I had woken sometime earlier then I was supposed to get up, to dash to the bathroom and loose what ever was left in my stomach. Then I had gone back to bed after rinsing my mouth and having a cup of tea.

I awoke again to tightness in my lungs and, blearily, noted a Hell butterfly landing on my nose, and a message blaring in my ear, "Corvette! Get your fucking lazy ass down to the kitchen; it's your job to cook breakfast! Were hungry!" Kenpachi's voice sounded out.

I coughed briefly for a moment then grumbled, "Damn, I forgot…" Scrambling out of my make shift bed, cracking my back, I slipped my sleep cloths off and struggled into my uniform. I grabbed Elohcin and jumped out of the tree to dash into the division building. Slipping Elohcin into the obi that held my pants up, I darted into the kitchen to get cooking supplies. When you cook for a little over two hundred and fifty people, it takes forever to cook.

Mixing some pancake mix, I darted over to the cabinets to grab a couple pots and pans and a spatula and spoons, then dashed over to the mixing bowel and brought it over to the stove. Pouring the batter into the pan, I began making the pancakes while cracking eggs for fried eggs. Next I had to do hash browns, bacon, and sausage… still so much to do; but luckily, help came in the form of the fifth seat.

"Hello Ms. Corvette-" Yumichika cheerily said as he walked into the kitchen with a wave.

I latched onto his arm and ragged him to the pancakes, "You are in charge of cooking these."

"But your-" he started to object, but I cut him off.

Glaring at him, I waggled my index finger at him, "I'm very busy with the other stuff I need to cook, so if you want me to ever help you with a stubborn knot in your hair or split ends or make your favorite food again, I do sagest you cook."

He went bug-eyed and began to work furiously without another comment.

I started the bacon and sausage, and then began working on the hash browns because it takes a while for the bacon and what not to cook. Grating a bunch of potatoes with a cheese grater, I stuck them in a pan and set it on high while I seasoned them. Hurrying back over to the pan with the sausage and stuff, I turned it off and set them onto two large separate plates. Streaking back to the hash brown wad, I pulled it out of the frying pan and splattered it onto one of our huge plates then set it aside and checked my watch… 5:45 it read.

'Damn Kenpachi! He fucking woke me up earlier then he needed too. Breakfast doesn't start cooking 'till six!' I fixed up a couple humongous bowels of mixed fruit and set it next to the other stuff as I tried to blow off some steam.

The door creaked open, and a bleary eyed and disoriented Kenpachi stumbled in with Ikkaku on his heals. They flopped down at the kitchen table and Kenpachi grumbled, "Corvette, why the hell are you cookin in the kitchen now? Its not six yet-" He yawned, "and ya woke me an Ikkaku up with all this racket."

I glared at him and flipped him off, "You the one who sent me the fuckin' hell bug to wake me up at this damned hour!"

'I'm this close to just making them not get any food'

Ikkaku, had fallen back asleep but when the Captain lurched up from his chair, he had rattled the table and cause Ikkaku to jerk awake when Kenpachi growled, "I don't remember doing any thin like that! You better watch your mouth girl, or-"

I snapped and did what I had done to Yumichika, except it did it a whole lot worse, "You'll kill me? I don't think so. If you kill me, then you wont have anyone to get rid of your hangovers or make quality food that wont make you live in the bathroom." Ikkaku's Indignant 'hey!' sounded as I continued on my rant, "Now you and Ikkaku can bring this food out into the mess hall, or I wont put anything you like in there at all." Seeing him about to resist, I crossed my arms and locked my leg in the universal sign that women use on men all around the universe, "Or make the tea you use to get rid of hangovers."

Kenpachi gave me an owl eyed look along with Ikkaku saying, "Well, damn. Looks like were sunk. I could use some of the stuff now, we drank a lot last night."

"Yumichika?"

"Yes Ms. Corvette?"

"Can you help them?" I smiled sweetly at him, which cause him to shiver slightly, " I'll finish this up, and stop with the Ms. crap. It makes me feel like I'm married."

"Yes Corvette." He said obediently, and went to help the guys load up stuff and not drop it.

"Captain Zaraki! Remember, it's my day off!"

I heard a muffled "Yeah, yeah."

I sighed, and walked over to get a kettle to boil some water. While it was boiling, I got down some of my stuff for my recipe, which included a small pinch of chocolate, jasmine tea, small pinch of rose leafs, honey, and some ginseng. It helps with hangovers, the flu, and overall general aches. Reaching up, I grabbed two cups; and on a second thought, I grabbed another cup.

'Maybe I'll have some too, I feel a bit under the weather. Maybe its from that shot Unohana gave me?'

While the tea was boiling, I sat out the rest of the food, which consisted of rice, oatmeal, and lots of cereal; along with the other stuff that I had made. Kenpachi came back in along with Ikkaku and grabbed the rest of the stuff, then headed back out to the mess hall.

TWIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAA

The pot whistled loudly, and I took it off the burner. Putting the stuff I set out inside each of the cups, I poured the boiling hot water into the cups and waited a moment for the stuff to dissolve. As soon as it was dissolved, I put them onto a small tray and took it out to the mess hall.

The three she had made help earlier were sitting in their chairs eating, as other soul reapers were slowly coming into the hall. Lieutenant Yachiru was sitting next to Kenpachi, and was gorging herself on some of the hash browns she made. Handing the two men the drinks they had requested, she took hers and left the hall to get some paperwork done.

"I am so sorry Captain Hitsugaya!" I apologized to him, " I had forgotten that it was my turn to cook for the division this morning, and it took me awhile to get the paperwork."

Hitsugaya raised his hand, silencing my apologies, as he ran his other through his tussled white locks of hair, "No, no, its ok, at least you got them turned in on time…" He sighed, and blushed as his stomach growled.

Laughing lightly, I asked, "Do you want something to eat? I can cook you something if you like."

"If it wouldn't trouble you…" he paused, " then yes, I would like that."

"Good, then please follow me." I grinned sneakily, "I hid some of my favorites in the micro wave, so it should still be warm. You can eat that if you like, or I can make you something else."

Heaving him self up, and dusting off his captain's coat, he responded, "Alright."

So we were off to my division, which was a considerably short walk. Upon entering my kitchen though, I found it to be stacked neatly with plates. Sighing heavily, I walked to the microwave and set the time for sixty seconds as Hitsugaya sat down in the chair at the table. I leaned on the counter tiredly, and rubbed the bridge of my nose as the stupid nausea returned full force.

"Are you all right Mercedes?"

Looking back at Hitsugaya, I gave him a pathetic smile, "Not really, sir, I think I got more of the symptoms from Captain Unohana's shot she gave me. Would you like some tea?"

"Um," he blinked slowly, "sure?"

"M'kay." Pulling his food out of the microwave, I gave him a fork since it would be easier to use, and then set to work laying out my stuff for tea.

"Are you sure its safe to eat?" he timidly poked a hash brown piece with his fork, "It looks kinda like it went bad…"

"Hash browns are supposed to look like that, and if Lieutenant Yachiru will eat them willingly, then they're safe to eat."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude."

I waved him off and grinned at him lightly, "Yeah, with the elevenths reputation, I'm not surprised with how you reacted. Were not notoriously known for being good cookers, just being ruffians."

Taking a bite, Hitsugaya's eyes widened quite a bit, before he swallowed and took another bite, and my grin widened along with his eyes, "But I do say: I'm a damn fine cook."

"I… Agree… completely…" he said between bites and chewing. Putting a cup of tea on the table in front of him, I took my own and sat across from him while I sipped mine slowly, savoring the bite that the ginseng brings and the sweetness of the jasmine. Reaching out to grab his glass, he met my amused gaze and took a tentative sip of his tea. Hitsugaya's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he did so and then he asked the most random question, "Is this a store bought recipe or did you make it yourself?"

"Um…" I was kinda startled. I hadn't expected him to say anything, but I responded anyways, "Well the base for the tea is jasmine so that's store bought, everything else is all a secret home recipe my mother taught me how to make. She said it could do special things, I just had to find out what exactly."

"Your mother?"

"Yep."

"So… what can it do?"

I played innocent for a moment, "What can what do?"

"The tea. You said your mother told you it could do something special, what was it?"

Putting my cup of tea down, I put a hand to my chin and thought for a moment, "Well, it can get rid of hangovers, help when someone has the flu, and generally help with aching muscles. There are still some kinks yet to be worked out of it, but soon I will perfect the recipe."

"Does the eleventh ever use this tea?"

I crossed my knees and cheerily replied, "Oh yes, I just made a batch this morning for Captain Zaraki, and Ikkaku. They got really drunk and had horrible hangovers."

"Interesting… Well, I thank you for the meal Mercedes," he stood up and nodded is head appreciatively, "but I have more paperwork to attend to. So I will see you later, and can you drop this off to Captain Ukitake for me? Its important."

"Yes sir."

Third seats Kiyone and Sentaro, who took the message from me, had found me and now I was on my way back to my tree to get some more sleep. I was oddly tired, my lungs were sore which meant that my sickness was gona act up for the first time in the soul society, and I was nauseous. So I was hoping to get some sleep since Zaraki woke me up early this morning. But this was not to be. As I turned the corner to walk into my division, I came face to face with Captain Kuchiki.

"Ah! Captain Kuchiki," I backed up and bowed deeply to him, "is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, but would you kindly escort me to your Captain? I have some unpleasant matters to bring up with him."

Standing up straight again, I nodded and motioned for him to follow me. I went through the gates, and headed over to the entrance of the main building. Last time I heard, Zaraki was having a free for all fight in the training grounds that was behind the main building. Silently, Kuchiki sped up so he walked next to me and I glanced at him. His coal black eyes were trained on me, so I looked away and pushed open a door that lead to another hall.

His voice startled me, "Why are you in the eleventh?"

"Well… I don't know." I answered truthfully, " I like to fight but… fighting isn't everything. There's cooking to be done, paperwork…" I trailed off silently.

"Other then you, I have never seen another woman in this division."

Smiling slightly, I announced, "That's because I'm the only one." He didn't speak again. So we strolled out onto the training grounds were the captain was, for one way of putting it, beating the squad members in a free for all. Over the sounds of swords clashing, and metal meeting flesh, I called, "Captain Zaraki! Captain Kuchiki would like to talk with you!"

Ikkaku answered me instead of Zaraki, "Shut up Corvette and join the fight; we could use your help! Were gona be doing a session with seated officers as hollows and the lower seats are gona be soul reapers."

"Do you look like Zaraki? I didn't think so, now-"

"Kenpachi Zaraki. I wish to speak with you about some important matters." Kuchiki's cold monotone voice cut me off.

The sounds of clashing quieted, and Zaraki strolled forward to glare at Kuchiki and snarl harshly at him, "What do you want, Pretty Boy? I'm too busy for your bullshit today, so come back never."

"Zaraki. I will not repeat myself. Join me in your office for a few moments."

Sighing at Kuchiki, Zaraki walked over to the door, followed by pretty boy, with lieutenant Yachiru draped across his shoulders, he called back to Ikkaku, "Start the fighting, I wana see blood on some blades when I find all of you. The limit is the division walls." He said, but added on another notice, "Try not to die. Got it?"

"Yes sir!" chimed all the men. And then Zaraki left.

"You heard him! Start now! And if you lose, head back here, or off to the fourth division."

We split up and I flash stepped to my tree with a sigh. I was tired and it was hard to breath. Using the little bit of healing kido I knew how to do, I soothed my lungs slightly, and then put up a barrier around the tree so no one would disturb me while pulling the scrunchie out of my hair and placing it on my wrist. Stretching out my sleeping bag, I laid down on it for a nap. But then I got cold, so I grabbed my blanket and my pillow and curled up with an arm over my eyes, and the other around my stomach.

"What do you think your doing Ms. Corvette?" sounded Kuchiki's cold voice.

Opening my eyes, I saw him standing just a bit out of my barrier, I glared at him before answering, "I was planning on sleeping, since I haven't been feeling well since early this morning, but apparently this isn't going to happen."

"Sorry to disturb your nap, but aren't you supposed to be brawling with those mongrels in your division?"

Yawning, I rubbed my eyes and blearily resumed my position I was in before, "Probably, but those fools don't need me to train with them today. I'm tired, and I feel like shit, so I'm sleeping. It's probably from that shot that all of the girl soul reapers had to get."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, now if you'll excuse me, I need to get some sleep." I said as I rolled over and curl up again.

"You shouldn't shirk your duties, so if you don't get out of this weak barrier, I will get your Captain to deal with you."

'Damn it…'

"Very well…" Pulling myself up, and slipping my sleeping stuff aside; I stepped out of the branch and diminished my barrier. He gave me a pleased look and left, I glared at were he had been standing before and flipped his retreating back off, "bastard."

Breathing in and out, I used a bit of my spirit energy to wake myself up when I heard voices around the nearing the corner of were my tree rested. I flash stepped across the yard to duck behind a couple of stray boxes that littered the division yard and walls, "Hey! Is that our ninth seat?"

The sound of feet stepping behind the box I was hiding next to alerted me to their position, "I think so," I heard one say, " but I don't see her anymore. Where did she go? Think she fled to the rest of the seated officers that aren't captive?"

"I'dunno Akane, it feels like someones watching and listening to us…"

I jumped on top of the box I had stationed myself behind, to find two unseated officers, one a short burly brown haired man and the other a dark black color that stood around six foot two, staring bug-eyed at me, as I shouted loudly in a creepy voice, "Boo!"

The two of them squeaked and launched at me in an automatic reflex, and I dodged by flipping over their heads while simultaneously pulling Elohcin from her scabbard to parry the stray blades that followed me upwards. Landing on my feet silently, I watched as they turned towards me only to hold up a finger to them, sheath my sword, and I gathered my hair and placed it in a ponytail again with the scrunchie on my wrist.

The black haired man sighed, eyed his partner, and settled into a stance, "You done yet?"

Pulling the tie tight, I grinned sadistically, "Yup! But may I ask your names?"

"I'm Akane," the short dude pointed to himself, " and this is Yurokusa, but you can call him Yuro."

Yuro looked at me with a lopsided grin, "Yo!"

"Enough talk, lets fight!"

They launched at me, one coming from each side, so I took off towards Kuro, and rotated myself under his legs and flip him over into Akane who was following closely behind me. I dropped into a crouch as he flew over my head, while I quickly plunged my blade into his stomach and retracted it, and face planted into a box in front of me. I started laughing at the poor man. My laughter stopped abruptly as pain registered in my arm as Yuro landed next to his friend and helped him up.

Then my hair cascaded around me and my hair tie fell to the ground, "Damn it, that was one of my favorites…"

Walking back further, I watched as they again attacked head on. This time I took on Akane, and locked my sword with his and flipped over him. Unlocking the swords, I began to engage the other in combat. Cut, dodge, flip, slash, stab, and roll away, downward thrust, block, block. I slid Elohcin into Yuro's sternum and kept moving him backwards until he was pinned to a wall.

I felt Akane's blade slide through the soft flesh of my left part of my rib cage, and Yuro's blade go through the other side, both buried in my flesh to the hilt. I hissed angrily as blood began to slowly drip onto my uniform and hair from the plugged stab wounds, and planted both of my feet on the wall on ether side of Yuro. Pushing off the wall, their blades remained in my ribs, therefore disarming them; I flipped over them while ripping Elohcin out of Yuro's body.

Holding Elohcin out, I asked, "Do you yield? Or do you want to die?"

They shared a look "We yield."

I turned and started walking towards the fourth while wiping the blood off of Elohcin with my sleeve, "Well, lets take you to the fourth division, I punctured some of your organs so you might pass out-"

TH-THUNK

"Soon…" sighing, I sheathed my sword, and gave an experimental tug on each of the swords in my ribs. They didn't budge, but it hurt like hell.

Stalking over to grab the to passed out buffoons I flipped one over each shoulder, and walked to the gates of the division.

Just as I was going to walk out, I heard Ikkaku call me, "Hey Corvette! Were you going?" he said as he jogged up followed by Yumichika, who eyed my blood stained hair disdainfully.

I turned slightly to the left to how them Akane's soul slayer, "I'm taking them to the fourth and I'm gonna see if Unohana will rip these out for me."

Yumichika flipped his hair, and said, "Have Ikkaku do it. It'll save you a trip."

Shifting Yuro over slightly, I gave Ikkaku full access to my side, "Give it your best shot."

Walking forward, Ikkaku took the handle of the sword into his palm, and tugged. He earned a wince from me, but no movement from the blade. Pulling harder, he planted a foot on my hip and put his weight into it. Falling on his ass, and making me stumble, he exclaimed, "Well holy fuck! It wont come out, damn it!"

Sticking my tongue out at him, and turning to continue on my way, I said, "Told you."

I started flash stepping to the fourth.