Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Different Circumstances ❯ The Departure ( Chapter 18 )

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

 

The Departure

 

The Captain's hold on me tightened as I moved, trying, not very hard, to free myself from his clutching hands. “Where do you think you're going my virgin bride? You're not a virgin anymore; we took care of that yesterday, but you are still my bride, my wife. I'm leaving in two hours and we're going to fuck before I do. You should have woken me earlier so I could have you many times, but let's see how many times we can screw.” His voice startled me as I thought he was asleep, but the words shocked me more.

 

“Bride? Virgin? I'm married to this Captain? When the heck did that happen? How could I have been a virgin? Have I gone to an alternate reality? Have I been drinking for days?” Instead of looking at my `husband's' face I looked at his erection. Fully aroused it was truly impressive and I wondered what it would feel like to have that penetrate me. I felt an ache develop between my thighs as I looked at him. Hell, if we'd already fucked I wanted to experience how it felt to be screwed by such a large penis, and by this man. I had forgotten everything about the facts he'd mentioned. I would pretend I knew what he was talking about, just for a little while.

 

“Look at my face, not my cock, Matsumoto. You're supposed to be in love with all of me, not just my prick,” his voice chided me.

 

Responding to the command I looked at the Captains face. I loved him and we were married according to his words. This was becoming stranger by the minute. The Captain was grinning at me as one hand fondled my breast which was still in his hand. How did he know to touch me like that? His touch was rousing me. I caught myself. This was wrong, I loved Gin. Why was I in bed with this man who was exciting me with such ease and confidence? I should get up and leave him immediately but I didn't want to leave his embrace.

 

He pulled me closer and kissed me. Without thinking about it consciously, I kissed him in return, hating my fickle nature and determined lust. The man could kiss. The guilt overcame me and even though I was enjoying the feel of his lips on mine, I jerked my mouth from his. “I shouldn't be doing this.”

 

He kissed me again, ignoring my words and his tongue touched a part of my mouth that made me jump. He continued to kiss me in that manner and it was too much. Something about him, maybe it was the jingling of the bells made it impossible for me to leave. Even though I knew it was wrong and it made little sense to me, even though I loved Gin, I had to fuck this man. His kiss was making me so aroused that I didn't think I could tolerate it. It was obvious, I'd already made the mistake and I may as well enjoy myself because there would be consequences to face very soon.

 

“Why? We've got two hours before I have to leave. You said last night that we didn't know when I'd return. What position do you want to try or do you have another fantasy you want fulfilled?” as he spoke his hand was caressing me between my legs, touching me in ways I hadn't experienced before. How was he making me so excited? “I can't believe when the girl healed you she made you a virgin. Try not to become a virgin again, okay? At least I know you now only know my cock. I like that. Talk to me wife. You're not so quiet normally.”

 

“What do you want me to say, Captain?” I didn't know what I should call him or what he wanted me to say. I felt nervous. He'd called me by name so he knew me, but what would he do if I admitted I did not remember marrying him, or anything about the time we'd spent together? I was dreaming; that must be it; the unacknowledged erotic fantasies I'd held for this man were showing themselves in a very real dream. That would explain the things he'd said. But who was the girl he was talking about? How could someone heal me and make me a virgin again? It sounded very strange but when I tried to think about it, his touches intruded and made me think of him instead. This was the best dream I'd ever had but all the time I tried to convince myself it was a fantasy, I knew it was real.

 

“Captain again? That's almost becoming a kink with you. I want you to talk dirty to me like you normally do. Tell me how much you want me, how you want me to fuck you, or how you want me to touch you. You're acting strangely. Usually you're all over me by now, kissing me, stroking me, trying to drive me insane with lust.” He looked at me, one eyebrow raised.

 

“Please… um …screw me now,” the words jumped from my mouth without conscious thought and I wondered if that sounded right? Why was I asking him? I shouldn't be asking him to fuck me, no matter how much being close to this man made me want to indulge all my sexual desires. Had I no restraint?

 

“Not the best you've come up with, but it'll do. I think we should use the balm instead of the oil today. I wanted to apply it with my cock in the bathhouse but you stopped me.” He let me go for a moment and went to retrieve something that looked like balm, put some on his fingers and then handed me the container. I had no idea what he wanted me to do with it until I felt his fingers start to fondle my genitals, rubbing in the cream into me, inserting some fingers stretching me gently. I put some balm in my hand and tentatively began to stroke his penis with it. It was thick, hot, rigid and ready and nothing like Gin's penis. Without thinking this through I had already committed myself to have sex with this disturbing man.

 

“Enough of that,” he said pushing me down onto my back as he got between my legs. “I'm not waiting.”

 

I took his erection in my hand, eager to feel him fill me. I moved him to my entrance.

 

“You've never done that before when I've been on top. You must be feeling really horny at the moment. That's good. I like it when you're hot for me,” he said and then began to push into me.”

 

“Slowly, please slowly. I want to feel this,” I said as the thick mushroom like head entered me. I was still unsure he would fit and I wanted to give my body time to adjust.

 

“Slowly? You usually want hard and fast. Oh, yeah, might be easier if I do this slowly,” he said and then eased himself into me.

 

His control was excellent. He entered me so slowly I could feel every centimetre penetrate me. As I stretched around him I was pleased he had used the balm, for while I was wet with desire, I was uncertain he would have managed to get inside me without it.

 

“Oh my God, Captain,” I said as I felt him fill me stretching me more than anything I could have imagined. I thought he would break me he was so large but it felt right. “You're fucking enormous.”

 

With one more push he fully sheathed his penis inside me. “No, I'm fucking you. You've never said that before. Never commented on the size of my cock. Must be because you're still so tight. I'm going to have to fit in two screws before I go. One won't be enough. This one will be hard and fast.” He began to thrust into me hard and fast, as he promised.

 

I was really confused. As the Captain fucked me I found I was thinking less and less about Gin and more about this man who was driving me wild. His mouth was on my neck and he began to suck my most sensitive areas. I found I was eagerly meeting his moves, wanting him deeper inside me, squirming under him, as he continued to drive himself into me. At the same time his hands were moving over my buttocks and hips, encouraging me to push onto him harder.

 

“Don't stop, please don't stop,” I moaned feeling something build within me.

 

His mouth moved to mine and he kissed me again, making my skin tingle and my mouth hunger for the touch of his tongue. “I won't stop, not until you're screaming my name like you always do,” he said thickly. “You're so close, Matsumoto. I can feel you tightening around me already.”

 

The words spurred me on and I came, more blissfully than I had before, screaming a name as I felt him empty into me.

 

When I opened my eyes, he was still inside me, resting his weight on his hands staring at me, an apprehensive look on his face. “Lieutenant Rangiku, do you know who I am?”

 

Why was he asking me this question? “You are Captain Kenpachi Zaraki.”

 

“And?”

 

“And what?” What else was I meant to say? I had no idea what he was getting at and then I realised what he might mean. “You're my husband?”

 

He withdrew slowly and rested on his haunches, looking at me. “Call me by name,” he demanded, watching me as if he expected me to run away.

 

“Kenpachi,” I said uncertainly.

 

“And what do I call you, aside from your name?” So many strange questions. I desperately racked my brain trying to think what term he might call me as a term of endearment.

 

“Lieutenant?” I had no idea and was guessing.

 

“Damn it, you've lost your memory again. I thought you were acting oddly, but I ignored it `cause you seemed to want me. You yelled `Kenpachi' when you came and I knew something was wrong. Retsu said she didn't know if this would happen again. Shit! Why did you let me fuck you if you didn't remember me?” He seemed angry.

 

I moved away from him, fearing that he would be furious with me for forgetting, but I didn't know I'd forgotten anything. How could I forget marrying him?

 

Noticing my fear, he grabbed me and held me close to him. I struggled slightly against his embrace but he was unyielding and as I did wish to be held by him, I didn't try too hard. “I won't hurt you, but answer this. What do you remember? Who are you in love with? How many men have you fucked?”

 

“Until now I thought I was in love with Gin, but I haven't told him. I've only had sex with Gin, and now you,” I answered honestly, hoping I didn't hurt his feelings.

 

“That's earlier than last time,” he said almost to himself. “What about Captain Aizen?”

 

“Captain Aizen? I don't love him and I haven't had sex with him. He was Gin's Captain for a time and he's pleasant, but I don't know him very well. What do you mean I've lost my memory again?” Why was he mentioning that Captain to me?

 

“Why did you have sex with me if you love Gin?” The intensity with which the question was asked alerted me that the Captain felt this was an important question.

 

I felt my whole body flood with the intensity of anger and embarrassment. “I made a mistake,” I said as curtly as I could. He'd enjoyed it; why was it a problem?

 

“Why?” the man persisted.

 

“Because you excited me, you kissed me and touched me and you told me I was your wife. I didn't know what you'd do if I'd fought against you and I wanted to see if my fantasies about you were real. I apologise, Captain. I'll leave if you want me to,” I said with as much dignity as I could muster.

 

“No, you won't. That untested drug must be doing this to you. Sex didn't restore your memory, so I'll have use the stuff Retsu gave me. Damn it, Matsumoto! On the day I have to go this happens. I'd refuse to leave you behind but that won't work,” The Captain held me close, his face next to mine and then he kissed me gently on the mouth, just his lips gently touching mine. I kissed him back shyly, wondering what had happened and what he meant by earlier than last time.

 

He rose from the bed and took a box from the pocket of his coat opening it. “I'm not good at this, but I'll try not to hurt you,” the man said as he came close holding a syringe. I tried to shift away from him, scared of what he was going to do. “Listen Matsumoto, you've lost your memory and this will get it back. Captain Unohana gave it to me.”

 

I shook my head, not willing to allow him to get any closer. “You're trying to drug me.”

 

“Woman,” he exploded. “Why would I need to drug you? I've already fucked you and you were willing, eager. I don't need to drug you for sex. Try to trust me,” the look of concern in his eyes seemed real.

 

“No. Why should I trust you? You could be lying to me.” I wanted to trust him, but couldn't.

 

“Can you see your clothes over there,” he asked gesturing toward a cupboard that held my clothes. “See, your hairbrush is here and all your junk. Do you ever throw out any of the crap you're given? What's the point of this rock?”

 

Gin had given me that rock one birthday when we had no money for other presents. He'd drawn a face on it and told me that it would keep away bad dreams. I felt even guiltier seeing that reminder. I looked around the room and realised the Captain was correct. Most of my possessions were in this room, but not arranged in the order I would keep them. If I was married to him and had moved into his quarters, I would have placed them in different locations.

 

“Look at your ring finger woman, on your left hand. See the wedding band? Try to remove it.”

 

I looked at my hand and he was right, there was a ring there. I tugged at it, trying to remove it, but it would not budge. Carefully he put down the syringe and showed me his left hand. An identical ring was on his finger and he tried to remove it. It seemed stuck.

 

“These can only be removed by the person who put them on. Here, give me your hand,” he ordered.

 

Hesitatingly I held out my hand and he removed the ring, quickly replacing it. I tried to remove it again, but again it would not move. He held out his hand and I removed his ring and then, shrugging replaced it.

 

“Okay, weird rings,” that was all I was prepared to say.

 

“Did I hurt you when we screwed?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then for fucks sake, let me do this. If it doesn't work I'll get Retsu here.”

 

Feeling like a complete fool I looked into his eyes. I was beginning to weaken. “If you kill me…”

 

“Kill you? You lost your memory because I insisted Retsu save you. You were dying and I couldn't let you die.” He sounded sincere and it touched me. “You're my wife and I want you to remember me.”

 

I shut my eyes, fearing I was making a mistake but I wanted to trust him, and I wanted to be held in his arms once more. “Okay, get it over with.”

 

I felt a brief stab of pain in my arm and it was over. I waited for something to happen, but nothing did.

 

The Captain returned to the bed embracing me. Very gently he began to touch me, softly but firmly caressing me, my breasts, thighs, back, any place he could reach. “I know you don't remember but we are married and you love me,” I gasped as his hands grazed my nipples, starting to feel the renewed onset of desire for this man. “Do you want to fuck again, or would you prefer to wait until you get your memory back?” He pressed his erection against me, tempting me.

 

`Tell me what I call you,” I said, feeling that this was important. If we made love again I wanted to know what to call him.

 

“You call me Zaraki,” he said as his lips skimmed my cheek.

 

I stiffened, pain racing through my body as the name triggered a memory. “Of course I call you Zaraki. Gin always calls you Kenpachi, but I always think of you as Zaraki.” A glimmer of memory returned. “Sex in the bathhouse. That's what happened. You thought you were forcing me, but I wanted you, so I pretended to resist but I didn't resist much.” That memory made me squirm as pain assaulted me again.

 

Kissing me on the mouth seemed his way of rewarding me and I responded. The kiss reminded me of the first time he had kissed me, the time he had kissed me when we had finally declared our love for each other, exchanging a kiss when we married. These memories led to more and very quickly all the recollections returned, flooding through my mind, pain accompanying each one, causing me to cry while he kissed me. The tears dripped into my mouth, adding a salty taste to the sweetness of this kiss. The rape, the abduction, the fear, everything; all the bad memories mixed with the good, born through a cruel agony. Zaraki held me, soothing me as he continued to kiss me. I drew my mouth from his as I remembered about my near death experience. “I'm sorry I forgot. I never want to forget you again. Zaraki, I love you. Please believe I love you.”

 

The next thing I knew he was applying balm to his penis again and entering me, making love to me urgently, taking me with a mixture of desperation and longing. My desperation matched his and I moved against him, wanting him to make me his so completely that I could never think of another man, but I knew I had already forgotten him twice. How could I make certain I did not forget this man whom I loved more than I had ever believed I could love anyone?

 

I opened my mouth to speak, but he kissed me forcefully as he continued to rhythmically thrust into me and I wrapped my arms around him, fearing his departure, wanting to keep him with me but at the same time aware that he needed to leave. The fight before him excited him and he wanted revenge on Gin and Aizen. The kiss finished, I watched his face as we moved together and he looked at me intently, gauging my reaction.

 

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded fiercely.

 

“You, only you,” I gasped feeling my excitement grow. That was the answer I had to give and the answer he wanted to hear. How would I survive without the regular sex? Since being with Zaraki I had become used to sex more than once per day and I knew I would miss it and him. Why was I even thinking about this while we were screwing?

 

“I want you. Come for me beloved,” his mouth was close to my neck and he touched his tongue to the skin, sure in his ability to gain the response he wanted. The single touch made me react in the manner he requested and I came shuddering as he thrust into me a few more times and then I heard him yelling my name as he climaxed. I did not release my arms from their hold on him. I did not wish him to leave my body because then he would leave me behind, longing for him to return.

 

“Take me with you, Zaraki. Don't leave me here. I don't want to be apart from you again. Please beloved husband, I need to be with you no matter where you go. I won't stay behind while you go and risk yourself fighting. I want to fight by your side.” His face became hard as I spoke and I knew he would deny my request. He'd already told me that he wanted me to stay in the Seireitei and stay safe, but I had the right to be by his side.

 

Zaraki pulled away from me, withdrawing and lying on his side, not touching but glaring at me. “You will stay here woman. If you follow me I will send you back and ask the old man to confine you so that you can't follow me again. They want you, and if you come with me…”

 

“You'll protect me. I only feel safe with you,” I knew my protest would fall on deaf ears but I wanted to try.

 

“I didn't protect you when that bastard took you, did I?” I looked at Zaraki hearing a tone in his voice that scared me. Was that guilt? “I promised to protect you above everything and I just sat there as you were taken from me and did nothing for fucking hours. Yachiru tried to protect you because of me, and almost got murdered. Then the scum almost killed you and I didn't help. I arrived when it was nearly too late and you've never mentioned it. You only tell me you love me and you need me. Why don't you hate me or call me on it? Why haven't you even mentioned my failures to me? I know I let you down, the bastards got away and are still a threat and I have to leave you here, knowing they might come back for you. If I take you with me, they will know and target you. How can I concentrate on fighting if I have to think of protecting you at the same time? If they're concentrating on fighting me they might leave you alone.”

 

“I can protect myself if I have my zanpaku-to….but it's still in Las Noches,' the realisation made me wail with despair. I relied on my zanpaku-to and if I had it in my hand I was sure no one would be able to rape me or beat me.

 

“It's here. I found it and brought it and put it with your clothes and things,” Zaraki stated in a flat voice. “At least you can't blame me for losing it.”

 

How could I react? I did not even think of blaming him for anything that happened. He had saved me when I thought there was no chance of being saved. I cuddled close to him, kissing him on the cheek and the mouth. “I love you. You rescued me when I had given up all hope. If it had not been for you, I would have died and would have wanted to die. I owe you my life, Zaraki because you are my life. Don't make me stay here, away from you. I can fight and I would only learn how to improve from watching you. I was made a Lieutenant because I can take care of myself.” I kissed him again with longing and a feeling of loss. His lips did not respond to me and I felt a sense of despair as I continued to try to obtain a reaction.

 

“You will stay here. You will not follow me. If you love me you will do as I ask,” the sadness in his voice cut me. He was refusing to look at me as his hand rested on my hip, his fingers trailing over my skin. He watched his hand seemingly interested in its movements.

 

“If you love me you won't ask me to stay behind. You'd want me with you, not to protect, but as your ally and companion.” I kissed him again and finally his lips warmed against mine and he kissed me in response.

 

“You don't get it. Why do you refuse to understand? Are you trying to annoy me? You are too precious to gamble with. I almost lost you once and I want you in the safest place I can find. There's no place that's really safe so I have to compromise. You will stay here and you will wait for me,” the way he spoke sounded like I had not choice in the matter.

 

“Stop ordering me around. I can make my own decisions and it is my life,” I was becoming angry at his obstinacy. “I want to be with you, not left here wondering if you are alive, fearing for your safety. If you don't take me with you, I will follow you. I can fight, you've seen me fight and I can protect myself.” My voice was rising as I spoke. I didn't want to fight him just before he left, but I wanted to assert my independence.

 

“The Captain-General will not give you permission to leave and nor do I. You will stay here. For God's sake, woman. I won't die. I promise you I'll come back to you as soon as I can. Hell, I'll even take you for a honeymoon to the human world where we won't be interrupted all the bloody time,” he was trying to placate me with words and his hands were caressing me again.

 

“Why won't you take me seriously, Zaraki? Do you think the offer of a honeymoon alone with you, away from everyone will distract me? I'm coming with you.” His hands were doing a very good job of distracting me and the thought of being alone with him away from all the responsibilities and interruptions was very appealing. But I was still determined to leave with him.

 

Then he kissed me again. One of those damned kisses that made me agree with anything he said, even if I knew it was a mistake. “I love you, Matsumoto. Stay here, stay protected, and wait for me.”

 

As usual my mind was swayed by his lips and I found I was agreeing to his demands. “Okay. I'll stay,” I said aloud. “For now,” I thought.

 

A small smile twisted his lips and then his mouth moved to my breast kissing it lightly and then further down. “I want to leave with the taste of you in my mouth,” he said quietly.

 

“Wait, can't I have the taste of you in my mouth also?” I shifted so my mouth was opposite his penis which was only semi hard and took it in my mouth. It immediately became fully erect and I had to adjust my mouth to accommodate his width. At the same time, Zaraki had immediately buried his mouth into my centre, licking me with longing. A few minutes later we were facing each other having sex with more ardour than seemed possible after the other two encounters.

 

“Matsumoto, don't forget me. I order you to remember me when I'm gone.” Zaraki told me earnestly as he thrust into me. “I love you, you love me. Don't die, don't fuck anyone else, for God's sake don't forget me, and don't become a virgin again. Promise me.”

 

“I'll try to remember you. I don't want anyone else, I keep telling you that,” I said as clearly as I could though the sex was clouding my reason. “If you knew how you made me feel you'd know it was impossible to want anyone else.” I kissed him and then my tongue moved to the red shiny patch of skin on his neck as tears formed in my eyes at the knowledge that he would leave me soon.

 

A hard knock sounded on the door and a voice called, “It's time Captain. We have to leave now.”

 

Zaraki ignored the instruction and continue to screw me. “I want to finish this time. This time we will finish. Kiss me, Matsumoto.”

 

I moved my mouth to his and kissed him as a tear escaped from my eye. I didn't want him to leave so soon. Our time together had been too short and I did not know when he would return. We were always leaving each other, either through pretended choice or at the direction of others.

 

“Stop bloody crying. You're meant to be enjoying this, not acting like it causes you pain or you hate it,” the edge to Zaraki's voice made the tears flow even faster. He was thrusting into me hard and while I was weeping, my body was responding to his insistent rhythm.

 

“I love you, Zaraki,” I cried and then the pleasure washed over me, making gasp.

 

He kissed me and I watched his face change as he came. We lay there intertwined holding each other as close as we could, knowing that this could last only a short time before we would be forced to face the departure.

 

“You have to go,” I said reluctantly releasing Zaraki from my embrace and wiping the tears from my face.

 

“I have to go,' he agreed. “Wash your face and put on your robe then let Retsu in. Tell her about your memory loss and get her to give you something to prevent it happening. I have to get ready, fix my hair.” He kissed me again and rose from the bed, making his way to the bathroom.

 

After quickly washing my face, brushing my hair, finding the key and donning the gown as requested I went and answered the door, shutting the bedroom door behind me. The knocking had been constant so I called out that I was opening the door to hopefully persuade Retsu to stop. On opening the door I saw it wasn't only Retsu waiting. A crowd of people were outside and I flushed as they all looked at me, knowing there were marks all over my neck and chest from Zaraki's mouth.

 

“Did you sleep at all?” Retsu's voice did not hold much hope. She was the one who had been knocking and there was a small tentative smile on her lips.

 

Seeing her, I beckoned to her to enter and shut the door quickly. “I lost my memory again,” I told her urgently. “This time I forgot more, the rape, Gin refuting me. I'm scared, I don't know what to do, or if it will happen again.” I did not try to hide my fear because she already knew how scared I was by the previous experience.

 

“I thought that might happen. If only I had more time.” She went outside and returned with my Captain. “Captain Hitsugaya, you will need to watch your Lieutenant. She will occasionally suffer memory loss due to an untested treatment I used to keep her alive and it will be necessary to administer this.” She handed him a box. “There are instructions inside. You will need to check her each morning as it seems to occur after she has slept. When she loses her memory she returns to the time before the Ryoka came. That could prove dangerous. Ran, I really should be studying you and testing these side effects, but I promised I would join this mission and I cannot now change my mind. When I return we will work on a cure. Please go to 4th Division every day for a check up, that way we can monitor what might be causing this.”

 

“I know this is a stupid request, but please, try to watch over Zaraki while you're gone. I know it will be hard, but try to stop him from doing anything stupid,” I urged.

 

She smiled at me while knowing she would try, I knew it would be impossible.

 

Captain Hitsugaya's gaze was studied. “You forgot you're married? That might not be a bad thing.”

 

“It is. Take care of her, Captain, or I will cut you to pieces slowly when I return. You promised me that you would defend my wife and I'm holding you to that.” Zaraki was standing in the doorway dominating the room, his arms were crossed and his face implacable. I went across to him wanting to touch him and hold him close before he left. I didn't care who was watching, why should I? He pulled me to him and held me against him.

 

“I agreed to protect my Lieutenant, not your wife. I will protect her as my friend and adjunct; her relationship with you is immaterial. Now we will escort you to the bridge. I think you should leave now before the others become impatient,” Toshiro looked pointedly at me.

 

“I better change,” I said realising I was still wearing the robe. I hurriedly washed and donned a uniform and rushed to join my husband.

 

Zaraki moved to pick me up, but I shook my head and held his hand as we walked to the departure point. I wanted the closeness, but it would be distracting and holding his hand at least kept some contact between us. We didn't speak as the words would have been too painful. Every few steps I would look at his face and find his eyes fixed on me. I ignored the other people; I did not even notice they were there, so focused on Zaraki was I.

 

The walk was too short. We arrived and I noticed the other Captains' who were joining the mission. Feeling a great amount of unease I noticed Captain Kurotsuchi was a member of the party and that recognition made my heart sink. I did not trust him and seeing he was one of the squad I felt it imperative to gain reassurance from Zaraki. Standing there, I grabbed his head and pulled him down for a kiss, not caring who could see. Quickly I whispered in his ear, “Be careful of Kurotsuchi. Don't turn your back on him for a moment.” His lips sought mine and he kissed me passionately. I hesitated for a second and kissed him in response knowing it would be many days before I saw him again.

 

“Don't be stupid, beloved. I don't trust him any more than I trust the traitors. Kiss me again, once more. I have to go.” He kissed me again, holding my body tight against him as his mouth pillaged mine. Despite the situation and the repeated sex, he was arousing me again. I wrapped my arms around his neck not wishing to release him but knowing this was a moment that could not be prolonged.

 

“It's time to leave, Captain. There'll be plenty of time for that when you return,” the sardonic voice of the Captain-General cut through my rising passion and Zaraki released me reluctantly. I sighed in disappointment as his warm arms were removed.

 

“I expect all of you to take care of my wife. Ikkaku, Yumichika, if anything happens to her, you know what will happen. Beloved, remember me and the rules I mentioned earlier.” He pecked me on the lips quickly, cupping my face in his hands, stared into my eyes, turned and left without another glance. I did not expect him to look back. It would have been too painful for both of us. I watched until I couldn't see him or the others anymore, noticing when I could no longer feel his reiatsu. The loss of that touch hurt me and my heart slowed its beating as I tried to accept he had gone.

 

“He'll be back, Ran. Stop crying. He told me he hates it when you cry,” Yumichika said suddenly on my left side.

 

I had not realised I was crying, but summoning my strength I again wiped the tears from my face, standing straight and proud. We would be together again, soon. I would not cry again.

 

“Come, Lieutenant. The remedy for your sorrow is hard work. We have a lot to do and I can't allow you out of my sight,” Captain Hitsugaya said half seriously. “I'll return her to 11th Division later,” he told Yumichika and Ikkaku and they nodded.

 

Sighing I followed my Captain to work. There was nothing else to do and I needed distraction.

 

A.N.

 

Reworked this chapter as I was not happy with some parts.

 

Disappointed at lack of reviews for last chapter.

 

Thanks to those who did review. Next chapter? Not sure. Depends on reviews and inspiration.

 

The next chapter has been delayed due to updating For the Love of a Friend so these stories will be synchronised.