heated passions

Shinigami-in-training Kyouraku Shunsui had arranged the rendezvous with the dedication of a practiced arsonist. Academy life had been good for him and taught him many useful skills, such as military timing, concealment, and procurement of supplies. Nobody denied he was an enthusiastic student, though certain tutors would have made loud and pointed remarks about his chosen subjects of study.

"I'm not sure why you asked for wasabi and pesto, though," he said as he and Ukitake Jyuushirou made themselves comfortable. "They won't go with the rest of the meal."

"Well," Jyuushirou said tentatively, "I've been doing some applicable reading in the library -"

"It's always the quiet ones," Shunsui said wisely.

"- and there was some very interesting stuff about peppermint. And certain other food types."

Shunsui leaned over to get a better look at Jyuushirou's notes. After some slapping aside of wandering hands and attempts to see the sketch entitled PORTRAIT OF RETSU'S BOSOM, he found the relevant section. "I see," he said slowly.

"And there's this bit here. About how if you get an interestingly warming sensation from simple application on non-sensitive body areas, how much more interesting it might get if applied elsewhere."

"I see."

"Not to mention the oral effects -"

"Jyuushirou," Shunsui said, tossing the scroll aside, "shut up and pass me the wasabi."

A thousand years later, Ise Nanao knocked on her Captain's office door and stepped inside primly. "Sir -"

"Ah! My lovely Nanao-chan!"

She ignored his fluttering eyelashes with the ease of long practice. "Sir, I was going through those old Academy lecture and kidou notes which you were kind enough to share with me . . ."

He sighed. "Your enthusiasm is worthy of a better cause, lovely Nanao-chan. Like -"

". . . and I was a little confused by one section." She advanced to where he was sprawled over the couch, unrolled a scroll, and pointed a finger. "Why, in the section on Menos Grande combat methods, have you written - 'Do not use wasabi and peppermint and pesto together. This is important.'?"

Her Captain slowly levered himself up off the couch, an unholy glint in his eyes. "Let's start with the peppermint."