I wish I could be terribly clever and say that I timed this so the next few chapters coincide with the beginning of the new school year, but I'm afraid I cant. Sorry about the wait and I hope you enjoy it!

A clear, cold clarity gripped Kenpachi, the sort that could only be bought about by panic. His mind assessed tirelessly and unbidden, going over the horrible possibilities of the situation. What if she had been abducted? You were certain to get those sort of people hanging around somewhere like there, a place filled with children and crowds. The other alternatives were no better....she could have found her way into the car park, a place fraught with danger for an inattentive child with no concept of road safely, or she could just be lost and alone somewhere. The last was a little better, in that she was in no immediate danger, but in this day and age you could never rely on a kind stranger and it twisted something inside of him to think of Yachiru alone and frightened in the huge crowds in the field.

Not to mention that if Social Services ever got wind of this he would quite definitely not be parent of the month. If only Ikkaku and Yumichika had used their brains...you never, never let a six year old wander off after someone! Kenpachi turned to the two boys, his anger and frustration building as he looked at them standing uncertainly behind him and opened his mouth to give them a piece of his mind.

It died on his lips when he saw their expressions though. A mixture of frightened defiance and worry as they stood close together, almost huddled, just as they had done the first few times he had seen them in the Home, seeking comfort and protection from each other. It wasn't their fault, he couldn't expect them to know how to look after a sibling and he knew deep down that he just wanted to vent his anger.

"Come on..." He sighed, "s'not your fault. Lets get looking, she cant have got that far."

The two seemed surprised by his mellow attitude to their failure. Not for the first time Kenpachi found himself wondering about what he or anyone else had done to create that sort of response. They expected me to lash out at them.

"Where?" It was Ikkaku who asked, still slightly in front of Yumichika, playing the defender.

Kenpachi thought about the question. "We'll start with the places she's likely to want to go." He shook his head when Ikkaku opened his mouth, knowing what he was going to say. "No splitting up, one lost child is enough, thank you."

Ikkaku deflated slightly and nodded, following behind Kenpachi as the large man strode though the crowd, parting them with a mixture of purposeful speed and his large frame. They looked around the food stalls, making a point to go to the ones selling candy-floss first, having seen the girl's expression as they passed them. Stall holders regarded them with worry and pity as they enquired after Yachiru, but every time she had not been seen.

Once they had exhausted the food stalls they tried some of the rides, returning to ones they had already been on to see if she was waiting for them in a familiar place, Yumichika and Ikkaku keeping a sharp eye out for her amongst the crowd, while Kenpachi, head and shoulders above most people, scanned the seething mass of heads. He found there was something rather insulting about how life seemed to go on regardless of their panic, ignoring their plight. There should at least have been something to show for it.

He scanned the crowd by the Ghost Train once more, beginning to consider calling the Police and moving to gather up the two boys who were roaming farther than he liked in their searches, when a call got his attention.

"Hey! Mister!" It was a tall, flamboyantly dressed man headed in his direction who had called, and he looked relieved to have caught Kenpachi's attention. "Is this your child?" He motioned to a bespectacled woman following behind him who was holding the hand of...Yachiru?

Kenpachi stared for a moment, unable to believe it. He had found Yachiru! Or more accurately this man had found Yachiru, but either way it didn't matter, he still had Yachiru. When she saw him her face lit up and she detached herself from the woman, running to him. "We found you!" She grabbed his arm and held on tightly, belying her fear.

Kenpachi scooped her up as Ikkaku and Yumichika came closer. "S'ok. I'm here."

The man, who was still watching smiled slowly at their interactions. "Isn't that sweet, Eh, Nanao?" Nanao lowered her head slightly, a small smile touching her lips.

Realising with a small amount of embarrassment that he had forgotten all about Yachiru's saviour Kenpachi turned to the man. "Uh...Thank you, thank you so much."

"It was no problem, we found her by the car park as we came in. She's a lovely little girl." The man smiled benignly at Yachiru until Nanao nudged him. "Oh, forgive me. My name's Shunsui, and this is Nanao, my wife. Pleased to meet you." Shunsui held out his hand.

Gratefully, Kenpachi accepted it. "Kenpachi. Thank you again..."

"Don't mention it. My pleasure." Kenpachi was waved off with a good natured smile. "This place is great isn't it? Just like the ones when I was a kid!"

Slightly taken aback by his new-found companions enthusiasm Kenpachi nodded slowly, managing. "The kids are enjoying it."

Still looking around Shunsui nodded. Eventually he expelled a large sigh, turning to them again. "Well, don't let me keep you, we should be off if we want to see everything, eh Nanao?"

Nanao nodded slightly, adjusting her glasses. "We should." She turned to Kenpachi. "Pleasure to meet you." And then the pair were off; Nanao leading with her husband ambling along beside her.

For a few moments Kenpachi watched them as they disappeared into the crowd before turning back to Yachiru, who was being grudgingly greeted by Ikkaku and Yumichika. Losing the little girl had been a horrible experience, and probably not just for him. It had been a fear that squeezed his heart until he thought he couldn't breathe and all he wanted to do now was hold her close and take her home where she couldn't be lost again. He knew that he couldn't just dote on her though, she had to be warned that she couldn't just walk off.

Ikkaku beat him to it though. "Waddaya think you were doing?" He demanded, scowling. "You scared everyone!"

Pleased (and a little surprised) at the boy's use of the word 'everyone', but aware of the tearful expression on Yachiru's face Kenpachi crouched down beside her. "You mustn't run off like that! If you want to go somewhere you should get someone to come with you. Understand?"

Yachiru looked up at him with large, heart-melting eyes. "Yes." It was a small whisper, but it was there. Kenpachi pulled her in close for another hug, hearing the tiniest of "sorry"s as he did so. It seemed they had both been scared, but it was over now, and no doubt she had learned her lesson. The rest of the day was to be enjoyed.

The rest of the day was spent touring the rest of the fair, sampling the various sticky, sickly-sweet bits and pieces that were on offer and going on the rides that had been forgotten. Yachiru seemed unaffected by the previous trauma, running back and forth with wild abandon, but oddly, Ikkaku was more withdrawn, unwilling to participate unless coaxed by Yumichika and frowning whenever he looked at Yachiru.

Soon, almost too soon, it began to get late, and the crowds began to thin as people had their fill of the festivities and left. Yachiru was drooping on Kenpachi's shoulders and even Yumichika was beginning to flag, his hair slightly rumpled from the rides. Deciding that it was perhaps time that they left, Kenpachi bundled the three of them into the car, smiling slightly as Yachiru fell asleep almost immediately, and rumbled out of the gravelly car park.

It had, all in all, been a success he felt. He just hoped he didn't have to do anything similar any time soon. Neither his wallet nor his heart would be able to cope.

XXXX

All the lights were out when a silent figure slipped from their room, creeping down the hall, feeling their way carefully so as not to collide with anything in the darkness. After an age, they reached a door and turned the knob, easing the door open and slipping inside.

Ikkaku fumbled for the bedside light in the unfamiliar room, cursing silently when he tripped over what felt like a chair. Eventually he found it and turned it on, its weak light illuminating the room and the sleeping boy on the bed, growing by the minute. Gently, he shook Yumichika, who just grumbled and turned over, pulling the covers closer.

"Yumichika!" Ikkaku didn't dare raise his voice above a hiss as he shook his companion again, only getting batted away for his troubles. Grumbling about heavy sleepers Ikkaku lifted the lamp and held it close to Yumichika's face, pulling open an eye to shine it into.

That seemed to work and eventually he was able to rouse his friend, after many complaints and hurried shhing sounds, and had him upright in the still dim light. "What is it?" Yumichika demanded, obviously still irritated about his rude awakening.

"Do you think he would do that for us?" The question was blurted out of the blue and surprised even the asker, even though he had been thinking about it all night.

"Do what?" Yumichika shifted uncomfortably under Ikkaku's stare.

Ikkaku scowled. "Run around like that. Spend ages searching for us if we got lost. Be that happy if he found us."

"I don't know! I guess so...all parents get scared when their children go missing."

Ikkaku fixed his gaze once again on his companion. "Really? Ours didn't. How do you know he won't get bored with us?"

Yumichika looked uncertain. "He adopted us..." He trailed off, gripping the bed-covers.

Looking a little apologetic, Ikkaku patted him on the shoulder. "I'm just sayin'...don't get too attached, we might be packing in the future." When Yumichika remained silent he continued. "Whatever happens, we'll still have each other. Just...don't get so that leaving will hurt."

"Uh-huh. You're right." Yumichika chewed his thumbnail. "Its just...why would he do all this stuff for us if he didn't care?"

"They all start out meaning well. They want to 'fix us', but eventually it gets too much. He's a nice guy, but that doesn't make a difference."

Yumichika nodded slowly. "Stay?" he asked, vulnerable for a second. But as quickly as it came it was gone. "You might as well for a while now since you went to all the bother of waking me up."

Ikkaku hesitated for a moment, but relented, swinging his legs up onto the bed and shuffling into the space Yumichika made for him, resting beside him on the headboard.

Later that night Kenpachi awoke and on his way to the kitchen saw the light. When he investigated he found the two boys asleep beside each other, Ikkaku's head resting on Yumichika's shoulder. It was a touching sight, and Kenpachi had the feeling that it wouldn't be appreciated if he woke them, no matter how uncomfortable the position looked. Only pausing to switch off the still burning light Kenpachi left, closing the door softly behind him.

Off to school for the kids next time! As always I love to hear any thoughts on what I've written. It really enthuses me! ^_^