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21. The Proposal

The Old Man took a sip from his tea.

Kenpachi was incurved forward, seating at the edge of his chair while his fingers played impatiently with each other. Cold sweat fell over his spine. Zaraki's eyes glared at Yamamoto and the cup on his lips.

Was he doing this on purpose, making him wait for so long until he could start speaking? Or was Yamamoto waiting for him to talk?

It was frustrating. If there was a way to die it would probably be like this. Death seemed so friendly compared to be seating before the Head Captain in silence, like a punished brat. It was low, filthy and absurd. Why did he have to go through all this trouble just for a woman? It was all her fault, anyway! If she hadn't been so worried about her pregnancy shit, he wouldn't have to go through all of this! It was unnecessary, he had told her. But she knew better. Retsu Unohana wasn't one to follow orders but to give them.

What worried him all the more was the Old Man…what will he say to him? He couldn't arrest him or anything…right?

"Tea?" Yamamoto asked suddenly.

Zaraki was emotionless. Kind gestures didn't made Kenpachi open up to anyone. It was just a way to break the ice between them. However, when Kenpachi denied the tea it only made the Old Man more thoughtful. Silence fell upon them once again, and Kenpachi was beginning to get irritated by it.

Minutes later Yamamoto pushed back his chair and walked to the balcony with the view of the Seireitei, "Do you know why you're here, Captain Zaraki?"

The Captain of the Eleventh swallowed hard and he tried hard to keep his face as dull and emotionless as possible.

"Captain Unohana informed me of some affairs involving you and her…Would you please enlight me."

"…Enlighten you what-?

"What were you thinking?" he turned his head from the view to gaze at the Captain, "What crossed into your mind when you did what you did? Did you ever think about the consequences?"

Kenpachi glared at his teacher, "I know what I was doing, if that's what you ask"

Yamamoto arched an eyebrow at him, "So you did?" it sounded more like a sarcasm statement than a question, "And are you aware that she's pregnant?"

Kenpachi had a short pause, as if he needed to struggle to remember, "Yes."

"I see…"

Kenpachi wanted to say something at his defense, "But…" he chuckled, "…it wasn't part of the plan, ya know…"

"Hmpf. Then you should've known better. You're old enough to know that every decision comes with consequences." Kenpachi pursed his lips and lower his head, annoyed, filthy and sick. Yamamoto sighed and massaged his frown walking back to his chair, "But I haven't summoned you here to neither scold you or to tell you what to do…" he folded his waist to sit, "I summoned you here for another matter at hand…and that is your reputation. You see, the image of a Captain is as significant as the uniform he wares, or the responsibility he caries. Thousands of Soul Reapers look up for the Captains as their leaders, their idols, and their saviors; and that without mentioning the great duty of carrying both the Council's name and honor. Is not a duty to be taken so lightly…Therefore, when something like this happens, a union of two Captains, there are procedures."

Kenpachi frowned, "Procedures?"

"Yes. The Captain is the symbol of law and order, thus everything he does as a Captain must be official and must pass through the law system." Yamamoto placed some sheet of papers over his desk, "Your relationship with Captain Unohana is not illegal, it's unofficial. And that is the first matter we must attend before the Captain's pregnancy gets more developed. As soon as the Captain told me everything I sent a report to Central 46 and they signed an order to make this more official in the traditional way."

"W-wait. I don't understand…What are we going with this?"

Yamamoto placed his hand together over his desk and stared at Kenpachi right in the eyes, "You and Captain Unohana must marry thirty days from now."

Silence.

Kenpachi began to suffocate. His eyes almost came out of his sockets as his jaw dropped to the floor. Then he jumped out of his chair so abruptly that the chair fell back, "WHAT!!?" he cried, "I MUST WHAT!?"

"Sit down Captain." ordered the Old Man in a dominant tone, "I don't want you to startle all my squad…"

"SIT DOWN? SIT DOWN? HOW CAN I EVER SIT DOWN? ARE YOU ASKING ME TO MARRY HER?!"

"First of all it's not a suggestion; it's a direct order from me and the Central 46. It is already decided! Now sit down Kenpachi Zaraki!"

"THAT ISN'T YOUR FUCKING DECISION! THAT'S BETWEEN HER AND M-!"

"That's enough! Sit down, Captain Zaraki! Don't ever make me repeat myself!" Kenpachi closed his mouth and in a frown placed the chair on its feet and sat on it, while his blood boiled under his skin and his soul screamed the unspoken curses, "Ever since you became a Captain it wasn't about you anymore! As a leader you should've known better. Every decision would not only change but your squad as well! I am disappointed at you as it is. It was imprudent keeping it a secret for such a long time. And now that your actions will bring a child to this world, probably the most powerful child among the Seireitei's history, it has been irrespo-"

"I wasn't the one who started this! Retsu –"

"Came to me... and explained to me everything, years ago…" Yamamoto irrupted.

Kenpachi frowned in shock, "…You what? You-you knew?"

The General Captain sighs, leaning on the chair's back, "I was already expecting this to happen." The Old Man confesses, with his eyes over his desk, "Unohana came some time ago explaining that…she felt happy working with you, and she saw in you a lot of potential. She was one of the few in the Soul Society that saw you right through…She's my most dearest student…I knew that she fell for you without ever telling me. But after today I never would've guessed that you felt the same way about her. I am disappointed that you didn't came by her side, holding her hand to face me just to tell me about the child…Instead you came here, alone in front of me, frightened like a punished kid. She's with you, and I still see her alone."

There was a long pause but Kenpachi scoffed, interrupting it, "So are you saying that I'm not worthy of her?"

Yamamoto didn't respond, instead he examined him.

Kenpachi stared at the floor, "You're right." He said, with sad eyes as if he'd could see a flash back being shown on the floor, "I'm not worthy of her. She's an incredible woman. She cares for the dimwits, the wounded and she doesn't have to try. She took care of me when I was hurt and she tolerated every single bullshit I mutter at her." He sniggered, "She'd scare me at times…She's too great for a man like me. She'll never fight nor hurt anyone…She's everything I stand against for. But…" Kenpachi's eyes slowly rose up to the General Captain, "I love her… I don't give a damn to what you say. Yeah, I can be imperfect, but I'll guarantee to you that if it ever existed a perfect husband, I'll surpass that guy by a landslide."

With that Kenpachi stood up and headed to the door, "Wait" Yamamoto made him stop, but Zaraki didn't turn, "I didn't ask for you to leave yet."

"I have a mission on the World of the Living, sir" Kenpachi stated facing the door.

"You have been relieved from the mission until further notice."

Kenpachi spun around, "What?"

"Your Wedding Ceremony will be your priority from now on. Procedures must start at once. First of all will be your Engagement Ceremony in front of the Council of Captains and Lieutenants in fifteen days, then your Squad's reunion for the Squad's meeting Ceremony, your bachelor activity and then the wedding. And that without mentioning the party expenses, the guest list, the clothes, the vows and some paper signing. And, oh yes, the rings."

Kenpachi's jaw dropped, "A-a-a-all that shit?!"

The Old Man's face wrinkled in a smile, he seemed to be enjoying this, "Marriage is not a walk on the park, Captain Zaraki. It is serious. You should start by telling your lieutenant. Do not worry, I promise you it is not going to be that stressful as it sounds. Your lieutenant is full of energy. Make her help you."

Kenpachi was about to say something when the Head Captain dispatched him out of his office.

When the doors closed on his heels, Kenpachi met Unohana in the hallway. Kenpachi felt a chill climb on his chest.

He knew that from that instant, regardless of that smile of hers, they will never be the same.

Proofreading was tough on this one! Please comment of any error it has and/or if you liked it! ^^