Note: Some of the dialogue in this chapter comes directly from Episode 119, although it is the subtitled version from Dattebayo and not an official English dub.

Chapter 5

A week had passed since Buffy had arrived in Rukongai, and she, Yumichika and Ikkaku had already moved to a different district. Since her arrival, Buffy and Yumichika had grown quite close, trading information on each other.

Buffy had learned that Yumichika and Ikkaku had been friends for at least fifteen years; Yumichika had given Ikkaku a good fight and the latter had decided that Yumichika would be a good person to keep around. It didn't hurt that Yumichika was able to find wherever the food was in each district; it was almost a weird instinctual thing. She had also learned that not everyone needed food to survive; most needed only water. Some, like Yumichika, Ikkaku and apparently Buffy, had high spiritual energy which made it necessary for additional sustenance.

"Most spirits with high amounts of energy go through the Shinigami Academy and are placed in one of the thirteen protection squads upon graduation," Yumichika had explained.

"What about the ones that don't?" Buffy asked.

"They're like us, roaming Rukongai until they get fed up with killing or they get killed," Ikkaku replied with a smirk. "Besides, it doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me. Sanctioned fighting, can't kill anyone? No thanks."

"I'm sure you'd find a way to get around that," Buffy retorted with a roll of her eyes. Ikkaku scowled at her and she smirked; over the past week she had taken a large amount of amusement out of annoying Ikkaku. There was little else for her to do, except watch Ikkaku beat the crap out of people or spar with Yumichika, which, by default, annoyed Ikkaku anyway.

"So, are you going to let me spar with you or not?" Ikkaku asked, arching an eyebrow. "I promise I won't kill you. Seriously maim, possibly, but you'll come out of it alive."

"Because you know that'll convince me that getting into a fight with you is a good idea," Buffy replied.

"What, don't you want a rematch?" Ikkaku asked. "Or are you just chicken?"

"Not chicken, I just don't want you to be embarrassed over being beaten by a girl," Buffy replied with a smirk.

"Kind of cocky, aren't you?" Ikkaku asked. "Wanna put your money where your mouth is?"

"Are you going to shut up about it if I do?" Buffy retorted.

She didn't know what it was about Ikkaku, but almost every time he spoke it made her want to smack him upside the head. Almost. There were times, when he was interacting with Yumichika, that she could see he was almost a decent person. Almost. However, whenever he spoke to her, it seemed as if his sole goal was to goad her. Unfortunately for him, she wasn't going to take it lying down and taunted him right back.

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't," Ikkaku replied with a shrug, returning her smirk. Now that he was possibly getting somewhere, he was in a very good mood. "There's only one way to find out, girlie."

"Let's do this then, shut you up once and for all," Buffy said, getting up from the low table she was sitting at.

"Are you sure…" Yumichika began, before he caught the determined glint in Buffy's eye. He had only known her for a week, but in that week he had learned that she was frighteningly stubborn. There was this one glint in her eye that told him and anyone around that there was no way in hell she was going to be talked out of her plan of action, and right now her eyes held that glint. He fell silent and followed her out of the hut they had commandeered, wondering how hard they were going to beat on each other, and how big of a mess he would have to clean up later.

"Finally," Ikkaku said with something akin to glee in his voice. He got up and followed Buffy out of the hut, a large grin on his face.

"You're not going to beat me this time," Buffy said as they made their way to the dusty street in front of their shack.

"Let's see about that," Ikkaku retorted, charging at her head on.

Buffy easily sidestepped the attack before kicking Ikkaku in the back, which sent him flying into the ground. Ikkaku quickly jumped back onto his feet, an amused smirk cemented on his features. He then came at her, his fists flying. He punched and kicked at her, seemingly not holding back as Buffy blocked each blow with a proficiency that only came after years of fighting.

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Ikkaku said with a cackle. He's insane, Buffy thought, taking advantage of the brief respite in the attacks to land a kick to his stomach. He went flying, again, landing on his back several feet away.

"Have you had enough yet?" Buffy asked as Ikkaku leapt to his feet.

"You really think I'm gonna give up after that?" Ikkaku retorted, charging again. "I guess you don't know me, girlie."

Ikkaku charged yet again; Buffy wondered if he knew anything about subtlety and sneak attacks. Probably not, Buffy thought. Her mind must have wandered too far, because before she knew it she had a fist to the face, knocking her down.

"Not so confident now, are you?" Ikkaku asked with a smirk, standing over her near her feet. Buffy smirked back as her leg shot out and tangled with his ankles, tripping him. He fell next to her and Buffy rolled on top of him to pin him.

"I think I have every right to be confident," Buffy replied with a grin. Even though she was fighting with him, it didn't seem like fighting. It almost seemed like playing.

"I don't think you do," Ikkaku retorted as he hooked his leg around hers and flipped them over so that he was on top and pinning her.

"Get off of me, Baldy!" Buffy exclaimed, squirming in an attempt to break free. He was heavy; even with her enhanced strength, it would be quite difficult to throw the solid, muscular body off of her. "Unless, of course, you want me to know you really well."

Ikkaku's eyes widened a little as he took stock of the situation. Buffy's eyes were sparkling as a small, smug smirk played on her lips. He jumped to his feet and helped Buffy to her feet before putting a fair amount of distance between them by stalking back to the hut. In what seemed like no time at all, he had his katana in hand and a scowl was firmly back on his face.

"Going to find a worthy opponent, be back later," he tossed over his shoulder, not waiting for a response. Buffy stood there, dumbfounded, as Yumichika walked over to where she was standing.

"I'm going with him," Yumichika said. He glanced at Buffy. "Do you want to come along as well?"

"I think I'll stay here for a while," Buffy replied. "You go, have fun, I'll be fine."

Yumichika didn't look as if he believed her, but turned and followed Ikkaku as he walked away. Buffy watched them go until they turned a corner and were out of her line of vision. Sighing, she turned and went back into the hut, having no reason to remain in the dusty street.

Her day had been uneventful, and by the time sunset was upon her she was beginning to get a little restless. She couldn't quite explain it, but Buffy couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen, and that it was going to happen soon. Making a quick decision, she grabbed her recovered katana from her first fight with Ikkaku and made her way out into the street. The setting sun cast an orange glow on the village as she rushed in any direction that seemed like a good direction; no one bothered with her. She didn't know why, but on future reflection realized that the people she associated with afforded her some kind of immunity in the village.

It wasn't long before she found a crowd of people surrounding what looked to be a rather brutal fight. She caught sight of a flowered robe through the sea of blacks, browns and greys and elbowed her way to the front of the crowd where Yumichika was watching, transfixed.

Sure enough, there was Ikkaku, fighting someone who had to be at least six inches taller than him and seemed to be built of solid muscle. The large man was fast, very fast; Buffy had a hard time tracking his attacks. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves, although Yumichika looked worried. When Yumichika worried about something, it usually meant something bad was about to happen, because he normally had a lot of confidence in Ikkaku's abilities.

"What is this?" Yumichika asked himself. "I can barely see his attacks."

"He's fast," Buffy remarked. Yumichika jumped slightly, but relaxed when he looked down and found Buffy standing next to him.

"Kenny's smiling," said a little voice on the other side of Yumichika. Buffy leaned over to see what the source of the voice was. Sitting next to him on a low wall was a small child with pink hair, a small, contented smile on her face. Her expression turned thoughtful as she continued. "Too bad, though. It's almost over."

Alarmed, Buffy turned her attention back to the fight in front of her. The opponents had separated, standing a short distance from each other. Buffy could see that Ikkaku was covered in cuts, presumably from "Kenny's" jagged blade. Her gaze slid to the larger, dark haired man standing across from Ikkaku, surprised to see that there wasn't a scratch on him.

"That was fun," said Kenny with a smirk as Ikkaku stood in a battle-ready stance, breathing hard. "It's been a while since I really let loose."

It was then that Kenny charged at Ikkaku. Buffy watched as Ikkaku tried to block the attack, but Kenny's jagged sword shattered Ikkaku's, running him through with the blade.

The fight was over.

The crowd dispersed quickly after that; the only people remaining were Buffy, Yumichika and the little girl. She jumped off the low ledge she had been sitting on and ran to Kenny, climbing up him until she reached his shoulder, where she clung. Kenny, along with the little girl, turned and were about to leave when they were stopped by Ikkaku's voice.

"Wait, damn it…"

Buffy was surprised; she hadn't expected him to survive a slash like that. She was a little relieved, although she wouldn't admit it to anyone that she was.

"Huh? You still alive?" Kenny asked, turning back.

"What the hell, man?" Ikkaku asked, angry. "Why don't you finish me off?! You won!"

"I don't give a rat's ass about you now that you can fight," Kenny replied emotionlessly. "And I'm not exactly obligated to kill you, either."

"Don't screw with me!" Ikkaku exclaimed. Buffy could tell that Ikkaku was getting angrier. She glanced over at Yumichika, who was making no move to help. "Are you mocking me?! Kill me!"

Buffy watched the exchange, wondering why, if a win meant killing your opponent, Ikkaku hadn't killed her. She wasn't complaining in any way, shape or form, but it perplexed her. She'd have to ask him about it later. If he survived, that is.

"If you like fighting, then quit bitching about not being killed!" Kenny exclaimed, grabbing Ikkaku by the shirt and hauling him half to his feet. "Don't just accept defeat and beg for death! Accept it after you're dead! If you lose without dying, it means luck was on your side. When that happens, focus on surviving."

"The hell?" Ikkaku asked, his voice holding a note of disbelief.

"Survive and kill the person who couldn't kill you!" Kenny replied, before a smile crossed his face. "It's not like I held back. The only reason you're not dead is because you're lucky. Live! Live, and come try to kill me again."

He dropped Ikkaku then; the bald man fell to his knees. Kenny turned and began walking away. Buffy watched as Ikkaku stared dumbly at his back, only speaking when he was some distance away.

"P-please wait!" Ikkaku all but begged; again, this surprised Buffy. Ikkaku didn't seem like the type to beg for anything. Then again, she'd only known him for a week. "Your name! Please tell me your name!"

Buffy watched with trepidation as Kenny turned, wondering if he'd actually tell Ikkaku his name.

"Kenpachi," he replied. "It's Kenpachi of Zaraki!"

Kenny, now known as Kenpachi, turned and continued on his way not turning back.

"Kenpachi of Zaraki," Ikkaku whispered, watching as Kenpachi and the little girl left. Buffy turned to Yumichika, who looked pensive.

"Should we go and see how he is?" Buffy asked.

"Might be a good idea," Yumichika replied. With that reassurance, Buffy rushed to his side, easily outstripping Yumichika and reaching Ikkaku first.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ikkaku asked, glaring at her.

"Helping you, you big moron," Buffy replied, hauling him to his feet. When he stumbled she caught him, steadying him.

"Should have died," Ikkaku muttered as Yumichika arrived on his other side. Ikkaku leaned heavily on the shorter man, relieving Buffy of the burden of keeping him upright.

"Here, hold this on his wound," Yumichika said, handing Buffy a bundle of cloth. Buffy did as she was told, putting pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.

"And I should have died too, and didn't," Buffy retorted. Ikkaku turned his gaze over on her, surprised. "Oh come on, don't act all surprised. I know you wanted to leave me for dead. I might have been bleeding out, but my hearing worked just fine."

"Then what are you still doing with us?" Ikkaku asked as Buffy and Yumichika began leading them back to their hut.

"I'm waiting for the day where I can beat the crap out of you on my own terms," Buffy joked.

"Don't make him laugh, Buffy, it'll just make him bleed more," Yumichika chided as Ikkaku smirked, amused.

"Fine, I won't," Buffy said with a sigh. She was relieved, though; she'd come to like the rude, impulsive and violent man, probably because she had seen more of him than most did. He was sarcastic and funny; the things he said when he was talking to Yumichika had made her giggle more than once, although she covered it up with a cough when he glared at her. She learned a lot about Ikkaku from Yumichika when she and the latter would talk while Ikkaku was out causing trouble.

"Come on, let's get you home," Yumichika said, patting Ikkaku on the back. Ikkaku leaned heavily on his companions, one arm around Buffy's shoulders and the other around Yumichika's waist, and allowed them to lead him back to their hut.

***