Chapter 2-Dates and More Questions
Ise Nanao was nervous.
No. She was beyond nervous.
Ise Nanao was scared out of her mind!
Here she was looking nice with her hair still the usual education style look, standing outside of the 11th Division Compound, and just a simple door away from entering the belly of the beast that was Captain Zaraki Kenpachi's domain. She had face Hollows, her Captain's antics, and mountains of paperwork before, but this was the time she felt the most afraid.
Suddenly, her Captain's groping and flirting seemed quite nice right about now.
Nanao turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder seeing her friend and fellow Vice Captain Rangiku in some bushes motioning for her to knock on the door. The 8th Division Vice Captain sweat dropped at Rangiku as the woman hid herself in the bushes one again. The nicely dressed Vice Captain couldn't help, but wonder how a small plant could contain a woman like Rangiku with those things on her chest.
Sighing and remembering the old saying of "Nothing ventured nothing gained" or in this case with Kenpachi, "No gut no glory", as Nanao took a nice deep soothing breath, and gave her strongest yet politest knock she could. For a few seconds, Nanao heard nothing and was beginning to suspect that the man had somehow played a trick on her before the door opened revealing two members of the 11th Division looking rather clean for once.
"Vice Captain Ise Nanao of the 8th Division?" said the one on the right with a mustache and goatee looking at her carefully as if she were an assassin in disguise.
"Yes. I am here because Captain Zaraki wished me to have dinner with tonight. He did say it was 7PM correct?" said Nanao hoping it hadn't been changed without her knowing or the man was called away on a last minute Hollow patrol run.
"Yes that's correct. Please come in miss," said the one on the left as the two moved away from the door to let her enter.
Nanao was slightly surprised the man himself was not at the door to see her, but sent two of his grunts for her. Was she remotely wrong to think that Zaraki Kenpachi would see this dinner as something more then just a "thank you" date rather then a romantic one?
She could at least find out and ask.
"Is Captain Zaraki busy with paperwork?" said Nanao, as she was escorted to the dining room of the 11th Division.
"No, the Captain has his 5th Seat do that for him on account of the fact he hates doing it himself and the Vice Captain would write in crayon or draw the fights. Right now he's talking to Yachiru in setting some ground rules while she's over at the 6th Division," said the one with a facial hair.
Inwardly, Nanao was happy at the response meaning that Kenpachi would have come to the door if Yachiru had left sooner with her 3rd and 5th Seat. She had almost forgotten that the man was a single parent raising an energetic and hyperactive daughter, who if given too much candy could cause more damage then any Hollow around.
"Bye Ken-chan! I hope you have fun with Smarty-chan tonight," said Yachiru coming out of the room with Ikkaku and...Yumichika?
Since when did Ikkaku get a twin brother?
"Smarty-chan!" said Yachiru seeing Nanao and tackling her leg clearly thrilled to have the fellow Vice Captain in her presence.
"Hello Yachiru-san," said Nanao being formal since they were both off duty and of the same rank.
"Ken-chan is right in there and is waiting to see you," said Yachiru, as her eyes seemed to shine even brighter then ever before.
"Thank you Yachiru-san, I hope you have a great time over at the 6th Division Compound tonight," said Nanao knowing that the relationship between Yachiru and Captain Kuchiki was that of a Niece visiting her Uncle.
Yachiru was soon walking out the door with Ikkaku and Yumichika, who looked sad for obvious hair related reasons leaving Nanao to enter the room where her "date" awaited.
"Hey Nanao-san?" said Kenpachi already by the door to greet her while raining in a great deal of his spirit energy as he could knowing that not everyone could tolerate it when he let it flow normally.
"Greetings Captain Zaraki, I trust Yachiru is in goods hands for the evening?" said Nanao already sensing the man before her keeping his spirit energy in check out of politeness.
She also noticed he had his hair down proving to her that it was not naturally spiky and the bells of course were removed since it was clear they were only used for fighting.
"Yeah Ikkaku and Yumichika can handle her at least until she gets to 6th Division, then old Kuchiki will have to help them deal with her. Also it just so happens that I gave her some extra sugary candy right before they left, which if done correctly should kick in right as they enter the 6th Division Compound," said Kenpachi smiling a wicked smile with a laugh shortly following.
As for Nanao she couldn't help, but laugh, as she imagined just what would happen to the poor building once Yachiru had finished going through it. Granted she herself was quite the stickler to discipline while following protocols like Captain Kuchiki, but the man was overly stiff in regards to life from Nanao saw and a rampant sugar high Yachiru around his Division Compound would give the man a HUGE wake up call.
The two decided to sit down at the table to wait for the food to come and Nanao saw the perfect time to strike up a conversation with the man.
"I noticed your 5th Seat has a new look," said Nanao hoping to find out how that happen knowing the feminine man would never shave his head.
"Yeah that was my doing since Yumichika and Ikkaku were whispering about me having you over for dinner tonight and I didn't like how the conversation was going since the fruit cake is always going on about beauty," said Kenpachi smiling at Nanao, as the 11th Division members came in bringing them food to eat.
'Well at least he defended my honor...I think?' thought Nanao as she slightly adjusted her glasses before gazing down at the food before her.
The meal itself was nothing fancy, but not too cheap either from the looks of things since Nanao had doubts Kenpachi would do such a thing in terms of a meal. She imagined he would consider cheap people to be "weaklings" that if he had a chance would gut faster then her Captain could call her "Nanao-chan".
"Anyway I just want to say right off the bat that I'm glad you helped Yachiru today, she left my room in the 11th Division Compound depressed, and I hate seeing her unhappy," said Kenpachi wanting to get the point across about what this "date" was to him.
"I'm glad to have helped. When I saw her depressed it felt as if someone had blocked out the sun and I felt cold for some reason. After she became happy again, I felt that warmth she normally generates and realized how bitter the Seireitei would be without it," said Nanao knowing that Kenpachi must have felt that way too.
"Yeah she's a ball of sunshine all right, if the sun was pink of course," said Kenpachi smiling at how he remembered the girl had jumped up and down after his fight with Ichigo looking so happy over the fact that he was awake.
"You said she slept in your room? Isn't that dangerous?" said Nanao knowing that if the girl wasn't careful she would be crushed under the man's size and weight.
"Not really since her room is actually right next door, but the only way to access it is through mine. She only comes to me when she has nightmares at night, though most of the time she doesn't remember them, and the ones she does are of me dying or losing me to something I can't seem to kill. Only my presence seems to comfort her since she sees me as a source of unbeatable power," said Kenpachi not knowing why he was telling her this, but decided that considering the woman's high level of intelligence it was best not to insult her with it.
Nanao for her part was shocked that a little girl like Yachiru could have nightmares of the unknown and the ones she did involved the one man she cared about being lost to her.
"I'm sorry Captain Zaraki I shouldn't have asked such a personal question," said Nanao while she mentally berated herself for asking such a stupid question so early into the evening.
"Don't worry about it. Everyone in my Division knows about them so it was just a matter of time before someone outside of it knew. To be honest I am glad it was you that I told," said Kenpachi surprising Nanao that she nearly lost the food about to enter her mouth.
"Me? Why me?" said Nanao surprised that the man was confiding in her as much as he was now.
"Because Yachiru trusted you with what happened when she could have just simply held it in. Aside from some of the other women at your Women's Shinigami Association you are the one that made her happy again. When she came back from the meeting, Yachiru literally ran right through my door to tell me about the gift she was getting me that was coming right out of your own pocket. This shows me that I can trust you in that regard knowing that IF you told people what I tell you, it would only be to people YOU could trust not to make fun of her," said Kenpachi knowing of the woman's reputation for being strict when it came to secrets on account of her own Captain's much more...embarrassing moments when he was drunk.
Or rather more drunk then usual.
Nanao was moved by Kenpachi's words and she could tell that by looking into his one uncovered eye that he meant what he said. This man whom everyone thought was just a bloodthirsty Captain and savage beast had a side to him that no one outside of Yachiru knew about. Why did he hide it for so long? Was he worried it would be considered a weakness? Would he lose credit with his own men and be called a hypocrite? Or did Kenpachi simply not care what he thought of people's perceptions of him and let them believe what they wanted to believe when they saw him?
The rest of the dinner went well to more lighter subjects after that with the two swapping stories regarding their childish wards with Kenpachi's being Yachiru and Nanao's being her Captain Kyoraku Shunsui. They laughed at the funny ones and gave suggestions on those that caused them problems in the past so not to repeat them in the future. They had talked about tactics, military strategy, and how not every battle could be won seemingly through a larger force, but rather the more skilled one. Kenpachi stated a single master swordsman could kill over a hundred amateur fighters without breaking a sweat. Nanao agreed reciting the old motto of "Quality over quantity" before telling him that ones own knowledge of terrain could be used against an enemy. This made Kenpachi exceedingly happy that he had met a fellow student of battle that even shared with her his own tactical skills concerning terrain involving forests when it came to living off the land.
Nanao had no idea that there was a plant that could be made into an herb that when mixed with sake and other things could actually make someone more awake or sleepy. She had to make a mental note to find the plants in question and mix it into her Captain's drink to see the effect it had on him.
Either awake or put into a coma she would find some measure of peace in the outcome.
When it was all over Kenpachi escorted Nanao to the door asking if she wanted to be escorted back to her Division by him or a team from his own. Nanao shook her head thanking him for the offer knowing he was just trying to be sweet yet respectful in his own way.
"Thanks again for earlier with Yachiru and coming over for dinner. Who knew we had so much in common?" said Kenpachi smiling a shark smile, as he looked over the smaller female form in front of him.
"Certainly not me that's for sure. However, if you ever want to do this again or go out for dinner don't hesitate to ask Zaraki-san," said Nanao bowing respectfully toward the man and he in turn gave it back.
"Sure will. Oh and call me Kenpachi from here on out. Being formal is one thing, but it gets so annoying sometimes and even more with Kuchiki-teme making everyone want to kiss his ass," said Kenpachi seeing Nanao nod in agreement as there were many times she wanted to simply forget about formalities and simply act normal.
Strange how she had a chance to do that around Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of all people.
"I'll see you around Za...I mean Kenpachi," said Nanao before leaving and waving back at him as she did while Kenpachi grinned giving her a mock salute.
When he shut the door, he leaned against it hearing it moan in protest to his size along with every other weak thing he leaned against. Letting out a sigh, Kenpachi couldn't help, but feel something stirring in his heart before letting out another smile at all that had happened tonight.
"Captain Zaraki is everything all right?" said one of the grunts of his Division worriedly, as he saw his Captain looking slightly tired.
"Of course I'm all right you stupid shit so quick asking. Also I need you and a couple of the other guys to shadow Ise Nanao until she gets back to her Division," said Kenpachi, as he didn't want anything to happen to her after spending time with him.
"Why?" said the grunt only to find himself slugged in the face and crashing through two wall and a card table in the second room used for internal Division poker games.
"Because I said so you dumb ass! Great now he's out of commission meaning I have to find some other idiot that won't ask questions to do as I ordered," said Kenpachi, as he walked through his Division picking several of his men at random and ordering them to shadow Nanao until she reached the 8th Division's Compound safely or face Yachiru in tomorrows training session.
The group of no less then five 11th Division members were out the door faster then you could say the words "pink" and "pain" 3 times fast.
(8th Division Compound)
Nanao sighed as she shut door behind her and let a smile of contentment reach her face at the dinner she had with quite possibly the most intelligent Shinigami within the walls of Seireitei outside of Captain-General Yamamoto. It was still hard to believe that the very person she was thinking of in her head was Zaraki Kenpachi of all people since the very person didn't seem to fit the description at first glance.
Talk about getting the wrong idea about someone and judging a book by its cover.
Walking steadily to the common room of her Division Compound she met the sight of Nemu, Rangiku, Soi Fong, Isane, and Retsu apparently waiting for her. She could tell because they had seemingly raided the fridge of all its contents and Nanao had a sneaking suspicion she would be buying more food to replace what was lost and would come out of her paycheck. Still, she did say they could see her after the dinner was over at the 8th Division so she kind of asked for it.
"Comfy I see," said Nanao getting into her usual "serious" mode knowing it was the only way to keep them all guess and get a little revenge at seeing them all squirm when asking her questions.
"Nan-chan your back!" said Rangiku, who had clearly raided to sake part of the fridge and had taken hold of her Captain's stash.
Well at least he would be awake and sober tomorrow for once, until he pulled out his own emergency stash to last him until she bought more sake, and out of her own pocket yet again most likely.
"What? You expected me to stay the night or something?" said Nanao smiling at them before undoing her hair sitting on the couch next Nemu, who looked at her fellow Vice Captain with calculating eyes.
"Considering it is a little over one o'clock in the morning we assumed that dinner was followed by a form of sexual relationship for the night that I believe is called a 'one night stand' if you will," said Nemu blushing slightly getting looks from the other women, who were also blushing at hearing the phrase.
"I do not sleep with a man on the first date!" said Nanao whose face had the biggest of all blushes since she found it difficult to suppress the image of her and Kenpachi going at it like animals mating.
"Relax! She's just stating from what's she read on sexual intimacy, though why she was reading that I have no idea," said Soi Fong wondering if Yoruichi had been the one to give Nemu that form of reading material since it did seem like her thing.
For Kami's sake the cat shape shifter liked to walk around naked half the time.
"Well just so you know we did NOT have that kind of relationship while eating dinner and I'll have you know the man is much more then he let's on," said Nanao smiling at the look of interest from the other women around her.
"Do tell," said Rangiku leaning in to hear some juicy details about the tall, mean, and well muscled man from the 11th Division.
"Well for one he's not as stupid as some of the other people in Seireitei think he is and was a perfect gentleman during dinner. We talked about our interest in things, beliefs, and we laughed at some of things that have happened in Seireitei with our Divisions. Just today he shaved Yumichika's head with pictures of the 5th Seat and Ikkaku next to each other with Yachiru chomping on both their heads," said Nanao going into her sleeve and had revealed a copy of one of the pictures of the event.
The other women could help, but laugh at Ikkaku and Yumichika's poor misfortune with Yachiru writing on both their faces in permanent marker. The word "Baldy" on Ikkaku's forehead and "Baldy II" on Yumichika with both looked like he was ready to die from embarrassment.
"You think I could get a copy of that? I can use it in case Ikkaku tries to make fun of me again saying I'm 'all boobs and no brain'," said Rangiku smiling evilly at the thought of having something over the 11th Division 3rd Seat for once.
"I'll see what I can do. I'll tell you this though the man knows what it means to simply be normal when it counts. The entire time he had his hair down without the bells or gel that keeps it up and I must admit he was quite...attractive," said Nanao remembering how she fought the urge to reach for his hair before she left wanting to feel it without the gel in his hair.
"He had his hair down?!" said Rangiku and Soi Fong before looking at each other with gauging expressions wondering why the other had asked the same question.
"I had always assumed that Captain Zaraki's hair was spiky?" said Nemu curiously at Nanao surprised like the others at the man's facial appearance was not what it appeared.
"It's only spiky when he puts gel in his hair and when I saw him without it I saw how it seemed to shine with such beauty. I had to restrain myself from touching it when he saw me off at the door thanking me for helping out Yachiru earlier," said Nanao, as she could no longer hide the urge to smile and did so showing so much of her happiness as she did.
"Damn Nanao! If I didn't know any better I would say you kissed him. You didn't did you?" said Soi Fong leaning in from her position next to Unohana, who tried to stay calm though if one had taken the time to notice, they would have seen she had moved her head forward several inches.
"Of course not! You don't kiss someone on the first date. Not that it was a date mind you, but still you don't kiss unless you and your date both want to," said Nanao scowling at the Captain of the 2nd Division while partially wishing they did kiss so she could rub it in their faces.
"Says you Nan-chan. When I ask him on a date I'm doing more then simply kissing him," said Rangiku taking another cup of sake and having some more of it.
"Do you have to say such perverseness out loud Rangiku?" said Isane irritably before she looked over at Nemu, who was sporting a small blush at the 10th Division Vice Captain's words.
'The key it seems to get close to Captain Zaraki would appear to be through Vice Captain Yachiru,' thought Nemu looking at the silent and seemingly calm Unohana knowing that the Captain of the 4th Division was the real threat in "dating" Zaraki Kenpachi.
Inward the 12th Division Vice Captain shuddered knowing the punishment that awaited her if her Father found out she had failed to "breed" with Zaraki on account of the other female competition.
"Regardless from what I saw tonight I think further insight into Captain Zaraki Kenpachi is in order," said Nanao telling them all that happened in detail making her audience get the full second hand experience of what it was that she felt when she was with him.
(11th Division)
"KEN-CHAN!" yelled Yachiru running over to her Father and climbing up his body like a crazy pink cat being chased by a dog.
"Hey Yachiru how was your time at the 6th Division Compound?" said Kenpachi before looking at his two subordinates, who both looked tired, sore, and ready to fall over just so they could die in peace.
"It was fun Ken-chan! I ran around picking up people or things in a contest of strength and I won since I lifted up the most people," said Yachiru raising her right arm trying to show off some of the invisible muscle she seemed to possess.
"What Vice Captain Yachiru fails to mention Captain is that she won by default since she threw them all over the 6th Division Compound without a second thought. A third of them landed on an unsuspecting Captain Kuchiki and then she spent the rest of the night with us 'playing'," said Ikkaku rubbing the back of his bald head wincing as his hand touched a particularly deep tooth mark from Yachiru.
"Incidentally Captain, you will be receiving a bill for the destruction Yachiru caused at the 6th Division Compound and will have to take it out on our budget," said Yumichika knowing that out of all the 13 Divisions of Seireitei, the 11th Division had the biggest budget to cover damages to buildings, medical insurance with the 4th Division, and the large quantity of beer or candy that was purchased every week.
"Tell him he can blow it out his ass. Remember he invited Yachiru over knowing how energetic she can be and knew what would happen if she got out of hand," said Kenpachi knowing he could appeal to the Captain-General as he had done many times over when this happened.
"Enough about teme bills I want to know how your date with Smarty-chan went," said Yachiru looking at Kenpachi with eager eyes with Ikkaku and Yumichika looking at him with interest to the topic.
"First, IT was not a date, but a nice dinner that we both enjoyed. Second, IF I decide to have an official date with her I want you three to stay out of it since I know you will try to get involved and ruin it!" said Kenpachi glaring a little at Yachiru, but mostly at the 3rd and 5th Seat, who trembled under his gaze.
Yachiru simply blinked before laughing at Kenpachi before the aftereffects of her sugar rush kicked in and she fell asleep with her head resting on Kenpachi's.
"If only she had done that when we were walking home," said Ikkaku letting out a sigh of irritation at the girls timing for falling asleep.
"I'll put her to bed since its way past her bed time. Also you two can get some sleep too," said Kenpachi taking hold of Yachiru and caring her in his right arm while she snuggled into his chest.
(The Next Day)
Vice Captain Kurotsuchi Nemu had spent a great deal of the night deep in thought after listening to Nanao go further into her analysis of Captain Zaraki. The man was a fierce warrior and considered by even the Captain-General himself to be a master of war. He was also man with a caring heart even though he rarely showed unless it was to a person he could trust, as he knew that enemy's would come to exploit that about his life. Nemu also noted that Zaraki Kenpachi had on rare occasions taken off the eye patch that her Division had made for him years back so his presence wouldn't make most of the weaker Shinigami faint under his power.
Nemu had heard Kenpachi had only taken off the eye patch twice with the longest one being against Kurosaki Ichigo when they dueled and then later on with the former Vice Captain of the 11th Division, who was under the previous 11th Division Captain's original command. Focusing on the former of the two fights, Nemu noticed that Zaraki seemed to enjoy that battle the most because he went all out against both Ichigo, and the orange haired boy's zanpakuto own strength. The end result was a draw with Zaraki giving the victory over to the orange haired boy since Kenpachi's own sword was destroyed, he was in much worse shape, and Ichigo's sword wasn't broken.
Another thing Nemu thought about was the man's ability to take punishment while still being to keep fighting no matter what and simply not die. Not that she wanted him to die oh Kami no, but the fact remained that no one could survive for long with wounds he had sustained for long. Deciding to continue her scientific approach as she had been taught by her Captain/Father, she approached the 11th Division training grounds seeing Kenpachi hard at work at making his men earn their wounds for the day.
"Hello Shy-chan!" said Yachiru right behind Nemu nearly scaring the poor artificially made Shinigami out of her body while wondering how such a tiny girl could move so fast.
"Vice Captain Yachiru!? I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your time with your Division I'll leave at once as to not disturb your Division's training exercises," said Nemu bowing to the child before trying to leave with the key word being try as Yachiru already had a hand on her with the grip strength of a bear trap.
"You're not disturbing anything Shy-chan! You should go see Ken-chan and introduce yourself to him," said Yachiru running down the hill with Nemu barely able to keep up with the laughing and hyperactive girl.
Nemu for the most part was worried as she learned from past experiences from her Father that if she interrupted him, he would hit her, and call her horrible names to remind her of her fragile existence. No! This man she was being dragged to would not do such a thing since she had never once seen him hit Yachiru for all her antics and problems she may have caused the 11th Division Captain. Zaraki Kenpachi was a man of honor, who had never hit a woman unless she attacked him first and even then it was never in the face.
Nemu wished her Father was like that in regards to his hits to her figure.
Nearly calming herself completely as she was now practically almost thrown towards the 11th Division Captain crashing into his noticeably well muscled chest. Nemu soon felt him grab her shoulder to prevent the impact from knocking her over and making things unknowingly more embarrassing since her cheeks were now burning up. How could she not? The close contact alone allowed her to breathe in his primal alpha male scent and deep inside of her Nemu had the urge to reach up and kiss him right in front of everyone around her, damn the expense.
"Whoa! What's 12th Division's Vice Captain doing here?" said someone not far away, as it caused the others to look at their Captain and her.
Damn the expense!
"Hey! Yachiru what's the big idea throwing this girl at me? She not from our Division so unless you want Captain Psycho from the 12th Division to complain to the old man you better be careful next time," said Kenpachi before taking a step back to take a better look at Nemu to ensure the impact hadn't hurt her since most people that did crash into him did get hurt.
Regardless if he did it on purpose or not.
"Sorry Ken-chan, but Shy-chan was here and I thought you two should get to know each other since you've never spoken to her before," said Yachiru now appearing on the man's shoulder with an seemingly innocent yet somehow all knowing look on her face.
'She's got a point. I do try to stay away from 12th Division most of the time unless I have to go there on account of Yachiru getting into trouble. Especially after that time she went on a sugar rush and went there to have a new pet from their different stocks of research subjects,' thought Kenpachi frowning at the memory at how Yachiru had given him a small headache that day since the damn experiment obsessed weirdo wouldn't shut up.
Honestly, if Yachiru could keep getting into the damn place then Captain Kurotsuchi should get a special security system installed so she can't break through or at least lock down procedure for when she opens all the cages when searching for the right pet.
"Forgive me if I'm interrupting Captain Zaraki, but I was walking around and I came across your training grounds for your Division. I thought I could observe to study your training regime to possibly understand how it is that they have the lowest fatality rate when it comes to fighting Hollows," said Nemu hoping the man wouldn't mind as she secretly wished to be near him once more to smell that strong commanding smell that made her want to do things she didn't know she had the courage or want to do.
"Why not, it would be good way to show the other Divisions how soft they are when it comes to fighting Hollows. If you want I can even train you in some sword fighting if you're interested?" said Kenpachi smiling at her seeing the shy look on her face and could see why Yachiru called her "Shy-chan" since she did look it most of the time.
Seriously, the girl looked like the slightest yell would make her faint.
"I do not know if I am able to Captain Zaraki. Captain Kurotsuchi may frown upon it and say that such training would be worthless and seek to punish me for it if he were to learn of such lessons," said Nemu looking away in shame and bracing herself for the possible hit that was to come after her words knowing that they might infuriate the "Demon of Zaraki", as he had been called.
Instead, Kenpachi just laughed his insane laugh making Nemu look up at him in shock and surprise that he not only laughed, but didn't strike her down before belittling her.
"Are you serious?! Your dad doesn't want you to train to get stronger? Now what kind of asshole Father doesn't make sure his kid is strong enough to fend for his or her own? Now Yachiru here, she can go one on one some of the Captains because I made sure she was strong enough to one day fight them," said Kenpachi grinning, as he pointed to his charge, who grinned in return while holding up her right arm to show the "muscle" she possessed.
"I think I understand," said Nemu finding her Father's lack of training in the ways of combat and using her as a sacrificial shield most of the time to keep himself alive was most depressing.
"Come join us Shy-chan! JOIN US! JOIN US!" said Yachiru getting overly excited as she leaped down from Kenpachi's shoulders only to jump up and down in front of Nemu giving her the "puppy dog" look that had made even 9th Division's heart melt from time to time.
"I'm afraid I don't have my zanpakuto with me today. If it's all right with you I'll just watch and learn from your actions," said Nemu, as it was true she didn't bring it with her today since she had never anticipated on participating in a 11th Division training regime.
"Well isn't that a kick in the old nut sack," said Kenpachi wanting to see this girl fight if she could at all since he made it clear to the other Divisions that your men or women should be as strong as they are by rank if not more until they can or want to become a Captain.
"Once again I apologize. I was...," said Nemu only to be interrupted by the one person she didn't want to be here right now.
Her Father, her creator, and her Captain.
"You useless whore! I told you to come back from your assignment I gave you nearly 10 minutes ago and here I find you are talking to this barbaric ape of all people while being surrounded by his army of moronic Neanderthals," said an angry Kurotsuchi Mayuri his face clearly one of anger and disgust at his creations own project getting in the way of his.
Nemu flinched remembering that she had been ordered to collect plant samples from a section in Rukongai and return with haste in her step as they were vital parts of the Captain's on going research. She had of course dropped off the plants before leaving again, but had not mentioned she had since Mayuri was busy with one of his projects, and didn't want to receive punishment for interrupting him.
It would seemed no matter what she did to please her Father the man could not be happy with the success she accomplished in his name or the 12 Division's for that matter. For Nemu it seemed she was going to be struck by her Captain one way or another and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
One Captain Zaraki Kenpachi could though.
Captain Kurotsuchi had raised his hand to strike her to make her understand her place in his Division as the submissive Vice Captain that was his creation. However, before the back of his hand got even half way to striking her face Kenpachi grabbed it by the wrist and broke glaring at the Captain with barely restrained fury.
"Don't...you ever...try...to hit her...again!" said Kenpachi pulling the 12 Division Captain closer to him so they were practically staring each other in the eye.
"You think you can prevent me from doing what I will with this thing. She is mine Zaraki and no matter what you do to me now I will still have her under my command by the end of the day. So unless you want me to show you just how I deal with half shaven gorillas like you when they decide to lay their filthy hands on me for things they don't understand then I suggest you let go," said Mayuri glaring at Kenpachi while snarling with his teeth.
"Let me tell you something you poor excuse for a Shinigami, I don't care if she was born artificially, naturally, or Kami forbid is part Hollow. If you EVER and I mean EVERtry to hit your Vice Captain again around me, Yachiru, or the rest of my men here today or any other I'll tear out your guts and hang you with them on top of your own 12th Division Compound. Are we...clear on that?" said Kenpachi letting more of his spirit energy and focusing it directly on Mayuri, who felt the unrelenting pressure from him before being thrown down like a rag doll.
"Damned animal. You should have been put down years ago!" said Mayuri struggling to get up with his face dirty, right hand at the wrist broken, and his ego lowered by several hundred feet.
"You're not the first one to say that now get out of here before I have Yachiru have a go at you," said Kenpachi while keeping a firm grip on Nemu's shoulder to prevent her from following her wounded Father.
"This isn't over!" said Mayuri before flash stepping a hasty retreat knowing it was better then facing Kenpachi or his pink haired demon and Vice Captain of a daughter.
"Chicken shit pansy," said Kenpachi under his breath before looking at a startled Nemu at the fact that someone had stood up for her and had become the preverbal "knight in shining armor".
"You taught him Ken-chan!" said Yachiru nodding her head approvingly not liking how the 12th Division Captain treated his Vice Captain any more then Kenpachi did.
"Damn right! Now as for you, I have a feeling you'll need a place to stay for awhile until the heat dies down from this," said Kenpachi knowing that if Nemu returned anytime soon to her Father she might as well hang herself to avoid his wrath.
"I have no where to go except the 12th Division and I don't know anyone, who would be so willingly take me in," said Nemu, which was partially true since she knew that the 10th Division Vice Captain Matsumoto Rangiku or 4th Division Captain Unohana Retsu could take her in, but the aftermath might hurt them in the end if Mayuri made a clear point to the Captain-General of them interfering with what was his work.
"Shy-chan should stay with us!" said Yachiru right away like it was the simplest thing in the world.
"What? Captain you can't take such an offer seriously!" said one of his lower seats since they didn't want the Division to become too feminine with a girl other then Yachiru.
Hell! Tolerating Yumichika's own feminist like ways was irritating enough.
"Please Captain Zaraki you don't have to impose this upon me. I will simply manage and hope for the best," said Nemu not wanting to be that close to the 11th Division Captain since the only room she could be technically safe to sleep in was in his room.
The burning in her cheeks was trying to return again and if she didn't leave soon it would with a purpose.
"Shy-chan can stay; She can use my room while I stay with you Ken-chan!" said Yachiru making Kenpachi go deep in thought about this knowing that if he did this then a lot of buzz would be flying around and who knows what would happen in the aftermath when it was over.
"Well all things considered I did get you into this crap and I might as well give you at the very least decent place to stay until things calm down. Besides I doubt the chicken shit will try to set foot in my Division knowing what will happen if he does whether I'm there or not," said Kenpachi looking down at Nemu seeing her eyes widen with appreciation since the last time anyone did anything nice was that Quincy that entered Seireitei with Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Captain Zaraki I...,"said Nemu, but was cut off be the man in question, who turned all the way to face her meeting her frightened gaze with his calm one.
"Not another word on the subject. Tonight as well as any other until this matter is fix you will be sleeping the 11th Division Compound and while you are there or with me you are going to learn how to fight! I don't take in weaklings and considering you have the rank of Vice Captain means you must have some strength in you. The only problem is your asshole Father doesn't want it brought out of you, which personally ranks an 8.6 on my 'Dumb Shit-O-Meter' with him. You'll stay in my Division under the temporary rank of 4th Seat since I don't have one and none of these pussies can deserve it," said Kenpachi knowing he had been pressured to have that Seat filled at the request of Yamamoto and figured he could fill the spot while saving the girl's life at the same time.
"But my zanpakuto is back in the 12th Division Compound," said Nemu knowing that if anyone went there in her Captain's current state of mind he would tear them apart.
"Yachiru go get Nemu's sword from the 12th's Compound. If her dear old dad tries to get in your way plow right through him and destroy everything in sight," said Kenpachi, as he knew that would be the ultimate insult to injury for Kurotsuchi.
"On it Ken-chan!" said Yachiru speeding off like a pink bat out of hell laughing as she went while Nemu looked at the running form off in the distance.
"Now that is taken care of let's see if we can't put your new rank into action and help me get these weaklings into better shape," said Kenpachi before turning to his men, who took one look at their Captain's menacing gaze and knew the training they were about to get was that of a sadists dream becoming reality.
"I don't know how I can help until Yachiru-san returns with my zanpakuto," said Nemu knowing that her only use as Vice Captain of the 12 Division was to do errands and be used as her Father's personal punching bag.
"From what I've heard around you have good observation skills and tell the truth as it is, which I come to respect since you don't sugar coat what you say. I need you to assist me in observing my men train and help improve their performance better so when we fight I have less people to drag to the 4th Division," said Kenpachi having heard some of those good things from his 3rd Seat, 5th Seat, and even that sissy looking Hanataro guy from the 4th Division had told him about how Nemu was always truthful to other Shinigami even if it meant getting hit by her Father because of it.
Right now Kenpachi needed her honesty more then he let on and thought it would be a good idea to give the 11th Division a look that said "yeah were badass guys, but were also honorable badass guys". Nemu, he believed could bring that to his Division once word had gotten out that Captain Kurotsuchi was a woman beating prick and had no love for his own daughter.
"I will assist anyway possible Captain Zaraki," said Nemu bowing respectively knowing that her talents were going to be put to use and not be belittled in the process.
It gave her feeling of happiness in her heart that seemed to be void of it for so long, as she would not be called "whore", "slut", "bitch", or any other names used by her Father. Along with that feeling was something else in her heart that made it beat faster when she was near this man that made her long to be in his presence longer. She couldn't describe it, but she vowed to herself that she would when the moment was right to seek out the definition for it.
Nemu was brought out of her thoughts, as one of the grunts behind her whistled at being able to see her rear end making Kenpachi scowl at the man for his action and decided to make the fool pay. It was one of the reasons why very few women ever tried to make it into the 11th Division on account of all the "masculinity" it seemed to have. The last time a woman tried to become apart of the 11th Division was before Kenpachi himself had arrived in Seireitei. The woman had left within the week after she was given the rank of 4th Seat on account of the male half of the 11th was giving her a lot of trouble for being the only female in the Division at the time.
Since then the 4th Seat of 11th Division had remained empty with no one wanting to fill it, but Kenpachi honestly thought Nemu could given time. As soon as an example was made to the more "leering" men of his Division and unlike his predecessor, who encouraged it, Zaraki Kenpachi was going to do the right thing and simply...kill it.
The poor grunt never knew what hit him, but felt the pain from it all the same.
Within a short time, the very same person that whistled at Nemu was soon carried off to the 4th Division on a stretcher bleeding heavily from multiple slash and stab wounds. If they were lucky and hurried the 4th Division would be able to save the stupid bastard from dying. Kenpachi also doubted that IF and when Unohana or her Vice Captain asked him about it they throw a fuss given his response to their questioning.
Nemu for the most part seeing the man being sent to the 4th Division was shocked that Kenpachi would do something so brutal to defend what little honor she had. When she bowed to the Captain out of respect she had not become aware that due to her outfit of choice had become an eye turner until she heard the whistling. She had soon become very embarrassed and ashamed of herself believing for a moment that she was all those things her Father called her when she apparently screwed up in his presence. That feeling had vanished however, when the man was given the beating that was quite possibly as they say "within an inch of his life" if from what she saw was any indication.
'He defended me when he could have let it pass. No one else has gone to such lengths to punish others for such things, yet this man does because he respects me as a woman, and as a person despite how I was born into this world,' thought Nemu looking at Kenpachi with appreciation in her eyes as her heart was beating even stronger with a feeling that if anyone could protect her it was him until she could prove she was strong enough to do it on her own.
For Zaraki Kenpachi, Nemu vowed she would become stronger so that she could make him proud for all that he was doing for her.
(4th Division)
Isane sighed finishing up some of last nights unfinished paperwork that fortunately for her wasn't do until later this current afternoon. Still, she couldn't help, but feel distracted by what Nanao had told her about Captain Zaraki when the woman from the 8th had eaten dinner with him. Personally, Isane had thought Nanao would become the dinner given the man she was eating with had unhealthy habits for fighting and blood that he was rumored to have had from the remains of Hollows using their very masks as cups. It was just those kinds of things that made it hard to see the side of Kenpachi that Nanao had claimed to see the 11th Division Captain. In the end however, Isane decided to give the big man this one small chance given that Nanao would never lie about something like this.
'She had to be telling the truth, there wasn't one piece of her missing, not even a speck of blood on her when she came back home!' thought Isane wishing she could see what it was that Zaraki had been hiding from them all.
Her thoughts were interrupted, as a seriously and possibly near fatally injured patient that came from the 11th Division seeing his insignia or what was left of it stained in blood. It wasn't like this hadn't happened before, but this was the worst one she had seen in...well ever! Not only that, but it was just one man from the 11th not a whole group of them that normally followed shortly after when it came to Captain Zaraki's training exercises.
Not long before Isane arrive to see the patient Captain Unohana arrived as well to see the person as well since she had healed more 11th Division members then anyone in hers.
"Take him to room # 34 and treat his wounds immediately I will join you shortly," said Unohana to a nearby nurse, who bowed and helped several 4th Seat Division members get the man to the designated room.
"What could have made that man feel such brutality at the hands of Captain Zaraki?" said Isane to her Captain seeing the blood trail that was left behind and shivered at the thought of it all.
"After we fix the injured man up we will ask Captain Zaraki himself. I normally tolerate the harsh nature of his training regime, but this is different and cannot be ignored. Come Isane we have a life to save," said Unohana, as she turned to head to room 34 to heal the man from the 11th.
For Unohana, that patient made her remember how she had seen Kenpachi after his fight with Ichigo, and all the life threatening injuries the Captain had taken during that battle. The large man seemed to be in his own hell from what she had seen, as he had fallen into a state of unconsciousness shortly before she had arrived on the scene to heal his wounds long enough to get him back to the 4th Division for proper healing. The Shinigami healer of the 4th Division that was Captain Unohana felt pain in her heart when she recalled how she saw the terrified look on Yachiru's face. The pink haired girl thought for the briefest of moments she had actually lost the only person in her life that mattered and had taken care of her before she could fully walk. Even Unohana herself thought the man would die before reaching the 4th Division and there were several time she thought he did, only to come back from it just before he seemed to have breathed his last breath. The very fact that he survived the wounds dealt to him proved to her that Captain Zaraki was indeed the rightful holder for the name "Kenpachi".
It was because of his sheer force of will to live that she was able to determine how he was able to heal much faster then her usual patients under her care. She had used a very large quantity of healing balms, Kido spells that healed wounds, sedatives strong enough to put down Hollows twice as tall as the Seireitei gate watcher Jidanbo ,and roll upon roll of her special bandages with healing properties in them on Kenpachi with Yachiru looking at him worriedly.
(Flashback)
Unohana had just finished wrapping up Kenpachi's face with the last of her bandages and spreading them on smoothly to prevent any unnecessary wrinkles in them that may stop the cloth from working effectively.
"Ken-chan is safe now right Braidy-chan?" said Yachiru looking at her adopted Father, as she stood next to his bed while he slept in his unconscious state.
"Yes Yachiru. We had a few close calls, but Captain Zaraki will survive this as he has in all his previous battles," said Unohana calmly though deep inside she too had held her breath on several occasions and had the urge to say some things she never thought she would ever say.
"Thank you Braidy-chan for everything. I don't know what I would do without Ken-chan since I have to keep learning from him if I'm going to be a strong Captain myself one day like Ken-chan," said Yachiru smiling at the woman and giving the 4th Division Captain a hug at her legs.
Before Unohana could respond they heard Kenpachi murmuring in his slumber, but to them it sounded like a giant beast or dragon growling as it slept.
"Yachiru...name of...the only person...ever respected," said Kenpachi turning his head left and right ever so slightly making several of his bells jingle as he did.
Unohana looked at Yachiru only to find the girl no longer near her, but on Kenpachi's chest looking at him sadly like she had when he first fell into unconsciousness. At first the woman wanted to take the child off the healing man afraid the child would open one of Kenpachi's wounds, but she soon noticed that not once did the 11th Division Captain whimper in pain or the bandages themselves become soaked in blood from a reopened wound around where Yachiru sat. Unohana had suspected that due to Yachiru being so unnaturally light physically made her faster on her feet and not irate the wounds on her surrogate Father.
"Ken-chan is remembering the day we first met again," said Yachiru seeing Unohana's curious expression, as the good doctor walked over to the two having only heard this story before if only the somewhat clean and short version.
"He cares about you a lot doesn't he?" said Unohana, but that was such an easy question to answer since the two had always been together.
"You can be such a silly lady sometime Braidy-chan of course he cares about me. Ken-chan only cares about those he respects after getting to know them. Ken-chan has always been a good judge of character when it comes to people to seeing if they are either strong or weak. He gave me respect by giving me a name when I showed no fear of his sword after he had killed so many people back then. He has been my whole world since I could remember so I want to get stronger and stronger with him. As Ken-chan continues on to fight others to be the best so will I to prove myself that I have earned his respect," said Yachiru smiling a little at her surrogate Father with eyes that told Unohana this girl was proud of the man for doing everything that he did and saw no evil in his heart.
Unohana was surprised by the knowledge Yachiru had just told her and never knew the pink haired child create such revelations at such a young age. The 4th Division Captain looked from Yachiru to the child's Father and saw mumble some other things in his sleep that she couldn't hear correctly and wondered for a moment what was going on inside his head. It seemed even in his sleep the man was fighting something she couldn't see that only Kenpachi and Yachiru could making her feel helpless in aiding the fallen warrior in his time of need.
Her thought's on that subject changed as there was the sound of fighting, yelling, and several choice words that got the two female Shinigami members attention. Of course both women knew just who they were as they were the most loyal of the 11th Division and had no doubt sensed their Captain fall at the hands of the invading force that had also defeated their entire Division.
"YAY! Baldy-chan and Swan-chan are here. I'll lead them here so they can see Ken-chan when he wakes up!" said Yachiru jumping off Kenpachi before running out the door or rather right through it.
Unohana sighed at the thought of replacing yet another door due to the 11th Division Vice Captain becoming so excited that she forgot to open the rice paper door thus obliterating it as she went on her way, as happy as a child could be.
Turning her form back to Kenpachi, the 4th Division Captain raised her right hand as if she was possessed, and gave his face a gentle touch. For reasons that were beyond even her, she felt it was the right thing to do since he seemed to be tensing every now and then. She examined it carefully, as she went along the jaw line, his neck area down where the black band was, feeling the smoothness of the black covered material as she went, and then finally over to the rest of his frontal facial area before stopping at the scar over his left eye. She couldn't help, but frown at it wondering why out of all these wounds, that this one didn't heal. No matter how much her persistence at his last physical when she had offered to do it, he turned her down with an all too serious look, and told her to leave it alone.
'What sort of life did you have Captain Zaraki? What is it that drives you to be this way?' thought Unohana as she gently ran a single finger over it getting a feel for what it felt like for him if he ever touched the mark.
She felt echoes of a fight that created this scar, which seemed to be filled with unresolved issues within his mind, and a sense of pain Unohana couldn't even begin to understand. Whatever the conflict it had been a battle of epic proportions and Kenpachi had been in the center of it fighting with everything he had. She suddenly recalled how Yachiru was once the name of the only person Kenpachi ever respected, which he had given to his daughter. Could this person that Zaraki Kenpachi respected be the source of this scar? Was she his sister? Mother? Or perhaps she was once his lover if such things were to be possible? Regardless of how this scar was made was irrelevant and for some reason or feeling that she felt that was slightly other then professional courtesy, she took it upon herself to remove it from his otherwise flawless face.
She channeled some of her spirit energy into two of her fingers, focusing it into becoming healing Kido spell, and was about to proceed when a hand grabbed her wrist firmly, but not rough enough that it would leave a bruise after letting go.
"Don't touch the scar. Any other wound that I have you want to heal you can, but not that one," said Kenpachi his eyes barely open, but he could tell, who it was since there was only one person in the entire 4th Division with the courage he respected to actually want to heal him regardless if it was her duty or not.
Unohana had the courage to blush since she felt like a child getting her hand caught in the preverbal cookie jar by a scowling parent.
"I apologize Captain Zaraki, but I thought that with your other injuries being healed I felt I would heal this one as well," said Unohana giving him her ever so serenity filled smile while feeling slightly ashamed that she did something like that without his permission.
"Can I ask you question?" said Kenpachi seemingly forgetting about her current action and wondered if it were the sedatives they had given him or if it was the blood loss that somehow affecting his brain in wanting to talk to the woman.
"A question?" said Unohana frowning slightly wondering what question he could ask her in his condition.
"Why do help me?" said Kenpachi, as he closed his eyes almost painfully slow gazing up at her with slightly fogged vision.
"What do you mean Captain Zaraki? I'm a 4th Division Captain, it's my job to help those wounded or dying using my medical...," said Unohana, but was stopped by Kenpachi, who was shaking his head and waving his hand a little at telling her to stop.
"Don't give me that same old crap when I asked you last time. Its insulting to both of us intelligence wise and I hate to be insulted by something as stupid as that. You know and I know that I'm not the most well liked guy here or any other place in Seireitei with the time that the other assholes are happy is in the event I leave or die. You on the other hand tolerate me, smile at me, and do defend me or the things my Division does when no one else will. So answer my god damned question honestly this one time or not at all. Why do you, an angel of mercy, help me the "Demon of Seireitei", and treat me as if I deserve to be one of you?" said Kenpachi finding his throat was becoming dry for some reason, as he turned his head slightly to her thinking it was probably the after effects of whatever treatment Unohana gave him.
Unohana couldn't help it this time, but blush a strawberry red now at the simple comment laying within the question with her being referred to as an "angel" of all things. No one had gone that far as Kenpachi just had to compliment her like that on how she looked or even described in terms of her appearance. Trying not to let him see her blush she looked away unable to give him an immediate answer and hoped he was not expecting one right away. She looked for something to stare at and came across his broken zanpakuto that would soon be in the process of being healed and deiced to look at it while wondering how to respond.
Examining the blade she saw how much of the sword was so much like Zaraki wondering if she should answer him or simply stay silent hoping that the man would fall asleep. She really didn't want to answer him afraid of how he might react or if would even react at all with his current injuries.
'What do I do? I can't simply say 'I do it because were friends' or 'I do it because I care' since he would never believe me. But what if he did? Should I risk showing such feeling towards him? Would he feel betrayed in some way if I were to lie? I know Zaraki-san said he wanted the truth and I know if I did lie that I would lose whatever respect he may have for me,' thought Unohana before turning to face him with his eyes still on her even at the angle of his head as it was.
"Captain Zaraki the reason I do what I do for you is because I...," said Unohana only to be interrupted by a speedy Yachiru caring Ikkaku and Yumichika over her head before dropping them in front of their Captain.
"Here we are Baldy-chan and Swan-chan! I knew I would get here sooner or later when trusting my instincts when it came to directions," said Yachiru giving a hearty laugh with her hands on her elbows.
"Had you listened to us we would have been here a lot quicker, but that's what happens when you rely on a midget to direct you someplace she has no idea how to get to," said Ikkaku, as he rubbed his sore backside only to be ambushed by Yachiru, who started to munch on his head making him roll around in pain.
"Such uncivilized ugliness," said Yumichika looking away from the two before getting caught in the crossfire after receiving a punch to his jaw by Ikkaku causing him to lose his replacement hair to reveal his afro look.
It was because of the trio that Unohana was unable to answer Kenpachi's question that day.
(Flashback End)
It took a good 4-6 long hours before Unohana and Isane finish healing the injured 11th Division member and was put him in a recovery room. The man would be there for at least a few more weeks before he could be able to properly walk again much less fight given the extent of his injuries.
"What do you think possessed Captain Zaraki to do send one his own men here in his current condition? I mean sure he's sent them here by the dozens, but this is...well, just cruel!" said Isane walking out of the room with her Captain with blood covering their Shinigami uniforms.
"The man is a complex individual Vice Captain and as such must be handled in a careful manner, but as you said this was cruel even for him. In order to get to the bottom of this we must confront this ourselves and talk to Captain Zaraki about this in case this soon becomes more then a one time incident," said Unohana, as the two women went to get a change of Shinigami robes so they could look presentable outside since walking around with blood all over you could make others turn their heads for all the wrong reasons.
"I'll tell your 3rd Seat that you and I will gone for awhile Captain," said Isane knowing the man was around somewhere and knew she could reach him before getting a change in uniform.
Unohana sighed as she made her way to the changing room of her Division hoping that once she had answers to her questions she could finally answer the one Zaraki had asked her. She had come to the realization that by not answering him back then or afterwards had left a profound impact on his being that he took just like all his other wounds and let it heal on its own. Again, she felt guilty because she had helped wound his heart that it went against her duty as both a caring person and as the head doctor of the 4th Division.
After Unohana and Isane changed clothes they headed out of the 4th Division Compound to seek out the 11th Division Captain in order to get answers rather then raising even more questions.
(A/N: YAY! Another chapter done. I'm a little disappointed that I got so few reviews for the first chapter. I mean I know you are all like "Oh no it's a harem!" and all that stuff, but I've read enough harem fics to know how to do it properly. First off I'm not going to have them all simply fall in love with him and say "Will you marry me?" or have them say "I love you!" right off the bat. I want this to be perfect, but you guys aren't exactly reviewing in droves here. Granted most of you have put me under favorite and alerts wanting to see what will happen next, but I need reviews too. How can I tell if I screwed up if you guys don't tell me? Granted putting it under alerts and Favorites is of course a dead giveaway, but I'd also like to have it in writing in terms of your reviews. It just makes everything more...complete! If your wondering about C&D don't worry I'm not dropping that for 6 months again I will get on that soon enough along with my Star Wars fic. Until next time...PEACE!!!)