The truth behind the smile
Disclaimer: I own nothing!!
50 years after the execution
They say sweating is good for cleansing pours and for good, healthy, glowing skin. If that truly is the case then the new recruits of squad eleven where on their way to great skin. Every single one of them were sweating profusely as their Vice-captain slowly walked down the line inspecting them. She was a tall woman, with long waist length bubble-gum pink hair. She was quiet beautiful but she had a formidable look on her face. Her reitsu was terrifying and there was a rumor floating around that both the vice-captain and the third seat had Bankai. The recruits didn't know the truth of the matter but what they did know was that they didn't want to find out. If the vice-captain's reitsu and her position was not frightening enough, she was also married to Kuchiki Byakuya. Which didn't only make her a noble, it made her the reigning hime of one of the four great noble houses. No, one in their right mind wanted to get on the wrong side of Vice-captain Kuchiki Yachiru of the Eleventh Squad.
Thou her face didn't show it Yachiru was severely disappointed with this year's recruits. Ken-chan would be severely disappointed in this crop of weaklings. Indeed the only one who would impress Ken-chan was, "Shunsui!" she screamed in sheer annoyance, "What are you doing here?"
"I am here to join the squad," said Shunsui smiling Gin's trademark eyes closed grin, "See, I even have an uniform."
"Is that my old uniform?" wondered Yachiru, "Where did you get that?"
"Byakuya-san gave it to me when I told him I wanted to come join the squad with this year's recruits. Said if I could fit into your old uniform, it meant that I was old enough to join because I would be about the same size you were when you joined," he declared confidently.
Yachiru found herself rubbing her temple, Byakuya was going to pay for this, "Shunsui you can't join our squad!"
"Why not?" demanded Shunsui with an adorable pout, "I am stronger then all of them," he said pointing to the recruits.
"None of them are the only son of the Captain-commander!" Yachiru pointed out, "The last thing Ken-chan and I need is Shun-shun breathing down our necks."
"Daddy won't mind," Shunsui assured her, "Come on, Vice-captain Kuchiki-dono."
"O yes he will, in fact, Nana will make sure he minds," said Yachiru, "And since when do you called me Vice-captain Kuchiki or Kuchiki-dono and I am pretty sure called me Vice-captain and adding the suffix -dono is over doing it."
"Come on Yachiru-chan," said Shunsui, "You know I would be great!"
"O now I am Yachiru-chan again," said Yachiru, "Well the answer is still no!"
Shunsui eyes opened and they started tearing up, "Well we could let him join for a little while, Vice-captain," offered Ikkaku, his heart melting at the sight of the tears.
"Shut it Q-ball," said Yachiru in increasing irritation, "Look, if you want to join a squad already why don't you join Bya-kun's? He's a really nice Captain!" she offered.
"But he's not as fun as Captain Zaraki and his Vice-captain isn't as nice to look at," said Shunsui with an utterly cute smile on his face.
"He's like a male version of Matsumoto," whispered Ikkaku to Yumichka.
Yumichka nodded, "That boy is going to break hearts left, right and center when he grows-up. Just imagine the devastation."
"I would hate to have him as a competition," declared Ikkaku.
"If you want a nice looking Vice-captain called Kuchiki and a fun captain, how about squad thirteen?" offered Yachiru.
"No way!" said a horrified Shunsui, "Rukia-chan is always trying to dress me up like a bunny rabbit!"
"That's because you make a beautiful bunny rabbit," Yumichka piped in, "You look so adorable with those ears and that little fluffy tail!"
"I do not!" declared Shunsui, "Besides Ukitake-san says I need to be older to join his squad," said Shunsui, "But I don't want to wait! I want to join now! O please, please Yachiru-chan, can't I join you guys?" shooting her his best and cutest look.
"O no," declared Yachiru, "You may have Foxy's look with Shun-shun's charm but they are not going to work on me!"
"Foxy?" wondered Shunsui looking a little confused.
The blood drained from Yachiru's face as she realized her mistake. Behind her both Madarame and Yumichka visibly flinched. They were all mercifully distracted by the entrance of Kenpachi, "Hey," he said as he entered, "So these are the new recruits. Listen up I..."
"Ken-chan," interrupted Yachiru, "Tell Shunshui he can't stay!"
"He can't?" asked a puzzled Kenpachi, "Why not?"
"Because he's too young to join our squad!" said Yachiru, getting increasingly frustrated.
"He is?" wondered Kenpachi.
"Yes!" yelled Yachiru, "Oh! Never mind," turning back to Shunsui, "You cannot join us. Not yet. Ran-chan would not have wanted her only son to enter the Gotei 13 so early," or Foxy for that matter. She added to herself, They both would have wanted their only son to have a carefree life as long as possible. The kind of life people like them, people like me, kids from the hellish districts of Rukongai could never have.
6 months before the execution
"Yay! Ran-chan is having a baby! Yay!" cried Yachiru as she jumped-up to hug Rangiku, "I am going to have so much fun playing with it! You are going to let me play with it, won't you? Won't you, Ran-chan?"
"Of course," replied Rangiku, "You and Kenpachi can babysit whenever you want."
"Yay! Ken-chan is good with babies! He's had lots of practice with me!" Yachiru assured her.
"Perhaps we should have a baby shower," suggested Nemu in her quiet manner, "I have already requested Mayuri-sama to help me make a kitsune themed pajama set."
"Captain Kurotsuchi is handy with a needle?" asked Rangiku in some surprise.
Nemu nodded, "He often sews on name tags to my cloths."
"So that's why all your name tags say 'fat sow'," said Rangiku, Nemu nodded.
"A baby shower is a great idea," said Yachiru, then after a minute's thought, "What's a baby shower?"
Rangiku laughed as Nemu answered, "It's a party where an expectant mother's friends gives her presents for the baby; like cloths, cots and things like that."
"A party is a great idea! I'll get started right away!" with that she rushed off to find Ikkaku and Yumichka to bully them into helping her plan the perfect party for Rangiku.
"I should also be leaving," said Nemu getting up, "Congratulations Matsumoto Rangiku, you'll make a great mother."
"Thanks Nemu," replied Rangiku with a smile, Nemu really was such a nice girl. Speaking of nice girls, Rangiku was a little surprised Hinamori hadn't come to see her. In fact, she was the only person from the Shinigami women's association who hadn't visited yet. Well Kiyone hadn't yet either but she was expecting her, Ukitake and Kyoraku soon. But Hinamori... she supposed that she wasn't all that close to Hinamori to begin with but she still had expected a visit from her fellow Vice-captain and Shinigami Women's association member. A well, there was still lots of time and she was probably very busy running Squad five.
Just as Rangiku finished her thought there was a knock on the door, "Why did you do that, Ukitake?" she heard Kyoraku say, "I was hoping to catch Rangiku-chan while she was not decent."
"Captain!" came Nanao's voice.
Rangiku laughed, "The door's open," she called, they entered to find her sitting upright on her bed, "I don't know if you want to see me naked now Captain Kyoraku, I am getting pretty fat," she said pointing to her belly, which in truth only had a slight swell.
"Fat, thin, I don't discriminate," returned Kyoraku.
"Captain!" screamed Nanao.
Kiyone and Ukitake laughed, "How are you doing Matsumoto-kun?" asked Ukitake.
"I am alright," said Rangiku, "I have been feeling very weak recently and so I have been confined to bed since last week. But Captain Unohana says there is nothing to worry about. She says that I am probably not eating enough or getting enough sleep."
"That's no good," said Kiyone, "Is something the matter? Is it the mess food? I mean squad ten mess food isn't bad but it isn't great either, our mess is very good though. If you like I'll bring you food from our mess everyday!"
Rangiku smiled, "Thanks Kiyone but no I haven't actually been eating a lot at the squad ten mess. I have mostly been taking my meals here in the Sougou Kyuugo Tsumesho," she explained, "No, I just can't keep anything down. I eat tons and have all these strange cravings but as soon as the food goes down, it comes back up again," she sighed, "Never have babies Kiyone!"
"Don't say that," said Ukitake, "I am sure when the baby get's here you'll be well rewarded for your pain."
"Ukitake is right," said Kyoraku, "But if you want something special to eat, let me and Nanao-chan know. We have great cooks in squad eight."
"They better be good given what we pay them," commented Nanao, "Now, what is this about a baby shower? Yachiru invited us when she ran into us while on our way here," they continued talking in the same vain for the rest of their visit.
He woke drenched in cold sweat, the words "I don' wanna die, I don' wanna die," repeating endlessly in his head, echoing inside his skull. He took deep breaths to calm himself, he was not doing well. He hated not being able to hold Rangiku. He hated not being able to touch her, kiss her, bury his face in her ample bosoms and tell her all his fears regarding the execution that was drawing ever closer. He hated it and if he was given a choice he would keep her with him in the cell, to hell with the health of the baby. Ichimaru smiled to himself, it was an infinitely good thing that he was not the one making the calls. Selfish creature that he was, he would end up hurting her again. He didn't want that. He didn't want to leave misery in his wake, "Please be alright, Rangiku," he whispered to himself, "Please be alright and come see me soon. Please."
When Kira found Zaraki Kenpachi he was on his way out of Seireitei, heading towards Rukongai through the west gate, "Captain Zaraki," said Kira timidly, "If you have a minute, I had a quick question."
"Out with it then," barked Zaraki.
"Wha... what's the House?" asked Kira and before he knew what was happening Zaraki's zanpakuto rested against his neck.
"Why the hell do you want to know?" demanded Zaraki, "Depending on your answer, I might not kill you."
"Mat... Matsumoto-san mentioned it," said Kira quickly, "She said that Captain Ichimaru once stopped her from living with some children who didn't have spiritual power because he was afraid she would end up in the House. But I think she did end up there just before she and Captain Ichimaru joined the Gotei 13 and I was just wondering what it was."
Zaraki gave him an assessing stare before slowly removing his zanpakuto, "The House," Zaraki said, "Is a place perverts go to find children on whom to practice their perversion," Kira's eyes widened. He was surprised, no shocked. It was not so much Kira didn't know such perversions existed in the world. Just that born and raise in Seireitei, it was not a something that would occur to him as an obvious thing as Matsumoto had clearly expected it to.
"That would explain a few thing," said Zaraki mostly to himself, looking unusually thoughtful, "He hated them, Ichimaru that is. He had a real vendetta against the people who run those things. Every time we would bust up one of those places, he made a point of killing every single one of them slowly and painfully. Didn't really suit my style. It's no fun cutting weaklings. If I have to kill 'em, I like to make it quick and clean. Ichimaru's savagery made me wonder if he had something personal against the Houses. Always wondered if he spent sometime in one. But I guess the girl makes more sense."
"Wait, wait!" cried Kira, "You and Captain Ichimaru used to go shut down places like that?" he exclaimed.
"Didn't I just say that?" demanded an annoyed Kenpachi, "I ain't a beacon of morality or anything but I can't stand people hurting children and the children in the Houses are some of the most hurt and messed up creatures you'll find anywhere. Even before I joined the Gotei 13 I used to bust-up any Houses I used to run across. After I joined I started getting a list of the Houses from the OnmitsukidÅ. They keep track of them and ran raids on them from time to time. It ain't enough of course. You shut down one in one place, another springs up some place else. But doesn't mean you stop cutting. Plus the OnmitsukidÅ hardly ever raids the Houses in districts 79 and 80. So a few of times a year, I go out there and bust-up all the Houses I can. I don't like brining Yachiru but Madarame and Yumichka comes with me sometimes. But I prefer having Retsu with me. She knows what to do once we get the kids out. Couldn't get her this time though," he said looking back towards squad four, "She's busy, a pity really. I am not good with the kids."
"But didn't you say that Captain Ichimaru used to go with you?" Kira reminded him."It happened by accident," replied Kenpachi, "One time he and I just ended up in the same place at the same time. I don't remember us talking but we understood each other and decided to bust-up the place together. After that, every time I headed out alone he would come out of nowhere and fall into step with me. He never showed up when I was with the others. Especially Retsu, I think he's scared of her. Almost everyone is."
Kira's brain seemed to jam. He couldn't begin to process this new bit of information, this new side of his captain. How... how could he have not known? Zaraki Kenpachi was one of the few captain's his captain actually got along with. Why had it not occurred to him that they might be sharing something. Although this was beyond his wildest imagination. Kenpachi started to walk away, "Captain Zaraki!" called Kira.
"What now?" he demanded.
"Are you going out there now?" he wondered.
"Yeah."
"Can I come with you?" asked Kira hopefully.
"Suit yourself," with that Kenpachi started walking and Kira fell into step besides him.
50 years after the execution
Zaraki Kenpachi was on his way out of Seireitei, heading towards Rukongai through the west gate. As he got closer to the gate a figure emerged from the shadows and fell into step beside him, "Have you got the list?" Kenpachi asked of his companion.
"Yes," said Kira, holding up a piece of paper.
"Good," said Zaraki, "Now let's get going. Yachiru will kill me if I am not back in time for her and Byakuya's anniversary. Although why she married that kido using weakling is beyond me."
Kira smiled, "He was the only person who wasn't scared of you or her for that matter," he pointed out.
"Feh, he's scared of her now," said Kenpachi with a nasty smirk.
Author's note: Ok hear me out! First time we see Ichimaru he's with Kenpachi and they seemed to have come to talk to Byakuya together. Apart from Kenpachi Ichimaru hasn't been shown to be remotely friendly to anyone else. So... I kind of built on that. Yes I am a master at making mountains out of mole hills. :) Thanks for reading, I hope you guys are still enjoying this.
Also the Nemu and Mayuri thing comes from this funny bit at the end of chapter 227 .com/Bleach/227/20/ It was translated as "fat sow" in my Viz translation.