Title: Not So Secret

Characters: Unohana, Iemura

Prompt: #025 – Unaffected

Word Count: 728

Rating: K+

Summary: Iemura still can't keep his thoughts to himself.

Warnings: None

Disclaimer: All characters and settings of Bleach are the property of Kubo Tite.

Not So Secret

" . . . and it is fortunate that it is I that has been assigned to handle the front desk. For surely the Fourth Division would be in chaos otherwise. While no doubt those Eleventh Division fools who are brought in here every day would benefit from my superlative healing skills, there are none here more organized than I. Furthermore . . ."

When Retsu entered the room, she tuned out Iemura's self-congratulatory speech as a matter of course. After a while, the action had become second nature. Even most of the patients here had become accustomed to the usual noise; few of them paid the words any mind. Silently, she set to work. No one still out here was in serious condition; those cases would have already been admitted to the hospital proper. Some minor kidou treatment was all that these people needed.

" . . . help but smile as Unohana-taichou graces the room with her presence. She is truly a wise woman, to assign me to this task; she must surely recognize my unique suitability for such a role. And this wisdom is but one of her appealing qualities. She possesses kindness, power, grace, but above all a charming beauty that never fails to . . ."

She knelt down in front of an older woman, placing her hand on the leg wound and whispering a spell to close it. Her patient for all intents and purposes had zoned out to Iemura's words, lulled perhaps into some form of meditation. No point in disturbing her; the speech would be over soon enough. Retsu moved on to the next person.

"I find myself wondering what her hair must look like when not confined to the braid that I have seen lo these many years. Perhaps she considers it too distracting a sight for those around her, for surely they could not help but pause and admire such perfection in place of doing their work. Not that I would be so easily swayed to thoughts of combing my fingers through the doubtlessly silky strands . . ."

Retsu tended to a minor gash on a young man's forehead. Hardly more than a boy, he was clearly not a regular here; his cheeks tinted red at the continued flow of words, and his eyes darted about nervously. He hadn't yet learned the proper ignorance. She gave him a reassuring smile, then delicately waved him away once she was finished with her work. The young man's features flooded with an overwhelming mixture of relief and gratitude as he shuffled as quickly and quietly as possible out of the room.

". . . cannot fathom why she would select Kotetsu as her vice captain instead of me. My healing abilities are every bit as powerful as hers, and Unohana-taichou would do better with someone of my confidence by her side rather than someone who tries to melt into the background. Not to once again mention my superior organization . . ."

Retsu looked up from where she was treating the hands of someone she recognized as being from the Thirteenth Division. The man's eyes were annoyed, and he made a move to speak out, no doubt feeling the need to avenge the minor slight against his third seat's sister, but she placed a finger over his lips. She met his eyes, silently assuring him that she would deal with the matter later.

". . . avoid me. Perhaps Unohana-taichou finds herself intimidated by my masculinity. Or she knows that it would be too distracting for her to work with me constantly present. It surely must be something of that nature. Why else would she consistently assign me to positions that limit our interactions? I believe I may have hit upon a valuable truth this day, and . . ."

After a moment, the man sighed, shoulders relaxing, and he rolled his eyes at Iemura's outrageous speculations. Retsu finished her spell, and sent him on his way. A quick glance about the room told her that the remaining injuries were quite minor and that she had best be getting back into the hospital to care for the more critical patients.

And so she exited the room as swiftly as she had come, but she still tossed a few words over her shoulder. "Iemura-san, you are speaking out loud again."

"Gah!"