Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Different Circumstances ❯ The Surprise ( Chapter 16 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach and the characters depicted therein. The characters in this story are not mine.

 

The Surprise

 

I woke slowly, hoping that the arms holding me were those of Zaraki. I could not even try to pretend any more. Everyone knew that I loved him and I now accepted I had never truly loved Gin. What I had felt for him was a cheap and tawdry imitation of how I felt for the man who had saved me from my former lover. My feelings for Gin had been more of a need to feel love and possibly gratitude, but not the emotion I was now experiencing.

 

Zaraki had held me while I slept, comforting me when I was in the grip of nightmare and I'd had many nightmares. I would wake to find him talking to me, hearing his bells tinkle as he told me that I was safe, he would protect me, and that nothing and no one would be allowed to hurt me. Every time he reassured me, I drifted back to sleep, calmed by his words, but still scared.

 

Opening my eyes I saw that his were closed and I looked up at his face, relaxed in sleep. I felt a gust of sentiment stream through my body as I looked at him. I would not call him handsome, but I loved his face. Gazing at his mouth I tried to slide up his body to kiss him, but he woke immediately at my movement and held me tightly against him. He opened one eye and looked at me, and then smiling a little he opened the other. I was pleased he'd removed the eye patch.

 

“You're awake. Good. You were hard to sleep with last night,” he commented gruffly but his fingers stroked my back as he spoke letting me know he cared for me.

 

“I'm sorry. I had some bad dreams,” I felt the need to apologise but I was so grateful he had been there through the long night.

 

`Don't be sorry. If I hadn't been here I don't think you would have slept. I had to hold you; we've been apart for too long and I wanted to feel you against me,” he said and closed his eyes.

 

I slithered up his body and kissed him. It felt good to feel his mouth against mine, his body under me and his penis digging into my hip. I wondered if he'd been hard all night as I hadn't noticed when I woken up. My tongue skimmed over his lips, deepening the kiss until he groaned and pulled his mouth from mine.

 

“Stop it woman. I've been lying here with a rigid cock all night, needing to fuck you and you kiss me like that. It's callous treatment of your husband,” he said, a note of reproof in his voice.

 

Now I did feel bad. I was wet with longing for him, he was hard and we couldn't do anything about it. I shifted slightly, feeling a slight kink in my back and wanting to stretch.

 

“Matsumoto, stop moving or I won't be able to control myself. Let's talk about something. I don't want to get out of bed, I want to keep you close but most of all I want to take you home so we can screw,” he sighed loudly and I felt a pang of something I didn't immediately recognise.

 

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked. “I have something I want to ask you first. You managed to arrive just in time. How long had you been in Las Noches?”

 

Zaraki had a grave look on his face. “We were there about 15 hours after you were abducted. It took a while for Retsu to work out an antidote to that drug. We tried to keep a low profile; I only went to rescue you. When we arrived I could feel your reiatsu. It was spiking badly and I followed it, but then it stopped.”

 

“That must have been when Aizen choked me too hard. But Zaraki, you don't feel reiatsu,” I was bewildered. Zaraki was known for being hopeless at that type of sensing.

 

“I can feel yours. I noticed it only when we got there. When your reiatsu disappeared, I thought you were dead, but I didn't want to leave until I knew for sure. I wouldn't listen to anyone, I was too bloody furious and I thought I could feel something, just a trace of you. We got into a few fights, nothing interesting. The next day I felt you again and ran as fast as I could to get to you. It was spiking worse than the day before so I knew that something bad was happening. I suppose it was lucky we were actually in Las Noches and not too far away. I'd got an idea of where you were before the scum tried to strangle you, so I headed in that direction. There were Arrancar guarding the door of the room, but I killed them quickly, they didn't seem much of a challenge, or maybe I was in a killing mood,” he kissed my nose.

 

The story amazed me. If Zaraki had been in a killing mood, I doubted anything could have stopped him. What did surprise me when I reflected upon it was that he had not immediately killed Gin and Aizen. The other information provided another level of shock. We could identify each other's reiatsu. That meant when I thought I felt him in the hallway on the way to Gin's room, it had been him. I wasn't imagining things. “I can feel you too. I thought I could feel it when you arrived.”

 

“Now I've explained, there's something you haven't told me. I don't know what, but it's important. You were mumbling something when you slept about not being able to stop the bleeding and you were afraid. My chest got wet from your tears and you wouldn't wake properly. When I tried to wake you, you hit me and insisted that I would never want to touch you again if I knew the truth but I want to know the truth. I think it has something to do with the traitor.”

 

My thoughts raced. The experience in Las Noches must have triggered the memory that I tried to suppress. Only two people in the Seireitei knew this particular secret, one in full and one only partially.

 

Zaraki held me tightly and commented, “I can't talk about it like this. I'm going to have to get up and get dressed. When your body is pressed against mine and we're talking about this I'm alternately ready to fuck you senseless and guilty at feeling that way.” He got out of bed still holding me, but then put me down and dressed me in the loose robe that he had removed the night before.

 

I recognised the gown; it was the replica of his Captain's coat he had given me. He must have brought it with him to show his claim. I missed the contact with him, but it was not fair to him or me if we continued to lie together. When he finished dressing he picked me up and sat in the chair with me in his lap.

 

“Damn. I still want to fuck you, but I've got to hold you close. Whatever you do, don't move.”

 

I sat motionless. I didn't want him to put me back in the bed and away from him.

 

“Now, this truth. I have to know. It has to do with when Aizen raped you, doesn't it?” On the surface it seemed his voice was calm, but I could hear the undercurrents clearly. There was no possibility that he would allow me to keep this secret. It amazed me that he had guessed that I was hiding something from him and what it was about. His arms held me still.

 

“How did you guess?” I asked. It delayed my answer for a time.

 

“Do you think I didn't see you on the bed with those two bastards? You were horrified but the horror seemed like something you'd experienced before. I want you to tell me, so I know for certain. When Aizen raped you, where did he rape you?” The man was too smart for my liking.

 

“In my bedroom.” That was true, but would he persist. If he persisted, did I have to tell him? I thought I heard the door opening, but I was too nervous to think about it. I didn't want to discuss this with him in particular or anyone in general.

 

“Don't try to put me off with glib answers or I'll tell you what I think happened.” Zaraki was relentless.

 

“You tell me what you think,” I was refusing to look at him and tried to get up but he was holding me too tightly. I had been blocking the reality of the rape since it happened as I had been so weak and brainless.

 

“Anal rape or you were knocked up and lost the baby? It was one or both of those; admit it.” His voice was harsh.

 

“I don't want to answer,” I stuttered feeling my shoulders knot with tension. Hearing it said aloud made me feel frozen and queasy and I wanted to hide. The memories were returning too clearly.

 

“I will tell him for you, if you give me permission, Lieutenant. I know you do not want to admit what occurred,” a sweet, familiar voice said quietly.

 

I turned my head and saw Captain Unohana observing us with a concerned look on her face. She was the last person I wanted to be here at this time as she knew part of the secret.

 

“I locked the door Retsu. How did you get in?” Zaraki barked.

 

“I have a master key to all the rooms, of course. This is my Division after all and I will not be denied access anywhere. Good morning both of you. I looked in during the night when you were asleep and saw how you were holding your wife. It was a good idea, Zaraki, giving her the reassurance she needed.”

 

Zaraki tightened his grip slightly and I looked at the 4th Division Captain and saw the compassion in her eyes. I nodded in answer to her original question and took a long breath, knowing that this was not going to be easy.

 

“Your wife experienced both vaginal and anal rape, which caused a large amount of physical injury. She came to see me privately because the rape had made her bleed and the bleeding wouldn't stop. She refused to tell me who raped her, saying it was her fault and that no one would believe her. It took me some time to repair the damage; the rape had been vicious and prolonged and her throat was swollen where the man had tried to choke her. I wondered if she would ever want to have intercourse again after that experience. I tried to counsel her, but she refused, saying she deserved it because she had been stupid. She did not become pregnant as a result of the rape,” Captain Unohana said as calmly as she could.

 

Hearing the facts outlined made me scared. I had fought against this memory for so long, burying it deep within my mind, ashamed that even one person knew. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and lowered my eyes, not wishing the see Zaraki's face.

 

“So the bastard raped you both ways did he, beloved and he was going to repeat it with the help of his stooge. I will fucking kill both of those cock suckers.” He hadn't raised his voice but I could feel the rage radiating out of him.

 

“It was Aizen who raped you. I thought as much when I saw the situation in Las Noches and noticed the marks on your throat.” Captain Unohana said. “I wish you had felt you could trust me enough to inform me when it happened. No one deserves to be raped; I've told you that many times, Lieutenant. I would imagine that Aizen had planned the whole incident and you were the unlucky target.”

 

I nodded, not believing her. It had been my fault and I had to live with it. Then I remembered there was at least one thing that hadn't happened to me as a result of the rape. “Poor Momo,” I said, not really thinking.

 

“Huh? What are you talking about, woman? Momo? What's wrong with her? I know Aizen tried to kill her, but you're saying something else here,” Zaraki seemed nonplussed at my thoughtless comment.

 

After his `death' I had been instructed to search Aizen's quarters and I was relieved to be given the task because he had taken something the day he raped me as `insurance' that I wouldn't tell anyone. I located the `trophy', my torn uniform, stained with his semen and my blood. It was now dust and ashes. I burnt it that night. It could never be used to humiliate me as he had threatened. While searching, I had found the letter addressed to Momo. When I went to give her the letter she had told me the night before he had staged his `death' Aizen had relieved Momo of her virginity. Not her words, mine. Her words were that they had made love and she was so pleased he had been her first. All the time shedding tears at his death, she had told me, in too much detail, how much she had enjoyed the experience and believed that he loved her. While she talked I kept my expression neutral to hide any emotion. The man had gone and I did not want to mention my experience. It was in the past and something best forgotten.

 

What sort of friend was I? I had hardly thought of Momo since I returned to the Seireitei. Toshiro had kept me informed of her progress while in the human world and I knew that she was still unaware of her condition even though she was now conscious. It was felt she might have difficulty in accepting this new information, but my Captain was preparing to tell her soon to give her time to decide if she wanted to proceed with the pregnancy. He had asked me to be present to assist with comforting her and we'd discussed the best method, as secretly as we could, while in the human world.

 

I had thought long and hard before I told Toshiro the identity of the father of Momo's child. My Captain had been shaken and saddened by the news. In the past I was convinced that he loved Momo, idolised the girl, and I knew my telling would hurt him, but he was her friend and needed to know. He'd later told me that the poor child was still deeply in love with Aizen, even after he'd tried to kill her. I felt so sorry for her and I did not think I should tell Zaraki this particular secret; it was not mine to disclose.

 

Captain Unohana's voice roused me from my thoughts. “We'll talk about this later. Captain Yamamoto is on his way here and from all reports he is very unhappy with all of us. I need to see how the Lieutenant is progressing before I allow him to talk to you.”

 

Please, call me Matsumoto or Ran. You have proven yourself more than a friend to me, Captain and I feel honoured by your thoughtfulness.” The words had to be said. This woman had helped me when I needed help and had never appeared to judge me.

 

“I would be pleased to call you Ran, if you will call me Retsu,” the smile lighting her face so that I could not help but smile back.

 

“Great; should we take a picture so we can remember this tender moment or can you get on with it?” Zaraki's sarcasm was unmistakable. “I imagine you won't want to check her while I hold her?”

 

“You will have to release your death grip from her and I would prefer her to be laying down in her weakened condition. Once I have finished my scan you can hold her again if you must,” Retsu said with a small smile.

 

“I must.”

 

Zaraki placed me on the bed and Retsu assessed me. “Astonishing! The bruising on the neck is almost gone and most of the other injuries have faded. I wonder if it was that a result of the new treatment. How do you feel Ran?”

 

I hadn't thought about it until then but I was startled to realised I felt quite well. A little weak from hunger, but that was all. “I feel hungry.”

 

Zaraki snorted with laughter. “You must be better if you're demanding food again. Oh, wait, you wouldn't have eaten for a few days. Quick Retsu, we've got to feed her before she starts chewing the furniture or falls asleep. I know what she's like when she gets hungry, nothing will stop her.”

 

Retsu laughed but addressed me. “Aside from hunger, do you feel well? Think carefully before you answer?”

 

I thought and then nodded. “I feel fine.”

 

“I'm pleased to hear that, Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku. Interesting gown you're wearing, but we'll talk about that later. Captain Zaraki, Captain Unohana, do you wish to have this conversation here, or in my office?” Captain Yamamoto was standing in the doorway, his face set into a frown that boded ill for all of us.

 

I tried to stand but before I could get to my feet Zaraki retrieved me from the bed and settled me in his lap again. I sighed in relief as I felt his arms embrace me but worried at this decision. I didn't think it was a great idea.

 

The Captain-General raised an eyebrow. “Must you….?”

 

“Yeah, I must. If you want to make something of it, go ahead. I don't give a shit if you want me to stand. I have to hold her as close as possible and no one will stop me.”

 

I looked at Zaraki, my mouth open. Gin had said they'd driven him mad, but I knew he was wrong. Zaraki was not mad, he was experiencing love for the first time and I now knew how hard it was to cope with. I wanted to kiss him, but controlled the impulse. “I think I should sit on the bed,” I hissed at him.

 

“No. Shut up and don't interrupt. I think the old man means business,” he said quietly.

 

I opened my mouth to protest, but he shook his head warningly. I looked at the Captain-General and decided that it would be best to hold my tongue for the moment. Both men looked as if they would welcome the chance to fight.

 

“You have put the whole plan in danger by your rash actions, Captain Zaraki. You left before the bridge was stable, you took people not supposed to enter Las Noches, and you involved another Captain, just to retrieve your wife. This has removed the element of surprise which I'd hoped might just make a difference. What if people had died? She's only one Shinigami and you risked so many to get one person. It's a waste of resources.”

 

“She's my wife,” Zaraki thundered, holding me close. “I didn't marry her just because it seemed like a good idea and I won't let her be the prey of unscrupulous bastards like Aizen and Ichimaru. No one will take her from me again and live. Get it published in the newsletter if you want. She was my main concern when she was taken and I won't apologise.”

 

I was worried. Where was Zaraki going with this, insulting the Captain-General? Before I could say anything Captain Yamamoto was speaking forcefully.

 

“She means more than your responsibilities as Captain? More than that? Get some perspective, man. She's just a woman.” Yamamoto ignored my gasp of surprise at his words.

 

“Ichimaru and Aizen want her. They went to considerable trouble to take her. Does that give you an idea of her importance? Forget it, I don't want to explain. Kiss me, Matsumoto,” the last instruction scared me. I'd kissed him once before in front of the old man, but this was under different circumstances.

 

Still, the request was too tempting. I lifted my face to his and moved to kiss his chin but he moved his head and I felt his lips procure mine as he kissed me with considerable passion. It was very difficult to try and manage my natural reaction to his kiss but I fought my desires and wondered why he was acting like this in front of the Captain-General; it seemed like he was challenging him. Even when I was kissing Zaraki, I could not block out the comments being made.

 

“Captain Zaraki, I find your attitude insufferable. Captain Unohana, I thought you would restrain his behaviour. I'm very disappointed.” The Captain-General did not sound happy. His voice was peeved.

 

“I cannot moderate his behaviour. Only his wife can do that now and I don't think she wishes to. Sir, do you wish us to travel to Hueco Mundo today? I believe we are nearly ready, except for the Captain. I confidently predict he won't be ready today.”

 

Zaraki finally drew his mouth from mine. “Not today. I need today and tonight; then you can tell me what you need me to do. If you try to send me away now, it would be pointless because I won't go, I wouldn't be able to concentrate. I didn't finish my honeymoon and I need to be alone with my wife, now.”

 

He may as well have announced that he wanted to have sex with me immediately. I felt the same.

 

“Captain Zaraki. I will begin disciplinary measures against you if you do not cooperate. Do you wish to be removed from the rank of Captain? Your behaviour today is unforgivable and totally out of character.” Leaning close his piercing eyes bored into Zaraki's who just grinned at him in response.

 

“Don't be stupid, Sir. You won't remove me. I always do what you want, eventually. Give me the rest of this day and night and I will obey. Now, can we leave? This is a futile exchange of words.”

 

“Insubordination is my least favourite conduct. Don't you understand the gravity of the situation?” Captain Yamamoto was beginning to get a little red in the face. I began to feel even more worried.

 

“Yeah, we're under threat and you want me to go to Las Noches and help out the idiot humans. You want the three traitors returned for trial, the Hyogyoku reclaimed, the Arrancar and Espada defeated and the threat to the human world removed. I'll go, tomorrow. Old man, if I can't recapture them, can I kill them and bring back the bodies? I know I promised not to kill them when you asked me to go on this mission but Aizen's pretty cunning and the only reason I managed to catch him last time was because he was intent on raping my wife again and Ichimaru was helping. They both seemed preoccupied and weren't paying attention.”

 

“Shut up, Zaraki! Do you have to tell everyone? I don't want people to know; I don't want pity. I want to forget it happened,” I astonished everyone in the room, myself included, by yelling at him. I tried to hit him but he grabbed my hands and held me tightly. If people knew about the rape they would treat me differently. I felt tears forming in my eyes when I realised that when people heard about my rescue, they would also hear what was happening at the time.

 

“Woman, it's the truth and you can't ignore it, learn to accept it. Pretending won't make it go away. We're keeping a lot of things quiet, but this is too important. The old man has to know,” Zaraki told me sternly. “And don't start crying, you've cried too much recently. Let's get this over with so we can go home. I've told you before; I don't care what anyone thinks. You're mine and that's all that matters.”

 

I looked at him, shocked. I had been about to cry but his words struck me. If I accepted what had happened maybe I could get past it, Retsu had told me that but I hadn't wanted to listen to her. My temper left me as suddenly as it had come and I rested my head tiredly on his shoulder. He kissed me on the cheek and briefly rested his head against mine. I still hated it when he ordered me around but I wanted this comfort.

 

Captain Yamamoto sat down resignedly on the other chair in the room. “Why was none of this mentioned in your report Captain Unohana, Captain Zaraki? You both omitted how you managed to overcome the two traitors so easily and how they managed to escape. I was rather curious about the brevity of both of the reports on the unsanctioned mission and even more startled that you submitted them. The fact that you did present them is the only reason you are not confined to the cells at the moment. I want a full explanation.”

 

Fortunately Retsu outlined everything in her calm and reasoned way, hesitantly including the tale of the earlier rape. Her telling hurt me. As she spoke, I finally heard how the events appeared from another perspective, making me appear brave and strong instead of a pathetic idiot. I didn't believe her version. It had been my fault and I had acted like a fool.

 

“I see,” Captain Yamamoto said after she finished. “Another fact you omitted was the near death of the Lieutenant. Did you expect I wouldn't hear the rumours? I was informed she was dead at one time. Why did you exclude that detail?”

 

Retsu coloured and said hesitantly, “I used an experimental drug to keep her alive. I knew you wouldn't give me permission if I asked and nothing I did was working.” Her words were quiet and I saw her hands were clenched, the nails digging into her palms.

 

“Captain Unohana only used the drug because I forced her to administer it. I won't apologise because it worked.” Zaraki glared defiantly at Captain Yamamoto.

 

The silence lay heavily in the room.

 

“I am disappointed with all of you. Lieutenant, you should have told me about Aizen. I could have taken proceedings against him. Don't shake your head at me; I would have investigated the matter thoroughly. Captain Unohana you used an untested drug without permission, went on a mission without authorisation and failed to complete your paperwork properly. I do not care if threats were made, that was improper. Captain Zaraki, I won't list the things you've done that are wrong, it would take too long. Just out of curiosity, did you obtain the gown for your wife?”

 

Zaraki nodded.

 

“Do not wear it in public after today, Lieutenant,” the Captain-General sighed heavily. “You will remain here and assist Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Rangiku, while your husband is gone. You will continue to live in his house, guarded by 11th Division,” he smiled slightly. “If I tried to make you live elsewhere I think he would refuse to depart.” He looked at the two Captains sternly. “It is too late to commence the mission today but I expect you to leave early tomorrow. When you return, I will speak to both of you again regarding your conduct. You may be disciplined or even court martialled for your actions, but that is not for me to decide. Do not defy me again. I would prefer if the traitors were returned alive, or at least one of them. Justice must be seen to be done.”

 

Both Zaraki and Retsu nodded as Captain Yamamoto rose to his feet. “At least you two work together. Lieutenant, I need you to talk to your Captain. There's something worrying him aside from your abduction. Uncover the reason and deal with it. I know you can elicit information from him no one else can,” he walked firmly to the door and stopped. “Off the record, I'm pleased you retrieved your wife, Captain. You need her, I can see that, and it would have been a tragedy if she had died.” He left the room without turning around.

 

“What the hell?” Zaraki started laughing, clutching me to him. “That sly bastard. He told me about the bridge, even showed me where it was, so I got the idea of using it to save Matsumoto, then he threatens us both and later infers we did the right thing. Retsu, can I take Matsumoto home?”

 

I smiled uncertainly at his observations. Had the Captain-General set it up so that Zaraki would rescue me? He'd emphasised I was only one person and yet he could have prevented the mission, I was sure of it. Yamamoto was playing a deep game, but I could not fathom what he was planning. Had he known that one of the traitors would return and he was looking for a reason to retaliate?

 

Then I realised that Zaraki had asked if I could go home. My heart lifted and I added my pleas to his reqyest. “Can I, please, Retsu? I promise to follow any instructions you give me if I can be with Zaraki.”

 

Captain Unohana was chuckling a little. “Only if you eat before you do anything else, or would you like to eat here?”

 

“Eat here,” I said quickly before Zaraki could say anything. My stomach was making some strange noises and if Zaraki acted as normal, I would have little chance to eat once we arrived at his place.

 

Retsu went out of the room for a few minutes, to request the food, I imagined. While she was gone Zaraki slipped his hand inside the gown and cradled a breast while growling in my ear, “When we get home, you will do whatever I say. You will not get any sleep and you will come, screaming my name, over and over again until you are lying there unable to move, dripping with my cum but begging for more. Then I'll lick you until you totally lose control and mindlessly scream in pleasure until you can't come anymore. That is what will happen tonight.”

 

It seemed so long since he'd touched me with desire. I shifted until I was sitting astride him, enjoying the evidence of his longing, pressing against his erection, not caring where we were. Holding my body close to his I said, “Good.”

 

He removed his hand from my breast and undid my robe. “I knew this thing was a good idea,' he said as his mouth descended to my breast. As his lips touched me I moaned; his mouth felt so different from Gin's and the way he sucked my breasts made me wish we'd gone home. I knew Retsu could return at any moment but it didn't seem important. As he sucked me I felt my head fall back from the excitement he was causing me. “You're offering yourself to me again. I wonder if we'll make it into the bedroom.” The sound of the door opening disturbed us and Zaraki quickly tied up my robe and moved me into a more respectable position.

 

“I would suggest the bedroom. She may have recovered but I think she may be a little weak for anything else, and don't forget the oil this time,” Captain Unohana stated. I wondered how much she had heard and seen.

 

“How much did you hear?” Zaraki asked.

 

“Just the last part. The food will be here shortly. I mean it's here now,” Retsu said as some tables were brought in and food arranged temptingly. Any food would have tempted me at that time. “I recommend you sit on the bed Ran,” she suggested firmly.

 

I did as she advised, blushing slightly, and then grabbed the closest dish and began to inhale the food. Not literally, but I ate very fast, only realising when I was halfway through the plate that I was eating something flavoured with chilli. I grabbed a pitcher of water and drank it dry to try to ease the fire in my throat. I like chilli, but this was particularly fiery.

 

Retsu looked at me with concern in her eyes. “Is there a problem Lieutenant?” Then she glanced at the dish. “I forgot that the cook likes to flavour that dish with lots of chilli. He says it's an aphrodisiac, but I'm yet to be convinced that it is. Perhaps you would prefer some of this rice and miso soup?” She handed me both and I accepted them gratefully.

 

Could I never get away from aphrodisiacs? I didn't need them, not now. Being near Zaraki was a continual aphrodisiac. I ate the rice which cooled my mouth and sipped the soup while nibbling small portions of the rest of the food. I blushed when I saw some strawberries in syrup and a honey cake with a container of honey. Zaraki noticed the direction of my gaze and he winked at me as he licked his lips.

 

“Um, Retsu, the food is great, but can we take dessert with us?” At least Zaraki was direct and I had a very good idea what he planned.

 

She raised an eyebrow at both of us. “I don't want to know, do I? I'll arrange for some to be packaged for you. Are you leaving right now?”

 

Zaraki looked at me and I nodded. I had eaten quite a lot and did not feel famished anymore. If he had to leave tomorrow I wanted as much time alone with him as possible.

 

The return home was swift; Zaraki carried me, running all the way, impatient with any person who tried to stop him and talk. I knew how he felt; we could talk to people later.

 

Arriving at his house I saw a sign on the door with just the words, “Do not disturb for any reason.” It was written in curly pink and black writing with little hearts and crossed swords all over it.

 

“That's new,” I said.

 

“Yeah. Yachiru did it while she was recovering. She insisted I put it on the door. I think she feels a bit guilty for the interruptions she caused.” Kicking open the door, he carried me swiftly to the bedroom. He put me on the bed and left the room. I put the desserts on the table and removed my robe. For a few seconds I wondered what Zaraki was doing, but heard him turn the key in the lock.

 

“I know you don't like the bells, but I don't have time to take them off,” he said returning his shirt in his hand. A few seconds later he was naked and he joined me on the bed, the oil bottle in his hand. I coated his penis liberally and he aroused me as he ran his fingers over my clitoris. I wanted no other foreplay.

 

“I don't want to wait,” I said, reclining on the bed, parting my legs. He nodded and quickly slid between them, preparing to enter me.

 

As he tried to push into me, I felt something was wrong. Despite the oil, despite my arousal he couldn't get in. Every time he pushed, I flinched because it hurt and he stopped, looking at me in bemusement. I begged him to try again but it didn't work. I didn't cry this time, but began to feel frantic. The tinkling of the bells did not help.

 

“What the hell is going on Matsumoto? This is worse than the first time we fucked. You're even tighter now,” Zaraki complained moving onto his side.

 

I nodded at the truth of his words. What had happened? Aside from the pain last time we'd had sex, everything had been normal. Then I'd been abducted and Orihime had healed me; healed everything that was wrong with me. Everything. “I think I know,” I said, sitting up, the crazy possibility working through my mind. “Orihime healed me when Gin took me to Las Noches. She healed everything and because of the trouble we had during sex, she healed that. I think she accidentally made me a virgin again.”

 

Shaking his head, the bells tinkling loudly, Zaraki seemed to reject my suggestion. “No, that can't be right. Not a virgin. I've never fucked a virgin and I'm not about to start now. I'm too big for them and I never saw the attraction. You're the closest to a virgin I've had and that's only because you were so hard to enter but it was worth it. I don't take virgins, even willing ones.”

 

I was shocked. He wouldn't have sex with me because I was a physical virgin? That couldn't be right, he must be teasing me again, but he crossed his arms and was looking immovable even though his erection gave the lie to his assertion. “Zaraki, you have to. I'm your wife and I'm only a physical virgin, not a mental one. If you don't do this, no one else will, I won't accept a lover. You want to have sex with me, don't you? You're leaving tomorrow for I don't know how long. When you come back from this mission you will want to screw me immediately and I'll still be a virgin. You'll be even more impatient.” I kissed him, sucking his tongue, and ran my hands over his body, touching him the way I knew he liked.

 

“Or course I want fuck you. It's all I've been thinking about. Damn it, why can't it be simple? When I come back you better be laying in this bed, oiled and ready because I'll probably be deep inside you before I say hello. If I didn't want you so much I wouldn't do this,” he said gruffly.

 

“I don't want to be a virgin again. I didn't enjoy losing it the last time,” I sighed and kissed him again as my hand encircled his erection. I wanted to touch him and I recalled he'd told me he'd been hard all night. I began to inch my hand along the shaft, feeling the skin move under my hand. In the time we had been together I had never brought him to orgasm manually, it had either been sucking or screwing that made him come, but this was the time to change that. I liked the feel of the stiff shaft in my hands the many times I had touched it, feeling the skin, so different to the skin on the rest of his body around the hard muscle beneath.

 

“Keep doing that. Maybe I should marry you again, so you could be a virgin bride.” I looked at his face and he was smiling at me awkwardly. “Nope, you're still technically a bride; my wanton virgin bride. Looks like I'll have to do what I did in the bathhouse. Lots of oil, lots of preparation.” He oiled his fingers again as I lay down and slowly he inserted one into me. I sensed my vagina stretching around him and it hurt a little but that didn't matter because it felt so good as he began to thrust the finger into me. Surprising myself, I moaned as he did so, immensely turned on by his finger stretching me. “I still find it hard to believe you're only like this with me,” Zaraki stated, breathing heavily, as I pushed down on his finger, wanting more, but prepared to let him take his time.

 

At the same time I continued to grasp his penis, moving my hand in the same rhythm he was using with his finger. It was not easy to concentrate, but the oil on the shaft made the movement easy. I made certain I only touched the length, avoiding the head for the time.

 

I pulled his head down and kissed him, not wishing for him to talk. As our tongues played with each other, he inserted a second finger into me. I stiffened a little as the extra finger stretched me even further, but he stopped moving them, allowing me to adjust slightly. A few seconds later his thumb was nudging my clitoris as his fingers mimicked the action of his penis.

 

“Oh, God, Zaraki. I wish you'd been my first, the first time,” I sighed taking my mouth from his. “I didn't feel this excited that time.” My palm was moving faster along the shaft and slid on the head of his penis causing him to gasp.

 

“Didn't you?” His fingers moved faster and I realised he was going to make me come before he took me. I increased the pace of my hand on him. I wanted him to come as well. His penis seemed to swell and I swiftly caressed his sac, feeling it tight against his groin. “I wish I'd been your first that time too. Touch the head, woman, it's more sensitive. Yeah, like that.”

 

I followed his instructions; cupping my hand over the head of his penis and then sliding back to grip its length, then moving my hand up the whole shaft including the head. His mouth was on my neck as he continued to stretch me by adding a third digit. This time it did hurt but he kept stroking my centre making me ignore the pain and I wanted the sensation to continue. He increased the speed and was driving his fingers into me nearly as fast as when he was using his penis. I pressed onto them, wishing it was his erection, but knowing that should happen shortly, but not soon enough.

 

The intensity was building up and he started suck my neck as I thrashed under the fingers that were driving me so close. His thumb nudged me one final time and I came twitching violently at the same time as he yelled, his semen spurting over my hand and stomach.

 

A.N.

 

Thanks to the kind few, very few, who have reviewed so far. I appreciate your comments.