Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
I Don't Want To Know
A/N: I was on a bit of a quote-posting rampage on tumblr, and this one just seemed so perfect for my lovely ship: "There is something demoralizing about watching two people get more and more crazy about each other, especially when you are the extra person in the room." - The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath
"It's not going to kill you."
Her captain's words were clearly unconvincing. It was a still moment, which wasn't the norm so far as she'd seen. If anything, she had expected him to start off with some snide remark, making everything as difficult as he could. But this... She hadn't expected this.
"It's tea," the woman said, leaning over her desk. "I promise."
It must have been Captain Unohana's smile that unnerved him. Isane had often noticed that he didn't respond to such things in the same way as other people. In fact, he seemed to detest the very existence of things like pleasantries. Unless, of course, one took the man's personal hobbies into account. But, could such gruesome experiments be classified as "pleasant?"
The captain had called her in to pick up some medication that Hanataro, who was tending to Captain Ukitake on this busy morning, had sent for. Had she not walked in at the moment that she had, Isane imagined that she'd be well on her way to the Ugendo.
It was really a rude thing, staring, but she couldn't help it. She was certain that anyone else would have insisted the very same thing, noting how Mayuri looked and how his eyes moved from the cup to her captain again and again. He wasn't paying her any mind, anyway.
Then she remembered the saying: "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
And, to her, he was certainly the Devil, and he was very much real, doing unspeakable things to the new recruits who had the horrid misfortune of falling under his jurisdiction. A different face, attractive or not, wasn't something she'd allow herself to fall for.
Besides, the hearts of devils didn't change for anything.
Then she jumped, the sound of his laughter frightening her. But it wasn't the usual, cold feeling that shot through her core. Somehow, it was curious, a big blank she'd pulled out of the air, a reaction to his mocking tone.
"That's not tea," he snickered, shaking his head. "It's another part of your game."
Isane took a step back, the parcel held tightly in her hands. The way he was looking at her captain now, with that half-smirk, was horrifying to her. She didn't know what sort of game he was talking about, but she certainly didn't want to find out.
It was safe to say that it wasn't the sort people talked about openly.
She scurried out of the room, having acknowledged her captain with a short nod. But, as she hustled down the hallway, Captain Unohana's own smile remained in her head.
And Isane was certain that that smile hadn't been for her.
If I'd put this in the actual scene, I would have suffocated. Really. Now, can anyone spell "aphrodesiac?"
