Disclaimer- I don't own BLEACH, just Ai, Manami, Shizuko and a few others.

4. Dreams

The air was warm, the sun was out, and all seemed perfect. Manami lay beneath the willow without a thought in her mind. She loved to relax whenever she got the chance. It was a good way to escape her curse. No people around generally meant no visions. She was thumbing through a book. She was in one of those states where she couldn't concentrate enough to read, but wasn't restless enough to get up. She soon set the book aside so she could soak in the silence. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath.

When she opened them the sun and warmth were gone. In their place were stars and a cold that could freeze a heart. Manami's arms were being held behind her head as she watched her sister give a drunk oral sex. The most disgusting part was that the man was a shinigami. His gratuitous grunts had her stomach rolling.

"That's it girl," he slurred, "When you get done, I'm gonna bang that gorgeous twin of yours. You know some how she's more-" the man let out a scream that was blood curdling. The back hand he delivered Ai drew blood from the young girl's mouth. "Wench," he spit, "how dare you bite me!" he picked up his robe from the floor, "Yana, put this in boiling water. I'm gonna teach this bitch a lesson, she'll never forget."

"No!" the scream ripped from Manami's throat as the man threw the burning cloth around her sister's body.

The scene changed again. Manami was pinned to the mattress under a demented man. He was covered in the blood he'd just drained from her twin. He'd left Manami untouched to watch as he molested Ai while she bled out from thin shallow cuts he'd strategically placed all over her body.

"Hey pretty," he cooed as he ran the knife up her thigh, "have you ever been told how delectably pretty you are? Your face is enchanting." He licked her cheek; "I could just eat you up…" he nipped at her ear lobe. She whimpered causing him to chuckle, "that's what I like…what do you say we have some fun, before I get down to business?"

Everything came to a halt and she went numb…until a pale hand ran up her thigh trailing a warm sensation with it. "Manami," her name sounded exotic when uttered from that tongue. She opened her eyes and was frozen when hers met golden.

Manami shot up in bed. She was sweating and shaken. Lifting a hand to her cheek she wiped away tears. In a matter of hours she had relived snippets of the most traumatizing experiences in her life…plus some. Shaking her head she got up to get ready to meet her Captain for the first day of work.

Five minutes before eight Manami was knocking on Shizuko's door. She had been sure to gather her wits before heading out even leaving the house. After thinking things over she realized the dreams had been a good release from the stress of the day before.

"Hello Manami," Shizuko beamed as soon as opened the door, "How are things for you this morning?"

"They're fine thank you," she bit her lip. She wasn't lying, only pretending parts of her dreams never happened, "Uh; I wanted to thank you for last night…"

"It was nothing, really…I like you and your sister and quite frankly neither of you deserved to be treated in such a way."

"Thank you," she nodded. She was getting a soft spot for the new Captain, but she couldn't get too comfortable. They had all come to learn to be careful with their trust. "I understand that we are both your responsibility. I hope you might forgi-"

"Uh-uh," Shizuko cut in, "none of that…are you hungry? I have a bit of the breakfast left over. Kenpachi and Yachiru aren't big morning eaters…"

"No thank you…" she was touched by the thought. Shizuko's smile made her comfortable.

"You sure?" she coaxed, "it will only go to waste?"

Manami didn't like to be rude and she did keep insisting. "Well…I'll take a little then…"

"Perfect!" she beamed, "I'll be right back!"

Shizuko hurried away to dip food, when there came another knock, "Manami, will you answer that please?"

In obedience Manami opened the door. She gave her Lieutenant a heart felt smile. They hugged. However, no words were spoken but in their relationship, no words were needed.

Momo motioned to the stacks of paper all over the floor, "I guess we should get to work."

"Yes," Manami nodded and sat.

Shizuko came in with two full plates, and laughed, "I hope you two can make better sense of that than me…but here you two can eat while we work."

They both took the plates and all three got to work. The food was refreshing and light but also filling.

The minutes ticked by and there was still no sign of her sister, "I'm sorry for Ai's absence, I have no idea where she is…"

"Ai is usually prompt," Momo said softly. Manami didn't figure she should mention she kept Ai so prompt, but let Momo continue. "I'm sure she has a good reason…"

"Most certainly," Shizuko agreed, "I do hope she is alright."

The Captains concern touched Manami.

Thirty minutes later and still no sign, "Manami, if she isn't here by nine would you mind going to look for her?" Shizuko spoke. The worry was evident in her voice.

"Of course not." Manami pushed back the urge to bite her nails.

When the knock came Shizuko sighed, "Perhaps that is your sister, would you mind getting the door? I'm sure you'd be the best comfort to her."

Manami uttered a small "yes sir," and she was off to the door.

When she saw her sister, she automatically relaxed.

"Manami…" was all Ai needed to say and Manami knew she'd had a rough life.

"Was it that bad?"

Ai chewed her bottom lip for a moment. It was a habit both twins had, "he saw me naked this morning…"

"Oh my," Manami knew better than to mistake it for sex. The shame in Ai's voice conveyed Manami's fears.

"And forgot my illusion kido because I was rushed…"

"Oh Ai!" Manami took her sister in a protective embrace. She knew how self conscious Ai was about her scars. She decided then not to mention her dream.

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 gave Ai her gut opinion. It was something both twins agreed to trust, "Ya know Ai, I really like her."

"I think we'd better head inside," Ai suggested. She might not have replied to Manami's comment but she had seen the look of consideration on her twin's face.

"I suppose that would make sense," Manami replied before turning to be followed in.

Arriving back inside the twins observed captain lieutenant for a moment. The looks of concentration were identical and they both swiped at a chestnut strand of hair that had fallen in their eyes. It was a rather comical scene. Ai 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.

That was sweet…she sat down beside Momo and began to work again.

"So what is on the itinerary today?"

"Filing." Shizuko beamed, she did that often, "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.

Momo and Manami exchanged questioning glances.

"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 rang like 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.

But leave it to Ai to start the 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?" Manami slanted a look to Momo, who had spoken. There was a surprise…

It seemed to shock the other two girls in the room as well.

"Well," Shizuko began immediately. Manami's opinion of her was strengthened as the young Captain spoke as though she and Momo were close friends with out the awkward hesitation, "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 questioned, "What do you mean by that?"

"Yes," Manami pressed as she sifted through papers, "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."

Manami's eyebrows shot up. And interesting woman with an interesting name…

"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 fondness for the girl was obvious to Manami, "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 hear more of the conversation. It had Manami smiling to see her Lieutenant so interested.

"Oh, him," Shizuko said flatly. Manami caught the protective tone, "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."

"What about the third girl?" Ai inquired.

"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." Manami thought about the way Yumichika had described their training once and she cringed. "Although I do pray you train nothing the 11th division. I don't know that I could handle that…" that was a relief…

"Well," Manami spoke first weighing her words carefully, "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 spoke out. Manami knew she was protective with Momo, "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. Manami only shrugged. It appeared they were all at a loss for words.

Shizuko sighed, "I see…" she laughed. The new Captain was very cheerful and had Manami curious as to how she kept it up.

The vision hit unexpectedly:

A husky laugh. "Kenpachi, oh god…""Hold on tight" Bodies rolling on tangled sheets. The slight jingle of bells.

Manami felt the blush sneak onto her face, but no one else seemed to have noticed. She had been wondering…but that was a little too much information.

"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."

Hoping to put the vision behind her she circled up with the other three girls to discuss the plan for the next day.

All of my stories are at the same place in time!

AND!

Please check out Majestic Harlot! Its Ai's story with Byakuya!

OR

Take a look-see and Tainted Innocence! The romance between Shizuko and Kenpachi!

BTW: Reviews really help keep me motivated…

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kudokuchan69

Illegitimi

For your reviews!

-Fallon-