Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Different Circumstances ❯ The Justification ( Chapter 28 )

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

 

The Justification

 

As I dressed I replaced the concealed weapons and ignored Zaraki's satirical comments about my other concealed resources. After tidying the bed, I used the mirror in the room to make sure my appearance was not too dishevelled. There was nothing I could do about the dark red and purple marks on my neck and chest, the puffiness of my lips or the sparkle in my eyes. I looked relaxed and slightly dazed. It wouldn't be possible to pretend we hadn't been screwing, but those concerns had ceased to be important. My main focus was to convince Zaraki to let me stay with him. As I tried to tidy my hair, Zaraki came up behind me and nuzzled his face into my neck, his hands holding me by the waist.

 

“Darling husband, I'm trying to concentrate,” I told him. It was a token protest at best.

 

“I'm not stopping you,” he replied as he pushed my hair aside and his lips began to travel down my neck to my back. Of course he wasn't stopping me. He wanted me to focus on him completely and this was one way to meet his objective. His rigid erection prodded me in my back and I was tempted to remove the clothes I'd recently donned, but he had insisted that I prove my worth so that I would be `permitted' to stay.

 

“Beloved, I have to go and find Arai. He came with me because you haven't released him from the orders to serve me.” By this time it was highly probable that he had met up with the other members of the rescue party, but I needed to explain anyway.

 

A sigh, that seemed to express relief, escaped Zaraki. “I didn't think Hitsugaya would let you come by yourself and I wondered who'd escorted you here. A good choice, Arai. He's fairly clever, except when he's been drinking, and he's a talented fighter. He could have ranked higher; he's been offered 3rd seat in another Division but he refused,” he dropped his hands but remained standing close to me. I looked at his reflection in the mirror and noticed he was frowning, apparently remembering some event.

 

“What is it?” The depth of his frown worried me and I became concerned that there was some further information that would make me uncomfortable if he revealed it.

 

“The fool said he wanted to remain in 11th Division. As far as he's concerned his rank in 11th Division outstrips that of lieutenant in any other Division.” The frown slipped away as he spoke and a wry smiled passed across his lips as he realised what he'd said.

 

The statement made me laugh. There it was again, that loyalty that had been one of the triggers for my interest in Zaraki. A captain who was admired by some of his subordinates the way this man was had indicated that there must be more to him. “Arai thinks he's at the same level as me?” I asked.

 

“No; not you. I suppose you'll be different, beloved, because I chose you. Arai respects that. In the eyes of my Division you rank higher than any other seated officer except Yachiru, Yamamoto and me,” Zaraki looked over my shoulder and met my eyes in the mirror. I felt my mouth grow dry as we gazed at each other, wanting to kiss him again. He gazed back at me, a small smile on his face.

 

“What are you thinking, Zaraki?” I asked without any hope that he would tell me. Gin never explained what he was thinking about, always stating it wasn't important. If I asked again he'd become progressively cooler or he'd leave. While I was in the human world, Orihime had told me that she'd read a magazine article that stated men hated it when women asked what they were thinking and wouldn't give an answer. It seemed like a strange thing, especially as both Gin and Renji expected me to explain what I was thinking when I was with them. With that in mind, I didn't expect Zaraki to answer, but I asked anyway.

 

“I got you pregnant. First time and second time,” pride was evident in his voice. “How many kids do you want Matsumoto?”

 

He had answered but his words made me pause. We hadn't even had the first one and he wanted to know how many children I wanted? “I don't know.” My voice wavered as I felt a pressing need to find out if I was actually pregnant. Of course he was proud of his virility and I was certain that `somehow' people would find out the ease with which he'd impregnated me.

 

Turning me around, he kissed me gently on the forehead and then released me. “Come on. Let's find out if you can demonstrate why you should be allowed to remain and I'll prove I'm right about our baby.”

 

He moved the chair and opened the door.

 

“Ken-chan, go and talk to Arai. I need to talk to your `wife',” Yachiru's voice was clear and commanding. She was waiting outside the door and may have been there for some time. My heart sank slightly.

 

At least she wasn't glaring at me; her attention was fully on Zaraki and once more I was reminded of the strong bond between these two. If Zaraki had gone through with his idea of swapping lieutenants I believed he would have missed Yachiru very quickly. He was just too stubborn to admit it. I would have missed my captain and I didn't want to think about the amount of resentment that Yachiru would have for me. Even now I was pretty certain she didn't like me.

 

Zaraki turned his gaze to me and observed me with care before replying to Yachiru. “Why should I let you?” His voice was even and I wasn't sure what he was thinking.

 

“You said I could. I won't hurt her but I need to talk to her, alone,” the plea in her voice was unmistakable. She was still ignoring me but I preferred that. I didn't wish to be alone with her.

 

I remembered the information Madarame had provided about how Yachiru had tried to interest Zaraki in other women while I was in the human world. In the time we had been apart had she again been trying to persuade him that I was the wrong choice and we should separate? My hand involuntarily rested on my stomach. No amount of influence would make me leave him now. Even if I wasn't pregnant at this point, Zaraki would make certain I was, very soon.

 

Zaraki bent down and said to her sternly, “You upset or hurt her, I won't overlook it.” Standing, he turned to me, “Matsumoto, will you talk to my lieutenant?”

 

If I said no, it would appear that I was scared, but remembering her reaction the day we married I was not very happy about being alone with the girl. She had engineered that encounter outside Zaraki's house with the whole of his Division and her dislike had still been evident then, but she had protected me that night, even though she didn't like me. Perhaps her idea was that I should stay in Las Noches with Gin and that possible proposal made me grimace with distaste. Anything was likely. “I'll talk to Yachiru.” I said heavily, knowing there was little point in trying to delay the inevitable conversation. I felt the familiar fight or flight commands within my brain and tried to assure my mind that the situation didn't require either.

 

Zaraki kissed me again, a sweet, slow kiss, obviously not worrying about Yachiru's reaction, or he was showing her that he cared for me. “Don't upset her,” he told her.

 

Yachiru nodded and quickly came into the room. I was amazed when he left, closing the door quietly and without another glance toward me. Now the door was shut and his comforting presence was gone, I became more nervous about being alone with her and wondered what she had to say to me.

 

There was an uneasy silence. I felt reluctant to look directly at her, fearful of receiving a gaze full of hate and resentment so I busied myself repacking my bag. I knew she wouldn't be fooled by the manoeuvre.

 

Finally she coughed a little and spoke. “You tried to protect me when Smiler stabbed me,” she began and I nodded. I'd made a bad job of it when Gin attacked her and felt guilty that I had not done more even if I had been drugged. There was no excuse.

 

“I didn't do enough,” I said gently feeling that all too present tug of guilt over my failure.

 

“I'd hoped Ken-chan would finish with you while you were in the human world, but he missed you. I didn't expect that. He listens to me about everything, except you.”

 

I stole a look at her and noticed that as she spoke she was not looking at me her gaze on the bed. Feeling relief that no obvious signs of our activity were showing I answered her truthfully. “I missed him too,” I admitted not elaborating on how I couldn't stop thinking about him.

 

“I didn't want Ken-chan to marry you,” she said very fast and stopped again.

 

She was being very honest. Deciding to wait until she worked out what she wanted to say, I studied Zaraki's lieutenant. She was cute, small and seemed very young. Her appearance was appealing and the spark of intelligence in her eyes indicated she wasn't the simple child she pretended to be so often. She looked at me closely and then appeared to come to a decision.

 

“I'm glad you followed us,” the words came out with a rush. “Ken-chan has been acting like a pig and I think it's because he missed you. When he wasn't talking about you or fighting, he was brooding or yelling at his zanpakuto. One day, after he had a long talk with the Doc Captain, he went off for hours. He was really angry and I don't know how many Arrancar he killed before we got him back. The Doc Captain has talked to me lots while we've been here and Baldy talked to me lots back home. They both like you. Everyone keeps telling me you're good for Ken-chan, except for Slug breath. I don't listen to Slug breath.”

 

I think my jaw dropped open at her words. She was pleased I had followed them? The reason for Zaraki's rage was evident to me: that must have been when he learnt of my earlier pregnancy. It seemed a more typical Zaraki reaction and one he hadn't disclosed to me when he spoke about it. Of all the things she might have said that was the one I had not expected, but she hadn't finished. I wondered to whom she had given the nickname of Slug breath, but had my suspicions.

 

“Don't let him send you back because he'll worry about you and then he'll act like a pig again. As soon as he felt you arrive he looked happy. I want Ken-chan to be happy even if it means he spends less time with me.”

 

Each word made it clearer that Yachiru cared more for Zaraki than her own needs. I wouldn't be so selfless where he was concerned, but maybe we could work it out together.

 

“When you're with him you both look happy and gooey. It makes me gag,” she searched my face and then added, “I think of Ken-Chan as my father.”

 

At this, I nodded. Some had hinted that Yachiru's interest in Zaraki was romantic, but I couldn't believe it. Smut might make gossip more interesting, but too often it was untrue and became an embarrassment for the people concerned. Idly I wondered if I should tell Zaraki about Toshiro's relationship with Soi, or keep silent. I didn't think he'd be interested.

 

When I had seen the interaction between Yachiru and my husband, she had displayed the possessive manner of an overprotective daughter for her father who was prone to make bad choices. Obviously to her I was a bad choice. “I wish I'd had a father like him when I was growing up,” I told her truthfully. “And if I had, I'd be jealous of any woman who interrupted,” I added as I thought about it. No wonder she had reacted so negatively when I'd married Zaraki. Yachiru might hate the idea of us having any children.

 

As if she read my mind she said, “I was, but I'm over it. I've always wanted brothers and sisters.” The heartfelt longing in her voice echoed the loneliness I had felt until I met Gin and after, when he'd leave me with no warning or explanation.

 

I was seeing a side of this girl I had never known existed and was touched that she was talking to me so honestly. As my expression softened she came close and touched my hand. “You don't have to pretend to be my mother.”

 

Suddenly I felt sorry for the girl. She felt she had lost her father to me and that I would insist on estranging them.

 

“I can be your friend, if you want.” I tried to keep my tone light as if the offer was unimportant. It wasn't what I wanted to say, but I was scared to say anything about that might make her regret her kindness. She had grown up without a mother and I was uncertain if she needed one now, or would accept me in that role, especially as she had already made that comment.

 

She shrugged as if it wasn't important, but I knew it was. Making a quick decision I knew I had to tell her about the possibility of a child. This news would affect her and I believed it was only fair that I should tell her now.

 

“Zaraki wants to send me back because he thinks I might be pregnant but I don't feel safe when I'm apart from him. Will you act like a sister to the baby?”

 

Her face lit up with a grin of relief and excitement and unexpectedly she hugged me. I wasn't expecting the embrace and at first tensed, wanting to push her away. Despite what she had said I hadn't expected her to be happy at this news. “Truly? Ken-chan's going to be a father again?”

 

I frowned at her words. A father again? Did he have other children and then my brain began to function. “You mean you,” I said.

 

“Yeah, of course. I'll be an older sister. You can't go back now because Ken-chan will be antsy if he can't take care of you,” her words were very firm.

 

Giving into an impulse, I returned her hug. “I want to stay with him. I had to follow him because…. Because I had to follow him,” I finished lamely.

 

For some reason she giggled. I didn't think my words were that amusing. “I thought he was going to go back to the Seireitei to get you if you hadn't followed. He kept saying something about not being able to get comfortable.”

 

From the tone of her voice I guessed she was carefully editing what he might have said. Typical Zaraki. Pretending that I was the one who had no self control, when he was just as bad. I might mention it to him, at some convenient time.

 

“Let's go see the Doc Captain,” Yachiru suggested tugging at my hand. “I want to find out if I'm going to be a sister soon.”

 

It was time I talked to her about the other reason I was here. For some reason I believed the news would not surprise her. I looked at her and she noticed the seriousness of my gaze and stopped walking, waiting for me to explain.

 

As I now felt that we were working toward a common goal, I decided not to use the `lies' Toshiro had coached me in before I left.

 

With Captain Fong's help we had created a feasible cover story. Then I had to use it on both Toshiro and Captain Fong to see if I could convince either of them that I was telling the truth. It didn't go very well.

 

“I don't believe you and even if I didn't know the truth I wouldn't believe you. You're as good at lying as your husband is good at diplomacy,” was his judgement the first time I tried the story on him. Perhaps the words sounded as false to him as they did to me.

 

I'd nodded slowly in agreement. Even Zaraki knew I was a bad liar the very first time.

 

For the next half an hour I lied while Toshiro and Captain Fong listened and questioned while I answered, making me go over the details of the story we had put together. I'd become confused and contradicted myself because the questions were continuous. Finally he shook his head and turned to Soi. “This won't work like this, will it?”

 

She shook her head.

 

Toshiro turned his attention back to me. “You learnt nothing about lying from Ichimaru, did you? We'll have to make everything you say nearly true. As 12th Division is under lockdown we can close down the communications room so they have no opportunity to convey information to their captain. That will be the reason you will provide for being sent to Hueco Mundo as we can't communicate by any other means.”

 

Captain Fong nodded in agreement. “Keep the detail light and just repeat yourself. You can always say `That's all I was told', or `I don't know anything more'. That should cover everything.” She put her hand on Toshiro's and then removed it quickly as she realised what she did. He'd smiled with delight and taken her hand back. One day I would pester my captain until he told me everything, well at least everything that he could tell me.

 

Smiling at the memory I told Yachiru “It seems there's a traitor in 12th Division. I have to tell everyone except the members of that Division.”

 

Yachiru's expression didn't change. She flicked a glance at me and nodded as the corners of her mouth turned down. Knowing more about the nature of her relationship with Zaraki it did not seem unlikely that they had discussed this between themselves and arrived at the same conclusion.

 

“That's one of the reasons Ken-chan is worried about you,” she told me and the amazed me with her next words. “Stay close to the Doc Captain, me, Rukia or her brother. Even his lieutenant or Icchy at a pinch. Don't be alone but don't trust them too much. There's something wrong and I can't work it out.”

 

I guessed what she meant. The people she mentioned she believed could be trusted and I was happy she didn't mind if I stayed close to her. “I have to hand out some notes. Will you help me?”

 

“I'll stick close to you until Ken-chan gets back. I'll pretend that I'm feeling clingy and hold your hand,” she offered. I thought about it and agreed. She would be convincing.

 

“Let's go. Remember, treat me like a kid, I'll behave like one, and you should act like an airhead. That way they won't take us seriously,” She instructed and I nodded. I wanted to see the others and I might find a chance to talk to Rukia and find out how Ichigo had disappointed Zaraki. Even while I lied to myself about the one thing I really wanted to do, I retrieved my bag and followed Yachiru who led me down the corridor. She opened a door and gestured for me to enter, which I did. Even before I entered the room I could hear raised voices.

 

“That's a stupid thing to say. We've gone over this before. They stay because they've helped,” Ichigo was yelling loudly at someone. He looked more sullen than normal and hardly glanced at us as we came through the door.

 

“They're still the enemy,” Captain Kurotsuchi said raising his voice over Ichigo's, but his anger was not as evident under all the make-up. “You might trust them, but you are young and foolish.”

 

He must have noticed my entrance because the Captain turned and stared at me, his argument with Ichigo momentarily forgotten. His eyes widened and a strange expression crossed his face. The rest followed his gaze and I was quickly surrounded.

 

The room contained the whole party and I wondered briefly who was taking watch. There were three people I didn't know but from looking at them I guessed they were either Hollow or Arrancar and it made me wonder why they were here. It was possible that these were the people that Ichigo and Captain Kurotsuchi were arguing about.

 

“Ran, you're here? Couldn't keep away from your man, hey?” Renji said with a sly smile. He cast a glance at Rukia who coloured and turned away walking as far distant from him as she could. Isane followed, obviously concerned about her friend and Renji watched, a shadow in his eyes. Things between them were worse than I thought. Renji began to follow Rukia his hand stretched out to seize her arm and she kept her back turned toward him. A small cough from Captain Kuchiki caused his expression to change and he growled slightly and stalked over to the other side of the room, pretending he didn't care, or that is how it seemed.

 

“So, Captain Zaraki was correct when he ran from your ministrations,” Captain Kuchiki said to Retsu. “He can feel her reiatsu. I thought he was not being completely honest.” Coolly he observed me, his eyes noting my hair and the marks Zaraki had made on my skin with his mouth.

 

“I recall that you were confined to the Seireitei,” my bete noire said as he observed me. His makeup and costume were more absurd than I had previously noticed. The yellow teeth seemed to be the result of neglect rather than anything else. Why did the man insist on wearing such absurd attire? “Why are you here?”

 

Nemu smiled at me hesitantly and it was a little peculiar to be the centre of attention once more. I still found it impossible to believe that she was the spy. It wasn't just because I knew of her relationship back in the Seireitei, but her gentle nature and the assurances of her lover convinced me she was innocent.

 

It reminded me of the bargaining with Captain Yamamoto for the release of Ikkaku and Yumichika. Ikkaku had pretended that he wasn't prepared to give up sex until Zaraki returned. The man had lied but that was because he didn't want anyone to guess which person had gained his interest. Ikkaku was as celibate as I was while I remained in the Seireitei and Zaraki was in Hueco Mundo. But the 11th Division third seat had lied convincingly and even continued with the lie once we'd left the office to make it more believable. Either that or he had a strange sense of humour. Possibly both. While in the human world he'd confided in me that he was in love with Nemu. I was glad for them both, but worried about the number of obstacles they would face if they married as they planned to do. Ikkaku was reluctant for his romance to become public and he'd only mentioned it to me in the human world one day when we were both indulging in some sake and home sickness. I had been longing for Zaraki while still fighting my feelings for the man and Ikkaku was dodging the human girl who seemed intent on attracting him into her bed. Yumichika knew his friend was seeing someone, but I wasn't certain if he knew who the person was. Ikkaku hadn't wished to tell him as Yumichika was having romantic troubles of his own, but I wasn't given the details. I had grasped that there were two possibilities, Rukia and Nanao, but which of them had captured the man's interest I didn't know.

 

Zaraki would hate it when he found out Ikkaku was involved with Nemu and I didn't want to think how her father would react if he knew they were still seeing each other. In a moment of honesty, Nemu had told her father that she was involved with Ikkaku a day or two before we left on the mission to the human world. Captain Kurotsuchi had immediately demanded that she end the relationship.

 

Scared, Nemu had met Ikkaku and they promised that they would pretend they had parted ways, but would continue to meet in secret. In all the time I'd known him I had never before witnessed Ikkaku remaining faithful to one woman. He'd had brief entanglements with a number of nurses from 4th Division and for a few weeks he'd been going out with Kiyone, but I didn't know if it was as drinking companions or something more. I didn't ask. , nor did I really want to know. The girl in the human world, Keigo's sister, had been camouflage. He was still thinking of Nemu and longing to return to her as I longed to return to Zaraki.

 

Ikkaku had mocked me more than once. Whenever I'd asked about Zaraki he'd asked if I could spell obsession so I spelt “N. E. M. U,' quietly so only he could hear. That speedily encouraged him to stop teasing me in that fashion.

 

I had to find a way to slip her the note. I'd promised Ikkaku I would do that as soon as possible. The one factor that worried me was I didn't believe that she was very able at hiding her feelings. In the few minutes I'd had to talk to him before I left, Ikkaku stiffly asked that I give a note to Nemu, and it seemed that he was certain I would refuse. I thought it was because he knew that Zaraki might react violently to the news. Since our marriage, Zaraki had come to dislike the 12th Division Captain intensely and I knew he didn't trust him.

 

Ikkaku was worried rumours might reach Nemu that he had been seeing other women, and he had. But he had been seeing other women to obscure his relationship with Nemu and hide the fact he was still seeing her regularly. Nearly every night since Kurotsuchi had found out he had been seen in the company of a different woman, except when he was in the human world, guarding me and when he was in the cells. As soon as he felt enough people had seen him with whichever woman it was, he'd escort her home and meet Nemu at the inn in Soul Society he'd taken us to on the day of our marriage. They had always met there for the privacy aspect.

 

That explained why the innkeeper had known Ikkaku so well.

 

I'd asked Ikkaku why Kurotsuchi had not approached Zaraki about the relationship. An incredulous look crossed his face.

 

“Why? He rarely talks to Captain Zaraki and it's more likely he'd get a fist in the mouth than a conversation. They've had bad blood between them for years and your marriage made it worse. Why I don't know,” he'd told me. “They only talk to each other if they're forced to, or they're trying to score points off each other. Anyway, Kurotsuchi wouldn't admit to anyone else his daughter had slept with me.”

 

As he explained I understood more. I knew I shouldn't get involved, but I wanted to help Ikkaku and Nemu. If it hurt the 12th Division Captain in the process, I couldn't say that it would distress me. But how could I get the note to her without Yachiru or Captain Kurotsuchi noticing? I'd have to think about that.

 

Now the Captain wanted to know why I was here. This was not the time to be thinking about the past or the difficulties of relationships. I was now faced with another complication. I had a cover story, but I had to talk to each person individually without making it obvious and conveying the real news. The problem was I was unsure of the strange people who had joined the party and also Ichigo's two friends, Chad and Ishida. I didn't know the large man or the Quincy well and they may have formed alliances with Captain Kurotsuchi. I didn't believe it was probable but due to recent events I felt the need for caution. One of my most trusted friends had attacked and tried to kill me and some of these people had less of a shared past.

 

“I'm here because there have been some problems in the Seireitei,” I explained as I tried to gauge the reaction of the people around me. Captain Kuchiki raised an arched eyebrow, but said nothing. Retsu looked concerned as did Isane. Rukia finally turned, gave me an agonised look and quickly turned away again. I was sure that I knew the source of her emotional torment and decided to try to talk to her privately as soon as I could. Renji grimaced slightly, but nodded at me in a friendly fashion as he crossed his arms. Even in the brief time I had been here I knew he was aware that something was wrong and it was only a matter of time before he confronted Rukia. The tension between the two of them was palpable and very unsettling.

 

Chad and Ishida appeared indifferent to the announcement but Nemu's eyes widened and she seemed about to speak but after a quick glance at her father she tightened her lips. I did not miss the quick smirk that spread over the 12th Division Captain's face but it was only there for a second before he rearranged his features into an austere and knowing expression.

 

Ichigo stared at me as if he was having difficulty understanding what I was saying. Had one too many fights addled his brain and then he asked, “What problems? We've got our own problems here and I don't see why they had to send you.”

 

“There's been a communications breakdown,” I half lied. Toshiro had coached me in the lie with Captain Fong's assistance. Mindful of Yachiru's advice I giggled and added, “I don't know what happened. It's all so technical. I'm sure someone explained it to me, but I can't remember all the details.”

 

Renji gave me a strange look and opened his mouth as if he was going to say something but stopped. Ichigo didn't notice, but he had never really talked to me as his gaze had been fixed firmly beneath my face any time I'd talked to him. Rukia gave me a startled glance but Retsu's smooth expression remained unmarred and she nodded slowly. “Yes, these technical reasons can be difficult to recall. I had wondered why no news was forthcoming.”

 

I saw a strange half jerk from Captain Kurotsuchi but instead fixed a soulful gaze on Captain Kuchiki. “I'm sure you'd understand, Captain, but when I tried to explain it to Zar… I mean my husband, I think I confused him. Each question he asked made me more less certain that I could tell him anything helpful,” another simpering giggle made him curl his lip and turn away.

 

“That's impossible. The communications that I have put in place cannot break down. You are lying,” Captain Kurotsuchi came close to me and I felt the heat of his breath on my face. He grabbed me by the wrist and I turned and widened my eyes at him as innocently as I could.

 

“Why…” I began tugging at my hand with feigned weakness.

 

I heard the door open and an angry exclamation. “Get your stinking hands off my wife, you fucking freak,” Zaraki was between us in a minute, his hand swiftly removing the 12th Division Captain's grasp as he pushed me behind him. “Touch her again and die,” he thundered.

 

Arai and Yachiru were now standing on either side of Zaraki and glaring at the man who dared call me a liar.

 

“I was simply pointing out the obvious to the woman. She appears to have become even more stupid since I last encountered her, if that's possible,” the man said as he smoothly interposed his daughter in front of him. “Still, you didn't marry her for her intelligence, did you, Zaraki?”

 

“Leave my new mummy alone,” Yachiru lisped sweetly. I had difficulty in hiding the smile those words brought to my face. She was overplaying this, but then she was only playing to one audience member.

 

“My Captain's wife is above your concern,” Arai quickly added. His zanpakuto was drawn and his expression fierce.

 

Ichigo, Chad and Ishida's mouths gaped open and they looked at me unbelievingly. Chad was shaking his head while Ishida took off his glasses and polished them thoughtfully.

 

Ichigo managed to talk. “Kenpachi, you did marry Ran! You weren't just telling a story? How did you brainwash. Um, urp. Did you feed her a love potion or urp…” he stuttered into silence as I moved beside my husband and he instinctively hugged me close.

 

Ishida's lips twitched slightly as he commented, “I believed them, Kurosaki. It's strange how all the women you've shown any interest in are now out of your reach.”

 

Chad sighed loudly. “Ishida, that is below you. Don't taunt a man when he's down.” He bowed slightly. “I think we better go on patrol. We were due out but were trying to mediate in a quarrel,” he said looking meaningfully at Captain Kurotsuchi who tutted in annoyance and turned away. Ishida and Chad left, obviously pleased to withdraw from such a tense situation.

 

A small girl with green hair sidled close to Ichigo and took his hand in hers but he ignored her, his unfocused stare firmly fixed on my chest until a growl from Zaraki made him shift his eyes.

 

“But we told you they were married,” Rukia seemed confused that the reality had shocked them. She glanced at Isane who shrugged and shook her head incredulously. There was still a level of mistrust here that I didn't like. The strain I sensed between Renji and Rukia was not only confined to them. The whole group seemed wary of each other and for some reason that unnerved me. The situation was unstable as Yachiru had mentioned and some of the people were near breaking point, ready to fight the Arrancar or each other, whoever was closest when the tight control they had on their temper shattered.

 

“Yeah, what she said,” Renji agreed, giving Ichigo a look as if he was hurt by his lack of faith. I didn't escape me that Renji hadn't glanced at Rukia or referred to her in a disparaging manner.

 

Shaking his head Ichigo looked from me to Zaraki. “I thought you were joking. I mean Zar, Ra…… I mean Ikkaku and Yumichika told me to keep away from Ran, but you know what jokers those guys are. I thought one of them had the hots for her….”

 

I heard two barely concealed gasps as both Rukia and Nemu turned pale. Renji's eyes glittered as he stiffly turned toward Rukia a look of dawning comprehension on his face.

 

Captain Kurotsuchi shrugged angrily. “Why is it important? The emphasis people place on emotional reactions is over rated. Science and the search for knowledge is all and anything else is mere distraction. We should be exploring the details of the communications break down, not spend time idly exploring an unpalatable truth. Give me the details, woman.”

 

I opened my mouth as I vainly tried to think of an answer.

 

A.N.

 

Yeah. `For the Love of a Friend' is still a 4 days behind, but it's been too long since I updated this story. I've broken with the canon, if you hadn't guessed which is why Orihime and Hanatoro are not with the `rescue' party.

 

Review. I like reviews.

 

Thanks to ldymoon, Bastion and Mors' for the reviews.

 

Soundtrack

 

`My Heart's Desire' Angelus

`I am Mine' Pearl Jam

`Give a Little' Crazy Penis