Admiring The View (solo)

It was a pleasantly warm evening as the sun started to set. Tatsuya seemed to be floating on air as he strode through the streets of Seireitei. He had just ended his tour of duty for the day and quickly went to his barracks to bathe and change. He wore a simple black and grey kimono with a black haori as he headed to pick up Sumiko for their first dinner date. In his right hand, he carried a small bouquet of colorful flowers. He cheerfully glided through the 4th squad gates and pleasantly greeted each the members he passed. Tatsuya walked into the 4th squad barracks and started making his way down the hall to Sumiko's room. He stopped in front the door and gave it a firm three knocks. Casually, he held the bouquet of flowers in front of him just above his waist, when the door opened. Out walked a male shinigami wearing only the lower portion of his shihakusho, carrying a bottle of sake. Tatsuya was, needless to say, a bit surprised and disappointed at his predicament and his face showed it. The man looked at Tatsuya without the slightest bit of surprise. "Well, I appreciate the gesture, but you are not my type." The man finally said taking into account the bouquet of flowers, which brought back Tatsuya from his disappointed thoughts. "I'm sorry. I'm looking for 3rd seat Sumiko Miyamoto's room." Tatsuya politely inquired. "Ah. That would be the door right behind you my large companion." The man looked around Tatsuya and cordially pointed behind. "Oh, uh, thank you very much. Sorry to have disturbed you." Tatsuya gave a respectful bow to the man. "Don't worry about it, I was barely gonna start." He let Tatsuya rise and raised his sake grasping hand before turning around and closing the door.

Spoiler:

Tatsuya turned to the door the man pointed out and knocked on it. The knock was more tentative than the last time and he hid the bouquet of flowers behind his back, not wanting another repeat of before; just in case. "Just a minute." A sweet voice echoed from the other side of the door. There was know mistaking that voice. Tatsuya knew it was Sumiko's and immediately perked up, drawing in a deep breath of renewed enthusiasm. The door opened and Tatsuya's deep breath was immediately taken away by the sight before him. "Oh my, you look..." "Beautiful" Tatsuya breathlessly cut into Sumiko's sentence without realizing it. "I'm sorry. I meant you look beautiful." Tatsuya quickly corrected himself. "Oh, *nervous chuckle* Thank you" Sumiko blushed and gently padded her up tied hair, nervously making sure it was okay. She wore an attractive blue on blue kimono with pink butterflies and a big pink obi sash. It took a moment but Tatsuya finally remembered the flowers he had bought for her. "I, um.. *head shack* I got these for you." He nervously brought out the flowers in front of Sumiko. "Oh, thank you. They're lovely." She reached out for the flowers and breathed in their sweet aroma. "Let me just put them in a vase." She began to turn around. "Just a minute." Tatsuya came up with an quick idea as Sumiko turned back towards him. "May I?" Tatsuya plucked out the only pink flower in the bouquet before Sumiko could answer. Sumiko's heart fluttered uncontrollably when Tatsuya stepped closer after plucking the flower. Tatsuya ever so carefully placed the flower he took into Sumiko's hair, making sure no to disturb her hard work. "There." Tatsuya took a step back to admire the view. "When given the perfect setting, even an already beautiful flower can seem even more radiant." Tatsuya said softly causing Sumiko's cheeks heat up more than she thought possible. It took a moment for Sumiko to recover from the compliment. "Oh. Uh, right. The vase." She remembered the flowers in her hands. Rather than look around for the vase she quickly filled a tall glass with water as a substitute. Sumiko took the small amount of time to recompose herself.

Spoiler:

Once the flowers were in the water, Sumiko went out the door to an awaiting Tatsuya and their first date had officially started. They went to a quiet restaurant in Rukongai, taken by rickshaw. The ride was comfortably quiet as they watched the scenery pass by. By the time they got to the restaurant, the sun had completely set. Before, during, and after dinner, they conversed about almost anything except work in the Gotei Thirteen. They even shared a desert and talked about some of their more embarrassing moments in the academy. After dinner they decided to walk back to Seireitei and enjoy each others company, with Sumiko's arm wrapped around Tatsuya's, staying close. As they made their way back they spotted a group of five children appearing no older than 10 years old, the youngest looking around 6 years old. The group was standing on the other side of the road, looking at a candy vendor closing shop. "Hold up." Tatsuya suggested to Sumiko just after passing the children. He quickly jogged back over to the candy vendor and purchased five small bags of confetti candy. As he walked back over to Sumiko, bags in hand, the children could only drool at the amount of candy the large man about. Tatsuya just gave them a nice smile as he passed by and handed all the bags to Sumiko. "Why are you giving me all this?" Sumiko was genuinly confused with Tatsuya. "You'll see" he looked at Sumiko with a childlike and yet almost mischievous smile before looking at the children. "So which on of you wants candy?" Without a moments hesitation all the children started running towards the person with the candy. Sumiko eyes shot open in surprise, thinking she was going to get tackled, as the children ran straight towards her. Tatsuya stepped in front of the children just as they were closing in. "Whoa whoa whoa." He laughed as the children made a screeching halt. "It's not that easy." The children looked up at Tatsuya, clearly disappointed with his teasing. "You guys have to work for it." Four out of the five children let out a united "huh?" while the oldest of the bunch looked up with determination for the prize. Even Sumiko was confused again at Tatsuya's suggestion but wait patiently for his response. "What do we have to do?" The oldest child asked with nerve. Tatsuya let out a loud laugh for the older kid's spirit. "You got spunk, kid. All you have to do is beat me in a race." Tatsuya smiled and looked towards Sumiko. Sumiko gave him a look that said, "You're kidding right. There is now way they can win." But Tatsuya ignored the look as if he never saw it and turned back to the children. "That's it? Just beat you?" The older child tried to confirm with Tatsuya. "That's it" Tatsuya confirmed. "Whoever beats me gets the candy." Tatsuya finished. "Okay, you're on." The older boy agreed.

Tatsuya pointed out the starting and finish lines and waited for the children to line up. Sumiko still had her doubts, she wasn't sure if Tatsuya was a very competitive person, but to raise the children's hopes like this was a turn off. "On your mark. Get set. Go" Tatsuya shouted and the race started. He didn't give it his all, but he gave a healthy effort staying in the lead. As he neared the finish line he gave it a last ditch effort and ran faster, only to trip and tumble all the way, to just inches away from the finish line. Sumiko let out a giggle as Tatsuya tumbled on the ground. He made it seem like he tried to finish the race, but still came in last place. "All right. Which one of you tripped me?!" He asked firmly as the children celebrated their victory, causing them to look frightened at him. "Tatsuya Okibi, you know very well that they didn't trip you." Sumiko spoke up from behind him as she walked over. "Are you sure? I know one of them had to..." "Stop it!" Sumiko gave him a playful slap on his arm as she cut him off, smiling at him. "Here you go." She handed the children their candy as Tatsuya dusted himself off, smiling at Sumiko. "Thank you, miss" The children cheerfully called out as they ran to their homes. Sumiko waved to them as they left her sight and then turned back to Tatsuya. "That was very sweet of you." Sumiko leaned in and kissed Tatsuya on the cheek as he dusted off his legs. "I have know idea what your talking about." Tatsuya finished dusting himself as best he could and stood straight up. "I know you tripped over on purpose." She accused Tatsuya playfully. "I swear I have no...Ow!" Sumiko gave him another playful slap. "Okay okay. I let them win." He let out a soft chuckle as he held out his arm to Sumiko. "You didn't think I would just take advantage of them, did you?" He looked down at Sumiko, meeting her innocent eyes. "Ouch, that hurts." Tatsuya said before giving Sumiko a chance to answer, earning him another playful slap. "I'll admit, I had my doubts for a second, but if I had thought you were that kind of man, we wouldn't be here right now. On this date." She smiled up at Tatsuya as they continued walking. They spent the next hour walking to Seireitei up to the 4th squad barracks, where they spent hours more in the garden, just talking. Once they were both yawning uncontrollably, Tatsuya escorted Sumiko back to her room. "I had a really great time, Tatsuya. Next time I'll pick the events for the night." Sumiko hinted obviously to Tatsuya, who could only offer a million dollar smile. Tatsuya regained his composure and leaned over to kiss Sumiko, closing his eyes. Everything faded to white.

When he opened his eyes, it was dark. He was in his bed, in his room, in Zamoreus' complex. It had all been a dream. No, it was a memory; a happy memory. It was still dark out, and the only light was the dim light from the electronics in the bedroom. Tatsuya slowly eased out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. "She doesn't deserve this." He groggily looked at himself in the mirror. "I don't deserve her." He looked back into the bedroom where Sumiko lay peacefully asleep, as beautiful as on the day of their first date. He referred to the torment he was under, because of Raiden. But she wouldn't leave him. Not for anything that was thrown at them. He slowly eased himself back into bed. He lay in bed awake, staring up at the ceiling, remembering better days. Sumiko turned over and draped her arm across Tatsuya's bare chest, still fast asleep. Tatsuya brushed aside the hair on her face and simply admired the view, just as he had done countless times.