A/N: HULLO! haha sorry for being 2 days late :p
good news: MY BETA IS ALIVE! So expect better edited chapters :D
bad news: this chapter is unbetad. it's 3 in the morning and Im going to crash XD
more good news: NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED!
(holy fuck, I use a lot of casp now don't I? Meh)
anyways, enjoy!
Chapter Eleven
"Put me down!"
"Stop struggling idiot." Kenpachi grunted as his flailing limbs hit his head. "Ow." He said for the umpteenth time, his voice as monotonous as ever. After a few more punches to his jaw, Kenpachi growled and threw Ichigo over his shoulders, the two painting a picture of a bandit and a captured princess.
"Put me down! I can walk!" Ichigo hit Kenpachi's back, disgruntled by how solid the body seemed.
"Hee, Icchi smells good !" Yachiru hung herself upside down from her Ken-chan's shoulders, sniffing at Ichigo's hair. "Like soap!" She laughed and buried her face in the orange tuff, wrapping her arm around Ichigo's neck.
"OW OW OW! Don't pull on my hair!" Ichigo swiped up a hand at the pink haired fukutaichou, only to hit Kenpachi on the back of the head.
"Ow." Kenpachi said, his voice still flat, his tiny bells jingling from the impact. Despite the chaos happening behind his shoulder, Zaraki Kenpachi is surprisingly calm. Maybe it's because he has finally got the final member of his pack with him. Or it's because he got a half naked teenager slung over his shoulders. Either way Zaraki Kenpachi was happy.
One of his loyal follower however, was not.
Ikkaku stomped as he followed his captain, scowling on his every step. There is something off with the boy, he could feel it. He just cant seem to put a finger to it. The boy just escaped from one of the most horrendous place on earth, yet his actions and demeanor is still the same. He's still a grumbling, over active, slightly angsty teenager. It's unnatural. Any length of imprisonment will change a man. It makes them bitter, negative, and lifeless. He should know, he had his fair share of jail time in his Rokungai days. Ikkaku know that a man could never really recovered after being put behind bars.
His captain was also acting weird. On his shoulders he got a loud obnoxious teenager hitting him on the head, and not once did the man barked or shouted at the boy. Even Yachiru has been shouted by her dear Ken-chan, but Kenpachi is unusually patient with the boy.
"What's wrong, anata?"(1) Yumichika stepped close to Ikkaku, bumping shoulder with the man as he fall in step with his pace.
Ikkaku lips twitched at the title, a red blush appearing on his cheek. "Nothin... It's just the orange head and Taichou. There's something off."
"Why would you think that?" Yumichika tilted his head to the side, finding nothing odd from the pair.
"They're just so.. so.."
"Happy?" Yumichika tried.
"Yes!" Ikkaku clapped his hand in affirmation. "TOO happy! See that?" He pointed at Ichigo slapping Kenpachi on the face. "THAT would get ME killed, but the captain is not.."
"Killing him?"
"Exactly!"
"Maa, you're so slow aren't cha?"
Ikkaku face blanked at the statement. "Che! You little-" he pushed his lover with his fist.
"Why do you think we're travelling all these way?" Yumichika grimaced in pain and gave Ikkaku an equally painful punch.
"Huh? To get Ichigo." Ikkaku answer within a heart beat, unfazed by the punch.
"I know, but why?"
"Cuz Taichou wanna fight him of course!" Ikkaku slid his sleeve up to show his biceps. "Camaraderie! Camaraderie! That's what men do to their comrade!"
Yumichika laugh and shook his head, ignoring how his lover as he went into his long tirade about man and manliness. How can the third seat be oblivious? Didn't he recognize the sparkle in their captain's eyes were the same as his? It was not the desire to fight, oh no. It was something else completely.
Yumichika watched as Kenpachi held Ichigo against his chest, making the boy blush and silencing him at the same time. "Oi, Zaraki. This is so fucking gay." Ichigo said out loud, only to be replied with a bored grunt. The fifth seat smiled at the sight. It seems like Ichigo has not yet realized their captain's feelings.
As a loyal subordinate, it is his duty to ensure his captain's happiness. That entails giving his reports on time, serving him hot tea on winter, and making sure his love interest stayed available. Yumichika giggled, already picturing the many 'fun' scenarios that he could put Ichigo in the future.
"Move faster Yun-Yun! Baldy!" Yachiru chirped, waving her pink sword into the air. The two gave a sound 'hai!' before jogging closer to their fukutaichou. As the two moved closer, they noticed how Ichigo was serenely napping on Kenpachi's chest.
"Stop staring." The man growled and shields the boy with his shoulder. Yumichika gave Ikkaku a knowing look and looped his hand through the man's arm. Ikkaku blushed, but did nothing to shove away the boy. At first, Ikkaku was against any form of public display of affection, but his captain was distracted. Surely there is no harm in walking hand in hand with his own lover.
Yumichika grin winded when he felt Ikkaku thread his finger though his, happy that his distraction method worked more than he expect. In front of them Kenpachi only looked at two thing, Ichigo and the road. He'll be damned if he'll let the boy slip from his fingers again.
It was an awkward scene in the Ukitake Household. Four captains stared hard at the orange haired boy, their brows furrowed intensely for many different reasons. One captain focused his glinting golden eyes on Ichigo's muscled abdomen, licking his lips every time the boy moved. A pair of warm brown eyes followed the curve of Ichigo's waist, only to look away guiltily as a large pair of green eyes met his. The owner of said eyes said nothing but gave a piercing glare right to Ichigo's warm honey amber eyes.
Meanwhile Ukitake smiled nervously and poured out some tea. But as Ichigo fidgeted, the captain too found his eyes wandering to the boy's slim waist. Even the head of the Ukitake house is not impervious to the power of the male body.
"Uh. Guys?" Ichigo raised his hand, uncomfortable at the staring and glaring. "Aren't you all supposed to uh, ask me stuff or something?"
Ukitake flushed and bowed slightly."Oh! Forgive us for staring Ichigo-kun, it's just that your grab is rather.."
"Obscene." Hitsugaya fumed, his hand crossed over his chest defiantly.
"Distracting." Komamura said, his voice stern but the wagging of his tail betrayed his voice.
"Naughty." Kenpachi piled in, giving Ichigo a feral grin.
Ichigo quickly secured the remaining fabric of Kenpachi's Haori around his waist, inching away from the eleventh division captain. "Well, can I borrow something first?" He said, irritation clear on his voice. It's not his fault that Kenpachi had to abducted him when he was naked. And it wasn't his fault that Kenpachi threw his haori out so he 'wouldn't get heatstroke' when they arrived at Rokungai.
Ukitake chuckled and draped his long sleeved haori over the boy's naked shoulder. "Here you go." Ichigo thanked the captain, breathing in the faint scent of tea and cheery blossoms from the folds of his haori. Unlike Kenpachi's shredded haori, Ukitake's haori is clean and crisp. The crimson lining felt nice and cold against his skin. It all reminded Ichigo of the old of poets singing underneath the sakura tree. How very Ukitake like.
The man called on his servant and ordered a yukata. "Now then, shall we get started?" The silver haired taichou clapped his hand. "Could you tell us about your time in Las Noches Ichigo-kun."
"Well where should I start?" Ichigo said, looking confused.
"From the beginning."
"... and then, I woke up and saw Kenpachi with me."
The silence was palpable. And nobody said anything. Hitsugaya still had the untrusting look on his face. Komamura looked bemused. Ukitake looked pensive. Kenpachi was snoring.
Outside, a Koi fish jumped.
"Ukitake-sama," a high voice of a child called from behind the screen door, breaking the tense atmosphere of the room. "I've bought you the yukata you've ordered sir."
"Thank you Junsui-kun."
"OOH! Kenpachi-taichou!" the boy exclaimed.
The loud voice woke the captain, who at first looked irritated, but when he saw who his audience was, gave out an indulgent smile. "Ah, Gaki." (2)
The boy's big blue eyes sparkled a his idol acknowledged him. The boy almost jumped as his master took the yukata from his hand. He quickly sat next to Kenpachi and grinned. The boy seemed so happy to just be sitting there.
"Oi, Gaki. Get me something strong to drink." Kenpachi said.
"Ossu!" (3) the boy replied energetically and ran out. "Cute little fucker eh?" Kenpachi chuckled and sipped his tea. Ichigo raised his eyebrow but say nothing. The boy was like Yuzu, kid that seemed to embodied innocence. Why the fuck was he hanging around a scary man like Kenpachi?
"Junsui-kun adores Kenpachi-taichou. He said he want to grow up and be a 'proper man' like him." Ukitake smiled apologetically as he helped Ichigo wrapped the obi around his waist.
The boy came back with a tray of sake and sticks biscuits, this time his hair was in a Mohawk and it's slathered with blue ink. "Ne, ne, Kenpachi-taichou! Is my hairstyle weird enough for your division?" he beamed.
The eleventh division captain tilted his head and clicked his tongue. "Nah. Too weird. You looked like a 12th division wierdo."
"Ehhh? Really?" putting the tray over his head. "I don't wanna be in Kurostuchi-taichou's division! They say he does weird stuff to his recruits!" the boy cried out.
"Stop teasing the boy Kenpachi." Komamura ruffled the boy's hair, smoothing it back into it's usual messy flop. The boy was too starstuck to have a captain ruffled his hair and stared open mouthed at the scene. "Komamura-Taichou just touched me..." he said, his voice couldn't contain his excitement.
Ukitake sighed and mentioned the boy to come and help him with Ichigo's Yukata.
Junsui looked at Ichigo with his wide blue eyes, one that just keeps growing bigger and bigger. "Whoaaa! What an awesome colour!" He walked up to Ichigo and grinned. "Hee! It's all orange! Like an orange!" Junsui twirlled and fall, mumbling about an 'orange' every so often.
Ichigo laughed uncontrollably. "You're not that bright huh aren't you?" he said, adjusting his sash.
The boy sighed. "No," he said. "My hair is a boring black. I tried to bleach my hair but Ukitake-sama never lets me get. I wanna have the bestest, weirdest hairstyle for Kenpachi-taichou's squad! Like yours!" Ichigo sighed and shrugged. Apparently the boy is too obsessed with hair to understand common insult.
Ichigo turned to a lounging Kenpachi. "Is that why you want me in your division huh? Cuz I have weird hair?" he teased.
Kenpachi shrugged and sipped at his sake, watching in disappointment as Ukitake covered Ichigo's wonderful peachy skin.
"Can I borrow your hair? "
"Okay, that's enough Junsui-kun." Ukitake pushed the boy towards the door
"I have 5 yen!"
"Junsui."
"But Ukitake-samaaa." The kid moaned. "I have the money right here!" The boy dug into his pocket a fetched some bronze chips.
"No." Ukitake pushed the boy out the door and slid the screen door shut. The men could the silhouette of the boy sighing in disappointment as he pocketed back his money.
"So what now?" Ichigo asked, finally able to move freely without being to risqué.
"Now," Hitsugaya said. "We wait."
"Ahh, what a boring day nee, Izuru?"
The blond gave a short nod and continued writing.
Gin balanced his chair on it's two hind legs, tilting it precariously back and forth. He had employed his former fukutaichou and put him to work, sorting out documents and filling in security logs. It was a mindless job, but Izuru seemed happy with the arrangement. It was better than staring at a wall all day anyways.
Gin also loved this arrangement. First, it allowed him to slack off from his work. Second, the job requires him to supervise his favorite shinigami, much to the blond's displeasure. They have only been working for three hours, but the news of Ichigo's capture has distracted Gin more than it should.
"Ya know," Gin started, "It wouldn't be a bad idea ta take a break..." the former third division captain sauntered over to his new assistant's desk, dragging his fingers over the neatly stacked document, sending it fluttering down to the ground.
"No." Kira said sharply. "We are not taking a break." He leaned down and grabbed the papers and straightened them out. He might be working for his evil captain, but he wont let him get away with anything. Gin pouted and stomped back to his desk. It made Kira smile, remembering their days in the office of the third division.
Gin would whine and complain on the amount of paperwork that they had, and Izuru would have to gently admonish him, like one would do to a child who refused to eat their vegetables. When the captain seemed to lose his last ounce of will and motivation, Izuru would then moved the papers from the captain's desk to his.
'It's okay, I'll finish up down here. Please go and enjoy your evening Taichou." Kira would say gently.
Gin then would perked up and grinned like a little child. 'Ah! Really? Ya tha best Izuru.' He then patted his fukutaichou on the shoulder, always doing it on the far edge of the shoulder so he could edge closer to the man.
'It's nothing.' Kira replied sheepishly.
It would happen almost everyday, and on some nights, Gin would manage to drag his fukutaichou out with him, ignoring his weak pleas of refusal. They would walked around the back of the barracks and picked an unripe persimmon to share. They would make a face because of the fruit's tartness, but laughed at each other's faces. They would repeat it night after night, until finally, the juice of a sweet persimmon touches their tongue. It was one of the most peaceful time of their lives.
"Maybe I should plant some persimmon tree." Gin wondered out loud.
"Work." Kira dumped a pile of document for the man to stamp. No sympathy here.
"Mooouu, don't be so mean 'zuru! I jus' wanna look for Ichi-tan with the others." Gin slumped onto his desk and drummed his fingers onto his table.
"Ichigo?" Izuru head perked up at the name. "What do you mean look for him?" He gripped his brush tighter.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Gin lips spreads into a thin smile. "Kurosaki Ichigo had just escaped Las Noches."
Gin could see the pain of betrayal reflected on Izuru's clear blue eyes. Ah yes, they're falling into their usual game. "Well," Gin smiled. "Ulquiorra said he was kidnapped, but knowing Ichigo, he must've devised the whole thing by himself." Gin chuckled, stretching his arm out. "Clever, clever boy."
Izuru averted his eyes from that sly smirk that he knew so well. Gin is playing with him. He's always like that, telling him lies to get his hopes up and then crush them all to dust. It's as if the man enjoyed toying with his emotions, no, not if. Gin loves to see him hurt, he was sure of it. why else would he tortures him so?
"I don't believe you." He walked over, slamming down a pile of papers onto Gin's sparse desk. "Ichigo would never left us here. And even if he did, he will come back to save us." He gave the man a firm stare. "I trust Ichigo."
Gin smile faltered, but it was quickly replaced with another sly grin. "Ohh? I never knew that you were this trusting." Gin held the man's hand, stopping him on his tracks. "Is there somethin goin on with you an Ichigo?" Gin pulled Izuru's hand harshly, leaving angry red marks on his thin wrist. "Remember, I can shatter your bones just like that, so ya betta give me a good answer."
Kira slapped his captor's hand away and strode down agryly to the door. Before he could touch the knob, the chain on his ankle tightened, tripping him away from the door.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No running." Gin smiled, dangling the chain from his fingers. "You're stuck with me I'm ah'fraid." He squatted down next to the man and patted his head. "Now be a good boy and stamp more papers. I'm going to go and make us some tea."
Hisagi looked up from his scrubbing as Kira stumbled into their room. A definite click sounded as the door is locked from the outside. "Yo." He waved out a soapy hand to greet his fellow prisoner.
"Hisagi-san, konba- WHA?"(4) Kira quickly covered his eyes. "Hisagi-san! Please use the curtain!" Kira said, flustered. Hisagi gave a tired 'hai' and pulled the shower curtain. He splashed back down to the large granite bathtub and began scrubbing at his arm.
"Remind me again, why we have a bathtub in the middle of the room?" Hisagi called out and he pulled the stopper from the drain, watching the pink bathwater swirl down the drain.
"Hollows, Hisagi-san, they don't shower" Izuru nose twitched as he smelled something foul. "More importantly, what's that horrible smell?"
"Ah sorry." Hisagi called out and pointed at the pile of bloody fabric next to the bath tub. "Tousen-taichou made me play butcher today." He grumbled.
"Play what?"
"Nothing." He waved it off. "My shinigami uniform is ruined." Hisagi flicked some water off his fingers, his voice annoyed and sad at the same time.
"Ah, why don't you ask for a clean uniform like I did? You have to admit it, they're pretty comfy." Kira said begrudgingly, burying his face in the light fabric.
"Kira Izuru!" The shower curtain was suddenly thrown open, revealing a very wet and a very naked Hisagi. "Have you lost your pride as a shinigami?" Shuhei stepped out of the bath tub. "The uniform that we don everyday is a symbol against the monstrosity that has captured and imprisoned us!" he strode up to the frightened shinigami face. "Wearing that filth is the same as pledging allegiance to the devil!" Hisagi shouted with finality, crossing his hand over his wet chest.
"Um, Hisagi-san."
"What?" He barked back.
"You're awfully naked, I mean, close. And naked too." Izuru blushed and opted to stare at the wall behind him.
"Oh, that. Sorry." Hisagi backed up and took a towel to rub at his head. 'You would think he would cover his ta-ta first.' Kira sighed and covered his eyes again, waiting patiently for the man to finish dressing up.
"Oh, I got us some good news Izuru." Hisagi said, jogging to the pile of blood soaked clothes, rummaging around it for something.
"Yeah well, I have a bad news." Izuru peeked from one eyes, shutting it quickly when he find Hisagi squatting naked next to his pile of clothing. 'Nobody in this world has any manners anymore.' He sighed silently.
"You go first." Hisagi said, throwing his soiled fundoshi into the bathtub and began turning his hakama inside out.
"Ichigo escaped."
Those two words stopped Hisagi's erratic movement. "What do you mean escaped?" he said, rising to his feet with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Ichimaru-Taichou said that he was kidnapped out of Las Noches yesterday." Izuru fidgeted, his mouth set in a confused frown. "But I cant shake the feeling that Ichigo might have escaped on his own."
"That is simply not true." A calm voice interrupted their conversation. "Kurosaki Ichigo was kidnapped by the 11th division captain, Zaraki Kenpachi." It was Aizen Sousuke.
After those words, Hisagi lunged at the brunette man with a bent knife in his hand. His eyes reflecting a killer's intent. Aizen calmly sidestepped the man and twisted Hisagi's hand behind his back, immobilizing him with just one move. The blade fell onto the floor with a faint clatter. And there was the coup Hisagi planned all evening, contained, constrained, and fizzled out in one simple move.
"Aizen." Hisagi spat out the name, making the man smile and nod. "Yes, me." He said cheerfully. Kira took a stance and began chanting. "Oh please, enough with this nonsense." He put the two vice captain in a complete body bind, immobilizing their movement.
"Now, If I may continue," Aizen walked over to a nearby chair and crossed his legs gracefully. "Concerning Kurosaki's disappearance," the man started. "You two will accompany two of my espada to the Spirit World and find Kurosaki Ichigo. Once you've secured the boy, you will come back here and... continue whatever is happening here." Aizen raised an eyebrow at the naked Hisagi, who is more angry than abashed at the comment.
"Aren't your espadas going to be recognized by Sereitei's radar?" Kira asked, remembering his conversation with Ichigo.
"Oh no," Aizen waved his hand. "I only used that excuse because I wanted to see Ichigo sweat." He smiled benevolently, looking very pleased at his own plan. "Anyways, please be ready in ten minutes. Ulquiorra and Stark will pick you up and hand you back your sword."
"Really?"
"Really." Aizen assured them. "Of course, If you try to escape or attack my espada... well lets just say that you will need another bath to wash out the blood." He said cruelly. "Have a nice trip." Aizen waved and disappeared, releasing the kido bind as he leave. On the chair lay a set of white hakama and kosode, with the appropriate black obi. It was virtually the same as their Shihakusho, only it is inverse in colour.
"Was that your 'good news' Hisagi-san?" Kira said snidely, pointing at the pathetic knife.
"Shut up." Shuhei grumbled and threw the knife out the window. 'Fucking Aizen.' He cursed and stomped over to wear his new uniform.
(1)Anata : Commonly used by women to address their husband or lover, in a way roughly equivalent to the English "dear"
(2) Gaki: Little brat
(3) Ossu: very tough, rough expression of masculinity. In this context it's a masculine 'Hai'.
(4) Konbawa: Good evening
A/N: Wow. Can't anyone enjoy a bath without being interrupted? Nope. not in Las Noches.
What do ya think? yes? no? meh? review!