Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Different Circumstances ❯ The Note ( Chapter 25 )

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

 

The Note

 

“Damn, why did we agree?” Ikkaku growled furiously after we had walked out of 1st Division. “I hate giving up anything. Now I've got to live like a damned monk until the Captain returns. That will drive me barmy.”

 

“I'm not happy either. Because if I can't drink, I can't escape the truth, but we had no choice. Captain Zaraki would cut us into miniscule pieces if the Division is a shambles when he returns. I don't want to think about what he'll do when he finds out Ran was hurt. The Captain-General gave us no choice,” Yumichika said, his face set in a frown that worried me. He normally wouldn't frown so severely.

 

“We'll have to do something to keep the men occupied. That might help, but they won't like the edict about it becoming dry,” Ikkaku was reflective and I knew he was right. No Division would welcome the ban on alcohol. The Seireitei might soon be in rebellion if Captain Yamamoto carried out his threat.

 

“I will try to persuade the stubborn old goa… I mean Captain Yamamoto that this will only cause more problems. It would be more sensible to moderate the supply, cut back a little. We should learn from the mistakes of others, not recreate the same ones,” Captain Fong said. “Lieutenant, I want you to come with me to retrieve your Captain.”

 

“Why does she want me with her? That seems unusual,” I thought as I agreed to her request. There were so many strange things happening I knew I needed to talk to Mai as soon as possible. Once I knew the background, maybe more of this would make sense.

 

“Hey, Ran, is it true that twit Hinamori has a bun in the oven and it's Aizen's spawn? The guards were talking about it,” Ikkaku asked.

 

I couldn't deny the truth. “Yes, but she's going to marry Iemura,” I admitted reluctantly, hoping that this would soothe that particular rancour.

 

Yumichika and Ikkaku burst out laughing. “So he finally found someone stupid enough to agree to marry him,” Yumichika said as he reached into his sleeve again and drew out a flask. I could hear the liquid swirl inside.

 

“Yeah, remember the time he asked Isane? She'd been nice to him when he was crying over something and he thought she was interested in him. He ended up in traction for a week,” Ikkaku laughed.

 

“I think he cares about Momo; and she was relieved,” I interjected. I knew about the rejected proposal; who didn't; but I had forgotten about it until now. Iemura had been unlucky every time he had become romantically interested in a female. Anyway, the Isane incident had been years ago. “He was so grateful when Momo accepted. I've never seen him so happy.”

 

“I always thought he liked her,” Yumichika said thoughtfully. “But when Aizen was around there was no chance she'd look at him, or anyone. I don't see her attraction. I prefer woman with a little more character. Women who can fight and don't cave in under pressure. Strong, beautiful women,” he continued before becoming silent. He began to undo the flask in a practiced manner.

 

“No more drinking, Yumichika. I told you to stop when we were in the cells and I still don't know what you said to the guards to get you a refill. If you hadn't been drinking you wouldn't have said what you did when we were with the Old Man. You revealed too much. I told you to get over it,” Ikkaku said, taking the flask from his friend.

 

“I didn't say anything wrong, I was just too honest. That's all. Give it back. It helps take away the pain,” Yumichika said trying to take the flask back from his friend. “It's too late for me, now. She's getting married.”

 

That made me think about the comment he had made in Zaraki's kitchen but I was confused about which woman he admired. Was it Nanao or Rukia? We had been talking about both of them when he'd had his outburst. They were both strong, attractive woman, who could fight but Rukia was engaged, even if it was two years before the wedding, and Nanao had up til now been focused on her captain. Though I had assured him that Shunsui was not marrying Nanao, I knew I had not convinced him. Which woman had captured Yumichika's attention so much that he needed alcohol to dull the pain, because he believed she was getting married?

 

“She'll never look at you, now. You're too far below her to even consider,” Ikkaku said rather callously as he put the flask away. “You should have tried for promotion to lieutenant; we know you can rise to that level. We've been over this too many times and I don't want to hear about it again. Forget her and find someone else.”

 

“Work out the problem in your own time. I'm not interested in your love life,” Captain Fong's voice held a note of reproof.

 

I shut my mouth as I had been preparing to ask Yumichika who she was. One look at the Captain convinced me that any further discussion on the subject might be dangerous. Playing it safe, I changed the topic.

 

“May I visit Zaraki's quarters while we're in 11th Division? I need to change,” I requested. While in the Captain-General's office I'd made my decision from which I would not be swayed, and I needed a bit of time to gather some items I wanted to take with me. Until now I had stayed here, tamely awaiting his return and I would do that no longer. What was the point in being obedient? It didn't bring Zaraki home. The main problem I could see was the 2nd Division members would never let me use the passageway without the consent of their Captain. How could I convince her to let me go?

 

“They are now your quarters. I will allow you 10 minutes only,” Captain Fong said with reluctance. Why did she seem so anxious to go to 4th Division? “It will give me time to read the note from your Captain. There may be important information that I should convey to the Captain-General,” but while she uttered the words I knew she did not believe them. Toshiro gave her the figurine and I finally recognised it for a valuable netsuke, for a reason and her comments about him made me suspicious.

 

As we had arrived at 11th Division, Captain Fong went with Ikkaku and Ayasegawa to provide the news about patrolling the walls, while I quickly entered Zaraki's quarters. Walking through the door I immediately caught his scent and stopped caught up by memories. I looked at the table where we had begun the consummation of our marriage, the area I'd been standing when he'd bitten my neck, the wall he'd had me against, all the places I had spent time with my husband. I began to feel an urge that only he could satisfy. Going into the bedroom I washed and changed and collected those items I needed, including my insignia of rank and the memory restoring drug. I wrote a note to myself which I placed inside the box, providing instructions on its use. I was already armed but added a few other things that I thought might provide some assistance while in Las Noches.

 

Looking at the bed I saw Zaraki's haori that I had worn the only night I had slept there, alone, and picked it up, hugging it. As I stood there, lost in memories I felt the touch of two hands on my breasts, strongly groping them, not fondling them or holding them the way Zaraki did. I'd heard no one enter the room and it had felt deserted, so who could be here? Mindful of my earlier resolution I drew the short knife I had concealed in my sleeve and turned quickly slashing at the person who had invaded my reflections and space. The form I slashed at quickly dissipated and faded but not before I saw the wide grin and slanted eyes of my former lover. For some reason, though the form appeared to be his, it didn't feel like him. I didn't want to think who it felt like.

 

A small blur flashed in front of me and I saw Captain Fong with her blade drawn, ready to kill whoever was there. “I felt that slimy bastard's reiatsu,” she said. “It was only a small hint of it, but I couldn't let them do anything to you on my watch. Not again.”

 

Ikkaku and Yumichika came running into the room. “Are you okay, Ran? We were talking to the Captain and she suddenly dashed off. Yumichika said he thought he felt a traitor's reiatsu, but couldn't tell which.”

 

I sat on the bed, very confused, and my eyes fell on the pet rock Gin had given to me many years ago. Zaraki had questioned my possession of the thing and I had thought about throwing it out but now I looked at it somehow seemed different. With a peculiar feeling of revulsion I picked it up and turned it over. There was something inscribed on the bottom of the rock, some symbols I didn't understand but knew I had seen, years ago in some work on magic. The rock had never had anything on it like that before that I had noticed. “I thought I saw Gin, but when I cut at him, he vanished like a ghost. He gave me this, years ago, but now it's changed.” I held up the rock. “I've never seen these symbols before.”

 

Yumichika took the rock from me and looked at it closely. I think I've seen something like this before. These markings are recent. What do you see, Ikkaku?” He held out the rock to his friend.

 

“Don't bother giving it to me. Give it to the Captain. She knows more about these things,” Ikkaku said waving it away.

 

Gingerly taking the rock, the Captain looked at it closely. “I think it's a focus, but I don't know. When he was skulking around the Seireitei, I suppose Ichimaru might have come here as you were occupied in the bathhouse for some time, or even when your possessions were moved here. What its purpose is eludes me. Akon might have some idea. I'll keep this and ask him.” She dropped the rock into a small bag and then placed it in her pocket.

 

“What makes you think a skunk from that questionable division will help you?” Yumichika asked as I wondered the same thing. Akon had already proven his loyalty to his Captain over his loyalty to the Seireitei.

 

A chilling smile crossed the Captains face. “Very few people are stupid enough to deny my requests, at least a second time,” was all she said. I believed her. If she'd asked me any question then I would have had to answer truthfully.

 

“Better get back to the men. They'll be wondering what's going on,” Ikkaku said. “See you tonight, Ran.”

 

“Uh, yeah,” I said. There was no reason to arouse their suspicions by saying anything else. I had made a firm commitment that at nightfall I would no longer be in the Seireitei, but I still had to work out my method of exit. If I could use the passage to the human world, maybe I could convince Urahara to assist me. He'd demand a hefty price, so I had to have money, more than enough to bribe him.

 

“Are you ready to talk to your Captain?” Captain Fong demanded.

 

“Not quite,” I said. The strange incident reminded me of a few more items I might require and I wanted to make certain I carried enough money to bribe the former captain.

 

“I will sit outside and read the note,” the Captain said, as I stood there hesitating. If she saw what I planned to take she might guess what I was planning.

 

I nodded and she left the room. Gathering the last of the items I went and stood in front of the mirror, trying to make myself look as attractive as I could for when I saw Zaraki. Tiring of that quickly as I would prefer to be moving toward him rather than primping, I finished and went out into the kitchen, packing a small bag with snacks and water. Returning to the room where I expected to find Captain Fong I was surprised to see Arai Hsiao bowing deeply as I entered the room. I stopped in the doorway. Why was he here?

 

“As Captain Zaraki ordered me to serve you, I had been ordered to stay with you at all times,” he said as he straightened, a friendly smile on his face.

 

“I don't want someone following me around all the time,” I protested. If he was with me it would make following Zaraki that much harder.

 

“I agree with the decision,” Captain Fong said as she looked up from the note she was reading, an inscrutable expression on her face. Even so, she seemed happier, almost excited and it added confirmation to my speculation. Once again the contents of the note intrigued me but she quickly folded in and returned it to the envelope.

 

Pushing my hair back from my forehead in exasperation, I decided that I would accept matters, for the moment. I could lose Arai, if I needed to, and if I protested too much I might be questioned about why I objected so strongly. “Okay, fine. Just stay your distance. I hate being crowded,” was my token condition.

 

“Lieutenant, do you have paper and a pen? I wish to reply to your Captain,” was the unexpected question from Captain Fong.

 

Standing in the room, I looked around. How could I explain I didn't know where anything was? I could return to the bedroom, but deciding to look in the most obvious place I went to the table which had assisted in the `consummation' of my marriage and opened the drawer. Fortunately there were writing materials within the drawer and I supplied these to the Captain who dashed off a few words and handed it to me.

 

“Would you hand this to your Captain before I speak with him? I believe I should check on Lieutenant Hinamori before we return to the Captain-General so that I can assure him of her continuing recovery,” she stated and I wondered if I detected a cynical note in her voice as she spoke of Captain Yamamoto. “Why are you carrying a bag?”

 

I thought quickly. “I thought I'd take a few things to Momo,” was my improvised answer.

 

As we left Zaraki's quarters I bid a silent farewell to the place I had shared too briefly with my husband. Each step took me closer to him and I hoped I could ditch my escort soon and be on my way.

 

There was little, to no conversation as we walked to 4th Division. Captain Fong had a very intense look of concentration on her face which I believed resulted from the note Captain Hitsugaya had sent her. Her lips quirked into an occasional smile, and my curiosity was driving me mad.

 

Arai followed five steps behind, having taken my request to heart, but I couldn't' think of anything to say to him. The man had tried to kiss me, when he was drunk, and I questioned the wisdom of being guarded by a man who had expressed his admiration for me. I had been overruled and I was sure the man meant me no harm, but I would have preferred Ikkaku or Yumichika to watch me. I knew I was being selfish because 11th Division needed them more than I did.

 

As we passed a large grassy area very near 4th Division, Captain Fong stopped, turned and looked at me. “Lieutenant, I made an offer to you earlier and I feel in need of some exercise. Would you care for some training?”

 

While it seemed an odd time to make the offer, I reflected quickly. Any training, any advantage it might give me might help me when I arrived in Las Noches. On other factor that swayed me was the way she had been interacting with me, almost like we were friends. “Yes. Thank you.” I said as I handed my bag to Arai.

 

“Good. Draw your zanpakuto. I take it that you have communed with the spirit of your blade?”

 

I nodded. There was little point in explaining that we didn't always see eye to eye when we talked. Each time we tried, either one of us wanted to chat and the other to nap, or neither of us could think of anything interesting to say. Did everyone have the same trouble with their spirits? What could we talk about? Fighting?

 

“Try to establish that communion within your mind as we fight. Try to rouse it's emotions as you fight so that they blend with your own,” she said before she attacked.

 

I was shocked at the speed of her moves and sprang back while trying vainly to get the spirit to listen to me. “Come on. We're fighting. You always tell me only to use you on a worthy adversary. Well here's one. Aren't you interested?”

 

“But I'm tired. I was having a nap,” whined the spirit.

 

The petulance in the voice annoyed me, but I knew that only cajolery would work in this situation. “You can sleep later, fight now,” I implored it. “You've had a good rest,” I said while remembering that I hadn't used my zanpakuto since I'd married.

 

“Only because you've been too busy with your husband,” it harrumphed. “Since he came into your life you've ignored me. But this woman does have an interesting fighting style.” There was a pause as it considered its answer. “Okay, but then I want to sleep,” it insisted.

 

The conversation had taken seconds and Captain Fong was attacking again. This time with the zanpakuto's help I was able to meet her blade and push back. The Captain spun around from the force of my response, then stopped and nodded. “That shows promise. Do it again.”

 

We closed again and this time I struck out almost touching her shoulder with the point of my blade until she dropped her shoulder and came under my guard. I quickly rotated my blade down and just managed to repel the killing blow she was attempting. She was fast, and under normal conditions I knew that I would not have managed to escape injury.

 

“This is more fun than normal,” my cat told me and I nodded. A feeling of increased power flowed through my body. “I approve your choice of opponent.” The note of approval was unexpected, but nice.

 

I didn't have time to respond to last comment as the conflict became fiercer. I hadn't known I could move in a well defined pattern that provided both offensive and defensive ripostes. The ideas seemed to arrive clearly in my mind, almost instinctively and I found I was following some of the more complicated measures that I'd had trouble with during my time at the Academy. It had taken time to master them, but I hadn't kept practicing them and gradually forgot some of the difficult designs which relied on timing, co-ordination and balance. Now, they came easily to me as I continued sparring against the captain.

 

Our blades rang against each other as the fight continued. Because she was shorter than me, she seemed intent on getting under my guard and to stab me from underneath. That was when she wasn't leaping and slashing at me from the rear. In a lucky move I managed to dodge her determined drive and my zanpakuto grazed her arm. Blood welled from the wound and I stopped, shocked that I had managed to cut the Captain. I had never managed to fight so well against an opponent but felt ashamed that I had hurt the person who was trying to help me.

 

“Heck,” she said. “I let my mind get distracted by something,” she said looking at her arm with anger.

 

`We better get this seen to immediately,” I told her and then noticed she was swaying on her feet. Arai caught her as she fell and I was aghast. Had I hurt her elsewhere? Was there another more serious injury that was my fault?

 

Before I could say a word, Arai was carrying Captain Fong into 4th Division. I grabbed my bag and followed quickly as Hanatoro immediately rushed up to us. “Quickly take her in there,” he told Arai, gesturing to a room. I went to follow but he shook his head. “Let me examine her first. I don't need anyone to interfere.”

 

I didn't want to wait. I wanted to find out if I'd hurt her badly, but my blade had only touched her arm. Cursing silently I stared at the door, willing it to open so I could find out if Captain Fon was in danger. Why was Hanatoro behaving like this? I had never seen him this concerned and unapproachable and it seemed wrong. It seemed that something had changed since my departure to the human world. People I thought I knew had secrets or sorrows that I didn't share. My Captain was carrying a heavy burden and Yumichika was lovesick, but for whom I didn't know. Until now I had not realised that the Seireitei was a place that contained many secrets. When the traitors had left, I thought all the enigmas had been disclosed.

 

Loathe to remain standing in the hallway, I decided to visit Momo and as I walked to her room I saw my Captain. He was leaning against the wall, looking serious, as normal. His expression brightened when he saw me and I remembered the note Captain Fong had given me.

 

“Toshiro, Captain Fong asked me to give this to you,” I said as I handed him the note.

 

Opening the note he scanned the contents and, amazingly, a smile broke over his face. “Where is the Captain?” was his eager question.

 

The question made me feel guilty. “She's being treated for an injury that I caused,” I admitted, making my voice small. Hearing it spoken aloud made it sound worse than I'd thought.

 

“What did you do to her? There's no way you could have hurt Soi!” The amazement in his voice was not very flattering.

 

The comment made me feel both angry and guilty. Did Toshiro have such a low opinion of my fighting skills, or a high opinion of Captain Fong's? Tartly I answered, “She was training me and I cut her arm. She fainted and we brought her here as soon as we could.”

 

“Where is she?”

 

I told him and began to follow him, thinking that he would not listen to any excuses, but would find out the situation faster than I could.

 

“Don't. Stay here. Talk to Momo. She's been making my ears hurt with wedding plans and if I'm asked about the colour of the flowers one more time, I'll insist that she should invite Aizen to the wedding or that a bunch of weeds would make a statement. You're a woman. You talk to her,” he said and before I could answer, he had gone.

 

I knocked on the door and opened it to see Momo surrounded by paper. “Ran. Come here, I need your help. There's so much planning to do and Iemura has to work so it's up to me. I want my wedding to be special.”

 

Smiling I obeyed. Fifteen minutes later I was trying to think of a way to politely leave, or even impolitely. Her plans made my wedding look like an impulsive action, which it was. That aside, all her thoughts and suggestions made me grateful for the spontaneity of my ceremony, especially when she showed me a picture of the wedding kimono she planned to wear. The layers of fabric, the large obi, the complicated design and tight fit made it, beautiful though it was, look like a cleverly designed straight jacket.

 

“Isn't that going to be hard to move in?” I suggested.

 

“We all have to suffer for beauty,” Momo said.

 

I looked at her, desperately trying not to laugh. She'd said that to me once before when she had told me about some new beauty treatment that had been recommended to her. It had involved rubbing salt over the body and that was only the preparation. The rest of the procedure sounded like a torture designed as a reward for stupidity. When she had refused the treatment, the beauty consultant had pursed her perfect lips, raised a carefully waxed eyebrow and commented “We all have to suffer for beauty.”

 

Momo slid a look at me and her face broke into a wide smile. I began to laugh and she quickly joined in.

 

“You never meant to wear that kimono,” I accused when I could catch my breath. Wearing that kimono would make the wearer more of a prisoner than a bride and while Momo wasn't the most assertive person I knew, it would be strange for her to decide to constrain her movement and enjoyment of her wedding.

 

“Of course I didn't. It's beautiful, but so much work. Seven layers! I may as well wear bedding!”

 

“Two mattresses; one at the back and one at the front tied on with rope. Very sexy,” I joked back the mental image made me laugh even harder.

 

Momo suddenly became still as the words were uttered and silence descended suddenly on the room. After a moment she asked, “What about sex, Ran. Iemura will want sex eventually. What will I do?”

 

“Forget Aizen and forget Gin. They aren't worth remembering,” I said a wave of nausea overcoming me as I thought of my treatment at Aizen's hands.

 

“But I don't know what to do. What do you do with Zaraki? How do you please him?”

 

I cleared my throat as a rush of memories about pleasing and being pleased by Zaraki crossed my mind in very graphic detail. The colour rose in my cheeks and I felt an unambiguous surge of lust for my husband. Dampening it quickly I tried to pay attention to my friend.

 

Momo continued, not noticing my distraction. “What about the first time? What did you do?”

 

“Fought against him, sort of,” I said without thinking and saw the amazed look cross her face. “Look, forget what I said. It was different circumstances to you and Iemura. I'm the worst person to ask,” I protested. “Wait until Captain Unohana returns. She knows about the body. Ask her.”

 

I didn't want to discuss anything about sex with anyone but Zaraki. That wasn't quite true. I wanted sex with him, immediately. My breasts ached for his touch and I longed for him to touch me, caress me.

 

“But, do you enjoy it?” The question was asked hesitantly and I knew I should answer this honestly.

 

“With Zaraki? Yes, every time,” I thought it best to keep my answer brief and truthful.

 

Momo nodded and began talking about other things. After a few minutes I made my excuses, explaining that I wished to find out if Captain Fong had been badly injured. I also wished to continue my plan to follow my husband.

 

Returning to the room where Hanatoro had taken the Captain, I noticed it was empty. Where was Captain Fong; where was Toshiro?

 

I heard a thud against a door. It seemed to be the linen closet not far from Momo's room. The noise was repeated. I went and opened the door.

 

Inside I saw something I had half expected, but denied. My Captain was holding Captain Fong in a close embrace, kissing her passionately. Instead of pushing him away, the 2nd Division Captain was kissing him in return and her hand was pulling impatiently at his sash while she tried to undo it. They didn't seem to notice I was there, even though I was sure the door being opened had made a noise.

 

Captain Fong! I'd believed after her advances to me, that she preferred women, but she seemed comfortable enough being held in Captain Hitsugaya's arms and there was no denying the passion with which she was returning his kiss. What magic had Toshiro performed on the woman to make her change her mind?

 

“Toshiro,” I said, the surprise in my voice making it sound louder than normal.

 

He pulled his mouth from Captain Fong's and said to her, “I thought you'd locked the door.”

 

“I would have but you began kissing me and I forgot,” she replied tartly, glaring at him.

 

Toshiro returned her glare and then smiled at her. “I like it when you glare at me. It makes me want to kiss you again,” Toshiro said his face moving closer to hers and I grabbed his shoulder.

 

“Captains! What are you doing?” Didn't they care that I was watching? I knew that this had to be the `impossible' female, the woman Toshiro was not sure he loved when he asked me if he should marry Momo.

 

My Captain and Captain Fong? I found it hard to believe, but watching them embrace was convincing, especially as they appeared to be able to ignore my presence. The note I'd taken from Toshiro to the Captain must have contained an apology or something. I wondered if I would ever know what he had said.

 

“What's it look like? We're sorting linen,” Toshiro said, still not looking at me.

 

Captain Fong chuckled at his explanation. “I've only heard it called that once before.”

 

They smiled at each other, sharing a memory and began to kiss again, fervently. Watching them made my longing for Zaraki increase. Why did everything remind me of him?

 

Maybe this was the leverage I needed, but it seemed unscrupulous to me. “Um, Captain.”

 

“Let me guess. If we let you use the passageway, so you can rejoin Zaraki, you won't tell anyone,” the both turned to me and looked at me carefully, though it was Captain Fong who spoke.

 

Why pretend? They both obviously had worked out what I planned, though I was not sure how. “Yes.”

 

Heaving a sigh, Toshiro rearranged his clothes. “The Captain-General forbade you to follow your husband, remember? You have to stay here.”

 

“He didn't forbid me, just said I had to stay in the Seireitei,” I protested. I was certain that the embargo hadn't been placed on me following Zaraki.

 

“Your husband told me that you were not permitted to accompany him,” Toshiro answered pointedly.

 

I nodded. That was true, and I hadn't, but this was days later. He had forbidden me to follow him, but I had only agreed to stay behind. The worst threat he made was that he would send me back, but if I kept him distracted, he might want to keep me with him. I wouldn't distract him when he was fighting. Anyway he couldn't tell me what to do, even if he thought he could. “I'm following him but maybe we could make it official, like an important message that needs to be delivered?”

 

Captain Fong laughed, and I was shocked. I had not expected her to be amused by our conversation, but looking at her I could see her eyes were bright and happy. Toshiro was holding her by the hand and I wondered how long they had been involved and the length of time they had been separated.

 

“Not only does she want our help to break the restrictions upon her, she requires official sanction to follow her husband. Your lieutenant is full of surprises, Toshiro.”

 

“But it will annoy the Captain-General if we help her,” he replied. They shared a look that made me recognise that there was a shared history here and an understanding that was deeper than that created by a few days of sex.

 

“We don't want to do that, do we?” While the words were right, the tone was satirical and the expression on Captain Fong's face reminded me of her obvious displeasure with Captain Yamamoto.

 

`No, we don't, Soi. Not after all the care he's shown for his subordinates,” Toshiro replied a steely look in his eye. Captain Fong nodded in agreement, a stern look on her face.

 

Now I understood that my Captain was also angry with the Captain-General. What had he done that had annoyed my husband and these two Captains' so much? Zaraki hadn't told me he had issues with the man, but I could tell from his attitude while we were in 4th Division. As I thought about it more I acknowledged that Retsu had not been very happy with him either. There was something seriously wrong in the Seireitei, and it wasn't only the betrayal by the three Captains. Alliances had formed where there previously was only contempt and distrust. Captain Fong appeared to respect Zaraki, had formed a friendship with Retsu and had fond feelings for Toshiro. Toshiro loved Captain Fong, to all appearances, and had become friendly with my husband and one of my best friends. And yet, their respect for the Captain-General had dissolved for some unknown reason.

 

“What has the Captain-General done?” I didn't expect an answer and I was not disappointed.

 

“What makes you think he's done anything?” Toshiro countered quickly. He tried to keep his expression blank and innocent, but I had seen that expression before and knew there was something he was keeping to himself.

 

Captain Fong shook her head, a severe expression fixed on her face. “Captain Yamamoto owes us no explanations. He is our Commander and we do not have the authority to question his orders.” The words were exactly was any dutiful Shinigami should say, but they rang false.

 

Placing an arm around her shoulders, Toshiro hugged her close. “If you say it often enough, you might believe it,” he told her quietly.

 

“Never,” she replied tartly, pulling away from his embracing arm. “If I suspect you believe it, you might find a hornet stinging you.”

 

Then it finally struck me why my Captain had sent the gift. Of course, her blade had the hornet's sting! Now it made sense. I wondered where he had obtained that particular piece as it was patently valuable.

 

“Is that likely, that I'll believe it, especially with you to remind me?” His raised brows indicated his inability to believe that he would change his mind.

 

The 2nd Division Captains lips thinned as she carefully studied my Captain and she shook her head. “No.”

 

“If you help me it will annoy Captain Yamamoto; and Zaraki,” I said, acknowledging that I was asking them to invite possible future problems if they assisted me. Not that I doubted they knew what might be possible repercussions, but I would owe then greatly if they assisted me. How would I ever be able to repay them if they helped me?

 

“You can handle your husband and we will deal with any issues from the Captain-General,” Captain Fong said, assurance in her voice. “You never told me your lieutenant had an ability to obtain what she needs. She's more intelligent than I thought.”

 

“Yes, she is. Very well, Matsumoto. I feel indebted to you so I'll help,” my Captain said. His tone was indulgent as he again hugged Captain Fong close.

 

This time she did not resist and looped one arm around his neck. “And if it will exasperate the old man, I'm for it,” Captain Fong agreed and then sighed. “It looks like we may as well get this moving and then we can go back to your place, Toshiro.”

 

A smile of anticipation lit p Captain Hitsugaya's face and it was evident that they would both endeavour to work as fast as they could in the expectation of spending some time together. I knew how they felt.

 

Looking from one to the other, I began to hope that I would soon be with my beloved husband. When we returned, together, I would try to find out what was going on. There were undercurrents here that concerned me, making me fear that the stability of my home was threatened. It was not just this new relationship, but the very air of the Seireitei seemed charged with intrigue.

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx

 

The journey to Hueco Mundo was tedious. Time passed too slowly as I traversed the path accompanied by Arai. I had protested wanting to make the journey alone, but was quickly informed that if he didn't accompany me, I would remain in the Seireitei. My heart beat fast as I strode quickly toward the place where I knew I would find my husband.

 

We arrived in a building, a hallway I found strangely familiar. I flinched at the memories the hallway brought to me, but ignored my instinctive cringe.

 

“So this is Las Noches. All the guys will be green when they find out I was here,” Arai said.

 

“Shhhh! I think this place is monitored,” I told him as I located the camera. A quick flick of my wrist and the concealed knife shot toward the lens, breaking the device. “Keep it quiet,” was the next piece of advice as I retrieved and replaced the knife.

 

He stilled and looked at me with admiration. “I didn't know you could do that. No wonder our Captain likes you so much,” were his words.

 

“He's never seen me fight,” was my sour response. “I want him to train me, but he doesn't think I can protect myself.”

 

I glanced down the hallway, unprepared to discuss it any further, as anger and love warred within me. The stark white walls were cold and forbidding and sound echoed off the walls. Furious, I gnawed at my lip, knowing I was the one responsible for the noise. If the Arrancar came now, it would be because of me.

 

“I don't think it's that,” Arai said, obviously trying to keep his voice as quiet as he could. “I didn't want you to come here, either. Not because you can't protect yourself, but because it's dangerous.”

 

I lifted my shoulders and let them drop. Men and their stupid notions!

 

It was strange, I had been intent on getting here to be with Zaraki and now my emotions were volatile, hate mixing with love and fear over riding everything else. Most of this was due to being once more in this place that had nearly caused my death and compounded my fear of rape, and Aizen.

 

I didn't want to think about that now. Zaraki was my focus, my only focus. And I had to deliver the message, because even though the mission had originally been a farce, new information had been uncovered that was vital. All the Captains had to be informed as quickly as possible. If I could find my husband, he would help me inform the others. Closing my eyes I sensed his reiatsu. Could he feel me, or was he too busy fighting to notice my arrival? I had to find him soon. Being with him would help me sort out all these conflicting ideas of anger and love and if he kissed me I would be reassured that he loved me.

 

“Lieutenant, I'll just check down this corridor.” Arai was already walking away and I nodded. Standing there I waited for him to return.

 

I heard footsteps approaching and began to turn toward the source of the sound thinking Arai had returned, but a large, hard body pressed itself against my back before I could complete the turn and pushed me toward the wall. I stiffened, for a second, fearing who the person was as the strong metallic smell of blood washed over me. My hand dropped to my zanpaku-to and I was about to draw, determined not to allow any person to touch me.

 

A.N.

 

If you thought the plot was complicated and twisted before, things become a little more interesting from now on. Or maybe what's in store appeals to my tainted nature.

 

The next chapter of Obsidian and Alabaster is complete, but later, later, later. When I feel like it, or something.

 

Thanks to Bastion and cancerchick16 for taking the time to review.

 

Now that's over, I'll return to my normal abrupt comments. If you want an update: Review. I like reviews.

 

Soundtrack

`Missing' Everything but the Girl

`Dreaming of You' Thrillseekers

`Time to Get Away' LCD Sound System

`Exit Music' Radiohead