Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list xi. This is AU. Theme #03: Stay Out of Nightclubs.

Nightlife

Jyuushiro couldn't figure out why he let Shunsui talk him into this. It would not be the first time that Shunsui dragged him along for a bar crawl. It typically never ended well. Though over the years he had gotten some great blackmail material out of it. Still, it never was a good idea, especially when Shunsui was in this mood.

The reason for this particular bar crawl was clear to Jyuu. Shunsui had fallen in love. And to be honest, this time Jyuushiro rather thought it was serious. However, there were a number of complications, including the fact that Nanao Ise was currently both Shunsui's student and research assistant. Shunsui wasn't about to really start courting her until she had finished her B.A. Not that it made things easier on his best friend knowing there was a good reason not to get involved at the moment. Hence the bar crawl.

And it also explained why Jyuu had agreed to come along, even if he was regretting it now. There were reasons he avoided bars, the noise and crowds were only two of them. He shook his head, watching Shunsui knock back yet another drink. It was going to be a long night.

Behind him, a side door opened drawing in a rush of cool air and stream of cigarette smoke. The smell was enough to set him off, and Jyuushiro pressed a hand to his chest as the coughing fit started. The only thing he could really do was ride it out. A gentle hand rest on his back, and pair of concerned blue eyes peered up at him. Jyuushiro hadn't noticed the petite raven haired woman before.

She smiled at him. "Are you all right?"

He nodded at her as the coughs finally died down. "Fine."

That prompted another coughing fit.

She frowned at him. "Sit down."

Jyuu was almost bemused as the woman pushed him down onto one of the stools and ordered him a glass of water. The lady was frowning at him slightly.

"Have you had that cough long?" She cut herself off then smiled disarmingly. "I'm sorry. It's habit. I'm a doctor. Retsu Unohana."

He smiled back. "Jyuushiro Ukitake. Don't worry about it. I just got a whiff too much of that smoke. It set the cough off."

The water arrived, and Retsu looked at him expectantly. Jyuushiro followed her instructions and drank. The cool water did sooth his throat a little. At Retsu's concerned look, he smiled.

"I really am fine. Where do you practice?"

She perched on the stool beside him. "Seireitei Central Hospital for the most part. Part time at a couple of clinics around town. What about you?"

He grinned at her. "I'm a lawyer, mostly non-profit work."

The two of them easily struck up a conversation, and before long Jyuu found himself truly enjoying himself for the first time this evening. He was laughing over one of Retsu's stories when Shunsui appeared at his elbow. His best friend took in the scene and smirked at him.

"And you were complaining about going out tonight."

Retsu's cell phone chose that moment to go off. She glanced down at it before rising to her feet.

"I've got to go. But look me up sometime, Jyuushiro. You know where I work."

She kissed his cheek before disappearing into the crowd. Jyuushiro couldn't help the grin. Maybe it was worth having Shunsui drag him to bars after all.