When he arrived at his office, Kana was crouching on the floor with a small animal bouncing and yapping around her. Huh? There was also a mask sitting on his desk that looked suspiciously like a hollow mask. Kana jumped up, scooping up the creature in his chest. He could now see Retsu in the girl. Kana had the same long black hair that was straight as a pin, as if not daring to misbehave by curling. Kana also had that same gentle smile that held a hint of steel behind it. He also could see a bit of himself in Kana. She had his eyes and it took all of his self control not to rush to Kana and hug her. He wanted to hold her and assure himself that this was really happening, that his daughter was alive and safe and well. But instead of giving into the foolish impulse, he forced himself to walk behind his desk and sit down. As he listened to Kana's report, his surprise temporarily made him forget about the blood tests and who Kana really was. It was just so amusing that such a thing had happened. He laughed when Kana begged to be allowed to keep the creature within the squad grounds. He agreed to adopt the dog as a squad pet but made Kana responsible for it. He told her to deliver the mask to the 12th before heading out to shop for pet supplies. It was highly unusual for a hollow mask to stay around after the death of the hollow and Myuri would want to take a look at it. He laughed again when Kana practically ran out of the door as if afraid that he might change his mind at the last minute and make her give up the precious creature.
Kana practically ran to the 12th to deliver the mask. She dropped it off with Akon then headed for the area of the Seireitei where the most shops were to look for supplies. Pets were not common in the soul society, except for fish (they seemed to be in great abundance in rich homes). This made it harder to find the stuff Kana needed. But she managed; it just took a little longer than normal shopping. She was in a shop picking out some colorful rope that she was planning on using for a leash and some ribbon for a collar when Rangiku showed up. When she saw the dog in Kana's arms, she acted like the next big fashion trend had landed in her lap first. She cooed and petted the don and cuddled with it. After Kana explained how she had gotten the dog Rangiku declared that the dog should have a name that related to the 13th squad and should be the new mascot of the squad. Kana sighed but did not argue to try to dissuade Rangiku. It would have been pointless.
By the end of the day the entire Seireitei knew that Squad 13 had a new dog. The dog, name Rio after Captain JushRIO Ukitake, had been personally introduced to each and every available member of the squad by an overly enthusiastic Rangiku who dragged Kana along for this painful process. The dog was beside himself with joy at all the attention given to him. Rio had a tag attached to his collar that identified him as belonging to squad 13 and granted him free reign of the grounds. It was decided that Rio would have to be on a leash when off squad 13's ground but Kana doubted that anyone would pay attention to that rule. The dog usually slept with Kana but though she made a bed for the dog on the floor on the wall of her bedroom, he usually slept on her bed curled up beside her. The dog quickly became a beloved member of the 13th.
Meanwhile Jushiro was trying to figure out how to tell Retsu about their child. It was killing him to know but not be able to share this with her and talk about it. But how was he to break the news? Perhaps it would be a good start to invite her over for dinner and just tell her or give her the test results. Jushiro sent out the invite and awaited Retsu's response.
Kana was in the sparing ring, helping up her fallen opponent (again) when the inevitable happened. A wave of violent spiritual pressure washed over Kana and after recognizing it, she hurried to get her sparing partner out of the ring quickly. When the ring was clear she took a deep breath and prepared herself, opening up every one of her senses and raising her spiritual pressure to full battle mode. Then she whipped up her sword to block a blow meant to cleave her head from its shoulders.
"Hello, Captain Zaraki, hell of a way to greet someone" Kana said, a wicked grin stretching her mouth, looking suspiciously similar to Kempachi's own maniacal smile.
"Well if it bothered you so much why didn't you run away?" Zaraki challenged as he bore down on Kana. Sparks flew from where their swords joined and scrapped against each other.
"Not a chance in hell, I would never give you the satisfaction. Plus, this looks to be a good fight and I would never run from a good fight." Kana disengaged completely and shouted "fly the heavens and strike down your enemies, Shin Rika!" Kana's zampackto glowed as she released her shikai.
As the light faded, the dual swords were revealed. They were identical. Their handles were wrapped green corded cloth with a silvery gold hilt that held a gem the color of freshly spilled blood at the base of each hilt. A shape that resembled a flowering rose was the hilt. Delicate vines with flowers ran up the blades to the tip. But those vines did nothing to diminish the deadly look of the edge. Nothing could dampen the effect of those blades pointed at you. Kana sighed with pleasure as the familiar feeling of her zampacto joining even closer with her filled her soul. The zampacto represented both the blood of death and the life of spring. She loved the duality of her blades as the represented the two sides of her soul. She smiled with a promise to reign all hell on any opening stupid or strong enough to face her now.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you looked at this fight, the captain of squad 11 was just such a man. Zaraki's grin just got wider as Kana's spiritual pressure rose. This was how he liked his fights, no need to force his opponent to get serious or power up, just straight to the good fight full of blood and deadly intent. And Kana came at him filled with all kinds of killing intent. The amount of spiritual pressure she was able to wild was impressive, especially considering how recently she had acquired her powers. Kempachi knew that Kana was a truly worthy opponent to fight with. As the fight continued, blood began to fly from both parties, which was not a common occurrence. He grudgingly admitted to himself that Ukitake had trained the girl well. Kana was truly a dual wielder. His third seat used both his sheath and his sword during a fight but only one of the weapons held any true potential for danger. But with Kana, Kempachi had to watch out for both blades. If he was not carful, Kana might actually pose a threat. Kana was everything Kempachi hoped that she would be.
Jushiro felt the spike of spiritual pressure and felt a jolt of fear lance through his heart. Then he felt the murderous but familiar spiritual pressure clashing with the other and Jushiro just groaned. He sighed and put down what he had been working on. He had known that this was bound to happen sooner or later. Kempachi loved a good fight and Kana was just the kind of person that could promise him one. And if Jushiro was honest with himself, he was surprised this had not happened sooner. Still, he told himself, he should go and watch to make sure things do not get out of hand.
Retsu sighed with the weiriness of the old and tired when she felt the waves of familiar violent spiritual pressure coming off Kepachi wash over her. 'Not again, not now' was all she could think. Why did that man have to get so worked up over his fights? Then again there was a time when she had gotten that worked up but all she could feel now as she got up from her desk was weiriness. When he got this worked up she was always called to do damage control. With resignation she got up and informed her lieutenant she was heading out. Then using flash step she headed in the direction of the fight.
Jushiro met up with Retsu on the edge of the sparing field. On lookers had gathered quickly but only some were able to withstand the spiritual pressure to get closer than a hundred meters. Jushiro should have known Retsu would show up but he was not on top of his game today. It was odd being around her lately and they had both been avoiding each other since that night in the mountains. There was a new awareness between them that was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable but defiantly awkward. He avoided eye contact when he greeted her. Fortunately she was more focused on the fight and did not notice his behavior. Jushior shook himself and refocused on the sparing match in front of him. He wanted desperately to rush in and defend his daughter but he knew Kana would never forgive him if he did so. Not only would it offend Kana's honor, it would be interrupting a fight that was clearly being enjoyed by both parties. The made him wonder were Kana's love of battle came from. By all appearances Kana was born of the two most peace loving people in the soul society. Where did she get that crazy grin from? Jushiro eyes the woman next to him and wondered if Retsu soft smile hid a more violent side that was similar to Kempachi's own. He remembered how even squad 11 member were afraid of the captain of squad 4 and a particular smile from Retsu had been know to send even the head captain crawling back into bed. Hmmmm…..