Mistletoe

Katrina was on her way to her Barracks after a long day of paperwork when she was nearly barreled over by Matsumoto.  The 10th Company Assistant Captain had with her a large shopping bag.

“Katrina-chan!” Matsumoto exclaimed, as she reached into the bag.  “I was just looking for you! Here!” Out of the bag was a small wrapped box. “It’s for you and Izuru, but don’t open it unless he’s there with you.” She handed Katrina the box and rushed off without another word.

“Eh?” Katrina replied to herself, as Matsumoto had already left. Curious, she turned and headed over toward 3rd Company’s Barracks to visit Kira.  Since the present was for the both of them, it made sense that they open it together.

“Katrina!” Kira called out from the doorway of 3rd Company’s Barracks.  “I was just on my way to see you.” He jogged over to her and met her at the middle of the path.

“That was a wasted effort,” she said. “We’re just going back toward your Barracks, you know.”

“Or not,” Kira grinned. “What if I was to take you back to yours? Or out to eat dinner?”

Katrina sighed, before shaking her head with a slight smile.

Kira finally saw the box Katrina had in her hand. “What’s that box?”

“Oh, Rangiku gave it to me as a present for us.  Looks like she’s giving everyone presents. Don’t know why though.”

Kira took Katrina’s hand and walked with her back to his Barracks. “Oh right, you’re not familiar with the winter holidays.”

“Along with many other things,” she replied as Kira let her into his Barracks.  “So what are these holidays?”

“We’ve adopted some of the holidays that are celebrated in the Human World,” he explained.  “During the winter there’s a few holidays, but the main one is one called Christmas. It’s a day where people give gifts to family, friends and other loved ones.”

“I see,” Katrina said, holding up the small box. “Should we open it now?”

“Did Rangiku say it was a Christmas gift?”

“No, all she said was to open it only when you’re with me.”

“Well then let’s open it.”  Kira peered over Katrina’s shoulder while she fumbled to remove the wrappings and opened the box.

“What...is this?” Katrina asked, taking out a small branch with green leaves and red berries.

Kira’s heart started to race as he knew what that was. And... what it meant.  “I uh... that’s um..”

Katrina turned around. “Are you okay?” she asked as she saw how flustered he was.

He nodded as he reached for the object. “It’s called mistletoe.  And uh.. people have to..um... kiss under it.”

Katrina blinked as it slowly dawned on her why Matsumoto told her to only open it with Kira, her face turning red.

“Well, since we’re here,” he smiled, holding up the mistletoe over their heads.  He leaned over and gave her a light kiss.

Katrina stood there motionless. It had been only a few months since they started going out and while they held hands or hugged, he had only kissed her on her cheek or on the top of her head. Kira knew she had never been raised with the idea of relationships and was incredibly patient with her, never trying to force anything, not even a kiss on the lips. She had seen people kiss before while in Karakura, as well as in those shoujo mangas she borrowed from Pandora, but...this...he...was this really happening?

“Katrina?” Kira asked as he moved away from her. He looked at her and smiled. She was cute when she got confused.  He decided to kiss her again, and this time she returned his kiss, at first hesitantly, but gave in and let her instincts take over.

First it was Rukia Kuchiki that got Katrina to give in and start going out with Kira and now Matsumoto with this Mistletoe gift that got them into doing...this. As they fumbled their way toward the floor, Kira tossed the Mistletoe aside. They didn’t need it anymore.

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It would be late in morning before Katrina left Kira’s Barracks with him in tow.  They obviously missed breakfast and decided to go get an early lunch.  

“Oh Katrina-chan! Izuru!” Matsumoto called out as she ran over to them. “I see that my gift worked. I’m so glad. We were all so concerned about the welfare of you two.”

“Wha...what do you mean, Rangiku?” Kira asked, pulling Katrina toward him. Katrina’s cheeks started to turn pink

Matsumoto chuckled. “Well Shuhei, Renji, Yumichika, Rukia and I all felt that you two were like school kids, with the way you behaved so innocently with each other, so I figured that I would help you two along.”

Kira and Katrina were both speechless. Was it really that obvious? Everyone knew about Katrina’s upbringing and her dislike of showing affection in public.  But apparently some prodding was needed. And from Matsumoto it was more like a swift smack to the back of the head.

Matsumoto gave them a wink as she turned to leave. “I’ll go tell Rukia where you were, Katrina-chan, so she doesn’t have to worry about you.”  She dashed away before Katrina could reply.

“Are we really that...awkward?” Katrina asked, as Kira sighed and started walking toward where the market area was.

“Maybe for the others,” he replied. “Are you awkward with me?”

Katrina shook her head. “I’m awkward with myself. You know this.”

“I know,” he said. “And I’ll help you get rid of that feeling. Let’s go, I’m getting hungry.”

She smiled, realizing that she’s never had someone like Kira. Someone who would help her be herself. She hooked her arm through his as they walked toward their usual little hole in the wall eatery.

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“I'm trying to remember
Why I was afraid
To be myself and let the
Covers fall away
I guess I never had someone like you
To help me, to help me fit
In my skin”
~~ Avril Lavigne - “Naked”

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Katrina Lau, Pandora Takano (c) Tygerlander
Bleach (c) Tite Kubo
100 Theme Challenge 64. Lovers