Emmybab: Here is another wonderfully brilliant chapter for the masses to read. What can I say I'm a g...
Thwak Beca glares at Emmybab: Do not even suggest you are a god.
Emmybab: mutters under breath One of these day I'm gonna shove that fan up your ass you fan wielding psycho witch.
Ominous black aura surrounds Beca What?
Emmybab: Eeep. Um, Nothing. nervously laughs Anywho here is the next chapter. Please enjoy.
Zaraki wondered the Seireitei looking for Ichigo in an attempt to release some aggression over that bastard Aizen's betrayal. Earlier, Ikkaku informed him that the orange-haired boy would be leaving for the living world in two days and Zaraki did not want to miss the chance to fight someone who was stronger than he. Walking through the gate to one of the many courtyards, Zaraki saw his target casually strolling through the expansive area. Grabbing the hilt of his Zanpakuto, Zaraki could feel a wicked smile cross his face as he prepared to rush the boy. However, movement on the roof of a building stopped him. Looking up, Zaraki spotted Nanamiku as she jumped from the roof to ambush the unsuspecting Ichigo.
"Found you!" Nanamiku screamed as she pulled Riku from his sheath. She had been searching for Ichigo for most of the morning to challenge him to a fight. Since his arrival in the Seireitei, Ichigo had gotten stronger with every fight he had been forced to engage in. Nanamiku wanted to walk that path, to gain strength in battle, just like Ichigo.
"What the�" Ichigo hissed as he pulled Zangetsu from his back and blocked the attack of some crazed Shinigami. Looking into the light brown, enraged eyes, Ichigo felt the surge of adrenaline that came with every fight he endured. Pushing hard against her sword with Zangetsu, Ichigo sent the dark-haired girl sliding backwards across the courtyard. "What is wrong with you?"
Not really hearing his words, Nanamiku said nothing as she launched at Ichigo again. Their swords meeting with a sharp clang.
"Don't you dare hold back." Nanamiku growled as she released Riku without command, and drove Ichigo into a nearby wall. Next thing Nanamiku knew she was pushed away from Ichigo and looking up into the eyes of her very angry Captain while he held her sword away from Ichigo. Knowing she was in the wrong and about to be punished, Nanamiku closed her eyes, surrendering to the fate her Captain would decide for her.
"What the hell." Nanamiku heard Ichigo say as he walked up to Zaraki. "Why did you attack me?"
"Because I have to get stronger." Nanamiku said. Her eyes snapping open to pin Ichigo, then Zaraki with a pleading look. She watched Ichigo's eyes soften, not in sympathy but in understanding. Looking up at Captain Zaraki, Nanamiku was surprised to see the corner of his mouth twitch in a smile.
"You are only allowed to release your Zanpakuto within the training grounds at our barracks." Zaraki said as he gave Nanamiku a hard stare. It took a moment for his words to sink into her brain, then comprehension filled Nanamiku as she blasted her Captain with the biggest smile she had ever given.
Sheathing her sword she grabbed the front of Ichigo's shihakusho and said, "Time to go."
Then she dragged Ichigo with her as she flash stepped all the way to squad elevens barracks with Ichigo protesting the whole way.
When Nanamiku had reached her destination, she tossed Ichigo like a rag doll across the field. The world spun as he tumbled across the grass stopping when he reached the stone wall surrounding the training grounds. Ichigo's cheeks heated when he realized he had landed on his shoulders with his feet in the air. Rolling over quickly he stood dusting off his shihakusho as he glared at the girl.
Damn she is strong. Ichigo thought as he stared the dark-haired girl down. He had seen her before standing on Sokyoku hill glaring up at the spot in the sky that Aizen had disappeared into. After a while she would scream, dropping to her knees and punching the ground until she was breathless. He knew all the Shinigami felt the depth of Aizen's betrayal but what he had witnessed went deeper than a simple betrayal. Aizen had wronged her in some way. Now she stood before him the only man to defeat her captain and to hold himself against Aizen.
"Just fighting against me is not enough to make you stronger." Ichigo said as he stood there facing Nanamiku.
"You're wrong. It worked for you." She said and then crouched down. Ichigo barely had time to bring up his sword to block her first attack. She is fast. He thought as she spun, dropped down to swipe at his feet with her sword. He jumped, flipping over her crouched form, landing lightly on the ground behind her. Fast as she was, she was still too slow to beat him.
Zaraki had been curious how Ichigo would handle his subordinate and had followed as Nanamiku raced to the training grounds. As he had figured, Ichigo's abilities were far above Nanamiku's, but she seemed to be learning with every strike. In that one thing Ichigo had been wrong, when faced with an opponent stronger than her she seemed to excel. Zaraki looked over as his lieutenant landed lightly on the building beside him. She watched the fight with excitement in her eyes, "They are alike."
Zaraki smiled at Yachiru's simple analysis, knowing she was right. Even though Ichigo was human, his spiritual pressure was immense and Nanamiku had the potential to surpass Ichigo's power. Hell, she even had the potential to surpass him and take his place as Captain of squad 11 one day. In some weird way Zaraki looked forward to that day.
Zaraki winced inside when Ichigo slammed Nanamiku into the ground, sending dirt and debris rocketing into the air. Had she been human her internal organs would have burst from the pressure of the impact. As the dust cleared, Zaraki saw Nanamiku laying on the ground gasping for breath. Jumping from the roof of the building, Zaraki walked up to Nanamiku with Yachiru perched on his shoulder. "That is enough."
"No." Nanamiku said as she tried to sit up. Yachiru jumped from his shoulder and landed on Nanamiku's chest forcing her to the ground with a loud moan.
Yachiru stared down at Nanamiku, the girls eyes still burned with the desire to fight the Ryoka even though Yachiru could see the pain each breath caused. Reaching down towards the girl, Yachiru smiled when Nanamiku did not pull away or flinch. Gently wiping the blood from the cut on Nanamiku's cheek, Yachiru said, "That is enough. I want you to live long enough to get very strong so that we can fight one day."
Nanamiku looked at Yachiru with surprise. "What?"
"I want to fight with you when you become stronger." Yachiru said again.
Nanamiku felt all the anger and desire for a battle melt from her body as the Lieutenant sat on her chest. Smiling she said, "I would like that too, but what should we battle for?"
It was Yachiru's turn to look surprised, raising her little hand, she tapped her lip. "If I win, you become my personal slave."
"And if I win?" Nanamiku countered.
"As if." Yachiru said rolling her eyes.
"I become lieutenant." Nanamiku said with a smirk.
Yachiru felt a moment of surprise, then smiled brightly, "Agreed."
Ichigo was grateful that Yachiru had defused Nanamiku's anger and blood-lust. He had seriously thought he would need to beat her into unconsciousness before she would stop. The girl was strong and very determined. She was a lot like him in that aspect, scary thought that.
The following day Nanamiku was walking down the lane on her way to see the Ryoka girl, Orihime. She was a very sweet girl and Nanamiku enjoyed spending time with her. Nanamiku's belly let out a loud rumble, rubbing the grumbling body part she smiled. Orihime had made her lunch yesterday after her defeat by Ichigo's hands and Nanamiku had enjoyed the unusual tasting meal. Everyone else seemed to turn a little green as the red-head produced the meal she had worked on, but Nanamiku had been curious. The little fish sandwiches with bean paste had been delightful, maybe Orihime would make some more of her unusual cuisine.
Captain Zaraki surprised her as he slide around the corner and come to a stop in front of her, "Have you seen Ichigo?"
"No." She said in confusion.
"Damn it where the hell did he go?" Captain Zaraki growled as he bolted down the adjacent street.
"There you are." A familiar voice said from behind Nanamiku. Turning she saw Orihime waiving as she walked up to her. "I was just going to Kukaku's home to say farewell and thank her for her help getting Ichigo and the rest of us into the Seireitei. Would you like to join me?"
"Would that be okay? I mean Kukaku doesn't really know me." Nanamiku said feeling a little apprehensive about going to the home of the fireworks expert. Something about the woman was a bit overpowering, then again it's not everyday you watch said woman jump into the fray of a fight while riding on the shoulders of a giant Shinigami.
It was near dark when they arrived in the field near Kukaku's home. Orihime stopped walking, causing Nanamiku to run into her. looking around the red-head's shoulder she saw Rukia standing before Kukaku bowing and apologizing for her part in Kien Shiba's death. Nanamiku smiled as Kukaku forgave the young Shinigami for the death of her brother then popped her in the nose for apologizing too much. Then Ichigo arrived receiving a poke in the nose for trying to refuse Kukaku's request to stay for dinner.
"Hey everyone." Orihime said waiving her arms then running up to the group.
"Looks like we have two more for dinner." Kukaku said as she smiled at them.
"Yes, yes please." Orihime said bouncing up and down.
"And how about you." Kukaku said.
"If it is okay for me to stay I would like to." Nanamiku said barely a moment before she was poked in the nose. Holding the bleeding appendage she stared at Kukaku with wide eyes.
"I asked if you would like to join us for dinner." Kukaku said, "You are supposed to respond with a yes or a no."
"Yes, it would be an honor." Nanamiku said, her voice muffled by her hands.
"Good, now you three get cleaned up and we can get on with the party." She said turning and walking into her home. Nanamiku looked over at her bleeding comrades and smiled.
It was dawn as Nanamiku walked through the fields towards the barracks with heavy legs. Last night had been fun but this morning really sucked. Kukaku Shiba had been a gracious host during the farewell party for Ichigo but she had been very forceful about them trying the sake she had procured. Nanamiku had not wanted to tell her no, fearing another poke to the nose, and had drunk nearly the whole bottle herself.
Putting her hand on her aching head Nanamiku was grateful she had no intentions of seeing Ichigo off this morning. There would be no way in all the worlds that she would be able to handle the potentially emotional departure. She would rather rot in hell than burst into tears while watching her new friends leave for their home. It was unseemly for a Shinigami to show such emotion, but for a squad 11 member it was not an option.
Nanamiku walked over the rise of a gentle hill and saw Captain Komamura standing before a grave marker while Lieutenant Hisagi walked towards the nearby buildings. As she walked closer to Captain Komamura's location she watched him look up with sad eyes a moment before returning his gaze to the nameless grave marker. Nanamiku stopped and watched the beast captain a moment before she approached. Standing at his side, she stared down at the grave while sending her senses out to feel the place below her. "Captain Komamura, may I ask who is buried here?"
Komamura looked down at the dark-haired girls bowed head as she stood beside him, "This was a friend of Kaname Tosen." He said quietly, "The one who had taught him his strong sense of justice."
"I see." She said as she turned her pale brown eyes upon him. Then she gave him a small smile, "I know his betrayal must hurt but you must always try to remember the good in the man you called a friend."
Komamura was surprised that this child stood before him trying to comfort him. Looking back at the grave stone he prayed he would be able to bring his friend back to his senses. He smiled while he did as the young girl suggested and remembered the many times he would stand here with Kaname paying his respects to the person buried here. Yes, he would bring Kaname back here to visit his long lost friend.
Nanamiku was happy that she could bring some peace to Captain Komamura's spirit with her simple words. Looking down at the grave stone she frowned, "May I ask another question?"
"Yes." Captain Komamura answered.
"Is Captain Tosen's friend the only one buried here?" Nanamiku asked as she looked back up at the Captain.
"Yes" Komamura said, looking curiously at her. "Why do you ask?"
"Just a feeling sir. I'm sure it is my foggy brain playing tricks on me." she said smiling lightly, "Kukaku was a most aggressively gracious host."
Komamura chuckled. "You had best get to your barracks then. I believe all events for the day have been postponed due to the Ryoka's departure."
"I will be going then." She said turning towards him and bowing. Turning away she stopped then looked at him over her shoulder. "I believe with all my heart we will win against Aizen and redeem the honor of all the people he corrupted." Then she left.
Once she was far enough away, Nanamiku turned to look back at Captain Komamura as he stared at the grave. She could have sworn there were two bodies buried there in the ground and no amount of fogginess could have interfered with her senses. Turning back towards the barracks, Nanamiku wished there was a way she could find out who was buried there, but her low rank did not allow her to go snooping around in burial or death records.
