Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations I put all the poor suckers into. Thanks for reading and please review and let me know what you think!
Captains and Their Lieutenants
"Welcome back, Nanao chan." Shunsui announced with a wide smile on his face, looking so happy that it was a wonder flowers and hearts didn't encircle his head like a halo. Sitting at his desk he practically beamed love for all mankind as he watched his lieutenant close the door behind her. Absolutely nothing could ruin his day at that moment. She could even go into one of her 'list all his faults in alphabetical order' lectures, he'd smile all the way through and come out happier than a kid in a candy store. All was right in his world as far as he was concerned.
If he kept smiling like that she was going to have to invest in those clip on shades you could attach to your glasses, Nanao thought with the faintest of smile.
"Did Nanao chan get all her errands done?"
"I did." Walking over and around his desk Nanao steeled herself against his smile and her own embarrassment as she surprised him by actually climbing into his lap, awkwardly settling herself there before she looked up to meet his delightedly shocked gaze. She'd much rather do this standing, but she figured she owed him at least a little thrill. "I wish to extend my apologies...for this morning. And for the unkind things I've said in the last couple of days. Some of it was..unnecessarily harsh..in regards to your actual offenses."
Wrapping his arms around her waist Shunsui pulled his lieutenant into a bone crushing hug. "Awwwwwwwww, Nanao chan! You never apologize!"
"I won't be making a habit of it."
"I never thought you would." Amused Shunsui placed a kiss on top of her head. "My Nanao chan is without question the brains of this operation."
"True. And...you're the strength and heart of it."
Tilting her head up Nanao brushed her lips against his. "Now let me go. My back is killing me and you aren't helping it any."
Instantly letting go Shunsui tapped his lieutenant on the nose. "You should have said so right away. It's off to the forth division for you." Standing up and taking her with him Shunsui wasn't about to take no for an answer.
"They're overworked at the moment, as you'll recall. You'll have to patch me up yourself."
Patch her up himself...play doctor....hot damn!
"This is the best day EVER!"
)
"Hey, Kenny! Did you hear about the arm thing?" Yachiru demanded to know, in lieu of greeting as she bounced into their office. "What's wrong?" She demanded to know, coming to a screeching halt as she watched his face shift from something akin to grief to his normal, indifferent face. Her face panicky now Yachiru ran across the room, jumped onto his desk, and began frantically looking him over. "Are you hurt somewhere? Did something bad happen? Did one of our men get hurt?" Perilously close to ringing her hands Yachiru couldn't think of anything that could put such a look on her captain's face. Surely he wasn't upset about Ichimaru?
"I'm fine." Roughly stuffing the box he'd been holding into his pocket Zaraki cursed the fact that she'd caught him off guard so easily. But that's what thinking about Soifon did to him, messed with him to the point where he screwed up and came out looking like an idiot. Damn her. "And yeah, I heard. The arm's been taken to the forth division to be analyzed and there's a meeting scheduled for tomorrow once the results come in."
Pushing aside her annoyance at not being the first to tell him, Yachiru hopped from the desk to land on his knee, reaching out to lay a hand against his tightly muscled forearm. "What's wrong? There is something, I know it. Is it..did I do something bad?" Yachiru couldn't imagine that her fight earlier with Ise had bothered him, but maybe what she'd done had gotten the General riled up. The old fuddy duddy was always looking for an excuse to yell at the eleventh division for what he considered inappropriate behavior. He lectured them almost as much as the creepy twelfth division.
Why was it that she only noticed things when he didn't want her to, Zaraki wondered, wishing there was someone around to beat the crap out of. He'd already put most of his division in the hospital, and Yachiru had definitely had enough, even though she'd be game for a match if he suggested one. She really was a chip off the old block. And right now she was worried about him, which meant he had to come up with some convenient lies and quick. Sure he could spill his guts and tell her everything, maybe even get her to fall in line with all of Soifon's dumb requirements, but that wasn't the way he wanted to do this. He didn't want her unhappy while he was happy, he wanted them to both be happy at the same time. Absently rubbing the back of his head Zaraki met Yachiru's worried eyes with a rueful look, hoping that he could give her just enough to get her to back off him. She was like a dog with a bone where he was concerned and damn if he wanted her after him on top of the argument he'd had with Soifon.
"I'm just having a bad day."
Did he really think she was going to believe that? He must have hit his head on something really hard, to think that that would be enough to get her off the scent, Yachiru thought, worried that he was underestimating her so hugely. He knew better than that.
Seeing that he was going to have to elaborate, Zaraki figured a half truth was in order. "I'm in the mood to kick some ass but there's no one around whose in any condition to let me. And no, it's not going to be you. You've had enough fighting for now."
Pouting at the idea that he thought she wasn't up to it Yachiru was loathed to admit he might possibly be right about her needing to rest up for at least the next twenty four hours. She was sore in places she hadn't even known she had. Ise was tougher than she looked, especially for a four eyed geek. Going for pressure points, the sneaky little bitch. Yachiru had to admire that.
"Tell you what, lets go out for some ribs tonight, all you can eat, my treat."
Nothing distracted her quite like food.
"Sweet. I am so in."
"I thought you would be."
"And then I'll keep questioning you until you spill your guts."
Giving her a considering look Zaraki could only hope she remembered to chew in between questions. If he brought one more person to the forth division Braid Girl would have his head on a platter.
)
Anxiously shifting from one foot to the other Ukitake did his best to play it cool as he waited for Nemu to arrive. Looking around he could make out three visible security cameras, with who knows how many hidden ones recording his every action. Talk about added pressure. Running a quick hand through his already mussed bangs Ukitake could only pray that the damn things didn't have audio as well as visual. Then again, making a fool out of himself in public had become something he'd gotten use to since discovering just how infuriatingly alluring a certain lieutenant could be.
Hearing footsteps Ukitake turned, pleased to see that Nemu was alone as she walked down the long, imposing hallway to where he was waiting. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important." Ukitake began, since the lackey he'd talked to had seemed very reluctant to go find his lieutenant for him, "Do you have a few minutes."
"My father says you have five minutes before he considers your presence here an indication that you wish to be experimented on."
"No pressure than." Ukitake muttered, seeing that there was no way to warm up to his reason for visiting with idle chitchat. Not that you could really talk about nothing with Nemu, as she either didn't understand the purpose of the conversation or warped it into a topic better left undiscussed.
Thinking he might need prompting Nemu asked what seemed like the most logical question. "You have spoken to Captain Hitsugaya?"
"Ah yes..I just left him a little while ago. I...I do apologize for all the misunderstandings and I hope that you understand I never meant to hurt your feelings or upset you in any way. Nanao san explained that she explained my actions to you..but I wanted to apologize to you personally first..before I asked you..if you...if maybe...if you still would like to...even though I screwed up so horribly...another chance..."
"I don't understand what you're trying to ask me. Would you like a moment to better think out your question, or would you like me to pose my own?"
Delighted with the opportunity to stall Ukitake was all for letting her ask him anything her crazy mind could come up with. "There's something you want to ask me?"
"Yes. Now that you know Captain Hitsugaya and I are nothing more than friends, does this mean you'll finally have sex with me?"
Mouth gaping open like a fish Ukitake finally managed to croak out. "Will you let me buy you dinner first so I don't feel like a complete louse?"
"If you feel you must."
"I do."
)
Approaching his captain both wearily and defiantly, Renji gingerly took a seat on his captain's porch, leaving a good three feet between them just in case. Yes, he had blown off work, neglected his paperwork, duties, AND had forgotten to inform his captain as to his whereabouts, but Renji felt all that was entirely justified. Kira and Ran had needed him, he was their friend and his place had been by their side, not sitting behind his desk filling out forms all day. And if Kuchiki thought for one minute he was going to make him sorry for what he'd done the ice man had another thing coming because-
"How are Lieutenant Matsumoto and Lieutenant Kira?"
Struck dumb by the simple question Renji forgot all his well rehearsed lines. "Huh?"
"I'm asking as to the mental well being of the lieutenants you spent the afternoon with. Captain Hitsugaya can hold down the tenth division on his own, but Lieutenant Kira's isn't in the best shape at the moment, seeing as over half of them are in the hospital or indisposed. If Lieutenant Kira is unable to preform his duties, you may take his place until he is so able."
"Aren't you mad at me?"
Raising one eyebrow Kuchiki decided that, given the circumstances, he wouldn't draw things out longer for his own amusement. "Captain Hitsugaya informed me as to your whereabouts and the reason for your absence."
"I'll..I'll go in early tomorrow to catch up on what I missed."
"I finished everything." Unlike his lieutenant, Byakuya had never seen what was so challenging about the daily reports lieutenants were responsible for. "As I stated, if you are needed elsewhere, I give you leave to leave the running of our division to me."
"But why would you do that?"
"Would you rather I chain you to your desk and make you do Lieutenant Kira's and your own paperwork too?"
Paling at the thought Renji frantically shook his head, much to his captain's amusement.
Lapsing into silence it was a good five minutes before Renji spoke again. "Do you think Captain Ichimaru could still be alive?"
"If he is, we'll know soon enough."
Not understanding, Renji gave his captain a questioning look.
"Captain Ichimaru is a moral less, honor less bastard with sociopathic leanings, who would not only kick a puppy but kick it into oncoming traffic. But if he is capable of feeling anything remotely resembling love, he feels it for Lieutenant Matsumoto. If he's alive, he'll make damn sure she knows it."
Both mens' heads turned at the sound of footsteps, watching Rukia walk over to take a seat between them, bridging the gap between them. Reaching out she surprised both men by linking her arms through them, uniting them into a solid front. She said not a word, and neither did they. Words were not necessary. They were alive and together. What else mattered?
)
"Captain Unohana." Bowing his head in acknowledgement the first division lieutenant surveyed the unusually busy hospital room with disguised amusement.
"Lieutenant Sasakibe." Smiling her usual sweet smile Unohana acknowledged his greeting with a nod of her own. "What brings you here this evening? I hope you aren't feeling unwell." If he was, she was going to have to kick someone out of their sickbed to make room. Then again, Sasakibe had never struck her as the hospital bed type.
"No, the General asked me to stop in to inquire as to the status of the limb sent to Lieutenant Matsumoto."
Figures. Typical men, always wanting what they couldn't have. "Primary analysis indicates it is indeed former Captain Ichimaru's arm. Blood type and D.N.A. are a match."
Considering this Sasakibe knew better than to push for more information. Not that it mattered either way. If Ichimaru was dead of badly injured, the better for them. He would not be a loss by any stretch of the word. "Thank you. I'll leave you to your work then. Quite a mess, isn't it?" He added, jerking his head in the direction of one man in particular, wrapped up like a mummy with several limbs suspended in the air.
"It seems spring came late to Soul Society."
"Pardon me?"
"In nature, during mating season, casualties are rampant as men compete with other men for the attention of the females, often maiming or even killing themselves in their pursuit to curry her favor or warn off a would be rival. I imagine my wards will continue to be unusually full for a while to come." Giving him one of her half little smiles Unohana gave him a questioning look. "Should I be reserving a room for you too, Lieutenant?"
Blushing slightly Sasakibe couldn't get out of there fast enough
)
Absently chewing on the end of her pen Yoruichi look up questioningly from her list making. "I think I've got the list of our wedding guests nailed down..wanna look it over and make sure I haven't forgotten anyone?"
Since he had no family to invite and most of his friends were idiots he could do without, Kisuke didn't see why he should have to look over another list but knew better than to say so out loud. Damn Matsumoto for putting all this crap in her head in the first place. Holding in a sigh as best as he could Kisuke took the list from his fiancee and quickly scanned the list of names there. "What the..why the hell would you want to invite Kuchiki?"
"He was always like a kid brother to me..and since nobody likes you apparently, I have to include enough people to represent both of us."
"Ah." Personally, he'd rather be guest less than admit to being friends with some of the names on the list. "Do you think Soifon and Kuchiki will even be able to come? The General isn't exactly happy with us at the moment."
"I'm send him a note saying that I'll personally come to Soul Society for the sole purpose of castrating him if he tries to stop them."
"That works."
"It generally does with guys. I wonder what Soifon would do if I invited Zaraki." Toying with the idea Yoruichi balanced the pen on the tip of her nose just because she could. "I think he'd come...if just to see what she looks like when she finds out I included him."
"Now there's a match made in hell." Shaking his head Kisuke couldn't imagine anything much scarier than Soifon and Zaraki together in the open as a couple. If Yoruichi hadn't clued him in, he probably would have never known, they were that good. As far as he was concerned, it was truly a testement to their self controls that no one outside their inner circle had figured out that they'd been nailing each other on every available surface up until a few decades ago. Soifon and her damn ultimatum. He was surprised Zaraki hadn't gone caveman on her ass yet. Like Yachiru would ever fall in line with Soifon's demands, please. Snorting at the idea Kisuke could only pray his love was joking about inviting the both of them to a wedding of all things. He wanted it done and over with with as few explosions and maimings as possible.
"There are worse couples out there, you know."
"Like who?"
"Do you really want me to put those kinds of images in your head?"
"I don't. I really don't."
"Didn't think so."