I am sorry for my week late upload. My grandfather passed away this week and all my teachers at school gave me a hell bunch of work. But don't worry NEXT WEEK is my last week of school and I'll be on exams, proyects and then I'm freeeee! :))

10. Her Friend, Eiko Tomoya

"Be good, Zaraki" was all that Retsu said to Kenpachi's ear just when she was about to leave.

"Yeah, right" was his respond. It was obvious the warning was regarding the Captain wanna-be he was about to review now. Kenpachi had to admit, the poor rookie was about to go through hell with him 'cuz Zaraki wasn't going to let him pass so easily. Too bad for him, the captain of the Eleventh just wasn't passing through a very polite day today. But as he thought about it harder, why did she bother saying that to him? Shunsui herd the warning whisper Unohana shot her boyfriend and commented.

"She meant it", Ukitake and Kenpachi switched his eyes to him. Shunsui was giving them a sly smile, "The one we're reviewing isn't just anyone. He's actual-"

Ukitake interjected him with an elbow kick, "Hehe. Don't listen to Shunsui, Zaraki. He's on a hangover again"

"Who? Me? Nonsense, my little Nanao took away all my sake last night. But, please, don't tell me you aren't going to tell him?"

Kenpachi raised an eyebrow, "Tell me what?" he asked leaning to them. His eyes began to turn dark in a dramatic shadow.

Ukitake and Shunsui exchanged looks, "Don't spit anything else, Shunsui." Ukitake whispered to Kyoraku, "Let Retsu tell him later…"

"What for?"Kyoraku exclaimed, "You'll ruin all the fun! I always wanted to gossip these things. I just can't help but enjoy the little rascal's reactions! Besides, he is her boyfriend. He has to know."

"Oh, Shunsui, please! You promised Unohana you woul-"

"Hey! Did you listen what I just sa-?"

"Now look what you've done, Shunsui. He's onto us! You blew it up! Now he'll never let it go-"

"Loose your tongues now or I'll cut them down like a Christmas ham! C'mon! Spit it, you gossipy bitchies!"

"Are you ready to receive the nominee, Captains?" Yamamoto's voice interrupted the awkward conversation the Captains had. Leaving Kenpachi cliff hanging in desperation, Shunsui and Ukitake sat straight and nodded. Kenpachi was still bewailed with anxiety and got so distracted thinking what could they have possibly had meant that he didn't noticed when the Nominee came in the room and bowed in front of them.

When Kenpachi realized he was already there, he noticed he was a red-haired man with a thin braid falling on his shoulder with a few medallions dangling in its end. On his square chin he had shades of a growing beard. In his face shone two bright blue eyes. On his neck a black dragon tattoo started to clime out off his shukahusho shirt. His hair was curly and fell over his ears and eyebrows. At first Kenpachi compared him with how Renji Abarai's look will be in a future. But he was somehow older and mature than his ex-sixth seat officer.

"He looks like me" Shunsui whispered, "I bet he's as good looking as he's good with alcohol"

"Welcome to your Captain Exam, Third Seat Tomoya" Yamamoto saluted when Eiko concluded the bow, "Today you'll be examined by three other captains. Let me introduce to you Captain of Squad Thirteen, Jushiro Ukitake," Eiko bowed to the white haired man, "Captain of Squad Eight, Shunsui Kyoraku," Shunsui gave a him a polite salute with his traditional hat as Eiko bowed to him, "and Captain of Squad Eleven, Kenpachi Zaraki" when Eiko was about to turn to him Kenpachi received a small smile from him before he bowed to him, but Zaraki gave him always a dull stare.

"I'll do my best!" was Eiko's first words to them.

Yamamoto then exclaimed, "Now begin!"

….

Time was a funny thing for Sosuke Aizen. So when the hollow Andrujar kneeled in front of him after such a long time since they last met, he said, "So you finally got my order? I thought you'll never show up, and still, it what's so fast. Oh, that makes me so happy" his voice was as still as his characteristic smile.

"I killed him." Andrujar interjected, "The Esquina's leader. I killed him"

Aizen had his cheek on his hand and a finger on his temple, "I know. And yet your mission is not complete. Why do you doubt me?"

Andrujar seemed scandalized, "Doubt you, milord? How can you say th-?"

"Then how come you haven't given the order to invade the World of the Living? You follow my orders and still you don't trust me? Why is that?"

Andrujar didn't respond. By then Aizen received another visitor. A man came inside the hall and knelt before Aizen, who seemed surprised by seeing him so little wounded, "You're back so soon Nnoitora? I'm not surprised by seeing you alive that you finished your job."

"I was on it my lord." he assured, "The Cleaner almost swallowed us. What was I suppose to do? At least he encountered me…"

Aizen waited long minutes in silence, "I'm not mad, Nnoitora." He answered with a welcoming tone, "But if Kaname were still alive, he'll cut your arm into pieces and burn it like he did with Grimmjow." He said, Nnoitora frowned to the ground in discomfort, "I'm just saying, be careful, Nnoitora. Remember were your goals laid."

Nnoitora said nothing more. Aizen turned to Andrujar, "Remember there's no one else than knows the Soul Reaper's weakness more than me. Why do you fear failure then? If you don't follow my advice now, I'll get very disappointed in you and I'll regret helping you. And you don't want that, do you Andrujar?"

The Esquina swallowed saliva and downcasted, "No. No, mi lord Aizen"

Sosuke grinned, "I'm happy to hear it. Now, be gone, both of you."

….

Eiko bowed and left the dojo, leaving the Captains and their exam notes after he finished his Captain Exam. Kenpachi was still writing down on paper when Shunsui finished and commented, "He was as good looking as he was strong! He'll be a very powerful Captain if you ask me."

"He still needs more spiritual training" Jushiro said on his account, regrouping his papers, "But above that, he seems like a very good leader"

While they were talking Zaraki finished writing, collected his papers and stood on his feet. He handed the Head Captain his results and headed to the door without uttering a sound.

"Captain Zaraki" Yamamoto make him stop in front of the door, "I will expect your report regarding the Dangai incident tonight"

Kenpachi without turning to him, he closed the door on his back.

The Captain of the Eleventh went down the hallway bridge. The Seireitei's landscape surrendered around him as he walked trough it. But as he came down he heard a low conversation down the other side of the bridge. He stopped, puzzled. It was Unohana's voice with another male.

When he hurried down what he found was unexpected.

Eiko Tomoya had his arms around Retsu Unohana's back.

Kenpachi's eyes popped out. For long moments he just stood there, frozen, as he felt his blood boil inside his skin.

Unohana was released from Eiko's clutches and patted his shoulder, "It'll be okay. You're going to pass, I'm sure you will."

"Thank you, Captain, for everything. I owe you a lot." He said.

"Oh, nonsense. Anything for my dear Tomoya."

My dear Tomoya? he echoed in his thoughts, with his closed fist tremble in fury on his side.

How the hell was that man? Why were his hands all over his woman?

Dazed and blinded by wrath he stepped onto the scene and brought onto him both of their faces. When Retsu spun her head she showed the brightest smile ever, "Oh. Hello Captain Zaraki"

Oh, so it's Captain Zaraki around him, huh? He thought, at the cliff of his angst, "Who's the friend?" he snapped, glaring at her. Eiko seemed uncomfortable with his presence like a criminal on a police station. Kenpachi grinned at this. He got him now!

But Unohana seemed indifferent. She smiled at Zaraki if nothing else were happening. "This is Eiko Tomoya, a friend from my childhood. He is the one who wants to become a Captain,"

"I know of him" Kenpachi snapped, turning to Eiko, who suddenly also seemed to be on the same page as Retsu, "So, are you done with her, punk?"

Eiko startled, "Excuse me, Captain, sir-?"

"If you excuse us I'll take her back from you." He growled coldly, taking Retsu by the hand and carrying her away. Unohana bowed to Eiko slightly.

"I'll contact you soon. I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you Captain!" Eiko shouted when Unohana was dragged by Zaraki to the end of the hallway.

"Kenpachi what is wrong with you?" asked Unohana taking back her hand from his fist, "Why were you so cold to Eiko?"

"What do you think is wrong?" exclaimed Zaraki, "What the hell is with that man! I barely met him for the first time and his already hugging my girlfriend!"

Unohana froze in place, "Are you talking about Eiko?" Zaraki stopped to turn to her, "I already told you he's a friend."

"Right" there was sarcasm in Zaraki's tone, "Yeah, say anything you want. I ain't buying any of that shit."

Unohana stared at him confused for long moments, "Are you jealous, Kenpachi?"

Zaraki's anger diminished immediately, being replaced by horror, "WHAT? OF COURSE NOT, YOU BITCH! YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND!"

Unohana grinned as he spun on his heels and walk down the corridor. "So you are jealous!"

"I SAID I AIN'T JELOUS! DON'T PUT WORDS ON MY MOUTH RETSU!"

Unohana, laughing, decided to follow him, "Oh, don't worry, my dear! You know you're my favorite man!"

"SHUT UP!"

"I love you too, darling!"

…

"YOU ARE LAAAAAAAAATE, ICHIG- ARGH!"

"C'mon Old man, give it a rest" Ichigo who was entering his living room, stopped at seeing Zaraki sitting on his dinner table waiting to be served, "So you're back, Kenpachi. Where were you all day?"

Kenpachi massaged his neck, sighing, "Stuff" he answered, "Hurry up. Your sister has been waiting for you and I'm starving"

Ichigo looked distracted when he took of his shoes and went to the table. Yuzu was happy to see him and immediately started to serve the dinner.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" shouted Isshin Kurosaki at the head of the table when everyone had their empty plates placed in front of him, "I, Isshin Kurosaki, head of the Kurosaki family, here by declare this night, Monday night, Spaghetti night!"

"Yeah, yeah. Now serve the damn spaghetti for God sake!" exclaimed Karin Kurosaki.

But Isshin interjected her with his accusing finger, "AH, AH! The guests are first!"

"YAY! SPAGETTI!" Yachiru shouted receiving her first share.

"Say thank you to Ichigo's sister, 'Chiru" Kenpachi instructed her as she began to dig her fork over the meatballs.

"Thank you Ichi's sister!"

Yuzu grinned at her back, "No problem Yachiru!"
"After this we're gonna play our monthly Kurosaki Trouble Game Contest! It's gonna be a super-califragilisticspiralitogious-embarrasing-family-fun-spectacular!"

"Oh, Lord, kill me now…" Karin shrugged.

After dinner ended and Isshin were distracted with his daughters, Kenpachi finished his meal, left the table and headed upstairs. Ichigo noticed this and followed him afterwards.

….

Kenpachi sat on the rooftop of the house, staring at the white moon over him and the light landscape of the town ahead in the horizon. He heard Ichigo coming from behind and didn't bother when the teenager sat beside him without uttering a word.

After long minutes, Ichigo was the first to break the silence, "Urahara and the others refuse to tell me what the Esquinas are." He said. Kenpachi didn't respond, "They have to do something with Aizen, right?"

Kenpachi shift his view from the moon to his feet, "Why do you want to know?"

"I want to help" he said.

Kenpachi nod. "We don't need any help"

"You guys are in my town." Ichigo said, "I'm in this like are not"

Kenpachi grinned, "Take it easy, kid. I was just kiddin'"

The Substitute Soul Reaper leaned to him and Kenpachi said, "Alright. I'll tell ya everything. You owe me a fight Ichigo"

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