Once again, I don't own Bleach.

After dinner, they were rounded up again, and herded into the courtyard. Makizue ended up paired with Yachiru, who was happily waving a wooden sword around, and the rest ended up as Zaraki's sparring partners. Ikkaku launched himself at Zaraki, and then the courtyard was filled with the sound of swords clashing.

"Hey Maki-maki, there are people out there," she said suddenly.

"Well, it looks like the Captain's busy, so you ought to go out there."

Her scream could probably be heard from Sixth. Zaraki abandoned his partners and rushed over to Yachiru. Ichinose felt a pang of sympathy for the little vice-captain, as even full grown shinigami tended to be frightened by Kurotsuchi.

"Who are you?" Zaraki growled. He kept his sword down, but didn't sheathe it. He draped the haori over Yachiru, who huddled into its folds. He didn't like encouraging her when she was being a little scaredy-cat, but he wasn't really sure how to deal with this –thing.

"I am Captain Kurotsuchi ofTwelfth, here to pay my respects."
Zaraki stepped aside and sheathed his sword, allowing the other captain to enter. Yachiru peeked out but stayed glued to Zaraki's side.

"And this," Kurotsuchi said, gesturing behind him, "Is my daughter and Vice-captain, Nemu Kurotsuchi."

She bowed. "It's nice to meet you both, Captain Zaraki, Vice Captain Kusajishi."

Yachiru grinned at her and grabbed her hand, dragging her away from Mayuri. "Nice to meet you! Can we be friends?"

"I would like that very much, Kusajishi-jo."

"If we're going to be friends, I'm Yachiru."

"Yachiru-chan, then. You remind me of my little sister."

"You have a sister? I don't have any..well, I guess you could say that Baldy and Pretty are kinda like my brothers. Nemu-chan, would you like to be my sister?"

"If Zaraki-taicho allows it."

"Hey Ken-chan, can I have a little sister?"

Zaraki half-turned from the entranceway, where he was chatting with Captain Ukitake. "Not a chance, brat."

"Then can I have a big sister?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Yay!"

"Hey Nemu, get Kusajishi to turn," Third Seat Rangiku Matsumoto of Tenth called, brandishing a camera. "I've gotta get some photos!"

"They are so annoying in the larval stage," Kurotsuchi muttered.

--

"C'mon smile.." Matsumoto coaxed. The camera whirred, and she shook it. "Aw, I'm out of film. Time to go drink. See you later, Zaraki-san."

Zaraki eyed her in some shock. She'd just pinched his ass on her way out the door!

----

Ichinose had slipped outside as more captains and various subordinates of the Gotei 13 arrived to peep at the new arrivals. Seventh's captain had sent a Hell Butterfly, and Second and Ninth hadn't even sent that-a huge breach of etiquette, but the new captain probably didn't care. (Third's acting Captain and Fourth's captain were also missing, but Unohana had sent over her Vice-Captain to apologize for their absence.)

He planned to get quite drunk and sulk by himself. Unfortunately, Ikkaku and Yumichika had followed him.

"I hope Second isn't going to show," Ikkaku muttered, pouring himself a cup of sake. "What is this glorious stuff?"

"It's some of Captain Kyoraku's private stock. If I let you have some, would you mind telling me why you dislike Second Division?"
"Because they combine utter humourlessness with kido mastery and excellent aim," Yumichika said haughtily.

"That and they caught us killing hollows for pay," Ikkaku added. "What can I say, I'm a humanitarian- with gambling debts."

"As I recall, your 'kidnapping as a public service' scheme didn't work out too well either."

"Oh? I'd have to say this makes up for having my ass handed to me."

"My mother showed up," Iba exclaimed, diving for cover. "She'll kill me when she finds out I've been demoted!"

"Big deal, you were third, now you're fourth."

"Easy for you to say, fifth seat Madarame. You weren't even in the division yesterday."

"Since we're all out here, and the sake is out here- let's drink!" Ikaku proposed.

"Just out of curiousity, what is Kusajishi to Captain Zaraki?" Iba asked.

"Important."

"She's his daughter," Yumichika said. "A cute little reminder of his lost love.."

"Shut it, Yumi. For all we know, he scooped her off a doorstep. The important thing is, he dotes on that little brat. If she gets so much as a bruise, he'd hunt down and kill whoever caused it."

"If we didn't get them first," Yumichika added cheerfully.

"Enough talking already! Let's drink!"

--

Zaraki coughed, trying to draw some attention to himself. He'd get no help from his subordinates- Yachiru was asleep on her feet, Ikkaku had probably passed out, Yumichika was busy dealing with a flirtatious captain, Ichinose looked like he was laying an egg, and he hoped someone would stop Iba before the fourth seat lost his pants.

"Thank you all for coming. Unfortunately I have a division to walk, so please get out. Anyone remaining can join me for morning exercises."

"Yeah," the third seat from Tenth catcalled. "Please use your big, hard, long, thick sword on me!"

Was it just his imagination or was that Ichimaru guy giving him a glare?

"I am Kenpachi Kiyone Kotetsu," a small blonde proclaimed, standing on the back of a black-haired man. "I am the Thirteenth Kenpachi- all will fear me, and bow down before me!"

Zaraki tapped Kotetsu's forehead. She folded up.

"Can I have my fourth seat back, please?" Captain Ukitake asked.

"Sure. Send her over tomorrow morning."

"Bye, lovely," Kyoraku crooned to Yumichika as Ukitake and Ise dragged him off. "I'll see you soon."

Yumichika looked disturbed at this prospect.

Yachiru waved sleepily at the departing guests. Zaraki hauled her off to bed when all the guests had gone, and the survivors from Eleventh dragged their comrades inside. Heh, that Third Seat Matsumoto was a hellcat- she'd almost suffocated Yachiru, she'd drunk Ikkaku under the porch, and she'd felt him up twice. Lots of fights with interesting people, hollows to kill, people to drink with, and maybe, Yachiru'd get a mother if he liked one of the women enough..

Yeah, life in Soul Society was going to be interesting, for sure.