Walking through the official Senkaimon, Arata casually pockets his hands in his hakama pants. Passing by the multiple guards, he started to make his way through the Seireitei to his desired destination.

With a hell butterfly on his shoulder guiding him, he walks through the maze that was the Seireitei's streets. Where was he going? Well, Captain Unohana messaged him via hell butterfly last night to meet up the next day and he was on his way to squad four to start his kaido training.

"I can't believe I actually talked about me..." Arata muttered as he recalled the previous night with Orihime.

*Flashback*

"So let me get this straight: You're from an alternate dimension where knights, vikings, samurai, and chinese dynastic warriors fight each other in a faction war..."

"Yes..."

"And you're apart of a warrior culture within the samurai called hitokiris where you basically work as executioners of criminals"

"Pretty much"

"Wow...". Orihime stared at the tall man flabbergasted. Alternate worlds wasn't a new concept to the girl, what with having been in the Soul Society and all. It was just the fact that this man proved the entire multiverse theory correct. At first, she was unsure of the validity of it all but it would explain why he was so out of touch with the modern world. He quite literally lived in a different, archaic world. His tone and how he spoke also told her that he wasn't joking. If there was one thing she got from Arata in all the time she spent with him, it's that he rarely lies. Hide information? Sure, but he never gave anything that would work to only mislead. And so, she believed him. "This-... This is a lot to take in"

"I am sure". Candice's house came into view, he sped up his walk a bit.

"And I can't believe Sakura did those things to you..." Orihime then murmured.

He told Orihime a lot during their trek to Candice. He told her about his mentor and nee-chan, Sakura, his ordeal with his parents, and about the faction war. All shocked the girl immensely and Arata could tell from the look on her face that she was about ready to burst into a sorrowful sob from all the pain he went through. He was... touched, for a lack of a better word. All the challenges and pain he took was his own, yet this woman looked as if they were her own as well. He quickly reassured her that he was fine as he didn't want to see any waterworks.

"What has got you stunned?" he asked.

"Are you kidding? She broke your shoulder, Arata. How could you have been fine with that?" she said in disbelief.

"She dislocated my shoulder. There's a difference". He told her a couple stories about Sakura. The first was about one of their many training sessions and the other was the time she caught him making out with their local daimyo's daughter when he was fourteen. She was obviously referring to the former.

"Still though, why did she have to go that tough on you for just training?"

"Sakura may have held back, but she always trained me rough to prepare me for the world. 'Life isn't going to baby you so neither will I' she used to say" he briefly explained.

There was certain edge to his voice whenever he spoke about Sakura, Orihime noticed. His voiced was always laced with admiration, respect, and fondness. It didn't matter if the memory was painful or endearing, he spoke about Sakura in the highest regards.

They arrive at Candice's house and knock on the door. The owner opens the door and looks at the two in front of her for a moment until she said, "You must be Orihime"

"You told her about me?" the teen asked.

"Spoke about you? Yes. Described your physical appearance? No". He turns to Candice. "How did you-"

"I know you aren't the type to bring random girls or hookers home so assuming that this girl was your cousin was the only thing that made sense" the green-haired girl stated.

"Ah... I see"

As Candice conversed with the two at the door, she also took note of how there was little to no familial resemblance between them. She never believed Arata came because he wanted to room with his cousin, but seeing the two in front of her reinforced that theory. After this little get-together was done, she planned to go over Orihime's family tree to see.

Putting on her best smile, she welcomes the "cousins" into her home. Orihime and Candice chat together while Arata watched T.V. It didn't take until the end of the movie he was watching to see the girls getting along fabulously. He had to be wary, Arata thought. He still had his doubts about whether Candice was an ally or enemy, and wanted to uncover what she was hiding. After meeting "Yohann", Arata's desire to uncover her secret only skyrocketed. He will give her points though. She did allow him to sleepover.

"Say Orihime, do you like cake? I got this new chocolate velvet cake last night and I'm just dying to try it. Want a slice?" Candice asked.

"I would love to" Orihime happily said.

"What about you Arata?" Candice turned to.

When Arata simply nodded, the undercover quincy quirked an eyebrow but shrugged. As Candice walked inside the kitchen, Arata could only sweatdrop. 'Oh dear...'.

There was a brief moment where everyone did not speak, accentuating the T.V noises. Orihime looked over at Arata, only to see he was rigid with tension, sitting straight up with his eyes trained solely on the screen. "Um... Arata, what's-"

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Candice suddenly exclaimed.

"Uh... C-Candice, what's wrong?" Orihime called out.

The quincy walked out the kitchen, cake box in hand and a pissed-off expression on her face. "Arata," she simply addressed.

"Yes?"

She then opened the box, showing the cake. Only, a little more than half of the dessert was missing, obviously cut out and eaten. "What happened?"

"... I arrived home late after training last night and when I saw the unopened box, I... got a bit carried away" Arata said, uncharacteristically bashful.

"Obviously. I'm honestly kind of impressed. Never seen a man scarf down 2/3 of a cake before. But I'm more pissed at the fact that you didn't even have the decency to ask!" Candice exclaimed.

In Arata's defense, it had been a long time since he had any sort of dessert and combining that with a post-exercise appetite, it wasn't that big of a surprise to see most of cake missing. "I-"

"No more cake for you!" Candice proclaimed.

Shrugging reluctantly, he returned to watching another movie when a black butterfly flies into the house and lands on his shoulder. Arata was about to swat it away until he abruptly heard Captain Unohana's motherly voice in his head. "Arata Takahashi, I send this message in the hope of you joining me tomorrow evening for your promised kaido lessons as I was able to squeeze in time for you. I understand you do not have much experience traversing the Seireitei's street so I took the liberty of providing the directions to squad four after this message. Try not to get lost and have a good evening!" the butterfly projected before Unohana started giving directions to the fourth division's building.

Nodding lightly, he returns to the T.V screen before glancing at Candice and Orihime at the side of him. The teen girl noticed the insect messenger arrive but was whispered a reassurance from Arata that everything was well. It was then that he noticed Candice giving the occasional side glance at him or more specifically, the butterfly. He pretended not to notice, going back to the T.V, but he saw.

"Arata," Orihime suddenly whispered. "You want my slice?"

When he saw Candice glare at him, Arata sighed. "No. It's fine". He'll take the L on this one.

*Flashback end*

"Damn. I want more cake" Arata muttered until he focused on his surroundings again.

Arata felt a wave of nostalgia as he looked around the immaculate white walls and slanted, tiled roofing. It reminded him of the Myre, his old homeland. Although parting from his own world was a disorienting experience, he was grateful he did. Otherwise he wouldn't have gotten to reach the levels of power he had now.

Speaking of which, he still had no idea how he was able to hop dimensions in the first place. It certainly wasn't apart of his skill set, so that was out of the question. Perhaps Kisuke would have an answer? However, the idea did not sit well with the hitokiri. He found that the shopkeeper was far sharper than he appears, so asking such a question about dimensional-traveling, even if in the most discreet way, would raise alarms to the bucket-hatted man. Perhaps Kisuke was already a step ahead and already figured it out? Who really knows, especially with him involved.

'You don't happen to know yourself do you?' he questioned his zanpakuto.

Not a clue honestly. I'm just as much in the dark about this as you.

"Hmmmm...". Arata thought for a moment before he recalled a conversation he overheard between Kisuke and Yoruichi. They kept bringing up one name in particular.

Sousuke Aizen.

From what he has gathered, he was tricky man to pin down, with a mind as smart as Kisuke's and reiatsu stronger than any other. What a dangerous foe he is, Arata initially thought. With intellect and might at his disposal, he could take control of the world if he wanted to. But, this wasn't what Arata was thinking at the moment.

With the resources at his disposal and the intellect of a genius combined, was he the one that brought Arata here?

It couldn't be, Arata internally denied. It just didn't make sense. If he really was the one to have transported him, why did he awake in a dirt alleyway in the middle of a small town? And why him in particular? Arata wasn't arrogant to assume he was the cream of the crop; He knew he was a great fighter and executioner, but there were certainly more gifted warriors just as good that could rival him, could trump him even. So why him?

'I want answers' Arata stated, displeased at how in the dark he was in.

I doubt this Aizen is going to give you any answers, even if you find him.

'Regardless, I will find out' he promised himself.

"Hey!" barked an authoritative female voice. One he was quite familiar with that he scowled at upon hearing. Soi Fon walked up behind him, and Arata turned around and looked ready to punch her. He had not forgotten about the fact that she drew on his mask. He was going to make her pay.

But, killing her or even punching her lights out would only spell trouble. The Head-Captain would cut the hand he punched her with while Yoruichi would take his head. He respected each of their powers respectively and respected Yoruichi even more as she volunteered to be his shunpo teacher. The least he could do let her little bee off the hook... with only a mental scar, he thought deviously.

"What?" he groaned.

"Let's cut to the chase: I don't like you" Soi Fon stated.

"Oh really?" he lazily replied.

"I despise the fact that you, of all people, have the privilege to be taught under Lady Yoruichi. But, as much as I detest it, my Lady's decisions are her own. I am in no position to tell her otherwise, but I swear to you, Arata Takahashi, that if I hear that you so as touched Lady Yoruichi in any reprehensible way, I will make you suffer. Understood?" she threatened as she then grabbed him by his collar and dragged his face to her level.

Arata and Soi Fon glared each other before Arata straightened and shrugged. "Whatever you say". The began to walk away from each other when Arata suddenly stopped. "Oh, and by the way, what do you mean by 'any reprehensible way'?"

"Should you bring her harm or defile her sexually" the captain stated.

He nods. "Then you're already too late"

Soi Fon froze, her brain failing to register what she just heard. "Wh-...What?"

"After you awoke and left me and Yoruichi alone after our outing, me and her..." he let the implications hang in the air.

"What?! What did you do to my Lady?!" Soi Fon demanded as she took Arata's collar again.

He bashfully looked away, causing the small captain to stare in horror. "I said too much. I promised Yoruichi not to speak so openly about it. Now that I think about, she told it wasn't a safe day, and neither of us used any protection. She might be-"

"NO! You're lying! You're just saying this to panic me! That's all this is!" she screamed in total denial.

"Soi Fon, I don't lie" he lied. The two stayed in their current position, Soi Fon shaking while Arata continued to stare at her manic state. "Are you going to let me go-"

Soi Fon immediately lets Arata go and begins running to the Senkaimon in order to check on her cherished Lady Yoruichi. "YOU BETTER HOPE SHE IS ALRIGHT OR I WILL CASTRATE YOUUUUUU!" she yelled as she ran.

Arata could only stare proudly at his work. "Don't draw on my mask again you obsessed fan-girl"

A little girl's laughter turns his attentions away from the departing captain's form. "That was so funny Ara-Ara!". His left shoulder suddenly felt heavy, as if weight landed on him. He turns his head to see a small young girl with short, chin-length pink hair and dark pink eyes. She wore a soul reaper's shihakusho and a lieutenant's badge on her left arm with squad eleven's insignia on it.

"'Ara-Ara'? Who are you?"

"I'm Yachiru Kusajishi!" the girl greeted. "I'm the lieutenant of squad eleven!"

Arata stared at her in disbelief. "You're from squad eleven? And you're saying you're second only to Kenpachi?". He knew to never judge a warrior based on their appearance, but god damn...

"Yep!" Yachiru happily confirmed. "I gotta say, no one fought Kenny that hard since Ichi came. You made Kenny really happy! Are you here to fight him again?" Yachiru eagerly questioned, hoping the answer was a resounding yes.

As tempting as the idea was, he had business to take care. "Not today. I already have plans"

What a bummer, thought the young lieutenant before she immediately brightened as she asked, "Can I ride on your shoulder? You're just as tall as Kenny so let's go an adventure Ara-Ara!".

Before Arata could even say anything, a new presence came in the form of another eleventh division soul reaper. He wore the same black shihakusho with the exception of tabi socks. His head was so bald, sunshine reflected off its surface and his eyes each had small red markings on the outer corners. "So this was where you were Yachiru..." he said. When he saw the man she piggy-backing on a battle-hungry smile grew on his face. "And I see you found Arata Takahashi"

"And you are?"

"Name's Ikkaku Madarame. Third seat of squad eleven. Now, before I speak to you, Yachiru..." Ikkaku turned to Yachiru. "DON'T LEAVE ME WITH YOUR PAPERWORK EVER AGAIN GOT IT?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WORK YOU MISSED?! EVEN CAPTAIN ZARAKI DOES HIS OWN DAMN WORK! WHY CAN'T YOU DO THE SAME?!" he exclaimed angrily.

"Ah, but Cue Ball, you do paperwork way better than I could ever do"

"THAT'S NO EXCUSE FOR DUMPING IT ALL ON YOUR SUBORDINATES!". The bald man gathered himself, taking deep relaxing breathes before turning to Arata. "Now Arata, I heard you went up against my captain. Is that right?". When the hitokiri nodded, Ikkaku's smile widened even more and he pulled out his sword. "Then lets fight Arata Takahashi! Right here, right now! Let me witness your strength!"

"No"

The bald man immediately deflated. "Why not?!"

"While I would love to clash blades with you, but I have prior arrangements I must go to" Arata answered.

Unwilling to let a golden opportunity slide, Ikkaku pressed Arata even more. "Ah, come one! Just one little match is all I'm asking and then you can go on your way"

He really wanted to, but Arata was never one to get distracted so easily from his current objectives. The third seat did look experienced, Arata mentally admitted. He was sure from the look of him he had fought many battles. He was a bit more curious about Yachiru's strength as she said she was a lieutenant and wanted to combat her, but he was unsure.

He turned to the pink ball of energy and asked, "Are you strong?"

"Kinda," Yachiru stated. "but I like watching fights more than I do fighting them. Especially when Kenny's fighting!"

"Hmm...". The decision was hard but then he remembered Unohana's message. She said to meet him in the evening but she never specified what time. Besides, she could forgive a bit of tardiness even if he was late, right? "You're on. But lets make this quick"

"Alright!" the bald man cheered. But before either of them released their swords, Ikkaku started... dancing and singing? "Who is lucky? I am lucky! None so lucky but meee! That's right I said meee! Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky,". Using his sheathed sword like a pommel horse, he continued singing. "Lucky, lucky, luc-keeee!" and he sticks the landing with his sword in front of him parallel to the ground.

Arata looked at him with confusion, a deadpan expression on his concealed face. "Ummm... okay?"

A vein bulged atop Ikkaku's left eye. "Why the hell didn't you release your zanpakuto?!"

"Is this a battle in terms of combat or dancing because if it is the latter, I decline"

"Of course combat! Why would you think otherwise?!"

"Then what was that?"

"That was my lucky dance! I'm was excited to face a strong opponent and considered myself lucky to face you!" the third seat bellowed.

The hitokiri groaned. "Yachiru, watch over my butterfly"

"Okay!" she said picking up the messenger and flash stepping away from the two men.

"Don't disappoint me, Ikkaku Madarame"

"Same for you, Arata Takahashi"

Later...

Retsu Unohana signed and filed away paper after paper, waiting for Arata to show up and to begin his training. The baby blue sky was slowly turning a orange hue, and Unohana wondered how their time together would entail.

She found the hitokiri alluring. He had the same killer instincts and hunger for battle as Kenpachi, but had significant attributes that set him apart from him. He was patient and calm like her, a far cry from Kenpachi's loudness. He craved improvement and worked endlessly to make himself into the best warrior he could be. When she gazed into his eyes, she saw a veteran killer, a bringer of death with an unquenchable thirst for battle and blood. And like Kenpachi, he holds so much potential, possibly enough to rival her.

To say she was turned on would be an understatement.

A hard knocking at her door turns her away from her work. She gets up and opens the door to see a surprising sight. Arata, looking quite battered, was holding third seat Madarame, who was unconscious and also battered, over his shoulder like a potato sack.

"What happened?" she questioned, looking over Ikkaku with concern.

"We sparred"

"Oh". That answered everything. "Well, come" she said leaving her office, closing the door, and walking down the hall with Arata following. "We're going to the medical bay. I had planned to instruct you on the basics and fundamentals of healing, but seeing third seat Madarame out of commission, I see an opportune time for you dive into kaido".

"Wait. You're planning to use Ikkaku for my training? Won't that put his life in danger?"

"Worry not Arata Takahashi. Basic Kaido is difficult to mess up and should the situation turn grim, I will promptly step in" Unohana assured.

With that, they entered the med bay. White cots filled the room and the two went to the nearest one to lay the knocked-out third seat on.

"Why is it so bare?" Arata asked as the room held very few patients.

"Usually, squad eleven fills up this room as they are the combat squad and are the most out of any squad to return back from missions with a wound or two, but operations have been relatively good so there has been fewer patients" Unohana explained. "That, and Kenpachi has neglected training with his squad for some time now".

"He hurts his members so bad, they end up here? Wow". Seems like Kenpach has more than a few similarities with Sakura. Who would win between them, Arata wondered. The two were beast in their own right.

The captain nods. "Now, let us concentrate on restoring third seat Madarame". Arata nodded and the two sat beside Ikkaku's cot. "To start off, hold your hands over the patient's wounds. It would seem that you primarily targeted his front torso. Hold them over his chest".

Arata follows her instructions and turns to her. "What's the incantation?"

"There is no incantation. Simply concentrate your reiatsu in your hands and hold them over the wound. Intent is crucial when performing kaido. Focus with the intent to heal and the energy you produce out of your hands should be green. That is when you know you are performing the spell correctly"

Arata nods and focuses his spiritual pressure into his hands. It took some time before Arata could produce the green energy. When he did, he held them over Ikkaku's chest. The spell was harder than he thought. With previous kido spells, all he had to do was focus his energy, say the spell, and release the attack. Holding that energy in place was hard for Arata as he felt his own energy begging to be released.

Unohana looked over his work and noted that while he was healing, it was slow and choppy. It was clear to her that Arata solely used attack-based kido as his energy looked as if it wanted to disperse. "You're doing good work Arata" she praised.

"It's slow" he stated. "You see it too don't you?"

"Please do not fret on that. You are a beginner. You never used kaido before, so it only makes sense that your healing would be unrefined. Just keep at it and you should find that holding your energy will progressively get easier".

It took a full hour to completely Ikkaku. Throughout the healing process, Unohana gave him tips to quicken his energy such as posture and distance to patient. By the time he was done, he was sweating. If Arata had to equate the experience to something, it would be like trying to maintain planking form for three hours with no rest.

Still though, he took a lot from Unohana's teachings. He did not regret asking for her knowledge.

With Ikkaku healed up, Unohana and Arata went on a walk. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in amber warmth.

"Today was quite the productive day for the both of us. Perhaps we can head back to my office for tea?" Unohana wondered out loud. When all she got in response was a soft murmur, she looked up at the man, curious. It was clear to her that Arata wasn't a conversationalist, but she felt that something was amiss with the hitokiri. "Something on your mind?".

"Why are you the captain of squad four?"

Confused, the captain said, "I don't understand"

Arata stops, making Unohana stop as well next to him. He looks down at her, looking her straight in the eyes. "When I looked into your eyes, I saw a cold-blooded killer. Even your name denotes your inner ferocity; 'Retsu' meaning 'violent' or 'fierce'. So why be the captain of the medical squad? Why not squad eleven, the squad specifically designed for combat?".

She lightly shrugged. "People change Arata. I found a new calling and followed it. I chose to become a healer because I wanted to help people and serve the thirteen court guard squads in a way I never imagined" she softly replied. She did not blame him for being confused about her position. When she moved squads, she too was confused about herself and her wants. But now, she was at peace, and took pride in being squad four's captain.

Arata could attest to that statement wholeheartedly. If it wasn't for Sakura, he would have grown to be a lost, wandering soul with no purpose. He was nothing but a little boy, scared at everything around him, but now he was the one that instills fear into others. Before, he was afraid of death, but now he relishes in it.

"Yet you still crave combat" Arata stated. "I can see that familiar yearning. You want to clash blades with every strong opponent out there and use your healing techniques to prolong those fights. Am I wrong?"

Unohana did not reply to that. She won't deny that she misses it. The blood, the carnage, the thrill of battle. The last time she felt any excitement during battle was against the only person to ever wound her. And that person was the current captain of squad of eleven.

"Come on," Arata suddenly said, pulling her by the wrist. "I have an idea"

"Where are you taking me?"

"Back to squad four. As I was on my way to your office, I noticed a open training area. We are going there".

Surprise crossed the captain's face. "A-Arata, if you are suggesting we spar, I do not recommend it". But he did not listen as they made their way back to squad four and into the small training grounds. The area was uncommonly used as many of squad four's members practiced their kaido indoors, but it did see use as a place to practice offensive kido.

Spotting a box of wooden sparring sword, Arata grabbed a couple and shock off the dust on them. Squad four needed to be more physical, Arata critiqued. He tossed a sword to Unohana, who caught it with not much effort.

"Again, I advise against this Arata" Unohana tried to reason on the outside. Although, inside she was as giddy as a cheerleader.

"Are you saying that out of concern for me or yourself?" Arata said as he twirled his wooden weapon around. " Come on woman, embrace the warrior inside. Let it out and fight me". Arata was genuinely curious about Unohana's strength. He never acted this enthusiastically, but he just had to see it for himself. "If you are worried that your skills have rusted, worry not because I will make you polish them"

Unohana, despite all her half-hearted pleas, smiled. There it was, his hunger for battle. How can she refuse such an inviting gift? "If this will please you, very well then. However," she then donned a playful grin. "My ikebana club is in need of new members. If I am able to incapacitate you or make you submit, you will become a member and participate in my classes"

"Did not take you for a betting woman"

"Just trying to give you extra encouragement" she smiles.

"Very well then. I must warn you however. I do not give up so easily" Arata stated. He quickly moves in on Unohana. As the inches between them shorten, her motherly smile does not fade one bit. He goes for a diagonal slash aimed at her shoulder...but she pushes his blade aside with the back of her hand and successfully swipes his throat.

The attack wasn't entirely painful, but it did hurt. She maneuvered behind him as he stumbled, softly clutching his wounded neck. He looked over his shoulder at her, the smile ever present, as if teasing him. She moved so swift, she was like water. Shaking off the shock, he turns and barrages the medic with precise strikes, but she evaded him with little effort. When he tried to pommel strike her head, she easily caught it. He pushed with all his might to off balance her, but Unohana did not falter. She did not even look panicked.

Suddenly, she lets go and moves out of Arata's way as he stumbled forward, allowing Unohana to strike the back of his head. As Arata was getting back his bearings, he could only think about how out-matched he was. She had multiple opportunities to strike him but she didn't. It was as if she was playing with him, probably trying to tire him out.

Her sword fighting and hand-to-hand combat was top notch. It was as refined as the finest steel and strong as it too. She out-matched him in both skill and experience, and it was clear she wasn't even trying. To her, he was nothing more than a newborn.

Unohana couldn't help but enjoy their time together. True, he did not match by a long shot, but he showed prominence. Oh, how she wished he could match her. The battle would be legendary!

Unbeknownst to both of them, they were being watched. Due to his captain duties, Kenpachi couldn't immediately set out for Arata when Yachiru informed him that he sparred and beat Ikkaku, and were on their way to squad four. After he was done, he and Yachiru set out for squad four but because the two had a terrible sense of direction, they quickly got lost. It was only now that they finally found the correct squad building and how fortunate were they, Kenpachi thought. Right there before his eyes was a treat in the form of the person he admired the most sparring against the new deputy of Karakura.

"Wow," Yachiru whispered. "She's really playing him, huh?". Kenpachi only nodded, grinning.

Neither of them knew how much time had passed, but by the time they knew it, it was already dark out. Kenpachi chuckled when he saw Arata attempt to grapple Unohana, only for her to grab his arm and toss him to the ground. Arata got back up and tried attacking with his wooden sword, but Unohana knocked the toll out of his hands mid-motion.

"You are disarmed. Do you concede now-?" but Arata was far from over. A spinning hook kick aim at her head caused her back step. The hitokiri presses her, hoping to land at least one good hit, but it was all for not. As he descends upon her with kicks and punches, she broke no sweat dodging and countering his offense.

She put a stop to Arata's advances with a swift thrust to his neck but stops before actually landing. Arata halts, panting. The force of the thrust so powerful, the force pushed him and traveled behind him, hitting a wall, cracking it. "Do you concede now-?". But then, Arata grabbed the wooden blade with his right hand and threw a left hook at the woman. Unohana smiled with mirth and caught his powerful punch. "My, my. The force of that punch actually made my hand recoil a bit. You show much potential Arata". The captain then pulled her sword, causing the hitokiri to trip forward. She then kicks behind his legs and sweeps him to the ground. Just as Arata was about to stand back up, Unohana pointed her sword at his face, stopping him.

Never in his years as an active hitokiri had he faced an opponent as graceful yet powerful as Retsu Unohana. She outclassed him, and it was foolish of him to think he could beat her. But he did not regret it. He had fun. And from the look on her face, she had fun as well.

Arata wondered who would win: Sakura or Unohana. If Sakura was powered up to his or Unohana's extent, would Unohana still reign supreme, or would she lose at the hands of his nee-chan? Both were alike in many aspects, so it was difficult to tell without actually seeing it.

The medic captain stood over Arata with her blade still at his face. She nearly forgotten the thrill of battle until tonight. Arata, through his futile attempts to beat her, reawakened that longing for a good fight. Even though she will always put her duties first, she thanked him for this simple gift.

She smiled the happiest smile she had ever done, and for the first time in a long time, Arata was star-struck. With that smile on her face, sword in hand, and a rekindled passion for fighting in her eyes, she looked so...so...

"Beautiful" he muttered.

The woman heard him and blushed. She was always complimented by her squad and many more, but the way he said it made her heart pound faster. "I thank you for the compliment Arata, but I must ask: Do you concede now?"

He actually chuckled,Another thing he hadn't done in a long while. "Very well. Seems like you got yourself a new ikebana member"

"So I have" she laughed. "Here. Let me heal your bruises". She then kneeled beside him and slid open his top. Her blush deepened when she saw his muscular and scar body but quickly ignored it to focus on the bruises. "I must say, your skin is incredibly durable. Perhaps one of your hollow aspects?"

Arata shrugged, not entirely sure himself. "Well that was fun to watch" chuckled the captain of squad eleven. "I gotta say, you're gutsy. Going against Captain Unohana? You must either hella brave, or really stupid. Either way, I like your gumption". He walked over to them and continued to snicker at Arata's bruised state.

"I was wondering when you were going to reveal yourself Captain Zaraki" Unohana grinned.

"When did you find out?"

"When you entered the building" she answered.

As soon as Unohana restored Arata body, Kenpachi pulled Arata up and tossed him his wooden sword before grabbing Unohana's. "Come on, Arata. Don't tell me you're out of steam already? Let's have a friendly spar, what do you say?"

"I say bring it"

"That's exactly want I want to hear!" Kenpachi exclaimed before him and Arata rushed each other with reckless abandon.

"Those two..." Unohana delightfully laughed. She sat on the sidelines and simply observed the two behemoths.

Later...

"Damn I'm hungry" Arata idly commented as he and Unohana walked the Seireitei's streets. Arata and Kenpachi sparred but it was like first bout - only less lethal. The two fought for a long time until both were so worn out that Unohana had to stop the spectacle. Kenpachi had to depart soon after as he promised Yachiru they would eat out tonight at a popular bakery in Rukongai.

"I know of a popular bar that is near us. Do you wish to head there?"

Arata nodded and the two went to the bar. Upon entering, they were greeted to the sight of the shaded, pink kimono-wearing captain drinking his third bottle of sake and the long-haired, white-haired captain trying to persuade his fellow captain to slow down.

"Shunsui, please. That's too much too fast!" The white-haired captain pleaded.

"Ah, loosen up Jushiro!" Kyoraku dismissed, laughing.

"Captain Ukitake. Captain Kyoraku. Greetings" Unohana said.

"Senpai! I see you're showing our new deputy around. Arata is it? Come here, come here" Kyoraku beckoned.

Unsure of how to approach, Arata approaches the seemingly drunk captain. "And who might you two be?"

"Oh that's right, you weren't formally introduced to all the captains. In that case, I'm Shunsui Kyoraku, captain of squad eight, and that stick in the mud is Jushiro Ukitake, captain of squad thirteen. Pleased to meet ya"

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Arata" Ukitake smiled, patting the man's shoulder. "I hope things have been well for since your induction into our organization. Haven't been causing too much trouble, have you?".

"More or less"

"Oh ho," Kyoraku laughed. "We better be careful. This one's a trouble maker" he joked. At least, mostly joked. It was no secret his actions left a glaring mark on their impression of him. Some looked at him with disdain, such as Soi Fon, Komamura, and Byakuya. Some with caution, such as Hitsugaya, Kyoraku, and Ukitkae. Others, fascination and/or respect, such as Mayuri, Unohana, Kenpachi, and Yamamoto.

But regardless, Kyoraku and Ukitake wanted to to be friendly with the guy. If Ichigo Kurosaki was willing to vouch for him, he couldn't be that bad.

"How much alcohol are you planning to digest?" Arata questioned as he saw the captain almost finish his third bottle.

"As much as I can until I pass out" Kyoraku smirked. An idea then crossed his mind and he grinned playfully. "Say Arata, how about me and you have a friendly little drinking contest?"

'A third challenge in one day? What luck' he thought.

"As... tempting as the offer is, I'm afraid not. I have no intention of partaking in a silly party game"

"Good on you Arata," Ukitake praised. "Drinking against him would be a losing battle anyway"

"What's this?" the captain grinned. "Seems like someone's chicken"

"If you think your poultry attempts at egging me will work, you are mistaken"

Not one to pass up some good-old fashioned drinking fun, Kyoraku grinned and said, "I'll pay your dinner if you win".

"Nonsense," Arata denied. He then reached into his pocket. "I already have-" but when he searched both his pockets he found no money. This is embarrassing, he thought.

Kyoraku, Unohana, and Ukitake saw the man pause and recognized his problem immediately. "Still up for a challenge, Arata?"

"What's in it for you?" Arata questioned Kyoraku.

His grin widened. "Then you'll have to pay for my tab"

"Shunsui!" Ukitake gasped.

"Arata, it's fine. I don't mind paying-" Unohana tried to persuade but Arata already made up his mind when he realized he was cashless.

"I'm in"

Both Unohana and Ukitake paled. They both knew Kyoraku was an experienced and hardened drinker. Arata was a strong warrior, yes, but drinker? They could only pray. The masked man saw their worried expressions and dismissed them. "It will be fine. What's the worst that can happen anyway?"

Later...

A lot really. A lot happened after Arata and Kyoraku's drinking contest.

Everyone present were bewildered when Arata actually won, against Shunsui Kyoraku no less. Prior to starting, Arata too drank three bottles of sake to be even with Kyoraku. In the end though, it took nine bottles to finally down the captain and Arata was named the victor. Ukitake and Unohana did theorize that Kyoraku went easy against the guy and faked passing out, but that was up in the air until proven otherwise.

Arata and Unohana then ate dinner together, courtesy of the fallen, drunken eighth division captain. To say he was drunk was an understatement; he was utterly shit-faced. He kept wobbling and slurring his speak, which Unohana found quite humorous. But even though he was beyond drunk, he still had enough cognitive function to continue keeping his mask on throughout the night.

Arata leaned on the fourth division captain as she lead him back to squad four. "I'm still in awe you were able to claim victory over Captain Kyoraku in drinking"

"Yeah? Well, that aramusha-looking wannabe wasn't all that" he slurred.

"'Aramusha'?" she muttered, but shrugged it off.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Back to squad four. You will rest there for the night"

He nodded. "You're so strong. You're like five-something feet and yet you're supporting a big guy like me. You're so, so strong. I like that"

She giggled. "You honor me with your praise Arata"

"And you aren't hard on the eyes either" he then said before cupping her right butt-check.

She only laughed at him in response to his groping. Were this any other man, she would have shooed him off and reported him, most likely stripping him of his position. But considering that this was a drunken Arata, she was willing to forgive and even enjoyed his touch. "I wish you were this lively everyday"

"You wanna see lively? Just let me get my zanpakuto and then we can go toe-to-toe". He then paused for a moment. "Whoa. That rhymed"

Unohana continued to giggle at the man's rambling until they returned back to squad four. She lead him to a room neighboring hers and slides opens the door. She leads him inside and sits him on the soft mattress. "I will be in the next room. Should you need anything, just knock on the wall and I will be with you shortly". She then smiled warmly at him. "I had a fun time today, Arata. Let us hope our future interactions will be just as blissful, if not more so". Just as she turned to walk away, she was seized by long muscular arms wrapping around her waist. Arata then pressed the side of his head on her lower back, nearing her ass and causing her to redden again.

"Don't go" he slurred. "I don't-... I don't wanna be alone. Stay with me"

Such... vulnerability in his voice shook her. It was clear he was still drunk and not in control of his actions, but the way he hugged her showed her a deeper part of his soul. A part buried underneath all the death and blood.

If she was her old self, she would have pummeled him for touching her in such a way. She did not though. The greatest thing she learned since she took the mantel of squad four's captain was compassion. That compassion matured her into the person she was today - a motherly figure to every soul reaper, who treats everyone she meets with respect and grace, and a healer with the desire to heal everyone around her, even her enemies.

With that same compassion and understanding, she sympathized with the man currently hugging her like she was the last good thing on earth. She turned in his grasp and ran her hands on his head soothingly, slightly enjoying the texture of his shaved head.

"Very well Arata. Just lay down now and I will join you shortly". He does as he was told, taking off his sandals before laying down. Unohana took off her sandals and captain haori before joining Arata in bed, laying down next to him on his left. She turned to face him and he turned to face her. Neither said a word as both just stared at each other. Because of the alcohol in his system, Arata's eyes fluttered before shutting.

Mutual understanding crackled between them; they both knew the type of person the other was and respected it. But even though she had this proper understanding of Arata, she wanted to know more and invest more time into him. She wanted to see more than the fighter... she wanted to see his soul. And that only amplified when he hugged her.

Unohana soon joined the man in slumber with a smile gleaming with content.

The next day...

Arata awoke with head-pounding headache. As expected of hangovers, they were a nuisance. The sun beaming into his face wasn't helping anything either.

"I see that you are awake" said a voice. Arata turned to the door to see Unohana, in uniform, smiling at him with a glass of water in one hand and pills in the other. "These will help" she said as she gave him the water and pills.

He takes them and nods at her, thanking her. "What happened last night?" he grumbled before the pills.

Relief filled Unohana as she saw he did not remember his actions from last night. No doubt that would have forced an displeased reaction from the man which she did not want. Still, it somewhat ached that he doesn't remember hugging her. "You and Captain Kyoraku engaged in a drinking match. You became intoxicated and I led you back here to rest"

"Really? My thanks then". He drank his water and looked at the sun outside the window. "What time is it?" he grumbled.

"It's almost 12:00 pm. You drank so much I let you to sleep in"

He immediately stops and looks her. He then downs the rest of the drink before hastily tying his sandals up. "Damn it. I'm late for work"

"O-Oh my. I'm deeply sorry Arata. Had I realized-"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it" and he rushed out the room running.

Coming out the room, Unohana yells at him, "I will send a hell butterfly a day before Ikebana classes start. Be sure to attend!"

"Got it!" he yelled back.

She then heads for her office but not before giving Arata's direction one last smile. "What an interesting man"

Later...

Arata ran out the senkaimon and turned back into a human. What luck, he thought. No wonder he stopped drinking. Annoyance always happen after he drinks.

As he ran to Karakura high, he passed by a blonde man and a preteen-looking girl with pigtails leaning on a wall. Because of his haste, he took no thought of the them as he rushed to his job, cursing himself constantly for taking part in Kyoraku's game.

"That's him?" The girl scoffed. "He doesn't look so tough".

"Regardless, I think we'll need to speak to him sooner rather than later" the man replied.

"What makes you even think he's gonna join us?"

"I'm sure we'll come up with some sort of deal" the man then shrugged. Before he knew it, he was kicked in the face by the girl.

Irked, she exclaimed, "You don't even have a plan?! I thought you were smarter than that baldy!"

Sitting himself from the ground, the man clutched his now bleeding nose as he glared angrily at the girl. "What wrong with you Hiyori?!"