His gnarled cane smashes the ground. It sends a ripple of air around the room. This is their cue.
The two single file lines on each of his sides are at attention; waiting for the captain commander to speak.
"As you know, seeing a hollow make it as far as Sereitei is rare. But there have been multiple sightings around the Rukongai Districts, specifically numbers 99 through 42. The descriptions of the hallow are generally the same, so it is safe to assume that this hollow is making its way towards us. Because it has gotten so close, I would like to send a team to investigate. Captain Nenhaku Aia of the ninth division, Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of the eleventh and Captain Tsubasa Roka of the third, you are to see to it that this hollow is eliminated; Each one of you may pick a squad member to accompany you."
The three squad captains bow to Captain-Commander Yamamoto and in moments have flash-stepped to their respective quarters.
Yamamoto's voice resonates through the room.
"Any questions?"
Captain Sui-Feng steps forward and bows. "Tai-chou, are you sure it is best to send our two new captains? They have only been on the battle field once before."
"I am sure they are competent enough to handle themselves. That being so, I sent Zaraki for that very reason. He is well seasoned. I know the majority of you held this very question. Trust in your new team members. They have earned the positions they hold and are prepared for what is in store. Now, I have many things to tend to. You are all dismissed."
"You cant take Ikkaku and not bring me!"
Kenpachi releases his katana from his sheath and points it in his direction.
"I was ordered to bring one person and that is all I'm taking. I'll take you if you like, Yumichika. I could care less. I don't need either of you."
Ikkaku jumps up from his floor mat in a flurry of anger.
"NO WAY! You're bringing me like you originally planned! Yumichika, you can go a couple days without me, man up. This is my chance."
"I wasn't going for me, it was for you, you self-centered egotistical bastard. I could go forever without seeing your bald head, but you couldn't last without my stunning face for two hours."
Kenpachi smiles, baring all of his teeth. The scar on his left eye lifts as he feels the intrigue build.
"Then, why don't you two battle it out?"
"Fine by me!" scoffs Ikkaku as he pulls himself into a lunge, both hands clipped tightly around his red hilt.
As Yumichika is about to draw his own, a pressure slams them both in to the ground. Thinking it was Kenpachi, they look up in frustration, but to their disdain, it is not someone they are willing to fight.
"Rock, paper, scissors sounds more appropriate seeing as you're still in your chambers. Would you really destroy your place to sleep over something this dumb?"
More irritated that the other two, Kenpachi sneaks a peek at the woman from the corner of his eye. He mentally grimaces at her internal light - her airy, bouncy attitude which delivers more than one confusing blow each time he lays eyes on her.
"No one asked you Aia; you ruined a perfectly good fight."
She smiles, plumping her small, rosy cheeks and revealing hidden dimples that he'd noticed too many times before.
"We have paperwork to fill out, Kenpachi. Just pick your man and we'll be off."
"No. I want to see them fight." He curls his fists and puts them on his hips. "Lets go boys!"
In one swift movement, Aia is at his side. Her five and a half foot stature only enhances Kenpachi's massive body but her riatsu easily matches his in level. She is no longer smiling. Her usually soft eyes glare at Ikkaku and Madarame who stare in amazement at how close she allows herself to get next to their captain.
Both take it as a signal to sort it out amongst themselves and stand up from their hands and knees. While brushing off their robes, they eye each other and scowl but before they can protest both Captains are gone.
"She's worse than Unohana!" growls Ikkaku.
Yumichika smiles and places a finger at his lips.
"But she's very pretty, don't you think? All of her features are so soft and warm in appearance. I bet the captain has noticed. Of course she isn't as beautiful as me..."
Ikkaku puts his hands inside the sleeves of his robe and sighs as he closes his eyes.
"Just shut up already."
Kenpachi slumps at the desk and shoves the tip of his quill into the desk as if it were a knife. His blatant disinterest in the stacks of paper that sit before him fills the cozy office of the third division. Aia approaches the pile to inspect - a finger pushing up her bottom lip so that she can bite it.
"Well it doesn't really look done..." she goads.
He scowls and looks down at his illegible scribble. "Paperwork isn't necessary. Can we just go kill the damn thing now?"
She bends over, checking for missing information and a length of hair falls from behind her ear. Though she doesn't notice, Kenpachi does and whispers, "Peaches?"
She pulls her head back.
"What?"
He thrusts himself out of the chair, knocking over the cheap desk and all of the files. Taking back his moment of weakness, he shouts, "Pieces! Which pieces did I miss?"
Her eyes are not surprised at his sudden burst of anger, but patient. She remains still for but a second, before giving her carefully thought-over response.
"Well for starters, you didn't put the squad number on any of them. And you also missed a breath just a moment ago. If you're going to act so childish over something as stupid as my shampoo, maybe you aren't fit for the assignment."
A sound at the door interrupts what seems to be the start of a comment from Kenpachi. The two turn their attention to the floral-patterned, paper door. Through the paper, a kneeling body form can be seen.
"Permission to enter, Captain Nenhaku?"
"Permission granted, Shinta. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The door slides open but Shinta remains in a kneeling position, his head bowed as low to the floor as his nose will allow.
"Co captain Kira Izuru apologizes for his lack of enthusiasm over the assignment. He asked that I go in his place... as long as you allow it of course.."
Shinta raises his head in wait for the response and analyzes the mess before him. His eyes widen and he apologizes for his interruption.
"You weren't interrupting anything more than a child's tantrum. But I seem to remember that a hollow has swallowed you before so I am reluctant to let you go, Shinta. We do not know the exact caliber of this hollow as it has avoided our radars and we are only relying on eye witness accounts. I'm sorry, but as your captain, I can't allow your company this time. Please inform Izuru that, though I know he is still dealing with a lot, it is absolutely imperative that he accompany us. I will not take 'No' for an answer."
"Hai."
The door slides closed and the shadow beyond disappears.
Kenpachi feels drowned in the awkward remains of the disrupted fight. Like a puzzle missing the border, he cannot figure out how to re-piece the situation.