Chapter 2

Katsumi gathered her pack and walked around the Seireitei till she reached the gates that had a large 11 prominently displayed. She knocked on the gate and waited for a response. And waited-and then waited some more. If this was how they treated guest it was no wonder that most doubted their social skills. Heaving a great sigh, she picked up her belongings and opened the heavy gates before her with ease. The courtyard was deserted, so she entered the nearest building. Were was everybody? Room after empty room echoed around her. "Hello! Is anyone home?" Katsumi yelled. But no one answered back. She went back outside to the courtyard and sat down under the eaves. Soon the heat of the day and the soothing breeze flowing over her skin lulled her to sleep.

...

"Hello lady-shi, who are you?" The high voice startled Katsumi awake. A small, pink-haired child in the uniform of a shinigami stood before her. Was this the Fukutoicho Isane-san spoke of? Then again, who else could it be. Looking around she could tell she had slept several hours.

Slightly embarrassed Katsumi stood and bowed to the small officer. " Please forgive me for entering your barracks without permission, but I had knocked and no one was stationed at the gate. My name is Katsumi of the 4th squad, and you must be Kusajishi Fukutaicho. It is my pleasure to meet you. Unohana Taichou gave me a letter to deliver to Zaraki Taichou, all explanations are inside. Has he returned yet?" She said in a polite, yet firm, tone of voice.

Yachiru stared up at the tall lady. She was pretty, and the spiritual pressure rolling off of her displayed that she was not weak. "Kenny-chan is out playing right now but you can come in till he gets home." A large smile appeared on her face and her eyes sparkled. "Do you have any candy?"

"Well...it just so happens I do.", thanking Isane-san for warning her,"I have just come back from the living world and I just happen to have some candy that is very popular in North America." ,which is something not easily found in the soul society. "Would you like to help me eat it?"

"Yeah! Lady-shi is going to give me candy!" The pink haired pixie danced around Katsumi while dragging her into the barracks. They sat down on the tatami mats in the largest room, while Yachiru tried to look into the tall lady's bag. There were wrapped bars with names like SNICKERS and MILKYWAY on them. Not to mention all the lollipops, cookies, and other sugary sweets found in the bag as well. Yachiru-chan asked Katsumi to tell her stories of the living world. The child fell asleep with chocolate smeared around her mouth thinking about something called TV; not to mention Wii, though she wasn't sure she would like "playing" fighting. She got to fight all the time with baldy and feather face for real.

"This is going to be an interesting assignment." Katsumi thought, "I wonder when her dad will get home."

Loud laughter floated into the room. The barbarians are returning. Gently placing the little child on the mat, Katsumi stood in preparation to meet THE Zaraki Taichou. No one with the power required to be Taichou entered the room, but instead a tall shinigami with no hair walked though the door and stopped when he saw her.

"Who the hell are you? And what have you done to Yachiru Fukutaicho?" Ikkaku looked across the room at the woman standing near the midget. The little monster did not appear to be hurt, in fact she looked like had she had passed out. The smears of chocolate and the abundance of empty wrappers around her suggested a night of indulgence. Who was he to complain? He passes out often too, due to his indulgence of saki.

Clearing her throat the woman spoke, "Greetings, my name is Katsumi and I belong to squad 4." Here Katsumi politely ignored the disgusted snort that Pin Head issued. "I have a message Unohana Taichou gave me to deliver to Zaraki Taichou. Has he arrived yet?" No wonder everyone thought of the 11th squad as nothing but dumb bullies.

"Well he isn't here." Ikkaku stated blandly. "He is not expected back for another week. I handle all issues regarding the 11th squad when my Taichou is not here. So either give me the letter or go back to the 4th squad." Ikkaku said with a sneer, he was sure the wimp would run away crying. But he had to admit she was one pretty woman, too bad she couldn't fight.

With a small polite smile, Katsumi reached inside her sleeve and removed the letter. Holding it out to the rude bore she said, "Seeing how I am to be stationed here I see no other option but to give you Unohana Taichou's orders. If they are not to you liking perchance you will wish to address her yourself."

"Address her...myself?" Ikkaku could start to feel sweat on his brow as he pictured the smiling face of the 4th squad's Taichou. "Let me read that." Swiping the letter from the woman he opened and began to read the letter. Damn! If Zaraki Sensei were here he would send this intruder away. But then again, remembering Unohana Taichou's face again in his mind, maybe not. "I guess there is no choice.", he admitted grudgingly. "You can have one of the visitor's rooms until Zaraki Sensei returns to straighten this out.", he spoke sharply.

"Thank you for your hospitality, sir. May I inquire how I should be addressing you? For surely you don't want me to choose a name for you, though I am fond of the name obtuse." She said with a small smile.

"Ehe? What's that?" the imbecilic man questioned. "My name is Madarame, Ikkaku Madarame. But I don't expect you to be around long enough to use it.", he scoffed.

"Since we are waiting on your Taichou, I don't suppose you will let me train with your squad tomorrow morning? I do hate to get out of practice. I never know when I will be called away to duty again." She looked up at him through soft eyes. Yes, Isane-san said his weakness was for fighting. "And of course my duties include healing any injuries." That man looked like he had been pulled through a wringer and left out to die.

"We don't need your help, but I suppose it wouldn't do any harm to let you look at some of the wounded." I do not need her help, thought Ikkaku sternly. Who cares if half of my bones feel like they are broken and I'm all but passing out due to the pain. I WILL NOT SEEK THAT WOMAN'S HELP!"If you want to get your butt whooped we begin training in the morning at first bell. I'll send someone in to take you to your room."

Ikkaku nearly groaned as he bent down and picked up the sleeping Yachiru and gentle walked back to the Taichou's rooms. Katsumi stared after him. For a man in pain he certainly handled that child with care so he not wake her up. Maybe he's not so pig-headed after all.

What entered the room could only be the 5th seat Yumichika Ayasegawa, no man should be that pretty. No wonder Isane-san said to flatter him. "Hello sir, my name is Katsumi and 3rd seat Madarame said he would have someone show me to my quarters." Make sure not to lay it on too thick, he may be a peacock but he is a smart peacock. "I do thank you for your kindness, sir."

The slim man looked out at her from behind the feathers attached artfully to his face. Yumichika smiled. No wonder Ikkaku is so upset. This woman was smart, and Ikkaku could never handle smart people. Just look at how I've played with him for decades; but then, Ikkaku doesn't mind my playing with him. Both of us enjoy that so much. "Yes, if you would come this way." Yumi turned and started down a hall toward the back of the house. " I know that Ikkaku holds the 4th squad in disdain, but if you can help him I would greatly appreciate it. It would be ugly if he died." Yumi kept his back to the healer as he said this, he wouldn't be beautiful if she saw the strain in his eyes.

"I will do all that I can for everyone in the 11th squad. But don't worry about Ikkaku, he may look and feel like hell, but I can tell you he wont die over this." Katsumi said this gently and could see the muscles relaxing in the man's shoulders.

"I don't worry dear." Yumi threw a look over his shoulder, "Worry only causes wrinles, and I'm too beautiful for that." He can see the woman smile. She knows how I feel. "Your rooms are back here. You are welcome to rearrange it to suite you if you like. I don't think Zaraki Sensei will be able to get rid of you any time soon. So consider this home. I have just two little rules. One-never do anything if it is not beautiful, and two-keep you hands off of Ikkaku!" This last rule was said with narrowing of his purple eyes.

"No need to worry about that, sir. If I read him correctly; and I usually do, he has no interest in me. You are much to beautiful for him to stray." Careful Katsumi, remember not too thick. " I haven't had an apartment of my own for quite some time, and I was hoping that you might recommend some shops I might find some decorations in. Everybody says you have such wonderful taste."

Yumi smiled and preened, "Yes my taste in everything is wonderful. I can think of a dozen shops that would suite what you want." He proceeded to name stores and talk about colors and designs.

"Actually, I have a number of items in storage that I picked up in the living world." Yumi's head turned around at that. "I would like to go through it and see just what I have, I'm sure I don't remember half of what is there. I've been collecting things for years. Maybe you would like to help me? Go out shopping for new clothes maybe?" Her voice trailed off.

A large smile appeared on Yumichika's face,"I LOVE shopping! And the fashions in the living world are just divine. I can't wait to see what you have stored away. Oh, here you are. I hope it is large enough for you; if not, just let me know and I'll find somewhere else you can stay." Yumi looked around at the drab room with derision. "Yes it will take some work but it has possibilities." He swung around and looked straight at Katsumi. "And you wont forget about helping Ikkaku, will you?"

"Of course not, but I must be careful not to let him know about it. I think it would hurt his feelings, don't you think?" She responded with a raised eyebrow.

Yumi smiled, "Isn't it just beautiful how we understand each other?"

"Yes, I believe it is. I think we will become good friends." Katsumi said with pleasure. "I think we understand each other very well. Goodnight Yumi-kun, I look forward to designing this room with you."

...

"Well? What do you think?" Ikkaku said as soon as Yumichika entered their rooms. "She has to go! I don't understand why a lowly healer has to be stationed here at the barracks anyway. It's just not right!" He was starting to get worked up about the whole situation.

"Calm down Ikkaku-chan. I'm sure it will all work out." Yumi said placating. "Anyway, if Unohana Taichou wants her here, this is probably were she will stay. Besides no more walking back and forth from the 4th squads barrack. Think of the extra work and effort it will save us. I don't think that woman will harm anything. And she promised to let me help her redesign her room. She even wants to go shopping for clothes!"

Ikkaku stared at his love with a blank face, one eyebrow twitch. "Redesign her rooms, clothes shopping, and what else has she promised you?"

"Well...she has several things in storage that she acquired in the living world! She is going to let me go through it with her!" Yumi's thoughts were soaring with ideas about colors and themes. He barely saw the amusement in his Ikkaku's eyes. "If you want her to go, why don't you ask Yachiru to do something about it. She is the Fukutaicho."

"The witch has charmed the little monster with candy." Ikkaku said with a frown. "I wonder what Katsumi will offer Zaraki Sensei?" And a look of speculation crosses his face as he tugs his Yumi-chan into his arms. "Let's get some rest. I need to beat her black and blue in training tomorrow."

As Ikkaku turns out the lights, Yumi smiled.