A Shinigami Valentine

Valentine's Day arrived the following day. Akina had received her messenger delivery late the previous evening. No names were enclosed on the questionnaires, only the original information rewritten so as to obscure the owners identity. She didn't look at the questions. She set them aside, instead focusing on the instructions for her Valentine's meeting. She was to go to the only decent restaurant within the Sereitei, the Golden Lotus, at precisely eight o'clock. Each pair had been given a small flower to wear. The color of the flower would identify their partner. Akina thought the whole process was a bit hokey but she played along. It was the final instruction in the letter that disturbed her most. Formal attire required. Not recommended but required.

"Honestly, Nanao goes overboard on the compulsory, required, mandatory bullshit." she muttered as she stared into her closet for something to wear. Normally, she would borrow something from Chizu but she hadn't spoken to her since the incident after the bar. She hadn't apologize yet and it was pissing her off.

Akina held a yellow sun dress up to her chest as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her red hair fell wildly around her face. It was wavy and hard to control. She rarely tried, leaving it loose instead. Her green eyes stared back at her. They'd always seemed to large, too easy for others to read. She frowned. She wasn't anything special in her opinion but she wasn't particularly ugly either. She just looked and felt average. Her body, lean and slender, had a few more curves than Soifon but again, nothing spectacular. She sighed. She knew Chizu had a point but some men preferred smaller women, she thought defiantly. Even if it had been the truth, Chizu shouldn't have said those hurtful words. Akina turned away from the mirror, tossing the dress aside. It wouldn't do. She really had nothing to wear.

A timid knock sounded at her door. Akina frowned as she glanced at the clock. It was after seven. Who could it be? She jerked the door open, surprised to find Chizu waiting outside.

"Hey, Akina." she said softly. Akina glared at her.

"What do you want?" she snapped, still angry.

"I thought you might need something to wear tonight. These won't fit me anymore so I thought they might fit you." she offered. Akina glanced at the silky dresses she held out. A deep green one caught her eye but she didn't want to accept them.

"Look, Akina, I'm sorry. I realize what I said and it was a mean thing to say. I wasn't thinking. I was so upset over what happened." she cried out quickly. Akina's anger softened slightly.

"I'm really sorry, Akina. You're like my only friend and this whole week's been miserable without you to talk to...and I can't do a thing with my hair. Please help me!" she whined. Akina noticed for the first time that Chizu's long blonde hair was hanging in loose clumps around her shoulders.

"Fine! Come on in." Akina snapped, stepping back. Chizu happily flew into her small quarters.

"I think this red one will look really good on you." Chizu said excitedly as she dumped the small pile of clothes onto the bed. Akina looked the clingy red dress over with a smile but reached instead for the green brocade one.

"I like this one." she said softly, holding the chinese-styled cheongsam against her to see if it would fit.

"That one brings out your eyes." Chizu agreed. "Try it on. We don't have much time."

"Okay..." Akina agreed, dropping her robe and sliding the silky garment over her head. It fit perfectly, accentuating her slight curves well.

"What do you think?" she asked. Chizu smiled.

"You look beautiful." she exclaimed. Akina smiled.

"Okay, let me get some underwear and stockings on then I'll fix your hair." Akina laughed, finally getting excited about the evening.

"Are you going to leave your hair down?" Chizu asked as she pulled the blonde's curly hair high on her head.

"Yeah, I was going to. You know I don't like to fuss with my hair." Akina commented. Chizu grinned.

"Let me try something, okay?" she said with a wicked grin. Akina watched as her friend rummaged through her small kitchen then returned with two green and gold chopsticks.

"Sit down!" she ordered, running a brush through Akina's wavy red hair. She knotted it gracefully then secured it with the chopsticks.

"It'll never stay." Akina commented, staring at her reflection.

"If you leave it alone, it will. Now, come on or we'll be late. What color flower do you have?"

"Red." Akina replied, attaching the red lily to her dress with a pin. She turned to help Chizu attach her white orchid to her pale blue dress.

"You look good." she said softly, admiring her friends full figure.

"You, too. Let's go have fun." Chizu said happily.