Pest Control
Chapter Two: Fleas
Pairings: MashiroxKensei, ShinjiXHiyori, LisaxRose
Disclaimer: I do NOT own BLEACH, nor do I claim to. If I did own it do you honestly believe I would be writing fanfiction about it?
Special Thanks: Again thanks goes to my brother for being amazing. PhoenixSong4232 also gets huge props for pimping my story in her latest chapter of 'Frozen Secret'. That just made my day, by the way. A big thank you to Owl City for creating the song 'Fireflies'. I can't stop listening to it and I'm continually inspired by it. But the biggest thanks go out to my readers and reviewers. Thank you!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rumors had spread quickly of the prodigal woman that had joined the ninth division. Some speculated that she was actually a 'he' planted in the squad to get the second division off of the ninth's back. Another popular belief was that Captain Kensei Muguruma had fallen in love with the girl, and would do anything to keep her by his side, including lie about her evaluations. Fourth Seat Shinobu Eishima had also been drawn into the rumors, being painted as a cunning romantic adversary to the lovesick captain. And, among all the wild theories, there was the equally preposterous gossip that Mashiro Kuna was actually a talented and spirited woman that wanted to prove herself in a division dominated by men.
All the rumors had lead to a fairly serious problem however, as everyone is Soul Society wanted to see the enigmatic cadet for themselves. At first Kensei had only needed to worry about his own men harassing Mashiro, (As well as Shinobu since she was occupying his room until after the exhibition match). Now things were bordering on insanity, with every division trying to sneak a peek.
Miraculously, Mashiro had still managed to do well on her kido evaluation, impressing each of the six captains from other divisions that had been invited to watch and evaluate her every move. She wasn't as fantastic with her demon magic as she was with hand-to-hand combat but she did well enough to manage all the basics with little to no trouble, and her aim was nearly perfect.
The tactics examination didn't go quite so smoothly. While she did well on offering up strategies, she was easily distracted, and her tendency to fidget often compromised her location and battle plan. Nevertheless, she did well enough, impressing guest judges Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyoraku, and almost every seat agreed she deserved the chance to aim for the vice-captain position.
Finally, the time had arrived for the fateful exhibition match to begin. To control the amount of unauthorized admirers coming to spy on Mashiro, Squad nine's captain decided to make it open for everyone to watch, judging that the sheer amount of people would discourage any unscrupulous acts. The sparring pit for the division had been cleared out to make room, and still seating was packed to full capacity. Mashiro Kuna was either going to become the most famous vice-captain yet, or be completely humiliated in front of half of Seireitei.
"You know, I'm still against this idea, Eishima-san" muttered Heizo as he was ushered onto the field.
"Oh come now, Kasaki-san, I'm sure she won't hurt you that bad," supplied Shinobu with a laugh. Heizo's retort was nothing more than a glare and a twitch of the bald man's mustache. "Oh, you're so empathetic. From what I've seen so far, you're gonna be in for quite a fight, Kasaki-san."
Heizo merely sighed and walked into the ring, pulling his jacket off and draping it over a nearby wall. He unwrapped his zanpakuto's sash from around his waist, and held the sheathed sword in one hand.
Mashiro was already in the arena, sitting cross-legged on the ground. "C'mon, I'm bored waiting here!"
The third seat merely smirked, and unsheathed his blade. "Aren't you going to use your zanpakuto?"
Mashiro giggled. "That old thing? I'm not gonna need it. You're going down with good old fashioned elbow grease!" She flexed dramatically, causing a chuckle to flutter through the watching crowd.
One man, however, wasn't nearly as amused. "I can't believe Heizo-san is fighting a woman…" Ukitake sighed, leaning back into his seat.
"Oh come now," joked the deeper voice of his fellow captain, Kyoraku. "You're just a softie for anyone with 'Shiro' in their name, aren't you? What, are women only for seducing, you fox? How did your date with that tea server go, by the way?"
"I told you, it was dinner, and nothing else!"
Kyoraku laughed, pointing to the captain's face. "Your cheeks say otherwise, mate."
Indeed, Ukitake's cheeks were as pink as Kyoraku's kimono. "Shut up." The white-haired captain muttered under his breath, turning to face the fight when he heard Todo announce the fight's start.
Mashiro immediately ran forward, jumping up and spinning, aiming a kick to the crown of Heizo's head. The third seat easily avoided damage by blocking the blow with his sheathed zanpakuto, and reached up to grab Mashiro's leg and attempt to throw her out of the ring, hopefully ending the fight early. However, the girl freed herself with a simple twist of the ankle, and planted a kick to the man's side before flipping and rolling to a safe distance. He managed to absorb most of the shock with his sheath, but his kidney still let out a sharp stab of pain.
"Yaaaayyy, first hit!" Mashiro cheered, spinning in a small victory dance.
Heizo saw his opportunity, and rushed forward, jamming his sheathed blade forward to hit the girl in the back and push her out. Mashiro did duck, but Heizo changed his approach at the last moment, so rather than being hit in a single spot, his sheath dragged its way painfully up her entire back.
"Ooooowwww, jerk!" Mashiro drew her leg up to donkey kick the man, but Heizo held up his free hand.
"Seki!"
Mashiro's attack bounced off the kido shield he drew up, but nevertheless sent him skidding back. He went to attack again, but saw Mashiro jumping on one foot, clutching the other tightly.
"Ow ow ow ow owwwww!!!!" She yelled, tears welling up in her eyes. Heizo felt the judging eyes of everyone around and quickly walked forward to remedy the situation.
"I'm… sorry… Kuna-sa-" He was cut short by an elbow to the stomach, knocking any breath with which to speak out of his lungs. Mashiro grunted her forearm slightly stinging from the hardness of his abdominal muscles.
"Do you have a crush on me, Mustache-kun? Cuz there's no way that was anything other than a love tap! Well, I'm sorry, but I'm looking for a slightly taller man, maybe with a bit more hair!" She giggled, jumping in a playful fighting pose as Heizo blushed a vivid red, looking around at the witnesses to his insult, snickering and whispering to each other.
"That is quite enough, Kuna-san." With a long ring, he unsheathed his blade, holding his sword in one hand, and his sheath in the other. "I'm sorry about this." He held them an arm's length away from each other.
"Quake…"
His blade and sheath seemed to turn to rubber, wrapping around his forearms.
"…Mogura!"
His entire exposed arms were wrapped in a green light as his reiatsu increased. "Oooo, pretty!" Mashiro admired aloud as she watched the show. When it had finally died down, Heizo's arms were covered entirely with silver-colored arm's-length gauntlets, with spikes jutting from his shoulders, elbows, and knuckles. From each of his fingertips sprouted a small square plate, which seemed to glow a light green.
Mashiro stuck her tongue out.
"Fancy, but it doesn't look like something that'll hit me."
Heizo smirked. "It's not to hit you." He held his hand out, the squares on his fingertips facing downward, and the glowing intensified, and Mashiro gave herself a firm footing, preparing for Heizo's attack whatever it may be.
"Footing will do you no good." Heizo's hand shot out to the side, and Mashiro suddenly found herself falling on her behind.
"What was that?"
Heizo didn't respond. He reached out his other hand, pointed his fingertips downward, and pulled his hand towards his chest. At that point, Mashiro figured out what his zanpakuto did. The ground she was laying on was moving faster and faster towards Heizo, where his fist was waiting for her. She jutted her feet out, and pushed off of his fist, jumping back towards safety.
"That's not going to help either." Heizo held out his other hand, and lifted it high into the air. Immediately, a pillar of earth erupted from the ground, racing towards Mashiro's airborne form.
"Eep!" She held her hands out to cushion the blow, but it still hit her hard in the chest, forcing out a loud gasping cough. She fell to the ground, landing roughly, with her right foot beneath the rest of her body. Everyone watching the fight heard the sickening pop that accompanied the crash landing, and gasps erupted from several witnesses.
Kensei was already in the arena, running towards her, and Todo was ready to call the fight.
"The victor is Hei-"
"STOP!!!"
Kensei froze in place, Todo's hand stuck unmoving in the air, and even the audience was so still they seemed to be painted to the walls.
Mashiro was standing, albeit with most of her weight on her uninjured leg, and staring straight at Heizo.
"I'm not done yet." Her usual effervescent personality had disappeared completely. She was no longer bouncing in place and dancing on her heels. She was still, her eyes darting around, taking in her surroundings. Her hand clenched, relaxed, and clenched again. She took a deep steadying breath, tested her leg, and immediately cringed back. "No running…" She sighed, and pulled back her fist. "I can only do this once, so please stay still."
Heizo cocked his head in confusion, but was quickly answered. Mashiro disappeared from sight with a quiet chirp, and Heizo went looking around frantically.
"Shunpo… She never showed any skill in this…" He spun on his heels, holding his arms up defensively as he suddenly felt Mashiro's presence behind him. He managed to block the blow, but what he heard next was much more startling. With a sharp snap, he saw a crack form in his gauntlet, and begin to travel up his arm.
With a wisp, he was several feet away, at the edge of the arena. "I'm done. You damaged my Mogura with your bare hands. I'm not risking anymore harm to him. You win…" He jumped off the raised fighting area, and walked towards the exit.
"That's it, Heizo is defeated!"
Mashiro looked confused for a moment, watching Heizo retrieve his jacket, sheathe his sword, and walk away. It wasn't until he was halfway through the crowd of spectators what she realized what had just happened, and what it meant. "I'm… vice captain… I'm vice captain!"
She jumped high in the air, throwing her arms up high and cheering. However, when she landed, her leg let out a loud snap, and Mashiro's face contorted in pain.
Kensei was once again halfway there when Mashiro held her hands up, waving him off. "I'm fine, I'm fine, really, I'm f-" She couldn't even finish the sentence before she fell off to the side, unconscious. But by that point, Kensei was close enough to catch her.
"Kuna-san!" Shinobu yelped, running to where she had fallen. He watched Kensei bend over and pick her up bridal style while feeling something stir within himself at the picture they made. "I'll carry her to the fourth division, Captain" he offered.
"That's alright, Eishima. You stay here and help with crowd control. I'm pretty sure Todo will want to organize a party in Mashiro's honor so help with that too while I make sure she gets healed properly" Kensei told him as he shifted Mashiro's weight in his arms.
Shinobu hesitated but nodded anyway and went to offer assistance, sending a few glances back over his shoulder.
Alone with his new vice captain he looked down at her unconscious form and shook his head. "You can take a beating, I'll give you that" he sighed, noting that the rise and fall of her chest was uneven and her breathing was ragged. Her leg was also jutting at a very odd angle and he suspected it was dislocated, which he knew from experience hurt terribly.
An unbidden feeling of pride washed over him and he smiled lightly as he imagined his little vice captain making all kinds of hell for his division… Their division. "You're only manageable when you're unconscious" he chuckled as he reached the fourth squad and was greeted by Captain Retsu Unohana.
"My my, she is certainly worth all the gossip" she said, smiling like she knew the answers to everything. "Carried here in the arms of her Captain… I hope you recall that fraternization is frowned upon".
Kensei nearly dropped the unconscious woman right there. "What?! NO" he stated firmly, shaking his head. "She's nothing but a subordinate. I know the rules… I don't have time or patience for girls like her anyway"
"Ah… Forgive me for assuming. It's just the way you were looking at her lead me to believe otherwise" Unohana told him, still giving him her Mona Lisa smile.
Kensei coughed to clear his throat and shifted Mashiro's body in his arms. "I… uh… Her right leg, chest, and back took most of the hits. Everything else is just scratches"
If Unohana noticed how badly he wanted to change the subject she didn't comment on it or wasn't given the chance because her vice captain, Seinosuke Yamada appeared and took Mashiro from Kensei, carrying her with just as much care as the captain had shown.
"Set her up in room two hundred and do a quick analysis for me. Be sure to focus on the areas Captain Muguruma specified, please" she ordered gently, smiling after her charge and newest patient. "Don't worry, Captain, she is in good hands".
Kensei nodded and bid her farewell, heading up to sit with his lieutenant.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Unohana's orders had been to let Mashiro rest after treatment had been administered. Kensei had no qualms about letting the little prodigy do so since it gave him time to think. He sat at a chair positioned next to Mashiro's bed and watched her sleep.
Unlike her reported sleeping habits of thrashing and making inappropriate sounds she was still and calm, looking angelic at the center of the bed's pristine white sheets. Her breathing was a bit loud but not to the point of a snore and sometimes her fingers would clench and unclench around the sheets, but otherwise she was peaceful.
Kensei had absolutely no idea what to make of her. Her reasons for joining squad nine, her past, her staggering prowess… Everything about her was a mystery. She filled his head with questions he was dying to have answered, but ones he hoped to figure out himself.
His masculinity kicked in, and he found himself beginning to examine her on a physical level. Mashiro was in every way aesthetically pleasing. Her skin was fair and her body petite, yet sensuous. Her gently curled lime green hair framed her face, and made her stand out in a crowd. Though closed he knew her eyes were a gentle mix of grey and gold that were more expressive than any eyes he'd ever seen, and yet what they expressed was undecipherable. Her nose was small and her lips were plump and soft and perfect…
And her legs.
If Kensei were a weaker man he would've fallen victim to her long and lovely legs with the first flash of them he'd seen. All her power seemed to be focused in them and he'd be a liar if he said it didn't entice him. When he'd heard cadets daydreaming of her enviable flexibility he'd been forced to fight off illusions of those legs wrapped around him.
She made him feel like he needed to protect her from the world, even though he knew she was capable of fending for herself. A nagging worry was that on a subconscious level he'd merely laid claim to the first female to enter his territory. He did feel more hostile when he saw others, especially Shinobu, carrying on with her. He had used his masculinity as an aide in commanding his squad, and he feared that this girl had caused the testosterone to fuel his actions, rather than being used purely in his logic.
He'd wanted her out of his squad. She was a dangerous distraction for him. At the same time, however, he knew he'd feel the need to follow her wherever she went, as if the red string of fate were tied between them.
It wasn't that he had any romantic feelings for her, simply an attraction. She was beautiful, charming, clever, and mysterious… An intriguing creature that he hoped to grow bored with in due time and come to see as nothing but a comrade, regardless of gender. Though even through that reassurance, something inside of him stirred when he looked at her that made him apprehensive.
In his musings his mind began to wander and he could imagine Mashiro looking up at him and smiling with her bright eyes. Her bell-like voice echoed in his head like a soft chime. The way her lithe form would shift as she struck whatever silly pose she wanted to wave at him danced in his mind.
"Kensei"
He liked the way it sounded in his head. It was as if she needed his attention to thrive.
"Kensei"
Her tone was slightly lower and drawn out a bit more this time, as if she were beckoning him to join her in something forbidden. He realized his mind was dragging him down that dark path, but he was neither willing nor able to stop himself by that point.
"KENSEI!"
This time the voice was not that of Mashiro, but an annoying male, and it was accompanied by a hard poke to the forehead. He snapped out of his daydream instantly and blinked up at his fellow captain, Shinji Hirako, with surprise.
"Huh?" Kensei asked, still not quite out of his mental menagerie.
"Jesus, Kensei. I've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes but you've been too busy starin' at the babe on the bed. What'd you do, snap her pelvis?" the blonde asked with a lecherous grin. "Ah but I forgot… You're too busy to embark on the journey of a woman's flesh. Bein' around all those barbaric men changed your preferences years ago, didn't it?"
"Just because I don't chase everything with breasts doesn't mean I'm gay, dumbass" Kensei retorted, not bothering to mince his words.
Shinji chuckled at his friend's response before stepping closer to Mashiro's bed and leaning over to examine her. From the corner of his eye he saw Kensei stiffen and had to stifle the gleeful and wicked smile that threatened to twist on his lips. Cocking his head to the side he pretended to appraise the female like a work of art.
"I wonder what part of her had you so distracted" he mused, reaching out to touch a few strands of her green locks. "Her hair is certainly unique". His fingers left her hair to stroke the side of her face, cupping her cheek. "I bet she has gorgeous eyes. Green like her hair? Brown like chocolate? Or somethin' more… Exotic?" he purred before his fingers traced down her cheek to cup her chin as his thumb played over her bottom lip.
"Nice plump lips. Soft, too. I wonder how well she uses 'em".
Kensei's fingertips were digging into the armrests of the chair he sat upon so hard that they were white and his face was an unhealthy purple hue. It was apparent that he was trying to restrain his temper, further tempting Shinji to push it to the limit. The intimidating ninth squad suddenly had an exploitable weakness.
"Or maybe…" Shinji began, trailing his fingertips slowly down Mashiro's neck and dawdling on her collarbone.
Mashiro let out a small sound of discomfort and shifted slightly, playing right into the fifth division captain's hands.
He smiled widely and began to drag his fingertips toward her chest. "Or maybe it's her nice, round, perky-"he was cut off abruptly by Kensei jumping to his feet, grabbing him by the collar of his captain's robes, and yanking him away from his sleeping lieutenant. His fist was poised to punch Shinji between the eyes but he was held off by the blond holding his hands up in defeat.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Not in front of the lady"
Kensei dropped him but his glare did not let up. Instead he stormed over to the door of the room and slammed it open. He pointed out into the hallway and after a few calming breaths he managed a terse "Get out now".
"Aww c'mon, Kensei! I was just havin' a little fun!" Shinji protested. He sighed and rolled his eyes walking toward the door only to stop and strain as if listening for something. "Oop, I think Sleeping Beauty is wakin' up!" he cheered.
Kensei left his post at the door to hurry over and check on his vice captain, falling hook line and sinker for Shinji's clever trap. The fifth division captain stuck his leg out and tripped up Kensei's step, grabbing him by the back of his robe, turning him around, and booting him out of the door with a cheeky wave.
After the initial shock wore off Kensei came at the door like a charging bull only to have it slammed in his face. The lock clicked loudly into place and Shinji's cackle could be heard from within.
Pounding his fists on the door Kensei called Shinji every obscenity from his vast and filthy vocabulary as he debated on going to get Unohana to open the door for him. Pride won out and he helplessly stood in the door frame, listening with baited breath when Shinji's laughter died down.
"Ohhh how cute! She's pursing her lips and calling your name, Kensei! There, there, cutie… Shinji's here now".
"Hirako! You bastard! You lay another finger on her and I'll break every bone in your damn body!" the silver-haired captain hollered. He tried slamming his shoulder into the door only for it to not budge. "What the hell are these doors made of?"
"Oooh such a babe! I think I'm in love! My very first love and it was at first sight…" Shinji sighed dramatically.
"I don't think your real first love will like that" piped up a drowsy voice as Mashiro wiped her eyes and looked around the room. "Hi. Who're you?" she asked Shinji with a small smile. Her eyes drifted from his over to the window and she cocked her head curiously before looking back at him.
"I am-"Shinji began to introduce himself but Kensei, having heard Mashiro's voice, made an all new clamor.
"MASHIRO! Don't listen to a word that pig says to you! He's nothing but a filthy pervert!" her captain warned as he renewed his attacks on the door. "Dammit Shinji, OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!!!" he roared.
"Stupid Kensei locked himself out of my room and trapped me in here with a pervert? What a bad captain" she deadpanned, staring at the door with a level stare.
There was a pause before more banging and yelling came. "Mashiro you'd better hope I don't get in there! I'm your superior and I will MAKE you treat me with some respect. Now open the damn door so I can kick his ass and then go back to bed so you can heal!"
Mashiro made a face at the door before smiling at Shinji, a challenge shining in her eyes.
Shinji was impressed. All the years he'd known Kensei he'd been the only one to push Kensei to the limit and it had taken years to bring him down. Then his precocious vice captain comes along and after a few mere days there a threats of bodily harm. "Damn… What'd you do to him?" he asked reverently.
Mashiro giggled and pressed her fingers to her lips to convey that she wasn't telling.
The blond smirked and nodded his head at her. Seeing as she was fair game to just about anything, a fellow troublemaker and possible mischief ally, he decided to play some more.
"I'm Fifth Squad Captain Shinji Hirako" he introduced, holding his hand out to her.
"Ninth Squad vice Captain Mashiro Kuna" she replied, putting her hand in his and laughing when he kissed the back of it. "Oooh you are trouble. I feel bad for the girl".
"What girl?" he asked, releasing her hand.
"The one you are actually in love with. You put on a good act but you can't trick a trickster" she beamed.
Her companion seemed to choke on something in his throat and had to cough a few times to clear it out. Suddenly his voice was strained. "No clue what you're getting at, babe!" he defended lightly.
Mashiro looked at the window again. "Hmm".
Recovering quickly Shinji decided to have his last laughs and then get away from the surprisingly perceptive female. He needed to regroup so he could face her head on without the ball rolling into her court again. "Hey, babe, let's get away from these squares. I hope you like dogs, though, cuz I've had an annoyin' one yippin' at my heels all day."
In the hall Kensei was simmering in his rage just waiting to get his hands on the fifth squad captain. He was about to try and ram into it again after hearing Shinji proposition his lieutenant but paused upon hearing a resounding 'thwack!' At first he thought it was Mashiro finally giving the pervert what for but then the true assailant opened her mouth.
"I ain't the one humping legs all over the damn town! Somebody should neuter you!!!"
"Not before they muzzle you and strap on a shock collar, Fang!!!"
Hiyori had made a grand entrance into Mashiro's hospital room after flinging a fist-sized rock into Shinji's face and leaving an ugly red welt on his skin. She snarled at her long time adversary before looking at Mashiro. "He must've chewed through his leash"
"Oooh kinky!' Shinji snickered only to be hit once again with a sandal.
"No. Bad dog!" the petite powerhouse scolded as she waved another rock at him threateningly. She walked over to the door and opened it so Kensei could fall into the room.
He glowered at Shinji with a promise of retribution in his eyes before walking over to Mashiro's bed and eyeing her up and down for any signs of Shinji misbehaving.
Mashiro was too distracted by the bickering blondes to even notice. Her eyes were alight with joy as she watched them throw verbal barbs at each other, as well as the occasional fist or rock. A smile blossomed on her lips and she rested her chin in her hands to get comfortable as she watched.
"Hiyori Sarugaki, division twelve vice captain" Kensei stated, knowing Hiyori wouldn't bother to introduce herself unless there was a fight coming. "She and Shinji are old… Friends?" he stated uncertainly.
Mashiro beamed and waved energetically at Hiyori from her bed. "Hiyori! Hiyori!" she chanted, trying to get her attention.
"Do I know you?"
"I'm Kensei's new vice captain! Let's be friends, okay?" she asked hopefully.
"Doubt it. I don't hang around with idiots" Hiyori retorted sharply, but Mashiro was undaunted.
"Don't be such a meanie! We could be great friends! I could help you confess your love to the boy you like, after all" she grinned with a sparkle in her eyes.
Hiyori's mouth dropped open and she was speechless for a few seconds as a small blush came to her cheeks. She regarded the woman on the bed with wary eyes as she tried to figure her out. "L-love? I ain't in love with nobody!" she finally defended, turning her head to the side quickly and spitting out the window in a fashion contradictory to any girl in love.
"Sure you are! I mean aren't you in love wi-"
Hiyori slapped her palms over Mashiro's mouth and radiated a menacing aura as she glared at the taller vice captain. "Look here, Green Bean. I said I ain't in love with anybody and if it will get you to drop it then FINE… You can call me your friend or whatever. Just don't bug me with all your stupid shit!"
Mashiro let out a happy high-pitched squeal. "Hiyori gave me a nickname!!!" she cheered, hugging the smaller girl tightly. "I have to think of a good one for you too like 'Shorty' or 'Pigtails' or… Ooooh! I could call you 'Fang'!"
There was no warning as Hiyori's fist shot out towards Mashiro's face. She just acted on instinct, wanting to stop the woman from mocking her and to hurt her so she'd stop trying to get close. Just inches from hitting her target her fist was caught against Kensei's large palm and his fingers folded over her small hand.
He gave her a harsh warning glare before releasing her and pushing her hand back toward her. "Only I'm allowed to punish my lieutenant" he growled, still keeping his eyes locked with Hiyori's.
A loud snort broke the tension in the air as Shinji leered at Kensei. "Punishment games, 'eh? And you call me a pervert!" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and glanced from Mashiro to her captain then back again.
This time Kensei didn't bother stopping Hiyori from taking her anger out since she didn't attempt to attack Mashiro. Instead her foot met with Shinji's hindquarters so hard that he was projected face-first into a wall where he slumped into a pile, cursing and holding a hand over his mangled nose.
A sudden dark and foreboding presence filled the air and everyone looked from each other toward the open door where a calm and smiling Unohana stood with her hand on the door handle. With a little laugh she cocked her head to the side and the door seemed to explode around the handle, falling to the floor in tiny bits.
"Oh my… Flimsy material" she chuckled, dropping the mangled door knob onto the pile.
Kensei looked up at the captain with a face as white as the sheets Mashiro rested upon while Shinji sweat profusely and whimpered and Hiyori jumped up onto the windowsill as if to make a hasty retreat. Mashiro looked at Unohana as if she'd met her new hero.
"It seems as if everyone is enjoying themselves. It's always nice to have visitors, neh Kuna-san?" she asked her patient.
Kensei only paled further, praying Mashiro wouldn't play up the dramatics and earn him the wrath of squad four's imposing captain. He had learned to hold a healthy respect for the seemingly gentile woman and hoped against hope to get out unscathed.
Mashiro smiled back and nodded. "Shinji and Hiyori decided to introduce themselves and cheer me up while Kensei made sure I was staying in bed so I can get better"
Three heads turned in unison to stare at her but she just giggled. "Were we too loud, Unohana-san?" she asked, wisely using honorifics for the only person she deemed deserving of them so far.
Kensei bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grunting at her. He felt fairly insulted that a captain she barely knew got more respect than the one that lead her own squad.
"Some of the other patients were trying to rest and claimed to have been disturbed" Unohana admitted as the pressure in the room seemed to increase tenfold.
"Would you look at the time!? Looks like me and the runt here should be gettin' back to our squads and finish filin' paperwork" Shinji piped up, still gingerly holding his nose to stem the blood flow. "If you could just work your magic on my nose we'll get right out of your hair… And such lovely hair it is!"
Unohana turned to face him fully, her expression hidden from the rest of the room's occupants.
Shinji's face contorted into a look of pure unadulterated horror, as if he'd been dropped in front of about a thousand rabid menos. "You know what? It's fine! I'll let it heal naturally. Maybe a bump in it will make me look more rugged" he laughed nervously before hurrying over to the window, tucking Hiyori under his arm, and jumping out.
Unohana waved at the retreating figures from the window before closing it with a loud snap and turning back to the two left in the room. "I'd like to see if your leg is fit enough to support your weight. Muguruma-san could you please help Kuna-san stand?" she requested.
Mashiro pulled the sheets back to reveal she was yet again in her white under robe and turned so that her feet were hanging off the side of the bed.
Kensei hesitated, unsure if it was wise to get so close only to inwardly scoff at his cowardice. She was a beautiful woman, it was only natural he was attracted to her and he shouldn't have let it intimidate him. He lifted Mashiro up off the bed with gusto before gently setting her feet down on the floor and keeping her steady with a hand on her back.
He ignored how he'd felt the briefest hint of her curves under his touch or how warm and light her body was. Instead he focused on continuing to support her balance.
"Take a few steps, please" Unohana instructed, to which Mashiro obeyed.
Her walk was a bit wobbly but she eventually got her rhythm back and moved out of Kensei's reach to see if she could stay standing without support. Her hips swayed as she moved from walking to an impromptu dance that drew her captain's eyes yet again.
"Very good. You are a fast healer, Kuna-san" the medical expert informed her. "Just refrain from any intensive sparring for a few days as well as running for long amounts of time and if you feel the need to rest do not hesitate to do so. Do you have any pain?".
"Not really. I'll be fine" Mashiro told her, losing interest in the conversation and walking to the small cubby near her bed that held her things. She slipped on her outer robe and hooked on her zanpakuto. "Kensei, can you help me with my sandals?" she requested, holding up her socks and shoes so her captain could see.
"I suppose its fine that you go back to your division then" Unohana sighed. "Just be careful… Oh and congratulations on becoming vice captain. Congratulations to you as well, Muguruma-san on getting such a wonderful new lieutenant"
Mashiro nodded and smiled as she hopped back up onto her bed, waving goodbye as the fourth division captain left the room. Once she was out of sight Mashiro winced and placed a palm over her hip. "I shouldn't have jumped up to sit" she yelped, getting Kensei's full attention.
He was already pulling her socks onto her feet when she let her discomfort be known. "Should I go and bring her back?" he asked, pausing in his work.
"No. It's no big deal" Mashiro laughed before turning her head to look out the window. "Shinji and Hiyori are funny. I like them a lot".
Kensei shrugged as he started trying her sandals. "Tomorrow you'll get to meet most of the rest of the captains at your party. You earned a celebration for your efforts. Congratulations" he said, stepping back from his finished work to look at her.
He was surprised to see her usual bubbly expression replaced with something more serious and thoughtful. "Thank you, Captain" she said with a warm smile.
Kensei's heart skipped a beat for a moment and he had to turn away from her or else be sucked under her spell. He was therefore shocked to feel a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. "I'm glad I get to be your second seat" she whispered, hugging him a little tighter.
He stiffened in her grasp but slowly relaxed and let his guard down momentarily. He turned and placed an awkward hand around her shoulders before giving her a short squeeze and then clearing his throat and pulling away. "Surprisingly enough… I'm glad too" he admitted, scratching the back of his head.
Author's Note: Hooray Second chapter is done! I want to apologize for a small booboo last chapter. When I was doing the flashback scene some of the areas that were supposed to be italicized as well as underlined were not underlined like they should've been. Because of this from now on flashbacks will only be italicized. If anyone got confused I'm really sorry!
Also I write when I'm inspired so there will be no set updating schedule. However, thanks to my twin brother continuing to support/ hound me and giving me ideas you can be sure the updates will happen. Thank you for understanding!
