A/N I thank anyone for reading. :D Much appreciated.

Momochan77

ShiftFrame

DeathKnight KiraKira

EbonySapphire

amgs

Rasne

RSMN

Dominus Maris

Storm of Spirits

Keiren-Kun89

Guest

For a second I thought Shinji's given name was Hirako. XD

Y'know, what I realized four chapters in? This is set in the Summer, and heading straight into Fall. Right after they fought Aizen. Which means a year has almost went by already. O_O I originally set this a couple months after Ichigo lost his powers. XD

Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.

Warning – Swearing.

-:-

Tamura didn't bother to hide the surprise on her face, staring at Hisoka as he bowed in front of her. She had jumped when Musashi had told her someone was asking for her and had gone to the front of the division. Now here he was bowing in front of her and asking for forgiveness with two friends standing behind him. Makoto was smirking, arms crossed over his chest and gazing at the woman with a strange look in his eyes. There was another man next to him... staring at her with a blank look. Okay, then...

"I'm very sorry... for what happened yesterday." Hisoka would have fell to his knees to give her a proper bow but Gorou had said that was going too far while Makoto encouraged it.

"Uh... it's okay..." Tamura frowned to herself uncomfortably. What was the protocol for this? Shake hands and smile?

"If..." Hisoka blushed lightly and gulped before smiling sheepishly. "If you would give me another chance...? I'll do it correctly this time I'll take you to a restaurant!" He bowed down again, this time falling to his knees and lowering his head to the ground. "Please!"

Tamura furrowed her brows, a frown still adorning her face. Whoa... Marasu said to pick someone to try and love... but she needed someone that was indifferent to this stuff so they wouldn't end up loving her. And Hisoka was nice, don't get her wrong, but... she didn't want a relationship. She was happy on her own. She didn't need anyone. Her answer seemed clear when Hisoka raised his head and gave a small frown.

"I... understand," He rose to his feet and rubbed the back of his head. "I made you feel uncomfortable on our date and—"

"N-No, that's not it!" Tamura waved her hands and grinned nervously. "I'm just not ready for a... romantic relationship right now!" She returned the bow, making the three before her jump lightly from the sudden action. "I'm very sorry!"

Hisoka sighed lightly as he furrowed his eyebrows. Well, he didn't see this coming. Maybe he should have... with the way she had acted during their date. He might have to speak with Kaede. Directing his gaze at the bowing woman he couldn't help but feel a little disheartened. Sure, she had been quiet during their time together, but... she was nice to talk to. Plus, she was cute. Always a bonus in his book. But, he couldn't force her into a relationship. Sad, but true.

Tamura stared at the ground, her heart beating rapidly. Please, don't be mad with her...

The hand held in front of her face disrupted her thoughts, causing her to blink and look upwards. Hisoka was smiling at her, holding his hand out towards her. Hesitating, she furrowed her brows in confusion and grabbed the hand. They shook hands, with the woman awkwardly staring at their joined hands. Was this... Was he trying to say he wanted a relationship? Was that what this meant?

"I understand," Hisoka smiled, if somewhat sadly, and soon gave a grin. "I wouldn't mind being friends, if that's all right with you?"

Tamura blinked in surprise before she smiled. "Okay."

Makoto frowned and snorted lightly. That's sad. He was hoping for something more exciting. Like... she suddenly beats him up for a shitty date, stuff like that. Though, considering her reiatsu level, that wouldn't really do much. Pursing his lips he gave a small hum. Yeah, next to seated officers her reiatsu didn't really stand out. He watched as Hisoka talked with the woman before he turned his head to stare down at Gorou, soon giving a toothy grin when the shorter man sensed his stare. All his friend did was send him a flat stare before he turned and started walking away.

Kaede and Musashi watched from a window, watching as Hisoka bowed down towards their friend once again. Tamura jumped before she hastily returned the gesture, waving when the man walked away with his friends. The brunette frowned and turned to scowl in the distance at yet another failed relationship... sorta. Musashi on the other hand gave a huge sigh of relief. Good, she wasn't going to date someone from the fearsome eleventh.

Now, if it was someone from the twelfth on the other hand...

Nope, still scary.

They both hid when she walked back inside, holding onto the broom with a blank look on her face. Ah, there she goes. Their adorable, serious-looking yet innocent friend. Who was bound to live a lonely life without a significant other. Not that she was looking. Romantic stuff just didn't seem to interest her. She was curious about romantic relations, sure, but she didn't want to participate in them. It was kind of weird, but that was their little friend.

Musashi turned his head, blinking when Kaede smirked and snuck up towards their suspecting friend. With a loud "HI!" she jumped on her back, causing Tamura to scream in surprise and fall down due to their combined weight. Sighing lightly, Musashi gave a smile before he turned and walked away.

He'd rather be gone than watch them fight.

Well, not fight, more like... flailing around, sorta.

"Sick." Kenpachi didn't bother to hide the dangerous glint in his eyes, staring down at the nurse with a sneer.

"Y-Yes, sir," She gave a hesitant nod and examined the fukutaicho. "It seems she's had the flu for a couple days. Have you noticed anything off about her?"

He didn't listen. He was too busy glaring down at the pouting fukutaicho, who refused to make eye contact with him. She was sick? Was that why she stayed a couple feet from him? What the hell did she do two days ago? She had... She had been out with the Shinigami Women's Association. And if he remembered—from Yachiru's babbling—they had been outside for a midnight picnic, for some fucking reason.

Narrowing his eyes he barely acknowledged the nurse when she said she was going to go get medicine and left. All he did was stare at Yachiru in silence with a disapproving air surrounding him. And if her squirming meant anything it was that she was nervous. She knew she was in trouble. At one point she looked up and tried to smile at him, only to falter when he didn't lose his stance. The only reason he let her hang out with those women after the sun went down was because he trusted Kyoraku's fukutaicho to chaperone her and make sure shit like this didn't happen. He still remembered that time he tried letting Ikkaku watch her while he was taking a nap.

Only to walk into the mess hall to see her drinking fuckin' sake.

Ikkaku was sore for a week after that, while also nursing a broken arm.

Letting out a groan and rubbing his eyes he soon scowled at the door. What the hell should he do? He knew he had to punish her, but she was also sick. Taking care of that was a priority. Talking with her seemed good, but what should he say? Bad girl? He huffed lightly, turning his head when the nurse came back. Waiting while she did whatever she did, he looked around the room and ignored the woman when she murmured soothingly to the pouting fukutaicho.

After she was done and he was told what to do with her—looks like someone was going to be spending time in bed until she was better—he was walking out of the building with Yachiru now in the crook of his arm. Her arms were crossed as she continued to pout. Like hell he was going to let her hang off his shoulder when she's sick. She might fall off or something during one of her coughing fits.

When he heard giggling his eyes turned to the side to see a group of girls smiling at him while whispering that it was so cute that he was carrying his fukutaicho. Rolling his eyes, he huffed and walked out of the division. Whatever. It wasn't different than her riding his shoulder. Women. Giggling at whatever caught their attention.

It took a while to get to his division, especially with Yachiru pointing which way to go, but he finally made it. Ignoring everyone that bowed when he passed he walked into his home with the little, pinked haired girl in his arms still pouting. She kept refusing that she was sick, that she was all right, that she could go out and play. Which didn't work, since she kept sneezing and coughing her lungs out. When she tried protesting again he reached up with his free hand and flicked her forehead. She yelped and grabbed her head, sending him a light glare.

"Shuddap, squirt." He rumbled, seeing the pink-haired girl purse her lips and look at her lap.

He sent her to bed, made sure she dressed herself in her sleeping kimono, and stayed to make sure she laid in bed. Which was going to be hard to do. Yachiru was older than any normal human, but since they aged slowly she still had the mindset of a five or six year old. Which meant she was active, more active than any human her age. So, in short, it was going to be a miracle if he kept her in bed.

He left the room and came back with a wet cloth, soon scowling and sending his fukutaicho a disapproving stare when he saw her trying to leave through her window. Yachiru sent him a sheepish grin, soon pouting and glaring at everything when he pointed at the bed. When she laid down she didn't react when he placed the wet cloth on her head, staring at him every now and then to make sure he left. Nope. Like hell that was happening.

So, to make sure she stayed where she was, he took off his haori and laid down next to her. Her futon was big, anyway, so it was comfortable.

Yachiru looked surprised before she crossed her arms and pouted some more, only to start coughing.

Kenpachi reached over and patted her side while she convulsed lightly before she calmed down. He smirked and tugged her close to his side, trapping her and making her pout appear once again. She tried pushing him again, but that only made him tighten his hold. Puffing out her cheeks, Yachiru looked away and glared at the ceiling. Ah, she can be grouchy all she wants, he's not letting her leave until she was one hundred percent better.

He stayed.

Besides, it was almost time for his afternoon nap. Kenpachi kept his eyes open, though, making sure Yachiru fell asleep before he followed. He didn't want her sneaking out. Blinking slowly, he watched as his little fukutaicho stared at the ceiling with drowsy eyes, yawning every few minutes, before her eyes slid shut and her breathing evened out. He stayed awake for ten minutes to make sure she really was asleep. He remembered one time she had pretended to be asleep for twenty whole minutes before he left and she ran out of the house.

Satisfied that she was sleeping he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes, asleep in just a few seconds.

The Next Day

Tamura blinked, staring at the map with a flat look on her face. Just a couple more hours and they'd be back in the Seireitei to do whatever.

She didn't have any talent. She'd love to have a talent in cooking, but all the recipes just made her head hurt. There were just so many to make that she got recipes mixed up and ruined whatever food she had intended to cook. She couldn't dance, but she love to hum. But get her singing and you'd wish she'd shut up. She was horrible, and she knew it. But she loved singing. It wasn't because she wanted to be a... pro or anything, it just calmed her down. And throughout all these amazing things people could do, there was one that made her valuable on the field whenever they had to deal with something in the Rukongai. Be it bandits or hollows.

She could track and navigate.

Tamura had noticed right after she arrived in the Soul Society. When she had been starving she saw tracks on the ground. It seemed fresh enough so she followed and managed to nab a rabbit. Score. But... she didn't know how to cook it. Which sucked a whole lot at the time. She'd look up at the sky and she'd be able to tell what time it was. The academy noticed when they went on field assignments(always supervised, of course) and they would always have her navigate, and ignored her panicked rejection. So, yeah, they sucked.

And right at this moment she was on a mission with Masaru and a team he was leading, from both the seventh and the eighth division.

She had just wanted to go clean and be done with the day, not go on a mission. She hated missions. They sucked. And since she was weak she was often left behind. Which was a plus in her book. But sometimes her friends requested her(like Masaru was doing now) to go on missions with them. Sometimes they were denied and sometimes they were granted.

Which sucked.

More.

Slowly, Tamura looked up with a flat look on her face, watching as Masaru stared down at the bandits that had been terrorizing the village. It was almost laughable how arrogant they were when they arrived, talking down to the fourth seat like he was the dirt under their shoes. All Masaru had done was give them a stare before he used kido to take down five of them in one go. That had the bandits scrambling. Some even had enough reiatsu for kido, but since they didn't go to the academy to harness their power all they could do was gather power in the palm of their hand and try to hit shinigami.

She didn't even know why Masaru asked for her, it was only an hour away from the Seireitei. Anyone could have led them here.

Masaru stared down at the bandits with a cold look in his eyes before he smirked nastily. "Now, you gentlemen," A woman glared at him. "and ladies, have a choice. You can come with us so we can lock up you dangerous people," The sarcasm wasn't lost on anyone, and people sent him either exasperated stares(those who knew him) or glared at him(the bandits). "or you can choose to let me end your existence here." He clapped his hands together and chuckled. "...You have two minutes to decide. Though I personally recommend option two."

One of the bandits jumped up and ran towards him, face screwed up in anger, and tried to punch the shinigami. Masaru easily dodged the punch and kicked the man in the gut and elbowed the back of the man's head. He was unconscious when he hit the ground. Everything was silent as the bandits stared with wide eyes and gawked, glancing at each other uneasily. Some people from the seventh division sent the older man shocked stares. Masaru stared at the man with an unreadable expression until he looked up and gave a pleasant smile.

"...One minute."

In no time at all they were on their way back to the Seireitei, all the bandits following with sneers and grumbles.

Tamura trailed behind Masaru with a flat look on her face, glancing at the man in silence. This is why some people didn't like him. He taunted the enemies or treated them sadistically. She had heard one time he had used someone's own dagger to dig into a wound. He had twisted the danger until the man was screaming bloody murder and begging him to stop. An uneasy frown crossed Tamura's face. Eeeeggh...

"...So that was... normal?" Tamura asked, seeing the older man turn to look back.

"Hm?"

"Just... asking questions like that to your opponents?" Tamura squinted, jogging a little because the tall idiot didn't care that he was walking too fast for her to keep up.

Masaru blinked. "I wouldn't call them opponents. More like... idiots that thought they could take on shinigami." He grinned widely past her, which made her turn and blink when she saw some of the bandits sneering nastily at the man. Well, he didn't care if anyone heard him. "Just ask anyone in the eighth division. You'll hear all kinds of stories of Kyoraku Taicho asking me to be nicer to bandits." He rolled his eyes and sneered. "Idiot."

Some of the subordinates of the eighth division sent him disapproving stares, only looking away when he looked at them.

Tamura sighed and shook her head lightly, having to jog again to keep up. If only he would slow down...! A scowl crossed her face when he refused to do such a thing.

She jumped and almost screamed when someone touched her shoulder, almost falling limp before she turned around and raised her eyebrows when it was someone from the same division. He stared at her curiously with his friend.

"You know that psycho, Shuya?" He motioned towards the fourth seat with an uneasy look.

Tamura blinked before she squinted. Two beats passed before she frowned. Nope, she didn't know who he was. "Uh, yeah. He's my friend."

They sent her shocked stares before they looked up. Only to pale and widen their eyes. Though he didn't bother looking at her, Masaru did know that Tamura was following by keeping track of her reiatsu. So when she stopped, so did he. He was currently glaring at the two young shinigami, face dark and face unreadable. They hesitated before they bowed their heads and moved back. Tamura frowned in confusion before she shrugged and turned around to following Masaru, who had started walking as soon as he saw her turn.

"So, my dear, have you decided if you want to fall in love?" Masaru decided to speak to her, holy crap. Can she get a picture to forever to remember this momen—wait, what?

Tamura was silent before she narrowed her eyes and sent him a suspicious stare. "If you're volunteering, then—"

Masaru turned and sent her a stern look, one that made her lower her head and scowl. Damn him for being older and her for listening to whatever older people told her to do. It was like they had magic or something, she did whatever they wanted. Evil bastards.

"Uh... I dunno?" Shrugging lightly, she decided to keep to herself that she was looking for someone to test this on. Love them for practice, just to see how it was. Then it'd finally be over and done with. Then she could concentrate on trying to use a skateboard. "How long do you think it takes to fall in love? Two days?" She wanted this done quickly. She'd look so cool riding around on a skateboard.

Masaru stopped and turned around, giving a look that asked if she was stupid. Tamura almost walked into him, veering to the left and waving her arms wildly before she fell and hit the ground.

"Dammit!"

Masaru rolled his eyes before he grabbed her arm and hauled her up, practically dragging her with him when he noticed that everyone had stopped(since he was leading) and stared at them in confusion. Tamura complained when that his grip was too tight and that he was walking too fast. As soon as he made sure they were far enough that people couldn't hear him he released her and matched his pace to hers. Tamura grabbed the spot that he had held, rubbing it and sending him a glare.

"Do you honestly think it takes only two days to fall in love with someone?" She had to be kidding. There was no way she was serious. But she was. Masaru watched in horror when she looked to the side and shrugged before nodding. "This is not something like taking a walk through a park."

Tamura stared up at him with large, confused eyes. "...Huh?"

He sighed and rubbed his face. "Go ahead, then." She would learn. "Go out and fall in love with someone. See how long it takes."

She frowned and furrowed her brows. "But I dunno what it's like to love someone. And what do you mean 'see how long it takes'? How long does it usually take? A week? A week and a half?"

He ignored her, making her frown when he glared ahead and huffed. Let someone else explain to the fool that it wasn't as easy as that. Foolish girl.

"Masaru! What does that mean...?!" Oh, wonderful. Now she was whining.

He ignored her the rest of the way back to the city, even when she whined his name loudly and tugged on his sleeve.

He ditched her when they came back, and didn't bother to explain to her what he had meant. Had said something about reporting to his superior, but as far as she knew he hated his boss. Well, not hate. More like... tolerated anyone he found extremely annoying. Which was practically everyone except for his wife. So yeah, he may not like Kyoraku Taicho, but because he was his superior, Masaru had to do whatever he said. Sucks to be him.

Seriously, though, he didn't need to be mean to her. She'll complain to Kaede as soon as she tries to... figure out whatever this was.

"I don't see why you can't just tell him you like him."

Tamura was at the sixth division, having walked there instead of her division. It's not like anyone would notice she didn't report to the Taicho. Right now she was staring down Kaede with a confused frown. The brunette was laying on the floor, covering her face with her hands and an air of depression hanging above her. Slowly she removed her hands and sent her a scowl, a look that didn't change Tamura's expression.

"He's the fifth seat." That was Kaede's only explanation.

The dark haired woman's eyes flicked to the side before she looked back. "So?"

"So... he wouldn't accept my love proposal!" Kaede covered her face with her arm and roll over with a scowl. "He broke up with his girlfriend and he hasn't even glanced my way!"

"How do you know?" Tamura continued to frown in confusion. "You haven't even talked to him right?" She paused and pulled a face. "How did you fall in love with him if you didn't even talk to him?"

"Whoa," Kaede pushed herself up and held her hands up with a grimace. "I'm not in love with him, that was just wordplay," Her friend made a face of confusion. "I like him enough to consider telling him how I feel, but not enough to fall right to his feet and declare undying love."

Oh... Well, damn. She thought she had found someone else to ask questions. "Then what are you going to do? He might find another girlfriend while you're here," She pointedly looked at her sitting on the floor. "...doing nothing."

Kaede scowled. "It's not easy."

Tamura pulled a face before she sat down beside her friend. "How so?" All she had to do was walk up to him and tell him she likes him. What's so hard about that?

Her friend rubbed her face with both hands before she ran them through her hair and sent her a look. "I keep forgetting you don't know stuff like this," Tamura stared at her blankly and raised her eyebrows slightly. "It's like..." She raised her arms and shrugged. "...like you!" Kaede saw her friend frown. "Like talking to someone you never met before. You want to, but you can't."

Tamura rubbed her chin and pursed her lips. Now that she described it like that, sure, she could get it. Maybe. Still confusing as heck, though. It was simple to her.

"...What d'ya mean you can't?"

"I just can't!" Kaede fell back and spread her arms with a pout. "He's too awesome for me."

"...How?"

"He's a fifth seat."

Tamura was silent, waiting for more. "...And...?"

"I'm not going to have to lecture you again, am I?" Kaede was satisfied when Tamura paled and shook her head. She soon let out a sigh and hung her head. "It's just... When I heard and walked up to him to tell him hello he just walked past me without a second glance." She rubbed the back of her neck and scowled. "Am I not pretty enough?"

Tamura frowned. "What do your looks have to do with it?"

Kaede sent her a shocked look. "Today's society has everything to do with looks!" She motioned towards the both of them. "I'd say we're pretty enough, but beautiful like Matsumoto fukutaicho? Man, I wish!" She waved her arms wildly, almost smacking her friend in the face. "If you're not beautiful enough you get tossed aside like a ragdoll! I need to be beautiful and have a smooth sailing life." She waved her arm slowly through the air, as if gesturing the 'smooth sailing life'.

Tamura's frown deepened. "But you are beautiful," She received a curious stare from the brunette before the shorter friend motioned towards her. "I bet some other men would be interested in you instead of that Miyamoto guy." She paused and looked up before she grinned. "You ever heard of the expression, 'plenty of fish in the sea'?" Her friend gave a nod. "Then go eat fish and you'll be better."

Kaede was about to nod before she pulled a face. "That's not how the saying..." She trailed off, seeing her friend grinning at her. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair before she grinned. "All right, let's go eat."

Tamura perked up and stood up, already walking down the hallway. Kaede walked out of the room and jogged after her with a shake of her head, that grin still on her face. Ah, she'll forget about her guy problems for a moment. All she wanted to do was hug Tamura, which she did. Tamura struggled, flailing wildly while Kaede held on.

"Awww, whoever does manage to win your heart will be so lucky~!" Kaede grinned, tightening her hold.

All Tamura did was scowl and pull a face while she held onto the arms wrapped around her neck. Yeah, no thanks.

Grumble.

Bitch.

Muttering angrily under breath.

This is what the notorious Zaraki Kenpachi did as he walked towards where he thought the first division was. Fucking meetings. He hated them. Hated them with a passion. All they did nowadays was talk about crap and plan in case some shit happened. That friggin' Kurotsuchi thought of plans, back-up plans, and all that shit. Hell, he even took in account of what happened should he suddenly decide he was tired of this and decided to go rogue. He rolled his eyes and sighed, walking around the corner and scowling when he saw another. Fucking. Dead. End. Huffing irritably under his breath he turned and continued on. If Yachiru was here he'd have a higher chance of finding the damn place.

But since she was sick, that was a no.

Like hell he was going to let her go out while she was sick. It made it easier on the troops since they could relax. She had a tendency to jump on people and pull hair or run after them until they were gasping and panting from how hard they were running from her. One even had to be admitted into the fourth division... He had asthma.

When he walked around the corner, he rolled his eyes and sighed in relief when he finally found the damn building. They should make a friggin' map of this damn city. He's been here for a while and he still hasn't learned the damn streets. People bowed as he walked past, though he ignored them in favor of reaching the building to get this meeting over and done with. He had other things in mind. Like napping. And making sure Yachiru didn't run off. He wouldn't be surprised if she did, but hopefully she'd still he asleep by the time he got back.

When he walked into the 'waiting room', where the Taichos stayed until called in by the Soutaicho, he slowed to a stop and scowled when he saw Hirako Shinji grinning at him. The reason he was probably fucking grinning was that he was the last one there... again. He ignored that stupid shit-eating grin as he walked past, turning his head when Kyoraku walked towards him with a warm smile.

"Hello, Zaraki-san~!" He greeted happily, receiving a grunt from the tall man. "How is the day for you so far?" He gave a kind smile before he raised his eyebrows and leaned forward. "I heard Yachiru-chan was sick."

Kenpachi snorted and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, she is."

"Aw, poor thing," Kyoraku cooed, furrowing his eyebrows and pursing his lips. Kenpachi gave him a flat stare for the look and rolled his eyes, which just made the brunet pout. "Well, I can come on by later and drop off some snacks for her." He gave a wide smile.

"Eh," Kenpachi made a face and waved his hand. "Ya might wanna wait 'til she's better. I don't want her eating sweets 'til she's back to a hundred percent."

"Well, well, well~!" Shinji chose that moment to interrupt their talk, swaggering on over with a shit-eating grin. "Who knew that "Ken-chan" was such a tough parent?" He started snickering, ignoring the deadly glare he received from the taller man. "What's next? No going outside at all 'til she can talk without coughin'?"

Kenpachi stayed silent and continued to glare, which made Hirako raise his eyebrows and start snickering.

"Hehehe," He held up his hands to show he meant no offence when the tall, deadly man took a step towards him and sent Kyoraku a grateful nod when he held a hand up in front of Kenpachi. "I wouldn't have found out so much 'bout ya guys if I just stayed in the World of the Living." His grin didn't diminish at all.

Which just made Kenpachi want to deck him.

Before he could try and bribe Kyoraku and get a hit in the door opened, which made him roll his eyes and send the blond a sneer. Turning and walking into the room he took his place across from Hitsugaya and Kurotsuchi. He looked around the room lazily, hearing the old man greet them and start the meeting. He turned his head, pausing when he saw Shinji still. Fucking. Grinning at him! His face twisted into a sneer, one that made Shinji raise his eyebrows and look somewhere else. Who thought it was a good idea to get these friggin' bastards back in the Soul Society? Stupid shits.

He wouldn't say he hated them, no, more like he tolerated them. The new guy of the third division(Otoribachi Rojuro)—the division Ichimaru had run—was an okay guy. As long as he wasn't anything like Hirako. He didn't know these bastards other than that Aizen had used them in an experiment. And if he was honest, he didn't care. All he cared about was whether they were strong or... hell, loyal to the Soul Society.

But fuck Hirako, the little shit.

He can take that grin and shove it up his own arse.

He was brought back into the meeting when Kensei nudged him, which made him give him a glare. He didn't trust these bastards, they were going to have to earn that. Hell, he'd rather Ukitake elbow him than this son of a bitch. He knew who Ukitake was, after all. Rolling his eyes with a scoff, after having seen Kensei give him an unimpressed stare, he listened to old man Yamamoto drawl on.

"There is a situation in the Rukongai. In the South districts," Yamamoto ignored Hirako when he rolled his eyes and snorted(he was going to have to have a talk with him about these rude manners). "A hollow, and from what the villagers are saying they say it could be a Vasto Lorde."

Kenpachi turned his head at that, widening his eyes and giving a dark grin. Everyone who knew him didn't even glance at him, already knowing that he'd volunteer for something like this. And since Kensei, Rose, and Shinji didn't know him they shifted uneasily at the bloodthirsty grin on his face.

"Souls from the Rukongai wouldn't be able to judge such a thing." Hitsugaya said, eyes narrowed and back straight.

"They said it was strong, who cares?" Kenpachi sent the short Taicho a scowl, which was returned.

"For all we know it could be a mere Menos Grande," Kyoraku tilted his hat up and blinked lazily. "But it would be best to send someone of fukutaicho class, no?"

"Given the information we have it would be best if we send one of you," Yamamoto said, receiving surprised stares from the group of strongest souls in the Seireitei. "Is there anyone that would like to volunteer?" He wouldn't say it, but he gave the Taicho from the eleventh division a side-stare.

And sure enough, Kenpachi gained a wide grin and stepped forward. "I'll kill it."

"Your fukutaicho is sick, is she not?" Unohana spoke out politely, receiving a glare from her protege. "How will you find your way?" Not that they might even with her help.

...Fuck.

That actually stumped him.

He frowned and gave a small shrug. "I can find it myself."

He didn't mean to, really. Honest. But Kyoraku started chuckling as soon as the words left his mouth, reaching up to cover the grin on his face. Too bad he wasn't fast enough to shut himself up. Kenpachi sent him a glower when he heard the laughter, growling under his breath when Kyoraku sent him an apologetic smile. He should be fucking glad that he sees him as a drinking friend.

"Very well," The Soutaicho received wide-eyed stares, some gawking openly at the man. Was he really going to let him go by himself. "As soon as you find a navigator, then I will give you the mission."

Kenpachi blinked before he scowled. "I can find my own way."

"I will give this mission to someone else, unless you find a navigator by tomorrow," And if that tone wasn't fucking authoritative enough, old man Yama opened his eyes just the slightest and sent the man a stern glare. Kenpachi almost backed down. "Do I make myself clear?"

Fucking... old man... "Yeah. I hear ya." He stepped back and glared ahead, growling under his breath.

He should have felt glad he was starting to make Kensei uncertain, if those glances thrown his way meant anything. But all he felt right now was pissed off. Stupid old man. Does no one trust his sense of direction to find that hollow? He snorted lightly under his breath. Yeah, right. They'd rather follow Aizen before they trust him to lead the way. It was always like this. Even when they teamed up against some enemies he usually followed someone because he trusted that they knew which way to go.

When the meeting was adjourned he walked out before anyone else, too pissed off to even try and be respectful towards the old bastard. And the old man knew it, since he could feel someone watching him walk out of the meeting room. Some of the fukutaicho were waiting, bowing respectively as he walked past. He had almost expected to see Yachiru—and she better still be sleeping. When he walked out of the first division, he almost walked into someone. They veered off to the right, yelping when they fell to the ground.

He huffed when he saw who it was.

Komamura's little woman.

He didn't even bother helping her up when she glared up at him, walking past and huffing angrily.

"Hey, watch it, dude!" Kaede spoke up without even looking at the Taicho, turning to glare and paling. She turned and stared at her friend with horror in her eyes. "You almost walked into Zaraki Taicho...!"

Tamura stared past her, eyes wide. "At least he's not glaring at me now."

Kaede furrowed her brows in confusion, turning her head and tensing when she saw Zaraki Taicho glaring at her darkly not even three meters away. A nervous grin crossed her face, laughing nervously and picking her friend up. She stuttered when she saw the sheer anger swirling around the man. Literally. He must have been pissed to be leaking out reiatsu.

"I don't need to listen ta two useless women." Kenpachi didn't even bother with caring when he saw the indignant stares thrown his way.

"I'm not useless!" Kaede was hopping mad now! Useless?! She'll show him useless! "I help in the field when I'm sent out, buddy!" She shook a fist and almost quailed when she was under his stare again.

"I'm not useless, either!" Tamura nearly snarled, shoulders shaking in anger and not noticing Komamura approaching from behind. "I'm a navigator when I'm out on missions, you... you... asshole!" She finally yelled, eyes wide with rage and teeth gnashed together. "I'm more useful than you, you... idiot with no sense of direction!" It was such a stupid insult, but it was true when it came to direction.

Their anger only grew when Zaraki Taicho snorted and gave them an unimpressed glare and moved on. Kaede gave an angry shout, stomping her foot and cursing that man every word she knew and turned around to start a tantrum and froze when she saw Komamura Taicho standing behind Tamura. She only paled further when she saw Kuchiki Taicho walking towards her and sending her a disapproving stare. She bowed and stared wide-eyed at the ground, receiving a confused look from Tamura. Finally, the raven haired woman turned and blinked, jumping violently when she saw her Taicho.

"Komamura Taicho!" She bowed, as well. Holy crap. She yelled at another Taicho in front of hers. Eeeghhh...

When she straightened up she blinked when a large hand was placed on her head, pausing before she peeked around his hand to see Komamura sending her a warm stare. Kaede stared at them, waiting to say goodbye and accompany Kuchiki Taicho back to the division.

"It is fine, Shuya-san," He removed his hand, receiving curious stares from his fellow Taicho and ignoring them. "That man has angered many people while he has resided in this city. Do not take offence to any thing he has to say."

Tamura snorted under her breath.

She didn't doubt that.

"Now, come," Komamura gave her a nod and started walking, waiting for his subordinate. "I believe a cup of tea will help calm you."

Tamura stared after him and gave a wide smile, waving to Kaede as she ran to keep up with her Taicho. Ahh, she wanted to hug him! Her arms twitched, wanting nothing more than to wrap her arms around the fluffy Taicho. Or even his arm. She grinned happily as she trailed behind the tall Taicho.

Humph.

Why couldn't Yachiru wait to get sick another week? Why this week? Kenpachi huffed under his breath and turned away from the dead end. They could be having fun right now! They could be heading into the Rukongai and finding that supposed Vasto Lorde. He didn't trust anything someone from the Rukongai said. How would they even know how strong a Vasto Lorde is? They've never met one. But that didn't mean this wouldn't blow off steam, which is exactly what he needed. So, he'd travel into the Rukongai, after making sure Yumichika and Ikkaku—mostly Yumichika—would watch after Yachiru. He didn't want her getting worse, after all.

He just needed to find someone to lead the way. They knew which district most of the complaints came from, so they only needed to go there and then he'd have his fight. And maybe relax by finding some small fry on the way. Though he'd much rather have his little navigator. His other navigator, besides Yachiru, was in the fourth division. It wasn't his fault that he was too slow to get out of the way when he went running into the courtyard.

Though it was funny when he went flying and went right into the building.

Navigator...

A Navigator...

Who the hell could lead him out there...?

He stopped in the middle of the street, staring right ahead and giving a blink. He turned around to stare in the direction of the first division, where Komamura's chick had been standing and yelling at him. She popped into his head, and what she had been yelling...

A navigator.

He turned, eyes narrowed and face screwed into a scowl as he tried to find the seventh division.

Hell, he wasn't going to let this opportunity to have some fun pass him by.

Just so everyone knows, yes, this was my plan. To send them into the Rukongai. But I was going to drag it out for a few more chapters and I couldn't. I'm going to be truthful, it might take a long time for the next chapter to come out. Which also includes my other stories. :( I can't find the drive to write the next chapters to anything! D: The only way I was able to finish this is that I slowly wrote the chapter down!

I even forgot some things. O_O Like Rukongai, districts, trying to write reiatsu. XD

I'm so sorry, guys. QAQ

October 29, 2015