Hi Everyone... Only around 2-3 chapter's remaining... Enjoy...
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. This a story that takes place in an AU/Time Line. Warning there is a bit of a spoiler alert for the English Dubbed Episodes... though I'll let you figure out where...
Chapter 24: Orders
It was sunrise when Baldo awoke to a cream and orange colored arm draped over his body. Baldo placed his hand atop of his father's.
"You're awake," Sajin breathed warming Baldo's neck, "You kicked your blanket off last night."
The boy smiled staring at a chair, "And it just so happened to land neatly folded on the chair?"
"I was going to put it back over you," his father squeezed Baldo a little tighter, "But I thought this would be warmer."
"Thanks, dad," Baldo replied kissing his orange hand.
"Hey love birds get a room," Rotondo yawned lying against a wall in the corner.
Garland walked up to Baldo, "I'm glad you're finally awake."
"How long was I asleep this time," Baldo asked in a worried tone sitting up.
"Since I left yesterday," Sajin said joining him, "Truthfully I thought you'd be asleep for another day or two given all your body went through."
"I've been asleep long enough. What's happened in the Seireitei the last three years?"
Sajin left the comfort of the bed taking his warmth with him, "Let's finish the official report from yesterday first then we'll fill you in on what happened."
"Okay," Baldo accepted the blanket brought over by Garland, "Thanks, Garland." The four legged wolf joined Baldo on the bed as the human wrapped himself. "Does the Head Captain need the events from three years ago?"
"No," his father responded, "Yamamoto received over fifty nearly identical reports. He's considered the case closed. I only need you to confirm what I have so far."
The furry captain's report recanted Baldo's explanation the day before to the letter except for a more detailed description of how Algera Sponge was defeated. Baldo nodded his approval.
"And that's that," Sajin placed the report in an envelope then sealed it.
Baldo looked at each of them, "Okay, how did you find me?"
Garland explained that it was all thanks to Baldo's inability to control his healing Kido while alive. When Baldo's Reiatsu transferred part of his will into the bear and wolf, he did in fact absorb part of their will through their Reiatsu as well.
It was the reason Garland thought Baldo called his name, Rotondo felt Baldo was fighting a solitary battle, and why Captain Komamura knew Baldo wouldn't give up until he could deliver his message.
Garland went on to inform them it was, also, the reason Algera could not manipulate Baldo's perception of them. Her powers were limited to the mind and could only alter his memories. Since Baldo's images of Garland, Rotondo, and Captain Komamura were part of their physical wills, the Espada's power had no effect.
"It's, also, the reason we were able to help enter your inner world to help you reach Bankai while you were alive and why we're so effective at healing each other," Garland finished, "Your soul link allowed us to harmonize our physical bodies to your unconscious through our existing souls within you."
"Wow but I don't recall using that technique with you, dad," Baldo recalled closing the wounds his father suffered at the hands of former Squad 9 Captain Tosen during the Aizen fight.
"I entered through the Mod Soul Kageroza Inaba created," Sajin hugged Baldo when the realization hit, "That Komamura was created from pieces of my Reiatsu that he collected from when I passed through the Senkaimon.
"He allowed us to become one again in order to protect you," his father finished.
"My two dads," Baldo cried into his father's fluffy chest. Pulling back, the human looked into Sajin's gentle eyes, "Is he the one who talks dirty?"
The wolf captain broke into a fit of laughter.
Rotondo knelt in front of Baldo. "I'm sorry Baldo. I," the bear's voice waivered, "I couldn't share their optimism. I was scared." Rotondo broke down.
"So was I," Baldo hugged the bear catching his brother off guard. "I was here and there but was lost, alone, and helpless. How could you not be scared too?
"But then I saw your face with the same expression of fear and innocence from when we first met," Baldo paused, "Seeing you reminded me of your belief in me and renewed my courage. You gave me my strength back, Rotondo."
"Thank you, Captain," Rotondo wiped his eyes pulling back.
"It's just Baldo, now."
"No, it's not," the bear answered adding, "Not to me."
"Then how about brother?"
"Nope," Rotondo smiled, "How about mommy?"
"What," Baldo laughed nervously looking at Garland.
Garland's tailed wagged as he gestured toward Baldo and his father, "We know about your feelings toward each other."
"And you two are okay with it," Baldo asked.
"I don't care," Rotondo answered sincerely.
Garland wags his tail again, "I don't mind either. It's not all that uncommon in the animal kingdom anyway."
A weight lifted off Baldo's shoulders from their approval as he turned to Sajin attacking with his lips. He caught the anthropomorphic wolf off guard and both tumbled off the bed landing with a THUD.
Baldo scrambled back onto the bed hiding his excitement when Captain Unohana rushed into the room, "Captain Komamura, what is all the commotion in here?"
The wolf looked at Baldo who just smiled at his father. Baldo said suppressing a laugh, "Well Captain Komamura what happened?"
Shifting to a kneeling position with his hands on his knees, "Sorry Captain Unohana, I fell off the bed," Sajin apologized.
"Well are you hurt," she asked, "How come you're not up yet?"
"I'll be like this for about a minute. I banged my knee," he shot Baldo a half snarl that implied—you'll pay for that-making Baldo laugh.
"Do you need me to treat it," she asked.
"It's okay Captain Unohana," Baldo laughed, "I'll treat it."
Captain Unohana gave Baldo a glare so menacing that it immediately replaced his laughter with the fear of god. "And you. I'm very disappointed in you, Baldo Komamura, laughing at your injured father not even running to help him up."
"Sorry ma'am," Baldo apologized making eye contact with a smirking Captain Komamura.
"Now help your father up," she ordered.
"That's alright Retsu," Sajin rose, "The throbbing is gone."
"Awe," Baldo sighed sounding disappointed making his dad roar in laughter.
"I'm glad to see you're not hurt Captain Komamura," her smile returned, "Now Baldo I want you to stay a week for observation just to make sure you're cured."
A collective "Awe" came from all four Komamuras.
"No buts," Unohana's scary tone passed her smiling lips sending a chill through all of them.
"Yes, ma'am," they all responded before she left.
Rotondo complained, "A whole week!"
"That's alright," Sajin answered, "You two fill in Baldo on what's happened the last three years while I turn in our report and see if Head Captain Yamamoto will give us all the whole week off."
"Okay, dad," Garland and Rotondo both responded when their father left with the envelope.
They took turns telling him about the chain of events since Baldo fell under Algera's control. Starting with how Captain Komamura fulfilled his promise of allowing the animals join Squad 7 and ordering at least one of them to stand guard over him until Captain Komamura would relieve them.
"Though," Rotondo added, "We would all end up in the room at the same time."
Garland would lie on the bed pressing his furry body against Baldo like dogs do with terminally ill patients. Rotondo often sat holding Baldo's right hand while his father would hold Baldo's left one.
"We're not sure if it helped," Rotondo said.
"It did. More than you know," Baldo smiled recalling the warm sensations he felt while Algera attempted taking control.
His father returned when they got to the story of him grabbing Squad 12 Captain Kurotsuchi by the neck and throwing the scientist through the door making Baldo laugh.
"I wish I had seen it," Baldo tried picturing it.
"He followed," Rotondo did his best impression of Captain Komamura, "Family and Captain Unohana only."
"That's when he called us family and asked us if we would join the noble house of Komamura," Garland said.
"They accepted almost as fast as you did," Sajin recalled, "But I had asked them to wait for better or worse until the final outcome with you so that they wouldn't have to worry about being reassigned."
"We agreed," Rotondo smiled happily.
The papa wolf looked out the window to the starlit sky. "Okay you two, can go back to the barracks and sleep in your own beds. That's an order," Sajin growled over their moans, "Mission Accomplished and you've earned the rest of the week off."
They waved and left smiling . "Thank you for letting them into your house, dad," Baldo yawned staring at the closed door.
"Thank you for making that house a home worth going to," the wolf responded kissing Baldo's forehead, "I can't imagine a better group of kids to call family."
"Aren't you going home too, dad," Baldo asked lying on his back.
His father hung his haori in the closet then crawled into bed with Baldo. "My home is right here. Beside you."
"Thanks, dad," Baldo rolled to his side.
"Sajin," the wolf said draping an arm over Baldo, "We're not going to be father and son much longer." He kissed Baldo's neck.
"I'll try but to me you'll always be dad," Baldo answered turning finding his father already asleep. "Good night, Sajin," Baldo paused a moment then smiled, "Good night, Daddy Sajin."
Baldo kissed his father's wet nose watching one of the wolf's half smile cross his lips. The human resumed his submissive spooning position falling asleep again.
The next week came and went as his brothers and father kept him entertained with animated stories of the happenings around the Seireitei. Baldo's favorite story was when Squad 2 Captain Soi Fon heard of his orders to Lieutenant Omaeda to apologize to Squad 4.
She improved upon them by ordering her lieutenant to not only apologize but to thank a member of the healing squad every time he saw someone from Squad 4.
"YOU DID WHAT," Baldo laughed excitedly as Rotondo told him that he and Ishida ate the cookies he purchased as a bribe on the day of the attack.
His father confirmed Rotondo's story stating Captain Kurotsuchi included it in his official report to the Head Captain. Baldo laughed harder infecting the whole room.
Captain Unohana entered, "I'm happy to see you recovering Baldo but this is a hospital. Please keep your voices down or your party will have to leave."
"I'm sorry, Captain Unohana," Baldo said between fits of laughter wiping tears from his eyes. "Could you bring me a bottle of ink and some paper, please? I have to write a letter."
She left and returned with request quickly before going off on her rounds again. Still shaking from laughter, Baldo set the pen down "I can't write this. It'll be sloppy."
"I'll write it," Garland laid the paper on the floor and dipped the tip of his tail in the ink. "Ready."
"My Dear Captain Kurotsuchi," Baldo dictated, "I wished to thank you for your expertise three years ago. They proved invaluable in our liberation of the Seireitei. I was, also, just informed of my lieutenant's misrepresentation of Squad 14 and scolded him.
"Unfortunately, since I am no longer his squad captain, I am unable to reprimand him in an appropriate way. Please accept these 100 boxes of cookies for you and your men with my deepest and most sincere apologies. Former Captain of Squad 14, the Beast Squad, Baldo Komamura."
"A 100 boxes? That'll be expensive," Sajin said.
"It's okay. I have some money saved," Baldo smiled, "Thank you Garland."
"This is the most beautiful calligraphy I've ever seen," Rotondo gawked at the letter, "When did you learn to write?"
Garland accidently sprayed the wall with ink wagging his tail, "Ever since Baldo tried healing me all those years ago."
"This whole TIME," Rotondo shouted, "You should have been lieutenant after all."
"No, you made a great one. Between you and Baldo, there's no one I'd rather follow," Garland quickly added after Sajin cleared his throat, "And of course you, dad."
"Of course," Sajin smiled making Baldo entered another laughing fit.
Garland continued when Rotondo looked unconvinced, "Besides I hate doing paperwork."
"I second that," Sajin added sending Baldo and Rotondo into an uncontrollable laughing fit that drew the wrath of Captain Unohana.
"Alright everybody out," Unohana shuffled Rotondo and Garland to the door. She looked back at the wolf captain, "You, too, Captain Komamura. I warned you."
"I'll try and comeback later," Sajin sighed, "I'll place your order and mail your letter."
"Thanks, dad, I hope to see you tonight," Baldo said as his father left. "Captain Unohana, thank you for the ink and paper."
"You're welcome, Baldo," her voice was a mix of joy and sorrow. "The Head Captain will visit you tomorrow and after you meet with him you'll be able to go home."
"Really," Baldo grinned, "Thank you, Captain Unohana."
Baldo stayed awake the whole night waiting for his father to arrive but the wolf never did. Growing impatient, Baldo dressed in his generic black Shihakusho. He held a sleeping Draco while leaning his butt against the bed.
'What do you think the Head Captain wants Draco,' Baldo thought.
'Maybe to offer you a position with Squad 1,' Draco responded.
Baldo didn't get a chance to respond before the door opened allowing his father, Garland, and Rotondo entry.
"Baldo, you're dressed," Sajin said surprised closing the door behind them.
"Daddy Sajin," Baldo leapt into his father's arms and kissed him, "I get to go home today."
"That's terrific, Baldo," the wolf captain responded with a smile lowering his boy. "What time?"
"As soon as I'm done talking to Head Captain Yamamoto," Baldo answered.
After around a half hour or so, Captain Yamamoto entered. Baldo lead the Komamuras in a courteous round of bows.
"Good morning, Head Captain Yamamoto," Baldo said finishing his bow.
"I need to speak to Baldo and Captain Komamura alone," Yamamoto ordered slamming his walking cane.
"We'll be outside, Baldo," Rotondo said closing the door behind him and Garland.
"Baldo, I have received inquiries from the Royal Guards," Yamamoto said, "And their interests in you."
Baldo gasped. Joining the Royal Guard meant a promotion but with conditions.
"Thank you, Head Captain, but I must respectfully decline-," Sajin's hand clamps Baldo's shoulders.
"That's a rare opportunity. How long does Baldo have to decide," his father asked.
"There's nothing to decide," Baldo said, "I rather stay in the Seireitei as a member of Squad 1 if you would allow me, Head Captain Yamamoto." He finished with a bow.
Peeking up, Baldo saw a small smile of pride on Yamamoto's face but it soon vanished. "There is nothing to decide because the order has already come through.
"Starting tomorrow, Baldo Komamura has been assigned to the Royal Guard," Yamamoto slammed his cane finalizing the decision like a judge's gavel.
With his world shattering, Baldo started falling but was caught by Sajin. His father's eyes were as glassy as his.
"I'm sorry, Baldo," Yamamoto said drawing the father and son gazes. "I would have preferred you stay in the Seireitei as a member of Squad 1 as well."
The instant the Head Captain opened the door and exited Rotondo and Garland rushed to Baldo's side.
"Baldo, I'm so sorry," Garland said, "The Royal Guard."
"The Royal Guards," Rotondo added full of sadness.
"You two heard? How," Baldo asked watching them wiggle their ears, "Never mind."
"Now, now, why is everyone so sad," his father's voice was deflated. "Shinigami work their whole lives to join the Royal Guards. This is a time for celebration."
"D-dad," Baldo fell hugging Sajin who returned the embrace.
His father pulled a couple blindfolds, "Put these on. I have a surprise for all of you."
Sajin led Baldo while Rotondo held a non blindfolded Garland by the tail. Making many twists and turns before heading down a pebbled road, the wolves positioned Baldo and Rotondo.
"Okay. Remove the blindfolds," Sajin commanded.
Taking off the blindfolds, Baldo and Rotondo gasp staring at a giant mansion that could easily house over half of the 13 Court Guard Squads.
"Wow, dad. It's beautiful," Baldo said still in shock.
"Whose is it," Rotondo asked.
"Ours," Garland answered with a sigh.
"I bought it. I figured since we're all going to be in different squads that we needed our own place to call home. What," Sajin asked when Baldo looked at him.
"It had to be expensive," Baldo said.
Sajin's eyes rolled. "It's okay. I've had some money saved and finally had a reason to spend it," the wolf said watching Baldo's eyes swell, "This is nothing. Wait until you see the inside."