Disclaimer- I don't own BLEACH, just Ai, Manami, Shizuko and a few others.
3. Unmasked
Ai awoke when light bombarded her senses. She sat up ready to fight and stopped short, slightly embarrassed when her eyes met Byakuya's. He simply sighed and rolled his eyes.
"You're supposed to report to your captain at eight, is that correct?"
She ran a hand through her tumbled hair, shook her head as if to clear it.
"Uh, yeah that's what I was ordered," she sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Well Miss Takahashi, you're nearly half of an hour late," he informed her with an almost smug expression.
She stared at him blankly as the words set in.
No…Surely he'd have the decency to wake me up… she thought as her chest tightened.
"E-excuse me?"
"If you were supposed to report at eight o'clock this morning," he spoke as he stepped closer to the bed, "then you are late by one half of an hour."
Her eyes widened considerably.
"Are you kidding me?!" she threw off her covers and bolted out of bed. "I understand you don't like me, but jeez! My squad doesn't need this!" she felt the tears gathering, "Would it really have hurt you to get me up?" Don't cry. Just don't cry. Her mind coached her, but the outlook wasn't so good. "Why do you-"
She stopped when she realized he was not paying attention to words, but staring blankly at her body. She looked down at her body and realized she was only wearing…nothing… and the illusion kido she used to mask her scarring was not in effect. The evidence of the abuse she'd received in the Rukongai was completely uncovered. The ghastly vein-like disfigurement snaked its way from the top of her right thigh, veering left across her abdomen, around to her back, up over her shoulder, and finally coming to an end behind her left ear.
She couldn't move. Oh gods…please…why him? Out of all that could have seen me, why him?
"What in all of soul society happened last night?" he weighed each word carefully.
"It didn't…well you see…" she almost fell apart, but she got a very tight hold on herself, "it didn't happen last night. Sometimes things happen to those below you that might shock your noble system Captain Kuchiki." With those final words she wrapped her robe tightly around her and left for her own home to dress.
She was already late…so why rush?
She made sure not to slam the door.
Byakuya stood stiffly in the same position he'd been in since she got out of bed. He had not expected the frail body he discovered actually belonged to Ai Takahashi. What had happened? Her final words to him reverberated through his mind…
What the hell did she mean by 'those below you'? That might, in fact, be how he looked upon shinigami such as her, but who was she to speak in such a way to him?
…then it hit him…
His attitude. He did see them as below him–well, because they were–so he might have had that comment coming, but from a lower rank was unacceptable.
However his thoughts settled on the utter shame he'd seen flash in her eyes; because of him?
He sighed and shook his head.
"Byakuya," he spoke aloud, "she's a whore, why does it matter? Perhaps it was her punishment for her sins."
He rolled his eyes.
And now you're talking to yourself… he thought.
By the time Ai made it to her Captain's home it was a little past eight. She'd changed into correct shinigami attire and fixed her hair in its usual style. Since she didn't really know her new Captain she knocked instead of simply entering. After the happenings of the morning she didn't mind facing the fire for this.
Her sister opened the door.
"Manami…" was all she needed to say.
"Was it that bad?"
Ai chewed her bottom lip for a moment, "he saw me naked this morning…"
"Oh my," Manami knew better than to mistake it for sex. She was, after all, psychic.
"And forgot my illusion kido because I was rushed…"
"Oh Ai!"
Manami engulfed her sister in a protective embrace. She knew how self conscious Ai was about her scars. She'd tried again and again to help her twin build up her esteem, but she was more than aware in the end it was all up to Ai…
They drew back and Ai sighed.
"So…how pissed is Captain Fon?"
Manami gave a half laugh, "she's more worried than anything else…" she paused and seemed to deliberate on something, "Ya know Ai, I really like her."
Ai shrugged, they hadn't known her for very long, but she just seemed so genuine. However, their last captain had been the same way and look where that had gotten them. Maybe it was too early to pass judgment on her. Then again Aizen had been around for much longer.
"I think we'd better head inside," she suggested.
"I suppose that would make sense," Manami replied before turning to be followed in.
When they arrived inside Ai was greeted by the scene of Shizuko and Momo busy filtering through paperwork. Both had set expressions of concentration. They had both been played by the same man, but did they see that as a reason to bond or just one more fracture in the chain that should have connected Lieutenant and Captain. She had to restrain a laugh when the both swiped at a chestnut strand of hair that had fallen in their eyes. She cleared her throat and they both looked up.
"Sorry I'm late Captain," she stated respectfully, "this new set up has-"
"Ai," Shizuko laughed, "its fine. Don't sweat it! I mean I don't want you to be late everyday, but after everything that happened yesterday it is completely understandable."
"Really?" Ai asked.
"Yeah," Shizuko laughed again.
The woman was glowing. Somebody got laid this morning, Ai thought.
Momo was staring blankly at the scene. Her eyes met Ai's and held. She saw sorrow in the Lieutenant. It pained her, but what could she do?
"So what is on the itinerary today?"
"Filing." She beamed, "I figured the rest of the squad wouldn't mind an extra day to gossip and then we can really hit the bonding tomorrow."
"Bonding?" Ai said softly.
"I'd like see how well all of you do with team work," Shizuko said casually. "Will put these in alphabetical order please? Manami, are those make-shift folders labeled? "
"Yes sir," the twins answered as one.
Shizuko's laughter reminded Ai of bells, "that was adorable! But please, I really don't want to be referred to as 'sir' or anything close to it for that matter. How about Shizuko? After all, you ladies have been here much longer than I have."
The girls looked at each other questioningly and shrugged in unison. Ai took the papers Shizuko held out and Manami handed her the 'folders'. Shizuko then ordered Manami to organize another stack. All four worked in silence for many awkward minutes.
Ai couldn't stand it, especially since her thoughts kept drifting to a certain tight assed captain. She had to make conversation.
"So…Captain, I mean, Shizuko…are you upset your parents sent you here?"
All the others seemed to stop moving.
Shizuko sighed and shifted, "Well yes and no…" She confessed, "This brought me to terms with what I am and made me face the facts. But there are those that I will miss dearly back home…"
"Who?" Ai whipped her head around. Momo had spoken. There was a surprise…
It seemed to shock the other two girls in the room as well.
"Well," Shizuko began. Ai had to admire the way the new Captain didn't hesitate, because she was sure Captain Zaraki had explained everything to her. "At the bar I used to work at I had three of the best friends in the world. We were all completely different but closer than family. I mean none of us even had the same reasons for working there."
Ai stacked a report evenly, "What do you mean by that?"
"Yes," Manami pressed, "What were they like?"
Shizuko laughed, but continued to sort papers as she talked, "Well, Gwen was a trip," she snickered, "I guess, you could call her our fearless leader, considering she was the one that had been at the bar the longest. Not to mention the fact she was the most hardheaded person I've ever met. She's claims to be of Asian decent, but her hair is a pale, pale blonde and her eyes…good grief! They are so blue they appear purple! She also has a good eye for chic fashion, although her wardrobe resembles that of a stripper."
Ai wasn't sure how to react. Was this woman serious? She wasn't quite sure how a young woman such as the one she had described would go over with Soul Society…
"And then there was Charlie, the sweetest thing in the world. She is unbelievably shy and doesn't care much for talking when you first meet her." the new captain sighed, "Her real name is Charleston, after a city. It's actually funny because she takes care of her sister India, which is a country and then she has a son named Denver which is also a city. She works three jobs trying to support all three of them. You see Indi, that's India's nickname, is 17 and rebellious…their father walked out when Indi was five and their mother passed away about nine months ago, so Charlie does all she can to get by…"
"What about the baby's father?" the lieutenant asked with open curiosity. She had scooted closer so she could here more of the conversation.
"Oh, him," Shizuko said flatly, "none of us no who he is. She met him one night before we new her and apparently she knew him no longer than one night…But we all try to help with Denver, he's a great baby. He sleeps all night and will just let mollycoddle him to your heart's content."
Ai looked up to see the wistful look in Shizuko's eyes. She recognized the face of longing and her heart went out to her new Captain, "What about the third girl?" she found herself asking.
"Oh, Maeve!" Shizuko's face lit up, "she is a firecracker! She's the struggling actress trying to get by and loving every hardship. She is Irish to the bone, with fiery red hair and emerald eyes. I guess she could be called our "philosopher"; many times she'll simply zone out and say things that are completely off the wall, however they generally make perfect sense…"
Her laugh trailed off and the four of them sat in silence.
The lapse was not nearly as awkward as the original silence. It felt natural almost, as though it might belong.
"Ok," Captain Fon sighed, "I have something I would like to discuss with the three of you…I'd like to know the way your division usually goes about training…I have discussed things with Kenpachi." At that moment Ai felt amusement and horror pass through her simultaneously. Amusement at the fact she had no one refer to Captain Zaraki as 'Kenpachi', well, besides his lieutenant, but that was a different story completely. And the horror was the cause of her discussing training tactics with 'Kenpachi'. "Although I do pray you train nothing the 11th division. I don't know that I could handle that…"
"Well," Manami spoke first, "I believe this is a question Lieutenant Hinamori would best be qualified to answer."
All heads turned to brunette. She kept her head down but spoke, "don't you think it would be pointless for us to continue with the old tactics…" no one missed how she avoided saying his name.
"I agree," Ai found herself speaking out. She could stand by and watch her suffer, "If we continue the old way, it would only weaken us against them. He would be prepared for us."
"Okay, because I have some ideas," Shizuko set aside her work. "How well does this division do on teamwork?"
Ai and Manami looked at one another. Ai wasn't sure how to answer that, as she had never actually thought about it. She noticed Manami only shrugged. It appeared they were all at a loss for words.
Shizuko sighed, "I see…" she laughed. Ai didn't ever remember being around someone so uplifting. "Well, I would really like to work on teamwork as well as personal strength. You see, I am gonna need all of your help tomorrow as I don't know anybody."
The four girls circled up to discuss the plan for the next day.
~Meanwhile at the 6th division~
Renji sat facing Byakuya. He had no idea what to say…he'd stopped by Hisagi's place that morning to see if he had heard from Ai. No luck. He didn't have it in him to stop by her place. For all he knew she might not even be there…but he still should have checked…
"What I witnessed last night was unacceptable," Byakuya began, "you shame your squad."
"Captain, with all due respect," Renji was being extremely choosey with his words, "I don't find my sex life to be any of your business."
"You were paying the third seat of the 5th division for sex," he stated evenly, "Renji that is disgraceful. Aren't you ashamed that you have to pay a girl for sex?"
The fact that Captain Kuchiki was even saying the word sex put Renji at the crossroads of horror and laughter. Was this his way of showing he cared?
"Well, yeah," Renji admitted, "but I just thought it might…"
He let the sentence trail.
"Might what?" the older shinigami prompted.
"Lead into something more…"
Byakuya sighed calmly as though he were dealing with an ill-mannered child, "Renji don't be so naïve, women like her are only interested in one thing." Without waiting for Renji's response he continued, "Now, go file those reports."
Sorry it took so long!
My next chapter of Tainted Innocence should be out in a day or two!
Since school's out, I can work more! Please be patient with me!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Please read the Tainted Innocence as well! They run hand in hand!
BTW: Reviews fuel my creative juices!
-Fallon-
