Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ For The Love of a Friend ❯ Love Unrewarded ( Chapter 26 )

 

Love Unrewarded

 

For some reason she didn't understand, Kira had followed her from the 4th Division. His friendship with both Momo and Matsumoto was well known to everyone and she wondered why he wasn't spending time with them or Hisagi, or with his Division, or with anyone except her. Maybe with someone who gave a damn? She'd hoped her words would have given him enough impetus to leave her and go back to his Division and do something useful, but instead he was hanging around her and she didn't want his company. She wanted to deliver her message and then spend time thinking, without any interruption.

 

“Renji and Rukia have left the Seireitei,” he told her almost conversationally.

 

She shrugged. They were engaged; they'd left the Seireitei; they were sky diving over the Serengeti. What did it matter to her? Neither was under her command and she wasn't friends with either of them. How could the absence of two unstable people affect her?

 

“They've gone to help that substitute Shinigami, Ichigo. They ignored the Captain General's orders,” Kira persisted. He seemed determined that she should show some kind of interest.

 

“So?” What did he want her to say? It was about time that someone ignored that man? Ichigo was an idiot and so was the Captain General.

 

“They didn't ask me,” he sounded petulant. “Renji's my friend and he didn't ask if I wanted to go. No one asked me if I wanted to go on the mission to the human world, either. I know it's because I'm a failure.”

 

“Renji's not engaged to you and he might want to spend some time, alone, with Rukia,” Soi pointed out, wondering why she was explaining the bleeding obvious. “And Captain Hitsugaya had to choose those officers he thought knew Ichigo best. He probably didn't choose you because he thought you should stay and try to stabilise your Division” Now she was defending Toshiro for an event that had happened, for all that it seemed so long ago, but was only a matter of weeks. She bit her lip angrily and hoped Kira would shut up. If he didn't, she'd convince him that a closed mouth was in his best interest.

 

Kira flushed slightly at her words and hung his head, but he continued to follow her. The hangdog expression didn't endear him to her, or to anyone. If he tried to stop looking so agonised al the time, maybe she would have more sympathy for him, but instead he embraced his negative feelings and seemed to enjoy the accompanying depression. Was it a bid to gain sympathy, because it was wearing out, fast. Other lieutenant's had lost their captains and they just got on with it. Well, Hisagi got on with it. Now she thought of it, Kira was behaving marginally better than Momo. Despite their grades from the Academy, it had been a mistake to appoint them to their positions. Neither had the skills for leadership, nor even handling the complications that occurred when emotions were at war within them. Then she remembered who had been instrumental in gaining them their appointments. Aizen had chosen too well.

 

Increasing her speed didn't dissuade him from following her and they were quickly approaching the spirit pressure that was making her nausea increase by the moment. Even her mental barriers were having trouble blocking it out but she could feel Toshiro was there and even though she was still furious with him, she was drawn to find out how he was faring against the larger, and potentially lethal, Captain.

 

Arriving when Toshiro was fighting Zaraki made Soi pause for a moment to watch the battle and compare the styles. Were they fighting or talking, because it seemed more words were being said than anything else. The insults flowed back and forth, but she sensed a certain amount of grudging respect growing between the men. Classic male behaviour! Bonding through the evidence of their fighting ability; as if it were important. Maybe they'd compare the size of their blades next, or swap anecdotes about their toughest opponent, or whatever inane activity men undertook as part of their archaic ritual.

 

When their blades did meet she noticed that Toshiro had to use moves that managed to counterbalance the greater weight and strength of the 11th Division Captain. He used his greater flexibility and speed, but even so, Kenpachi's speed almost matched his own. The agility was the thing that saved him, plus a number of unexpected moves. Watching the two men fight made her almost long to join in battle against an adequate opponent. On some occasions a good fight was better than a good meal.

 

All the same, she'd never seen Toshiro act so forcefully before. It was a side of him that she thought existed, but here was the evidence of the inner strength that he rarely showed to her. Only when she'd managed to get some reaction from him did he respond like this. And he was standing up to Kenpachi, just as she'd hoped he would. If she gave into her desire she would continue to watch, but she knew she had to interrupt.

 

Toshiro looked startled when she began to speak, but she didn't even glance in his direction. “Captain Zaraki, Captain Unohana has requested that you return to 4th Division, immediately. She has a theory that your presence may help your wife.”

 

Out of the corner of her eye she observed Toshiro. He gazed at her and then his glance flickered to Kira and back to her. Was he wondering why Kira was with her? Did it matter? The man had insulted her and she wouldn't acknowledge him. Let him wonder about Kira. All those soft thoughts and caring images that had passed through her mind were burnt away by seeing him again. She could still remember his sneer and once more stung at the memory of his words as he left her. But something had altered. As she spoke she felt his reiatsu spike with an almost tangible excitement. That was possibly because he had gained hope that his lieutenant might survive and he'd been taking pleasure in the fight.

 

Until now she had not been certain, but she sensed Toshiro did love Rangiku, for whatever reason, but a love she had trouble recognising. She remembered her siblings, but at a distance, and she imagined she loved them. His emotion was more akin to that feeling than any romantic attachment. It no longer surprised her that he had taken exception when she had insulted the woman. If anyone had insulted Yoruichi the way she had insulted his friend she would have leapt to her defence immediately. All the same, Toshiro had been crudely offensive to her only recently and the words had left raw places on her mind, which were only further aggravated by seeing the man.

 

Turning her attention to Kenpachi she noticed a marked change. The man was almost smiling in relief and looked at her with less than the disdain he had shown in their last few meetings. Then Toshiro leant toward him, nodded at Soi and whispered something to him. What could he be saying? She felt a momentary interest, but decided, after their most recent encounter, it would have to be some insulting observation. She glared at Toshiro, wishing she could strike out at the man and demonstrate to him the displeasure she felt. Bananas! She turned to leave in disgust.

 

She heard a low rumble of words from Kenpachi but couldn't catch the sense of them. They were talking about her, of that she was sure, and she resented that she was the topic of a conversation between these men. Then Toshiro said something else and she caught the word wedding from the muttered conversation. That dog was probably asking Zaraki to attend his wedding to that twit Momo because she was such good friends with his wife. That was fine with her. It didn't matter to her what Tos… Captain Hitsugaya chose to do in his private life.

 

Except there was still the matter of the baby.

 

The 11th Division Captain ran off with impressive speed and Toshiro watched him with an unreadable expression on his face.

 

The abrupt cessation of the incredible spirit pressure caused a buzzing in her ears and she wavered on her feet only to find Kira's arm behind her supporting her. She almost pushed him aside, but realised the support was necessary. Once again she had skimped on her intake of food and all the activity had drained her reserves of strength. She didn't miss the flash of amazement in Toshiro's eyes as she failed to reprimand Kira for touching her. For a second she even leant into his body, not wanting the contact, but wanting to show Toshiro that she didn't care what he thought. She actually found Kira's touch slightly repellent. His skin was cool, but not unpleasantly so, but she didn't want him to touch her. It reminded her how she had so often eschewed physical contact because on the whole she found it disagreeable, except when the person was Yoruichi or...

 

“Lieutenant Izuru, can I assist you is some way?” Toshiro had assumed his full Captain's demeanour, the one that made people think he held a grudge against the world and despised everyone within it for being inferior or tedious.

 

“No, Sir. I was supporting Captain Fong in delivering a message,” Kira sounded unsure of himself.

 

“I'm sure you have other matters to consume your attention,” Toshiro's abrupt reply was a command to leave.

 

Kira accepted the command like an obedient lieutenant and without the slightest hint of anger or resentment he bowed to Soi and left.

 

“Captain Fong,” Toshiro said and bowed to her sharply. The ice in his voice almost froze her.

 

“Captain Hitsugaya,” her bow was abbreviated. What his problem was did not concern her but she found she was stumbling into speech, explaining. “Lieutenant Izuru assisted me in taking Lieutenant Ise to 4th Division after she…” then she paused. What could she say? Nanao was crazy? She'd developed a fixation on things that hadn't happened? The insanity that had always been evident was finally surfacing. How many people were showing behavioural abnormalities since the traitors had left, or even before?

 

She didn't want to think about this too deeply. Otherwise she might find she was being taken to 4th Division for her own protection. Or was it that before now she hadn't taken any interest in how other people acted and reacted? Maybe they had all been this strange before hand but she hadn't noticed being caught up with her own emotional conflicts. At first being so passionately devoted to Yoruichi had made her blind to other people and then her grief had protected her. It was a strange idea, that grief had provided protection, but having to consider other people, think about their motivations and needs meant you had to think of them as not being objects which moved at her direction. Toshiro had proven to be independent and followed his own direction. Was it any wonder she had kept close to her own Division where no one questioned her judgment or orders? In exercising control over others, it was easy to pretend that this control extended to all factors in her life. It was simple to keep her pride intact, hold her honour without fear and function within the tight confines of her life.

 

`Lieutenant Ise has psychological problems,” she said bluntly. Why change the way she normally acted? Rumours would spread soon no matter what she said now.

 

“It is none of my concern Captain Fong, as you would normally be eager to inform me. If you'll excuse me, I must make my way to 4th Division to see how my lieutenant is faring,” his voice was a mixture of bitterness and hope. All the excitement she had sensed in him had fled.

 

“She isn't dead,” Soi said without thinking.

 

“Thank you. I don't think I could have guessed if you hadn't explained it so clearly, Captain Fong,” the sarcasm dripped from Toshiro's words making the insult more vicious. He refused to meet her eyes, his fixed over her right shoulder as he spoke to her.

 

“Oh, stuff you, Toshiro. Go and hold Momo's hand while your lieutenant really suffers. Why anyone is still pandering to Aizen's former pet, I don't know.” This time she knew what she was saying and gloried in saying the words aloud. Her ironic inflexion on Momo's name could not be misinterpreted and she saw Toshiro flinch at her words. Squaring her shoulders she prepared for the verbal battle which she expected to follow. Even after the last bitter experience of word exchange it was at least communication. While they insulted each other he was aware of her existence and had to pay at least some small attention to her.

 

Toshiro turned and left without one more word or glance. Soi was left to ponder his departure with her mind trying to work out what had gone wrong. Normally her words would have drawn some form of response, even if it was painful. Being ignored, hurt and diminished her, making her wonder if she was visible and audible.

 

Even before her barely formed thought of following him, demanding a response, was halfway developed, she rejected it. It would be better to wait for the recovery or demise of his lieutenant before she approached him again. The fact that he had fought Kenpachi at her behest meant something, and probably assisted him in working off some of the fears and tension, but next time they spoke, she wanted his full attention.

 

She was going to tell him about the child.

 

Or not.

 

He couldn't marry Momo while Soi carried his child, unless she was prepared to pretend another man had fathered the child.

 

Toshiro wouldn't believe that, would he? He could count.

 

Yet, he had regarded Kira with a rather formidable expression. Would he be persuaded that Kira was the father? Without meaning to, Soi giggled. She'd have trouble believing that Kira was the father. It was even more difficult to imagine allowing him to touch her, or desiring his touch. Unless he didn't care at all, Toshiro wouldn't believe that story.

 

If Toshiro asked her who the father was, she'd deny everything. If anyone asked, aside from Retsu, she would look innocent and protest that she had no idea who the sperm donor was. But once the baby was born, it would probably be impossible to conceal the parentage of the child, if it bore any resemblance to the father.

 

She didn't want that. That would forge a bond between Toshiro and her and that was not to be accepted. Rather than make it easy, she could approach her family and ask them to arrange a speedy marriage to cover the shame she would bring to the family name. Safely married, none would have the courage to question the ancestry of the child, if her husband could be convinced to keep her secret. But then she would be stuck in a marriage with a man she didn't know, unless she pretended she was married and her husband died suddenly. On the night of the wedding? Was anyone gullible enough to believe that? It was too convenient, but would anyone care?

 

She exhaled the breath she had not been aware she was holding. None of these ideas was going to work. If Toshiro was dead, then he wouldn't be able to guess that he had fathered her child and would not ask difficult questions. She could instruct some of her minions to execute him on some made up evidence. Or it could be staged to look like an accident. It was a pity Kenpachi hadn't killed him when they were fighting.

 

Her thoughts were completely in awry. She would return to her office and try to sort through everything, try to plan. When Yoruichi had left she had learnt to rely on her own initiative to plan and she would treat this like a campaign. There were key elements of which she was aware and using those it would be possible to work through the options that yielded the least amount of benefit. Her orders would be clear, that she would not be disturbed under any circumstances and during that space of time she might find the external peace to conjure up the internal peace that had deserted her since she started the foolish affair with Toshiro.

 

As she turned toward her Division, eager now to find a solution, a blur of movement resolved itself into a kneeling human form, offering a scroll of paper. With a feeling of trepidation she took the proffered paper and nodded briefly to dismiss the carrier. This note appearing so soon after the recent confrontation could not convey anything she wanted to read. The messenger was one of the ones used by all Divisions, but Toshiro might have used one of those so she would feel obliged to accept the message which she would not if she had been from 10th Division.

 

Unwillingly she unrolled the paper and her eyes briefly scanned to writing contained within.

 

“Captain Fong, your presence is required at 13th Division at noon tomorrow. Captain Kuchiki has reluctantly agreed to discuss wedding plans and I require you as a witness. Yours sincerely, Ukitake.”

 

She blinked and read it again. The words did not change; the message remained clear and essentially the same the second time she scanned the paper. Why was she required? It made no sense. What could she contribute to the planning of a wedding? Her interest in weddings was not high, nor did she wish to become further involved with a marriage purely based on the factor of an unexpected pregnancy. Even if Captain Kuchiki had agreed to the marriage, she didn't wish to publicise her part in the discovery of the relationship.

 

Thinking about it, without really concentrating on the matter, she found that she had walked quickly and was now outside her office. She folded the paper making a small square package in her hand, rather than the more distinctive scroll. Unobservant as her lieutenant was, he was often curious at inconvenient times and she had found him opening personal mail on more than one occasion. His bland, startled look as she grabbed the papers from his hand had annoyed her. Each time she had pointed out the indicators that the mail was personal, the large print: `Private', “Confidential', `To be opened by addressee only', `Personal', `Top Secret' or other indication and each time he had pled ignorance.

 

As she was a person who treasured her privacy she found the behaviour unbearable, even if the letters were all related to her position as Commander of the Special Corps. Her secrets, until recently, were few, but there were matters she didn't want generally known. Also, she often received orders that were meant to be extremely confidential. The man was not known for his trustworthy nature and she often felt that if he found out anything it would be around the Seireitei within a matter of hours. After one near disastrous situation where this had happened, most messengers knew to deliver orders directly into her hands, but on occasions something less important made its way to her office.

 

Every day for over a month, Soi had tried to impress on Oomaeda the importance that her mail be unopened. Persevering was hard, but she didn't give up.

 

Then she had decided to test if her reinforcement had borne some benefit. She had written all the words that would indicate it was only to be opened and read by the 2nd Division Captain in extremely large writing all over the envelope. Surreptitiously she had watched her lieutenant when the letter was delivered with a number of other communications. Without even looking at the other letters, the beefy hand had reached for the envelope with the warnings on it and she watched as he opened and read the note inside.

 

She had written the note in a fit of anger. It blasted the lieutenant, spelling out how he had ignored all the warnings that this letter was not addressed to him and that he should not be reading it. His expression had not changed, his eyes had not flickered and he read it carefully to the end.

 

Her patience wore out the second time he was reading through the letter and to make him acknowledge the message she approached, ready to add a verbal backup to her written accusations and anger.

 

“It's a good thing I opened this letter,” her lieutenant told her as soon as she approached his desk. “It was meant for me, after all, despite all the warnings you've given me,” he told her, complacently.

 

She stood there, her mouth opened. All the words, the lecture she had prepared had dried up at the effrontery of the man. She swallowed hard and then, her spine straight, her dignity worn as a cloak she decided to be as blunt as she could. “Next time you open a personal letter to me, I will remove your left hand. If you repeat the offence it will be your left eye. I am serious, Oomaeda.”

 

She said nothing more, but stood there watching the fat fool. At first he seemed prepared to argue with her, but as he looked at her his face changed and fear appeared in his eyes.

 

“I am from a noble family. I cannot be treated in that manner,” he began as his face turned magenta from a sudden influx of blood.

 

“You are under my command and I can punish you as I see fit. Remember, I do not answer to Captain Yamamoto where it comes to discipline within my Division. I control the Maggots Nest and I could incarcerate you there if you displease me,” she did not waver. There was no element of threat in her voice or in her words. A simple statement of consequences for actions could not be seen as a threat.

 

The flare of red faded from his face and he gulped. Without waiting to see if he had anything further to say, she had returned to her office, shutting the door firmly behind her. That had been last week, before he started showing the extra attention. If fear had caused a positive result, then she was more than pleased to reap the benefits.

 

Entering her office she nodded curtly at her lieutenant and made her way into her sanctum, closing the door firmly behind her. Seating herself behind the desk she looked through the papers, noting a few requests that were still outstanding. Most of the reports she ignored as her attention drifted, returning to the one thing that concerned her most. What she should do about the baby and Toshiro? The Shinigami uniform would conceal the pregnancy for a little time, but there would come a time when it would be impossible to hide the growing child. She wished she could ask Retsu how she planned to handle that matter, but maybe she didn't care. After all, she was uncontested as a Captain and had the old man's respect. Soi still didn't feel comfortable around the man.

 

It still wasn't too late to change her mind about the child.

 

Except, she didn't want to change her mind. Toshiro was the father and even though she would prefer to rip her tongue out of her mouth than admit it aloud, she loved him, or thought she did, or maybe she was deluding herself. The other time she had felt like this, she had only been hurt. Opening herself to the possibility of experiencing the resulting pain when her love was rejected, as it would be, would be the work of an idiot. Soi was not an idiot.

 

A fresh and spicy scent tickled her nostrils and she looked around the room to see what caused the scent. A bunch of flowers was on the desk, on top of the papers she had briefly perused. Abstracted, as she had been, she must have picked them up and placed them to one side without noticing. Looking at the flowers, she frowned.

 

“Who would have sent me flowers? Toshiro? Not after our last few discussions,” she spoke aloud as she vainly searched her mind for another possible donor. Her heart sped up, a little fluctuation as she again denied that Toshiro could have sent her any flowers. If he had, she might have a possible solution. All the explanations would be painful, but if he was willing to compromise, she might be able to do so.

 

Picking up the flowers, she ignored the individual stems that made up the bunch and instead looked to see if there was a note. A piece of paper stuck out from between the flowers and with fingers that trembled slightly, she took it and unfolded it.

 

“From a secret admirer.”

 

Those four words written on the paper did not help at all. She stared at the writing, trying to remember if Toshiro formed his characters that way. The writing was familiar; she had seen it before, but when?

 

Her lieutenant might know who had delivered the flowers and as much as she didn't want to talk to the man she went to the door to call him in. As she opened the door, she noticed he was standing there, a mazed expression on his face as his hand was raised as if preparing to knock.

 

`Come in,” Soi invited. Hopefully his business would not take long and then she could ask about the flowers.

 

She retreated behind the desk, placing the flowers she was still clutching, to one side.

 

“May I sit, Commander?”

 

Astonished, she raised her eyes to look at the man. He had asked, instead of assuming it was permitted. Maybe her many discussions had finally worked and he was now taking his role seriously. “Yes,” was her brief reply.

 

Oomaeda sat, his bulk causing the chair to creak slightly as he arranged himself comfortably. “Thank you for permitting me to have some of your time,” he said ponderously. “I believe this matter is important and I have considered approaching you for some time, but it seems appropriate that I do so at this time. There is a precedent now set and while we are in a period fraught with difficulty and uncertainty, I feel that to delay would be unwise. A brave man takes action when it is necessary, despite any harm that may result.”

 

Soi nodded wondering what the man was babbling about.

 

“My family, as you know, is of the nobility. We hold a position of some importance within Soul Society,” Oomaeda said impressively.

 

Soi cocked her head to one side and raised an eyebrow. Why was he mentioning his family now? What was the man talking about? He seemed to expect a response so she nodded curtly.

 

“It is the duty of every member of the nobility to ensure that their family is served by their actions. Our family is judged by every member and their contribution,” he continued.

 

Did this mean the man wished to resign his commission within 2nd Division? He was needed by his family and wished to retire to devote his time to the family business and heritage. She could only hope and tried to keep the smile that threatened to curve the edges of her mouth.

 

He noted the smile and smiled at her in return. “I believe you begin to understand. I have consulted with the head of my family and all the senior members on this matter, wishing to gain their approval before I spoke to you on this topic. We debated the many factors, considering age, background and any obstacles. We consulted fortune tellers and donated sums of money to many temples for auspicious omens.”

 

The longer he spoke the more assured Soi was that the man was about to provide her with a vacancy in her ranks. Quickly she began to consider candidates to fill his position. This time she would appoint her second in command and it would not be an idle noble whose opinion of himself and his family made all else inconsequential. She began to relax slightly. This could work. She would hesitate only briefly before she accepted his resignation, if only for the sake of appearing to consider the matter.

 

“In the time we have worked together we have formed an alliance,” were the next words spoken by her lieutenant.

 

Soi maintained her expression though she felt a desire to give a derisive snort. It was a face saving statement, preparatory she was certain, so that he could offer her his support once he had retired from 2nd Division.

 

“While we have on occasions not agreed, we have worked together.”

 

Or he did nothing while she organised all the work while he expressed his opposition to her plans.

 

“And the Division has stabilised after the disastrous desertion by the former commander. I pride myself that I was instrumental in that.”

 

She seethed at his words, but said nothing, hoping that he was nearly finished.

 

“It is due to this history that I feel that my decision is the correct one. There were many choices I could have made, but each choice made me uncertain that the result would be satisfactory. If the choice was only my preference I would not have hesitated for a moment. It pleases me that I could obtain consensus from all concerned that my wants were also met by the needs of the family. I spent sleepless nights thinking matters over, preparing for this moment.”

 

“Get on with it,” Soi thought. She had let him talk without interrupting in the hope that he would quickly reach the conclusion. Impatiently her foot began to tap under the desk as she surreptitiously examined her nails.

 

“It is a hard decision to make, as I am sure you will agree. You are possibly anticipating what I will say next, but indulge me, if you will. Now the moment has come I find it hard to say the words.”

 

The man was now flushing and had removed a cloth from his sleeve and wiped his face where sweat had blossomed profusely as he spoke. Soi shivered with revulsion as his cheeks and chin wobbled after he had wiped them.

 

“Instead I will provide a brief history,” he said.

 

Soi wanted to spring over the table and strangle the man while beating his thick head against the floor. What had he been talking about before if it wasn't a history of how he had made the decision? Was this man preparing for a new Olympic event? Was the category of boring a person to death a new sport?

 

“Before the party went to the human world, after the traitors had thrown the Seireitei into an uproar, I began to dream at night, vivid dreams,” his voice had changed. She didn't like the new note that was shaping it.

 

“My family had already approached me at this time, urging me to action, and I began to believe the dreams were prophetic. The dreams were pointing me toward my future,” the voice was becoming more fervid.

 

Was there such a thing as a born again dream interpreter? Where was he going with this and did he plan to arrive soon or was this the extended remix?

 

“I dreamt of you, Captain Fong.”

 

The words ran through Soi's mind like a current of electricity. She had heard someone else say those words to her only recently and under very different circumstances. Her mouth became slightly dry and she swallowed, hard. Before he said anything else, she would have to interrupt, to prevent him from saying the words she now began to think he might say.

 

Before she could open her mouth, the man continued on, his eyes fixed earnestly on hers. “I'm glad I dreamt of you. I like you Captain Fong. Soi.”

 

Fuck. Had he really said that? Had he really repeated the words that Toshiro had said to her when she had sex with him while he was asleep? Had Toshiro told him? Had Toshiro been asleep? Did everyone know now? If her lieutenant knew, then soon everyone would know, possibly in detail. Heat began to rise in her cheeks, momentarily distracting her from the next words.

 

“While I am aware that my family lineage might daunt you, I assure you my family is prepared to overlook it and accept you as my wife. They approved of my token of affection,” he said indicating the flowers, “and they expect our courtship will be of the normal duration.” The man was kneeling beside her and was now asking her the unthinkable question.

 

“Please, marry me, Soi.” The words while sounding like a request, were uttered with all the confidence of a man expecting an affirmative answer.

 

“No fucking way,” Soi said pushing her chair back as far as she could and getting to her feet.

 

She wanted to get out of there, fast. This day was making less sense as it went on and a marriage proposal from her lieutenant was the last thing she had expected, or wanted.

 

“But you gave me all the signs. Talking to me. Insisting on your privacy, which was a code that you expected me to allow you space within our relationship after we married. You've spent more time with me in the last few months than you have for years. You even thanked me, once. You've shared food with me, taking it from my hands. You've even begun to wear perfume, the sweet depth of sandalwood mixed with subtle cinnamon and nutmeg that I like dusted on my pastries. It was a message to me.”

 

Rubbing her ears wouldn't help. Oomeda had said those words. The scent she wore was one that she had found in a drawer and decided to wear for herself and maybe Toshiro. Retsu had commented that she liked the smell and Soi did also.

 

“Get out of here, you fat fool. Me, marry you? Never. Never! Get out and take a months leave. I don't want to see your smirking. flabby features here for thirty days,” she commanded as vehemently as she could.

 

“You're shocked with the honour of my attentions. I understand. I have come to know your codes. You want me to ask you again once I've permitted you to have a month to come to terms with the great honour,” Oomeda gabbled and then, noticing the expression on Soi's face, he got up and jogged out of the room, as fast as his feet could carry him.

 

“If I see you before 30 days are up I will kill you,” Soi said fiercely to his retreating back. “Please, give me the excuse.”

 

 

A.N.

 

I forgot to thank Envymagic for the assistance in writing the fight scene in Chapter 25. The advice was invaluable. Hell, to be honest without your input, it would have been rubbish. And thanks for your offers of future assistance.

 

Soundtrack

 

`My Own Worst Enemy' Lit

`Goody Two Shoes' Adam Ant

`Broken Bones' Love Inc

`Your Girl' Blue States

 

Oh, yeah. Thanks to Bastion, Mors', ldymoon and miaow for the reviews. BTW, Toshiro does not know that Soi is pregnant. He was indulging in a hope for the future due to the possibility of the recovery of Matsumoto.

 

Review. I like reviews.