Chapter 21.

Slight descrepency, I meant have her sleep for a night before the end of the last chapter. I am going to change that soon enough, when this chapter is finished Im going to work on revising the chapters.

Sorry I haven't been updating like I should have, wow its been too long. I hope this story still has some loyal fans out there. ^_^;;;

Read, Enjoy, Review!

Z/U forever!

Prove to me you've got what it takes... to protect her..

"I can't believe I have to escort you around!" Ikkaku scoffed, he felt that he could be doing something better than this. He had his sheathed blade resting on his shoulder, his face looked annoyed and his whole body language screamed that he wanted to be out training instead.

Unohana smiled, "Oh, how kind of you to volunteer, I'll be sure to tell the members of women's society what a gentleman you are." she gave him one of those "I can kill you from the inside" sort smile.

Ikkaku tensed up, a sudden wave of fear came over him and his thoughts raced Damn, I forgot how scary she can be... kind of like the Captain.

"So, shall we be going?" asked Unohana, walking past him without warning.

"Right, Captain Unohana," and Ikkaku sulked along behind her.

After a quick bathroom break, Unohana had arrived at the mess hall or the cafeteria though the former suited much better. She wondered if they had what she was craving, and if not, how long it would take for them to prepare it. While wondering she spotted Yumichika and the cook arguing over something that what looked like a menu, most likely for tonight; a feast before and a feast for whoever is left standing after the "festivities" which is usually Zaraki.

She ordered her food and was now sitting down enjoying her meal with Ikkaku sitting diagonally across. Unohana noticed that he was very irritated by the way he had his arms crossed and his shoulders hunched over and wondered if he was really like that all the time. Unohana looked at her food half finished and decided she was no longer hungry, but feeling a little sick; she couldn't even stand the sight of it and quickly shoved her food into the trash. Ikkaku noticed she was done and stood up as she walked past him again, saying, "I… would like to see the yard."

Ikkaku sighed, "fine," he was not going to argue with the captain of the 4th so he followed her as she led the way

Unohana knew where everything is, she has been here on her own more times than she could count. She knew that Zaraki was caring for her with a lot more men about than usual, some are even from different divisions other than the 11th, swinging swords around some experienced and some not so experienced. Looking around her, she could definitely see how important this day was to the men here, some were putting up decorations, a rare occurance in the 11th division. Upon approaching the yard, the loud voice of Kenpachi Zaraki could be heard and Unohana could not help but smile as she saw 11th division members scurry past her to do whatever it was they had been bidden to do.

Zaraki had a full schedule a head of him. Those lazy bums he called 11th division members did not lift a finger without his say so thus they were a day behind on planning. Planning this was supposed to be Yumichika's job….Zaraki thought as he single handedly brought in two long tables while it took at least two subordinates just to lift one. Setting the tables down, he noticed Unohana walking into the yard with Ikkaku following behind her looking as annoyed as when he left here. He looked and waved in her direction, wary to smile in front of his subordinates though he was not afraid to.

He saw her wave back with a smile on her face that he could not hold back anymore and smiled slightly in her direction. Inevitably some of his subordinates saw in and stopped working, they had never seen their Captain smile even in the slightest in the time they have been in his division. Noticing a lack of work noise, Zaraki looked in the awed workers direction with a stern face that prompted them to keep working.

Unohana admired the little decorations that had been already put up, thinking that maybe not now but someday this "training day" may turn into a full out festival that everyone in the soul society would go out and celebrate.

She walked over to Zaraki as he set the tables up, watching, not making a move of affection but just off to the side watching. Unohana stood, sometimes sat, off to the side watching them work to get lights around the compound walls, not above because a sword could get tangled in them, eventually Zaraki had called Ikkaku to help out, so she was left alone. Yumichika had brought her some herbal tea that tasted very good that if she had not been as polite as she is, would have asked for more.

Zaraki looked over at Unohana from time to time; she was still in the spot she had always been everytime he did, so he figured she was going to stay for the celebration and the tournament.

After several hours of preparation the image was complete and the men were packed into the tables waiting on the food; there was a special table for Zaraki and his seated members but there was a sense of emptiness to it. Without Yachiru the liveliness of the party was not the same to Zaraki or Ikkaku, there were no boughs of laughter or screams of terror coming from the men as they sat murmuring amongst themselves. Unohana looked over at her lover, his silent demeanor would not have worried her too much if not for the current situation, she could tell he was worried for his foster daughter.

As the food was brought to the hungry men, Unohana felt a flutter near her ear and turned just in time to see a small black butterfly making its way towards Zaraki, but not before something was whispered into her ear… Hanatarou Yameda has been returned to the 4th divisionand she smiled. In Zaraki's ear he had heard Yachiru Kusajishi has been returned to the 11th division.

Zaraki stood up at the news, his subordinates looked at him curiosly for they had not heard what the butterfly said. And sure enough, a pink haired young lady practically skipped through the corridor though what no expected was her holding hand with a body still attached to it. Unohana reconized him as the young man who had taken refuge in her closet, she looked to Kenpachi who stood stock still. No one was prepared for the sight of the scrawny 7th division member holding the hand of their beloved pink haired warrior princess, but most were now preparing for what could be Zaraki's retaliation by moving away from the head table.

"Kenpachi-chan?" piped Yachiru, she knew what alarm this would cause to bring her new "friend" to meet Ken-chan, everyone was holding their breath on Zaraki's reaction.

"Who is this?" Kenpachi finally spoke.

"I-I am ha-Haseo s-sir," The boy barely stammered out, the large form of Zaraki looming over him was very intimidating.

"Can you fight?" Haseo paled as those words left Zaraki's lips, those words would most likely lead to him getting killed by the kenpachi himself.

"Y-yes" He was trying not to cry in the face of death in the form of this girl's captain.

"Show it," Zaraki gripped his sword and would have gone and sliced the boy in half if Unohana had not placed a gentle hand on his arm. He looked over at her smiling and then back at the boy, Haseo and Yachiru, who looked just as happy. He sat back down and continued to talk as though this was originally what he was going to say,

"After eating then, you're entered in the tournament," Zaraki grinned as the boy's face grew even more pale than before.

Yachiru pulled Haseo away from the middle of the table to sit on the edge next to Yumichika.

"You did great." "He still wants to kill me…" "But you're still alive, that's farther than most've gotten.." "...Oh."

The mood seemed much happier during the feast, more laughter was present and a few friendly fights broke out among the men. While everyone was eating, it had been found that Yachiru's group had been attacked by low level arrancar still loyal to Aizen. They had fought them off with ease, though during which Haseo had saved Yachiru's life by blocking a cero with kido that was meant for her back. After that they were immediately recalled back, Yachiru still is not sure what the exact nature of her mission was. Unohana did not eat much though she knows she should, she did not want her morning sickness to ruin the evening.

After most of the food had been eaten and the tables were pushed to the side, signaling for the tournament about to begin. Those that are to participate stood in a group in the middle while those just there to spectate sat on the tables. Among the crowd, Haseo stood nervously, one thing was going through his mind... I'm going to die tonight...

The combatants were chosen randomly by a sort of chosing straws system, who ever had the same color straws were to fight each other. Haseo relieved that he was not the first to fight, though when he saw who his opponent would be he wished he was not fighting at all.

"Looks like I get to what kind of stuff you got," Ikkaku held his thumb down at the young soul reaper as if to say he's already condemned Haseo.

Im really going to die tonight...

End chapter 21

I know its been a while and I'm so sorry, but life comes to interfere a lot.

Just to remind you all that I am still taking baby names and godparent suggestions. Reveiws are always welcome and thanks again for your support.

the tourney is going to be short, since I still have little experience with sword play but it has improved. I had not been out of the game sitting on my butt; Ive been doing research lol.

hope to see you next chapter.

bye ^^