Totally Innocent Misunderstandings, We Swear!

It'd been a few days since the Battle of Tamatoa's Horde. Things were settling down amongst the Cutty Sark crew, to the point that 'free time' was available again.

As for Halibel, she was leaning back on a lounge chair. A cup of tea lay on the table to her right. Currently, she had a pen and paper in hand. She was writing down all the gruesome things she'd do to Aizen if she saw him again. This act was surprisingly therapeutic, getting her feelings out in the open.

"Ahh…" Kisame sighed as he took the seat beside her, bringing their lunch of shrimp.

Grimmjow walked past them, grumbling about his 'smaller' lunch in comparison.

Kisame gave him a curious look, eyes shifting between the two Espada.

"Halibel…I've got a weird question."

"What's up?" her eyes didn't leave her paper as she added 'all liquid punched out' to her 'Aizen List'.

"Well…when you and Grimmjow joined Aizen, he tattooed your Ranks on, right?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"But…you guys have Hierro…so how'd you even get the tattoo to stick?"

Halibel put her paper down. "Ah, it was just a little application of Reiatsu."

She unzipped her top to show the 3.

"It really isn't any different from the rest of my skin. Go ahead and see for yourself."

Kisame's head tilted a bit. "Hmm…now you've got me curious."

Both Halibel and Kisame leaned across the table towards each other.

The tips of his fingers glided over the 3, and the skin around it for comparison.

"Wow, there really isn't a difference," Kisame seemed bemused.

"Mmmhmm," Halibel let out an affirmative hum.

"EEP!"

Both turned, and saw a wide-eyed Hanataro gawking at them.

"UMM! Sorryforinterrupting! Congratulationstoyouboth! BYE!"

He ran below deck faster than a Hollow running from a Kenpachi.

"Huh," Kisame withdrew his hand from Halibel's breast and went for the shrimp. "What was that about?"

"No idea," Halibel reclined back, sipping tea as she added 'skinned alive with Reishi drained' to the 'Aizen List'. "Soul Reapers are weird."

Tsuyu just 'stared' at the two sharks, and shook her head.

OoOoOoO

In his room, Kisame was SORE. He'd slept in a weird position, and now his bottom back was paying for it.

It did NOT help that the last god they fought had repeatedly hit him there.

"Kisame," Halibel called as she knocked on the door. "Breakfast is ready."

"Great…just…give me a few minutes…ooh."

"Are you all right?" the ex-Espada opened the door.

"Yeah, sure, fine…" the man claimed as he lay face down on his bed, covers thrown off, exposing his boxers.

"Kisame, where does it hurt?" her tone seemed to chip away at all the room for argument.

"Not hurt…just really sore."

Halibel ran a hand down his bare back, letting it rest.

Kisame lifted his head off the bed, turning back to face Halibel. From the way her eyes crinkled, he could tell she was smiling.

"I know just the thing."

Without warning, Halibel brought both Kisame's arms over his head, resting the wrists on the railing. She brought one knee down on the bed. She put the other on the sweet spot of Kisame's back, and brought all her weight down on it.

"POP!"

"AAHHoooooohh!" Kisame only felt momentary discomfort before relief spread through him.

"Yeah, Lady Halibel! Show him who's BOSS!"

In the doorway, Apacci and Grimmjow observed the pair. While Apacci seemed focused on cheering her boss on (for some reason), Grimmjow seemed more contemplative.

He stared without making a sound for at least five seconds. Then, slowly, it was like a Cheshire Cat Grin formed…if the Cheshire Cat happened to eat people.

Without a word, Grimmjow grabbed Apacci by the back of the collar, dragged her back, and closed the door.

They heard a few steps walking away, before…

"AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Tia…have you ever heard Grimmjow laugh like that?"

"No Kisame," she honestly sounded concerned. "I have not."

Please note that she hasn't moved off of him.

OoOoOoO

It was a late night, and the Shark Trio had been having some drinks.

Jinbe had stumbled out to the restroom, leaving his friends alone.

"You know, seeing that Ulquiorra guy today reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask," Kisame slightly slurred. "Where's your Hollow hole? Saw Grimmjow and Ulquiorra walking around with holes in their chest…but not you."

"Oh…I suppose I should show you," Halibel put a hand on a table to steady herself as she stood up.

Kisame began to follow suit, only to fall on his butt on the bed.

Halibel's hand zoomed over her midsection, and her skirt fell right off.

And there it was, a Hole going straight through her womb.

"Huh…it's smaller than the other Holes I've seen."

"I guess," Halibel shrugged. "Don't really see a rhyme or reason with them. Did you know Szayel's was on his…whoa!"

The ship jostled. Halibel started tipping forward, but Kisame grabbed her thighs to steady her. She also put a hand on his head, fingers curling around his blue hair.

"Oh my God…"

Jinbe stood still at the entrance, eyes wide. He'd been shocked back into total sobriety!

"Please…not on my bed."

The mental gears began to slowly turn for the utterly befuddled, and slightly sloshed, Kisame and Halibel…

"OH!"

"I swear, this isn't what it looks like!"

And THERE'S the realization!

OoOoOoO

Following the War against Cipactli, the crew was finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as possible after a war.

Considering the implications, there came a new perspective. Namely, the desire for no regrets.

With the help of a long conversation about honest concerns and reassurances, held gazes, hugging, and just enough sake…Halibel and Kisame had taken that step together.

They made their way up to the deck, hands held.

"Hey everyone, Halibel and I talked, and…"

"We're together now," Halibel finished, leaning her head on Kisame's shoulder.

"…"

One could even hear crickets chirping. Not a SINGLE crewmate even looked up from what they were doing.

"Umm…"

"Oh…we already know you two couldn't keep your hands off each other," Tsuyu croaked in that deadpan of hers, eyes not leaving her book.

"HUH?!"

"I mean, it was pretty obvious," Nami shrugged.

"So many secret rendezvouses," Juvia added. "You two were so romantic since the day I joined up."

"Umm…I don't think that's quite right," Halibel hesitantly contradicted her.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the entire crew laughed at the 'new' couple.

A.N. So, that's a thing. Felt like I REALLY pushed the Rating there! In hindsight, I've got WAY too much fun turning the freakin' Monster of the Mist…and the Queen of Hueco Mundo…into absolute DORKS!

But yeah, consider this my 'dump' space…all my ideas, AUs, and Omakes that don't really fit in the current SoSC plotline. A lot of my 'Non-Serious' stuff. Get my ideas and creativity flowing, so I don't just STOP like I've done before.

Til Next Time…Have Fun! Stay Safe!