DISCLAIMER: Me no owny Bleach. Tite Kubo does.
I do hope I did this chapter ok! (It's my first many-chaptered fic so I don't really know how to go about this)
If I start making major edits to this story between now and the next chapter, it probably means something's gone horribly wrong in my planning. (As it often does.) So sorry!
The lines didn't work in the last chap. Hopefully they'll work now:
Yachiru's vision swam before her eyes, presenting strange and wonderful shapes to her. Blinking to clear it, she sat up and peered though the dimness of the room.
"Ken-chan!"
The hulking figure by the window looked up, regarding her with a stern gaze.
"You finally up?"
"Ken-chaaan! What happened? Why am I in hospital?"
He grunted, turning to look out through the window again. "It was just a scratch. Nothing serious. You're free to go whenever you want."
There was a long silence.
Shifting from foot to foot, he surreptitiously glanced back, only to find her gazing at him with an odd expression on her face.
"What?"
No response.
"What?!"
"Nothing."
She slid off the bed and wiggled her arms and legs, jumping up and down to get some feeling into them.
"So, Ken-chan, what are we gonna do today?"
He merely grunted. "You need to report back to the others. Tell them you're all right."
She yawned, stretched, strapped her pink sword to her side.
"Sounds ok to me!"
Leaping onto his shoulder, she whistled in time to the merry jingling of his bells.
"Let's go then!"
--
"Vice-Captain Yachiru Kusajishi of the 11th Division has been fatally injured during a menos battle, and has only 24 hours to live." He panted, leaning against the doorframe for support. "Captain Zaraki Kenpachi orders everyone in the Soul Society to act as normal, and not to speak a word of her condition."
Ikaku fiddled nervously with his sword hilt, trying to shut out the echoing of Hanatarou's words in his head. A quick glance at Yumichika told him he was not alone.
"What are we going to do?" He muttered, leaning across the table in an effort to hide his fears.
Yumichika shrugged, listlessly twisting a lock of hair around his fingers.
"Act normal, I guess. Like the captain said."
"Yes, but-"
"GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!"
Ikaku choked and leapt to his feet, along with everyone else in the room. Unconsciously smoothing down his uniform and rubbing his bald head, he stood as straight as he could and fixed what he hoped was a convincing smile on his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yumichika carefully preen his hair into shape and straighten his eyebrows.
"Good morning baldy! Good morning pretty-boy!"
She doesn't look fatally wounded at all!
"G-good morning, vice-captain!" He stammered, his voice sounding at the pitch usually reserved for dogs like Captain Komamura. From what he could see, Yumichika wasn't doing much better. (The poor man was trying so hard to smile that it looked like he had a toothache.)
"Well?" The little girl demanded, standing on tiptoes to look him in the eye. "Aren't you pleased to see me?"
"Yes," he squeaked, eyes watering, "Very pleased, vice-captain! It's been extremely lonely without you!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Really?"
"YES!"
"Good!"
Pivoting on her toes, she hopped onto the table top to address the company, looking for all the world like an innocent little toddler.
She hasn't changed one bit!
"Everyone, I'd like to thank you for all your hard work while I was away! If you keep on being good, Ken-chan might give you a cookie!"
She paused, beckoning for an appreciative round of applause. Nothing happened.
"What's the matter with you all?" boomed the voice of Kenpatchi from somewhere near the door.
A cheer worthy of a football stadium filled the room.
"That's better!" Yachiru smiled, eyes twinkling mischievously as she regarded the faces upturned towards her.
"Baldy! Pretty-boy! You have to come and play with me today!"
He exchanged a helpless glance with Yumichika.
"Everyone else gets the day off! Sake all round!"
Another riotous cheer accompanied the four of them as they left, loud enough to lift the roof. Yachiru was on back Kenpachi's shoulder, waving a fond adieu to the grinning faces. It was just like another normal day.
However, as Ikaku slid the door shut, he heard the room behind him fall into sudden silence.
Just act normal, guys…
Act normal.
I hope this turned out ok. I'd also like to thank all of my reviewers so far! -gives them candy- YAY!
I'd like some more though. -hint hint- Please review? Ken-chan will give you a cookie!