Tito Kubo owns Bleach, the characters and the copyright. I have respectfully borrowed them for this story. I do, however, own my own characters and ideas.

Zaraki and Misaki walked into the crowded dining room. The table was packed with food. Around it sat Urahara, Yoruichi, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Renji. Zaraki looked around for Yachiru but she wasn't in the room.

"I thought you said Yachiru was already eating." he asked Urahara. The man shrugged giving him a playful grin.

"It appears I was mistaken." he replied easily. Urahara turned his attention to Misaki adding,

"Please sit, Misaki. Ururu has prepared a variety of dishes. You're sure to like some of them."

"Thank you." Misaki murmured, sitting down next to Yumichika. She looked at Zaraki questioningly.

"I gotta find Yachiru." he snapped, stepping out of the room and into the shop.

The front of the shop held an array of candies and novelty items. Zaraki scanned the large room but didn't see her. Then a sudden flash of pink caught his eye. He stepped forward slowly. It appeared the room was empty but when he bent down, he discovered Yachiru hiding under one of the large tables filled with colorful candies. Her eyes opened wide at the sight at him. She hastily stuffed the handful of candy she held into her mouth. Zaraki's gaze darkened.

"Yachiru, what've I told you about eatin' too much candy?" he growled, hauling her out from under the table with one hand. She swallowed hard, quickly insisting,

"I didn't eat too much candy, Ken-chan. I ate just enough"

"Yeah, we'll see about that." he said, tossing her onto his shoulder as he walked back into the house. "You're gonna eat somethin' that's not made with sugar for a change."

"But I'm not hungry now, Ken-chan." she complained as he dropped her into the empty seat next to Misaki. Zaraki sat down beside her. He grabbed an empty plate and piled it with food. He then sat it in front of the young girl.

"Eat." he ordered her roughly. Yachiru made a face, pushing the plate away from her as she leaned back in her chair restlessly.

"I don't want it." she whined. He glared at her. He hated when she got like this.

"Eat your damn food or I'm gonna make you give that dress back to Misa." he snapped, shoving the plate back in front of her. Yachiru's blood brown eyes filled with tears.

"No, Ken-chan!" she cried out. "You can't. Misa-chan gave it to me for keeps."

"I don't care. If you don't eat, you can't keep it." he said firmly.

"Captain Zaraki," Misaki spoke quietly. "Let me try something."

"Whatever." Zaraki said in an irritated tone. If she thought she could trick Yachiru into eating, she was mistaken. Over the years, he had tried every trick known to man to convince the stubborn child to eat. He watched as Misaki moved the plate he had prepared over in front of him and took his empty one. She piled rice on the plate as Yachiru kicked the underside of the table for emphasis as she whined,

"I don't want any rice. I want cookies."

"No cookies." Zaraki growled. "Nothing with sugar in it."

"Yachiru, look. This isn't rice...it's hair." Misaki said with a smile. Yachiru frowned but looked down at the plate suspiciously. Misaki had arranged the rice around the top edge of the plate.

"Should we make it brown hair or yellow?" she asked Yachiru.

"Brown hair...like yours." Yachiru said glumly. Zaraki watched Misaki pour a small amount of soy sauce on the rice then mix it up, changing the white rice brown.

"Okay, now this fish...it's a mouth. Should it be smiling or frowning? I'll make it frown like you are, Yachiru." she teased. Yachiru shook her head, a smile spreading across her face.

"No! I want it smiling." Yachiru objected, turning the small piece of fried fish.

"Here...use this as eyes." Ikkaku suggested, slicing a boiled egg.

"That's a good idea." Yumichika agreed happily, positioning them on Yachiru's plate. Zaraki grinned. Yachiru was laughing as she rearranged the eggs making the eyes just right.

"I want the hair longer." she said excitedly. "Give me more rice."

"You got it, brat." Ikkaku said, shaking his head with a grin as he handed Misaki the bowl of rice.

"What can we use for a nose?" mused Yumichika thoughtfully.

"What about a tomato?" suggested Ururu in a small voice.

"Yeah, that'll work." Ikkaku laughed, grabbing a slice of tomato and attempting to cut it into the shape of a nose.

"Gimme a break." Renji complained. "That doesn't look like a nose. I'll show you how to do it right."

"Just don't cut any freakin' tattoos on it." Ikkaku warned him. Laughter rang out at the table. Everyone seemed to relax. Yoruichi and Tessai chatted quietly about some new herbal remedy he had discovered. Jinta argued with Ururu as he attempted to turn his meal into a face as well. Ikkaku and Renji continued bickering about the proper shape for a nose as Yumichika quickly took a small pickled plum and arranged it carefully on Yachiru's plate.

"Beautiful." he said with a smile.

"It looks like Stinky Pinky's nose when he drinks too much." Yachiru laughed. Zaraki watched Misaki as she laughed with Yachiru. She looked happy, he thought. He was surprised by how well she got along with Yachiru. She looked up and smiled triumphantly at him. He grinned in spite of himself. She had done it, he thought, as Yachiru cried out,

"Ken-chan, look at my face."

"Great. Now eat it." he chuckled. She nodded, diving into the rice hair.

"You want me to turn your food into a face, too?" Misaki asked him with a teasing smile. Zaraki grinned, shaking his head slightly.

"Nah, I'm good." he chuckled.

"Captain Zaraki," Urahara spoke quietly. Zaraki looked up at him, reluctantly tearing his gaze from Misaki.

"Will you be returning to the Soul Society with Rukia and Orihime this evening?" the man asked with a faint smile.

"No!" Yachiru cried out, rice spraying from her mouth. "I don't wanna go back yet. I wanna play with Misa-chan some more."

"Not tonight." Zaraki replied, ignoring the child.

"Oh? You've completed your task for Commander Yamamoto, correct?" Urahara asked. Zaraki held the man's gaze. There was something lurking in his pale eyes. He knew more than he was letting on.

"He asked me to look into something else. I ain't done with that yet." Zaraki said simply.

"Oh, and what might that be?" Urahara pressed him.

"That ain't none of your damn business." Zaraki snapped.

"Come now, Captain. There are no secrets here." he said lightly. Yoruichi snorted, nearly choking on her food.

"If you wanted to be privy to the goings-on inside the Sereitei, you shouldn't have gone and got yourself exiled, Kisuke." Zaraki said with a dangerous grin.

"You were exiled?" Misaki asked sharply. "What did you do?"

Zaraki stabbed his fish violently with his chopstick, satisfied the man's curiosity was dealt with.

"Let's just say I don't always follow the rules." Urahara explained with a casual shrug of his shoulders.

"Captain, you can stay with Yumichika and me at Keigo's." Ikkaku offered.

"No, Captain Zaraki and his lieutenant will be staying here. Renji has kindly offered his room." Urahara interjected.

"Yeah, I'm going to crash with Ichigo tonight." Renji said with a smile. "He and Rukia are coming back over in a bit."

"Is he finally gonna show his face 'round me?" Zaraki asked with a grin.

"Yeah, he and the others should be back anytime. I was thinking we could go up on the roof. It's a nice spot up there." Renji suggested.

"What do you have planned?" Yoruichi asked.

"We're just having a little party to say goodbye to Rukia and Orihime...and for Misaki." Renji explained.

"Any excuse to drink." Ikkaku laughed. Yoruichi grinned.

"Nice to see things haven't changed." she said with a smile.

"You know how it is...you fight hard, you play hard." Ikkaku said with a wicked grin. The door from the shop opened and in stepped Rangiku, Toshiro and Orihime.

"Are we early?" Rangiku asked with a smile. Ikkaku shoveled the remainder of his food into his mouth then stood, saying,

"Not at all. We're going up on the roof. Did you get the beer?"

"Of course." Rangiku laughed sweetly, following Ikkaku out of the room. Yumichika and Renji followed closely behind them. Orihime and Toshiro continued up, carrying trays of food.

"It's okay, right?" Misaki asked Urahara as Zaraki stood, ready to follow the others. The man smiled patiently at her.

"Of course...go have fun with your friends." he said softly. Misaki returned his smile then looked up at Zaraki as she stood as well.

"You done, brat?" Zaraki asked Yachiru as she scrambled out of her chair, eager to join the others.

"All done." she announced happily, jumping up onto his shoulder.

"Let's go." he said to Misaki, taking her hand in his. He noticed Urahara watching them closely as he led her out of the room. He could feel the disapproval radiating from the man. He knew that should let go of her hand but he couldn't. He couldn't seem to help himself where the girl was concerned.

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The group gathered on the roof of the building. Above the sky was clear and scattered with bright, shining stars. A full moon illuminated the scene below brightly. Renji and Ichigo set up lanterns on several small tables Ikkaku and Yumichika had carried up from the shop. Rangiku and Rukia hauled up a large metal bucket filled with ice and beer. Zaraki removed the different bottles of liquor from the box while Yachiru supervised. Toshiro and Orihime were setting out an array of food. Misaki watched them discussing how best to lay it out as she set up a portable boom box Ichigo had brought.

"I don't know how hungry everybody will be since most of us just ate." Toshiro noted.

"It looks really good, Orihime." Misaki noted as Orihime produced a delicious looking strawberry cake. "What's that?"

"Strawberry and Cream Surprise." Orihime announced proudly. Toshiro frowned as he carefully asked,

"What's the surprise?"

"Oh, it's just pickles. Sweet pickles." Orihime replied brightly, moving the cake to the center of the table. Toshiro grimaced. Misaki stifled a shudder as the shorter man said,

"Pickles? What an...unusual choice. It should add a...piquant flavor to the strawberries."

"Can I help?" Misaki asked as she placed a CD in the player.

"Nope, I think we're about done." Orihime replied with a smile. Misaki nodded and moved over to where Zaraki stood. He held a bottle of tequila in his hands. He uncorked the bottle and sniffed it.

"What's this shit?" he asked her.

"Tequila." she explained.

"Never heard of it." he commented, pouring himself a glass and downing it in one gulp. Misaki's eyes grew wide. He shrugged.

"It's okay. I'd rather have sake." he said, returning the cork to the bottle and setting it aside.

"That's some strong stuff." she laughed. He grinned down at her.

"Maybe for a wuss like you but it's like water to me." he teased. She smiled as she reached for the bottle.

"You think I'm a wuss?" she challenged.

"Sugar, you can't compete with me when it comes to drinkin'." he warned her as she uncorked the bottle and took a large swig. The alcohol burned all the way down. Misaki gasped then coughed violently. Zaraki's laughter rang through the night air. She felt him slip the bottle from her grasp as she tried to catch her breath.

"I think that makes you a wuss, Misa-chan." Yachiru said sweetly. Misaki laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I think you're right." she agreed hoarsely.

"Hey, Kurosaki." she heard Zaraki call out. The orange-haired boy looked up. When he realized who had called him, his entire manner became guarded. "When you gonna fight me again?"

"I don't want to fight you, Captain Zaraki." Ichigo insisted.

"Come on, ya chickenshit." Zaraki growled.

"We've already fought. It was a draw." Ichigo snapped, trying to focus on the lantern he was setting up. Zaraki's grin sharpened dangerously as he said,

"But I didn't even get to see your bankai."

"Why do you want to fight me so bad, Captain?" Ichigo complained, pausing to consider the big man.

"Look, that bastard Byakuya won't lower his pansy ass to fight me himself but you beat him. So I figure if I kick your ass then it proves I'm stronger than him once and for all." Zaraki explained happily. "So when you wanna fight?"

"Leave me alone, Kenpachi." Ichigo said with a wary backwards glance. Zaraki laughed wickedly.

"What's a bankai?" Misaki asked, watching him pour himself a glass of sake.

"It's the final release state of a zanpakuto." he explained.

"You gotta be really strong to release your bankai." Yachiru chimed in. Zaraki nodded.

"That's what they say." he agreed softly.

"Does it change your sword?" Misaki asked as the three of them sat down on the sofa Ikkaku and Renji had carried up onto the roof.

"Sometimes." Zaraki grunted.

"So what does your's look like?" she asked.

"I don't know. I can't do it." he snapped sharply.

"Ken-chan doesn't need bankai. He's stronger than them without it." Yachiru added proudly. She climbed off his shoulder to greet Ururu as she and Jinta walked out onto the roof.

"Is it really that special...this bankai?" Misaki asked softly, sensing a change in his attitude. He shrugged.

"I'm the only captain who can't do it. I never used to give a damn..." he explained, staring up at the moon.

"But...?" she prompted him.

"But I been trying lately. I can't hear the fucking sword." he growled in a low, angry tone. "You gotta hear 'em. You gotta learn the name of your zanpakuto to work with it. I never bothered with that shit. A sword's a tool to me...not some fightin' buddy. I never listened...for centuries. Now...it don't wanna talk to me."

Misaki leaned back beside him. She thought of Benihime and the whispers emanating from her mother's zanpakuto. It came easy to her but the swords were supposed to be a part of their owner's soul. She had an advantage where that was concerned.

"Maybe I could help you?" she suggested. He chuckled as he shook his head without looking at her.

"No offense, Misa, but you don't know shit about it. Hell, you just picked up a sword for the first time today. Who's sword were you fighting with anyway?" he asked.

"My mother's." she whispered.

"It didn't die with her?" he asked curiously. Misaki shook her head.

"I guess not. You want another drink?" she asked.

"Sure." he said softly, offering her his empty glass as she stood. She walked over to the table where the liquor was set up, filling his glass with sake. Orihime walked up, smiling at Misaki.

"Did you get something to eat?" she asked cheerfully. Misaki shook her head.

"I just ate. I'm not really hungry yet. Are you all packed?" she asked. Orihime sighed as she nodded her head.

"I guess so." she said softly.

"What's wrong? Aren't you excited about going back to the Soul Society?" Misaki asked, sipping Zaraki's sake. She grimaced slightly as she swallowed the liquor and decided it wasn't as bad as tequila.

"Are you mad at me, Misaki?" Orihime asked suddenly. Misaki looked up at her with a confused expression.

"Why would I be mad at you?" she asked.

"Because I won't be at your father's funeral."

"Oh, Orihime. Please, stop worrying about that. I think it's really cool that you're going to the Soul Society. I kinda wish I could go." Misaki said absently, staring at the clear liquid as she swirled it around in the glass.

"Why?" Orihime asked curiously. Misaki paused before explaining,

"I could see my Dad."

"I don't know about that." Orihime whispered, lowering her eyes. "I've been to the Soul Society before. We were there for awhile but I never saw my brother. It's really big...like this world. With lots of souls. Besides, I'll be in the Sereitei, not out where most of the souls are."

"Why wouldn't you go and look for him?" Misaki asked, watching her friend closely.

"Where would I start to look. It's a really, really big place, Misaki. And you don't know where an individual soul will end up when someone dies. I think it's random. If I find my brother, it'll be by chance." Orihime said sadly. Misaki looked away, considering her friend's words. The more she discovered about the Soul Society, the less she liked it. It wasn't what she expected of the afterlife. And it certainly didn't sound like heaven.

"You said that you'd been there before?" she asked Orihime, who nodded in response.

"How can you go? You're not dead so how can you travel there?" Misaki asked.

"Urahara created the portal last time. He somehow separated our souls from our bodies...well, mine, Chad's and Uryuu's. Ichigo went in his shinigami form. This time, though, I'll be traveling with Rukia and they've got the passageway ready for me so it'll be easier." Orihime explained. "I still feel really bad about tomorrow, Misaki. I'm sorry that I can't be there with you."

"It's okay, Orihime. I've kinda been thrust upon all of you...all your lives. I don't expect you to change your plans for me." Misaki said softly.

"Thank you, Misaki, for not being mad." Orihime cried out, hugging her suddenly. The physical contact sent Misaki tumbling into Orihime's inner being. She once again found herself standing in the front of the strange little cottage in the field of flowers. The blue skies had grown dark and threatening. A strange pain tinged the air. It was Ichigo. Misaki could feel Orihime's longing for the boy. It surrounded her. She didn't want to leave him but at the same time, she didn't want to fail him by being too weak to fight at his side. Misaki realized that nearly everything Orihime did was in some way related to Ichigo.

Then, abruptly, she felt herself pulled away from Orihime's soul. She gasped loudly as she opened her eyes to see the autumn night sky. She breathed deep as she looked around the rooftop. Orihime was standing in front of her, staring at her with large, tear-filled eyes. She knew what Misaki had seen and felt. Toshiro stood nearby, his hand on Orihime's arm.

"Did it happen again?" he asked, staring at Misaki.

"No!" Orihime said quickly. "Everything's fine."

Misaki watched her hurry away. She was embarrassed by her feelings for Ichigo.

"What the hell you doing?" Zaraki asked, stepping up close to her. "And what'd you do to Orihime?"

"I'm sorry. We were just talking." Misaki said, running a hand across her eyes, trying to shake free from Orihime's inner turmoil. It still lingered inside her.

"My drink?" he asked, reaching for the glass she held. She nodded, handing it to him.

"I...I need to go downstairs for a minute." she murmured, her eyes automatically seeking out Ichigo. He was standing beside Rukia. They looked happy together, Misaki thought. Then she realized it wasn't her thought. It was Orihime's. Her gaze darted to the red-haired girl. She was staring at Ichigo.

"Oh shit." Misaki cursed. She needed to break this connection, she thought frantically. She liked Orihime. She already considered her a dear friend but she didn't want to be so deep inside her that her thoughts became Misaki's as well.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Zaraki asked softly, leaning close to look her over with a critical eye. Contact. She needed contact with someone else to break the thread between her and Orihime. Misaki reached out, cupping Zaraki's face in her hands. He jerked back in surprise but didn't pull free completely. She held his gaze, trying to slip inside him. A powerful wall of yellow light pushed back against her, preventing her from moving inside him.

"Misaki..." he whispered, covering her hands with his. She couldn't move inside the man, no matter how hard she tried. He was closed off to her but she felt a slow, steady warmth fill her. It brought with it peace and a strange sense of strength. Misaki sighed, relaxing slowly as he eased her hands down with his. The feelings seemed to be coming from him but she didn't understand it.

"You okay?" he asked softly, holding her hands tightly in his. She smiled, already feeling better. Her connection with Orihime was gone. All that remained was a golden warmth that spread throughout her body.

"Yeah, I am." she replied, wanting to wrap her arms around him. She wanted to be closer to him. It was a deep-seeded longing that rose up inside her.

"You looked really weird there for a minute." he said, releasing her hands. "You still going downstairs?"

"What? Oh..." she stammered, missing the contact with him immediately. "Yeah, I'll be right back."

She turned away, walking quickly down the stairs that led to the ground floor. She wanted to understand what she felt for Zaraki but she didn't. She didn't understand it all.

As always, a big thank you to those of you who have taken the time to review the story so far. You're all great! And to those of you haven't, please take a moment and let me know what you think. I enjoy the reviews.