Chapter 49: Prepare for What?

*Do you guys remember last year how I applied for a program at my school and didn't get in? Well guess what?

I GOT IN! I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED! OH MY GOD I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT IN BUT I DID! FUCK YES!

Gin: As you can see EmpressSaix is very happy right now. So be sure to review and make her even happier. To The Serene Dancer, thank you for reviewing. She knew you'd never abandon her. Yamamoto expects a lot from his troops and Takehiko is just a plain dick.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just the OCs.*


"If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. " ~William Shakespeare


(Seireitei, 1800)

"Does anyone know what the fuck this meeting is about?" Nami asked.

"Something about reported spiritual disturbances going on at the border between Russia and China," Kagayaki answered as they walked into the meeting hall with the other captains.

Kagayaki took her spot between her brother Takehiko and Gorou Sawano, Chikako Wakahisa's replacement for the past fifty years. The blonde was still saddened when she thought of the late woman captain and her sister. Both women had died in battle though Chikako went first and then two short years later Reiko followed.

Nami was stationed between Hideo Ishikawa and Kagayaki's youngest brother Yoshirou. That line-up hadn't changed though Hideo was missing his left arm and because of a severe leg wound was left with a notable limp. Kagayaki watched the other captains file in and take their places.

Hoshiko Shihoin was next to come in. As Susumu's daughter it was only natural and expected for her to fill her father's place when he stepped down as captain. Hoshiko had a daughter of her own which Kagayaki had heard had a curious and mischievous personality and was in the Academy. Hoshiko also had a young son to raise too. The mother and captain had the same dark skin and violet hair as her father which was cut into a flared-out bob.

Next was Retsu Unohana who had grown to be quite the woman and captain. Kagayaki knew her mother would've been proud of her former student. Unohana's hair was held back in a loose bun with a few long black strands framing her fair face.

Following her was Ginrei Kuchiki. After Chikako died Haku Kuchiki refused to marry. Eventually he became the next Sixth Division captain and Head of the Kuchiki Clan but with no heir and the utter refusal to provide one he named his cousin Ginrei as his successor. Ginrei seemed to be already developing gray hair, making him look older then he was. He already had a wife, son, and a daughter.

Gorou Sawano, a decrepit looking old man transferred from the Kido Corps comes hobbling in and stands between herself and Hideo Ishikawa. It was unusual for someone from one of the outside organizations such as the Kido Corps and Onmitsukido to be appointed as a captain or lieutenant in the Gotei Thirteen. But the man was the Kido Corps lieutenant and had Bankai.

He always looked so close to death and a dark part of Kagayaki hoped he would die soon. The man was crass, irritable, and disrespectful notably to women. Kagayaki preferred his lieutenant Rabu Aikawa or Love Aikawa as some people called him. He was kind and respectful, a near opposite to his captain.

Kagayaki shifted her attention to Taiki who stood stoically in the line on the other side. He hadn't changed much in the last century though his midsection seemed to be getting wider and softer. He was eating more and training less lately and Kagayaki knew that was in part caused by his prickly new wife, Akane.

Taiki was trying to get her to bear a child and heir for him but she was staunchly against bearing children on some excuse that it would utterly ruin her body. Such frustration drove him to seeking solace in food, drink, and the thrill of gambling.

Setoshi Shiba also remained relatively unchanged though the same couldn't be said for his lieutenant, Ichiro Kurosawa. When Reiko died so did any sense of happiness and humor in Ichiro. His face only seemed to have a severe scowl or indifferent stoic look.

Next to Shiba stood a full grown Kirio Hikifune. Like Unohana, Kirio had blossomed into a becoming woman and captain. Her fluffy purple hair fell to the middle of her back with part of it held back with a silver hair ornament. Hotaka Maruyama had died when an experiment went unexpectedly awry. Once Hikifune became captain she chose a… spirited young blonde girl named Hiyori Sarugaki as her lieutenant.

At the end of her one line Kagayaki could picture Nami fidgeting and grumbling under her breath. Ever since Yachiru's death Nami had become more cynical, sarcastic, and irritable. True she wasn't always like that or with everyone just most of the time with most people. Kagayaki felt that if it hadn't been for Yuya's influence Nami would've become much worse.

Next to Nami stood Kagayaki's youngest brother Yoshirou. He was still a thin and drawn out person. Her brother's hadn't changed much compared to others, she noticed. Kagayaki was then torn away from her noticing at the sound of her father's staff hitting the floor.

"It has come to my attention of some unusual spiritual activity in the bordering lands between Russia and China. An alarming numbers of Hollows are being slain at an abnormal rate. This is not the work of our own members or the members of the European Court Guard Squads. Instead I believe it is the work the Quincies that live in that area," he said.

Nami tensed a little when she heard that. Every time she heard of those white-clad oddballs she would feel uncomfortable. There was a strange phantom tugging in her mind like her brain was trying to remember something important but couldn't.

"Therefore I request a small team be gathered and sent to the area to determine if it is the work of Quincies or not and why. Is there anyone willing to volunteer or someone they believe fitting to send?"

"I volunteer my lieutenant, Yuya Fujiwara," Takehiko spoke up.

Bastard, Nami thought viciously. Yuya was strong, she knew that very well, but she didn't feel comfortable sending him out somewhere against something the Gotei knows nothing about. Quincies were one thing but this could be something completely different.

"I'll send my Ninth and Tenth Seats," Kagayaki offered.

Knowing some of Kagayaki's people would be going with made Nami feel a little better. Other captains offered up their high ranked seated officers too. In the end it came down to six people made up of one lieutenant, two Third Seats, a Fourth Seat, a Ninth Seat and a Tenth Seat. Nami was a little confused by her friend's choice in people.

"Both of them are stronger then they look and they haven't had much battle experience in the World of the Living. This'll do them some good," she explained when others voiced their confusion.

Yamamoto slammed his can on the floor again, "Very well. These officers shall be told of their mission and sent out early tomorrow morning."

"Sir?" Ginrei Kuchiki spoke. "Shouldn't we assign a captain to lead this group?"

For once that noble tight ass comes through, Nami thought with glee. This could be her chance to volunteer herself and be with Yuya.

But her hopes were shot down, "No, I do not believe so. If the Quincies see a captain they may think we are setting out to kill them. It may be even worse if a Soul Reaper from the European Court Guard Squads sees a captain of ours so close to their territory. They may see it as an invasion and a call for war."

Nami scowled and knew all of that to be true. The Quincies were a jittery bunch and that made their fingers loose on their arrows. A Soul Reaper or two had been slain because of "accidents" like that. Then there were those strange Europeans. Kagayaki had warned her about how territorial they were and how the American Soul Reapers were too.

The feelings were mutual.

"If that is all then this meeting is dismissed," the Head Captain said.


Nami was pissed and brooding alone at her desk. It was quieter than usual for the Eleventh Division which was still louder than most Divisions at this time of night. She wasn't pleased about Yuya going on this possibly dangerous mission. She should've fought harder to volunteer herself. Nami didn't doubt his skills as a warrior but even the best can be cut down and that both angered and scared her.

Someone knocked softly on her office door. She slid the door open and saw her man standing calmly in front of her. His wisteria eyes looked gentle and his small smile sent her heart wildly fluttering. He was a handsome man, a powerful warrior, and a gentle patient soul. Nami knew she mustn't have been easy to deal with after Yachiru's death but Yuya stuck beside her. Her death had left Nami damaged and Yuya's care and love had helped her heal.

Yuya took in the sight of the woman before him. Her blue eyes, which he and his sword agreed were her most beautiful feature, held a swirling of anger, uneasiness, and fatigue. He knew what was causing that and that was why he was here. He knew Nami worried about him just as he worried about her in battle. Strength only went so far…

He pushed those thoughts from his head and looked at her. The light from the full moon lit up her face and made her pale skin almost glow. That made the blue in her eyes stands out especially when framed by her chin length black hair.

This woman was a rare sort. She possessed both beauty and strength. Both qualities went deeper than that with Nami, down to her soul he would bet. There was nothing superficial or shallow about her. She was honest and true.

"I'm assuming you've been briefed about your mission?" Nami asked.

"Yes, I have and that is why I am here," he answered.

Nami sighed and looked away. Yuya took that moment to cup her cheek and turn her face back to him. She leaned against his touch and smiled. His touch always made her feel so at peace and warm. With him near her the world could be ending around them and she wouldn't care.

"Having second thoughts about going?" She asked, trying not to sound hopeful.

"No, I'm still going. I just thought I'd spend the night with the woman I love beforehand. It's the best way I know how to spend a night," he replied.

Nami didn't reply but kept her eyes down to the floor. Yuya gently moved his thumb across her cheek.

"Nami, I will come back. I always do. Beaten and bloody I always find a way back to you, this time will be no different," he assured her.

The female Kenpachi looked up at him. Her eyes just looked tired now, "Promise?"

Yuya softly whispered before kissing her, "I promise."

Nami returned the kiss and the two made their way to her chambers.

No words would be needed.

No thoughts about tomorrow.

And certainly no clothes.


"You worried at all about tomorrow?" Isao asked as he poured some tea for him and Kagayaki.

They were seated alone in her home. The two had shed their uniforms and slipped into comfortable robes. Kagayaki lazily played with a lock of blonde hair as she watched him. He was still a handsome devil of a man to her even without his hair. An unfortunate sparing session between them resulted in Isao losing most of his dark auburn mane. His scalp was lightly scarred and the hair had yet to grow back.

"Not really, no. I've just been… thinking about us," she answered.

"Oh? Tired of me already and thinking of moving on?" He joked.

She hid her smile behind her cup, "No, nothing like that. I think we should settle down and finally get married."

"Really? What brought this on?"

She swirled her tea around, "Nothing specific, really. It's just that we've always talked about it and haven't done anything. First it was because we needed my father's approval which we got, than it was my mother dying and then Yachiru and Nami needing help… If we keep putting it off like this we'll never get a chance."

Isao took a thoughtful sip of his drink, "That's true. You know, you're right. So when do you want to have it?"

"I was thinking in the summer. It'll be warm and sunny and all the flowers will be in bloom," she said dreamily.

He pointed out, "Spring just started, it'll be a bit of a rush to get such a big wedding planned and done."

She said, "It doesn't have to be big. It can be a really small simple ceremony."

Her fiancé snorted at that, "Kagayaki, you're a noble lady of a prestigious clan. You're going to have an extravagant wedding whether you want it or not."

He had a point. She sighed, "Alright how about a small ceremony and a big reception party?"

Isao grinned as he pictured the event. A sunny summer's day with only their closest friends and family. Him dressed in a formal kimono and Kagayaki walking towards him wearing a shinning white kimono that would make her look more angelic then anything. He could picture her vivid green eyes looking up coyly from her white headdress at him.

He smiled at her, "It sounds perfect."


*I'm going to end it there. I know you guys can tell that someone is going to die soon question is who? Some serious shit is about to go down and it's actually what will connect my last two fics to this one.

To clarify (and possibly spoil) some things: Hoshiko is Yoruichi and Yushiro's mother. Chikako and Reiko were the past lives of Hisana and Rukia. Haku was Byakuya and Ichiro is Ichigo. I based Gorou Sawano after Walder Frey from Game of Thrones that should give you a clearer picture of Sawano.

Please review and I'll post again February 6th.*