Just as Kenpachi had thought, he found Yachiru being her normal overbearingly hyper self while hanging out with the local runts out in front of Urahara's shop. Deciding that it was better off that they felt the effects of the young girl's over-exuberant mind rather than him Kenpachi snuck by with a surprising amount of stealth for such a large, brutish man. As soon as he made it by he took off at full speed for Ichigo's school. He had a job to quit after all.

Twenty minutes later found Kenpachi entering the school through the front office door and bumping face to face(read: face to rock hard abs) with someone he never expected to find outside of Soul Society. It was a certain petite, short haired 2nd division captain. She was currently rubbing her nose after running into the walking brick wall that is Zaraki Kenpachi. He merely looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

After finding out that Kenpachi hadn't come in to his job as a Kendo teacher for nearly a week Soi Fon had decided to resume her search in another sector of Karakura. Turning around to leave she had let her mind wander and her eyes drooped to the floor when suddenly she had made contact with a brick wall. Wondering what it was she had bumped into as she had turned to leave the office her eyes kept going up and up until they settled on the semi-familiar face of her current target. It had been a long time since Soi Fon had talked to the giant of a man and every time she did she always made a fool of herself.

Kenpachi decided to break the silence in his gruff sort of way. "The hell you doin' here? … and quit starin' at me like that. It's givin' me the creeps."

Soi Fon's eyes widened and her skin turned red in indignation, and a much more foreign feeling, as she processed what the behemoth of a captain had said to her. "Don't you 'the hell?' me! I am only here because Yamamoto-soutaicho sent me to make sure you were ok after we lost communication with you almost a week ago!"

Kenpachi's only reaction was to act just surprised enough to show he really didn't care. "Eh, it's been almost a week already? Didn't realize I was knocked out that long…"

The second division captain nearly ground her teeth in irritation. "Knocked out? What are you doing over here?"

Kenpachi's response was irritatingly lacking in its eloquence. "Trainin."

Opening her mouth to no doubt fling a string of venomous words at her peer Soi Fon was interrupted. "Look. Before you go an' chew me out let me quit this retarded job and we can talk about it over a couple of drinks. Whada ya say?"

Kenpachi had no idea what motivated him to throw out that invitation, but after he realized what he had actually said (and who he had said it to) Kenpachi almost face palmed himself. However, instead of the expected sneer and disdainful decline Soi Fon actually look like she was putting thought into the matter at hand. Even Soi Fong herself was surprised by her eventual answer.

"Yeah, sure, sounds like fun." Kenpachi could already tell tonight was going to be an interesting night.



XxxX Scene Change XxxX

Several hours later finds the unlikely duo well on their way to being completely smashed. Soi Fon is nearly falling off her barstool laughing as Kenpachi relates his battle with the scary 'toy poodle.'

As he tells the story to her the large man can't believe that he is actually having such a blast drinking and hanging out with the supposed ice queen of Soul Society. The always composed and by-the-book 2nd Division Taicho had her fair share of funny stories and jokes. Not to mention that she had been in numerous kick ass battles that had Kenpachi enthralled from beginning to end. He might have to make her a permanent addition to his drinking buddy group, but if she was unwilling to join his almost nightly drinking group then he sure as hell was going to set a night aside so they could both cut loose with no one to watch. He decided to bring his full attention back to the conversation. "…and after I cut through good ol' Fang's overly charged cero it looked like she was about to piss her pants!" Finished the 11th division Psycho with a murderous chuckle making all the goons at the bar cringe in fear.

Wiping her eyes with one hand while she white knuckle gripped the counter for fear of falling over Soi Fon babbled, "An… an.. and then what?"

Kenpachi let out an overly dramatic sigh as he concentrated very suddenly on the bottom of his mug. "Got my ass kicked and was sent rocketing back into a stone wall."

Soi Fon, obviously not catching the drop in the atmosphere, let out a torrent of echoing laughs. After a few seconds she noticed Kenpachi still was still very serious and was now taking a long draught out of his large mug. Immediately she started to feel sorry for him. Most everyone in Soul Society either fears Kenpachi or respects him. Now, he was in a place where even 'toy poodles with dental problems' were beating him up mercilessly.

"That bad?" She asked quietly.

With a smack of his lips Kenpachi slammed his mug down as the world around him began to spin. "At first, but now I'm trainin' to get stronger than these guys so it's not so bad."

With sudden inspiration Soi Fon announced drunkenly, "Cooome on! Let'sh… getsh another…round! This is goin' on my expenshe tab from thoshe pricksh at Sssoul Sssociety anyway!"

Kenpachi perked up. "In that case, make it ten!"

The rest of the night was vague and hazy. All Kenpachi could remember was a lot of walking, a sense of vertigo, and a LOT of physical contact.

XxxX Next Morning XxxX



"Oh, my head…" groaned Kenpachi uncomfortably as he tried to get up to a sitting position, but he couldn't seem to get very far. Something was wrapped around both his right arm and his right leg. Looking down he almost expected to find them wrapped up in bandages like the last time he woke up with a pounding head ache. Nope. It was a very beautiful and very naked Soi Fon using his appendages as cuddle toys.

"Oh, fuck… not sure if I should congratulate myself or get a head start in case she becomes upset." Looking around the room they were in Kenpachi couldn't help but feel he had seen this room once before.

Suddenly the door opened and a little girl walked in. "Nii-san was that you coming home last night cause I thought I heard…" With big round eyes and a startled scream the little girl ran out of the room yelling, "DAAAADDDYYYY!"

Shortly after she disappeared a muffled, but disturbingly familiar, male voice could barely be heard proclaiming something about 'Yuzu-chan' and his 'manly chest.' Kenpachi held back a shudder.

Finally, when Isshin finally got a good grasp on the subject he burst into the room while pointing an accusing finger at the entangled couple. "What are you two doing in my son's room!"

"Tha hell? Isshin? Where you been man? I haven' heard from you in ages!"

"Kenpachi?! What are you doing here… with Soi Fon … naked …" Ichigo's bizarre father was then sent flying backwards through the air, propelled by a nosebleed of amazing proportions. Soi Fon chose this time to sit up and stretch while holding the sheets just above her cleavage for modesty's sake.

"Man, where am I?" Then she saw Isshin's unconscious body and his daughters. She frowned… that's weird. Then she felt the shift next to her and glanced down to her left. There was Kenpachi… in bed with her… while they were both completely naked. Not knowing what to think she simply just passed out again.

With a grumble Kenpachi ordered the kids to drag their father's carcass out while he got dressed. This was going to be a looooong day.

About twenty minutes later a decent Kenpachi was to be found crouching next to a bloody and very unconscious Kurosaki Isshin. The large man was poking the ex-taicho with the end of his sheathed Zanpakuto.

"Oi, dumbass. Wake the hell up. I aint got all day, ya' know."

Isshin groaned and rolled over onto his side while mumbling, "5 more minutes Masaki-chan. You were much to wild last night."

At this statement Kenpachi's right eyebrow began to tick violently. Never a good sign for anyone, at anytime. Kenpachi with a ticking eyebrow is something most people imagine will happen just moments before the world as we know it implodes destroying all forms of life. Instead of the End of Days 

happening Kenpachi just brought his Zanpakuto up over his head and then smashed it down onto Isshin's noggin. The clash caused a brand new wave blood to squirt haphazardly up into the air. Despite the possible concussion Kenpachi's brutal method somehow managed to rouse Isshin from his deep sleep.

Gingerly touching his head while keeping the most ridiculous pouting expression on his face Isshin asked, "Ittaiiii. Why are you here Kenpachi-san? More importantly why were you and Soi Fon using my son's bed in such a manner?"

Kenpachi didn't change the stony and completely apathetic look on his face as he answered, "First off, get that damned pansy look off your mug. Start acting serious. Geez, you were always way too silly."

While Isshin's body language or position didn't change in the least, his eyes seemed to sharpen considerably, "Answer the question, Kenpachi."

"Tcheh. I don't really remember much, but I was out drinkin' with Soi Fon. Last thing I clearly remember we were walkin' around after getting kicked outta the bar. After that I only kinda know what happened. It's all hazy, y'know what I mean?"

This prompted Isshin to rub his chin and nod sagely. "Ah, I see. Was it a one night stand, or something more?"

Kenpachi grumbled in irritation. "How the hell'm I supposed to know that? Do I look like the romeo type of guy?"

"Well, then. Hmm. I think it would be best to consult with Soi Fon-san herself on this subject. You should get her side of the story and compare. Communication is always a good thing," advised the ex-taicho wisely.

This suggestion caused Kenpachi to frown. Talking intimately was something that the 11th division killing machine was not accustomed to. In fact, he would rather throw himself upon his own Zanpakuto than have a heart to heart talk with a woman. Physical interaction is where his social skills lay… either the violent kind or the carnal kind. "What kinda lame-ass idea is that?"

Seeing the sour look on Kenpachi's face Isshin realized that he was too stubborn to do the deed willingly. It would take some kind of manipulation , or an act of the King, to make the bull-headed Cyclops have a heart to heart with Soi Fon. An idea suddenly popped into Isshin's head and his inner cupid was suddenly rubbing his hands together sneakily.

"Are you, Zaraki Kenpachi, saying that you are afraid to talk to a woman?" Asked Isshin with a dangerous glint in his eye.

Kenpachi's dubious expression quickly turned to his poker face. The poker face he wears just before murdering every single other player at the table because of a run of bad luck. The kind of look that 

calmly states, 'Say that again. I dare you.' Isshin obviously didn't get the implied message as he continued on.

"I always knew you were soft. Everyone in Soul Society thinks your some kind of bad ass killer type, but really on the inside you are just a huge softy who can't even handle a simple talk with a woman. Wonder who I should go tell first… Yoruichi could probably pass it on a long to say… Matsumoto? Yes, if she found out about his then it would undoubtedly spread…"

Kenpachi interrupted the man's rambling by slamming his hand into the wall and shouting, " Fine! I'll do it ya sneaky sonnuva bitch!" He promptly turned around and stormed up the stairs in order to confront one of his great inabilities: being intimate with a woman. Isshin just chuckled and shook his head as he watched the giant of a man ascend the stairs in a rage. So easy to manipulate.

SC

Zaraki strode down the hall with great determination, but upon reaching Ichigo's closed door he froze. What was he going to say? He had nothing, literally. Why was he so reluctant to talk to this woman? She was just on the other side of this door. All he had to do was open it, but… then what?

Poor Kenpachi never even had a chance to think of anything before the door opened to reveal a completely dressed and immaculate Soi Fon. He had a hard time meeting her eye to eye, something he had never had problems with before.

"Yes, what is it Zaraki-san?" Great. Completely cold and aloof. She must have reverted back to her ice queen status.

"I… uhh…" began the usually imperturbable 11th squad taicho. Since when has the feared Zaraki Kenpachi ever stuttered?

"You what?" Prompted the diminutive woman coldly. She clearly wasn't making this easy for the fierce Taicho.

Clearing his voice Kenpachi finally dredged up some back bone. "Let's talk about last night. That's what I'm sayin'." None too smooth, but the point was made.

Soi Fon was clearly surprised as she raised her eyebrows. "Oh? What about last night would you like to talk about? I figured that you would probably just go around acting like it never happened." Her tone was acidic by very nature.

Suddenly any insecurity that Kenpachi felt boiled away as his old friend rage surfaced. "Stupid woman. What makes you think I would do that?"

"Well, it's just typical of men like you. You hit it and quit it while never caring for the woman's feelings. It's why all of you are such pigs." Clearly the woman had had a bad experience or two.



Like the person he is Kenpachi just decided to rage away. "It's no fuckin' wonder, stupid broad! If it's this damned hard every time I can see why any sane man would just walk away! Man… I came up here to see your point of view and this is the kind of shit that I get? You can't blame us, lady."

Soi Fon was shocked and had to blink several times before she finally understood his words. He had come to talk! Coming out of her daze she chased after him as his long strides hungrily ate up the hallway floor.

Kenpachi was fuming. He was angry beyond belief. He takes a step out of the norm for once, and this is what he gets! Contempt and cold anger. Well, to hell with it anyway! Zaraki Kenpachi is not a man to be trifled with that way. He was broken out of his furious mental tirade by the sound of running feet. Ever the warrior on guard Kenpachi turned around expecting Soi Fon to be attempting to run him down in a fit of anger. What he got instead was a chest full of sobbing second division taicho.

She was whispered into his chest, "Don't go. I'm sorry."

Clearly awkward Kenpachi just patted her on the back and shoulders as she calmed down. This was definitely not something he had expected would happen during his talk with his fellow Taicho, even in his weirdest and wildest dreams. In an unexpected moment of insight Kenpachi decided to ask her what was wrong.

"What's with the pansy bawlin'?" Wait, that didn't sound right... thought the 11th division cyclops. Quickly he tried to make amends. "Ehh, what I meant was… What's wrong?"

Rubbing her eyes of tears Soi Fon looked up. "I'm sorry it's just that, in order to not get my hopes up, I had talked myself into thinking that you would just ignore the situation."

"Get your hopes up? I don't understand." Leave it to Kenpachi to be a total brick.

"You idiot. I've been alone for so long, ever since Yoruichi left me, and I don't think I could stand having my spirits broken again. That's why I'm always so distanced from everyone else. I'm afraid to get close again, but at the same time my distance is hurting me," she admitted somewhat reluctantly. Honestly, she was feeling helpless at the moment, as if she had absolutely no control over herself.

As if through a revelation from Kami-sama himself Kenpachi felt that he truly understood what she was talking about. It was similar in a way to how he had been before Yachiru had entered his life. Everything had been so bland and insignificant before she had arrived. He really had been a true killing machine back then. It wasn't until his first time meeting her that he had finally decided upon a goal for himself: To become the strongest. His visible eye focused back on the now and he looked at Soi Fon, really as if for the first time. "I think I understand, but why me? There are plenty of guys back at Soul Society who are better looking and better at relationships than I am."

Soi Fon began scrutinizing the fabric of Kenpachi's shirt as she thought of her answer. Finally she answered, "I guess… It would be because I've always admired your solitary strength. You are always just yourself no matter what anyone else says. You don't need anyone else and never depend on another. 

You make it look so easy! I've always wanted to ask you how you do it, to lend me some of your strength. I've just never been able to summon the willpower to get past my pride." Feeling that she had gone too far Soi Fon quieted down. The silence that lasted the next few seconds felt like eons to her. Suddenly Kenpachi spoke.

"You're wrong." There was certainty in his statement.

Soi Fon was not able to ask, and wasn't needed to as Kenpachi continued.

"You are wrong in thinking that I don't need anyone. If it weren't for a certain fukutaicho of mine I would have fallen years ago. I probably wouldn't have ever made it into Soul Society. Without Yachiru I would have crumbled before I had even found a purpose." His voice was as gentle as it ever got as he spoke this. The usual gravelly tone was spoken in an almost whisper. "This is probably the first time I've ever said it out loud, but it's been understood for a long, long time."

At this point Soi Fon was practically in awe. She had never heard the man speak much more than a sentence at a time before, and even then it mostly had to do with killing, or at the very least maiming, someone. To hear him talking in such a manner nearly sent chills up her spine. The silence lasted a full half minute, and just as Soi Fon was opening her mouth to reply a Hell's butterfly landed on her hand. Apparently the Soutaicho was recalling her and needed her to report back immediately. The emphasis on speed was very noticeable. She took a step back from the big man and straightened herself out a bit.

"Look, I have to go. Yamamoto-Soutaicho is waiting on my return, but I would like to continue this talk some other time, ok?" She sounded almost unsure of herself and not a little bit nervous.

Kenpachi grunted in what she assumed was the affirmative as he turned to walk away. He had been a little too open for his liking in the last few minutes and wanted to get back to his usual composure. He made a shooing gesture over his shoulder as he walked. "Better get back before the old man starts grumpin'."

Allowing herself a relatively large smirk before composing herself once again Soi Fon turned around and stuck her Zanpakuto out into the air and then stepped through the doors that appeared. Kenpachi hardly even glanced backwards. He figured that what comes will come, and that he should just concentrate on the here and now. For now, he had to heal his body so that he could attain new levels of strength and ability. He had people to kill, maim, and destroy after all.