A/N I thank anyone for reading. Much appreciated. :D
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Writer's block... that is all.
My writing is rusty, man. I've mostly been concentrating on drawing these past couple of months, trying to improve(and I'm getting better at hands~!), so I'm just like... drawing a blank at how to write again. Meaning I'll have to teach myself. O_O Again. I forgot how I write. QAQ Which absolutely sucks.
Oh, and my mom broke one of my keycaps when she was drunk... Stepped on my laptop and broke it. Which again, sucks. My keyboard looks so ugly. XP
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.
Warning – Swearing.
-:-
Kayo was pissed.
Did they make her pissed?
Most likely.
But it was mostly Hitsugaya Taicho! She gritted her teeth and practically snarled as she stomped down the street. He didn't trust her! She's told him she's loved him many times and he didn't trust her! Sometimes she just... wanted to punch him!
She kicked the ground and huffed before continuing on her destination to... somewhere. She tensed when she heard footsteps behind her, and from the sound of it they were running, whipping around to glare at Kaori and Riko. They slowed down when they reached her, panting lightly. The redhead was out of shape, if her heavy panting meant anything. She tried speaking, waving her hand dismissively when she couldn't.
"Wow!" That had both the redhead and blonde turning their heads to stare at their taller friend in confusion. Riko was grinning, arms spread and one of the most awed looks on her face. "That was... wow! Holy crap! I didn't think I'd ever see you get mad at anyone! Especially at Hitsugaya Taicho!"
Kayo blinked before she frowned. "I'm mad right now."
"Exactly! You should get mad all the time, put your foot down, whip everyone into obeying you!" Riko gave two thumbs up, that goofy grin still stretched across her face. "That was amazing!"
The blonde blinked, not knowing how to react especially since Riko started rubbing her head proudly. This was going to confuse her. She was getting praised for getting mad at a Taicho? Instead of punished? She almost melted under the rare gesture, but shook herself out of it and drew herself tall. Which—compared to the other two—wasn't much.
"I'm mad at you two, as well!"
Kaori—finally having regained her breath—and Riko froze, staring down at their small friend with wide eyes.
"W-What?" The redhead furrowed her brows and pointed at her small friend unsteadily. "Mad at us? W-Why? What the hell did we do?" She looked at the dark haired woman curiously. She received a shrug in return.
"You're being unreasonable and won't even give your loved ones a chance!" Both women blushed and soon started frowning, returning the glare their friend was giving them.
"Hey! I gave my "loved one" a chance!" Riko snapped, placing her hands on her hips and giving a scowl. "Hell if I know why!" She threw her arms up into the air and kicked the ground. "He doesn't even deserve it for sending me to a division I don't even like!"
"And why should I even give Kuchiki Taicho a chance?!" Kaori snarled out, surprising their two friends by her aggressive answer. "I'm just a lowly commoner, do you know how much he's gonna get bashed if he's with me?! Elders of noble clans are a pain in the ass!"
Riko slowly grew a sly smirk, one that made the redhead narrow her eyes. "Eeehh?" If possible, that smirk grew wider. "Is that the only reason?" Kaori drew back and cocked an eyebrow in confusion, obviously not getting what her friend was saying. "That's why you don't wanna be with Kuchiki Taicho, you'll give him a bad rep?" The dark haired woman started snickering. "And, if I may remind you, buddy, you are a noble."
"Ex-noble!" Kaori pointed in her face, drawing her lip back to snarl. "And no! I...!" Hesitating, she looked around the area before standing straight. "I hate him! I don't love him anymore!" She huffed and looked away.
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" Kayo yelled, stomping her foot and holding her hand out towards the shocked redhead. "You keep claiming you hate him, but you love him! You know it, we know it, the whole Soul Society knows it! If he proposed I bet you'd say yes and kiss him!"
Riko blinked and slowly pulled a face.
How the hell did they come to this?
"W-What?!" Kaori widened her eyes and blushed. She puttered before pointing at the blonde. "I bet if Hitsugaya Taicho told you he loved you, you'd get over this little hissy fit you're having!"
Kayo gawked. "H-Hissy fit?" She narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "Hissy fit?! I'll show you a hissy fit!" She stomped her foot once more, pointing at her friends with a scowl. "You both are so damn desperate for attention that you're resorting to acting like kids and hiding from the men you love because you're scared!" Both women gawked at her. "And if you're so curious about sex why don't you strip down, go to them, lay down, and bare yourselves to them! I think then you'd stop acting like horny idiots!"
Riko and Kaori stared at her with wide eyes, slowly stepping back.
"I-I'm not interested in sex! It's the hornball here that is!" Kaori pointed at the dark haired woman, eyes wide with a horrified blush on her face. Where was her sweet, gentle friend?! "And I'm not scared of him, I—!"
"HORNBALL?!" Riko snarled, whipping around to send the redhead a glare. "Just so we're clear, I'm not desperate for sex! Sure, I'm curious, but not enough to go to a random asshole and demand that they have sex with me! Especially with Zaraki Taicho!" She turned and glared down at the blonde. "And just so we're clear, Kayo-chan, the only reason you're having a fuckin' hissy fit now is 'cause you're scared someone else will come along and that shorty you're so infatuated with is gonna dump your ass!"
Kayo widened her eyes and gasped, soon growling and sending the woman a glare.
All three women glared at each other, shaking in anger with their reiatsu seeping out. Riko huffed and turned, stomping away while muttering angrily to herself. Kaori sent the blonde a glare and turned to head for her division, letting out one loud curse and kicking the wall she passed.
Just Kayo was left in the area, shaking in restrained anger and glaring daggers after her friends.
At the same time, all three women let out angry screams.
Riko huffed angrily and loudly, stomping down the street and pursing her lips. A hornball? A fuckin' HORNBALL?! What the fuck was a hornball, anyway?! That sounded like something Kaori made up! Sure, she's... curious as to how it would feel. It's supposed to be pleasurable, right? She didn't know how it'd feel, which was the only reason she was curious! Just give her the feeling and it'll be over and done with! Hpmh! Like she'd do something stupid like would go to Zaraki Taicho and demanding he show her sex. That would just be stupid! Why was she even giving him a chance, anyway?!
AGH! She hated his guts right now! She hated her friends' guts! A hornball? Scared?! As if! She let out a snarl and kicked the wall next to her, soon widening her eyes and yelping loudly. Shit! Anyone that would have walked by would have seen her hopping around while holding her foot. How did it come to this?!
First, she forgave Zaraki Taicho and even kissed him(even though she was still angry), then Kayo finally stood up for herself. Unfortunately it didn't stop there. Kayo kept going and pointed out everything that was wrong with them!
Fine!
She was scared! Sue her! How the hell was she supposed to talk with Zaraki Taicho, way? He broke her heart—
She froze and widened her eyes, staring in the distance with unfocused eyes. Hold on a frickin' moment... Did she just think... heart? Her face turned red, gulping to herself and looked to the ground shyly. While still holding her foot. Releasing her foot she tapped her fingers against her thigh. Heart... Sure, she knew that she... loved him, and damn, admitting that was still so damn embarrassing, but did he really break her heart...?
AGH! That made her sound so sappy! She covered her eyes and pressed her lips together. Love him... She... loves him... The blush went up to her ears, her shoulder shaking before she continued on down the street.
Sappy, sappy, sappy.
Oh, man! And he didn't even return the damn words! Yeah! That's another reason to be mad at him! She looked up with a grin and held up a fist. Hell yeah! He didn't return her words! Soon beaming with pride at pointing out a flaw she placed her hands on her hips and nodded.
Wait...
Riko looked up curiously and raised an eyebrow. Didn't people go to their family to bless them or something? Did that mean she had to go to her father and ask him to bless them? Wait, he wasn't in charge, though... Reta-sama was. Hmm! Maybe she has to go to him! A grin crossed her face again. Yeah!
First, she has to go to her family and then demand that Zaraki Taicho tell her that he loves her!
Was that right?
Looking upwards in thought she soon shrugged. Eh, it didn't matter. If she was giving him a chance then by hell she'll do this right! Raising her fists in the air she smirked as she walked down the street. She'll demand he tells her he loves her! If he doesn't... then heck, she didn't know. Hang with him until he does? Kick him until he does? Smack him? Yeah, the smacking sounded good. She could picture it now, slapping the man across his face and yelling at him to declare his... love...
She started laughing to herself.
Aaaah, if that happens, it'll be awesome.
She paused and looked upwards before widening her eyes and grinning. That's it! She remembered how couples got blessings! She turned and ran in a direction with a smirk.
Kaori snarled angrily as she walked down the street, scaring some people and ignoring them. How dare they?! How DARE they?! They were her friends! They were supposed to agree with her! Well, except for those times when a friend needed the blunt truth. But still! She had expected them to back her up! Agree with her that Kuchiki Taicho was an asshole! And he was! A very big asshole that somehow expected her to just go back to hugging him and making fun of him.
...Actually, the making fun of him sounded fun.
But she stood firm on her decision! She needed space to think things over! How they would go on from here, how they were act around each other. Her dad no doubt thought she was foolish, which she wasn't. Maybe. She just needed to find a way to be comfortable with him again. Right now that's all she felt in his presence. Uncomfortable. Like he was wasting his time on something stupid like... tending to a garden. No wait, tending to a garden sounded relaxing. Then... something stupid like trying to figure out what hair piece one would wear.
So, she needed to feel comfortable. Then she could go back to joking with him... instead of thinking he was an idiot for not taking that chance at leaving her. She was even starting to feel better before he came back. Hpmh. Men, so damn complicating.
Rubbing her head, Kaori looked up with a scowl and snorted. Why were relationships so annoying? Friendships were great, but romantic relations... eh, it annoyed her. She had no idea what to do! Byakuya seemed to have an idea. Sometimes when he would grab her hands and stare at her with those tender eyes... and she'd just clap him on the shoulder and give and wide grin and joke with him.
She always ruined those moments!
At the moment all her anger was directed towards herself. She was mad at Kuchiki Taicho for not leaving her, too, but c'mon! She didn't have a clue what to do with him! Should she hug him?! AGH! She needed a master at this romance crap.
Pausing, she froze right in the middle of the street.
Wait...
She did know someone! Looking up with a grin, Kaori held up her fists. Her dad! He was a jerk, but when he was with her mom he turned into such a romantic sap! A grin crossed her face before she turned with a hop to head towards the estate. Hopefully this time no one tried to bribe her back into the clan. Please. She was happy without any nobles... uh... Byakuya excluded. The stupid noble.
A smirk crossed her face. Heck yeah. She can still call him that... without anyone around. The last time she did that a lot of people sent her sneers and disapproving stares. Hey, she was used to it. He was went from an uptight jerk to... less of an uptight jerk. He was so much worse when she met him!
Always all high and mighty, staring down at her. The only reason he even started paying any attention to her was because she was stuck with him and had no choice but to remain with him. Stupid, idiot, handsome jerk.
Kaori walked down the street with a red face, embarrassed at the admission. Yeah, sure, she can agree that he's handsome, but that's it. His attitude needed some serious adjustments. How women and men even lusted after him when he was all 'glare and huffy' was beyond her. Didn't they even see that he was a man filled with grief? Which she had only learned month after serving under him, but still! He loved his wife very dearly, only to have her snatched from him! And here she was, just an inconvenience that stole his attention from her!
She slowed her walk and stared at the ground. She didn't know his wife, but she she wished she had. Hisana... had sounded like a kind and sweet woman, and compared to her she was... she was just an idiot. There was no contest.
What was she even doing?
Byakuya didn't need her. Sure, she... loved him, but how would she even keep him happy? She didn't nothing but tease him relentlessly and always talked down about nobles. Even though he was one of them, but he never told her to shut up about it. There were tons and tons of other people out there and somehow she had managed to catch his attention? Her? Little miss nobody with an attitude no one had time for?
Before she met him she was a lazy, tired woman that did nothing but sass people and smoke everyday. Furrowing her brows, she stared at her feet and noticed that she had stopped walking.
And... dammit...
Kaori curled her fingers, glaring at the ground and drawing herself tall.
"And I love him!" She yelled, stomping her foot and glaring in the distance. "I love him and I don't want him to leave me!"
She continued yelling and kicking the ground, even when people wandered by and stared at her. She had every right to be yelling and be angry.
Kayo held onto her anger, stomping wherever her feet took her. She had every right to be angry. She was never allowed to be angry. Everyone saw her as the gentle, kind woman that always hid behind others. No, they never expected her to be angry. She was expected to be nice all the time. No! This time, she wanted to be selfish. Just for a little while, just for a moment... she wanted to be angry. She stayed clear of people, walking through the streets while she seethed in anger.
...
Of course she was scared.
Hitsugaya Taicho was confident, strong, and could probably get anyone he wanted. Considering his rank and his looks people would be throwing themselves at his feet. Except for those that saw him as nothing as a kid.
Which is what they also did with her...!
She gritted her teeth and kicked the ground, huffing loudly with her hands shaking at her sides. She was a woman! She deserved to be treated like an adult! She held a seated position before she was transferred! The mere thought alone only fuelled her fury, restraining herself from yelling in anger. No, Riko did things like that. Not her. She was the "good" one. Maybe she was naive and was always kind to others, but she could be bad, as well! She had to steal just to survive in the Rukongai!
When she stopped and took a long, deep breath to calm herself she found herself in the courtyard of the first division. She blinked and furrowed her brows. She at least expected to be at the seventh division. Why else would she come here? Biting her lip, she turned to leave and head back to her quarters to take a nap and find a way to work off this anger when someone caught her eyes. Riko's parent.
She paused, seeing Ichirou sneering at a couple people that looked to be treating him harshly. It took the guard to tell them to leave. She was about to leave when Ichirou rolled his eyes and spotted her, giving her a wave and motioning for her. Kayo tensed, anxiety starting to well up at the thought of being near him, and grinned nervously before she wandered over.
"Hey, kid," Ichirou grunted as a way of greeting, seeing Kayo nod. "Seen Riko?"
Kayo scowled and started glaring in the distance, which caused Ichirou to quirk a brow.
"Fighting?" He seen her give a sharp nod, which had him hum lightly before he looked around. "Ah, we can sit over there. C'mon."
Kayo tensed when he placed a large hand on the small of her back and pushed her in the direction of a bench. Soon they were sitting on it and Ichirou waved off the guard with a sneer and told him to go get something to eat. The guard frowned and moved two meters away and refused to leave. Ichirou rolled his eyes and scoffed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.
"So what's wrong, kid?" Ichirou glanced at the blonde curiously, seeing her shrug and stare at the ground. "Not going to talk to me?" He waited a moment before huffing. "Yeah, not many people would want to talk to me—"
"I-It's not like that!" Kayo waved her hands and gave the man an apologetic stare. "I-I just..." She hesitated before deciding to be truthful. "You're... an intimidating man."
Ichirou blinked before a wide grin spread across his face. "Yeah, I bet I am," He snorted in laughter and reached up to ruffle Kayo's head, which caused her to jump and widen her eyes. "Sorry 'bout that."
But Kayo wasn't listening, concentrating on the tingling on her head. Barely anyone... Her cheeks started to turn red, lowering her gaze to the ground with a small smile on her face. Ichirou stared at her, turning his head to try and catch her expression. When she saw him looking at her she jumped once more and gave a nervous smile, hands trembling in her lap.
"I-I just..."
Ichirou stared at her with an almost bored look. "...'m not going to force ya to talk to me, kid."
Kayo paused and looked back at her lap, giving a small nod. Of course he didn't. Riko was too much like him, and she never expected Kayo to share anything with her that she didn't want anyone to know. But... But Kayo never had anyone to talk to. She never had someone, like a parental figure talk to. She had friends, nothing like a parent. And who would want to be a parent to her? She was a nobody, she annoyed everyone with her quietness... She sniffled and stared at the ground.
"I... I don't know what to do with Hitsugaya Taicho," Kayo admitted, receiving no reaction from her companion. "I love him, but... I don't know what... He deserves someone better than me." That was the truth. He put up with her timidness and anxiety and it was getting to the point where she wondered why he even put up with her. "I do nothing but annoy him, and... and he's always patient and... and I don't want him to be...! I want him to get mad at me! Just... stop toying with me and tell me to leave already!" She started whimpering and gasping to keep herself from crying. "I'm just me and I hate me! I don't want him to start hating me, too! And... I'm so alone!" Forget it. Just forget it. She reached up and covered her eyes, starting to sob and almost wailing. "I don't have anyone to talk to! My "parents" never loved me! I don't...! No one looks at me and thinks I would have problems, I just want... I just want someone to talk to!"
A few moments ticked by where she just cried her eyes out, almost curling in on herself...
Until she felt a pair of arms wrap around her and pick her up, which caused her to uncover her eyes and gasp in surprise when she was placed in Ichirou's lap.
She didn't do more than blink before she went back to crying, gripping the front of Ichirou's shihakusho and crying to the point where her throat was starting to get sore. She felt a hand on her head, rubbing back and forth and a voice hushing lightly. She didn't know how long they stayed there, and surely they were getting stares now, but when she started whimpering she relinquished her hold and sat up. She rubbed her eyes and sniffled, avoiding Ichirou's stare. She didn't want to see how he was staring at her. Probably annoyance.
"...Yer "parents" left ya?" Ichirou asked, ignoring the guard that was staring in surprise.
Kayo gave a nod, continuing to wipe her eyes.
"No one wants me..." Kayo decided to hell with it, and leaned against his chest.
She lowered her head and tried to keep herself from crying. Ichirou took a moment before he wrapped his arms around the woman once again, looking at the sky and sighing lightly. Ah, some people were like that. People that were cruel and only kept their kids to determine how useful they were. And if they weren't they just abandoned them. He ran his hand through Kayo's hair repeatedly, almost reminded of when Riko would cry and he'd need to comfort her when she was younger.
His hands stilled.
He stared down at the whimpering woman, seeing her cover her eyes and bite her lip. Ichirou raised his eyebrows and bit and hummed once more. Kayo... That was her name.
"Kayo," She jumped lightly and looked up with blood-shot eyes. He frowned and reached up to wipe her tears away. She closed her eyes when he did, almost leaning into his hand. He gave a smirk and ruffled her head next. "Ya know, Kayo... 'm an old man." She stared up at him, eyebrows furrowed and almost looking like a child with his hand still on top of her head. "Raising Riko was the best time of the life... and the best time of my life is still goin' with Rina in it." He huffed lightly at the thought of that woman. "And I'm pretty much too old to raise anymore kids, but seeing as yer an adult... I wouldn't mind giving ya my name."
...
...
...
Kayo slowly widened her eyes when a smirk was directed at her along with a pair of warm eyes.
Shiko had the biggest shit-eatin' grin on his face.
And if he didn't stop it then Zenaku was going to fucking punch him over and over again until someone pulled him off, and seeing as Ichirou left and wasn't back yet he highly doubted anyone could. Seeing as Shiko was his best friend(though he'd never admit it) he decided to tell him first. With what... that woman... had did and said... He continued to frown and send the brunet a dark glare while a blush covered his cheeks.
"Tell me again." Shiko didn't bother to wipe his grin away.
He hit the floor, Zenaku's foot on top his head while he snarled down at the brunet. He yelled that he was sorry, flailing around on the floor while everyone else in the room looked at the two questioningly. With the exception of Tetsuya, who had left the room earlier.
Everyone else in the room frowned in confusion, watching as the two were now seated in front of each other on the other side of the room.
"And how are you going to respond?" Shiko asked with a very smug grin.
"Respond? Respond?!" Zenaku hissed, leaning forward and invading the brunet's personal space. "If you haven't remembered, Shiko, Joshi said he'd never accept a relationship unless both parties told each other they loved each other!" He threw his arms to the side, holding up with hands with wide eyes. "I barely even know this woman and she kissed me!" He whispered harshly while lowering his head. "And I fuckin' kissed her back." He said it as if it was the most serious offence he ever committed.
Shiko rolled his eyes when the taller man held his head in his hands. "Yes, yes, it's such a horrible situation you're in," He huffed lightly before he smirked. "But you can't tell each other you love one another." Zenaku looked up and gave him a flat stare. "So... you just need to get to know one another before that happens."
Zenaku blinked before he frowned. "What?"
"You barely know each other, as you've said, so... just get to know each other," His smirk grew while he raised an eyebrow. "If you know what I mean."
Zenaku groaned and rubbed his face. "Shiko, I ain't exactly the lovin' type."
"You love Riko, don't you?"
"That ain't the same, an' you know it," Zenaku crossed his arms and looked away with a scowl. Hell, he didn't know why this woman was even interested. Not that he wasn't flattered, he was, but this was a new territory for him. "I wouldn't even know how ta respond! I haven't even slept with a woman since we left this place." Which was true. One of the conditions that their leader had set out was not to sleep with anyone they didn't love, which for them, since they were all too proud and didn't know crap about love, was just horrible.
But seeing as he didn't want to piss off the guy he pretty much turned into a virgin the last hundred years.
Something that Shiko didn't mind, if that look on his face said anything. "It will be fine, my brutish friend, you just need to look into your heart," He ignored the flat stare the scarred man gave him. "and ask yourself... Do you like this woman?" Shiko leaned forward with a wide smile.
Zenaku frowned. "I dunno."
"...You either like this woman or you don't, which is it?" Shiko gave him a flat stare, looking as if he was unimpressed with the man.
"I don't know!" The scarred man shrugged his shoulders and scowled. "I don't know this woman, Shiko, I've barely spoken to her! I groped her and kissed her, that's all I did!" He scratched the back of his head and glared in one direction with unfocused eyes. "Which she seemed ta like..."
"Maybe she's kinky." Shiko smirked when the man across from his blushed.
"...I will punch you very fuckin' hard, Shiko, 'm serious," Zenaku glared at the brunet, seeing Shiko hold up his hands with a grin. "I... don't know... what to do with this woman!" He grabbed his head and sighed harshly. "Should I hide?"
"You could," Shiko shrugged lightly before he looked to the side blankly. "Though I didn't know you were such a coward."
Zenaku gave a stare that made Shiko raise an eyebrow. The scarred man scowled and huffed angrily, waving his hand dismissively and laying down on his futon. And if Shiko didn't know any better, he'd say that Zenaku was pouting. For some strange reason. He had a woman practically throwing herself at him and he wanted nothing more than to hide from her. Then again, they've all been celibate since they joined Tetsuya's little family. No sex, is what their big fool had told them when they arrived at the manor. Unless it was for love.
Shiko snorted lightly and rolled his eyes. Yeah, sure. Guess he was never going to have sex again then. Ah, well, it didn't bother him. But for kids like Reizo and Renzo, they complained every year. They were still practically children despite being a couple centuries old. They aged slower than humans, so if someone arrived there at the age of ten, they'd become an adult in fifty years or so. So, the twins were still like teenagers than adults.
"Just tell this woman you like her or not," Shiko sent him a flat stare. "Get it over with."
"I dunno, Shiko," Zenaku rolled onto his back and glared at the city. "I'm a fighter, not a lover."
The brunet frowned slightly. "Isn't it usually the other way...?"
"I know what I fuckin' said." Zenaku said, sending him a scowl and crossing his arms. "I ain't talking to her."
Shiko frowned and sent him a glare. And let his scarred friend possibly break someone's heart. His lips curled into a sly smile, one that made Zenaku sit up and send him a wary stare. All Shiko did was grin widely.
Tetsuya smiled tiredly, arms tucked into his sleeves and back slouched so he could appear smaller. The Taichos' were already there for a meeting, some of them(Kurotsuchi had more important things to do than attend meetings, thank you very much). Another meeting, another day. Shinji almost huffed out loud. He just wanted to relax and take a nap. How much longer did they have to wait until this mysterious enemy finally attacked. They were just waiting for the old man to arrive. Seriously, he called this damned meeting, why wasn't he here yet?
He might as well kill some time.
"So, Reta-san," Shinji gave a wide grin when he saw tall and smiley look at him tiredly. "Is everything proportional?" He gestured towards his tall stature and raised his eyebrows a few times suggestively, making some of his comrades sigh and send him exasperated stares.
Fortunately, or unfortunately(it was so boring at these meetings), Reta's little band of merry men, and lady, weren't there. Yamamoto had deemed in necessary to carry out the meeting without them. Shinji, and he guessed Kyoraku, liked having them there. They made it more interesting with their bickering and needs to start a fight.
Tetsuya blinked. "Proportional...?" He questioned and looked down at himself.
"Yeah," Shinji paused when he saw the grey haired man continue to stare in confusion. "...Is your dick proportional?!" He yelled, causing Kensei to rub the bridge of his nose and shake his head lightly.
"...Dick," It sounded so wrong to hear such a word from someone so... earnest. Some of the Taichos' winced at the vulgar word and turned to glare at the Taicho of the fifth division. But all Tetsuya did was furrow his brows and tilt his head. "...What is a 'dick' if you don't mind me asking?" His eyes were large and curious, which just made it all the worst.
Shinji gave a flat stare. "Is your penis big or are you just tall?"
"Oh, my!" Tetsuya raised his eyebrows and blushed, coughing and looking to the side. Oh, man. Shinji was starting to feel bad. He should've just waited to tease the two hotheads of his merry crew. "I... hm..." He tilted his head and looked upwards. "I'm not entirely sure." He turned and smiled brightly at the blond. "I can drop my pants if you so desire to see?"
Shinji, along with a few, widened his eyes and gawked.
"U-Uh, no, that's fine!" He waved his hand and chuckled nervously.
Tetsuya gave a close-eyed smile, one that seemed a little mischievous. He suddenly widened his eyes and turned green, holding his stomach and turning to face away from the group. This prompted Unohana to step forward, only to pause when Tetsuya held his hand up and gave a shaky smile.
Kenpachi was grumbling quietly, waiting for the old bastard to get there. He was getting tired of hearing Hirako teasing the tall bastard. He wanted to see Riko, which is what he was going to do after this meeting was done. Despite what she said, he was going to see her and make her see reason that this whole charade was retarded. Kuchiki and Hitsugaya were still pouting about it, and he had almost been sure the little squirt was going to cry but he just shook it off and put that "serious" mask on. He turned his head and scowled. And unlike him, they were smart enough to get the hell out of there and declare that this meeting was unimportant.
He cursed quietly to himself.
He should've ran while he still had the chance. Currently, it was him, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Unohana, Hirako, Muguruma, and Otoribashi. Everyone else had been smart and decided to ignore the summons.
Sighing loudly, he watched as the tall idiot tried not to hurl. Which looked like he seemed to be losing. He was almost hoping that he would empty his stomach when the old man finally arrived. Look who finally dragged his ass to this meeting. He made sure to glare at him as he walked to his desk, showing how pissed he was that he was here. Which the old man ignored.
Bastard.
"Good afternoon, Soutaicho!" Tetsuya greeted cheerfully, giving a bright smile. "I hope you've had a wonderful day, Taicho."
He received a sharp stare for the 'Taicho' comment, since Reta wasn't technically his subordinate. But all Tetsuya did was continue to smile. Kenpachi briefly wondered if anyone managed to piss this guy off. There was no way that someone could be this polite. No way he was happy. Who the hell was happy in the Soul Society? Everyone went through shit, and sometimes the nobles went through some crap but not all of them. So Reta couldn't be nice all the time. Why else would he close his eyes every time he smiled, anyway?
"Reta," was Yamamoto's way of greeting, and judging by the way his shoulders tensed he wasn't happy to be having a meeting again. "You are looking better."
"Really?" Tetsuya opened his eyes and gave a bright smile. "Thank you, sir!"
"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way," Kyoraku held his hat and chuckled, apparently amused at the way his sensei wanted to move the meeting along. "Kurosaki Ichigo and Abarai have returned from their impromptu mission." The fact that they left without informing him still made him furious. Kurosaki wasn't a full shinigami, after all.
Tetsuya blinked and stayed silent. "...Who?"
Ukitake and Kyoraku smiled, having seen the way Yamamoto's eyebrow twitched. The way his former subordinate tilted his head and gazed at him with curious eyes was starting to anger him. He used to look at him that way before the man had faked his death. Memories of the past with this man weren't looked upon with fondness. While the man was kind at heart, he should have known better to report back after his 'death' instead of remaining in the Rukongai.
That is what disappointed him most of all.
"You remember Kurosaki, don't you?" Kyoraku asked, giving a kind smile to the man. "The one with orange hair and a wielding a zanpakuto as long as his body?"
Tetsuya furrowed his brows before he smiled. "Oh, yes! The gentleman that offered to help my companions," He gave a close-eyed smile. "You'll have to forgive me." That smile was starting to wear on everyone's nerves. "I see no reason to remember anyone as I will be locked up after this 'mission'." Tetsuya laughed lightly.
"Aw, man," Shinji didn't lesson his grin, but it started to look forced. "Way to make us feel awful, big guy."
Tetsuya didn't stop smiling. "I am only telling the truth," He stepped forward with his arms folded inside his sleeves. "Is there a reason you had called me to this meeting? Surely the announcement of this Kurosaki-san shouldn't be so important?"
Yamamoto gazed at him silently. "...His information is what is important."
At this moment the doors to the office opened, which attracted everyone's attention. Ichigo walked into the office, giving a wry grin when he saw Kenpachi perk up and instantly motion towards his zanpakuto. All he did was roll his eyes and shake his head, which got him a dark glare. He could almost swear Kenpachi was pouting. He turned his attention towards the tall man, who gazed at him with a kind smile. Knitting his eyes together, he paused to gather himself. He did just get back and head to the old man right away, he didn't even eat or clean himself.
"Tetsuya Reta... right?" Ichigo asked.
Tetsuya blinked and tilted his head. "That's right..."
Ichigo gazed at him with hard eyes, seeing nothing revealed in those black eyes. Now that he recalled... he didn't remember this guy ever getting mad. Sad, yes, but not mad. Maybe after he received the information he had then he might get pissed. Well, the quicker the better. Ripping the bandaid off.
"It's your brother that's after you."
Silence.
Those in the office widened their eyes at the new information, all turning their gazes towards the tall man to see him staring calmly at Ichigo. Which started to unnerve him. Shouldn't he be denying this, or... at the least start yelling? He lost the smile on his face, but other than that he... he didn't really react to the news. He put two and two together after he and Renji were returning to the Seireitei with the prisoner. That man, the one that stared at him with such cold eyes, looked exactly like Tetsuya. Only more... average in size than tall. But why it was his brother didn't make sense to him. Why would a member of his own family be trying to attack him?
Ichigo stared at Tetsuya silently.
"...I know it is my brother."
Silence.
"What?!" Shinji gawked, stepping forward and starting to glare at the man. "You knew this whole time?! Why didn't you tell us anythin'?!" He scowled when he saw him turn and gaze at him with a kind smile.
Yamamoto felt enraged. He had known who was after him this entire time? And yet he felt no need to inform them?
"I had known since you had said Hijoshikina had invaded," He closed his eyes and laughed lightly. "My comrades had known, as well. We just didn't see any reason to inform you."
Yamamoto gazed at him harshly, which didn't stop the smiling. Back when Reta was younger he immediately stopped smiling and would start apologizing if he even gave him one ounce of a glare, but now that he had matured and grown stronger he wasn't easily cowed by his look.
"That doesn't mean you can keep this from us," Kensei said, stepping forward and giving the man a glare. "We're working together and—"
"It doesn't mean anything," Tetsuya interrupted. Still smiling. "Just because we are being forced to work with each other does not mean we have to share everything with each other. I had intended to confront my brother when he arrived, but I've no doubt he will fight with his full strength." He opened his eyes, black eyes gazing back at the group of Taicho. Which unnerved them more than the smile. "My brother holds a grudge against me for something I could not control. A grudge for a petty reason, and has held it for a long time." His smile widened. "I can't change his mind."
"...You've been expecting this?" Ichigo knitted his eyebrows together and took a step towards the man. "He's your brother, can't you just tell him... I dunno, you love him and don't want to fight?"
Tetsuya's smile grew sad. "I've told him multiple times, over and over again... how I wish we could go back to old times. When he would look up to me and I would help him..." He closed his eyes. "but I cannot seem to dissuade him."
"...Are you expecting a gruesome outcome to this fight?" Unohana stared at the man with a neutral expression, giving nothing away.
Tetsuya turned towards her and remained silent. "I would be lying... if I said I was hoping no bloodshed came out of this," He stared at the trinket around his wrist. "My brother sees me as an enemy and nothing more." He closed his eyes and remained quiet.
Ichigo frowned and sighed harshly. The rest of the Taichos stared at the tall man in silence, some stoic, and the rest with sympathy.
"...But if it means making sure none of my companions die," Tetsuya's expression went blank, gazing at the group. His eyes flashed red. "Then I will readily head into battle and slay him myself."
Yamamoto gazed at him in silence, seeing him shed that expression and regain a smile. "...Then make sure you are training," The rest of the people looked at him in shock, all starting to question him. "You haven't trained in two years. No doubt you will be slain five minutes into the fight." He huffed and shook his head, muttering about 'foolish' subordinates that were too arrogant.
Tetsuya blinked before he laughed lightly. "Yes, sir."
Ichigo was still frowning. Why was the old man even letting him do this? He was going to kill his own brother! Shouldn't they be trying to prevent this? He groaned and rubbed his face.
Unknown to everyone else... his eyes flashed gold.
"You seem to be up-to-date," Yamamoto saw his former subordinate smile brightly and perk up. A foolish man... "This meeting is finished." He ignored Zaraki when he heard him mutter 'finally' under his breath.
Tetsuya gave a bow and turned, heading for the exit with a bounce in his step. He dismissed the look he got from Ichigo, sending him a kind smile and resting a hand on his shoulder. He muttered something, which made the frown on Ichigo's face grow. He watched as he walked towards the door with the rest of the occupants of the room.
"This is my problem, Kurosaki-san."
He walked towards the door, waiting for it to open and was about to step out...
...when Riko ran into him.
Tetsuya jumped. "Oh, my!" He stepped back, seeing who it was and gaining and warm smile. "Ah, Riko, it's so nice to see you, but I believe you are not supposed to be in here. Yamamoto Soutaicho will get mad and throw a tantrum." His smile grew timid when he felt the gaze of a dark glare aimed at him. "W-Well, not a tantrum, but—"
"Reta-sama!" Riko saluted and stood straight. "I have come to tell you something!"
He blinked. "...Yes?"
"I need your blessing!" Riko gave a wide grin and hopped on spot, which made the tall man slide his hands into his sleeves and tilt his head curiously.
"My blessing? Whatever for?" Tetsuya furrowed his brows in confusion.
Riko's grin widened, which reminded him of Ichirou and had him giving a warm smile. "I need you to give your blessing to my boyfriend!"
Kenpachi grinded to a stop.
As well as the rest of the Taichos, including Ichigo, who all turned to stare with wide eyes. Kenpachi had seen her, and was about to go over and whisk her away to talk to her. But... He stiffly turned his head to see Tetsuya's face go blank. The grey haired man stared at Riko in silence, seeing her grin remain. Slowly, he took a step forward and slouched down so he didn't seem so intimidating. Riko gazed up at him with nothing but respect and didn't seem fearful at the tense silence. Or she didn't notice it.
"...What's a boyfriend?"
Everyone almost hit themselves.
"Oh, uh..." Riko waved her hand and shrugged. "It's a romantic partner."
Tetsuya tensed slightly. "...Romantic... partner..." He said slowly, receiving a nod from the person he considered a granddaughter. "...And who is this romantic partner if I may ask?"
Riko blinked and searched the room, eyes landing on the tense Taicho of the eleventh. Kenpachi tried communicating with his eyes. He wasn't scared of this man, but if he had to deal with another one of Riko's frickin' family he was going to punch someone. He tried telling her not to say anything, gazing at her with almost pleading eyes, trying to tell her not to fucking tell him! But she was too dense to see his expression. All she did was grin and point at him.
"Him! Zaraki Taicho!" She turned and grinned at Tetsuya, looking as if she were proud.
Everyone in the room grew more tense when Tetsuya slowly turned his head, eyes landing on Kenpachi and gazing at him. They stared at each other in silence, having yet to communicate with each other. Kenpachi started grinding his teeth together, silently vowing to make Riko pay somehow. His blessing? The fuck did she mean by blessing? He needed this idiot's blessing to continue to... date her?!
"...Zaraki..." Tetsuya stared at him.
His eyes flashed red.
"...Ooooooooooohhhhhh!" Shinji jeered with a toothy grin.
He was going to fucking punch him right after this staring contest.
I am so sorry that you had to wait for this update! Dx My interest in Bleach is waning. And it really sucks for me 'cause I still have so many fanfics to finish. QAQ But I hope you enjoyed this chapter! OwO And I will TRY to get the next one out sooner.
November 27, 2015