I don't own Bleach. Timeframe: Shortly after Kaien Shiba's death, but before the events in Bleach. No real spoilers.
Well, Jyushiro Ukitake thought , that had gone better than he'd expected. He slid out from the bed and assembled his clothing. His partner oozed over into the warm spot, but didn't wake up.
All he had to do now was get out of the division and hope nobody saw him. And then get into a nice hot bath. Granted, it had been a rather pleasant way to forget, but the aftermath was incredibly unpleasant. He made his escape and plodded up the road to Thirteenth.
"Good morning, Sentaro. Has Kiyone come in yet?"
"No, she's at Fourth. She took over from Vice-Captain Kusajishi and Fourth Seat Kira."
Ukitake reminded himself to visit Rukia. Even if she was on suicide watch, they couldn't refuse her captain or her brother. Hopefully she'd be released soon, but she was safe for now.
"I'm glad to hear Yachiru-chan didn't stay up all night. How's Rukia holding up?"
"Hard to say, sir. She hasn't spoken a word to anyone."
"Have you heard from the Shibas yet?"
"Kuukaku-jo and Ganju-san returned to the Rukon this morning. I sent some of the lower seats with them."
Sentaro looked up from his paperwork and boggled.
"Perhaps you should put a cloak on, sir."
"Why?"
"You look like hollows have been using you for a chew toy, sir."
He looked in the mirror as he got ready for the bath. Sentaro was right; he did look a bit nibbled. Better get the ointment out too, one of those bites looked deep, and then there were those scratch marks...
"Don't forget about the captain's meeting today!" Sentaro yelled.
Oh, dear. He did not want to face any of the captains looking like this. If Shunshui didn't notice, Retsu would, and both would ask awkward questions.
-
Yamamoto droned on- something about increasing patrols inside the Seireitei and the need for more Vice-captains. Ukitake shifted in his seat and wondered if he could get an extra cushion.
Sixth, Third, Fifth and now Thirteenth lacked vice-captains. Oh, god, Kaien. Yamaji would be on his case to replace him. Komamura and Zaraki had recently concluded negotiations, and Iba-kun was settling in at Seventh. If only the others could behave.
Byakuya seemed to go through vice-captains like Shunshui went through hats. Ichimaru hadn't even selected a candidate, yet. Aizen was interviewing candidates, and the safe money was on Hinamori Momo. Little Hitsugaya Toshiro appeared to be doing well, although rumor had it that he'd already attempted to trade Matsumoto to Second.
"Is there any other business we need to discuss?" Yamamato asked.
Kyoraku, unusually, raised a hand.
"Confess, scoundrels! Which of you molested my Jyuu-kun?"
"Kyoraku!" Yamamoto scolded.
Hitsugaya turned crimson, emitted a faint squeak and fainted. Ichimaru's permanent grin widened and Aizen hid a small smile. Soi Fong flushed and leaned forward slightly. Unohana snickered behind her hand and watched the others react.
Tousen looked thoroughly appalled, and Kurotsuchi melted into the floor. Komamura took a deep sniff- Ukitake could see his chest moving in- and went rigid in bewilderment. Zaraki's normally cocky grin went a little wider. Byakuya turned a lovely tomato red.
Shunshui looked around the table and groaned.
--
"Jyushiro, could I have a word?" Unohana said.
"Yes?"
"Did you have a good night, or shall I sic Second on someone?"
"It was a bit rough," he replied. "I know what it looks like, Retsu. But I wasn't forced."
"I'll take your word for it, then. By the way, I'll have a list of candidates for transfer on your desk tomorrow. Kuchiki ought to be cleared and released by then."
Miyako had been his medical attendant, as well as his third seat. Her place had to be filled right away.
I could ask the Eleventh to- no, not one of them can do a reliable kido spell. I can't really deal with Mayuri right now. Rangiku-chan isn't terribly reliable, and Shuuhei-kun'll be on patrol. I should ask Sajin if Iba knows any healing kido. Maybe I can borrow Nanao-chan for a while.
--
"Hey, Jyuurin-sama!"
A bento was thrust under Ukitake's nose, and he looked up. He was still considering whether he ought to send a hell butterfly to Eighth or Seventh, and had been lost in thought for a while. He'd finally decided on Seventh, because if Nanao came, so would Shunshui.
"Oh, Yachiru-chan. How was your shift at Fourth?"
"Boring. Rabbit-chan didn't even talk to me. But Ken-chan says I have to be nice ta her 'cause Gentle-san and Frowny-face went away before he could pay 'em back. I hope Ken-chan recruits her for our squad 'cause we have too many guys."
He eyed the bento. Was she planning to eat lunch here?
"Oh, right. Eat this- you'll feel better."
"I can't accept your bento. What'll you eat?"
"Ken-chan made this 'specially for you. And he said if I took it over, you'd give me candy."
She looked expectantly at him.
He buried his head in his hands as she scurried off with her treat. He couldn't even say he was drunk to excuse it. They'd both been as sober as Kuchikis.
Please, kami, just let Kenpachi forget everything.
--
Everyone in the Eleventh was trying to avoid their captain. Last night, he'd been in a foul mood, and everyone had been quietly thankful that the evening workout was canceled. Luckily the only casualties had been a few pieces of crockery.
This morning, it was like watching a lazy snapping turtle. In fact, he was almost cheerful.
To the astonishment of Ikkaku and Yumichika, Kenpachi'd actually done paperwork. Without complaining. Then he'd chased a bunch of rookies out of the kitchen and sent Yachiru and Renji off with a set of bentos.
Makizue had requested a day off to spend with his wife, and the other seats were on guard duty. Third, Fifth and Ninth Division were on patrol, and the rest of the divisions were stuck in their barracks and bored as shit. At some point, Eleventh would be called out for clean-up, but only after the other divisions had returned.
Yumichika quietly approached Kenpachi's desk, ignoring Ikkaku's frantic semaphores.
"So, did you have fun last night, taicho?"
"I don't know what you're talkin' about, Ayasegawa. I slept like a log."
He had no intention of telling Yumichika about Jyushiro. What he knew, Rangiku would know shortly, and then the whole Seireitei would know. It was his business, no one else's and kami help him if little pink ears got wind of it. Yachiru'd probably make them get married or some damn thing.
He had no intention of rushing things, even though he wanted more than just a night. He liked women, but men were nice too. Jyushiro hadn't been his first male lover- just one a' the best.
"We got complaints about reiatsu leakage from Tenth, Ninth, and Twelfth, and Ikkaku and I could barely sleep because of the noise."
Dammit, he'd have to get the kido corps off their lazy asses again. That sound-proof thingie they'd done last time was supposed to last for six months, and it'd only been up for three. The shielding was supposed to last for a year. (It never did, especially when he had company over.) Maybe this little incident would inspire Twelfth to hurry up on that reiatsu seal they'd promised him.
"Musta been those cats Iba used ta feed," Kenpachi said at last. "As for the shielding, ya know it never lasts long around me."
Ikkaku shrank down in his seat. He wasn't going to get in the middle of this.
"Right, cats," Yumichika agreed. Sensing a Zaraki Sulk on the horizon, he beat a hasty retreat. Kenpachi decided it was time for a nice long soak.
Flames are accepted: I think I deserve 'em. Just be gentle.
