Ribbons of Blood
Chapter Twenty-five
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, or any of the characters.
AN: Derp. You guys should kill me, I've hardly written anything for this at all ;n; And now the holidays are gone! DARN. My only excuse is that I had to revise for mocks, which are making me go insane. Hopefully I'll get into the writing move in the next few weeks after mocks are over :/
Many grateful thanks to blackshadow878, Kira michi, Lady Barbossa329, .sora, BleachmyNaruto, summerinlove, and TheBigPumpkin for your lovely reviews.
"Tsu-chan, can you fill in for me next Thursday? I have an appointment with Captain Ukitake that I can't afford to miss."
Ketsueki looked up from her desk. She smiled at Obita. "Of course, Obita-sensei! What would you like me to do?"
Obita handed her a sheet of paper. As Ketsueki's eyes scanned through the contents, Obita explained, "That's the lesson plan. I already informed the class that I'll be absent and I've told them what to do, so there shouldn't be too much trouble. But if you need any help, just pop into the instructors' office and ask for someone."
"Sure. I'll make a note of it."
"Thank you very much," said Obita gratefully, and he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Ketsueki sighed contently, slipping the lesson plan into a folder. She had worked at the Academy for two weeks now, and was enjoying life to the fullest. Gone were the cynical looks from the men in her own Division; gone was the constant anxiety to prove herself. Here, all that mattered to Ketsueki was enriching the students' lives, and fully preparing them for life as a fully-pledged shinigami. It was rather heart-warming, to see their young faces brighten up at the prospect of meeting a renowned Captain, or to see their expressions of joy when they scored well on a certain exam.
Despite these positive aspects of working in the Academy, Ketsueki could feel her own skills diminish with each day. She had stopped training with Ikkaku for the time being, and she could sense Injuken's anger at her relaxation. He didn't want her to stop progressing. He wanted her to grow stronger. Sometimes in her sleep he would try and fuel her with anger and hatred, to try and motivate her to start training again. Injuken brought images of Zaraki to her mind, reminding her of the reason she had wanted to awaken Injuken. She – no – they had wanted to be better than him.
But things were different now. Ketsueki no longer despised him. Yes, she couldn't yet say she was comfortable around him, but at least she wouldn't boil up with resentment whenever she thought of him. She was beginning to feel like she was finally understanding him.
"You have no idea how to treat someone you have feelings for, do you?"
Ketsueki smiled to herself. That must be the truth. Zaraki was just a big, clumsy fool. Aggressive and violent, sometimes, but maybe he really did have a heart.
Maybe.
Someone knocked on her door. Ketsueki ran a hand through her black strands, wondering who it might be. "Come in!"
The door opened to reveal Captain Aizen, beaming widely as her as he stepped into her office. "Hello there, Ketsueki, or should I say, Ketsueki-sensei?" He chuckled.
"Captain Aizen!" Ketsueki bolted out of her chair and offered it to him. "Please, have a seat, sir! This is an unexpected surprise!" Ketsueki was beside herself with excitement. What was Aizen doing here? Why was he paying so much attention to her? She was silently pleased that he was especially looking out for her and visiting as well. He must see something in me … and not in the way Zaraki does. Ketsueki found herself wishing once more that Aizen was her Captain. She really did envy Momo tremendously.
"Oh, no thank you," said Aizen, waving away her offer for him to sit. "I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing."
"I'm fine, thank you," replied Ketsueki, standing as well. It seemed rude to sit while the Captain wasn't.
"I hope it hasn't been too stressful?"
"No, not at all. Captain, I meant to say thank you for offering me this position. It really means a lot to me."
Aizen's mahogany brown eyes shined at her. "I'm glad to hear that." He paused for a while, appearing to contemplate his next words. "Tsu-chan … may I call you that?"
"U-um sure."
"Tsu-chan, am I right in saying that you and Renji Abarai are – how shall I put it – more than friends?"
Ketsueki flushed. Even Captain Aizen knows … "Y-yes … " Ketsueki couldn't see where this was heading.
Aizen nodded, as though this had confirmed something for him. "As you know, Abarai was transferred from my Squad to Zaraki's. I know what the young man's like. I've been meaning to tell you, but … " Aizen hesitated.
Ketsueki's heart skipped a beat. What was he talking about? Does this have something to do with … Renji's guilty face surfaced in her mind again. She was becoming more and more suspicious of him, and Ketsueki was beginning to feel insulted that Renji was keeping something from her. She waited for Aizen to shed some light on the matter.
Aizen continued, "Abarai is a hard person. He'd do anything to get what he wants. And I know he can seem friendly and warm; indeed, he is quite a charming young man. But he can be, well, quite deceptive as well. And angry, very angry." Aizen shrugged, looking out a window at the white scenery outside. "I can sense something bad about to happen," he went on quietly. "And I think it might involve Abarai."
Ketsueki stared at him for a while. "Captain … what do you mean?"
"I don't know myself, but there's high tensions between Captains. And that means their subordinates are destined to be in the crossfire." His gaze returned to Ketsueki.
Ketsueki was frightened. Tensions between Captains? What's he suggesting? War?
Upon seeing Ketsueki's scared expression, Aizen laughed, and the ice in the atmosphere melted immediately. "Don't worry too much, I'm just sharing some of my theories. Anyway, do be careful around Abarai." He laid a warm hand on her shoulder. "I know he's a good man, but, still, sometimes we need to be a little suspicious." With a mysterious wink, Aizen left the room.
We need to be a little suspicious … Ketsueki had thought Aizen was a man of trust. Who knew he could be almost just as suspecting as Ketsueki. Ketsueki let the Captain's words sink into her mind, but she shook her head to herself and forgot about it all. She was going back to Squad 11 Headquarters that afternoon to spend the weekend catching up with any orders and training from the Captain and Ikkaku.
Ketsueki spent the rest of the day packing a few spare clothes and her paperwork, then swiftly set off through the snow toward Squad 11 Headquarters. It was frosty and chilly outside; everything around Ketsueki was covered in a blinding sheet of white, and the snow reached the middle of her shin. After spending just 10 minutes outside, Ketsueki could barely feel her toes and was shivering from the cold and dampness.
At last, the faded silhouette of Headquarters slowly came into view. Ketsueki quickened her pace and wound her way into the building. Small icicles hung on the banister of the open corridors. Ketsueki ran up to her floor and headed toward her room. She was going to dump her possessions in her room and then report to Zaraki. Oddly enough, she was feeling rather eager to see her Captain again. She couldn't think of a reason why she would feel this way, but she just did. Ketsueki rushed into her room, threw her things onto her old bed mat, then strode outside again, heading toward Zaraki's office.
Why is my heart beating so quickly?
"Tsu-chan! You're back!" exclaimed a girlish, familiar voice behind her.
"Ah! Yachiru," said Ketsueki, surprised. It had been a long time since she saw her lieutenant. A smile automatically found its place on her lips as she greeted the young, cheerful girl.
"Tsu-chan, are you going to Ken-chan's?" asked Yachiru promptly, a sly grin tilting her small mouth.
It was the mischievous expression on Yachiru's face that made Ketsueki blush. "Yes," she replied cautiously.
Yachiru bounced on her feet. "Well, com'on! He's waiting for you. And I'm sure he wants to give you something!" Yachiru dragged Ketsueki forward with her as she bounded down the corridor.
Ketsueki rolled her eyes. Obviously Yachiru knew that Zaraki was planning to give something to her. Ketsueki couldn't help but wonder what was in store. She couldn't help but grin to herself. Zaraki, Zaraki. Just stop trying.
Zaraki's office door materialized before her all too soon, and after Yachiru chirped Zaraki's name, the two shinigami stepped indoors.
Ketsueki's first reaction was the warmth of his office. She immediately felt safe and sheltered, even though she was under Zaraki's roof and in his presence. He was looking at her in that peculiar way again, with one corner of his mouth lifted in that provocative, patronizing way. But Ketsueki was not intimidated any more. She was convinced she knew her way through his thoughts and how he did things. She knew what he thought of her and how clumsy he was, so Ketsueki simply lifted her chin and smiled back confidently at Zaraki.
"Tsu-chan's back to visit!" chimed Yachiru brightly, hopping over to Zaraki and tugging at his torn sleeve.
Zaraki brushed her away impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm not blind," he said. His gaze never left Ketsueki's face.
After an awkward pause, Yachiru twitched her nose and said pointedly, "Well, Ken-chan, don't you have a present for Tsu-chan?"
"Yeah, got it kid. Now just scram and go find someone to mess with, 'kay?" growled Zaraki.
Yachiru pouted. "But I want to watch!"
"Want to watch what?" asked Ketsueki, poking fun at Zaraki.
"Just get out!" Zaraki snapped at Yachiru, tearing his eyes from Ketsueki and instead glaring at Yachiru. Yachiru just stuck her tongue out at him, then bounced out of the office, winking at Ketsueki before closing the door.
The moment Yachiru's light footsteps faded, Ketsueki sighed and folded her arms. "You really can't keep your feelings to yourself, can you?" she pressed.
"So what?" Zaraki shrugged nonchalantly. "You and Abarai are always at it. It's like you're fucking glued to each other."
Ketsueki fought back a smirk, but she couldn't help saying, "Jealous?"
Zaraki fell silent. Ketsueki sensed she had touched a nerve. "Sorry," she said tentatively. "I didn't mean – "
"Forget it," said Zaraki lowly. He crossed his arms as well, and there was a strained silence between them.
"Um … Yachiru told me you had something to … give me?"
"Well, yeah, but I don't think you'd really want it."
"Why not?" Ketsueki asked curiously.
"Ain't it obvious? I get it, okay, Ketsueki? You and Abarai, you do whatever the fuck you want together. I don't want to give a damn about you," rambled Zaraki suddenly. "I don't like how you just wander off as well, damn it. Just wandering into the damned Spirit Academy and not staying in Headquarters and not coming back in weeks."
He looked angry. And torn.
"It's okay for you, you can just fucking make fun of me, like I don't matter. You and Abarai, you two assholes can do whatever the fuck you want. 'cus I know you don't want to have anything to do with me. And don't say you think you fucking understand me, 'cus you don't, 'cus I've had a think about … about that night, about what we said, and – "
"I missed you too Zaraki," blurted Ketsueki.
She gasped silently. What's wrong with me?
Zaraki halted, halfway through taking a sharp breath. He paused, staring at her suspiciously. His glare was harsh and demeaning.
But then his gaze softened. He turned away from her, trying to hide the warm colour that was crawling up his cheeks. Ketsueki felt her own cheeks flush, and she lowered her head. What was wrong with her?
"I've been … meaning to give you this," mumbled Zaraki suddenly. He walked over toward a shelf and lowered a flowerpot. He gestured for Ketsueki to take it. Ketsueki moved forward and took the flowerpot in her hands. She studied the flower, immediately recognizing it as the yellow flower Yachiru had showed her, so many months ago.
A lump formed in her throat.
"Yachiru kept going on and on about giving it to you," murmured Zaraki. He was leaning quite close to her again, his energy radiating off him in waves. Comforting waves, though.
Ketsueki nodded, fighting down the uncomfortable lump in her throat. "Thanks," she said, and looked up into his face. "Thanks."
"Just take it." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I missed you."
Ketsueki chuckled shyly. "I've only been at the Spirit Academy a week or more."
Zaraki shrugged again. "Still."
And that was all Ketsueki needed to be convinced that Zaraki wasn't really such a bad guy.