or I’m going to die.”
Rangiku’s lips raspberried, “For someone who is so serious, you can be so dramatic.”
Toshiro stepped back and quirked a snowy eyebrow, “Food is fuel, sweetheart.” He turned and started walking toward the main inner door. He slid it open and let her pass, “So did you get a good training session in?”
Rangiku chuckled, “If by 'training' you mean we were busy sunbathing naked and sipping on Bahama Mamas, then yes.”
Toshiro blinked at her, “Let me get this straight. Our inner worlds are a literal miracle of time, space, and dimension, and you used it to drink on your own personal beach during work hours?”
Rangiku grabbed her boots from the cubby in the hall and nodded seriously, “Uh, yeah. Sounds about right.” She gave him a shady smile, “And it's not the first time I've done it either.”
Toshiro snorted, “I am feeling a combination of both surprise and not surprised simultaneously.”
Rangiku chortled to herself as she bent and pulled on the boots and strapped them on, “Hey, I did call it a 'mindfulness class', not training.”
Toshiro slipped on his waraji. “Yes, you did,” he agreed with a lip twitch.
“Did you talk to Sonoda-san?” Rangiku had updated him on the talk she'd had with the younger woman the other day. She could tell the captain part of his brain was relieved that the tension between her and Sonoda should ease.
Obviously, he hadn't had a problem with starting the class back up. Word had already begun to spread that she was starting it again. She needed to tell Yumichika. He'd snuck in to her Yoga and Tai Chi sessions for years back in the beginning. He'd be thrilled she was doing this.
Toshiro nodded with a deadpan but his eyes sparkled mischievously, “Yes, she's the one who let me know that you were still in here. She dismissed the class when it was apparent that you were dug in like a tic—”
Rangiku smacked her fingers over his mouth. “Don't say it!” she hissed with an eye twitch.
Toshiro chuckled despite her fingers attempt to shut him up. Rangiku rolled her eyes and turned to leave with a huff.
They walked together toward the main exit. There was an area to hang up their winter wear and she hurriedly donned her lined crimson red kosode ensemble and looped her pink scarf around her neck before Toshiro tried to open the door.
Rangiku sighed in disappointment. “I can't believe I got sucked in so deep. I wanted to see how she did.”
Toshiro looked at her and gave an untroubled shrug, “She seemed in good spirits. I think she likes the class so far.”
“I hope it helps,” Rangiku frowned.
Toshiro's eyes softened, “Of course it will. Working on centering her chi was a good idea. No matter how long it takes her to reach her goal, it will be beneficial. All of us have to go back to the basics every now and then.”
Rangiku nodded. It was vindicating to know Toshiro liked her approach to the issue. She cracked the sliding door to peak outside. Cold, dry air pushed through and made her eyes instantly water, “Ooph!” She backed away blinking rapidly and Toshiro slammed the door open like he was ripping off a band aid. She sucked in a sharp breath when the cold wind hit her like a drenching wave, “A little warning would be nice!”
Toshiro snorted at her outrage, “You never would've been ready.”
“That felt like assault,” she grumbled.
He huffed and strode forward onto the covered outer deck that wrapped around the building. Toshiro pretended to not see her dry glare and smirked as he adjusted his teal scarf around his neck. “I'm helping,” he stated with a noble sniff.
Her muffled crunching boot stomps filled the air as she followed after him in the snow and thwacked his shoulder with her fingers. Rangiku took a cleansing breath and sighed out a large plume of steam as she watched snowflakes flurry slowly by. “You have a nabe place in mind?” she inquired as she tucked her scarf around to cover as much exposed skin as she could.
Toshiro shook his head, “No, I was hoping you knew a good restaurant.”
Rangiku looked at him uncertainly, “There's a pretty famous sumo stable I know about, but it's way up in the Northern Pleasure District.”
Toshiro's eyes brightened, “Ok, let's go.”
“You sure? It's pretty far,” she looked at him in surprise. Going to that section of Rukongai took a while and the restaurant wasn't one that got you in and out quickly. It was all about the leisurely dining experience.
Toshiro shrugged, “The remedy for snow day blues is hot soup.”
She eyed him, “You don't get snowy day blues. You adore this awful weather.”
Toshiro deadpanned and growled, “I'm hungry. I want soup.”
It took a lot of discipline to not laugh at his caveman voice. Rangiku steeled her features and eyed him with an arched golden brow, “We'll be gone for over an hour. Probably two.”
Nonplussed, he asked, “And?”
Rangiku gaped comically and squinted at him, “Who are you and what have you done with Captain Hitsugaya?”
Toshiro rolled his eyes dryly. “Now look who's being dramatic,” he quipped.
She scoffed, “In all the time I've known you, I don't think you've ever played hooky, Mister I-Always-Follow-the-Rules.”
Toshiro flashstepped toward her. His hand slipped to the back of her neck and brought her lips to his.
Toshiro's warm breath gently drifted across her nose and cheeks. God, he smelled so good; like everything that's great about the winter holidays but in a deliciously masculine way.
“I've never had the proper motivation to play hooky before,” he growled as he stepped away from her again. His breath puffed out of his nose like twin smoke stacks.
His teal, icy dragon eyes slid down her colorfully wrapped body like she could motivate him into doing a couple things that didn't involve dinner.
Rangiku's cheeks heated. Man, she had the feels when he said stuff like that. “I'm okay with being your motivation,” she joked with a warm smile. “But let's face it, out of the two of us, I'm definitely the bad influence.”
Toshiro's eyes sparkled warmly, “You're not a bad influence. You just see things with a different perspective than I do. It's why we're a good team.” His eyes hardened dryly, “And I do not always follow the rules.”
Rangiku smiled as she pulled out a pair of buttery-soft black leather gloves from her pocket and tugged them on. “You always do what you think is right,” she corrected herself warmly. She took in his tall frame and confident posture, “It's something I've always respected about you.”
Toshiro ran his fingers through his snowy white hair and smiled with a shake of his head, “Don't say how much you respect me when all I'm thinking about at this moment is which closet is the closest in location so I can take advantage of you in it.”
Rangiku chuckled and waggled her golden eyebrows, “You can't threaten me with a good time, Toshiro Hitsugaya. That is definitely the wrong tactic,” she laughed. Rangiku shook her head, mentally telling herself to focus, “But we have to feed The Beast. I can already tell you're pre-hangry and I don't want to deal with your crabby self today.”
Toshiro coughed out a laugh and tried to smother his chuckle. He grumbled halfheartedly, “Even you have to admit that I've been in much better spirits as of late.”
She snorted, “I wonder why. You're getting laid often and I'm making sure you get fed on time.”
Toshiro looked at her with a mild expression, “Keep up the good work.”
His eyes danced with laughter and Rangiku shook her head with a chortle, “Oh my god, I can't deal with you right now.”
Toshiro nodded his head toward the office building, “Come on, we can use the transporter I have on loan from Squad Twelve.”
Rangiku's eyes widened in surprise as she followed after him in a flashstep. They'd been given the device in case any Hollow alarms matching their perp registered while they weren't on rotation for guard duty.
They landed in the backyard of their office. With an uncharacteristically stern tone, Rangiku chirped, “That is for official business only, Captain Hitsugaya.”
Toshiro's feet crunched through the snow and he turned to give her a sarcastic side eye, “I guess you really are rubbing off on me then.”
Rangiku's face broke into a crooked grin, “In more ways then one.”
She was waggling her eyebrows at him suggestively and Toshiro rolled his eyes toward the overcast sky and groaned. He'd walked right into that joke.
Rangiku laughed at him as they walked into the office and got ready to leave.

The mint green glow of the transporter dissipated as they looked around, getting their bearings. They had arrived in the middle of a busy street and some of the locals glared in annoyance. A little grandmother, wrapped head to toe in warm clothing, bustled around them with a purposeful stride. Fat snowflakes were floating down quicker here and there was at least eighteen inches of snow built up along the edges of the streets and sidewalks where people weren't stepping. Despite being in North Rukongai, this area had a lot of money flowing through its veins. The Northern Pleasure District was a term that actually described a large city that encompassed the entirety of District Eight. It was known for good food and beverage; sumo and theatre; and, of course, a thriving Red Light District. All things that might tickle the fancy of someone willing to pay for it. Soul reapers obviously made a much larger sum of money than the average person out here, so they weren't an uncommon site.
The overcast sky made it appear later then it was but he knew by the fading light that it was nearing 6 o'clock. Toshiro took a deep breath, sucking in and practically tasting the aromas on the icy air. Clouds of steam and smoke billowed around all the little pop-up street vendors selling sweets, soups, and grilled foods. He growled in appreciation and followed beside Rangiku as she confidently navigated through the streets. The deeper they went the narrower the streets got. The one they were on now was only about eight feet across including the business' entryways. Bare, snow laden maple trees growing in between all the buildings cast lingering shadows but it wasn't overly claustrophobic. There were warmly glowing paper lanterns and festive decorations hanging from store fronts and the people bustling through were decked out in their best winter clothes.
Toshiro was seeing more and more large, excessively overweight men with chonmage hairstyles and deduced that they had to be getting close. Where there were sumo wrestlers, there were sumo stables and, therefore, chanko nabe.
Rangiku spotted the restaurant, “Ah, there it is.”
She sashayed up to a well lit storefront. It was a beautiful old building. Colored lights were strung along the edges below the roof tiles and gave it a light-hearted, welcoming luminosity. The black painted doors were slotted and you could see the light from inside glowing attractively behind the paper. There was a lot of merry chatter coming from within and Rangiku smiled at him before sliding the door open and ducking under the white noren. The fabric had an elaborately painted sekitori standing fiercely with his ceremonial kesho-mawashi belt. Toshiro ducked under it as well and stepped beside Rangiku into the genkan. As they put their shoes into cubbies, a behemoth of a man rushed out of a nearby office door. Although he was older and his hair cut very short, Toshiro could tell he had been a sekitori at one time. The man smiled largely at Toshiro's lieutenant, revealing several missing teeth, and Rangiku returned it with a grin as she plucked off her gloves.
“Satoshi-san! I'm so glad you're here tonight!”
Toshiro blinked. Did she know everyone?
The retired sekitori smiled broadly and barked out a joyful laugh. His voice was deep and gritty and the absent teeth gave him a slight lisp, “Lieutenant Matsumoto! It has been a long time since you visited my humble restaurant!”
Rangiku tucked her gloves into her pocket and stepped up out of the genkan, wiggling out of her red kimono. As she unwound her pink scarf, she chuckled, “Humble, my foot! This is the best place for chanko nabe and you know I only come here for it! I'm sorry it's been a while! A lady has to watch her figure,” she winked.
The big man's belly shook as he laughed boisterously, “I am always delighted to have the beautiful Lieutenant Matsumoto here at one of my tables.” Satoshi's dark brown eyes swooped quickly to Toshiro and widened with interest, “What is this? You have brought a man? So many of my regular patrons will be sad to hear that!”
Toshiro quickly concluded that Satoshi's attention to his lieutenant wasn't flirtatious at all but almost like that of an uncle. He hadn't considered the sekitori a threat, but somehow Toshiro found himself instantly liking the guy. Relaxing in the older man's presence, he stepped up beside his date.
Rangiku laughed and pat her hand on Toshiro's shoulder, “Satoshi-san this is my captain. Squad Ten Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya this is the immoveable Satoshi Hitachiyama, the proprietor of this establishment.”
Although the sekitori had aged, there was a quiet confidence about him that Toshiro suspected came from many years of earning many kesho-mawashi.
Satoshi eyed Toshiro's snow white hair and his eyes brightened with recognition, “The White Dragon of the West! I have heard of you! It is a great honor to have you here, Captain-sama.”
Toshiro blinked in surprise. So often the public had no idea who was actually protecting them. “The honor is all mine,” he responded in kind.
The two men bowed respectfully to each other.
Satoshi handed them both a pair of slippers and took Rangiku's kimono and both of their zanpakuto and scarves. While they stepped into the house shoes, he handed their items to the coat check who bustled off to a closet and brought back a ticket number. Satoshi handed the paper to her.
With her excitement growing, Rangiku rubbed her hands together and smiled cheekily, “You're in for a treat, Captain. Satoshi-san here makes an extra large chanko nabe that even you might not be able to finish.”
Toshiro quirked an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
Satoshi smiled broadly, “If you have a mighty appetite, then you have come to the right place!”
Toshiro's mouth quirked, “I'll do my best.”
Seeing the challenge sparkling in the white-haired captain's eyes, Satoshi laughed loudly. He ushered the two toward the host's podium, “I recognize that competitive spirit, Captain-sama. I look forward to seeing how you handle my largest nabe!”
Satoshi was a gentle giant and Rangiku fully intended to dine here for many years to come, so she was happy to see the two men getting along. Sometimes Toshiro could be so antisocial. She never knew how he would react to someone new. Rangiku chuckled as Toshiro breathed in the delicious aromas around them. She playfully elbowed Toshiro's side to get his attention and her boobs bounced at the action.
The host's eyes widened and several round faces at nearby tables swerved over lecherously to eye her ample cleavage.
At Toshiro's frown, Satoshi's smile cleared and his big hand grabbed the young host by the back of the neck roughly, “Give them one of the tables near the stage.” Satoshi bowed apologetically, forcing the young man to bow with him, and smiled in exasperation, “Forgive me, he is young and hasn't acquired the knowledge in how to behave in front of a beautiful woman. Please enjoy some sake, on the house.”
Rangiku shrugged with a smile, “Don't worry about it, Satoshi-san. I'm used to it.”
Satoshi's face softened for her, “Here, the only thing you should worry about is your next bite. I insist.”
Rangiku smiled charmingly, “Well, I won't turn down sake a second time!”
Satoshi laughed heartily, “I knew you wouldn't! Please enjoy your stay and let me know if you need anything.” His eyes narrowed at the host and he jerked his head toward one of the back walls.
The young man nodded quickly with a healthy dose of nervousness in his eyes and turned to lead them to their table. Toshiro glared at some of the men that were ogling Rangiku as they passed. Some looked away quickly, but his scare tactics didn't seem to matter with half of them. From personal experience, he knew this was a hazard of simply being in her presence in public but it didn't mean that he wasn't a hair's breadth away from clobbering the young, smarmy-looking rikishi eyeing her like she was his next meal. Toshiro was used to fending off men for her but now that they were having sex, it was very different. Possessive thoughts were damn near overpowering and it was hard not take personal offense. No, they weren't advertising their relationship, but it was an insult to him as a man when these degenerates were drooling over her while he was standing right beside her. She was fucking his.
He was thinking about putting his fist through the guy's face when the young host stopped walking.
He bowed, “Here is your table. Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you,” Rangiku smiled pleasantly.
The host turned beet red and bowed two more times before rushing off. Toshiro rumbled in annoyance.
“Stop growling at people,” she chastised with amusement.
The table they'd been brought to had a couple others next to it that ran parallel to the wall. Each table had floor cushions on each side and they had a nice view of the woman playing the shamisen on stage. The clack and twang of the instrument instantly improved Toshiro's mood and Rangiku smiled at him knowingly before she scooted out of her slippers and sat herself onto one of the cushions. She let him take the seat so his back was to the wall and he could observe everything.
Toshiro grumbled, “This place is filled with perverts.”
“Yeah, but the food is amazing,” she shrugged with a smile. “And that's what matters,” she said with a completely serious nod.
Toshiro huffed out a small laugh.
As soon as they got situated, two servers arrived with tea. Rangiku ordered for them both with one server and the other set their table top up to handle the burner and the extra wide nabe pot.
As Toshiro took his first sip of tea, he saw a familiar figure at the front of the restaurant. Momo smiled and waved at him just as Nanao stepped up out of the genkan and into her slippers. Momo pointed to him and Rangiku and the host nodded vigorously. Momo smiled sweetly at the young man and Toshiro rolled his eyes when the young man turned bright red again.
Rangiku's eyebrow quirked in question and he nodded to the front, “Incoming. Your girl friends just arrived.”
Rangiku inhaled in surprise, “Really?” She turned as the ladies walked up to them. “Well, fancy meeting you two here,” she laughed.
Momo scooted around and sat on the cushion adjacent to Toshiro's at the table next to theirs and Nanao sat on Rangiku's side. One of their servers arrived and took the ladies' order and the other server brought the hot sake.
Rangiku poured Toshiro a drink and he poured the beverage into her cup in return. She took her first sip and sighed happily as the hot sake brought warmth into her cheeks.
Finally settled, Nanao smiled conspiratorially, “I was wondering where you two love birds were sneaking off to.”
“Apparently, we didn't sneak well enough,” Toshiro grumbled under his breath. Speaking of their personal business out in the open wasn't something he was happy about but keeping the women from talking about it was like attempting to keep a play room tidy around toddlers.
Nanao snorted, “Just because you two are together now—” At Toshiro's exasperated look, she hissed out, “I'm not being loud!” She cleared her throat daintily and whispered, “Anyways, that doesn't mean you can keep Rangiku all to yourself, Captain Hitsugaya.”
Toshiro glared dryly. These females could be so annoying. It wasn't like he was keeping her in a cave all day. They did actually work during work hours. At least he tried to.
Two male servers arrived with his and Rangiku's humongous, steaming chanko nabe.
The massively wide nabe pot was loaded up with maitake, enoki, and shitake mushrooms; napa cabbage and other vegetables; fried tofu; chicken thighs and meatballs; and some clams that Rangiku ordered on a whim.
Rangiku gaped in awe, “Woooow, I've never seen this sucker up close before.”
One waiter clicked the burner on and the fragrant mixture of kombu dashi and chicken broths started to swirl and agitate.
Momo blinked in surprise and teased, “Shiro-chan, if you eat all of that, I'm going to tell your grandmother.”
Toshiro looked at her dryly, “She'll only tell you that she's happy I'm eating well and you know it.”
Rangiku cooed, “Aww, we should go and see Granny-san. I need to make sure she's got some good tea stocked up.”
Toshiro nodded, “I've been meaning to go out there and make sure she has enough firewood to last the winter. I should have gone before the first snow.”
Rangiku snorted, “The stack you left her in the barn was as big as her house.”
Toshiro's eyebrows quirked, “That was in July. You always want to have more firewood than you need.”
Momo pat his forearm, “All those grannies and aunties in the neighborhood get together and share everything. I'm sure she's fine. Her cellar is probably loaded.”
Nanao took a sip of her tea. “Your grandmother is in District 1 out West, isn't she?” she asked.
Toshiro nodded, “Yes. Her village is pretty isolated despite it being in the First, though. I like to check on her throughout the year.”
Nanao nodded and then suddenly smiled, “Speaking of isolation...”
Toshiro immediately knew how she planned to direct the conversation and sighed.
Rangiku chuckled and Nanao went on with a smirk, “I know you prefer estrangement to socializing but we like to do things together. You know... laughing... having fun as a group...”
Toshiro growled in annoyance and Momo laughed softly beside him and pat his shoulder like she was giving her condolences.
Rangiku sighed in amusement. If only they knew how warm and funny he could be when he was comfortable. All they ever saw was the uptight and sarcastic Captain mask he wore, but she liked having that to herself if she was being honest. She chuckled at Nanao's antics. “I guess I have been neglecting you two lately,” she jokingly admitted.
Ikkaku suddenly appeared behind Nanao, “Who's neglecting who?”
“Oh, for fucks sake,” Toshiro sighed.
Rangiku laughed softly when he growled in vexation as Yumichika, Renji and Rukia, Tetsuzaemon, and Izuru sauntered up as well. Even though he had been doing so more often in the last several years, he really didn't curse that much in public. She knew he felt he had an image to uphold but it was still funny watching him get a little frayed around the edges.
“Hey, Captain!” Renji barked a little too happily.
Toshiro grunted and Ikkaku held his arms out, gesturing to their surroundings with a big grin, “I guess smart people do the same shit, after all!”
Toshiro's voice was dry, “It's 'Great minds think alike,' bonehead.”
Renji guffawed at the name-calling and Ikkaku waved him off, not offended at all.
Yumichika smirked, “We were looking for a place to eat and happened to see the two of you arrive. Rangiku always knows the good spots, so we followed you.”
Rangiku chuckled as Renji and Ikkaku walked over and noisily shoved three more tables down to smash into Nanao and Momo's table to then smash into theirs so they could eat together. The guys' loose-limbed movements and enthusiasm to gather around food had her looking at them knowingly. “You guys aren't already drunk, are you?” she asked.
At her question, Ikkaku griped, “What the hell else is there to do in this fucking weather?”
Toshiro sighed when Ikkaku plopped down next to Nanao and eyed his sumo-sized bubbling nabe hungrily.
Renji smiled with a wicked gleam in his eye. “What's wrong, Captain? You weren't trying to have a romantic night out alone with your lieutenant, were you?”
Toshiro ignored him and noisily sipped a spoonful of steaming broth.
Momo sighed and scooted closer to his side on the cushions as the others piled in on both sides.
Madarame reached across Nanao with a quick movement.
Toshiro's hand shot out and gripped Ikkaku's forefinger in such a way the bald soul reaper yelped in pain. “Get your own, or I'll break it off,” he growled with intent.
Renji's voiced came out of nowhere, “That's what she said...”
Toshiro stared up at the ceiling for patience as most of the men hissed and snickered in stupid glee. Rukia rolled her eyes as she sat down opposite of Renji and Izuru sighed patiently as he sat beside her at the end.
Toshiro released Ikkaku's hand with a meaningful glare and the bald officer sat down warily, flexing his fingers.
Rangiku sipped her hot sake and Toshiro exhaled in amusement at the attractive blush in her cheeks. The sake was getting her 'warm and toasty,' as she liked to say.
Toshiro had expected their date to be a quiet affair but the meal ended up being full of laughter and storytelling. He wasn't mad at it. Discovering some of the best kind of chicken noodle soup you could find wasn't a terrible way to end the day either. Although he wasn't one to go out much, he was glad Rangiku had suggested this place.
Rangiku slurped up some glass noodles and somehow made the usually messy task look dainty. Toshiro slurped up some fat udon like he was trying to inhale his food. There was just so much to pick and choose between. The broth had reduced and was creamy, chickeny goodness and the noodles were soaking up all that flavor. They weren't quite going to finish but he'd made an impressive dent.
Rangiku commented casually, “Totally going to take the rest home.”
There wasn't a lot left but he was looking forward to having it with his breakfast, if her hard hinting crystal blue eyes were any indication.
“The leftovers are fabulous. Soups like this just keep getting better as they sit,” she murmured.
Their large table had settled down now that everyone was full and happy. They'd been in here close to two hours but no one had been in any rush to leave.
At the moment, a pretty decent battle of haiku was afoot. Some sort of if-you-can't-freestyle-you-have-to-drink kind of game that no one really followed the rules to.
It was Ikkaku's turn. He wasn't good but he was doing well enough to get by. “I am Ikkaku. I am from Squad Eleven. I am not an oaf*,” he crowed, counting the five syllables on his fingers. He took a drink.
“You weren't supposed to drink, Ikkaku,” Yumichika said with a straight face.
“Meh,” he shrugged.
Toshiro rolled his eyes skyward as Nanao sat up primly, “Tittering monkey; in the spring he climbs treetops; and thinks himself tall.*”
The ladies cooed in unison, “Ohhhh.”
Fingers were snapping all around.
Rangiku wasn't in the battle for dominance and went in a different direction with her topic, “All art is unique. There is no right or wrong way...” She held up a napkin that she'd drawn a stick figure of a mad looking snake, “That looks terrible.*”
She burst out laughing and Toshiro snorted at her drawing. Trying not to laugh at her joke, he chose to take the low brow route and growled, “Your art is not good. Is that supposed to be me? Worst present ever.”
Rangiku threw her head back in laughter and the guys Ohhh'd like he'd given some great burn.
Momo's turn came up and she frowned thoughtfully, “Snow blows in the wind. Scarves and sweaters all around. Winter is here now.”
Everyone was snapping their fingers in applause and Yumichika smirked. He cupped his chin with his fingers coyly and pursed his lips, “I want to fuck you.” Ikkaku, Tetsuzaemon, and Renji groaned as if in pain and Yumichika went on lecherously, “From behind! Come on my face; smear it with your cock!”
The shamisen player's song was slow and her voice carried almost sorrowfully. Toshiro stared, his eyes wide, as everyone's faces went bright red. His cup of sake teetered precariously within his fingers.
Yumichika had been X-rated the whole game. Each one more interesting than the last.
Rangiku loved every word.
“Brilliant!” she exclaimed clapping her hands. Her cheeks were rosy like she had painted on rouge. “Nice one,” she laughed loudly. Rangiku and Yumichika high-fived and cackled at each other.
Rukia's cheeks flamed, “That was graphic.”
Izuru's expression looked pained, but he admitted with a logical nod, “And still haiku.”
“I know, darling. Your turn,” Yumichika chuckled, taking a sip of his sake and nodding to the younger woman.
Rukia yawned and looked at Renji bluntly, “I want to go home. A warm fire is waiting. I am going home.”
Renji laughed, “Fire is one syllable.”
Rukia glared at him, “It can be one or two. Right, Captain Hitsugaya?”
Not expecting to be the grammar police officer, Toshiro blinked slowly when everyone looked at him. “Uhh, yes. She's right. Poetic license and such,” he muttered and sipped his sake.
Renji squinted at her and muttered, “That sounds made up...” She rolled her eyes so he huffed, “Well, I guess I'm calling it a night, guys. I'll walk you home, Rukia.”
“Have a good night, you two!” Rangiku called as they left.
Their departure seemed to be the catalyst that got everyone else moving as well. Their leftovers were packaged up and Satoshi happily saw them all out.
Satoshi waggled his sparse eyebrows at her, “You brought me a big crowd tonight, Matsumoto-san!”
Rangiku gave him a friendly pat on his big arm, “I do what I can.”
She wrapped her kimono around herself and he laughed, “You are always welcome here anytime!”
Rangiku smiled and stepped into her awaiting boots. Toshiro had already tied his waraji on and was waiting by the door with their to-go cup. The snow was coming down in large tufts from where she could see and he was listening to the girls and guys laughing out in the street.
She finished strapping on her boots and stood up straight. As she ran her hands over herself, making sure she had everything, a man at least six inches shorter than her sidled up and got into her personal space. Surprised, Rangiku stepped back quickly, “Uh, can I help you?”
The guy was short and fat, but clearly sumo despite his height. He licked his oil smeared lips and his eyes never left her chest. “I've been watching you.”
Did these idiots ever stop to think how creepy their lines could be? Rangiku snorted, “That's nice.”
Undeterred, the guy made an attempt at flattery, “I've never seen hair as gold as corn silk. You've captivated me with your beauty.”
His eyes were still glued to her boobs. Rangiku rolled her eyes and tucked her scarf into her kimono, effectively covering up her skin again, “Uh huh.” She looked around for Satoshi to handle this guy but he was busy talking to another customer that was checking out.
The short, pig of a man took a step closer, his expression arrogant, “Why don't you ditch this white-haired freak? I'll take you somewhere real nice. Nice and quiet.”
Was this guy for real? Nice and quiet so he can rape women is more like it. Yeah right.
“Temptiiing, but no*,” she sang mockingly and started to turn.
His grubby hand suddenly gripped her forearm, “You need to be handled by a real man—”
Satoshi saw the rikishi grab her and barked angrily, “Kentaro—!”
Rangiku grabbed the fat man's hand with her free hand on reflex. The practiced move loosened his hold on her arm and she rolled her newly released hand in a way that pushed and twisted his wrist down. The rikishi cried out as his arm twisted backward at the unnatural angle, forcing him to bend forward and Rangiku stepped behind him. She rolled her eyes and twisted more. “No means nooooo,” she said sarcastically before promptly pushing down hard and smashing his face into the floor.
Kentaro let out a muffled cry and Satoshi blinked in surprise. He knew she was a lieutenant but had never seen her in action.
Before he could step forward, the teal eyes of the White Dragon flashed red for the tiniest fraction of a second and suddenly the Captain who'd accompanied Matsumoto-san was at her side. Had he even seen the Captain's feet move? Satoshi watched as the two smiled at each other in amusement before the white-haired captain took over.
Rangiku released the man and Toshiro shoved him over onto his back. He handed the cup and its precious contents up to Rangiku.
Blood sputtered from Kentaro's nostrils and he looked up at the white-haired captain's cold expression. He gathered up what was left of his pride and coughed out, “Better tighten your leash on that bitch so she knows her place—”
The Captain grabbed the rikishi under his jaw, the move lightning fast. His grip tightened, choking off Kentaro's words, and the white-haired man jerked him up.
If the restaurant was quiet before, it was dead silent with shock as the sumo wrestler's feet dangled and blood ran from his smashed nose. The man may be short, but he was stout and the Captain held him as if he were a broomstick.
Kentaro's face was turning purple and he gurgled as he grabbed at Toshiro's wrist frantically.
Toshiro's growl was murderous, “What she said.”
Suddenly he and the rikishi were gone and there was a great crash outside. Ikkaku cackled out in the street and Rangiku heard one of the guys whistle.
Rangiku rushed outside and Satoshi-san hurriedly followed her out.
Toshiro had hurled the disgusting little man down the street and he lay groaning in a pile of garbage cans all the way at the other end.
Nanao looked on shrewdly, “Aren't you a little high in rank to be disposing of the garbage, Captain?”
Toshiro harrumphed, “He needed to cool off.”
Satoshi's great belly shook as he laughed loudly, “I like your style, Captain-sama! I must admit, I had been worried you would do something drastic.”
Toshiro shrugged, “The energy expenditure wouldn't have been worth the outcome.”
Satoshi's smile sobered, “Well, you can be sure that his kind is not welcome here. My most humble apologies to the two of you. I hope you decide to visit us again.”
Toshiro watched as the large businessman bowed to him. He shook his head, “You aren't responsible for the character of the people that walk through your doors.”
Satoshi bowed deeply again, “Thank you, Captain-sama. Others would not have been so generous. Your next meal is on me if you and Matsumoto-san decide to come back.”
Rangiku shook her head, “Of course we'll come back! It's really okay, Satoshi-san! I meant it when I said I'm used to it. Guys do stupid things around me all the time.”
Toshiro's jaw clamped tight, the muscle and tendon twitched. He growled, “That doesn't mean it's right.”
Rangiku blinked when everyone around her nodded in agreement. She smiled, “Come on, guys. It's not like I'm a helpless. You know good and well that I beat the crap out of anybody who tries to do anything to me.”
Yumichika snapped his fingers sassily and put a hand on his hip, “Shouldn't have to, girl.”
Satoshi frowned, “One of my regular rikishi put his hands on you and that is unacceptable. Such a dishonor... He will not be allowed in my stable while he chooses to disgrace himself with such behavior. I insist.”
His words were final and Rangiku sighed in acceptance.
Satoshi bowed respectfully and bade them farewell.
After he went back in to his restaurant, Ikkaku's voice interrupted the quiet moment, “Are we done? I'm freezing my nuts off out here!”
Toshiro barked, “Who asked you to stay?”
Rangiku's lips raspberried and she nodded toward her friends, “You all go on and go. I need to pick up something while I'm out here.”
Ikkaku grinned wickedly, “You're not going out to the Red Light District to go shopping, are you?”
Rangiku fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously, “Why? Are you imagining me in a sexy maid costume?”
All her heterosexual friends' faces went red.
Yumichika was nodding and waggling his perfect eyebrows like he was encouraging her to do it. “Yassss,” he grinned cheerfully.
Toshiro slapped Ikkaku upside the head.
“Ow!” Ikkaku yelped.
Rangiku chuckled at his expense and hugged Momo and Nanao goodnight. “We need to do lunch or have a spa day soon,” she sighed contentedly.
Nanao nodded in agreement, “This cold weather is so hard on my skin.”
Momo nodded vigorously, “My poor hands are so chapped right now.”
Yumichika swooped in for a hug, as well. “Are only vagina's invited to this party?” he quirked an interested eyebrow.
“Your fabulousness is totally invited,” she laughed.
He pulled away, glanced between she and Toshiro, and grinned, “Excellent.”
Everyone lingered a minute saying their goodbyes before the mint green glow of their transporter took them home, leaving she and her Captain in the street. There was a groan and tumble of trash cans at the other end and Toshiro hooked her elbow and navigated her toward the opposite direction.
He was walking fast and starting to drag her. Judging by the stiff look of his wide shoulders and the tense jawline, she had a feeling he was upset.
“Toshiro!” she whined. “Slow down! Are you mad?”
All of a sudden, he jerked her down a deserted side street. With a flick of his free hand, the snow exploded around them. Rangiku gasped when she was plucked up and set down. The to-go cup disappeared from her hand in a rush. She didn't get to see much other than he had hidden her away between a maple tree and a building wall. Then his lips covered hers and all her questions floated away.
She sighed into him and opened her mouth for him. Toshiro rubbed his tongue against hers and groaned. God, the slick heat of her mouth drove him crazy. Why was it like this with her? He always felt like he was losing control.
She slid her hands up his chest and into his hair. Fuck, he loved it when she did that. Toshiro growled and pressed fully against her.
Rangiku pulled her lips away at the feel of him getting hard against her belly. Her laugh was breathy, “Are you trying to have your way with me down an alley? How romantic,” she purred, playfully waggling her eyebrows.
Toshiro huffed out a plume of steam in amusement. His eyes sparkled hungrily, “Is it strange that I get turned on when you trounce your assailant?”
Rangiku's face lit up with delight and she laughed, “Maybe to some, but I get turned on when you fight too, so we'll call it squaresies.”
“Oh good,” he murmured before he stole another kiss. He paused with a frown, “You needed to buy something?”
Rangiku exhaled in a whoosh, “Huh?”
Toshiro breathed in through his nose, “You told Ikkaku you needed to pick something up.”
Rangiku gripped his hair and brought his face back to her, “I lied.”
Toshiro huffed out a laugh and claimed her mouth. God, he really couldn't get enough of her. The effects of the sake still had him feeling slightly inebriated but it was Rangiku that had his world spinning. The way she melted into him, burrowed into his clothes to get closer, had him feeling like he was being sucked into a vortex. Rangiku gave no quarter and wiggled up against his erection. She tasted like creamy chicken noodle soup and sake, smelled like vanilla and sugar cookies, and it was fucking delicious. He slid his hands down and up her curves and pushed a knee between her legs. Rangiku gasped and tilted her hips so she could rub her pussy against his solid thigh. She mewled at the friction and Toshiro groaned into her mouth. They both grunted when her back hit the wall of the building as he pushed her up against it. Toshiro was really getting into their grade A make out session, vaguely contemplating if he was actually an expeditionist, when he heard his name.
Toshiro pulled his lips away and frowned in confusion. He didn't feel anybody's reiatsu nearby.
The beauty in his arms was flushed. She began a trail of hungry kisses across his throat. Maybe he was hearing things. He growled and moved in to claim those luscious lips again but heard a husky chuckle a ways behind him and stiffened.
“Toshiro Hitsugaya, I can see you,” sang a smoky feminine voice full of amusement.
The lilting cadence and foreign accent finally penetrated his foggy brain and his face jerked around in recognition. “Maria?”
A harbinger-of-doom chill zipped up his spine. His ex and first sexual partner was standing at the beginning of the street. He blinked. Are you fucking kidding me?
Rangiku blinked in confusion. Maria? Who was that? Toshiro looked like he'd been gobsmacked so that was really interesting.
“And I know you're with someone,” Maria called in a mischievous whisper. She chuckled and began picking her way carefully through the snow toward them.
Toshiro relaxed his hold on Rangiku. Her feet touched down and she tried to peak around his shoulder when curiosity got the better of her.
Well, apparently this is happening, he thought. His pulse lurched uneasily. When he looked down at the beautiful blonde wrapped up in his arms, Toshiro grit his teeth in determination. Rangiku deserved a warning before Maria pounced.
Toshiro looked Rangiku in the eye and whispered quickly, “She's an ex... friend with benefits.”
Rangiku's lavender hued eyes jerked wide in surprise and she whispered urgently, “Like, ex-girlfriend?”
Toshiro shook his head. “Friend with benefits,” he reiterated firmly.
Rangiku's expression dried out, “There's a difference?”
Toshiro huffed, “Yes!”
Maria made the final shuffled steps and beamed a wide, engaging smile their way. She playfully poked him in the shoulder, “Quit hiding her so you can give me a kiss.”
Her Castilian accent was so pronounced and lovely but Rangiku blinked hard. Had she heard that right?
Toshiro gently released Rangiku, grumbling reluctantly, and stepped to the side. As was customary with her, Maria rushed into his arms and gave him a quick, exuberant hug. He grunted at the impact and, when she clearly felt his arousal, she responded with a chuckle. It was a good thing they weren't into each other anymore or this would be awkward. Who was he kidding? It was fucking awkward, but he still thought of Maria was a good friend so Toshiro squeezed her shoulders fondly before she stepped away. Maria was a smart woman and he knew she knew what she'd interrupted.
Toshiro leaned down when she released him.
Rangiku felt a stab of shock when the woman set her hands up on his shoulders and kissed him once on the left cheek and then on the right and he did it right back in sync. She'd heard of other cultures greeting each other similarly, but her eyes narrowed as tingles of doubt started to niggle. Just who was this woman?
Just as quickly as she'd embraced and kissed him, Maria practically pushed Toshiro out of the way to get a hold of her and squeezed tight. The beautiful woman cooed into Rangiku's hair, “You must be Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto.”
The hug was fierce and real and before Rangiku could respond in kind, Maria pulled away and gave her a quick kiss-kiss.
Maria held a box of some sort wrapped up in a bit of fabric but managed to hold Rangiku at arms length, “¡Ay! ¡I feel like I know you already! Let me get a good look at you...”
Rangiku blinked rapidly in surprise as the other woman eyed her from head to toe but she couldn't stop herself from returning the favor. Maria was an incredibly striking woman. Judging by the slight crinkle of attractive crows feet, she was a decent bit older than Rangiku. Maria was also a couple inches shorter than her, which was something she was used to. It looked like she had on heeled boots but it was hard to tell with the red, ruffled skirt. She was wrapped up in a soft looking long suede jacket that had ivory white fur trim down the front, around the hood, and on the sleeves. Long, glossy curling waves of dark auburn locks cascaded out from the hood. She had this gorgeous caramel skin tone that reminded Rangiku of the perfect latte and, even in the dim glow of the paper lanterns, her light grey eyes practically glowed like polished sterling silver.
“Oh, wow, you are gorgeous,” blurted Rangiku without an ounce of shame.
Maria's silver eyes lit up with mirth and she laughed, “And you, mi querida, are stunning. It is no wonder Toshiro has been so frustrated all of these years.”
Rangiku laughed in surprise and watched Toshiro roll his eyes toward the sky and sigh uncomfortably.
He made the introductions stiffly, “Maria, you are correct. This is my lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto. Rangiku, this is Maria. She owns one of the finest tea houses in District Eight.”
Maria let go of Rangiku and pursed her lips at him, “A tea house you haven't come to visit me at in, qué... ¿Six? ¿Eight months?”
Toshiro's mouth thinned sheepishly, “In my defense, I have been rather busy.”
“¿What kind of busy?” Maria asked with a salacious grin. She'd seen them on the verge of having sex in the alley. The always impressive bulge he was trying to be discrete about wasn't easy to ignore. Sex was her business and she was no fool.
Watching Rangiku smirk and Toshiro's expression dry out, Maria chuckled, “Relax.” She turned and waved them to follow, “Well, you have officially been captured and now you must come and visit with me.”
Toshiro blinked. They hadn't been intimate for years, but there were a lot of memories in that tea house. The idea of Maria entertaining them in the same room she'd taken his virginity in was enough to give him a cold sweat.
Judging by the impish twinkle in her eye, Maria looked like she could read his mind. He probably looked like a deer caught in the headlights but he grit his teeth, adjusted his relaxing hard-on, grabbed the cup he'd stashed in the tree, and followed the women.
Once they entered the main street again, Maria brazenly took Rangiku's gloved hand and tucked it into the crook of her arm. By the gods, he prayed Maria would contain herself tonight. Toshiro wryly contemplated walking in another direction to see if they'd notice, but he wouldn't dare leave Rangiku alone in Maria's hedonistic hands. As Maria aimed to cross the street, Rangiku looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes sparkled with mirth like she was thoroughly enjoying his discomfort as well. Despite that, Toshiro smiled in return and felt the rigidity ease a bit more between his shoulders. This would be okay. It was uncomfortable as hell, but Maria had a good heart. And, thankfully, Rangiku was being reliably herself with her 'just rolling with it' attitude.
As they walked, the two women chattered away like old friends. A little concerning, but at least the tension in his loins was easing as the two animatedly talked about clothing and where they liked to shop locally.
They'd been walking for about fifteen minutes when Maria came to a stop, “Alright, this is me. ¡Come in!”
Rangiku marveled at the large traditional wooden townhouse. Two stories with lots of beautiful woodwork on the outside. She could see a fenced in garden that ran along the side of the building. It looked like it went pretty far back.
As they followed Maria through the wide, ruby red noren, she gave a brief overview of her business. Her cadence gave away her good humor and the pride she took in her livelihood. “Nothing much to see. No drinking allowed, so we get a nice, quiet crowd...*”
They came to a stop in the genkan. The open floor plan allowed for numerous customers to sit in a row of tables by the windows that looked out into the snow laden garden. In the back of the main room, a woman sang next to the shamisen player, who clicked and clanged a slow, pulsing tune. A geisha was dancing with two paper fans, captivating her audience. A row of men watched with rapt attention; each one attended to by a beautiful woman, or pretty young man, as they enjoyed their tea and snacks.
Maria kicked off her boots and tossed her jacket to the coat check that bowed to her. “Mameha, look who I found while foraging for dessert,” she sang as she placed the package on the front desk.
A radiant Japanese beauty about the same age as Maria walked around the desk. There was a grace in every movement and gesture that made Rangiku think she might have been a geisha back in the day.
Mameha smiled warmly, “Toshiro-san, what a pleasant surprise.”
Rangiku heard hushed whispers and the quiet shuffling of rushing, sock-clad feet. A door to the left opened and a crowd of beautiful people in kimono spilled out. Rangiku distinctly heard Toshiro's name being whispered excitedly as they practically vibrated to get his attention. Rangiku cocked her head left to squint at him suspiciously. This was looking like it was more than a tea house and Toshiro was a VIP.
Toshiro grunted uncomfortably and chose to avoid her gaze and the overzealous tea house staff. “Mameha-san, likewise,” he bowed politely.
Maria waved her hand about dismissively, “Not today, everyone, he's brought a guest.”
Rangiku fought to hide her smile with all the sighs of disappointment and crestfallen looks. One woman and a beautiful young man with glossy lips looked at her with judgment clearly written on their faces and started whispering to each other. Rangiku snorted and quirked an amused golden brow at the silver-eyed woman, “A tea house, huh?”
Maria turned to her with a wide smile and mischief sparkling in her sterling eyes, “We serve tea, local or homemade confections, and have entertainment... Along with lots of good will... and maybe one small thrill... but there's nothing dirty going on.*”
Toshiro nodded toward the men who had already paid the hefty sum to be in there. His voice was soft so that it wouldn't carry, “There's a no tolerance policy for poor manners. Just because they get through the door doesn't mean they can buy whatever they want.”
Maria smiled at him, “No disrespect in this house.” Maria turned to Rangiku, “Here. Let's get you out of this kimono and these boots and I'll take you both to my room in the back.”
As Toshiro introduced Mameha to his lieutenant, Rangiku's lush figure was revealed as she unwrapped herself and stood up straight to hand her items over. If any of the staff held out hope of getting his attention, they now quietly skulked back into their break room. Toshiro felt a slap of pride and possession hit him square in the chest.
He also noticed Maria's eyes dragging slowly over his lieutenant appreciatively. The woman definitely had an eye for beauty, but something in that look made Toshiro swallow a protective growl. He stepped up beside Rangiku and rested his hand on her lower back. His voice was rough, “Shall we?”
Mameha smiled in amusement, “I'll bring the rest of what we need over shortly.”
She disappeared into the back and Maria handed his things off before heading down a hallway. Toshiro knew from personal experience that, at the end, there were stairs that led up to the private rooms where clients received a more hands-on treatment. But they didn't go upstairs. They went past them, through a door that opened up into a lounge, and then through another door that went into Maria's private quarters. The back wall was made up of a wide set of sliding glass doors that showcased the incredible sight of her snow burdened tea garden.
Rangiku's eyes were wide, “Oh, wow! What a view!”
Maria smiled and showed them to a very cozy looking, broad sitting area that would allow one to gaze outside without obstruction. Within the epicenter of pillows and blankets, was a traditional sunken hearth with a small crackling fire. Rangiku sat first and looked around the room. There was a huge bed that had a great view of the garden. It was loaded with pillows and everything in the room was decorated in golds and jewel toned colors. There were candles of all shapes and sizes everywhere throughout the room. It was warm, vibrant, and definitely had a certain pleasure-seeking vibe to it.
“I love your room,” she said in admiration.
Maria was lighting some incense. She smiled before making her way to the hearth. She gracefully settled onto her knees and placed a kettle on a cast iron frame that allowed it to start heating next to the fire in the irori. “Gracias. I've always gravitated toward beautiful things.” Maria scooted up next to Rangiku and ran a finger up the length of her arm. The brunette brushed a silky lock of golden hair behind the Lieutenant's ear. “And beautiful souls,” she murmured.
Rangiku's breath caught in her throat. Was she flirting with her? Maria's toffee colored skin glowed golden from the firelight and her silver eyes shone like liquid mercury. She was so close Rangiku could feel Maria's moist, warm breath against the tender skin of her neck and her heart lurched. But she didn't pull away... Strange... It didn't seem to matter that this woman was eliciting such a response. Her body stilled almost like it was anticipating what she might do.
Maria brushed the backs of her fingers slowly across Rangiku's collarbone and murmured, “Your energy is so warm...” The sensual heat in her eyes only got hotter as she closed in on Rangiku's lips. Rangiku felt helpless to resist her. There was unlimited ecstasy promised in those intoxicating eyes. Her ruby lips just barely touched Rangiku's and Maria sighed out, “I can taste the salt of the sea in your aura.”
Maria slid a soft finger against Rangiku's jaw and was closing in when her body suddenly ceased being there against her.
Toshiro plopped Maria down on a pillow on the opposite side of the irori. “You stay on this side of the fire, succubus,” he rasped.
By the gods, here was another woman who would be the death of him! He hadn't thought Maria would actually come on to Rangiku like that. Toshiro'd been stunned stupid, watching the two women. He was committed to Rangiku. There was no urge to revisit Maria's bed, but there was no hiding the tent in his hakama. The look on Rangiku's face when Maria was closing in had him trying to think about anything else to cool his ardor. She'd been shocked but, by the gods, she'd been interested too. Now Toshiro couldn't decide if he wanted to jump on Rangiku to stake his claim or toss Maria out into the snow.
He huffed and landed down hard onto his cushion.
Rangiku was a little out of breath and brought a shaky hand up to rest over her heart. She'd never felt arousal in response to a woman before, but damn. It was no wonder Toshiro had fallen victim to Maria's wiles.
Her eyes met Toshiro's and her face heated. Whew, the teal fire he was sending her way! He was turned on and getting that dragony look like he wanted to fuck her on top of a pile of gold.
Maria pouted and her voice was a smokey coo, “¡Do not fret, mi capitán! You are always welcome to join in... or watch...”
Toshiro coughed into his white-knuckled fist. He and Maria had definitely experimented a lot when they were together. He wasn't innocent to her ways, but the visual of Rangiku tangled up in the sheets with him and that wicked gypsy was enough to make his brain explode. He glared at the vixen and bit out, “I do not share.”
The door clicked as Mameha glided in with a tray loaded with all the things to make tea. She paused, “He's upset.” Her gaze swung immediately to Maria's, “What did you do?”
Maria grinned like she'd been caught red-handed and pat the cushion next to her, “I may have demonstrated my desire to have a slumber party.”
Mameha shook her head as she closed the distance to the irori. She laughed softly and placed the tray down beside where Rangiku was perched. “I do not think 'slumber' is the word I would choose to describe that.”
Maria reached out and gently pulled Mameha closer. Her smokey voice was sensual, “I keep telling you I have excellent taste, mi alma.” She pressed her full, berry tinted lips against Mameha's and they breathed into each other. They pulled apart just barely and gazed lovingly into the other's eyes; the kiss welcomed and clearly one of thousands.
Rangiku's mouth fell open in shock. Were they... together? Her face started getting hot. Maria had literally just kissed her. And she was Toshiro's ex? Rangiku looked over to Toshiro in confusion. His teal eyes met hers with an understanding that was heated with his own frustrations. His clenched jaw and stiff shoulders told Rangiku that he was trying to collect himself.
His dragon eyes softened for her only. Toshiro's voice sounded rough even to his own ears, “Maria and Mameha are... partners.”
Mameha's elegant shoulders straightened. She looked at Rangiku with a pretty flush to her sculpted cheekbones and honest interest in her dark eyes, “I knew what Maria was up to the second I saw the two of you walk in. You are a beautiful woman, Miss Matsumoto, and, although I prefer women, Maria is more...”
“Open-minded,” Maria offered with a smile.
Mameha smiled at her affectionately, complete acceptance shining in her eyes. She went on, “Although, Maria and I are devoted to each other... sometimes we consensually bring in another person...”
“Or two... or three..” Maria added with a mischievous dimple.
Mameha smiled in response to her partner. She looked between Rangiku and Toshiro and continued, “Maria has said on more than one occasion how talented Toshiro-san was at cunnilingus.”—Toshiro choked on his own saliva and started coughing—“I haven't decided yet if I would let him touch me, but I wouldn't mind watching him use his skills on her. Or... you, Miss Matsumoto.”
Rangiku considered herself wise in the ways of her own sex life, but this conversation was making her face feel like it was on fire. These women wanted to have a four-some and she didn't honestly know how she felt about that.
And judging by the tortured groan from the handsome man beside her, he was having a difficult time processing all of this, as well.
After he'd cleared his throat, Toshiro growled. His hot turquoise eyes practically singed her skin. Was he as intoxicated by this situation as she was?
Maria grinned like the greedy fox she was and the next thing Toshiro knew, she was on his side of the hearth and trying to crawl onto his lap. Toshiro managed to get a grip on her hip and knee, stopping her from straddling him but that left the rest of him unguarded. Toshiro frowned in confusion, “What the hell are you doing?”
Maria leaned forward and nibbled his earlobe. She whispered, “You ache, mi amor.”
Toshiro shook his head vehemently and tried pushing her away but it was like trying to handle a slippery eel. “Rangiku will be able to assist me with that later.”
Maria smiled encouragingly and stroked his chest and shoulders with both hands, “¿Why not let us all join in on the fun?”
Toshiro locked up when one of her hands began sliding down his abdomen with clear intent to quickly go lower.
“For old times sake...” Maria purred.
He did not know how to react. He froze. Maria had to know that this thing between him and Rangiku was new! What the fuck was she doing? Toshiro didn't want to actually hurt Maria but this had to stop! Panic made his eyes jerk to Rangiku's and she inhaled in realization.
Maria looked Rangiku dead in the eye and smiled seductively. Toshiro grunted Maria's name in shock as she grasped his hard length.
Rangiku didn't know she was moving until she had Maria flat on her back, her hand pressing firmly to the other woman's sternum. A flash of white-hot heat blasted through the room, causing all the candles and the fire within the irori to flare dangerously.
She and Haineko growled fiercely in unison, “That's enough.”
A low rumble practically vibrated the room. Rangiku shivered with anticipation. Suddenly, it felt like an ice cube was dragging tantalizingly down her spine. Rangiku gasped and felt her nipples stand up to get his attention. She jerked her gaze back to Toshiro. His eyes scorched her.
The next thing she knew the air whooshed from her lungs as Toshiro slammed her onto her back.
Rangiku gasped and wrapped her legs around him, her hands caressed up his arms. Toshiro growled ferociously and ground against her.
Toshiro laved his tongue against one of her soft breasts and nipped it possessively. He needed to see her. Touch her. Taste her. Unable to resist, his left hand slid her uniform to the side exposing one globe. God damn, she had the most perfect tits he'd ever seen. He palmed her beautiful flesh roughly and pinched her pink, taut nipple. She gasped and dug her fingers into his hair. Toshiro latched on and sucked hard.
His teeth bit onto her sensitive tip. “Yes,” she hissed. He increased the pressure and tugged upward. Rangiku cried out and bucked against his ridged length.
Toshiro growled. He released her nipple and blew icy air onto it, appreciating how it tightened even more for him. He licked toward her sternum and buried his nose against where the gold necklace he gave her nestled against her skin. He breathed her in deeply and groaned as he took in the metallic scent of gold, Rangiku's heavy arousal, and... something else...
Toshiro's head jerked up in realization and met his ex-lover's liquid hot silver eyes. Fuck! What the hell was wrong with him? A waft of a certain burning scent that wasn't from the irori made him blink. He shook his head to clear it.
Maria was watching him go full on dragon-mode on Rangiku with rapt pleasure. She lay there panting and looking at them like she wanted nothing more then to start touching herself. Or start an orgy. Mameha had a dazed look and was fanning herself like she was tempted, as well.
Toshiro's eyes narrowed at Maria. “What the hell did you put in that incense?” he bit out. He didn't even sound human.
Maria ignored his question and sighed out, “The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.*”
“Maria,” he snarled.
Maria chuckled easily, “Too much patchouli, I think. I was just trying to get you two in the mood.”
Rangiku croaked out a breathy laugh and tucked herself back into her uniform. “It worked,” she panted.
Toshiro ripped his eyes away from his ex and tried to calm down as he hovered over Rangiku. She looked as messed up as he was. Her breasts jiggled in rhythm to her heartbeat. “God damn it,” he rumbled.
Rangiku was so turned on, she instinctively rubbed up against the thick length of him again.
He grunted, almost in pain. God, the scent of her sweet center was a drug. It was taking all of his discipline to not move with her. Toshiro nipped her ear sharply in warning, but it made all three women gasp instead.
Maria rolled onto her side, sliding a hand over her curves, and smiled at him with hooded grey eyes. Her dark chocolate waves shone in the firelight.
Toshiro barked, “No,” with finality.
“Met you your match*, mi amor,” Maria breathed out with a chuckle.
“Enough with your games,” he growled in frustration.
Maria's melodic voice was husky, “If you want to fuck her... right now... right here... We'd love to watch.”
He was a razors edge away from doing just that. And he knew Rangiku would let him, but he would not scratch this particular itch with Maria and Mameha eagerly waiting for more. God, was it tempting to keep going.
But he didn't want to share. Not even with two women he very much cared for. Rangiku was his. Not some hot piece of entertainment for his ex.
Toshiro grit his teeth.
Rangiku was so flustered she didn't know exactly how to proceed. So she just let Toshiro have control of when to move while she tried to compose herself. She knew by his body language that he wasn't cool with this. In the heat of the moment, she would have let him do it. The idea of him fucking her like a rutting beast while his previous lover watched, maybe even with jealously, made a small mewl escape her lips.
Toshiro's eyes snapped to hers. She forced herself to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth. He followed her example and breathed with her for a minute.
Toshiro didn't know what to do with his erection or his hands but he knew he needed to change the position before his resolve wavered again. With a flashstep of movement, he had Rangiku's sexy rump landing in his lap as he sat back on his cushion. She squawked at impact and he grunted as he dug his fingers into the sides of her ass.
A shiver raced its way up Rangiku's spine but Toshiro stiffened with determination behind her.
He leaned forward, sliding his hands down Rangiku's thighs possessively, “She's mine. And mine alone.”
Maria smiled a wide grin, moved onto all fours, and stood gracefully. She went to where the incense burned. “Bien, bien. But I had to try,” she shrugged and chuckled mischievously. She picked up the incense, dunked it into a water cup, and tossed it into the trash.
Toshiro glared dryly at her nonchalant attitude.
Maria returned and crawled over to snuggle up to Mameha. “Oh, stop growling at me, mi amor. I'll be good,” she smiled amicably.
Toshiro huffed distrustfully and leaned into Rangiku, resting his forehead on her shoulder. The feel of her melting against him settled his frayed nerves. Rangiku slid her hands down on top of his and laced her fingers through his as his grip on her thighs loosened. The soothing touch had his hammering heart slowing down. Toshiro breathed in her scent and his gaze landed on the fire. He focused on centering himself while he stared into the dancing flames.
Mameha's eyes widened when she glanced at the boiling kettle belatedly, “Ah! The tea!”
Mameha pulled away from Maria. She quietly used a pot holder to grasp the kettle and poured the boiling water in to fill the red kyusu tea pot she'd brought with her. She smiled at them, as if she could gently wash away the inhibited sexual tension in the room, and filled the four small tea cups with the hot water from the kyusu. They settled into a somewhat comfortable silence as they watched Mameha serenely dispose of the water used to preheat everything into another receptacle and then go about brewing the tea. After a few minutes, she poured a small bit of reddish brown tea into the four cups, consecutively going back across each cup in the row, until she'd filled them and gotten the last drop out of the kyusu.
The calming effect of Mameha going through the motions of preparing the tea was significant enough that Toshiro didn't feel like he was going to lose control anymore.
Once she'd thought he'd calmed enough, Rangiku reluctantly scooted off his lap and onto her own cushion. She didn't want to leave the comfort of his embrace but, realistically... How would they both drink the tea with her booty in his lap?
Feeling his tension ease from her touch made her heart swell. It made her feel like, in that moment, she meant more to him then just being his lieutenant or the person he was currently having sex with. Like he needed her. Don't get me wrong, she thought. The sex was spectacular but knowing he reacted to her that way gave her the big feels. The kind of big feels that made her want to reflect on what she'd learned about herself from past relationships. But maybe sitting in the sex pit of his 'ex friend with benefits' wasn't the time and place to do that.
Eyeing the impressive tent pole in his hakama, Rangiku reached over and nabbed a small pillow to set into Toshiro's lap. She pat his thigh with a dimpled smile. He grunted in surprise and she snorted in amusement when his eyes caught hers dryly.
Maria chuckled softly at their exchange and Toshiro ignored her, opting to reach across and hand a tea cup to Rangiku. He picked one for himself and breathed in the roasted aroma. “Hojicha?” he asked.
Mameha smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. Toshiro took a sip and growled in pleasure at the nutty and sweet caramel notes.
Rangiku sighed into her cup, “This is really good.”
Mameha offered them a tray of confections, “Thank you.”
Rangiku plucked up a crackled, golden globe. She was hoping it was a cream puff, but when she bit into it, the aroma of yuzu surprised her. The little puff pastry was filled with a vanilla and yuzu custard that made a small moan escape her lips. She took a sip of tea. They complimented each other so well she wanted to weep.
Toshiro's eyes sparkled with heated amusement at her reaction as he picked up a mitarashi dango with a toothpick. The dryness of the hojicha made the salty-sweet mochi feel almost juicy in his mouth and he sighed happily. He assumed this is what Maria had gotten from one of the street vendors since it was still warm.
Maria broke the quiet that had settled and acted like everyone hadn't almost started ripping their clothes off, “So, Toshiro thinks I was a Spanish Gypsy in the World of the Living because of how I roll my R's.” Her tongue trilled out the letter like a purr.
Toshiro frowned at her. They had discussed this at length over the years but he appreciated the change in subject. He sighed, “It's more then just your accent.” Relieved he could transition away from sex, he nodded at her, “You do and say many things that makes me lean toward that theory.”
Mameha smiled, “Like your obsession with wine? Or the way you dance?”
Maria's shoulders shrugged, “I just don't understand how a Gypsy ended up in the Japanese Soul Society.”
More tension eased from his shoulders. Toshiro's expression softened, “I think you loved Japan so much while you were alive that you stayed once you crossed over.”
Maria smiled in response and waited until Toshiro started taking another sip. “I'm so glad you two are finally sleeping together,” she remarked mildly behind her cup but with a wicked sparkle to her silver eyes.
Toshiro choked on his tea. Rangiku blinked in surprise.
Maria grinned, “You've been torturing him for years, mi querida. Although, to be fair, I don't think he realized why at first.” She put her empty cup down lightly, “¿Did he tell you how we met?”
Knowing some juicy details were headed her way because Maria was evidently a sadist, Rangiku smiled mildly, “Nope.”
Maria sighed and shook her head. She squinted at her handsome friend, “¿Why are you always so stingy?”
Toshiro frowned sternly in return, “I choose to separate my private life from work. We've gone over this before.”
Maria rolled her eyes, “Sí, sí. And home is work, which is why I could never come over and play house.”
Toshiro cleared his throat and growled a warning, “Maria...”
Maria looked over at Rangiku and flourished a hand, “We used to have sex.”
Toshiro started coughing and Rangiku tried desperately not to laugh. She pursed her lips and breathed through her nose, “Obviously.”
Maria plowed on ahead, “But before that, he saved the neighborhood and my business from a Hollow.”
“Ah. Now that makes sense,” Rangiku smiled at Toshiro's gruff expression.
“We ended our relationship when it became clear that Toshiro didn't enjoy sharing the love... with multiple partners.”
Rangiku looked at him suspiciously and asked incredulously, “Did you turn down a three-some with this gorgeous woman?” How could that even be possible? He was a healthy, virile man in his prime! And Maria was some kind of sex fairy.
A red flush was traveling up his neck to his ears, “Well—”
Maria interruped, “No, he didn't but—”
“Maria!” he hissed.
Maria outright laughed at his expense, “What I meant to say is he finds it difficult to share his partner with someone else. Especially if another man is involved.”
Toshiro frowned at her and reemphasized, “I do not share what is mine.”
“Whereas, I do not let gender or labels affect how I am attracted to someone or what I want to do with them.”
Rangiku giggled. She couldn't help it. This woman was full of moxie and, despite the fact that Maria had tried seducing both of them in the same hour she'd met them, Rangiku totally got why Toshiro had remained friends with her. She was funny, passionate, and Rangiku's had a feeling Maria gave good advice.
And Rangiku believed him when he'd first said 'ex'. It showed in his body language. He'd frozen up so fast when Maria had tried jumping him that he might as well have turned into an ice sculpture.
Poor Toshiro, she thought with amusement. Maria was clearly enjoying torturing him and Toshiro couldn't keep up. And, for some strange reason, Rangiku didn't really feel threatened by her. She was kind of surprised with that conclusion considering that she'd hot-flashed the room and basically tackled Maria not ten minutes ago.
Rangiku hummed in thought. Now that boundaries had been established, were they cool now? She and Maria? What was different about Maria versus someone like Sonoda-san? Was it different because Maria was part of Toshiro's past?
Maria was a stunning woman. A fierce and successful business owner. Despite the chaos of the last half hour, it seemed pretty clear neither she nor Toshiro were interested in a future together. If Rangiku ignored the friendship aspect, she knew both Toshiro and Maria saw the relationship as done.
They visited for about an hour before Toshiro started getting fidgety. There was some unresolved hunger making his dragon eyes glitter that had Rangiku eager to go as well.
Maria and Mameha saw them to the genkan but didn't walk them out.
“Snow is your thing,” Maria laughed as they waved goodbye.
“Come back any time,” Mameha smiled and bowed.
Maria nodded, “¡You both are welcome any time! ¡Mi casa es tu casa!”
Rangiku smiled and waved back, “It was nice meeting you two!”
Toshiro was standing in the street watching the snow coming down heavily from the sky. The Pleasure District was still buzzing with activity this time of night, but the street in front of Maria's only had a few people passing by, likely on their way home to get out of the snow.
“Well that was awful,” he griped dryly.
She chuckled and once Rangiku was out of earshot, she whispered loudly, “I can't believe that was your ex! And I can't believe she thought I was hot,” she finished with a laugh. Rangiku was going to hold this over him for years.
Toshiro groaned and closed his eyes like he was in pain. A sudden thought sobered him. “You know that I wasn't... aroused because of her, right?” he asked.
Rangiku's eyes widened in surprise and Toshiro shook his head, “You're the one who messes me all up inside.” He wanted to make sure he was crystal clear. “Maria and I are over. We're just friends now and I come out her a couple times a year to visit and have a cup of tea. That's it.”
Rangiku nodded, “You know... I feel like most women would be freaking out right now, but I know you and that situation in there,”—she pointed to Maria's townhouse—“was so outrageous... I mean... Toshiro, your ex kissed me and I let her do it!” She gesticulated wildly, “I didn't think I was bisexual but, damn, I sure was for a few seconds there!”
Toshiro huffed, “Maria has a way of bringing out... passion...” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, “It never occurred to me that the two of you might actually meet.”
Rangiku chuckled and snuggled into his warmth, “Yeah, the odds of that scenario had to be like 3,720 to one.*” Rangiku slid her hands around his waist and hugged him. Into his chest, she hummed. She peered up at him and whispered, “I'm so wet I think my uniform might be stuck to my pussy.”
The vigor of his arousal returned so quickly that Toshiro felt lightheaded. His dick practically thumped her in happiness. “Well, that's something we shall have to remedy, isn't it?*” he growled.
A great crash boomed in the distance followed by crowds of people screaming in terror. They both looked up in surprise to see a Menos Grande with an odd mask stepping through a Garganta. As its enormous frame slipped through the torn hole, its sights locked onto their location. Its hair-raising, hostile screech echoed off the city's buildings in challenge. Thousands of people screamed. There was a terrified energy that magnified as they started to panic and run.
“God damn it,” Toshiro snarled. He couldn't catch a break.
Rangiku sighed. Haineko sighed. She stepped away from his heat. “I'll be damage control,” she suggested with a quirk of her lips.
Toshiro's expression softened and his hand lifted to cup one side of her soft jaw. His teal eyes were warm and he brushed her cheek with his thumb. “How do you always know what I need?” he murmured.
Rangiku's heart tripped over itself. The Menos Grande's first step made the earth shake but it felt like it was just the two of them in a swirling bubble of reiatsu; of ice and blistering hot air. She nodded toward the Hollow and let him see the uncloaked desire in her hooded eyes, “Go get him, dragon.”
Toshiro growled at her. “I'll make this quick,” he promised with a gleam in his eye. He stepped toward the Menos. His dragon eyes met the Hollow's and the release of his reiatsu punched a hole through the snow bearing clouds in the night sky, revealing twinkling stars. The people nearby gaped and the physical pressure of it pushed them back.
Maria and Mameha rushed out of their townhouse looking stricken and Rangiku smiled at the two confidently and winked. She turned back around to face the giant Hollow with her Captain.
The Menos screamed and charged. Toshiro smiled and blasted off in a flashstep. The Menos contorted, going from the typical upright posture to rapidly slithering toward him like a wicked 300 ft long snake. The mask looked like a viper with fangs, but its body was still encased in a black cloak. Toshiro immediately concluded it had been evolving from a Gillian to an Adjuchas which meant the threat level was higher.
Several buildings and homes exploded in the destructive wake of the beast as they raced toward each other. Toshiro fired off Bakudo No. 44. “Sekisho!” he bellowed and directed it upward. A protective barrier wall lifted them up above the city like an elevator floor. The Menos screamed with fury and Toshiro's deep battle cry rang through the night as he drew his zanpakuto. Hyorinmaru roared in his ear along with him. They met in the middle. For a few seconds, he heard nothing but the powerful snaps of the giant's razor sharp fangs and his own grunts as he expertly dodged and blocked. Toshiro was too close. He couldn't maneuver or get the kind of hit he wanted. He flashstepped out of the tangle of the cloaked, serpent-like body. When he landed, the Menos gaped its jaws and a red light started to glow. Before the giant could get its cero charged up, Toshiro raised his free hand at the Hollow, “Hado Number 33, Sokatsui!”
“Woo!” Rangiku crowed, watching the entire night sky light up with electric blue flames. From a distance, she'd been busy setting up her own barriers to protect the citizens and hopefully some of the shields she'd placed out there would give him some offensive opportunities.
The Menos got hit square in the jaw, abruptly halting its cero, and landed in a pile on its back. It screamed with rage and whipped its body around to face him again, hissing in an intimidation display. Its mask had scorch marks and its cloak glowed orange in some places where it had been singed.
This one was tougher than the typical Gillian, which was to be expected given its apparent metamorphic state. He'd put a good amount of effort into that hado incantation.
The Menos lunged at him, striking like a viper. He dodged the snapping jaws and aimed his body to pass behind one of Rangiku's colorless barriers. It was about the size of a small floor mat and, as he anticipated, the beast knocked right into it in its attempt to skewer him alive. Toshiro smirked as the Menos bounced off of the barrier like the hard strike of a soccer ball to a building.
The Menos shook its head but it lunged again, quicker then he expected.
Toshiro's feet landed hard against another one of the vertical shields Rangiku had set up. It felt like slow motion, as the Menos smashed its enraged face toward the barrier. Toshiro bared his gritting teeth as he held the enormous looming face at bay with his unreleased zanpakuto. The Gillian was truly gargantuan. Its mask had to be close to 30 ft tall and, from where he was standing, his blade barely covered the distance pushing against the Hollow's two spear-length fangs.
Movement below his feet made him quickly glance down. A crowd of sumo wrestlers were staring up at him in awe. He spotted the bastard who'd dared to harass his woman in the mix. What were the odds that he'd end up protecting that unworthy douchebag? Toshiro's lip quirked. Was that irony? Or coincidence?
Toshiro felt a balmy breeze whirl around him, bringing his attention back to the gaping mouth. The Hollow screamed angrily and tried turning its head to get closer, snapping its great jaws. Quite menacing for something so large and up close, but Toshiro wasn't impressed.
The familiar balmy breeze turned into a vortex of sizzling hot ash. Toshiro smiled.
The Menos Grande screeched furiously. A red glow lit up the back of its throat right in front of him.
Searing hot ash surrounded him protectively and started coating his zanpakuto. Hyorinmaru rumbled in agreement.
“Reign over the Frosted Heavens,” he growled slowly. Ice burst around him. Ash clung to its surface, melting the outer layer and then sticking like glue to the newly frozen layer. The Hollow's cero was about to detonate. Toshiro released his locking hold against the Menos Grande's spear-length fangs.
“Shinkū no Kōri no Yaiba,” he bellowed. The ice and ash concentrated onto the tip of Hyorinmaru's blade as the Gillian's mouth came down on him glowing the eerie bright red. Toshiro anchored his hilt close to his body and a powerful blast expelled forward, creating a glacier-sized, razor-sharp sabre of ice that curved upward, impaling his opponent through the back of the throat and past the back of its skull.
The Hollow's cero halted instantly. Toshiro was in its cavernous mouth and he heard the telltale gurgle and gagging echoing around him. He ruthlessly twisted the great arc of ice and the Menos Grande shattered and dissipated like the snowflakes blowing in the wind. Hyorinmaru shifted back into his original form.
Cries of relief flowed out across the city as the civilians realized the threat had been eliminated.
The sumo beneath his feet whooped with joy, clamoring against each other in excitement as he flicked the tip of his zanpakuto away from him.
Toshiro straightened and looked out across the buildings until he spotted Rangiku. The ash swirled around her, reforming back into the blade of Haineko. She slid her zanpakuto back into her scabbard and blew a flirtatious kiss at him before disappearing. Toshiro slid Hyorinmaru back into his own scabbard and they both growled predatorily and took off after her.
“The tigress wants to be chased like a rabbit,” Hyorinmaru concluded with amusement.
Toshiro's eyes flashed hungrily, “Let's see what she's got.”
Rangiku was flashstepping across the different rooftops, zigzagging all over the place. Trying not to get caught too quickly but also desperately trying to find a good place to get captured. She was so turned on. She'd been turned on and watching his beautiful, talented body take on a Menos Grande was so hot. She couldn't wait much longer. She needed to feel him inside her.
An icy rush of air whooshed against her from the left. Rangiku dodged his hands with a squeal of fright and a laugh. Her serpentine pattern would only give her a few more seconds.
Rangiku glanced over her shoulder as she pushed off the side of a building and lunged off it in another direction. Toshiro was so close her heart leaped. He smirked at her and Rangiku laughed into the frozen night.
“Since when does a tigress become prey,” he taunted, his deep voice like gravel.
“Am I really prey if I get exactly what I want?” she threw back with a grin.
Toshiro's hand nabbed her elbow and jerked her to a stop. Rangiku pistoned her arm back at the same time she stepped back out away from his warm fingers. He tried again several times but she kept deflecting his hands. Rangiku threw in a couple defensive hand strikes.
Toshiro's white teeth flashed, “Quit using moves I taught you!”
Rangiku laughed, delighted that they were basically playing like two kids. “Only a loser would say something like that, Captain,” she waggled her golden brows at him.
Toshiro resorted to a foot sweep and knocked one of her feet out from under her. Off-balance, Rangiku squawked in alarm but he caught her and jerked her upright and into him. He smirked in triumph.
Before Rangiku could even form a pout, Toshiro grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder and took off. The speed of his flashstep and the bitter, cold wind made her eyes water so she closed them. It didn't stop her from whining haughtily, “The last time you treated me like a sack of potatoes, I didn't get a happy ending.”
Toshiro touched down abruptly, sliding to a stop, and Rangiku opened her eyes. His strong hands controlled her gradual slide down his hard body and even harder erection. She mewled and his eyes glowed with promise in the moonless night. Rangiku didn't think a lack of orgasm would be her problem tonight.
She looked around once her boots were on the ground. It looked like they were in someone's back yard. There was a stone wall that surrounded the lot, a nice wooden townhouse at the other end of the yard, and they were standing near a storage shed.
“Do you know these people?” she asked in a whisper. There was a light on inside the home.
“No,” he grunted before stalking toward her.
Rangiku backed up. The look of devious, sexual intent in his dragon eyes made her heart flutter in excitement. “Here?” she gasped. “But we're out in the middle of someone's yard,” she hissed.
Toshiro grabbed her arm and roughly maneuvered her into a large gap between the stone wall and storage shed. Snow was built up on the ground but there was definitely enough room for them to fool around.
Suddenly she found herself being spun around to face the stone wall. Toshiro pressed close behind her and pinned Rangiku's hands to the wall in front of her.
“I'm going to fuck you against this wall, Rangiku,” Toshiro growled.
His voice was rough and succinct. Rangiku gasped when he used some kind of cop move that kicked her boots apart so her feet were planted wide. He ground his thick erection into her ass and Rangiku couldn't stop the whimper from escaping her lips if she tried.
Toshiro clenched his teeth, his growl was animalistic. “I don't think I'm capable of being gentle, right now,” he warned.
Rangiku arched her back and rubbed her ass against his dick. She whimpered again. God, she wanted his cock inside her so bad!
Toshiro groaned and moved with her, “But you don't want that, do you? Admit it,” he rumbled.
Rangiku shuddered, but couldn't help her mischievous reply. “If you're feeling out of control, maybe a nice, soothing hot bath will help settle your nerves,” she smiled in the dark, her breath hot and heavy and fast.
Toshiro leaned back and clapped her hard in the meat of her ass cheek.
Rangiku yelped, “Ow!” The sharp spank had her seeing stars for a second. A shiver moved up her spine.
Toshiro smiled. Any reservations he may have felt about roughing her up flew out the window as she wiggled her ass against his dick, her body begging for it.
Rangiku gasped when his hands attacked her uniform. The material sang and hissed as he untied and whipped off her two obi. Her hakama gaped and fell to her knees. Icy air shocked her exposed skin, making her gasp and shudder.
“Haineko,” he growled out roughly. “Keep her warm,” he commanded.
She and Haineko mewled in unison and, sure enough, a swirling warmth radiated outward from Rangiku's stomach, canceling out the shock of the freezing, ambient air.
Toshiro pushed the robes over her hips to one side to get a better view of her amazing ass. She was wearing a lacy little thong that did fantastic things for one of her best features. It damn near brought him to his knees.
Rangiku's eyes fluttered when his fingers brushed along her thong. Her liquid center throbbed with need. Rangiku had never been opposed to sex in odd places. The men she'd taken to bed had tended to do just that; take her to the bed room. But Toshiro slipping his fingers into her panties and fingering her swollen clit while they hid from the land owner set her on fucking fire.
Shifting her feet, she widened her stance and wiggled her ass, inviting him to continue.
Toshiro's fingers traced her seam, but wouldn't dip inside where he knew she wanted him most. She arched her back more, rubbing that ass against his painful arousal. He leaned forward and nipped the tender skin of her neck. He growled at her in warning. “Are you sorry for teasing me tonight in front of Maria and Mameha?”
Rangiku shook her head, “It's not my fault you think I'm hot stuff.”
He delivered another sharp slap to her ass. She cried out and he slid his calloused hand across her hot, stinging flesh. “And now?”
Rangiku grit her teeth in determination. Every feministic bone in her body rebelled. “No.”
That earned her a third spanking. And then a fourth on the opposite cheek. Tears stung her eyes but whatever receptors in her brain that registered pain and pleasure were cross-firing. Her thighs trembled. She felt like someone else. She felt like a bad girl and Toshiro's body was the only one who could deliver the torment that she craved.
She fucking loved it.
His growl was hardly human, “What were you hoping to accomplish by running from me?”
Rangiku spread her fingers out wide against the cold stone, her head hung between her trembling arms. “To get you riled up,” she whispered shakily.
Toshiro's fingers traced over her slippery seam again, but this time he thrust two fingers into her soaked channel. She moaned for him.
His fingers worked magic between her legs. Rangiku unabashedly rocked her hips and rode his hand.
Toshiro thrust his erection against her, enjoying watching his hardness pushing against his hakama between those glorious cheeks of hers.
Rangiku moaned in frustration. She whispered desperately, “Toshiro, please.”
The vibration from his growl made her shiver. “Please what, beautiful? Say it,” he demanded sternly.
“I want you to fuck me, Toshiro. Right here. Right now.”
His lips nipped her ear, “Gently?”
“No,” she begged.
Rangiku gasped when his weight moved away from her. A second later, she heard the hiss of fabric as he roughly untied his obi and shoved at the material of his uniform. The sound of him shifting fabric aside as he pulled out his cock in the dark was insanely erotic. His hands slid across her ass and up to her hips. Rangiku thought he was going to move her panties aside but he grabbed the thong and tore it in two with his bare hands.
“Oh my god,” she panted. She was so turned on she thought she was going to die.
Rangiku tried to turn around in his arms, but he forced her shoulders down so her ass stuck out again. “No. You're going to stay right where I want you while I give you exactly what you asked for,” he growled low. Toshiro pushed her feet apart again. He ran his fingers up and down her slit.
Rangiku whimpered when his bare cock dragged down her crack, leaving a small trail of precum in its wake. Rangiku lifted up onto the balls of her feet, silently begging his body to thrust home. The broad head of his cock pushed through her soaked lips and teased her with a few languid strokes that didn't penetrate. Her cunt throbbed and suckled his tip. The bastard chuckled behind her but he didn't sound amused. It sounded like he was in pain.
“If you want me to stop, what will you say?” he asked suddenly.
Flustered, Rangiku blinked, trying to focus. “I can't just say stop?”
Even though she couldn't see him, Toshiro shook his head, “No, that'll turn me on.”
Her stomach leapt, “Even if I say please?”
“Especially if you say please.”
Rangiku's cunt quivered and he pushed only the head of his penis in. She moaned and clenched at him.
“I need a safe word, beautiful.” His words were strained.
Rangiku blurted out the first random word she thought of, “Cupcakes!”
Toshiro slid into her from behind and they both groaned at the tight, hot friction. “Don't scream,” he growled.
His command was almost impossible to obey. His thick length stretched her open, giving her the intense pressure she'd desperately been craving. She sobbed out a moan when he began to move. Hard, grinding thrust in, slow slide out. Her arms trembled and buckled at the elbows. Rangiku pressed her forehead into her forearm against the wall. “Yes,” she whispered as her thighs quaked. She started chanting, “Yes, yes, yes..” as he took what he wanted, harder and harder.
Toshiro drove into her, gripping her hips tightly. Fuck she was so wet, so tight, so fucking perfect. He threw in a couple slow grinds, making her feel him inch by inch. Toshiro bottomed out, burying himself deep.
Rangiku cried out when his thick cock ground up into her G-spot and her whole body clenched up with an intensity that started to unravel her. She'd never had an orgasm like it. Rather than exploding all at once, it started out slow and tried to turn her inside out. A ringing went off in her head as her body tried to contract around his dick over and over again.
When the ringing subsided, she realized sluggishly that it had actually been her cries of ecstasy. Toshiro started moving faster now. Aggressive. He squeezed her ass and spread her cheeks wide, growling as he yanked backward. Driving in harder and deeper. His rasping breaths and snarls made him sound like a beast. She was wet and swollen and he was rough and relentless. It felt like every thrust would tear her apart.
She loved every second of it. The pain mixed with her pleasure. The fact that she was driving him to this furious, out-of-control state had her eyes rolling back. Toshiro, the most honorable and disciplined man she knew, was fucking her like a mounted stallion. A slave to his own desire. And she'd turned him into that.
It made her feel powerful and sexy. Like a goddess.
Just when she thought she couldn't take anymore, Toshiro grabbed her hair with one hand, attacked her clit with the other, and started to come. He barely pulled out between thrusts, keeping his throbbing cock buried deep. The pressure sent Rangiku tumbling over the edge again. Her previous orgasm had never really quit, so feeling him swell up and blow sent it ramping up to new heights. He yanked on her hair with a monster growl as he unloaded into her and the thrill of his aggression made her cum even harder.
Toshiro ground into her one last time. His groan could've split the earth in two. Buried to the hilt, Rangiku moaned, feeling his hot cum shooting into her seizing channel, unleashing every drop he had left.
Her thighs shook so hard, she thought she'd crumple to the ground, but Rangiku knew he had her.
“Toshiro,” she whispered as she straightened up again.
He slid his cock out and leaned into her back. He gently kissed her neck and she closed her eyes, catching her breath. Toshiro had fucked her senseless in a strangers back yard and she'd never felt so alive.
“You okay?” he asked gruffly.
“Yeah,” she sighed with a breathy laugh.
Toshiro slid his hands up her ribs, gently bringing her back into him, and cupped her glorious tits. He tweaked her pebbled nipples lazily. “You're shaking,” he murmured.
Rangiku could hear the arrogant male pride and clucked her tongue at him. “Shut up,” she pouted. Rangiku turned in his arms and playfully pushed her hands against his pectorals. The frozen air rustled around them and she shuddered. As she took in her surroundings, Rangiku started giggling. They were both standing there, robes open and hakama down to their knees. “We are quite a site,” she chuckled.
Toshiro yanked his hakama up impatiently and started getting his uniform back in order. He hummed contentedly in reply. Her hands were shaking enough that she dropped her hakama as she fumbled. Hearing her soft curse, Toshiro smirked. He stepped closer, slid his hands around to cup her luscious booty, and squeezed. “Let me help,” he murmured. She raised a sarcastic eyebrow and he chuckled, “I don't think I can physically stop my hands from touching your skin anymore.”
A tremor moved up Rangiku's creamy thighs as he moved to grab her hakama. Despite there being no moon, Toshiro dropped to one knee when his sharp eyes zeroed in on the juicy mess they'd made. Their combined cum was leaking out of her cunt and her own clear honey was smeared all over her upper thighs. He groaned and started to pull her to him.
Rangiku watched his tongue lick his lips hungrily. She put a hand on his shoulder to stop him, “I'm not going to be able to walk home if you do that.”
Toshiro's eyes narrowed at her, “I don't see what the problem is.”
Rangiku snorted, but was cut short by the loud clap of a shoji door.
“I don't hear nothing,” called an old man's voice, sounding unconcerned.
Toshiro and Rangiku froze.
“The New Year's fireworks could be going off in the street and you wouldn't 'hear nothing', Hiro,” griped a matronly woman in reply.
“Yeah, yeah...” he grumbled and paused. “I'm sure it's just cats, Kaede,” he pondered.
“That was no cats, I heard,” she huffed. Rangiku could almost imagine a woman shaking her finger at the old guy, “That was the sound of kids doing the Devil's Dance! Too close to the house, if you ask me!”
The old man huffed, “Now, why would kids be doing that in this weather?”
Rangiku and Toshiro looked at each other with sheepish expressions.
The old lady must have given him a look, because the old man grumbled, “Okay, okay.”
Rangiku gasped when she heard the old man's first muffled step into the snow. Despite the deep white layer, the stone pathway that went through the center of the yard was visible and she had a feeling the old man was going to take that to the back of the yard to check the gate. The gate that was right by the shed they were hiding beside.
Toshiro knew they didn't have much time to get themselves in order. Rangiku oophed when he grabbed her hakama and jerked them up to her waist as he stood up. She slapped his hands away when he began trying to hurriedly tie the first obi. “You're not doing it right!” she whispered frantically.
Toshiro blinked at her. “We don't have time to do it right,” he whispered back.
Rangiku undid the sloppy knot so she could shove in her shitagi and kosode into her hakama. The old man's grumbles were getting louder and she whispered urgently, “Where are my panties?”
Toshiro gave her a bewildered look as he snatched the to-go cup, her yellow organza obi, and Lieutenant's badge from the snow. “I killed them, remember?” he whispered back.
“We can't leave pieces of my freaking busted thong in these people's yard!” she hissed as she looped the sheer obi around herself.
She was fumbling with the ends in her panic and Toshiro saw the old guy turn their way. They had seconds.
Rangiku hadn't even looped a knot before Toshiro suddenly rushed her. Rangiku tried not to squeal in surprise when he shoved the blasted to-go cup into her hands, scooped her up into his arms, and flash jumped straight upward.
“What in the world?” the old man exclaimed, holding up an oil lantern.
From up on top the owner's stone fence, Toshiro held the blonde bundle in his arms and eyed the old guy's bald spot that tied into a tiny ponytail.
That had been cutting it a little too close.
An old woman wrapped up tight in blankets peeked into the darkness from inside the cracked shoji doors over in the house. She held up her own lantern to try to see. “What? What is it?” she called.
“There's footprints over here and all the snow is melted behind the shed!”
Toshiro snorted but they were gone by the time the old man looked up to investigate. Rangiku had the decency to look chagrined. “Good job keeping her warm, Haineko,” he chuckled.
He came to a stop on a flat rooftop so Rangiku could right herself.
She huffed as she finished tying and tucking, “I can't believe you left my panties behind.”
Toshiro shrugged, “It's not like they will find your underwear intact.” He had thoroughly enjoyed ripping them to pieces. Just thinking about that ass in that lacy garment had him frowning. “Also, expect that to happen to all your thongs. I won't hold myself accountable for my actions.”
Rangiku smacked him in the shoulder, “But they make my booty look fantastic!”
Toshiro's mouth quirked, “Agreed.”
She squawked at him but started laughing. “I guess that means I'll be buying a lot more underwear.”
Toshiro narrowed his eyes sarcastically, “As if that will be some kind of hardship.”
Rangiku laughed again but sighed, “I still can't believe we lost my panties.”
An image of what the old man would find popped into his head and made Toshiro laugh. Rangiku eyed him suspiciously and he shrugged, “Maybe they'll think it's a slingshot.”

*~****~*
A/N:
January 26, 2022: I haven't started Chapter 9 yet. I have some general plot points I know I want to cover but have been focusing on polishing this one up first. It's difficult to be in the mindset to write when working FT and exhausted bc of LIFE. I use writing as an artistic outlet but I can't get to it every day. Thank you for your patience and for sending reviews my way! It always lifts my spirits.
As always, remember that I'm not quitting this story! Even though it has taken me years, I am slowly chugging my way through it.
Also, I've spotted some new releases in the manga and the newly anticipated season of Bleach. I'm so deep into my own plot now that this might as well be considered an AU and there's no going back! I like my story better ANYWAYS lol.
Thanks again!
- 7
- 8
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Oh Captain! My Captain!