Disclaimer- I do not own Bleach. I just own Shizuko, Teru, Shunka, Kanashim, and the twins….


1. Bad Day

Manami stood by the counter tapping her foot. Where was her sister? Did Ai honestly believe she wouldn't notice her missing so often? It had all started a week ago when Manami had woken in the middle of the night due to quite a troubling vision. Being concerned for her sister she got up to go check on her and, to her dismay, she could not find Ai. The next morning however Ai showed up as though she had been there all night and claimed Manami had simply still been dreaming. But Manami knew better and had been carefully keeping a tab on sister. She wasn't so nosey as to follow her twin or attempt to tap into her vision to find out what was going on. Oh no, she had too much trust in her sister for that not to mention she valued privacy of her own and would most certainly hate for some psychic freak to force herself into her business.

It wasn't that Manami saw herself as a freak for the cursed visions but everyone else seemed to see her that way. Before arriving in Soul Society both she and Ai had been murdered practically by their own mother when she turned her over to the man that slaughtered a girl in their school. Well, if she hadn't they would have all died. Manami had seen the man kill the girl in a vision which was enough to have him as a suspect in the investigation, but he broke into their home before there was enough evidence to warrant his arrest. His only request was that Manami come with him. Ai refused to let her go alone, so she had ended up in the same boat.

Manami would never forget the things that scum had done to her. Somehow she was lucky enough to end up in Soul Society with her sister. She understood many souls weren't that lucky…not to mention that they'd ended up in 73rd district. If she had not had Ai with her, she probably would not have survived. It had been Ai that had run into Tosen and ultimately gotten them into the academy…

Perhaps that is why it hurt so badly to know that Ai was keeping things from her, because she never had before…

Manami's head shot up as she noticed the door carefully sliding open. At least Ai remembered how easily Manami was awakened. So she didn't have to open the door very far Manami was given a mildly entertaining show as Ai slipped in at an odd angle. Ai's smug grin had Manami's blood boiling. How dare she think so little of Manami! Ai turned to head to her room, but stopped short.

Her eyes met an identical pair across the room. Manami stood with icy scowl glued on her face. The look of shock on Ai's face gave Manami a rush of satisfaction.

"Manami," she croaked.

"Where have you been?" Manami hissed. Her face set in a rage, but her voice calm and low. The two of them were opposite when it came to the way they showed their emotions. Ai would shout in rage, but Manami made sure to stay calm. Never in her life had she raised her voice in anger or hurt. The only time she had ever let her voice grow was in pain…

"I-well-you see," Ai sputtered.

Oh no you don't… Manami thought.

"Don't lie to me," she stated knowing very well a lie was what she was about to get. "I do not deserve to be lied to."

"'Nami, please. I really just-"

"Have you been at the bar?" Manami knew her sister's tendencies.

"Uh…I-"

"Ai!" she persisted. She still did not yell, but she certainly put emphasis on the syllable.

"No! Ok?! I wasn't at the freaking bar!" she shouted.

"Then where?" Manami demanded. She crossed her arms. The rage was seeping into the pit of her stomach.

Then the vision hit.

Bodies met in the dark. A hand slid over a thigh. Sweat. Gasps. Moans. "That's it Ai…oh, gods! Don't use your teeth!" "You like baby…" A grunt. A 69 against pale skin.

Just as quick as it had begun, it was over.

"Shuhei," she breathed in shock. There was a small silence, "Ai! How long has this affair been going on?"

Looking to the ground Ai mumbled, "Almost a year."

Manami closed her eyes. Her chest was constricting, "I see..." she turned away, there was no more to be said in that conversation.

"Manami I-"

Manami refused to turn back.

"I have a meeting to attend in four hours I'd like some rest…"she cut her off as she walked towards her room. She had to get away before she broke. "Don't disturb me…and I have somewhere to go tonight. I'll be home in the morning."

It took everything within Manami not to slam the door between them. In complete hurt, Manami threw herself onto the bed and wept.


Having had a couple hours to let the initial shock wear off, she was a little better but the wound was still open. However she had a meeting to attend for fourth, fifth, and seventh, why sixth seats were skipped she had no idea but whatever. She couldn't let her emotions rule her. She had a job to do. When she stepped into the meeting room she seemed to be one of the only ones there, but then again she was almost twenty minutes early.

"Miss Takahashi!" the greeting had her smiling, she knew the voice.

She looked at the small dark headed young man. She was quite fond of him. He was one the nicest guys in Soul Society in her opinion, not to mention his ego was not a fraction the size of other men.

"Hello Hanataro," she beamed at him. She wasn't an easy person to read, thank the gods for that, but he probably wouldn't pry anyway, "and how many times must I tell you to call me Manami? Unless you just really want me to call you Mr. Yamada."

"But you're a higher rank than me…" he said respectfully.

"I'm only a fourth seat," she laughed, "Not to mention you could save my life and in my opinion saving a life is more important than taking one."

"Well-"

"Hanataro," she shook her head still smiling, "Just call me Manami…"

"O-ok! I will try!" he said whole heartedly.

"No," she stated, "you will do."

They laughed together for a few moments. He was the kind of person she enjoyed being with. He wasn't pompous or loud but a good source of conversation.

"What did I miss?" Yumichika Ayasegawa asked as he approached.

"Oh nothing Mr. Ayasegawa," Hanataro said looking to the ground. He had stopped laughing abruptly.

"You know, Hanataro you would be much more attractive if you would look up more." Yumichika scolded. He turned to Manami, "Hey Beautiful." He gave her a peck on the check.

"Last time I checked I wasn't wearing a mirror," feigning astonishment she lifted a hand to her face. Then she laughed, perhaps with the two of them she wouldn't have to pretend to forget the upsetting events of the morning, "so how are things at the division of brutality?"

"Painful," he continued to kid. They had an understanding between them and easily poked fun at each other without any hurt feelings, "actually, things have been interesting with the Captain. I do believe he has hearts in his eyes."

"Really?" Manami gasped. That was interesting. "The I'll-kick-your-butt Captain Zaraki's finally fallen? Well, I do believe he was acting strange at the fourth division last night with my new Captain."

"oh yes!" Hanataro piped up, "Captain Unohana told me ask about her condition."

"Well I haven't seen her since she was in the hospital," Manami shrugged.

"When I saw her this morning she seemed to be fine," Yumichika explained.

"That's good," Manami gave a nod, "she hasn't said anything about training, but I'm sure its coming. My only hope is she doesn't take advice from Captain Zaraki."

Yumichika simply laughed.

"Manami," a voice said loudly as a ham sized hand was placed on her shoulder.

She rolled her eyes. It could only be one man. The one that was always in his own way trying to court her. Manami however was anything but interested.

"Hello, Lieutenant Ōmaeda," she acknowledged, "What are you doing here? I was under the impression this was for seats of less rank."

She heard Yumichika's soft snort beside her. He saw Ōmaeda as beneath him because he wasn't as beautiful as him. That one of Yumichika's philosophies had always made her laugh.

"I'm heading it up," he gave her a cheeky grin, "So, what are you doing tonight?"

"Well," she had to be careful here…she didn't have to lie, she was busy, but did she really want her business broadcasted? Oh who cared, "I have a date…"

She felt Yumichika jumped beside her and she knew Hanataro was staring at her.

Ōmaeda's face fell, "Oh yeah who with?"

She had no doubt he'd pull strings to break her date, but she he couldn't with this one.

"Captain Ukitake," she said simply. She could feel the blush sneaking onto her face.

"What? Since when did the two of you start talking?" Ōmaeda demanded.

"I met him when I entered the the 8th division. So I met him through Captain Kyoraku, but I don't find this to be any of your business…"

"Are the two of you exclusive?"

"Well no but-"

"Humph, fine," he gave in, "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I can't be sure," she shook her head. She pushed a stray lavender strand of hair behind her ear, "With my new Captain and all."

"I'll pick you up at seven," with that he turned to retreat, "Most women would be flattered a higher rank was interested in them. So, be thankful."

He was out of ear shot towards the front of the room.

"Pig," Yumichika scoffed. He slipped a brotherly arm around her, "you poor thing. He's disgusting. I'll talk to Captain Zaraki and see if we can't get you out of that date tomorrow. And when did this come about with Captain Ukitake?"

"Well, he asked me a few days ago," she knew her face had to be red, "I was taking some things to Captain Kyoraku and he was there. He practically ran me down to ask."

"I like the idea of the two of you," Hanataro smiled.

"Thank you, but its only one date," she laughed.

The sound of a throat being cleared got everyone's attention. The three of them took their seats quickly. Facing the front. Ōmaeda began to speak about numbers and new policies and how our Captains would soon be getting paper work about such things. He was really dragging things out and Manami wasn't sure how much more she could take.

"Now," he emphasized loudly, "I need two volunteers! One to get the signature of all the Captains stating they got all the papers they should have. The other needs to get me the signatures of all of the Lieutenants. Now, any takers on the Captains?" no hands went up, "Manami Takahashi! Thank you for volunteering!" Manami rolled her eyes. The man was a flat out jerk. "And what about for the Lieutenants?" still no hands, "Manami! That is very productive of you to volunteer for both!" her jaw fell open. Was he serious? "I need these papers back by twelve tonight, please come get them. This meeting is now over."

"That wasn't right," Hanataro gasped as soon as others began standing.

"I don't think he cares…" she mumbled. She was aware Yumichika and Hanataro followed her to the front. The grin on Ōmaeda's face made Manami want to curse.

"Here you go dear," he hand her the stack of papers, "I already signed mine for you and my Captain signed hers too."

"Gee thanks," she sighed. "Look, could I maybe give you these tomorrow?"

"My Captain wants them first thing in the morning," he informed her shaking his head.

"Ok, I understand…"

"Good," he continued to grin, "I'll see you tonight."

Her breath caught. No, she coached inside, absolutely no crying.

"Here," Yumichika took the papers from her I'll get my Captain and Lieutenant plus the Lieutenants for 8 through 13 and Hanataro will get his Captain and Lieutenant as well as the Lieutenants of the first seven divisions and actually I'll get Captain Fon since she'll probably be close to Captain Zaraki."

"Yeah!" Hanataro agreed, "Because that meeting dragged on for a while. That only gives you seven signatures one of which you can get from Ukitake tonight."

"Are you two sure?" she asked skeptically. Though, the offer did sound wonderful.

"Of course!" Yumichika laughed, "Now run along so you're not late."

"Ok, thank you both so much!" she said as she ran out the door.


Just one more signature and she could head to Captain Ukitake's. Should she call him Jūshirō? She'd let him correct her. She would most certainly hate top offend him. In a way she wished she hadn't saved Captain Kurotsuchi for last but she had simply gone in order, well except when she had run into Captain Komamura on her way to the first division. He had been friendly. They all had been, excluding Captain Hitsugaya, but was he ever in a good mood?

It didn't really surprise her that Captain Kyoraku knew about her date later, but he sure did make her feel nervous about it. He kept making borderline crude comments about wondering hands and what to wear. But she had decided not to let him get to her; she would just go with the flow. If only she could get this last signature…Trapped in her thoughts she wasn't paying any attention when she rounded the corner.

SMACK!

She landed on her rear end. The shattering of glass had her scrambling to help.

"I am so sorry!" she apologized as she leaned forward. She had no idea whop she had run into, but that didn't really matter. She stopped abruptly before placing her hand in a substance that seemed to be eating through the ground. Her heart dropped.

Please don't be who I think you are…she prayed as she looked up.

Her lavender eyes met gold. Captain Kurotsuchi.

Oh gods…was all she could think before she was suddenly wrenched up by her collar.


This is the first of Manami's story! I hope you enjoy it!

BTW: Reviews fuel my creative juices!

-Fallon-