Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters.

Sixth

For the first time since she had joined the Eighth Division, Nanao woke up on her birthday and did not find a neatly folded yukata waiting for her. Of course, this was the first time she had woken up on her birthday wrapped in Shunsui Kyoraku’s arms. With a smile, Nanao snuggled a little deeper into her husband’s embrace. They had been married this spring after the all of the mess from the Winter War was cleaned up. Shunsui’s only response was to mumble something in his sleep and tighten his arms around her. Not that Nanao minded. She really wasn’t in a hurry to get out of bed. Changing her morning ritual on her birthday didn’t really bother her at all. Though, Nanao decided, she’d like her husband to be awake for it.

It was much later than normal when Nanao finally made it to the office. She was dressed in a new yukata though. Shunsui had insisted on giving her yet another one. Of course, this year’s was pink with a pattern of white cherry blossoms, but she could live with that. She could also live with the fact that her desk seemed practically overflowing with gifts this year. Probably because she had insisted on people not going overboard with wedding gifts. With a sigh, Nanao shoved the lingerie in a desk drawer; that was definitely from Rangiku. The complete tea set and several canisters of her favorite teas was much more appreciated as well the complete set of Shakespeare’s plays. Nanao also found several bottles of sake which made her raise her eyebrow. She had married the man, not acquired his addictions.

She sorted through the rest of the gifts, determining what she could carry back to her new quarters and what she’d need to make a second trip for. Or, Nanao smiled, she could wait until her husband came looking for her, and then it would only take one trip. This plan worked quite well. And then Shunsui decided he should give her the other gift he had for her before they headed off to lunch which happened to be earrings that matched the necklace he’d given her last year. The two of them lingered over lunch, engrossed in a discussion of literature.

Nanao would admit she wasn’t quite used to letting Shunsui wrap an arm around her waist in public or the way that some people did double takes when they walked by, but she enjoyed being with Shunsui too much to care. She had been in love with this man for years before she had taken a chance and acted on it, and in her mind, she had a number of lost opportunities to make up for. Though her birthday never really was one. Her birthday had always been one of the few times of the year that she felt comfortable just being herself and spending the day with Shunsui. And their marriage really hadn’t changed their traditions around this day much.

And it was much nice to watch the fireworks sitting in Shunsui’s lap instead of sitting beside him. He kissed the top of her head, and Nanao let out a content sigh. It really was a good birthday.