Normally, the 4th Division did not associate with the 11th Division under any circumstances. They would not speak to one another unless absolutely necessary. But sometimes, there were things that simply needed to be discussed.
Yumichika sidled up to Isane unobtrusively. "Did you see it coming?" he muttered.
"Nope."
"I mean you'd never guess. She's so..."
Isane nodded. "Exactly."
"And he's..."
"Insane?" Ikkaku joined them, Yachiru gnawing on his bald head.
Yumichika disagreed. "More like homicidal," he said.
Ikkaku plucked Yachiru from his head. She gave him a nasty glare and walked over to cling to the foot of Hanatarou, who'd just come up to Isane. He cast her a nervous look.
"But you have a point," Isane conceded. "I mean, Unohana's sort of like the mom of the 4th Division..."
"Really nice," Hanatarou put in.
"Though a bit scary when you get on her bad side, you must admit," Ikkaku said.
"But Kenpachi..."
"Kills things," Ikkaku finished for her.
"Not the caring type," Hanatarou agreed.
"KEN-CHAN!"
Yachiru's piercing shriek nearly made Hanatarou fall over in surprise as the little girl darted out from among their midst to jump and cling to Kenpachi's leg as he strolled past, arm in arm with Retsu Unohana. All four shinigami tried their hardest to look as if they weren't talking about the captain, but he completely ignored them, hoisted Yachiru up to her customary place on his back, and continued on his way.
The four shinigami all exchanged glances.
"Then again..." Isane raised her eyebrows. Yumichika grinned.
"Maybe not so surprising after all. When you think about it."