Chapter 3: The Mission
I forgot to mention at the beginning that this story takes place a few months after the end of 'The Interesting yet Traumatic Life of Rose Bentley' and a few years after the Winter Wars.
Warning: light lemon
"Shunsui you really do not have to do this." Said Rose as they walked passed a large tea house just off the high street in the shopping district. It was a Sunday and Rose was expected to go to the Academy for orientation and Shunsui had insisted on escorting her there, much to her displeasure.
"But you might get lost, or hurt and as a gentleman it is my job to make sure that no harm comes to my girl." He smiled down at her. Although he had used a joking tone, there was still the presence of steel.
"But we are in the centre of the Seireitei so in theory that should make it all the more secure."
"I am not worried about thieves, my darling Rose." Ever since Shunsui's parents had come to visit him at the division he had become extra protective of Rose. He would always find excuses to escort her to places where she had previously gone alone, like to the thirteenth division for her weekly baking sessions with Hana. His eyes would away dart around in their sockets, like he was scouting for incoming enemies…or in his case family members.
Rose stopped in her tracks and turned to Shunsui. "Shunsui, your parents are not going to jump out at me from behind a shop or a tea house so you can relax. I know why you're doing this and I am flattered that you would care so much, but you have to stop. Besides you don't want to be late for your Taicho meeting, which incidentally starts in twenty minutes."
Shunsui exhaled. "I'm sorry Rose. It's just that I don't want to leave you in such a vulnerable position ever again. What my parents and brother said to you is inexcusable." The two of them had stopped in the street but the other shoppers simply walked around them.
"Shunsui, you said so yourself that we need to move on and not dwell on the past. Acting like this is only giving your family the satisfaction of knowing that they have affected us." Rose lifted her hand up to cares her lover's cheek. "I love you Shunsui and it's going to take more than words to drive me away." She moved to stand on her tip toes and kissed him lovingly on the lips.
"You're right my love, I was letting their actions affect me more than they should. Now let's get moving so that you're not late for orientation." He grabbed her hand and started to lead her down the street.
"Wait Shunsui, don't you remember what the Soutaicho told us just last night?" asked Rose with a hint of desperation to her voice.
"Ah don't worry nobody will expect a thing."
"You are a Taicho, of course they are going to notice."
"You are overreacting."
"Only because you're being reckless."
"Come on darling, all I want is to wish you good luck." Shunsui looked down at her with his usual pouting face.
Rose looked away and exhaled. Sometimes he could be so irritating sometimes. The night before the Soutaicho had summoned the two of them to his office in order to talk to them about their relationship and the academy.
The night before in the Soutaicho's office.
"Good evening Yama-jii," said Shunsui while leading Rose into the room. The Soutaicho was sitting behind his desk with a steaming mug of tea clasped between his hands.
"Good evening Yamamoto Soutaicho." Bowed Rose before allowing herself to be led to the centre of the room. She did not fail to notice that Shunsui was standing slightly in front of her, like he was trying to shield her from the Soutaicho. It was rather sweat as he knew that she was intimidated by the man.
"Shunsui, Rose, I have summoned the two of you this evening to talk to you about your…relationship. The form that the two of you sent in a few weeks ago, stating that your relationship would not affect your work, has been approved. It is encouraging to see that so far your relationship has not negatively affected your ability to work together. However, there are still a few more orders that I must ask you two to obey."
"Orders Yama-ji?" Questioned Shunsui. He did not like where this was going. Having someone dictate to him how to live his life was not something he generally agreed to.
The Soutaicho chose to ignore Shunsui's question and diverted his attention instead towards Rose. She flinched ever so slightly when she felt the weight of his 'gaze' on her.
"Rose Bentley, You have been accepted into the academy but it is against the rules for an academy student to have an intimate relationship with a member of the Gotei 13." Rose could feel her heart sinking. She hated to think where this was going. "However, as you started seeing Shunsui intimately before you were accepted into the academy I have decided to allow your relationship to continue." Next to her Shunsui's body relaxed ever so slightly. "But the two of you must keep your relationship a secret. News of your relationship has not reached the ears of the students, the teachers, on the other hand, know. If your relationship is discovered then I will be forced to order you to end it."
"And what happens if the students find out on their own accord?" Asked Shunsui.
"If the students find out on their own accord then no punishment will be given. However, if either of you tell them, or hint to them that the two of you are in a relationship then I will have no choice but to order that you end it. Is that clear?" replied the Soutaicho.
"Yes sir."
"Yes Yama-jii."
"Moving on, Rose your entrance exam results showed that you already have substantial skills in some classes offered at the academy. It would be foolish to ask you to join the first year. So I talked with the headmaster at the school and we have decided that you will join the third year. However, your time table will be different from that of your fellow third year classmates. Instead of taking four intermediate Zanjutsu classes a week, you will take two intermediate and two advanced Zanjutsu classes. The same will be applied to your World of the Living studies. It was also reported that you lacked substantial skills in Kido so you will have to take beginner classes as well as intermediate classes."
Rose nodded her head. "I understand sir."
"Very well. The two of you may leave."
Shunsui and Rose bowed before leaving the room.
End of flashback.
"We can't risk the two of us being seen together in this part of the Seireitei otherwise people are going to start asking questions." Explained Rose, while trying to escape the hand that Shunsui had just put around her shoulder.
"Oh come on don't you think you are being a bit paranoid. They could just assume we know each other as acquaintances."
"Please Shunsui." Rose looked up and him and pouted.
Shunsui sighed. He could never refuse his girl anything. "Ok fine. The academy is just round this corner anyway but before you go." He grabbed her around the waist and shunpooed the two of them down a small alleyway to their left.
"Shunsui what are you doing" cried out Rose while the world around her spun dizzyingly. "You know I do not like bei-." She was silenced by a loving kiss to her lips.
"You can't expect me to leave you without kissing you goodbye." Smiled Shunsui before placing his lips back down on hers. It was a slow, gently kiss that sent tingles all the way down to Rose's toes.
"Hmm Shunsui you are going to make me late." She murmured before replacing her lips on his for another delicious kiss.
"I should be saying the same to you". They kissed again.
His hands moved down and squeezed her bottom, making her moan. The kiss deepened and became more passionate as the two of them fought for dominance. Shunsui eventually won and plundered Rose's mouth with his warm, velvet tongue. She tasted like the mint toothpaste she used in the morning and smelled like her favourite soap: Orange. When the need to breath arose the two of them broke apart.
"Go now Rose before I whisk you off back to my bed and never let you leave." Panted Shunsui with dark lust in his eyes. That kiss had been unexpected, but whenever he kissed her the animalistic need inside of him took over and turned him into a wild animal.
Rose blinked several times before smiling seductively. "Maybe I want you to drag me back."
Shunsui gasped slightly. "Don't talk like that or else I might just do it and then the two of us will be late." He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Now go darling."
Rose smiled widely before turning around and walking away. Shunsui spent a moment watching as her luscious bottom disappeared down the alleyway. She had put on weight during the year they had been separated and as a result her body had become more curvaceous. Her breasts were slightly above average but that did not matter as her bottom was simply perfect. It was big, juicy and everything Shunsui ever wanted. But of course Rose hated it and complained about her huge bottom all the time. But he absolutely loved it. Just watching it sway from side to side was enough to make him hard. He could spend all day watching it.
Rose walked around the corner and saw a huge, four story building with a bronze roof and white walls. There was a massive bronze gateway with the words 'Shin'o Academy' written on a large plaque above the entranceway. Beyond the gateway was a large courtyard full of people standing around in either elegant or simple attire. Rose guessed that the elegantly dressed people were from the many noble family that lived inside the Seireitei. The others, she assumed, were either from the Rukongai or from one of the many merchant families living inside the Seireitei.
Slowly she made her way through the throng of people towards the huge building. Just outside of the building was a long table with several people dressed in either a white kosode with red hakama, or white kosode and blue hakama sitting behind them. A massive banner hung on the wall with 'new student registration' written on it. Rose headed towards the table.
"Good afternoon, how may I be of help?" asked a blond haired and rather good looking man in a blue uniform.
"Erm…I was asked to come here for orientation." Answered Rose rather awkwardly.
"OK…your name please."
"Rose Bentley."
The boy flicked through a large stack of papers. "Rose Bentley, it is marked here that you will be given a private tour of our facilities by Sekine Sensei. Your tour should start in a few minutes so could you please wait here."
"OK." Rose moved to the side in order to be out of the way.
"So you are entering the third year."
Rose turned around and saw that the blond haired boy was addressing her. "Yeah, my results in the entrance exam were supposedly so high that I was allowed to enter the third year."
The boy moved and sat on the table, facing her. "Wow you must be powerful if they let you skip three years. Oh how rude of me, my name is Kawano Kiyoshi, sixth year student."
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Rose Bentley and I guess I'm a soon to be third year student."
"Rose Bentley, an astoundingly beautiful name for an astoundingly beautiful woman. Tell me do you live in the Seireitei?" Kiyoshi smiled at her.
Rose ignored his description of her beauty. She still did not like being referred to as 'beautiful Rose'. "Yes I do live in the Seireitei."
"Can I ask where in the Seireitei you live?"
"Now I think we are getting a little too personal, we have only just met." Rose smiled brightly at the boy. He was rather kind, talkative and a little too curious but kind nonetheless.
"My apologies Rose. People have said that I am far too curious for my own good." He smile genuinely. He really was good looking.
Rose was embarrassed to say that if she was not dating Shunsui then she could fall for the person I front of her. However, there was a certain air to him that screamed bad boy. Maybe it was the way he held himself, slouching ever so slightly, or from the way he looked at her like he could see into her soul.
"So tell me Kawano-kun-."
"-please call me Kiyoshi." He interrupted
Rose smiled. "Kiyoshi, could you please tell me about the classes? Which ones are the best and which teachers should I watch out for."
"I can't really tell you which class is the best as people have their own opinions. Personally I like the Zanjutsu classes but then you might like a totally different discipline. Hmm…not really sure about teachers. Tokaji sensei, the Soul Society history teacher, can be really hard if you do not complete your work on time and he is also really hard to impress. Matano, the Hakudo Sensei is slight insane because he will drive you into the ground and smile like he is enjoying it. And then there is Aibu, the zanjutsu sensei, he is a real hard arse but he will always value hard work. I guess that is everybody who is notably scary." Kiyoshe had put his hand under his chin and was looking up at the sky while talking
"They sound pretty terrifying." Said and unsure Rose
"Don't be scared they are all really nice deep down, deep, deep down. Ah here comes Sekine Sensei." Kiyoshi nodded his head towards a tall, slime, black haired woman wearing a white Kosode and grey hakama who was making her way across the courtyard. She was also carrying a black folder under her left arm
"So I take it that you are Rose Bentley." Said Sekine in a gentle voice. "Excellent, well my name is Sekine Haru and I am the Hoho instructor for the Shin'o academy. Could you please follow me as we will being your orientation now?"
Haru Sekine definitely looked like a runner, her tall body was that of an athlete. Rose started to walk away only to stop and bow towards Kiyoshi. "It was nice talking to you Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi bowed. "It was nice talking to you beautiful Rose." Rose grimaced internally but smiled nonetheless. The last person to call her beautiful had been an old man who had bent her over a table and fucked her while she screamed in agony. It was understandable why she hated that name. But also it felt wrong to hear somebody other than Shunsui give her pet names. The boy was also good looking, but nothing could rival her lover in good looks according to her. Still it felt wrong to admit that she found somebody, over than her Shunsui, attractive. Guilt washed through her. Was she being unfaithful to Shunsui by feeling attracted to another man? No, even if she did find another man good looking she was still madly in love with her lover and nothing could stop that. She was just doing some innocent window shopping.
Sekine lead her inside the huge building, and into an enormous reception area. The floor was made of pale wood while the walls were painted a light shade of cream. At the back of the room was a long wooden table which Rose assumed was the reception desk. Red coloured sofas and chairs were scattered round the room. The whole décor reminded Rose of a Hotel reception. Sekine pointed towards one of the red sofas and sat down.
"I have here your timetable here that I want to go through it with you quickly before we move on to the tour of our facilities." She pulled out a sheet of A4 paper and handed it to Rose.
"Classes start at 9:00 am every day for you expect on Wednesday where they start at 10:00 am. Classes end normally at 18:00 however as you can see some classes go on well passed that time. The academy administration sent a letter to Kyoraku Taicho asking about your level of training. Your advanced abilities in Zanjutsu means that you will be placed in both the advanced and intermediate class for Zanjutsu. Kyoraku Taicho said that even through you have achieved Shikai you still lack some of the basic Kendo skills. That being the case you will use the advanced class to strengthen your shikai and the intermediate classes to improve your Kendo skills. Does that seem alright to you?" Rose nodded. "Alright then your Hakudo is at an intermediate level and so is your Hoho. Kyoraku Taicho did mention that he had started to teach you Hoho and that your skills are developing at a steady pace. With this being the case you have been put in the intermediate class."
That was true, Shunsui had been teaching her Hoho in their spare time as Rose had grown tired of not being able to move at an incredibly speed like he was able to. She knew the basics however the distance she could travel in one step was still rather small. It was frustrating to watch Shunsui disappear off into the distance, leaving her behind to run after him. No the worst part was when he would run just a hair's breadth behind her and moan about how slow she was going. It was Rose's dream to be able to catch up to him and overtake him. The look on his face had the potential to be very comical. At first Shunsui had been very unenthusiastic about teaching her Hoho as he did not like the idea of her running around the Seireitei unprotected. Rose had laughed and then pointed out that if she did know Hoho she could outrun all her potential attacks and get back to him safe and sound faster. He seemed to warm to the idea of teaching her Hoho after that. Their classes usually involved a one sided game of tag. Either Rose would have to run from Shunsui or she would have to chase after him. The training had started out innocent enough, until Shunsui told Rose how much it turned him on when she played hard to get. The training had then turned into a form of foreplay in which Rose would have to run away from Shunsui while he tried to capture her and have his 'wicked' way with her. The sex that followed was always phenomenal.
"Moving on." Sekine's voice brought Rose back to the present. Her mind had wondered off to the last time she and Shunsui had played one of their games. She should not let herself be distracted by those kinds of thoughts while she was here.
"Because your kido is not your greatest ability you have been placed in both the Intermediate and beginners class. Hopefully by the end of the year you will be able to drop the beginner's class. You are also in the advanced human world studies class because you remember everything from your past life. We were debating where or not to sign you up to this class, however, we decided to sign you up to them as it would enable you to learn what you already know but from a different perspective." Rose nodded her head. "Right well that seems to be all. Let's start with your tour." Sekine got to her foot and started to walk away at a brisk pace. Rose quickly jumped up and practically ran after her.
"You are one of the few students who will not be staying in the dorms. To prevent you from having to walk around all day carrying your books we have been assigned a locker where you can place your belongings in. These lockers are located down those stairs." She pointed towards the staircase. "The headmaster was also informed that you have acquired your own personal Zanpakuto. It is a rule that only Sixth year's students are allowed their own personal Zanpakuto. We cannot ask you to get rid of your Zanpakuto but we can ask you to leave it at home. You will only bring your Zanpakuto to the Academy when you have an advanced Zanjutsu classes. However, it will remain in its sealed form. Do I make myself clear?" Rose nodded. "Very well. Now I will show you the Dojo, the Kido training rooms and the outside fields. Please follow me as we have a lot to see in very little time." Sekine walked out of the Administrative building
It was scorching hot in the assembly hall. The air seemed to suffocate Shunsui and with every breath he took his lungs would burn. The sun's ray were heating up the room to unbearable temperatures. To his right he could see the little outline of Toushiro who appeared to be gritting his teeth. The poor little ice boy must be suffering under such intense heat. In fact all Taichos seemed to be showing some form of discomfort. The only person enjoying the scorching temperature in the room was the Soutaicho. But then again he always enjoyed the heat. Sweat beaded and trickled down Shunsui's back while his clothes started to stick to him. This was torture. All he wanted to do was find a nice cold body of water, a lake maybe, and bath in it. He imagined how the cool water would wash away all the sweat on his back and chill his body in the most delightful may possible. And of course his darling Rose would be there to keep him company. She had looked so beautiful this morning in her purple Yukata and white sash. Her hair had flowed down her back and danced around her back. How he wanted to run his fingers through her soft tresses and inhale their heavenly scent. At the lake she would slowly remove her clothes before slipping in to the water, gasping ever so slightly at its coolness. He would follow her in soon after and hold her close to his body while the water danced around his waist. Her breast would be pressed against his chest and her bottom would be nestled in between his hands while he gently played with them. He would then bring her lips up to his and kiss her, slowly at first and then more deeply. She would taste of something sweet and would moan when his tongue invaded her mouth. Together they would stand in the lake, kissing passionately until over needs arose. Slowly he would lower his hand down to her southern lips and feel the wetness there. She would gaps when his fingers found her clit…
"-SHUNSUI! Pay attention!" The Soutaicho's voice rang through Shunsui's head and dissolved the erotic images he had been conjuring up.
"Sorry Yama-jii." He replied with a chuckled. The Soutaicho glared at him before moving on.
"As I was saying there has been some unusual hollow activities in Karakura town. Several high level Hollows have been appearing and then disappearing almost instantly. There is also the issue of an unknown reiatsu appearing in Karakura town. We do not know much about this unknown reiatsu signature but we do know that it neither hollow, Shinigami or Quincy. The Substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki and Kuchiki Rukia have not been able to track down this unknown being as it, just like all the hollows, keeps disappearing and reappearing."
"So it is safe to assume that the two are connected." Said Ukitake.
"That is hard to say as the hollows and the reiatsu keep reappearing at different spots and at different times. " Replied the Soutaicho.
"How strong is this unknown force?" Asked Kenpachi. He had been very quiet throughout the meeting until now.
"Most of the Hollows are of Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde level, while the unknown being seems to be at the level of a Taicho." Said the Soutaicho.
"That sounds like fun. I can't wait to go kill it!" exclaimed Kenpachi.
"You foul!" snapped Kurotsuchi. "You can't kill this being as you will be throwing away valuable research material."
"You just want that thing so you can dissect it." replied Kenpachi.
"Yes but can you imagine the information we could collect from this unknown being. I am surprised that an ignorant oaf such as yourself ever became a Taicho." Kurotsuchi stamped his foot on the ground. Shunsui tilted his hat down and sighed. Those two were at it again. It was always so dull to hear men argue over such petty things. Maybe if he tuned those two out he could get back to his previous fantasy. Now where was he…oh yes he was about to sink his fingers into his darling Rose's wet, luscious folds and pump his fingers in and out of her slowly, while hearing her gasp his na-.
"-Why don't you just head back to your laboratory Kurotsuchi and leave the fighting to real men." Cried out Kenpachi. Damn! Why did the two of them have to be so loud?
"SILENCE," boomed the Soutaicho while banging his cane on the ground. "I will have no more of this nonsense. Because of the gravity of the situation in Karakura town I will be sending a team of Taicho and their Fukutaichos to investigate the situation. However, because we do not have the resources to send a large team of Taicho to do the job I have requested help from the Vizards in Karakura town."
Shinji sighed. He did not like the idea of working with Hiyori again. She really was a piece of work. After the war with Aizen, the Visoreds had been offered back their previous positions as compensation for their unlawful banishment. Shinji, Kensei, Mashiro and Rojuro had all agreed to take back their positions which had been taken away from them. However, because the position of Fukutaicho of the ninth division was already occupied by Hisagi, Mashiro had taken over the role of chief editor for the Seireitei bulletin. The other Visoreds had decided to stay in Karakura town because they still held grudges against the Shinigami. The situation must be very critical if the Soutaicho had asked the Visoreds living in Karakura town for help.
"After some careful through I have decided to send two Taichos to Karakura town where they will work hand in hand with the Visoreds in order to investigate the unusual hollow activities and to capture the unknown reiatsu. We do not know what we are dealing with so it would be foolish to send in an extermination squad. Shunsui, your ability to judge characters will be useful for this mission so I am assigning you to lead it. You will be joined by Jushiro, and the Visoreds. You may take your Fukutaicho's with you for this mission." Said the Soutaicho. Damn! Thought Shunsui. He had only just gotten Rose back and now he was going to have to leave her while he went on a mission.
"How long will the mission last?" he asked, not really liking the fact that he had to leave Rose's side. Hopefully the mission will not last that long.
"Until sufficient data has been collected." Was all the Soutaicho said. Shunsui exhaled. This was not looking so good. "Consider this Taicho meeting over. Shunsui, Ukitake you will be sent to the world of the living in two days' time which should give you enough time to sort out the running of your division while you are absent."
Shunsui walked out of the room with his shoulder slouched forwards and his hat low over his eyes. He only had two days with his Rose until he was forced to leave her to go on this retched mission. Why was it that people kept trying to separate his love from him? Why was the world so cruel? He was finally happy with his life so why did people have to ruin it?
"Cheer up Shunsui. This mission could be other in a few days' time" Said Ukitake
Shunsui looked at his friend. "I know. I just don't want to leave Rose behind."
"You just don't like the idea of not being able to fuck your girlfriend. Hey don't worry Kyoraku maybe I will pay her a visit during your absence." Said a voice behind them.
Shunsui spun around and glared at Shinji. It was no secret that Shunsui was sleeping with a very beautiful girl and was thus the subject to many forms of teasing. He had become an easy target due to his over protectiveness of her.
"I don't know Shinji, maybe she wants a man with more…length." Stated Rojuro.
"Hey shut up Rojuro. I am perfectly capable of satisfying a woman in bed."
"That is not what I heard from the red headed bar maid in the Howling Hollow. Nah I think I stand a change of bedding Rose and making her feel completely satisfied.
Ukitake could see a vein starting to throb on his friend's forehead. Shunsui was never one to be angered by banter however if the banter involved Rose in any way it was guaranteed to piss him off. Ukitake placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and guided him away from Shinji and Rojuro. "Shunsui…ignore them. You know they are only doing this to get a rise out of you."
"I know I know." Snapped Shunsui a little too harshly. "I'm sorry Jushiro. It's just that when I hear them talking about Rose like that I get a little angry."
Ukitake nodded. "They are only doing that to get a rise out of you. You have become an easy target recently and I must say it is rather entertaining to watch the 'gentle' Taicho get very angry." The two of them walked out of the first division and started to head back to towards their respective divisions.
"Well I am glade that I am entertaining." Said Shunsui through gritted teeth.
"Come on Shunsui you need to relax a bit." It was rather funny that he now had to tell his friend to relax when it was normally vice-versa.
"How can I relax when I know that the moment I leave for my mission Shinji, Rojuro and god know who will try to sleep with Rose? She is mine!"
"Do you trust her?"
"Of course I do."
"Well then I don't see the trouble of leaving her behind while you are on your mission. She will not go around sleeping with people behind your back as she loves you." Said Jushiro in a kind manner.
"I trust her…I just don't trust the other men."
"Shunsui…they were only joking. Every man in the Seireitei knows that if they so much as put a finger on Rose then they will have to answer to you. Not many people have the guts to do that."
Shunsui sighed. "I'm sorry Jushiro…I just get so angry whe-."
"I know Shunsui. Now let's talk about something else shall we?"
"Alright." Although he had agreed to let the subject drop, Shunsui knew that it was far from over. The moment he got back to his house he was going to make love to Rose so hard that should would never be able to look at the bed (or where them ended up) without blushing. She belonged to him and nobody else. His fellow Taichos had lit a fire within him, a fire of jealous that could only be put out with several round of sex. He needed Rose right now, needed her hard and fast. Thank goodness she liked a little rough sex