Chapter 29: Too Much Attention
A few hours after her departure from squad 3, Yukiko returned to her own squad and stopped just outside her captain's office. She took a moment to calm herself and remove the overly giddy smile from her face before entering. She didn't want to give away the fact she was so happy right away. No, first things first.
When she felt she was ready, she stepped inside and walked right up to her captain's desk as he continued to sort through his mountain of paperwork. "You all finished, Yukiko?" he asked casually. Of course he knew she was there.
"Yes, sir," she answered without revealing her all too obvious change. She was glad he hadn't looked up yet since doing so would probably have given her away.
"Good. Did you learn any..." he started to ask until she plopped her fist down on top of his head. She'd seen Hiyori get away with beating him up and frankly she wanted to get one shot in before letting it slide. "What the hell was that for?"
Yukiko frowned at him wanting very much to giggle at his indignant expression. "Why didn't you tell me Rose became a captain?" she demanded crossing her arms.
Shinji stared at her, finally noticing the frown and irritation written in her features. He couldn't understand why his plan hadn't worked...though he had to admit she did seem livelier...so maybe it had at least a little bit. Still, though, what was with her question? And that strike? As far as he knew she'd never struck her captain before now.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he grumbled rubbing his head again. "I announced it to the entire squad when it happened. You were probably just spacing out again."
It was amazingly comical how quickly her irritated expression morphed into one of shock, then confusion, then finally embarrassment and apology. "I...see." She bowed fully at the waist once the realization hit her and squeaked. "I'm sorry I struck you, Captain. I wasn't really upset...but I thought you'd withheld the information on purpose and wanted to express my irritation with it. Then I remembered that Hiyori does this all the time and I felt it appropriate for the situation."
Shinji would have been angry with her if the apology wasn't so damn funny. It was obvious she hadn't actually wanted to hurt him and even more than that. The fact she was so emphatic about her position meant it'd worked entirely. She definitely seemed more like herself now. "Don't worry about it," he sighed leaning back in his chair. "Just tell me how your talk with Rose went."
She straightened back up and couldn't hold back her smile, which filled her entire face. "It went really well. I...finally feel like I understand what I'm supposed to be doing," she told him excitedly. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to get over myself but I can promise you my transfer won't be an issue any longer. I'm a 5th seat after all. I sure as heck can't allow myself to stay in a funk when plenty of members in the squad will be looking to me along with the other seated officers."
"Heh, 'bout time you figured that out," Shinji laughed. "Alright then, since you're feeling so excited about your promotion now, why don't you lead the training session today."
"S-seriously?" she exclaimed in surprise. "I...didn't know that was one of our duties as well."
"Your duties are whatever I tell you," he told her bluntly. "But seriously. Go ahead and head out and show the squad the new you. I'm sure they're dying to see what all the hubbub is really about."
Yukiko giggled lightly. She could get used to having a more humorous captain. "Yes, sir." With that she turned from him and walked over to the door, pausing with it halfway open. "Oh, and Captain, I promise...I'll be the best 5th seat you've ever had."
Shinji smirked at this. "Then prove it."
She grinned and nodded before disappearing through the door. As he watched her leave, he couldn't help but be pleased to see her acting her old self again. Now, she could continue to progress. He'd be able to watch her grow stronger and more confident in herself. Now, if only he could figure out what Aizen's fascination was with her and block it. He knew he really had his work cut out for him keeping an eye on that girl.
"Alright, that's all for today! Make sure you stretch and get some rest!"
Yukiko slowly sat on the grassy field as she watched the rest of the squad members, that had been training under her, stretch and then leave the training area. She was tired, but felt like she'd taken a step in the right direction. She could see in their eyes that she'd managed to impress the non-seated member today and that made it all worth it.
Little by little, the fatigue from training began catching up with her and she laid down with her hands behind her head, staring up at the cloud filled, darkening sky. Her mind was going through the events of the day as she watched the clouds moving before spying the first star of the night. Forcing herself to sit up, she stared at the star and silently made a wish that she'd soon be able to work things out with Kensei.
She must have been really out of it as she suddenly felt something cool rest against her forehead and she unconsciously leaned into it. "Ah, that feels really good," she murmured slowly.
"I'm sure it'll taste even better," a voice chuckled. "Care to try it?"
Yukiko smiled to herself as she looked up to see her new Lieutenant looking down at her with a bottle of cold water in her hand. Graciously, she took the bottle he'd been resting against her head and took a few gulps, savoring the feeling of the cold liquid sliding down her raw and dry throat. "Wow, thanks Aizen, I really needed that."
"Of course," he replied lowering himself to sit next to her. "You did a good job with training today. I just thought a little refreshment would do you some good."
"Hehe, thanks," Yukiko chuckled taking another drink. "Well, it's definitely working. What have you been up to today?"
"Nothing too strenuous," Aizen answered with a shrug. "There's always some paperwork to be filed and the captain asked me to go over some files regarding applications from the academy to join our squad."
"Huh, that's pretty cool," Yukiko murmured looking down at her drink. "Sounds kind of boring though. Is that why you came out here to watch the training?"
Aizen smiled at her in amusement. "Admittedly that is one of the reasons," he told her, and almost sounded embarrassed. "But there were other reasons as well."
"Really? Like what?" she asked curiously.
He took a moment to formulate his answer, before smiling at her once more. "Why, I was wanting to see how the rest of the squad reacted to the new you."
"The new...oh, so you heard my talk with the captain?" Yukiko asked, blushing slightly at the thought. It was rather embarrassing after all.
"Some of it," he conceded. "I know you plan to be the best 5th seat we've ever had."
"Ugh, it had to be that part," Yukiko groaned. She set the now empty bottle down before plopping back down on her back in the grass. "I know it was a cheesy line but I had to say it out loud."
"I know," Aizen murmured remaining seated. "I'm just pleased to see that you're back to your old self."
Yukiko blushed again as she stared back up at the sky. "Thanks...I know it took me awhile, but I promise you won't see me going back to that," she told him honestly. "I won't be letting anyone down. Not our squad, not the captain...and not you, Aizen."
"Hmm, that's good to hear," he hummed, a small smile playing across his face once more. Then after a few moments of peaceful silence, he got to his feet and offered his hand to the young 10th seat. Yukiko saw this and smiled, taking the offered hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. "It's getting late, and I still have some paperwork left to finish. You should probably take this chance to eat, while dinner is still warm."
"Yeah, you're right," Yukiko acknowledged. She was tired and her head was starting to feel a little dizzy. As she turned to look at the lieutenant and tell him good night, a gust of wind rushed past and she saw a few ripples pass over his face revealing hints of another beneath it. "What the...?" she started, but she'd taken a step back at the sight and her foot slipped tipping her backwards.
She closed her eyes expecting to feel the pain of striking the ground, but a strong arm touched her back, stopping her decent and holding her in place. Slowly, she opened her eyes once more, looking up to find that Aizen had been the one to catch her. For some reason, he was still holding her the way he'd caught her, her weight fully being held by a single arm wrapped around her waist and his face hovering over her, worry etched into the depths of his dark eyes.
The rush of nearly falling was still running through her, but Yukiko could feel herself calming down, knowing she'd been caught by her friend. It also helped knowing the ripples she'd seen a moment ago seemed to be gone. "Hehe, thanks, Aizen," she chuckled nervously. She subtly gave him the signal that she wanted up now and he obliged, lifting her back onto her feet. "Well, see ya tomorrow, Aizen."
With that, she turned and started walking away. She resisted the urge to put a hand to her head, feeling like she'd just been hit with a dizzy spell. Those ripples had appeared again...maybe she really had pushed herself a little too much. She really needed to work on that.
"It's worse that I thought."
This thought ran through Shinji's mind as he watched the interaction between his lieutenant and 10th seat. He'd always been reluctant to allow the two to interact, and even though he didn't know exactly what it was, something about the scene he'd just witnessed didn't feel right.
They'd sat and chatted with each other which was fine and dandy. That's what friends normally do. Then he offered her his hand to help her get up. This threw up a red flag in Shinji's mind, but not as much as what happened next. She'd slipped and the lieutenant had caught her, holding her in his arms for several minutes.
Although Shinji didn't want to believe it, it almost seemed as if his lieutenant was getting romantically attached to her. He didn't want that to happen for two reasons; the first being because of Kensei's obvious attraction to her, the second being he simply did not trust him with her.
After the two had separated, the blonde captain decided to take action. He entered the squad barracks, sent out a few hell butterflies and waited in his office. A few hours later, he had three captains assembled before him.
"I'm glad you were able to make it," he commented glancing up at the small group. Before him stood the captains of squads 7, 3 and 2.
"You did say it was urgent," Rose pointed out lightly.
"What happened to the kid now?" Love asked crossing his arms.
"It's not that anything happened," Shinji answered easily.
"Naw, you're just worried about your lieutenant again," Youruichi laughed.
"More or less," Shinji groaned. He hated it when she was able to know exactly what he wanted...even when he hadn't said he'd wanted anything. "Aizen's far too interested in Yukiko's growth. It puts me on edge."
"Makes sense," Love grunted. "What does that have to do with us though?"
"I need you guys to help me out," Shinji answered gesturing with his hands to each one of them as he spoke. "I'd rather all her free time was taken up, whether by visiting squad 9, or by you taking her off my hands."
"In other words, you want to lessen her interaction with him," Youruichi summed up.
"Yes."
"Wouldn't that be detrimental to her connection with your squad?" Rose asked cautiously.
"This would put a strain on things," Love agreed.
"It's only temporary. If I don't find anything, then we can end it, but I'd rather her not be around until I'm certain," Shinji finished.
The three captains shared glances with each other, all trying to determine if he was just paranoid or if it'd be a good idea to help out. After a few moments of tense silence, Youruichi laughed and stepped up to his desk.
"No worries, I'll help keep her busy," she told him cheekily. "I had every intention of kidnapping her a few times a week anyway. But you really should let either Mashiro or Kensei know about this. Just in case."
"There's no talking to him about anything that has to do with her right now," Shinji sighed in irritation.
"Keh, he's such an idiot," Love scoffed shaking his head. He stepped up as well and nodded toward the smaller captain. "It'd probably be best for her not to come to my squad, but I'll see if Lisa will snag her every once in awhile."
Realizing he was the only one who hadn't agreed, Rose stepped up and nodded to Shinji as well. "It'll be a little difficult to do anything to start with, since I'm getting settled into my new role," he explained lightly. "However, I would be more than happy to bring her over to give her a trim, or teach her a few chords. I get the feeling she'll have an appreciation for the arts."
Shinji was relieved they were willing to help out and thanked each of them before they headed back to their own squads. Now, he just had to try and figure out his lieutenant, before she got hurt.
Shippoman: It's only been a week and already Aizen's making his captain very uncomfortable. Yukiko doesn't seem to notice any difference though. Just how long will they be able to keep her distracted without letting on what's going on? Will Shinji find anything regarding Aizen's odd fascination with her? Stay tuned to find out.
Oh and I'm calling for you the readers to help me keep this story afloat. Admittedly I'm running out of ideas on what to have the characters do and I'd love it if you gave your input. If there's something you'd like to see happen or if you want me to show a certain character, let me know and I'll try and make sure to fit it in somewhere. Without something for Yukiko, Kensei, or the other major characters to do, I may just end up jumping ahead to the next big thing...it'd stink not to have any build up. So please, through PM or review, help me out.
