Lianda (Urahara + Orihime):

Urahara blinked unsuspectingly at the curious and shy-sounding knock upon his sliding door (the side door of the Urahara All-Purpose Chappy Stick Shop was what he called it in his head), picked himself up, and walked towards the door with a jig in his step and a twinkle in his eye. Maybe it was assistant-moustache-man coming back with some street meat. That, or it was Yoruichi with some "street meat" if-ya-know-what-I’m-sayin’.

...boy, was Urahara ever hungry.

To his surprise, however, Urahara opened his door to reveal a slightly disheveled Orihime, laughing sheepishly with an apologetic smile. “Urahara-san! Um...aa....”

“Eh?” Urahara blinked, non-plussed. “Orihime-chan...what brings you here?”

Orihime looked down, blushing. “Well...um...” she opened up a bag to reveal a box of warm-smelling goodies. Still not quite meeting his eye, she said softly, “Well, see I made too much, for, for dinner, yes? And I was going to bring it to...for...Kurosaki-kun but...well see he had to...to leave and...” Orihime’s voice faded softly into a sigh, but then as quick as a flash, she shook her head and look up with a shining smile. “So I thought I’d bring it over to you!”

Not quite street meat, but Urahara’s heart softened, and he suspected it would taste just as fabulous. “Sounds tremendous, Orihime-san!” He rubbed his hands in anticipation. “What is it?”

Orihime beamed. “Pork rinds steeped in strawberry milkshake!”


Riko (Momo + Yoruichi):

What is came down to in the end was that Renji and Izuru were both cowards. Momo steeled herself, tried to steady her shaking hands, and took a step in the direction of the upperclassman. As she walked (one foot in front of the other in front of the other – and breathe for the love of god, Hinamori, breathe), she thought about exactly what punishment would be most appropriate for them.

This train of though was abruptly halted, however, as the target upperclassman turned around and spotted Momo creeping towards her.

“Yes?” said the upperclassman, eyebrows arching into two sharp parabolas.

Momo blushed. “I- I’m sorry to bother you, Yoruichi-senpai,” she stuttered and then, on a huge rush of breath, “butmyfriendsandIhaveabetaboutyourcupsize.”

Yoruichi looked at her for a moment with an indecipherable expression. Then she shrugged, one shoulder rolling up to nearly the bottom of her earlob, and reached up under the back of her shirt. A few seconds of wiggling and resorting clothing later, Momo was presented with a black bra - tag intact.

"Go wild," Yoruichi said and grinned sharply.


Lianda (Rukia + Hitsugaya):

Rukia closed her eyes, breathed, and lifted up her zanpaktou, perfectly balanced, in front of her, letting the light caress its sharp, silvery edge. Letting out her breath in a slow trickle, she released the sword’s soul-spirit, let it course around her, but still knew that she was still shy. Shy of the power and not yet ready. Cursing under her breath, she tried a desperate lunge, felt Sode no Shirayuki’s frozen wave expand, greater and greater, and then collapse under her fading will. Rukia sighed, shoulders dropping, and tightly shut her eyes. She did not hear the step until he was right behind her.

“Sometimes it is better to be dispassionate in battle, you know, especially with your type of soul-companion.” A voice stated softly, coolly.

Rukia’s eyes widened, and she flipped around, almost already bowing. “Hitsugaya-taichou!”

Hitsugaya’s lip turned up in a slight smile of welcome, before dragging back down again in bitterness. “I should know after all.” He turned up his face, but although Hitsugaya’s icy blue eyes were looking straight into Rukia’s, he still seemed to be looking inside. “To overcome the enemy, it is better sometimes not to feel,” he said stonily. “And not to lose yourself.” He glared critically at Rukia and her sword. “You will never reach the kind of power you want if you keep letting your emotions get in the way.”

Rukia frowned, looking down at Sode. It seemed to reverberate up her arm. Turning back to Hitsugaya, she replied, in a voice full of steel. “Thank for the advice, Captain, but I think I’ll find another way.” She gazed into his cold eyes. “Or maybe I’m not meant to have your kind of strength.” With that she walked away from the practice room, leaving the boy-man alone.

Hitsugaya heaved a sigh. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Some strength.” before leaving the room himself.

-end-