Chapter 14: Contend

The week dwindled into nothing, but that's what she thought though. It felt like the secret that was the correlation with the bald shinigami made it fly. Or was it the soiree that's going on? Tomoko wasn't sure what it was but she was happy. Of course she didn't let her mother know of how she felt because she didn't want the woman dissecting her relationship again.

Everywhere she went, as she walked to and from work, the water color-eyed woman could almost picture her beloved appearing out of nowhere. It made her wonder if he was just a messenger boy but wanted to show off to her.

"Tomoko!" Her mother's voice entered, breaking even if she didn't want, her thoughts that were focused on the third seat. It was better then being in the real world because of her future sister-in-law was beside her, learning the ropes of how to run the shop. "Don't you have to deliver a few orders right now?"

"It's called I'm waiting on Akemi-chan." That penchant to hiss the auburn haired woman's name came but didn't escape into her voice. As the bluish green haired woman sat on a stool, her fingers itching to take the scissors from the shinigami woman, she held back to desire. If she did then this would go faster.

Once she was given the amount of tulips that were orders, she went out of the building. Escaping the prison – at least that's what she thought it was – her gaze turned to the tulips' stems. They were ragged, making her grimace. Akemi wouldn't be a good floral shop owner if she continued to do this to the flowers.

It felt good to be outside, on her way to the fourth division once again. Since she was out then she didn't have to worry about her mother ragging on her because of the flowers that were for orders were late. It was Akemi who was backing orders, making her mother pissed.

Stepping into the barracks, Tomoko slipped her sandals off and walked around. Her gaze shifted until it landed on someone. She could recognize him from a mile away because of his stature but also his dopy eyes. "Tarô-chan!"

Hanatarô turned and returned the smile to the woman that was visiting. Walking up to her, he shook her hand and started to lead her to where she usually went. "How are you Tomoko-chan?"

"Fine. I have a delivery for Unohana-chan but I'm sure you already know that." Tomoko laughed as she turned down another hall with him leading. "I've been busy lately at the bar. I should come over some more but with everything going on."

"It's fine." Hanatarô said with his hand raising a little, only to knock on the door that was in front of him. He waited to hear the familiar 'come in' from the woman that was his superior. He opened the door, letting his friend slip in and closed it behind her.

"It's already time." Retsu almost joked with that smile still on her face. It made Tomoko wonder if it hurt to smile that long but she didn't question the woman. Taking the white tulips that were handed to her, she looked at them then the blue-eyed woman that delivered them. "Amazing as always but what exactly happened to the stems? They're mangled."

"Gomen." The long-haired barmaid apologized with a bow when it should be Akemi apologizing since she was the one that done the damage. "Ka-san is training my soon to be sister-in-law how to run the shop and that's what she was learning today."

"Oh. Kunio is getting wed then? That's news to me." Unohana chimed since she had a long history stemming with the woman's older brother. He had a habit of getting hurt and required medical attention. At times she thought he was only doing that because of the nurses.

"Who is he marrying if I may ask? She must be a shinigami if I'm correct on my guess." Kotetsu inquired with a surprise written on her face lightly. Looking back at her captain, she saw a hint of curiosity in the woman's eyes.

"Isane-chan, you are correct. She is a shinigami that goes by the name of Akemi. I do not know her surname though." The barmaid replied with a nod.

"I've heard of her. She's part of the sixth division, I think. If so, that's the only information I know of her." The ebony haired captain said as she rose to distribute flowers to the bedsides. "Would you like to accompany like last time Tsubaki-chan?"

"No ma'am. Arigatou though. I have somewhere I need to be." With that, she bowed and left the room then the barracks of the fourth division. If her memory served her right then she would be going in the right direction. A desire burned in her to see the bald third seat again, making her go to the eleventh division instead of going straight to the floral shop. It didn't bother her though. Akemi had to learn how to do deliveries so it won't kill her.

Stepping into the area that was given to them, after being stared at by the kanji for eleven, she stopped her stride. The long-haired barmaid felt stares focused on her, almost like people never saw a woman before. It was like they were barbarians. The gawking was a familiar feeling when she went to visit her father when he was still around.

Making her way through the flood of men and women, she slipped into the building.

"Toto! I thought I sensed you coming!" Yachiru's voice came bouncing to her from somewhere, only to have a body collide with her. Even if the child was small, she could pack a punch with her body. "Why are you in the eleventh division? Are ya here to play with me like Ken-chan plays with everywhere here?"

"No, I wish I could though. It sounds like fun. Do you know where Baldy is right now?" A giggle came from her at the nickname that was used to insult for the man that had red markings at the corner of his eyes. It felt weird calling him that. She was used to calling him by his name and not the way of insulting him.

"He's sparing right now. I'll show ya." Kusajishi chimed as she led her visitor to the building that's only use is for sparing. As they drew closer, a few curses could be heard along with a shout. "Baldy loves fighting, almost like Ken-chan. They're alike in so many ways but Ken-chan has hair."

"Who is this Ken-chan?" Tomoko asked with an eyebrow raised.

"He's the taicho of the division. Ken-chan met you before when you brought food for everyone. He's the tall guy." Yachiru explained, trying to indicate how tall he was with her own height. Looking back at the barmaid, she smiled, reminding Tomoko of an innocent child.

A small nod came from the blue green haired woman and stopped with Yachiru stopped. Bending down, she hugged the vice captain as thanks, only to see her bounce away. Standing up, a step came from under her, forcing her to open the door to get into the building.

All she could smell was the odor of sweat and other smells that she couldn't, didn't, want to make out. It almost reminded her of people that didn't like taking a bath or any form of bathing. An urge to cover her nose from the order came but it was pushed back as she turned her attention to the mats.

Ikkaku stood, his wooden sword held in one hand with another in his other. As he swung with another, he stabbed with the other, forcing the person out of the ring with a groan from them. She didn't know that he could fight like that.

"Are you guys really that weak? Eleventh division is supposed to be strong, not this weak shit. We are supposed to be strong and stand beside Zaraki-taicho's side." Ikkaku lectured everyone who was nursing their own injuries from his attacks. "Is there anyone beside taicho that can give me a good fight?"

"I'll try." Tomoko piped in, her hand raised. It was worth a shot. It would show her how much she actually remembered from watching her brother and father spar with their wooden swords. Taking a step, feeling people peer at her, a smile came onto her lips. She watched as disbelief danced in his ebony eyes. It was what she wanted to see. If he actually thought she couldn't defend herself, he was sadly mistaken.

Snatching a wooden sword from someone, she stepped onto the mat, her eyes hardening into a glare. It was funny seeing him gawk at her with his hands almost losing grip on the objects.

"Oh hell no." Madarame said and started to walk away.

"Are you chicken shit to take on a girl? The last time I checked there's women on the squad or were they guys that liked to look feminine?" The long-haired barmaid verbally attacked her love, seeing him look back at her.

Fire burned in him, reminding him that he usually didn't pass up a chance to fight. Gripping the objects tighter, he crouched, ready to take on the woman. A part of him didn't want to take her on, to harm her.

Taking a step, Tomoko swung the dull object at him, aiming for his neck since it was one of the weak spots on a person's body. Stepping back, waiting for his move, she gasped when one of the wooden objects was swung at her, only to worry about the jab next. As one connected to her torso, pain flared in the spot it connected.

"You've been around a sword before." Ikkaku pointed out, that desire to attack faster and fiercer came to him. He couldn't though. It would hurt her.

"Yeah. Oto-san tried to teach me how to use a sword by I saw . . ." Her voice trailed off as she dodged both attacks this time. "I saw it as no point unless you count Onii-san being interested in it."

"Interesting."

It was as if the flood gates were released and he didn't stop trying to attack. Pain flared through her body at various points but it was hardly noticeable at the moment. She couldn't focus on them, especially as long as he was attacking her.

Pain hit her in her stomach, knocking the breath out of her along with her body being pushed back. As her rump hit the mat, she stared up at the point of the wooden sword that was aimed at her. If he was the enemy and had defeated her, he would have killed her then.

"It was fun." Ikkaku commented, only to offer a hand to help his date to her feet. It was good to see her smiling at the fact that he was a gentleman and would help a woman out. Nodding to her, he watched her disappear out of the room he was in, leaving him standing there with everyone else. What was wrong with her?

Part of this was written on paper because I was bored and I was at my uncle's shop with my mom because he was attempting to fix my mom's car. That was until he found out what was really the problem with it. *shakes head* So I hope you like this chapter also.