Chapter Nine: A Visit from an Old Friend
The first thing Kenpachi saw when he opened his eyes (or eye) was a head full of pink, big red ruby eyes, and a smile so bright it made the sun look dull.
"Morning Ken-chan!" his bubbly adoptive daughter cheered.
"Not so loud brat", he sat up and lifted her off his chest in the air. "What do you want squirt?" he grunted.
"Mommy told me to come wake but your snoring was so funny I couldn't help but watch", she beamed.
"Oh really? You find that funny eh?" he gave her a big shark like evil grin.
"Oh no Ken-chan, don't!" she screamed but it was too late because he had already tackled her down on the bed and began tickling her tummy.
"Surrender", Kenpachi shouted, tickling her even more.
"Never", Yachiru shouted back, tears streaming from her eyes. "Okay, okay, I give!"
"Okay you two, that's enough. Time for breakfast", Retsu stepped into the doorway to their room.
"Hey", Kenpachi said to Yachiru, then he leaned in really close so only she could. "How about we get mommy?"
"Yeah", Yachiru whispered back.
"You distract her and I'll grab her from behind and let you attack. Okay?"
"Okay", she nodded then leaped from the bed and ran toward Retsu.
"Guess what Mommy?"
"What?" Retsu replied.
"Ken-chan's going to sneak up on you", she beamed.
"Oh he is, is he?" she smiled at the pink haired girl.
"Yep", she chirped.
Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around Retsu's waist and lifted her up in the air.
"Now Yachiru!" he shouted.
Yachiru leaped into the air and knocked both Kenpachi and Retsu to the ground and began tickling them both.
"Surrender Mommy!" Yachiru shouted.
"Not a chance", she shouted back.
"Well Yachiru, I guess we have no choice but to advance our attack", Kenpachi said, tickling Retsu even harder.
"Okay, okay, I give", she laughed. "But two against one wasn't fair", she commented.
"Okay, then you and Yachiru can gang up on me next time", he said, holding his two favorite girls in his arms. "I'm starving, let's eat", he said, lifting the both of them over each shoulder and walking into the kitchen.
"Morning taicho", the bald shinigami, Ikkaku Madarame, greeted his taicho.
"Morning taicho", the girly and fruity shinigami, Yumichika Ayasegawa, greeted his taicho as well.
"Morning", Kenpachi grunted in reply as he sat Yachiru and Retsu to the ground.
"So, who's hungry?" Retsu asked then quickly added. "Besides you Kenpachi", she smiled.
"Me!" Yachiru cheered.
"Madarame-san, Ayasegawa-san, what about you two?" she asked the seated officers.
"Yes please", Yumi beamed.
"Sure, whatever", Ikkaku muttered. "Owww!" Kenpachi kicked him under the table.
"Be nice", he growled once Retsu was out of sight.
"Yes taicho", he grumbled.
"Yay! Food!" Yachiru cheered as Retsu set down a platter of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
"Dig in everyone", she smiled.
Just as everyone was about to massacre the platter, Kenpachi grunted and gave everyone a 'don't even think about it' look.
"Yachiru, you handle the eggs; Ikkaku, you handle the bacon; and Yumichika, you handle the pancakes. Now pass your plates down if you want something to eat and not cutting in line, alright!" he bellowed.
"Hai taicho", the entire squad saluted.
Retsu was quite impressed. She just assumed they'd all pounce on the food like animals and she'd have to wait until they were done. And to her amazement, they did as he said and passed their plates down.
Retsu noticed that Yachiru was struggling with the eggs and was about to help out when Kenpachi grabbed the spoon from her and said, "Let me handle this kid, you just sit and eat".
"Okay Ken-chan", she smiled, unfazed by the fact that Kenpachi had just taken her job away from her. "Come on Mommy, come eat", Yachiru patted the seat next to her, or really next to Kenpachi. Since Yachiru was sitting in his lap.
"Okay", Retsu smiled and took her seat beside Yachiru/Kenpachi.
After all the food was paced out, everyone sat still, as if waiting for something.
"Kenpachi, what are they waiting for?" she whispered to him.
"The rule is, ladies eat first", he told her. "Usually that just means Yachiru, but since you here, that means you too. They're waiting for you to eat", he explained.
"Oh, okay", she smiled, then picked up her fork and took a bite out of her eggs. "Now what are they waiting for?" she asked him.
"Alright you maggots, eat", he barked and so they did.
"They also can't eat until I give them the go ahead", he grinned.
"I see", she said.
Retsu was so surprised. She thought they just did whatever they wanted and Kenpachi could care less. Was it because she was now spending her nights here and fixing their meals and that was why he was doing all this? Was he trying to impress her?
The last time Retsu ate here, she ate in their private living quarters and it was only her, Kenpachi, Yachiru, Ikkaku and Yumichika. That time, they were a little more laid back and more . . . animalistic. But now, they were almost completely civilized. Who knew Kenpachi had such a side to him? She sure didn't. She was beginning to find herself falling more and more in love with Kenpachi with each passing moment she spent with him.
"Taicho", a small but very built man approached Kenpachi.
"What is it?" he growled, nearly scaring not only the man but her as well.
"Uh . . . there's a message sent from squad four", he quivered.
"I ain't the captain of squad four, she is, so give it to her", he snapped.
"Yes taicho", he bowed then handed Retsu the letter.
"Thank you", Retsu nodded toward the small man.
"Worm", Kenpachi addressed him. "Did you forget something?" he asked.
"Uh . . . oh, you're welcome", he bowed to Retsu then scurried back to his seat.
"You didn't have to scare him like that", Retsu scolded Kenpachi.
"Well, next time he'll remember his manners, now won't he?" he retorted.
Retsu couldn't help but giggle at the face Kenpachi was making. It was in between a mixture of a pout and haughtiness.
'You're just too cute", she giggled, planting a light kiss on his cheek.
Kenpachi didn't blush but he did smirk a little at her gesture. Then he stared down every man in his division, daring one of them to laugh or sigh in awe.
Retsu giggled again then turned to the letter in her hand and opened it.
The letter read:
Unohana-taicho,
There's a man here to see you and he says he's a very old and dear friend of yours. I figured you would know best if what he is saying is true or not, so if you wouldn't mind, please report to fourth division as soon as possible.
Kotetsu-fukutaicho
"So what does it say?" Kenpachi asked her after a while.
"Uh . . . Isane said I have a visitor to see me and that she doesn't know who he is. She just wants me to stop by to make sure I know this person or not", she answered him.
"Did she say who he is?"
"No".
"Well, do you have to go now or can you stay a while?"
"She asked me to come as soon as possible", she smiled at Kenpachi.
"Okay, if you have to go", he leaned over and gave her a kiss.
"Can I go with Mommy Ken-chan?" Yachiru piped in.
"Sure, if Mommy says it's okay", he looked at Retsu.
"Sure", Retsu smiled at Yachiru and lifted her from Kenpachi's lap. "We'll be back by lunch", she called over her shoulder.
"Bye Ken-chan", Yachiru waved. "Bye Baldy, bye Feather Brow", she added.
Ikkaku gave her a death glare while Yumichika just smiled and waved.
"Good Morning Isane", Retsu greeted the silver haired fukutaicho.
"Morning taicho", Isane bowed to her the backwards braided woman.
"Hi Beaded Lady!" Yachiru popped out from behind Retsu's shoulder.
"Uh . . . hello Kusajishi-fukutaicho", Isane blinked. When had Yachiru got here? I didn't even since her? Was actually trying to hide her reiatsu on purpose or had she not noticed she was doing it at all.
"So Isane, who is this visitor of mine?" Retsu asked her fukutaicho.
"Retsu, I can't believe you've forgotten me already", a very familiar voice came from behind her.
"Taicho?" Retsu turned around to see the face behind the voice.
She gasped when she saw silver hair, blue ocean eyes and a smile on the man's face.
"Omoitsu-taicho", she hugged the man. "It is you".
"Hello Retsu, or better yet, Unohana-taicho", tall silver haired man hugged her back. "How have you been?" he asked.
"Good", she answered. "And you?"
"Never better", he replied.
"Mommy?" Yachiru cocked her head to one side.
"Oh", Retsu pulled away from her former captain and turned to Yachiru. "Yachiru, this is my former captain, Tokishima Omoitsu. Tokishima", she turned to the older man. "This is Yachiru Kusajishi, lieutenant to squad eleven and my soon to be daughter", she showed him her ring.
"My that's a beautiful diamond", he pulled her hand close to his face to get a better look. "So who's the lucky guy?" he asked.
"Ken-chan", Yachiru answered for Retsu.
"Oh?" Omoitsu looked at the pink haired girl. "And who would that be?"
"Kenpachi Zaraki, captain of squad eleven, Ken-chan!" Yachiru beamed.
"I see", Tokishima looked at her, somewhat unpleased.
Retsu seemed to notice this and changed the subject.
"So much has changed since the last time you were here, I'm sure you would like to see?" Retsu smiled at him.
"Yes, I would like", he smiled back. Anything to lighten my mood.
I could have sworn Hojikame Kyouryoku or better known as Kenpachi Kyouryoku was the captain of squad eleven. Maybe I heard wrong or the little girl said it wrong Tokishima thought to himself.
"I know a lot has changed since when you were a captain, but I think change is good", she smiled at him as they toured the garden. "Yachiru, stay where I can see you", she called to the pink hair lieutenant.
"Change is good huh? This from the woman who cried when I told her I was retiring and giving her captaincy", he grinned at her.
"I know, I know", she blushed then ran after Yachiru. "Oh my", she said, pulling the tiny child out of the koi pond. "How did you fall into the water?" she asked.
"I saw something shiny in the water and when I went to grab it, it disappeared and I fell in", Yachiru replied pouting.
"Oh my", Retsu giggled, wiping water off the girl's face with her sleeve. "That was just the sun reflecting on the water. Now I have to give you a bath. Kenpachi is not going to be too thrilled about this", Retsu said, although she knew Kenpachi would probably laugh just as she did.
"I don't understand", Tokishima piped in. "So this Kenpachi knows you have a daughter and he's okay with this?" he asked.
"No taicho, it's the other way around", Retsu smiled at the older man. "Kenpachi is actually her father and I'm the one who will become her new mommy. Remember? I told you that when I introduce you two", she said.
Tokishima vaguely remembered her saying that when she introduced him to the bubbly lieutenant. Of course, Kenpachi was her captain, so it made sense.
Then he remembered what Retsu had said earlier.
'This is Yachiru Kusajishi, lieutenant to squad eleven and my soon to be daughter'.
"Oh", Tokishima blinked. "Must be my old age and bad memory", he said.
"You're not that old", Retsu commented.
"Yeah", Yachiru chirped. "Oldy-san is way older than you", she smiled.
"Oldy-san?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Yamamoto", Retsu told him.
Tokishima had never heard such disrespect towards the general before. But then again, she was only a child and this Kenpachi, whomhe has yet to meet, must not be all that of a father.
Retsu noticed the disgust on her former captain's face and thought that she should send Yachiru back to eleventh division and visit with Tokishima some other time when Yachiru wasn't around.
"Why don't we end the tour?" she told Tokishima then lifted Yachiru in her arms. "I need to go home and give her a bath. Maybe some other time?" she smiled at him.
"Sure. I understand", he nodded then turned to leave. "I think I shall visit with this Kenpachi while I'm out", he said to himself then made his way to the eleventh division.
"Taicho", his fifth seat knocked on his door.
"What?" Kenpachi grunted.
"You have a visitor", Yumichika replied.
"Well, who the hell is it?" he barked.
"Tokishima Omoitsu, former captain of squad four", Tokishima stepped past Yumichika and stood in front of Kenpachi's desk.
"Wait, you can't—" Yumichika began but Ikkaku cut him off.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Ikkaku stomped in furiously. "You can't just—"
"That's enough you two", Kenpachi stood up and glare at his guest. "It's alright. He can stay. I'm sure he has a good reason for barging in here like this", Kenpachi grinned.
"Actually, I do", Tokishima grinned back. "I came here to see the man that is going to marry my Retsu and I can only assume that man is you", he said.
Your Retsu Kenpachi thought but decided he was not going to play this man's game so he let it slide.
"Taicho, if you want, I can help this man find his way out", Yumichika suggested.
"Who cares about helping him find his way out, let's just throw him out", Ikkaku growled at the older blue eyed, silver haired man.
"Ikkaku, Yumichika, wait outside", Kenpachi told them.
"But taicho", they both whined.
"Out", he growled.
"Hai taicho", they both bowed, then left Kenpachi alone with his guest.
"You have very loyal subordinates", Tokishima commented.
"Yeah, they don't like too many outsiders. So, why don't we cut all the shit and you tell me why you're here?" Kenpachi sat back down and gestured Tokishima to sit.
"Sure", Tokishima replied, taking a seat across from Kenpachi.
"So, what do you want?"
"I want to know two things really", Tokishima crossed his legs and eased back in his chair. "One, what happened to the old squad eleven captain and two, why are you marrying Retsu?" he asked.
"Well, to answer your first question, I killed the old captain of this squad and to answer your second, I'm marrying Retsu because I love her and so does Yachiru", he stood, towering over the older man. "Now here's my question, how is that any of your concern?" Kenpachi stared hard at the man.
"Well", Tokishima uncrossed his legs and sat forward. "Kenpachi Kyouryoku was my friend and I just wanted to know why my friend is no longer taicho to this squad if
he didn't retire. As for Retsu, I was her former captain and I feel like it is my duty to watch at for her and make sure she's doing well", he responded.
"Cut the crap and get to your point", Kenpachi spat. "You didn't come all the way here just to tell me you're only looking out for her interest".
"Well, you're right", Tokishima stood up from his seat. "I'm here to tell you to stop seeing Retsu. I don't approve of you with my Retsu and quite frankly, I don't think you're qualified to father a child or run this squad", he said.
"Alright, that's it!" Ikkaku stormed in the room. "I think it's time for you to go", he grabbed the man by the collar and began dragging him to the door.
"Right this way sir", Yumichika faked smile at the former fourth division captain, grabbing his arm to help Ikkaku carry him out.
Kenpachi sighed as he sat down and thought, This is not going to end well is it?
Well, here is the end. I hoped you liked it.
So, what does Tokishima plan to do if Kenpachi doesn't break it off with Retsu? What will Kenpachi do? Will he break it off or fight back? I think he'll fight And what about Retsu? What will she think of Tokishima's disapproval of her marriage? Stay tuned to found out more. Bye!
