Chapter 25
The next day, Aria was in her room when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she said. The door opened and Komamura came in.
"Hello Aria. How are you this morning?"
Aria smiled. "I am fine. How are you, Captain Komamura?"
He smiled. "I am good. What do you have there?" he asked as he came and stood beside her. She was sitting on the bed with a photo album in her lap.
"Oh, these are pictures of me and my mom when I was younger," Aria said, smiling sadly.
Komamura nodded understandingly. "You look a lot like her."
Aria looked at him and smiled. "I get that a lot, though I don't think that. She was the prettiest woman I ever saw, and I don't think I am even close."
Komamura looked at her and chuckled. "You are too modest. You are just as beautiful as she was, you just don't see it," he said in a fatherly tone.
Aria shook her head. "Whatever you say. I am not gonna fight with you about it. By the way, was there something you came here for?" she asked, trying to change subject.
Komamura nodded. "I actually wanted to talk to you a little bit about your uncle."
Aria shivered. She hated that man. "Sure, what did ya want to know?"
"I wanted to ask you how you knew your uncle was bad," Komamura asked
Aria sighed. "I figured it was something about that. The reason I knew is because he was trying to get me to reveal to him the rock that kept Zenaku sealed so he could break it. I wouldn't because I knew he was evil and should not, at any cost, be allowed to come out."
Komamura nodded. "I see. Well, I will let you go. Have fun today, Aria," he said as he left.
Aria smiled. "You too, Captain Komamura."
A little while later, Aria headed towards Squad 11. True to her deal with Yachiru, she was gonna visit Kenpachi for a little bit today. When she walked into the squad, she heard lots of bangs, clatters, and clunks. Now THAT does not sound like fighting to me. She made her way to the kitchen only to find several squad members pinning Ikkau down. Ok, maybe food fight. "Hey, what is going on here?"
All the squad members stood straight up. One stepped forward. "Sorry, ma'm, but we are trying to make sure Third Seat Madarme does not cook lunch. We have grown tired of eating his food."
Aria nodded. "I see. Ikkau, get up."
He grumbled. "Who made you boss?" he said as he stood up."
Aria smirked. "Do you want them to dog pile you again, baldy?"
He whirled at her. "What did you call me?"
Aria rolled her eyes. "Never mind. Anyways, how about this. I make enough of a meal at night for supper that you have leftovers for lunch. You just have to heat them up. Sound good to ya'll?" Everybody nodded emphatically. This might work out. Aria smiled. "Great! Now, I will fix something up for ya'll now, then make a big enough meal for supper and lunch. Now, shoo! Get outta here. I don't need ya'll in here while I'm cooking," she said, kicking the members out one by one. After they all left, she sighed. "Now, to get started," she said to herself as Kenpachi walked into the kitchen.
"I heard you were cooking for us again," he said, grinning, as he came up beside Aria.
She ignored him and continued looking at the cookbook.
"Aria, are you listening to me?" Kenpachi said, waving his hand in front of her face. She didn't move. He leaned over and looked at her face. She was sound asleep! Ok, not normal to randomly fall asleep while standing, he thought to himself as he shook her a little bit. "Aria, wake up!"
She jerked awake. "Where's the fire!"
Kenpachi blinked. "You were dreaming."
Aria looked at him and blinked. "How did you get there?"
Kenpachi pointed at the door. "Through there."
"Oh, ok. What's up, Zaraki?" she said, smiling.
Kenpachi sweat dropped. She was definitely different. He pointed at the cookbook. "I heard you were cooking for us again, so I came to see you."
Aria nodded. "Ok. Wanna help?" she asked, nudging him.
Kenpachi grinned. "Of course," he said as he looked over her shoulder to see what they needed.