I have been reading a lot to improve my writting and I've got so much to learn...so I uploaded late. So read please!

I own nothing except the plot :3


7. Shadow of a Traitor

"Ah, Zaraki. At last you have come" the materialized image of the General Captain said just after Urahara closed the door, giving Kenpachi privacy with the television and its confidential conversation, "I need a word with you"

"I'm listening" somehow, Zaraki had an unease feeling about this urge to speak with him. Maybe it's was the privacy or…Or was it that this right after with Unohana's confession was too much of a coincidence?

Coincidence or not, Kenpachi felt like he was in a whole lot of trouble with the Old Man.

And as Zaraki was thinking about his own sake, Yamamoto began, "I am well aware that you are serving as a great help on this mission and that the last Esquina was in fact eliminated by your hands, but I am obligated to cancel your participation on this mission until further notice."

"What-?" instead of feeling relief that the Head Captain's words didn't met with his own worries, he felt regretful.

"Central Forty-Six has another mission for you," the Old Captain began, as if giving him a better promotion, "one that we need the Captain of the squad specialized in combat himself"

Kenpachi shrugged. He had herd complements of his squad so many fucking times, and in all those times it always came with something extra up ahead.

"You are going to join me and other two Captains on the examination of Eiko Tomoya who is a finalist on enlisting into the position of Captain of the Fifth Squad formally held by Sosuke Aizen."

Kenpachi shrugged, "A new Captain?"

Yamamoto nodded with the head, "Your task is to exanimate the finalist in the aspects of stamina, skill and strength. And I trust you to be very fond with this area and that was a reason why the Central Forty-Six chose you in one of the three Captain that will serve as judges."

Judging. It wasn't the kind of job Kenpachi would neither fit in nor stand without breaking in boredom. There was no interaction other than visual. No muscles exercising other than the fingers writing annoying notes down on paper.

However, it had to be a hell of a reaper if it caught Yama's attention, and a good opportunity to meet a soul that could at least reach his abilities was a good idea for starters, "What's the Soul Reaper's name?"

Yamamoto reapeted, "Eiko Tomoya"

"Never heard of him"

"He is from Squad Five. He's a Seated officer actually, but he's been on travel missions often so he is not so well known even by his own squad. He has shown very productive signs of leadership, responsibility and strength. A Captain gave a recommendation after I had my eyes on him for some time now. He's a good man. Very mature and healthy. All the characteristics we need from a Captain right now in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads with so many empty chairs available."

Kenpachi sighed. The same song played from over a year ago.

After Aizen's rebellion, Kenpachi herd that the Head Captain locked himself on his office the majority of the time. It even made Zaraki wonder if the Old Man could really become depressed. But he was actually blowing his brains out in meditation. The empty Captain positions and the new responsibilities that fell over the Lieutenants shoulders haunted him and gave unsteadiness to the values and prestigious image of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. It was only a matter of time after the Winter War that Yamamoto gave promotions to the new Soul Reapers who mastered both Bankai and experience to join the Captain rank.

"You have been reported then, Captain. This is very confidential. You shall tell no soul about this. The examinations would take place tomorrow at dusk on my Headquarters. You'll report tonight with me personally. That is all."

Kenpachi slightly bowed and the image diminished.


Outside Renji narrated how they were attacked by a band of five lousy Esquinas clearing out to his Captain and the other on the room why the Lieutenants couldn't make it to Van Cena to join their Captains.

"Decoys" murmured Byakuya Kuchiki.

"So it seems," sighed Urahara lowering his hat, "They are familiar with our techniques and they also knew where the Liuetenants were hiding"

"We underestimated them" commented Yoruichi leaning against the wall.

"If so, then there's a chance that they could now more about us that we know about them" Unohana said.

"No way. How could the hollows obtain all that information?" Rangiku said, frowning.

"There's only one logical explanation" Hitsugaya inquired.

Urahara and Yoruichi exchanged looks, "We where already fearing that" Urahara pointed out.

"And what is that?" Renji asked.

"There must be someone reporting them everything from the inside." Yoruichi said.

Isane was horrified, "What are you saying? Do you mean that there's a traitor working for the Esquinas on Soul Society?"

"That's exactly what we mean" Hitsugaya said.

"We've had enough of betrayals" Rangiku was leaning against the wall, holding her forehead. A nightmare from a sorrowful past was starting to catch up with her.

"We should inform our findings to the Head Captain" Byakuya said just when a door slide open. Everybody turned to see Kenpachi join the room. He glared at nothing as he sat over a flat mattress next to his pink haired Lieutenant. Yachiru smiled at her tutor when she climbed up onto his back, "He should know about this and what happened at the school"

"Yes sir" Renji said, "I'll do my best on the report"

Byakuya nodded and turned his eyes to address Urahara, "Where is Rukia?"

Urahara rose to his feet, "She is on the dormitory resting" he said showing him the way through the corridor.

"Where were you Ken-chan?" whispered Yachiru into Kenpachi's ear.

"Receiving a report from the Head Captain"

"Hmm. What for?"

Kenpachi watched her from the corner of his eye. He smiled and patted her head, "Don't worry about me, Yachiru. I'm fine"

But Yachiru's tilted her head to a side, frowning with her lips.

Kenpachi realized something when he saw her. He had to tell Yachiru about Unohana's pregnancy, and he had to admit that he felt a bit nervous about it.

What was related to him always ended up involving affecting or Yachiru, and that he knew well. They never told each other everything because they already knew everything about themselves from the start. He always could tell What she needed when she was mad, annoyed, bored or worried for they had passed so much together…and after all that time with her she was allowed to know at least that much about him, and especially when it involved him having a child…another child.

That made him think even more. Another child.

No.

Yachiru has always been with him. She could never be replaced by another child neither put aside.

And this was when Kenpachi realized how much Yachiru meant for him.


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