Four Seasons of Attraction

By mj0621 and thecylongirl

Disclaimer: we don't own anything, we're just fangirls who squee and flail at all hours of the night.

Rating: T/Borderline M

Pairing: Kenpachi/Unohana, slight hints of Shunsui/Nanao, Gin/Rangiku and Toushiro/Momo in later chapters

Genre: Romance/Humor, slight drama

Spoilers: Small indications of Pendulum Arc

Summary: Falling in love takes a long time, and four seasons might pass by before realization hits

Author's Notes:

thecylongirl: This is what happens when two fangirls end up with yet another pairing in common, and spend an evening listening to 'Beauty & The Beast' while fangirling. Enjoy!

mj0621: This is our first ff on this couple, and we've been on a Bleach fangasm these past few days. Youtube and fanfiction are a dangerous combination. Reviews feed our hungry fangirly tummies!

"It sure is hot today isn't it, Kenny?"

The only response to the little girl's question was an indifferent grunt, the man behind the sound not even bothering to glance down at his companion. The pink haired pixie only smiled and used a hand to shield her eyes as she glanced up to the sun. "But I bet tonight will be really nice! We should have a party! We could invite Baldy, and Yun-Yun, Ukki, Nana, Shun-Shun, and-"

"'m not in the mood for a party." A low growl interrupted her, the word 'party' coming out as a curse. It was then that Yachiru came to a stop beside the enormous Captain, tiny little arms folding over her chest in frustration.

"You're never in the mood for a party, Kenny." She told him in accusing tone, one small hand reaching to wipe at her damp forehead. It wasn't completely true. Kenpachi Zaraki had always enjoyed a bit of fun, especially when it involved sake. But on that particular summer day, the Captain seemed to be having his fun by grunting instead of talking, and sometimes completely ignoring her. On a good day, it would not have bothered the always-chipper Lieutenant, but today the heat was getting to her just as it was to everyone else. She assumed it was what was making him even crankier than usual, but that did nothing to help her own mood.

Her Captain didn't respond, only grunted and kept walking. After a few minutes of watching his back get further and further away, she gave a soft little 'humph' and followed after him. It was late afternoon, though the sun showed no signs of setting as they continued their trek to the 4th Division's barracks, where a few members of the 11th Division were currently residing after being injured. Some of Kenpachi's only words that day had been to mention that he would be looking in on them, and she had brightly invited herself along. There hadn't been much to do that day, which seemed to be normal as of late. The Soul Society had been quiet for what seemed like a long time, though most had no complaints about it. Kenpachi's only complaint was that meant finding a decent fight was next to impossible. He spent most of his days bored, listening to his Lieutenant's chipper chatter, and the sound of his men complaining of the heat. He didn't like being idle. If he wasn't busy with something that entertained him, it usually ended with something breaking and Yachiru giving him a scolding. Sometimes he felt like the child, instead of the other way around. Something like guilt gnawed at him then, but he ignored it. Yachiru could handle him. By now she surely had learned that at least with her, his insults and moods were nothing personal.

They walked in what slowly became a comfortable silence. He had been complaining to himself all day about the noise, but now that there was no other noise other than their footsteps and breathing, he found it even more annoying than the noise. Today was just one of those days when he wouldn't be happy unless he was charging at someone strong enough to fend him off. And since that wouldn't be happening, he just wasn't going to be happy. He glanced down at the girl beside him, who had caught up and was now muttering something to herself about invitations, and shook his head. Yep, he told himself with a sigh. Just one of those days.

A headache now complimented his bad mood.

He wasn't a fan of weakness, and didn't see things the way others did. Lying on a futon 'healing' was a sign of weakness to him. He didn't like it when it was himself, and he sure as hell didn't like it when it was members of his squad. They belonged to the 11th Division and he wouldn't tolerate their laziness. They'd had plenty of time to heal, should have been up and at each other's throats by now. You'd never see him lying useless for so long. Madness would have overwhelmed him by now, were he in their positions. They were a disgrace to their Captain, they were a disgrace to their squad, and they were a disgrace to themselves. He'd spent most of the day in a sour mood, and now that mood was darker than a stormy night. It only made him want to fight more, only made him crave the smell of blood dripping from a wound. He wasn't weak like his men, he refused to spend the rest of the night doing anything but fighting. He'd find a fight somewhere, somehow.

Yachiru had insisted upon staying behind to speak with her squad mates, probably to make fun of him behind his back as well. He'd only given her a sharp glare before leaving the room with a disapproving grunt. The little one probably thought he'd been too hard on the injured, but he knew better. This was nothing like the punishment he would give them if they didn't shape up soon, this was simply motivation. To be the best, you had to stay on your toes. You had to be alert, always ready, always prepared. Not lying on your back and milking a minor injury.

He'd gotten lost in the barracks, having forgotten to pay attention to his surroundings and now found himself faced with a shoji door that was partially open. It didn't look like the way out, but his only option was the way he'd came. Even after getting lost, he'd found himself distracted and hadn't paid attention to where he went. He released a small growl, the sound menacing even to his own ears. At least the halls of the barracks were a bit cooler than outdoors, though the sun had probably gone down by now. He was as bad at keeping time as he was finding his way, though he doubted he could have spent more than half an hour wandering.

He was just about to turn back and attempt to at least find his way back to Yachiru, when he caught the unmistakable sound of a sigh. Not a sigh of annoyance, or even resignation. It was the gentle release of air from someone who was pushing their body in ways they normally didn't push it, the sigh of someone who was tired but enjoying themselves. He was curious now, curious as to who might be beyond the door and what they were doing. Though it wasn't his Division and probably none of his business, he stepped quietly to the door and peeked through the small gap.

His eyes widened at the sight before him, at the way her body seemed to move to a tune he couldn't hear. Her movements were sharp, powerful, and yet graceful. She moved in a way he had not seen her move before, movements he could better admire in her haori's absence. Seeing her without the garment was almost a shock to him, though he was quickly distracted by the mouth watering beads of sweat that were visible on her forehead. A few strands of dark hair had escaped her braid and clung to the same area.

Her body curved with every movement in a way that made his muscles tense, his breath catch in the back of his throat. Her own breathing was heavy, but quiet. He could hear the intakes and releases as she switched from move to move, as if she were whispering to herself. After his initial shock faded, a wolfish grin stretched across his face. Though he was impressed by her strength, by the way she carried herself, his eyes struggled to focus on anything but just the way she moved. It was intoxicating, watching her. He couldn't remember finding her petite form as enticing as he did now, with her soft features pulled into an intense frown as she focused. He watched as she bent, the back of her only causing his grin to widen. When she finally fell still, it took him a moment to realize she had stopped, and was staring at him with a rather blank expression.

"Fight me." He rasped, still grinning when her soft smile appeared on her face.

"I am finished now, but thank you for your offer." Her words were soft, as they always were. It led his mind down an entirely different path for a good minute. She was still smiling as she began to walk toward him and exit the room, his eyes still glued to her as she started down the hall.

"You'd make a worthy opponent." He told her, fingers curling into fists as the image of battling her entered his mind. It excited him, almost as much as watching her had.

She stopped, her back to him. It surprised him that she took a few seconds to turn around and face him, or perhaps it surprised him that she turned around at all. Her usual, pleasant smile had widened into what he swore was a small grin. Their eyes met. "Another time, perhaps." She told him, lingering before she turned back and was on her way. He couldn't help but smirk after her. It wasn't a no, and when he was through, it would be a yes.

It was suddenly hot in the 4th Division barracks, and it wasn't because of the summer heat.