Animus Liber Chapter 2: The Future That We Don't Know, a bleach fanfic

Bleach isn't mine. Only Kube-sensei knows the truth. Theme: Pride, by High and Mighty Color.

A long time ago, in a bar, Kenpachi had chatted with Isshin Shiba about Murphy's Law, on the latter's last trip (but one) to the Seireitei. According to Isshin, it stated that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. In this situation, clause 19 of Murphy's Law applied.

'When you are expecting an important guest, that is the day you will be out of everything.'

He had to admit it was his own damn fault. Since they didn't know how long the war would last, Kenpachi'd let his shinigami raid the perishable supplies, even the ones normally reserved for the seats. Within reason- Sonoda would kill for her daily glass of milk, anyone who got between Makizue and his pears was in trouble, and the coffee and chocolate were invitation only.

The real surprise was the damage that'd been done to the non-perishable foods. Kenpachi's and Ikkaku's stash of birds-eye peppers had been raided, the coffee'd been consumed, the spices were decimated, and the sweet chili paste was gone. They were even out of miso. Kenpachi'd spent a long and expensive afternoon restocking. Rangiku'd been a great help, and he didn't even begrudge her the tea and sake she'd wanted as payment.

She was drinking a lot lately, but right now he couldn't worry about her. How the hell was he gonna explain things to Yachiru? Or Ushoda? Of the Vizards, so far he'd met Hirako and Aigawa, and he could tell they didn't think much of him. Fuck them. Ushoda could think what he liked, as long as he didn't try to take Yachiru away.

"Ayasegawa-fukutaicho, Ayasegawa-fukutaicho!" Rikichi yelled, waving frantically. "Did you hear the news?"

Yumichika carefully capped his ink and put down his brush.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Kusajishi-chan's real father showed up! Oh, it's going to be such a mess! Zaraki-taicho's gone all quiet, and it's gotten realllly scary around Eleventh."

Byakuya smiled into his teacup. Rikichi'd gotten it all spectacularly wrong. He'd love to be a fly on the wall when Kenpachi heard that rumor.

"I suppose you're going to be useless until you satisfy your curiosity," Byakuya remarked, apparently to the air. "Yes, Ayasegawa, you may escort Ushoda-sama to Eleventh."

"Thank you, sir," Yumichika said, happily.

"You don't look anything like the vice-captain," Yumichika said. Hachi wondered what she'd done to her eyebrows.

"Unohana-taicho lent me some pictures of Kusajishi-jo, and she seems to take after her mother's side of the family," Hachi replied. "Who are you, miss?"

"I'm only letting you get away with that because Zaraki-taicho hates it when his guests don't show up," Yumichika snapped. "My name is Yumichika Ayasegawa, I'm the former fifth seat of Eleventh, and I'm male."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to cause offence. Which division are you with now?"

"I'm the vice-captain of Sixth, currently. I doubt I'll stay there for long. That wretched Shihouin is trying to recruit me for Second Division."

"Soifon-taicho is going to be removed from her post?"

Yumichika shrugged.

"She's engaged to Kira-fukutaicho, and the rumor is that Yamamoto suggested that she take a nice long honeymoon. I suspect she won't be coming back to Second. Kira's already resigned."

"Tell me, what is Zaraki-taicho like?"

Yumichika shrugged. "He's well- Zaraki-taicho. He likes being in control, hates losing, and will fight anyone given half a chance of winning. I won't say he's nice, but he has his moments."

Hachi quite enjoyed the little stroll. Most of the divisions looked the same, although some poor shinigami would have to scrub off the graffiti on Fifth Division's barracks. He agreed with the sentiments expressed in the graffiti- mostly along the lines of 'Aizen sux.'

"Madarame is going to have his work cut out for him," he commented.

"I have to agree," Yumichika said. "Ikkaku loves to fix things, so I think he'll enjoy his time as captain."

"Has he picked out a vice-captain?"

"He's mentioned one or two candidates, but nothing definite yet. Ah, we're here."

"Is Zaraki-taicho a good cook?"

"Yes. He can't make anything really fancy, but he takes pride in being able to provide Yachiru-chan and his guests with delicious food."

Well, that sounded promising. Hachi still had some doubts about Kenpachi's cooking ability, but he'd managed to keep Yachiru alive without much help. Just as he thought that, he noticed the girl waiting by the gate. She'd grown a bit since the last photographs had been taken, but he knew her immediately. In person, the resemblance to her late parents was even more apparent. The internal hollow rumbled, immediately recognizing her as kin.

"Hi! Are you our guest? I'm Yachiru Kusajishi."

"I'm Hachi Ushoda, Kusajishi-fukutaicho. I used to be the lieutenant in the Kido Corps."

She considered him thoughtfully, cocking her head to the side. She'd inherited a lot of Kirio's mannerisms, he thought, sadly. It'd been a little more than a century, and he still missed her.

"Could you show me to the captain's quarters, Kusajishi-fukutaicho?"

She pouted. "Just 'Yachiru' is fine!"

"'Yachiru it is then," Hachi said. "Shall we go in? Ayasegawa's been bragging about your captain's cooking abilities, and I'd like to see if they live up to the claims."

"Are we related? You have the same color hair as I do. I've never met any shinigami that had pink hair before."

"I believe we might be.."

Yumichika left, smiling to himself. His curiosity was completely satisfied, and the rumor mill needed feeding.

"Nice ta meet ya," Kenpachi said. "I've heard a bit about ya from Soifon and Shihouin."

"It's nice to meet you too, Zaraki-taicho," Hachi said. "Thank you for inviting me."

He examined Kenpachi. He guessed that Kenpachi was about Aigawa's age, which made him a century or two younger than Hachi. He'd certainly led a hard life, judging from the scars that marked his face and body. This was not a man who trusted easily, or a man to be taken lightly.

"Is teppanyaki all right? I'm guessing you're a bit sick of that muck Retsu keeps tryin' ta pass off as food."

Hachi chuckled. "Teppanyaki sounds delicious. Do you need help?"

"No. Sit down and take a load off, Ushoda. Yachi, quit bothering him and set the table."

"'Kay!" Yachiru chirped. Despite Kenpachi's tone, she didn't seem frightened at all.

Kenpachi readied the food and drinks while she set the table. Once she was done, she sat down next to Hachi and looked expectantly at him.

"What do the Kido Corps actually do?" she asked.

"Research, mostly. Since we're officially a part of Second Division, we do missions with them, but most of us concentrate on the practical applications of kido. Occasionally, Unohana-taicho needs our services, or we are called to aid another division."

"Oh. Sounds boring."

"You sound like Kusagen, my couldn't understand the appeal of it either."

"You had a son?"

"Yes," Hachi said, sadly. "He died a long time ago. I'm sure you would have liked him."

Kenpachi stuffed a bite of rice and beef into her mouth before she could think of another question. She chewed thoughtfully and Hachi took that as his cue to sample some of the food. It was delicious.

"Yachi made the salad and the soup," Kenpachi said, helping himself to both. "I set aside some plums for later."

"Thank you. The division seems deserted tonight. Is it usually this quiet?"

"No. I lost Yumi ta Kuchiki, and Ikkaku's movin' on too. I let all the married shinigami go home for a while. The rest are new recruits- they're all bein' quiet 'cause they're scared I'll kick 'em out if they breathe too loudly."

"From the academy?"

"The best academy there is- every single one of 'em's from the Rukon. What they don't know about surviving ain't worth learning."

"You recruited directly from the Rukon?"

"Yeah, I used ta be a sword for hire, and a lot of the big shots in the districts owed me a favor or ten. I picked up most of the recruits in passing."

"Oh. You're that Zaraki. Weren't you originally partnered with a woman who went by the name of 'Surgeon'?"

"That was 'Chiru, my sensei. We worked together for a long time after I finished my apprenticeship."

Hachi sensed a tiny hint of pain in Kenpachi's voice. Well, that was interesting. He wondered what sort of woman the first Yachiru'd been. She'd certainly made an impression on Kenpachi.

"You never answered my question," Yachiru interrupted. "Pink-san, are we related?"

"Yes," he replied. "Your father was my only son. He'd married Saskakibe's daughter. I received word that they had died, but until recently, I didn't know you'd survived. I had to talk the others out of a rescue mission when we found out who took you in."

"Good. I don't need rescuing."

"Wouldn't a done them any good," Kenpachi chuckled. "Still, it'd be interesting."

"If I looked like my parents, how come Glasses didn't notice it?" Yachiru asked.

Glasses? he thought. What was with her and the nicknames? She probably meant Aizen.

"He only saw me in passing a few times, and your father never obtained any rank higher than third seat. Your mother began wearing tinted glasses to hide her eye color after her first year in the academy. She had red eyes, like yours."

"I can think of another reason," Kenpachi added. "I've messed up more 'n a few people who tried to fuck with Yachiru."

Hachi decided that the subject needed to be changed. They spent the rest of the meal chatting about inconsequential matters.

Hachi was amused to find out that Yachiru's hobby was the same as her mother's- sketching. Kenpachi didn't appear to have any hobbies, aside from fighting.

He was surprised to find that they all hailed from the lower Rukon's Northern Districts. Hachi had lived in the 68th before coming to the attention of the Kido Corps's captain at the time.

Yachiru yawned over her dessert. Hachi noticed the glance Kenpachi shot at her.

"Hey, caterpillar, I'm gonna walk Ushoda back to Fourth. Why don't you get to bed?"

"But I could go with you," she insisted.

"You'd fall asleep before we got halfway there. Don't worry about it. I'll read ya a story when I get back."

Kenpachi mussed her hair up affectionately. She batted his hand away, smiling.

"Okay. Um, Pink-san..I just want you to know that Ken-chan's always done his best for me."

"I can tell," Hachi said. "I'll see you again, Yachiru-chan."

He hesitated for a second, and bent down to give her a hug.

"I'm glad we were able to meet, little one," he whispered.

"Does Yachiru-chan normally tire out that easily?" Hachi asked.

"No, it's 'cause she's been running over to Tenth all the time,and she's gotta do the paperwork and training too. She's stubborn, so she doesn't say anything until she keels over."

"I'd guess you're the same way too," Hachi said. "You would have liked her parents. Kusa and Tomomi would often push themselves like that. They'd give any task all their effort."

"I know. They died defending her."

"Would you be offended if I asked how you found Yachiru-chan?"

"I was tracking a group of bandits that raided Kusajishi. Out of the area the bandits hit, Yachiru was the only one I found alive."

"What happened to the bandits?"

Kenpachi smiled nastily. "I turned their heads in for the reward. I needed the dough, especially with Yachi around."

"It's not that I'm not grateful, but why did you choose to raise Yachiru by yourself?"

"Who else was gonna do it?"

"You have a point."

"I guess I owe ya the truth. I didn't have any other choice. I didn't think she'd live very long, but I figured I'd try ta give her a fighting chance."

Hachi lowered himself to the ground in an awkward bow. "On behalf of my grand-daughter, I thank you."

Kenpachi hauled him to his feet. "Ya don't need ta thank me. I'm no hero."

Hachi accepted his zanpakuto, framing his next thoughts carefully.

"You may not think so, but I'll have to disagree. Would you mind if I visited your division again?"

"Drop by anytime. Yachi'll be happy ta see ya."

"I will try. I do not know how long we will be able to stay in the Seireitei."

"Worried that ol' man Yama'll roll up the welcome mat on ya? I don't blame ya."

"Old habits die hard, I'm afraid. But I'm glad I was able to meet you and Yachiru. At least something good has come out of this mess."

"Are you going ta take Yachiru with you when you leave?" Kenpachi asked.

"No. She's better off staying with you."

"Most of the Seireitei would tell ya ta get your head checked."

"It's not their decision to make. It's my call, and I will do what I think is best. I do not want to be your enemy, Zaraki-taicho."

"I'm surprised you're being so reasonable."

"I gain nothing by being upset. You and Yachiru-chan are the only family I have left."

"A truth for a truth, eh?" Kenpachi said, as they stopped by Fourth's gate. "You better go in, Retsu's probably got some poor shinigami waiting for ya."

"Again, thank you, Zaraki-taicho. I look forward to seeing you again."

"Kenpachi's fine," Kenpachi grumbled, embarrassed.

"I'll keep that in mind," Hachi replied.

He smiled to himself as he wended his way back to his cot at Fourth. No matter what the future held, he'd gotten to see his family once again. Yachiru was a lively child, who was sure to be a shinigami any clan could be proud of. Kenpachi was- well, he had to respect the man, even if he wasn't sure he liked him. It couldn't have been easy for Kenpachi, fighting his way to the top while raising a child. Yes, he was rough, tough, violent, and crude, but then again, that described most of Hachi's comrades.

Deny it all you want, Kenpachi, but you're a good man. I can see that, even if no one else can.

And we're done. Ahhh, it feels good to have that out of my system. I originally planned to post this for Father's Day, but best laid plans and all that. I hope you all liked this odd little story, and feel free to drop a review on the way out.