This is rated M for Mature
There will be violence, sexual matter and coarse language
Chapter 3
The Past and Peeping Toms
The next night found the girls meeting in front of the Seireitei's open bath house. Each one eager to explain how their first official day went, yet they were being careful not to mention the violent red handprint on Tama's face.
Once inside they requested a private bath and proceed to the change room. One nice thing about the bath house was that the springs were broken into sections. Once you get a private room it doesn't matter who goes in whether it's all girls, boys or both.
"Ok, I can't wait any longer! What the hell happened to your face Tama-chan?" Tien asked as they all began undressing. All the girls looked at the woman in question, waiting for her answer.
"In short form, Zaraki's psycho girlfriend!" Tama declared, throwing her uniform to the floor harshly. She still couldn't believe that bitch had the gall to slap her! She was so lucky she was her captain's wench or else she'd be dead.
"Wait, Captain Zaraki has a girlfriend?" Tosai asked slightly confused. It was news to her and she was friends with Zetsu-mei, the biggest gossiper in the entire Seireitei.
"Apparently, he didn't say anything to deny her claim. Still the bitch didn't have to slap me just because I'm a fucking woman." Tama mumbled, not really wanting to have this conversation.
"Weird, I always thought he was too tough and manly for a relationship. Guess I was wrong." Tien stated either not noticing her friend's mood or choosing to ignore it. Mio however spoke up to save her sister figure.
"I was made lieutenant of the sixth division. Today was my first official day." Hatori said calmly, stepping into the hot water. She wasn't prepared however to be tackled from behind in a hug. Both girls fell into the bath causing the others to laugh. Quickly Mio and Tsubasa broke the surface coughing.
"Sorry Mio. I was just so happy for you that I kinda lost control." The busty blonde explained with an embarrassed smile. Mio simply smiled in understanding. Ritsu was always doing things like that, so she figured that at some point she had just grown used to it.
"That's amazing Mio, congratulations on your promotion!" Mitsukuni chirped while settling against the warm rocks. Soon the others joined in and started conversing about what had transpired the last two days.
Tama however sat cross-legged on the heated floor while washing her long tresses. Honestly after fighting for the last two days without a bath she felt disgusting. She would have bathed at the division if she trusted any of the men, but she didn't. So she was determined to get squeaky clean at the bath house until she could figure out what to do about the guys.
"Ha ha! Your lieutenant always hugs you! Oh that's too funny! Hey Kayo, is it true that the captain of the tenth division is a pipsqueak?" Tien asked with a small laugh. The others smiled at her antics, well except for Tama who was mumbling to herself and washing her hair.
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None of the girls were aware that their captains were all in the surrounding baths and could hear every word they said. Renji and Ichigo were in the bath right behind them, with Komamura and Iba on their left and Kyoraku with Ukitake on their right. On the girls left was Byakuya with Hitsugaya and on their right was Kenpachi, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Aramaki.
Byakuya and Toshiro were relaxing with the only other person who wouldn't tell a soul. They had been bath buddies for almost six years now. They enjoyed the silence and not having the need to hold a conversation.
Sajin was with Iba listening to him go on about his girlfriend. The wolf-like man was happy for his lieutenant and the small female lieutenant from the eighth division. They seemed truly happy together. However all conversation and relaxation stopped when they all heard the question.
Toshiro was shocked beyond belief when he heard Kayo's name and the question she had been asked. What would she say? Should he let them know he was right beside them? He didn't know what to do!
"Just listen to what is said first and then decide after if you wish to be acknowledged." Byakuya said calmly. He had thought he had heard Hatori's first name so he figured she was there as well. The very thought almost made him blush.
"Tien that's horrible! He is a captain! You should speak of him with respect! Besides that Captain Hitsugaya is a kid genius, a prodigy, so that means he is young and that means he is still growing! So don't call him a pipsqueak!" Kayo raged, getting ready to beat her friend if she insulted her captain again.
"So would that make him a brief case bomb?" The older twin jabbed shamelessly at the small woman only to get kicked in the face by a pissed off Kayo.
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Toshiro was speechless. Just what kind of friends did Akira hang out with? Hell even the stotic Kuchiki looked shocked at the perverse comment. Both not really able to say or do anything but blink.
Kyoraku couldn't stop shaking from his muffled laughter at his assistant's question. He truly couldn't help it, it was just so Tien! Ukitake laughed despite himself. Oh if only Toshiro could hear this conversation! It was too much. Still the captain of the thirteenth division found it hard to think his sweet Tosai was related to that pervert.
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"Tien I don't even want to know where you heard that saying and yet I can't help but wonder, who did you hear it from?" Tosai asked almost as if regretting it. She noticed the others looked as curious as she felt. However she was not expecting what the answer was.
"I heard some guy say it when he and his friends were checking out Tama. They were all like "Hey man check out that chick! I would kill to tap some of that, I bet she would be one of those brief case bombs, yeah know?" Tien stated before bursting into laughter. All the girls quickly looked at Tama but she was still mumbling to herself.
"Yeah know Tien, you really are a parrot. You repeat everything you hear. It's kinda weird." Mio stated while leaning back relaxing. The others nodded in agreement.
"Have you ever noticed that no matter where we are Tama always gets checked out but the guys never try to approach her?" Tsubasa asked, getting nods in return.
"Why do you think that is anyway? I mean it's not like she kills any guy that talks to her." Ahri asked gently. It bothered her that no one tried to date her friend. Did they think she wasn't good enough?
"That's simple. She intimidates them." Mitsukuni stated. When she received nothing but confused looks she elaborated.
"I mean she scares them off without doing anything. Look at it this way. Tama-san is a beautiful, strong spirited and independent woman who in all honesty can get any guy she wants. Now that means she has options and in a guys mind options mean that there is a chance for rejection. It's the fear of being rejected that prevents them from acting in the first place. Yeah get it now?" The fox-like woman explained with a deep sigh.
"So Tama doesn't have a boyfriend because men are scared she'll turn them down? Well that's just stupid!" Akali all but growled. She knew that under Tama's mask she was lonely and wanted a companion.
"Yes, but this is the male sex we're talking about. Of course their logic is stupid, not many men are actually man enough to overcome their insecurities for a woman." Mio stated lazily from her place in the water.
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Both Komamura and Iba were shocked by Sakura's words. How could she come up with that explanation, as true as it may have been? From what they knew she had never really been in a relationship yet she seemed so experienced. Then again they had only known her for two days. Still she acted like a little kid!
Byakuya didn't like how Mio viewed men. She made it sound like the male race was made up of nothing but cowards. What bothered him more was the fact that she sounded like she had experience in the field. Yet what bothered him the most was the fact that he could not stop picturing her naked wet flesh!
Ichigo and Renji sat in silence as they listened to the girls talk. The orange-haired man could tell both of his recruits were upset by their friend's single statues but he couldn't figure out why. So what if she didn't have a boyfriend? It just meant that the right guy hadn't come around yet. She would find someone, someday.
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"My, my, so Taisho-san's friends want her to get a boyfriend huh? It kinda makes me wonder if she's lonely." Yumichika spoke softly. He thought back to the illusionary world they had seen and it only confirmed his thoughts.
"So what if she's lonely? If she wanted a guy in her life she would've stopped acting like a tomboy long ago." Ikkaku muttered. Still when he thought back to that creepy world he almost felt sad for her. What had happened to her to give birth to such a hellish place?
Kenpachi was silent. Since the girls had started talking he hadn't heard a single word from Tama. Was she even there? He had come to the bath house because he felt like shit about what had happened earlier that day. He came here to relax and not think about the damn girl they were currently talking about.
"I wonder what happened to her in the past. I mean no normal person creates a world like that unless they suffered through something horrible in their past. Maybe that's why she doesn't have someone, yeah know?" Aramaki said quietly, shivering despite the hot water.
"You're right. Speaking of her past, does anyone even know where she's from?" Yumichika asked curiously. At once the three men looked at Zaraki, thinking he would know since he had her file.
"No clue, I haven't read her report yet. All I know is that that one girl was right. Someone with her looks could get any guy she wants, so if she wants a man in her life she'll get one." Kenpachi stated calmly. He wouldn't say it out loud but for some reason the idea of her being in a relationship bothered him. It was a loud exclamation that startled everyone into silence.
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"Yes! I'm finally done! Now I can finally relax. Oi, Kayo will you help heal my face please?" Tama asked with a grin, the hand print still prominent.
"Um sure, no problem. So what exactly happened between you and Captain Zaraki's girlfriend?" Kayo asked cautiously. She knew that Tama would have killed the woman if she hadn't been with her captain.
"I told you. The psycho bitch slapped me because I'm a god damn woman!" the fourth seat exclaimed angrily. Tama still couldn't believe her captain was with a wench like that, and she figured that since it was just her and the girls she'd voice it.
"Why the hell Zaraki is with her is beyond me. She must be good in bed because I don't see anything attractive about her!" The small woman growled, blind to the looks she was getting from her friends.
"You know if I didn't know any better I'd swear you were jealous Tama-chan." Tien said playfully, but quickly shut up when she saw her friend pale. Tama then did something the group had never seen before. She actually blushed over a guy!
"Oh my god! You like him!" Tien accused before laughing manically at Tama's groan.
"Tama-sama is that true? Do you have feelings for Captain Zaraki?" Ahri asked gently with a small smile. At her nod the girls started gossiping and asking questions. All she did was sink further into the water.
"How long have you liked him?" Mio's calm voice brought everyone to silence. There was a look in her eyes that told them Tama wasn't leaving without giving an answer. Heaving a sigh, the petite woman spoke.
"Since I first met him. Of course back then he didn't have a name. I met Zaraki before any of you had entered my life. He wasn't as vocal as he is now but he did have that powerful aura around him, almost like a blanket. He had been injured during a fight, which he had won, so I tended to him. He was silent during the entire process but he watched me closely. No doubt waiting for me to attack." While she spoke her voice was soft and a small smile played on her lips.
"Once I finished treating his wounds he got up to leave. In all honesty I just expected him to walk away, but he didn't. It was almost like he was battling with himself, I found it kinda cute. Then he turned to face me and asked how he could repay me. I didn't know what to say. I figured I'd never see him again, so what the hell, ask for something crazy. I told him to become the strongest man in Rukongai and if he did I would marry him. I told him it'd be a win-win situation. I'd have a powerful husband and he would get a powerful wife who could heal all of his injuries." Tama said laughing lightly at their faces. She didn't really blame them for it either.
"Shockingly he agreed, kissed me and said I was "his" woman now so no one was allowed to touch me. Then he gave me his necklace and left. Even though it was supposed to just be a stupid joke, when he did that I felt like I really did just get engaged. As a result I never let any man touch me and trained to get stronger. I kept me word and waited for him. I never thought he would end up being my captain. I figured since he clearly didn't remember me I would just serve him to the best of my abilities." By the end her voice was quiet and slightly sad. She never really thought she would have fallen in love with him that day, but she had.
"Wait a minute! You're telling me that you're technically engaged! I can't believe it, all this time you were keeping your word to him and now he's with some other woman?! What a total pig!" Tien screamed. She saw the other girls were just as angry as she was. Hell Kayo and Mitsukuni were actually shaking!
"What kind of a man agrees to such a serious commitment and then forgets?! It's worse than backing out!" Tsubasa said harshly. Ahri and Akali shook their heads in agreement, to angry to really speak.
"I have to agree with Tien and Tsubasa. Tama-san you deserve so much better. Clearly he forgot or just didn't care but that doesn't mean you have to stay loyal to your promise. You should find someone who will stand by you and never stop thinking about you!" Tosai exclaimed, getting cheers of agreement from the other girls. However what Tama said next shocked everyone.
"No. I will not go back on my word just because he has forgotten his. If I will not be his wife than I will be his ally. I will not walk away from the first man to make my heart race just from a kiss because my feelings were hurt. I'm not that kind of person. Zaraki is the second man I have ever loved and I will do what I can to make sure he is happy. Even if it means tolerating that bitch." Tama declared, her tone saying it was final.
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No one moved. Half the men couldn't believe their ears! Kenpachi Zaraki had a fiancé and yet he didn't remember and was with another woman! They all felt for the girl. It was clear in her tone that she loved him and was willing to bear the pain of seeing him with someone else.
Byakuya was actually considering beating the big oaf. He clearly had an amazing woman and yet he was disrespecting her by being with someone else. Glancing at Toshiro he could tell he was furious as well. He was actually making frost appear on the walls closest to him.
Komamura sat in shocked silence while Iba cried for the poor girl. No one deserved to deal with that, even if it was a crazy request, Zaraki accepted it which meant he was responsible to make her happy. Her friend was right! She did deserve better!
Both Shunsui and Ukitake were starring at each other with wide eyes. As much as they hated to go against a fellow captain they had to agree with their subordinates. What they couldn't figure out was how Zaraki could forget he had a fiancé?
All Ichigo could do was stare straight ahead of him. This was crazy; there was a woman who actually agreed to be Kenpachi's wife! Hell she was even the one to initiate it! What the hell was going on? How could he forget something so important?
Renji was trying to picture what "Tama-san" looked like. If she was interested in the eleventh division captain did she look like a girl version of him? The very thought made him cringe in disgust.
Kenpachi couldn't breathe. He felt like someone was smothering him while stabbing him in the heart. Feeling three sets of eyes on him he looked at the shocked faces of his division. He of course knew what it was they wanted to know.
"It's true. I had forgotten about it though. I remember everything now. It was the first time I ever felt motivated to fight, to get stronger. Hell she's the reason I came to love combat." The large man explained quietly. He had never felt like such a bastard before.
"So what happened? Tell us how you met." Yumichika ordered. Suddenly he understood that underwater world all too well. Tama felt abandoned, all alone in a very dark world yet she still had hope that acted like a light in that darkness.
"I never had a name, I think it was because of that and my appearance that people were always picking fights with me. That was the day I got this scar on my face. I had won but I had taken quite a few hits. I was just about to pass out on the forest floor when a shadow fell over me. When I opened my eyes I thought I was looking at an angel." His eyes got a distant look in them and the others shared looks. They had never seen their captain look like that.
"She was so beautiful I thought for sure I was dead, but then I felt pain when she was checking my wounds and I knew I was alive. She simply told me not to move and that I was safe. To be honest I didn't believe her for a second. No one in Zaraki helped someone they didn't know. Yet she just set to patching me up." The disbelief was clear in his voice. It was no secret that the Zaraki district was the cruelest and roughest of them all.
"Thinking back on it now, her hair was a lot shorter, she left it down and it reached her ankles. She wore a simple pair of hakama and a weird shirt. It was similar to the Chinese fashion. Her chest was smaller too. She did have the eye patch though. Her right eye was different; it was warm and filled with concern and care. Not like now where it's cold and calculating. She was literally the complete opposite of the people in Zaraki." The others were surprised he could point out the differences so easily. He must have been paying close attention to her without them noticing.
"After she fixed my up I didn't know what to do. I knew I should've left because trouble followed me everywhere but at the same time I wanted to stay and protect her from the cruel world we lived in. Sadly all I could do was thank her and ask if I could repay her somehow. I remember she laughed before getting an excited spark in her eye. That was when she offered me the deal. If I could become the strongest man in the Rukongai she would be my wife. Of course I was dumbfounded. Why would a beautiful thing like her want a freak like me?" Slowly a smirk spread across his lips.
"When I said that she hit me. She said I wasn't allowed to talk about myself like that. She then told me how it was a win-win situation. Honestly I didn't think she was serious but I figured I'd deal with that when I came back for her. So I kissed her, gave her my necklace to mark the deal and left to get stronger. With every person I beat I thought of her, but then after so long I guess I slowly started to forget. Between Yachiru, becoming a Shinigami and then a captain I guess I just stopped thinking about the past." Kenpachi felt horrible. If she remembered why didn't she say anything to him in private? Why was she so damn loyal to him? He didn't deserve it!
"You say you didn't remember and yet you commissioned an eye patch and wear it on your right eye. You could've had anything but you chose an eye patch. I think that subconsciously you have always remembered her. That's why you only date girls with black hair or blue eyes. They remind you of Tama!" Yumichika stated happily. If they could get them back together then both of them would be truly happy.
"What I don't get is why you don't just jump the fence and make up with her? I mean she's right there. Tell her you remember now, that you got so caught up in your duties that you forgot and apologize saying you're hers if she still wants you, which obviously she does." Ikkaku ranted quietly. He was angry with his captain for not making a move.
"It's not that easy. Tama won't be with me until I get rid of Saya. That's why I can't just barge into her bath. Speaking of Saya I'm going to have to apologize for that as well. Hell I'll be lucky if Tama ever speaks to me again after this!" Kenpachi groaned. He had never felt so completely useless in his whole life. The woman he became strong for was never going to forgive him! God since when was he so whipped?
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"So you never did tell us the whole story on the psycho bitch girlfriend. Just what happened?" Mitsukuni asked cautiously. All the girls looked at their sister-like friend, except for Kayo who saw her as a mother-figure.
"Well yesterday when I got to the division I made a deal with Zaraki. If I could beat all the other recruits and win then I would get my pick of any room in the division and the right to fight any seated officer for their place. Needless to say I beat the recruits easily and then fought Chika-chan for the place of fourth." Seeing the confused faces at the name Tama explained.
"Chika-chan is Yumichika Ayasegawa the fifth seat in our division. There was no one in the fourth seat so I had to fight him for it. Fighting him was fun! I even used Kogitsune's Shikai! When I won Yachiru showed me all the rooms I could have but there was one I fell in love with! It wasn't being used so I saw no problem in taking it." Tama stated with a playful grin.
"And just what room is it Tama-san?" Mio asked calmly. The others looked on curiously. They all wanted to know what room she chose.
"Zaraki's home office. It's huge! It has a porch, two big windows, a door to the hall and a small kitchenette. It's perfect. The only thing that concerns me is the fact that it's connected to his bedroom. This simple thing is what led me to being slapped." Tama mumbled.
"What? You're telling us that your room is linked to his! Tama, the man is your fiancé whether he remembers it or not, you should have taken his room" Tien exclaimed. This was just too much, and way too weird.
"Shut up Tien! As I was saying, my room is connected to his, but he said it was alright and so I spent the rest of the day getting settled in. It was the next day that everything went down. I was looking for Chika-chan to see if he wanted to spar when this woman walks up to me demanding to know who I was and what I was doing!" The anger in Tama's voice was obvious to everyone listening. She was not happy with this woman, not at all.
"So I told her that I was K. Tama Taisho, fourth seat to the eleventh division and that I was looking for Yumichika. Do you know what the bitch said?! She said the only way a runt like me could make fourth seat was if I slept with Zaraki! Can you believe that? I mean not only did she insult my honor but she also insulted my looks and my height!" Tama exclaimed furious.
"I mean come on. If I was going to do something as low as sleeping with my captain for a promotion then I would've gotten a better fucking seat and he wouldn't be walking the next day out exhaustion! But no because I'm a woman in the eleventh I had to be planning on stealing her "Ken-ken"! I swear if she wasn't Zaraki's woman I would have killed her!" Tama growled while punching the rocks closest to her.
"Still I kept my cool. I calmly explained that I had no intention of complicating their relationship when the lieutenant comes out of nowhere and asks how my sleep was. She then proceeds to tell me that if I ever have a nightmare I can just open the door, go into "Ken-chan's" room and sleep with him. The next thing I knew she had slapped me and the captain was there." Tama said letting her head lull back against the rocks.
The girls sat in silence. If they were being honest with themselves, they would have beaten the girl for her insolence. No one would dare slap any of them back home, but this wasn't Zaraki. Here, they were just Shinigami; their reputation wasn't known there by many.
"When Zaraki showed up I wanted to demand she be punished but I knew it wasn't my place. Since he is my captain and she is his woman that gives her a higher rank over me. So I simply bowed, apologized and said it wasn't going to happen again. I think what hurt more than anything though, was seeing her wrap her arms around him and kiss him. That was a pain I never thought I'd feel again." By now her voice was filled with something they had never heard from her before, heartbreak.
"Oh Tama-san, I'm sure if you explained what happened he would talk to her. I mean it's not like you took the room knowing he had a girlfriend and you certainly never planned to steal him from her. You should talk to him because this isn't Zaraki; the way people think here is different than ours." Tsubasa said gently. It killed her to see the most powerful woman she knew look so broken.
"I don't want to bring up bad memories but what did you mean by it being a pain you thought you'd never feel again? Did something happen to the person you loved before Zaraki Ma-chan?" Kayo's voice was soft, sad and somewhat hesitant. She didn't like the pain her mother-figure was obviously going through.
"Yes, I had loved before. As you know I retained all of my memories after I died. I was only fifteen when we first met. He had saved my life when I was being attacked for an object in my protection. Of course after he saved me he tried to kill me and take it for himself, stupid fool never knew what hit him once the beads of subjugation were around his neck." Tama explained with a bitter smile and even bitterer laugh.
"The necklace made it impossible for him to really attack me. It was the next day that the object I guarded was shattered by accident and we had to work together to find all the shards. It was during this time that I fell in love for the first time. However he was still in love with another woman and even though he claimed to love me I was only a replacement for her." By now the fourth seats voice was cold and hard. It was clear that this man had left many scars on her heart.
"Still being the naive girl I was, I stood by him, even when he left me unprotected in the middle of the night or on the battlefield to go see her. I tended to his injuries and made his meals foolishly believing he would choose me. I turned down offers of marriage from other men some were even lords and princes. Yet all I ever got from him were insults and cruel remarks. It wasn't until a year later, when he betrayed me so completely that I left." Everyone listening flinched at the hatred in her voice, even Byakuya.
"You see I had never fought before I was fifteen. I didn't know anything about archery or swordsmanship. I was always so weak and had to be protected all the time. I often think that's why it happened. It was just the two of us. The other's who had joined our group were elsewhere. Sango had left to her village to repair her weapon taking Miroku and Kilala with her. Shippo had stayed behind in the village to help the elder Keade with gathering herbs for the upcoming winter." She took in a shaky breathe.
"We had been traveling though a deep forest for a couple of days when he started acting weird. He was almost paranoid. It was like he thought someone was following us. I thought nothing of it because we were always being attacked. I never saw it coming. I couldn't even really register what was going on until I felt the pain. It was unbearable. It consumed me to the point where I couldn't even scream." She didn't know when she had started crying. This was the first time she had ever spoken about that night to anyone. For just a moment she wasn't Tama, she was Kagome and she was hurting.
"He raped me and once he was finished he left me naked and broken on the cold forest floor. To this day I still don't know how long I laid there. All I remember is unbearable pain, and then feeling numb, almost hollow. Eventually Sesshomaru the Western Lord found me and took me to his home. He didn't ask what happened; he already knew what his pathetic younger half-brother had done. He simply wrapped me in his haori and mokomoko and gently carried me to safety." She had moved in the embrace of Tsubasa and Mio and had no plans on moving.
"After I was treated by his healers I finally spoke for the first time since being found. I asked him to train me. I never wanted to feel so weak and be so helpless again. That's why I can fight the way I do. I was trained by the "Killing Perfection" himself. I was also the general of his army before I died."Tama explained, pride filling her voice at the mention of her master.
"Wow Tama, I didn't know you were a general before you died, but it does explain a lot. After what he did to you, how did you collect the shards? I mean you said you left but earlier you said you had to work together. So what happened?" Mitsukuni asked with caution in her voice.
"We collected them separately. I trained while searching for the shards and became stronger every day by Sesshomaru-sama's side. He simply went to the woman he would always run off to see; Kikyo and had her search for the shards for him. When the final battle ended and our main enemy was destroyed I killed Kikyo for her attempts on my life. At her death he lost control of his emotions and started killing everything in sight. Unfortunately the people closest to him were my friends and adopted-son. After seeing him cut them down I attacked, only I wasn't blinded by my hatred, I was motivated by it. I ended his miserable existence and when my comrades were buried and the prayers were said I returned to the west with my lord to continue my role as his general." Tama said finally relaxing. All of a sudden she felt drained; she figured it was from finally talking about her past.
"I see. Well it defiantly explains your reaction to most men. It also explains your comfort in battle. For you it would be just like the old days. I imagine serving the Western Lord is also why you're so loyal." Mio said calmly while stroking Tama's hair. She had known that the small woman had been a soldier at some point in her life but she never knew just how much of that life was actually spent on the battlefield. The girls were happy for the change in topic and jumped on it greedily.
"It also explains why she was able to teach us so easily. I mean being a general, she must have taught a lot of rookies." Mitsukuni added in amazement. She had always admired Tama for her strength and battle prowess but now it was on a whole new level.
"This may sound rude but just how many wars did you fight in exactly?" Tsubasa's question caught many off guard but at the same time made them realize that they too wanted to know the answer.
"Well I fought in seven wars and countless battles. I was slain in the war against the army of the banished northern prince when he tried to conquer the west. I may have died but at least we won the war." Tama stated calmly. She accepted her death, it was an honorable one.
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Byakuya was furious. This woman actually felt that what happened to her was her fault because she was weak! The man who violated her was the weak one. He honestly was considering going to the world of the living and beating his descendants. Looking at Hitsugaya he saw that he wasn't alone in the thought either.
If there was one thing Toshiro couldn't stand it was a woman being hurt. Hearing how Akira's friend had been abused by the man she loved nearly resulted in all the baths being frozen. If he could he would hunt down the man's soul and kill him for his disgusting acts. Still he was surprised to hear she had all of her memories. Most people go mad because they can't learn to cope with the fact that their dead.
Komamura felt ashamed at the man's actions. He was also slightly embarrassed that he had actually shattered a rock in his anger. He wouldn't lie though, he was impressed with her strength. It took a lot to pick yourself up from something so horrible but she did and she gained great power because of it. Her history in battle was something he wanted to talk to her about as well.
Iba was bawling. He felt so upset over what happened to Sakura's friend that he couldn't even speak. All he could do was cry because judging by her tone, she never did. So he decided that if Tama wouldn't cry for herself then he would.
Renji was actually being restrained by Ichigo. The second the red-head had heard Ritsu's voice he all but jumped the wall. Luckily everyone was too caught up in Tama's story to notice them. Still he wanted to hold her and give her comfort.
"Renji, man, did you forget you're naked and that there are other girls in there?!" Ichigo hissed. That got Renji to stop moving and settle back down. Still it was clear as day that both males were upset. What had happened to Tama was just so wrong.
Ukitake felt sick and for once it had nothing to do with his illness. There was something in the way she spoke that bothered him. The way that she had simply stated she killed him. It was as she knew it wasn't over, as if she was waiting for him to come back to finish it. That's when it hit him. She was waiting. She knew he would become either a soul or a Hollow if he didn't go to hell. She literally had to live everyday knowing he could come back for her at any moment. That thought only made him sicker.
Shunsui wanted to hit something but didn't. It was obvious someone had it out for this girl. No one deserved that kind of life. Still there was nothing they could do except show her that not all men were bad. The eighth division captain couldn't help but wonder what Kenpachi would do if he knew what was said that night.
He was going to kill someone! How dare that bastard do that to his woman, even if she wasn't his at the time, she was now! At least she will be if she forgives him. All the large captain could think about was jumping the wall and demanding to know where the bastard's corpse was.
Yumichika was silent beside Ikkaku and Aramaki. They saw so many emotions on their captain's face that they couldn't keep up. The more Yumichika heard about Tama's past the more he came to understand the world she had created. Still he was curious as to what his captain was going to do.
"I'm gonna kill someone! No one touches her like that and gets away with it! Once I'm done killing someone I'm gonna end things with Saya and do whatever it takes to get Tama to take me back! Then I'm going to tear Soul Society apart until I find that bastard and kill him!" Kenpachi declared furious.
"Um Captain, you might want to calm down or they'll hear you. After all they are right beside us." Ikkaku said with a quiet voice. This was highly private and if Tama ever found out that they were listening she'd kill them all.
However it seemed the fates were out to get them because the next thing anyone knew the large captain slipped and went crashing through the wall. All the girls stared in shock as their friend was knocked under the water and then seeing the men, screamed!
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"Ah! Close your eyes you perverts!" Tien exclaimed while throwing everything within reach.
"Gah! Quit looking! Quit looking!" Kayo yelled while she and Mitsukuni tried to cover themselves.
Hearing Tien's voice Shunsui instinctively jumped over the wall and landed in front of her. Taking in the situation he quickly handed her a robe and told her to cover herself. She could only nod dumbstruck.
"What the hell is he doing here?" The older twin wondered to herself while securing the robe around her body.
Hitsugaya was grateful for his towel when he landed in the girl's bath. When he caught sight of Akari he almost fainted. Still, pulling himself together he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her while looking at the wall.
"Um thank you captain but what are you doing here?" Kayo's voice was filled with embarrassment. She prayed to every god she could think of that he didn't hear anything. However the feeling in the pit of her stomach told it was a waste of time.
"I thought we told you to quit starring" Mio screamed while lifting a rock over her head, towel securely on her body. However before she could do anything her captain appeared in a bath robe, took the rock, threw it for her and then proceeded to dress her in a robe herself. All Mio could do was stare dumbly.
"Hey guys? Where's Tama-san?" Tsubasa asked concerned. Immediately all the girls look at the water in horror and gasped.
"Oh my god! They killed Tama!" Mitsukuni screamed before bursting into tears. This resulted in Iba jumping the wall along with his captain, Ichigo; who wanted to know what the hell was going on, Renji; who had grabbed more robes for all the girls and Ukitake who was already in a robe and looking concerned.
It was at that moment that Kenpachi sprung up from the water looking confused with Tama following not even a second later. Seeing Tama's naked state Yumichika grabbed a robe from Renji and quickly wrapped her in it.
"What the hell just happened? Where did all the guys come from and what the fuck are you doing here Captain Zaraki?!" Tama was so confused. Why was Zaraki here? Oh god, what did he hear?! It was that thought that made all the color leave her face.
"Well the captain slipped and went right through the wall. I'm guessing that they were all here bathing and heard the commotion and came to investigate. As to what the captain himself is doing here, well we were bathing as well." Yumichika explained gently trying to calm the startled girl.
"Wait, so all of our captains came to the same bath house as us, on the same night, at the same time and managed to completely surround us? What the fuck?" Tien exclaimed in disbelief.
"I must admit, it does seem very unlikely, but it is still possible. What concerns me is how much they heard." Mio's voice was calm but ice cold. This made all the men flinch and look away unable to meet their eyes.
"You were listening the entire time weren't you?" Tosai questioned angrily. This wasn't good. This meant they all knew Tama's past.
"I'm afraid that seems to be the case Hitachi-san. Though I do believe that no one planned on repeating anything they heard tonight to others." Ukitake said gently. He didn't like seeing the anger and disappointment in her eyes directed at him.
"You were all listening, so that means you were listening to right Captain Zaraki?" Tama's voice was low and quiet. However the dark aura surrounding her was enough to let Kenpachi know he was in big trouble.
"Well yeah I listened. I couldn't help it I was curious. Plus your friends are right why didn't you tell me what happened between you and Saya? I would've defended you yeah know. What she did isn't right." The large man said getting in her face.
"I didn't say anything because it wasn't my place. She's your woman not me remember? Oh wait, you didn't! Also if you wanted to know something about my past you could've just asked yeah know! You didn't have to listen in!" The fourth seat roared.
When Kenpachi heard those words he felt like she had driven his blade through his heart. He knew she was right, he had forgotten and was sleeping with another woman. Still he remembered now and he wasn't going to let her go.
"Saya ain't my woman anymore Tama. As soon as I'm done here, I'm going to end things with her. I promised to be with you, to marry you when I was strong enough and you can bet your blades I'm going to keep that promise even if I have to spend the next thousand years begging you to give me a second chance." Zaraki didn't care what the others thought of him at that moment. All that mattered was Tama and her answer.
Tama didn't move or blink for that matter. She was too busy trying to figure out if she had just hallucinated. For the first time in a long time the leader of B.O.S. felt like a blushing school girl. She had honestly thought that part of her died with Inuyasha's betrayal and Sesshomaru's training. Still she couldn't keep the small grin from touching her lips.
"Well I don't think it'll take a thousand years, I really can't stand excessive whining. But it will take quite a lot of sucking up and groveling to get back on my good side. That means no more women, got it?" Even though her tone was light, the threat was clear.
"So does that mean that Zaraki is in the doghouse?" Tien whispered to her sister, who in turn just smiled and nodded. Of course when Mitsukuni and Tsubasa heard her they broke into a fit of giggles. This only got them odd looks from the others.
"I hate to interrupt this moment but I believe we should leave for the night. I for one am not comfortable standing in just a robe in front of so many men." Mio spoke calmly despite the fact that she just wanted to run.
"Mio's right! Let's go change and then we can get something to eat!" Tien exclaimed happily while ushering the girls into the change room. They all eagerly went in, embarrassed by the whole ordeal. Tama stopped at the door before turning to face her captain.
"No peeking Zaraki! That goes for the rest of you as well." With those final words she entered the change room before closing the door behind her. The second it shut she fell to her knees while gripping her head trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
The girls were silent as they watched Tama dress almost robotically. They figured it was best to just give her some space while she thought everything over. If they had to guess she was most likely going over what Captain Zaraki had said to her. After all none of them were used to hearing such declarations.
Slowly they filed out of the change room and left the bath house. It was still silent but it was comfortable. They all had a lot on their minds which is probably why none of them noticed they were being followed.
"Yeah know, I don't think I'll be able to work with Captain Raku tomorrow. At least not without thinking about that gong show." Tien said breaking the silence. It caused the others to snap out of their thoughts and focus on the perverse twin.
"What do you mean? Don't you do paperwork like all the other recruits?" Akali asked with slight confusion. Everyone but Tosai sent her a curious look.
"Nope. I'm Captain Raku's personal assistant. I help in whatever it is he has to do. Sadly that also means I have to spend all day with him and after what just went down, I'm kinda hesitant. I'm scared it'll be awkward yeah know?" Tien was as outgoing as they came but there was something about the way he had looked at her. It made her really nervous.
"Wow, so Mio is a lieutenant, Tama-sama is a fourth seat and you're the personal assistant to the captain of the eighth division! Everyone is doing so well and it's only the second day!" Mitsukuni exclaimed happily. Maybe she would get a promotion soon too.
"Well I say we find us some sake and make a toast to our achievements." Tama declared while pointing to a bar. After the day she just had she could use a stiff drink, or five. Plus the place served food so they could feed Tien too.
"I agree with Tama-san. You guys deserve a toast and I could use a drink after what just happened in the bath house." Kayo said with an encouraging smile. So with nods and cheers the women entered the bar only to freeze at the site that met them.
"BARKEEP!" All the girls exclaimed before running up to the man and hugging him. Sasame Tendo, also known as "Barkeep" was like a father-figure to all of them. He had owned the bar back in Zaraki that they always drank at.
"My girls! Oh it's so good to see you! How have you all been? Staying out of trouble I hope." The middle age man teased with a warm smile. His long black hair was pulled into a low pony tail and was streaked with various shades of grey. His vibrant blue eyes shinned in joy and wrinkled at the creases when he smiled or laughed.
All in all one would never guess that this man was from Zaraki, at least not just by looking at him. However if you ever saw what was under his Chinese style clothing you would know without a doubt which division he called home.
"We've been good, in fact we just graduated and got assigned our divisions. Mio even made lieutenant to the sixth division, where Tama is the fourth seat to the eleventh. Oh and Tien is the personal assistant to the captain of the eighth division!" Mitsukuni announced happily. She had missed Barkeep a lot since they had left Zaraki. She had also missed his wife, Nodoka.
"That's amazing! I'm sure that everyone back home will be so proud of all of you." Barkeep said with a proud smile. These girls were proof that something good can come out of the eightieth district, that not all of them were lawless murdering monsters.
"What are you doing here anyway Barkeep? It's not often someone from Rukongai can enter the Seireitei. Did something happen?" Tama wasn't stupid. She knew how this place worked. The only way Barkeep could get in was if something big had happened back home.
"I came here to represent the village and ask the Soutaichou for help. You see since you girls aren't there to fight the Hollows anymore, we had taken to doing it ourselves. But around two months ago people in the village started disappearing. They'd go to bed at night and then be gone in the morning. Their homes would be completely untouched with no sign of a struggle. It just doesn't make any sense." The man's voice suddenly sounded tired. It was clear to all of them that the stress had left him exhausted.
"Is there any connection between the people disappearing? Similar appearances or maybe the same gender?" Mio asked gently. At the sight of his negative head shake she started thinking of other reasons.
"Did they all live alone?" Ahri asked softly. The question made Barkeep's eyes widen. It was like something in his mind just clicked. People in their village didn't live alone mainly because it wasn't safe and they all had groups. Those who did live alone became easy targets.
"Now that you mention it, yeah they did. They also got attacked by Hollows a lot. I think they might have higher reiatsu levels then the others. The people missing were also new to the village. You know, just died. Do you think that has something to do with this?" it was clear that something was going on but what? Why would someone kidnap a large group of people? If they were just killing them then they wouldn't be so careful stealing them. None of this was making any sense, just like Barkeep said.
"Well you're meeting with the Soutaichou tomorrow right? After it's over I want you to come to the eleventh division and tell me what was said and what is going to be done." Tama stated. She wasn't going to ignore this even if the Soutaichou decided not to help.
"Thanks Tama. Now enough of this depressing talk, tell me something that's going to make me laugh." Barkeep ordered with a friendly smile. He had missed these girls and their ability to make you forget your problems.
"Tien kissed her captain!" Mitsukuni shouted happily. Tien just gave him a shit-eating grin. When he looked at Tosai she was just shaking her head. Barkeep burst out laughing. He couldn't help it, it was just so Tien! She was always the kind of person who acted first and thought later, if at all.
"Yeah, well Kayo gets attacked with hugs by her lieutenant because she's so cute." Tien stated with a smug look. This resulted in the small silverette blushing and downing her drink. It wasn't her fault Matsumoto wasn't right in the head.
Of course this made the man laugh harder. He could see Kayo having that kind of problem. She did look like a life-sized doll after all. Still seeing her glare at Tien told him that it was a touchy subject. He imagined that since she looked like a kid people had trouble taking her seriously.
"At least her lieutenant wasn't instantly afraid of her." Ahri said with a small sigh. Sure Momo wasn't scared of them anymore but the fact that the small woman nearly had a heart-attack when they first met bugged her.
"Ha ha my lieutenant calls me "Blue-chan", the third seat "Baldy", the fifth seat "Pretty-chan" and the tenth seat "Maki-maki". Plus she calls the captain "Ken-chan"!" Tama said laughing. She always became more social when she drank and now was no different.
"Really? That's so cute! It sounds like you get along with your division quite well Tama. I was slightly worried since you can be so aggressive." Barkeep said with a fatherly tone. He knew that the B.O.S. leader was guarded and tested people before she opened up or accepted them and he was scared it might affect her career.
"Yeah, we get along well enough. Though I still plan on making Zaraki work a bit before I completely forgive him." The small woman said taking another swig of her drink.
Seeing the man's confusion Mio explained the situation at the bath house and how it would not only affect Tama's life but theirs as well. The second her story was finished Barkeep burst out laughing once more. Tama had a fiancé! Who would be crazy enough to even attempt to make her a wife.
"No offense Tama, but you don't exactly strike me as the dutiful house wife type. Please tell me that your fiancé knows this. I mean, come on, you're a soldier. I just can't see you staying home to make meals, clean and raise kids." Barkeep explained. He noticed the bland looks on the girl's faces.
"Dude, Tama took us all in, raised us, and trained us all while cleaning and cooking! Being a wife will be nothing for her." Tien stated looking at the man like he was the dumbest guy in Soul Society.
"Oh yeah. Still who does this Kenpachi Zaraki think he is? To forget such a promise is unforgivable!" The older man declared with a fatherly tone. He saw all these girls as adoptive-daughters, he didn't like that some man had forgotten that he agreed to marry his little Tama. True she could be violent and a little cold but under that she was a sensitive and caring soul.
"This fiancé of yours isn't good enough for you in my book, but if you truly love him then I guess I can be civil. He's just lucky I don't go "Protective Papa" on his ass." Even though he said it with a smile the real threat was clear in his tone.
"Oh really? Well why don't we step outside and then you can show me what cha got old man?" Everyone at the table jumped at the sound of the rich male voice that was laced with anger and annoyance. Tama's eyes went comically wide while the rest of the girls gasped.
There standing behind Barkeep were all of their captains, plus some men from the eleventh and Iba from the seventh. Now they had been downing drinks left and right so none of the women were exactly thinking clearly. So when Mitsukuni shot up and hugged her captain's leg they weren't really surprised.
"Um Sakura-san? Why are you hugging my leg?" The wolf-like captain wasn't sure what to do. It didn't really bother him, in fact he liked the contact, a lot. Still people were starring and it made him uneasy.
"I'm hugging you because I'm happy to see you, and your leg is the only part of you I can reach!" Was her cheerful reply. The fox-like girl was practically beaming. Seeing her face, Komamura gently lifted her up and placed her on his shoulder, the way he had seen Zaraki do with his lieutenant.
"Wow guys look! I'm finally taller than Tien and Tosai! Thank you captain!" This time the small woman was able to hug his neck and Komamura loved it.
"Lucky brat. I wish I could hug my captain and get away with it." Mio muttered to herself, not realizing that Byakuya was standing right behind her listening.
"If it is a simple hug then I will allow it. However it will only be permitted when we are alone. Does that work for you Hatori?" The sixth division captain whispered in the red-head's ear. He raised an elegant eyebrow with a smirk when he saw her shiver.
"Captain Zaraki, other captains, what are you doing here? Are you following us or something?" Tama questioned the men before her. She saw that Barkeep kept looking at her and then Zaraki only to look at her again.
"This man is Kenpachi Zaraki? Now where the hell did you find a man like this Tama? Also why am I only just meeting him now? What would your mother say?" Barkeep exclaimed. Where he acted like the girl's father, his wife Nodoka acted like their mother. She was the only person Tama would listen to without hesitation.
"Mom would say to butt out pops and let the woman live her fucking life. Yeah know you have eight other daughters' right? Why not go "Protective Papa" on them." Tama asked in annoyance. Sure Nodoka would be upset but she also would've just beaten the shit out of Zaraki and let it go. Barkeep wasn't like that, the man held a mean grudge.
Kenpachi didn't know what to say. This man was clearly the father-figure to the group but did that mean he needed his blessing? And who was this mother and did he need her blessing too?
"I'm just worried about you Tama. This man has already forgotten you were engaged, who to say he won't forget again?" Barkeep would have continued but the glare he received from the B.O.S. leader shut him up.
"Ok look, I know I fucked up but I'm not stupid enough to do it again. I fully intend to marry you daughter whenever she decides to forgive me. So why don't you just listen to what she saws and butt out old man. I'm trying to win her back and you're not helping my case." Kenpachi hated when people talked about him like he wasn't there but would normally ignore it. However this involved Tama so he wasn't going to let it slide.
"Ok boys. Why don't you both just settle down and have a drink? You can relax and change the conversation to something everyone enjoys talking about." Tama offered while forcing her captain into the empty seat beside her.
Soon the other girls had their captains and other division members sitting down with more drinks on the way. Everything was actually going well, people were conversing, relaxing, and overall having a good time. Kenpachi and Barkeep were glaring at each other but that was fine. Then Barkeep spoke.
"So girls, how about some music."
~A.N.~
Ok, so I finally managed to update, I'm sorry it took so long but I am working multiple jobs and didn't get a chance to type it out until my day off. Now I just want to clarify that I AM NOT abandoning this story, even if I don't update right away, so fear not. I will be focusing on getting a new chapter up for my Alice in Wonderland story, so if I don't update this one right away that's why. It's been ignored for too long. The next chapter will be called "Zaraki's Sake Sirens" As always thank you for the wonderful reviews, and I look forward to reading more!
*smiles and bows*