"How long can a man go without being held without cracking?" he pondered. How long had it been? He wasn't really looking for sex, long-term love, or anything else for that moment. He just wanted the feel of someone's arms around him. He would prefer an adult female someone's.
It wasn't that Yachiru didn't always kiss him goodnight and hug his neck as she held onto his back as they ran from one adventure to another. That wasn't the same though, unless you were one of those perverts.
It isn't the kind of thing you ask someone for, though. You can't walk up to a woman and just take her into your arms for no apparent reason. It's just not done. Not that Zaraki Kenpachi didn't go around taking what he wanted, but it was different when he fought because the person he fought wouldn't be around to have an opinion on his actions when he was done.
Since he'd been in soul society, he hadn't been with a woman. There weren't any in the sereitei he was particularly interested in, well that wasn't entirely true, but that damn healer woman didn't think of him that way.
Then again, Captain Unohana was nice enough, gentle enough that she might understand what he was going through and try to help him. She certainly wouldn't find it anymore ridiculous than his usual complaints.
"Watch Yachiru!" He called down the hall. "I'm going down to fourth squad."
"What are you going down there for?"
"None of your damn business."
He hurried to fourth squad headquarters. "Is Captain Unohana here?" He proceeded to her office without waiting for an answer.
Her door was open, and she sat in her chair looking out the window enjoying a cup of her favorite herb tea. "Captain Zaraki," she said as he entered the room. "What brings you here?"
"I'm just havin' a rough time right now. I don't know why."
"Do you want to talk?"
"Not really. I just want to sit here if that's ok."
"All right. I have an hour break right now. Would you like some tea?"
He wasn't sure why he wanted to be here, or why she let him be here, but he felt calmer already. They sat in silence each sipping their tea for the hour.
"I have to go," she said. "You may stay if you like."
"Nah, I better get back. Yachiru will have torn up the house looking for me. She doesn't like to be alone long."
Unohana took his hand as he turned to leave. She held it tightly drawing him back into the room. She drew him into an embrace holding him with all the power she could muster.
When she let him go he just whispered "Thanks."
"I could tell you needed it. You didn't have to say a word," was her only response.