For the Sake of Sake
By
Psycho-Neurotically Disturbed
Part II: 2nd Division
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Soifon glared at her lieutenant.
She figured that he would eventually stop eating long enough to realize her silver eyes were narrowed at him.
When he saw that he might figure out that the look in her eyes was one that promised a very long, very excruciating death in the very near future.
It might take him a few seconds to realize that he was the one she had in mind for that very unsavory death.
He then might ask her what she wanted as calmly as he could, desperate not to make the rather icy woman any angrier.
After that Soifon would promptly stand up, take the pile of finished paperwork into her arms and leave through the office door without another word because the lord knows she wouldn't trust that oaf with it.
That was exactly what she did.
She cursed the incompetent lout in her head as she stepped out of the safety of the division walls, ignoring the greetings she received from her subordinates. Something in the back of her mind was groaning to her that today was not going to be overly pleasant.
And that cloud of black smoke coming from the eleventh division's walls wasn't easing that feeling at all.
"We can't do it," Jyuushirou frowned as he read out of the encyclopedia. "We just don't have the proper resources to distill any kind of alcohol. It would be a health hazard if we made it."
"Then we need some outside help, someone who is technologically efficient to help with the distillation and testing."
"Shunsui," the white-haired captain winced. "You aren't thinking about bringing him into this, are you?"
"He's brilliant. Mad," Shunsui admitted, a dopey smile forming on his face at the thought of alcohol in his system again, "but brilliant."
"I still don't think that Mayuri would be the best person to bring into all of this. He's not very trustworthy."
"That doesn't matter. He'll do it because he'll find it interesting. I doubt he's ever made moonshine. He'd love it!"
"No," Jyuushirou set his jaw, trying to ignore the overly happy look on the face of his dear friend.
"But if it works, so many people will be happy!"
"And if it doesn't?"
"We'll try again!" Shunsui swung his arm around the shoulders of his mortified friend and laughed.
"Maybe we should go about just raiding the fourth division. It sounds easier."
"Don't be such a prude, Jyuu."
"I'm not," the white-haired captain grumbled. "Fine, we'll have Mayuri help, but you have to talk to him."
"Captain Zaraki is not a patient man," Yumichika was saying from his position on the steps leading into the eleventh squad offices. He waved a fan in front of his face to keep the smoke away. "You men are not fit to be in this company. If I were anyone other than myself I would be ashamed by your lack of propriety! We are doing this for the eleventh division, we are doing this for ourselves, and most importantly we are doing this for the captain!"
"Eh, Yumi," Ikkaku couldn't help a little smile at his friend's speech. "I don't think they were paying attention."
"Apparently," Yumichika's nose twitched in annoyance, "I will have to punish them." The beautiful shinigami stood up and snapped his fan shut. He raised his voice to accommodate for the loudness of the men working around him. "Eleventh division squad members, unless you get this finished within the next hour, I will personally be in charge of your daily drills for the next month. I have a few changes in mind that I've been dying to try out." Yumichika smiled a seemingly gentle smile. "Also, please do remember that there will also be no sake to nurse your wounds with after my training."
The entirety of the fighting squad had stopped to look at their fifth seat as he spoke. Usually they had no qualms about the man, but there was a certain manner in which he spoke that immediately told them to take him seriously. They have had Ayasegawa-san run their drills before and it hadn't been the most pleasant of things. The dark glimmer of pleasure in their higher upper's eyes scared a few. They gave a collective 'Yes sir' to him and got back to work.
"Hmm, a few changes?" Ikkaku looked at Yumichika curiously, knowing how eccentrically brutal the man could be. "I'm not even sure I want to know what you would do to them."
Yumichika buffed his nails on his uniform and admired them for a moment before flicking his eyes up to his dear friend. "Well, considering you have to take part in the morning drills and seeing as I don't want to play favorites since that is wrong, you might want to oversee them."
"Are you serious?"
The look Yumichika gave him told him that yes, he was very serious.
Ikkaku swallowed and nodded, "Right, okay then," and went to administer help among the squad members.
"How's it goin', Ayasegawa?"
"Oh everything's going along beautifully, Captain." Yumichika smiled brightly, his fan gently moving the air in front of his face. "Do you think this is a good enough distraction?"
Kenpachi looked at the cloud of smoke that had settled over the division and deeply breathed in, enjoying the smell. "Yeah, I think it's goin' to work out perfectly."
Soifon glared at the blonde haired boy who had just ran into her as she was trying to open the first division office's heavy oak doors. He had been coming out at the same time she was attempting to get in and now she was sprawled on the ground with her thick stack of papers scattered across the concrete steps beside her.
"My apologies, Soifon-taichou," an almost delicate voice said across from her. Soifon glanced up to see a hand extended for her to take. Cautiously she took it and let the young man easily lift her from the ground. "I didn't see you there. Are you all right?" He let go of her hand and looked down at her.
"I'm fine," Soifon said, finally looking at the blonde. He seemed a little embarrassed. She glanced back down quickly and knelt down to start gathering her papers.
"Let me help you," Kira Izuru crouched down to gather the papers in his hands and neatly stacked them. Several papers had already been blown away. In a shimmer of movement and a series of shunpo he had gathered all of the runaway documents. As he returned Soifon lifted an eyebrow at him.
"Lieutenant Kira, I had no idea you had become so apt at shunpo," Soifon nodded at him. "I'm impressed."
A rosy blush courted the boy's cheeks. "Thank you for such a kind compliment, Soifon-taichou." He looked down at the papers and began to put them in order so deftly that Soifon found herself becoming even more impressed as he handed them over.
"How are things doing in the Third division?" she asked, trying to come up some small talk to fill the ominous silence.
"Oh, things are fine." Kira really had no idea how to answer her question. "I assume things are going well in the Special Forces division as well as Second?"
Soifon gave a curt nod to Kira as he held the door open for her. "Yes, things are the same as always." She stepped inside the building, and Izuru politely followed her to continue their conversation and constantly opened the doors for her as she went. She ventured into a touchier subject. "Are you considering captaincy for your division? You were sent a formal invitation to it if you were willing to achieve your bankai."
"I've thought about it," Kira admitted, watching as the small woman moved to put her paperwork into her slot on the wall. "I'm not sure if I'd be a good leader for my men. I know they don't take me seriously."
"That shouldn't matter," Soifon said sternly, her silver eyes flashing at him. "All that matters is what you think. Your subordinates will realize that soon enough and deal with it or they will transfer out. You're dignified, Kira-fukutaichou, and you have the potential to be a great leader if only you have confidence yourself. The weak have trust in those who trust themselves. Remember that, Lieutenant; because it will change the way you lead."
"Thank you, Captain Soifon," Kira bowed to her. Soifon gave a slight smile as he straightened to look at her. "Captain Soifon, may I request your assistance in helping me achieve bankai?"
Soifon's eyes widened slightly at his request. His eyes were so sincere and filled with hope that she couldn't exactly say no. "I will help you, Kira-san. I only hope that you are willing to keep up with me."
"I'll do my best," Izuru said earnestly. "And then some."
Soifon, for the first time in a long time, smiled at him and had to turn away to hide the pleased look in her eyes.
AN: Yay, another chapter. Next time: Squad 3, what exactly Squad 11 is doing, and a short chat with Mayuri. Later.