NaClO (By invitation, otherwise CLOSED)

[HookerBoots]

Amay threw her arms around her lover. "It's fine, Isamu-kun," she whispered, kissing his cheek, heedless of the impropriety and Rukia's startled blush. "I'm just very glad you're all right." She pulled back, resting her hands in her lap primly. "Now, Kuchiki-san has patrol tonight, so she has to go soon. But I'm going to stay with you tonight."

Face still flushed, Rukia nodded. "That's a very good idea, Kuragari-chan. Though the danger's probably over, it's still better to make sure." She stood up, brushing off her rear. "I'm glad you're safe, Takeuchi. We can talk about the . . . rest, later." Her cheeks colored again, and she nodded at both of them before flashing off towards the barracks.

Amaya turned her eyes to Isamu again, this time a little skeptical. "Now, love, tell me. What really happened? I know you weren't telling the whole truth." Her eyes raked over him. "And it doesn't explain why you're wearing Kira-kun's uniform, or why you're unmarked everywhere I can see."

He looked at her in surprise. "Amaya-chan, everything I said was true." She was sharp, and knew him better than he wanted to admit.

Her green eyes smiled. "I know. But weren't telling all the truth. What really happened?" He was silent for a moment, and her lips curved a little more. "Ah. Secret, because you can't tell me. I can guess, though. Let's see . . . just nod if I'm right." She leaned back and looked up at the sky. "You swore not to tell, so it was someone high up, that you felt you had no choice but to keep quiet about it. Omaeda-fukutaicho isn't very stealthy, and I don't think anyone lower-ranked than that would have been able to get your silence."

Isamu nodded, popping half of a hard-boiled egg into his mouth. Amaya went on, her mind almost visibly clicking along. "So it must have been Soi Fon-taicho who spoke with you." She tapped a finger against her lips. "She's very skilled at interrogation, but not known for her physical violence in the same - she much prefers to use chemicals to induce truthfulness, or to simply kill you." She looked at him, piercingly. "But the Onmitsukido normally don't bother to let you know they're following you, or even that they were. It's pointless, either way."

She shifted, resting her elbows on her knees as she looked at him. "So she stopped you for another reason besides the surveillance." He nodded, and she smiled. "It was physically intense, but you don't have anything wrong except for trouble sitting down - which means it wasn't an interrogation at all."

The pink-haired girl's smile turned a little lascivious. "Which tells me that the two of you did something other than just talk, and having . . . some experience with the sorts of things that stop you from sitting down comfortably . . . ." She licked her lips. "We'll talk about it again inside, I think. I'd like a full recounting."

~ ~ ~ ~​

Several hours later, Amaya rolled over and placed a hand on Isamu's bare chest. "On a maybe related note," she said," apparently, Kuchiki-taicho has kind of expressed an interest in having me visit their manor?"

He almost sat up to look at her, and instead turned his head slightly. "Oh?" Byakuya Kuchiki . . . was interested in Amaya? Damn. "Did Kuchiki-san say something?"

She shrugged. "She said he had told her I would 'be an acceptable guest'. She's never heard him say that about anyone she's been friendly with." Her lips curved into a smile. "Though that is an admittedly short list."

"Huh. Well." He tipped his head back, looking up at the ceiling of her room. "I suppose I should be more attentive, eh? Make sure you don't leave me for a rich noble captain." The tone was joking, but his words were tinged with a hint of worry.

The hand on Isamu's chest turned into a hard little fist and punched just hard enough to knock the air out of him. "Don't be an idiot," she said. "Even if something happens - and I doubt that - I love you, baka. I won't be tempted away by piles of cash. You're all I want, and all I need."

 

[Armphid]

Isamu coughed as he refilled his lungs with air; girl knew how to hit! He suspected Rukia had taught her a few things other than kidou, though they were trained at hand to hand in the Academy too. But he was smiling; that...God, he knew she felt that way but he still had his doubts.

Though the past few hours should have eased his doubts; after hearing the details, Amaya had been so turned on instead of repulsed that they'd taken one another over and over since then. He hadn't expected her to want to use that double-ended toy on them both, but...

He smiled at her and pulled her close against him, "Gomen, Amaya-chan. I...I know, but..." He gave her a squeeze, "It's hard to believe sometimes that I could be worth that."

She sighed too, knowing exactly what he meant but in reverse. The pink haired beauty snuggled up and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. "I'll just have to keep letting you know then."

"...Can you do it with less punching?"

There was an adorable yawn, "No promises."

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

The Kuchiki manor was splendid and rich beyond Amaya's imaginings. She'd seen the outside, of course, but the inside was just as magnificent. It was very much in the ancient style; there were almost no modern devices from the human world and the ones that there were had an "old timey" feel and styling to them.

The pink haired girl had dressed up; wearing the kimono Momo had given her for transfer to Squad 13 and wearing her long tresses gathered up and off her neck with a carved wooden comb. The kimono did fit better than her shihakusho; but it still showed a nice slice of cleavage and the silver chain Rangiku had given her gleamed in the lovely divide of her breasts. Rukia and her brother has been wearing their normal garb, Captain Kuchiki's haori spotless and gleaming in the light that streamed in through the paper walls and the flickering illumination of the lamps.

The visit had been very strange for Amaya, but not unpleasant. Rukia had met her first and started taking her around the manor. She had been there for half an hour or so before Byakuya appeared; cool and regal. He had greeted her and seemed to accept her low bow and gracious thanks before taking over the tour from Rukia.

After that, he had led them to a room with a meal set out and the three of them had eaten. There was little talk, which Amaya was not used to at a meal, but she made sure she was on her best behavior. She had, however, taken over the pouring of tea and sake from the servant who had been waiting on them. At first, she thought she might have made a mistake, but Byakuya had accepted it without pause and maybe, maybe a hint of a smile?

Now they sat on one of the many porches, looking out over the mansion's largest garden. Amaya knelt between Byakuya and Rukia; a bottle of sake in front of her so she could pour for herself and the two nobles. There was a sudden sound from Rukia's chest which made the raven haired beauty flush and her hands dive into her shihakusho. "Mooshiwake gozaimasen, Nii-sama, Kuragari-san, it's time for my patrol."

Byakuya regarded her for a moment and then nodded, "You may go, Rukia. Perform your duty as a Kuchiki should."

Rukia stiffened and then bowed low, pressing her hands to the porch, "Haa, Nii-sama. Kuragari-san, thank you for visiting us; I hope you have enjoyed our home."

"Of course, Kuchiki-san," Amaya inclined her head. "It is a magnificent place, as befits your family, and exactly what I would imagine of a noble home." Rukia smiled a little and then rose to a kneel before standing and walking away. Amaya's eyes slid over to the placid Byakuya; it was tense with Rukia here, but without her...she felt nervous. Should she excuse herself?

Byakuya took another sip from his sakazuki before setting it down. Amaya picked up the bottle and held it up, "Would you like more, Kuchiki-taichou?"

"No." He was still a moment more and then turned his head to look down upon her. "You pour very gracefully; it has been pleasant to have you do so."

She flushed and inclined her head, "Arigatou, taichou. I hope I did not overstep."

"You have been an excellent guest," he answered. "And your attire and manners are pleasing as well." The cool captain looked back out over the garden. He had decided; she would fit well as a mistress. "I would discuss something further with you in private. I believe you do not have duties tonight?"

It was an out and she recognized it; a way for her to refuse if she wished. He knew very well that she did not have any duties tonight or she'd never have come to visit. Amaya felt a sudden flutter in her stomach. She thought she'd been imagining his interest but this felt like...like an invitation to far more than it sounded and he was providing her with a way to leave that would let them both save face.

She bowed her head a moment and then looked up at him as demurely as she could, "No, Kuchiki-taichou, I have no duties. I would be honored and pleased to discuss this matter with you."

His expression didn't change but she thought she could feel a faint approval from him. "Very well." He rose and she did as well, following him as he turned and led her back into the mansion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Isamu opened his eyes slowly. He was back in Soul Society; no longer in the world of his sword. He was seated on a rock in a styled zen garden in Squad 10's compound. Not far away, diminutive and white haired Hitsugaya sat as well. Both men had their swords across their laps.

Hitsugaya picked up his sword and slung it back over his back before standing. "It's not like you not to speak your mind, Takeuchi."

The half-breed quirked his brows as he slid his sword back into the sash of his uniform, "No, Hitsugaya-taichou, it's not."

"Then why aren't you talking about how frustrating and useless you're finding this training?"

Damn perceptive little runt...was there nothing he wasn't good at? "Because I was surprised you agreed to try and help me at all. I know you don't like me personally, and you think I'm a disruptive loudmouth, so I'm not about to go telling you I'm not seeing any gain or you'll just stop helping me." The auburn haired fighter looked over at the superior officer, "I'm not stupid; things may be happening that I haven't noticed yet, and I have a goal to reach that will require training. So I didn't want to lose this opportunity."

"Hm." Hitsugaya started to walk away, "That makes sense. I thought you might be intimidated by me."

"I don't do intimidated," Isamu growled.

"Whatever. See you Saturday then, Takeuchi." The white haired youth was gone a moment later; flash stepping off in a blur.

Isamu felt an irrational urge to chase him down and kick the kid square in the pants but repressed it. That would certainly not help. He shook his head and walked out of the garden himself, he had duties tomorrow and though Squad 10's area of control and Squad 9's were adjacent, there wasn't any need to linger.

Turning a corner, he almost ran into the strawberry blond lieutenant of the Squad; the beautiful and busty officer blinking as he suddenly appeared in her path and then hopped back, "Ah! Matsumoto-fukutaichou, gomen!"

"It's all right, Takeuchi-kun," she smiled. "I can't blame you for trying to run into me and cop a feel. Your training with the captain's over, right?"

Isamu felt a rush of both frustration and appreciation. It could be hard to be mad at Rangiku, even when she said the most outrageous things. "Yeah, he already took off."

"What? Ohhh." She put on a pouty expression and crossed her arms under her bosom, lifting and displaying it even further. Isamu felt a shiver run through him and forced his eyes to her eyes. Not her tits or those nice, plump lips. "There's still so much work to do at the office! He said I couldn't go home until it was all done, so I thought I'd get him to help me."

Uh oh.

"Uh, well, that's too bad, fukutaichou." Isamu inclined his head to her, "I'm sure it'll work out though. I'll just-"

"Oh, why thank you! Of course I accept." Rangiku beamed at him, "How nice of you to offer to help out sweet, little me."

"Wait a second, Matsumoto-fukutaichou, I-"

"Ne, ne, your true love is my precious disciple! You can call me Rangiku-san, Takeuchi-kun." She turned and gestured, "Come on, the office is this way! You're so sweet to help! I promise, you'll get a nice reward if we get finished quick!"

Isamu followed her with a glum, plodding step. "I bet you've said that before," he muttered. "And you get a nice reward for lasting long, not finishing quick..."

"That's true too!" He blinked and then actually blushed at being overheard. Rangiku looked back at him over her shoulder and winked, "Don't worry though, Takeuchi-kun! I always keep my promises!"

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya stared for a moment, her mouth slightly open. ". . . I beg your pardon, Kuchiki-taicho, I must have misheard you." They were sitting at a small table in a sparsely decorated room that she thought was probably part of his personal suite. A small bottle of sake and two small cups sat between their hands, illuminated by a simple, primitive-style lantern of a dish of oil with a braided strand of cotton in it. "Did you just . . . I'm sorry, it seems so presumptive of me to even consider this, did you as me if I would be willing to . . . ."

His face was still as calm and smooth as a pond in January. "Become my mistress. Yes, I did." A faint line of worry creased his brow now. "However, it seems that the question was unwelcome. Please, forget I asked."

"No, wait." Impulsively, she reached out and set a hand on his, flushing a little. She wouldn't have felt this bold for putting her hand on Isamu, or Kira, or even Unohana-taicho. But there was something about Byakuya Kuchiki that made her feel like she was being overly forward. "Gomen nasai, Kuchiki-taicho, I was merely . . . surprised." She pulled her hand back a little, leaving it on the table now. Her mind was spinning; who would have thought that the solemn, distant captain of Squad Six would want to have an affair with an orphan.

There was silence in the room as he waited for her to say more. She took a sip of her sake and noticed that she felt strangely light-headed. "Kuchiki-taicho, I'm honored that you would consider an arrangement like that with me."

He looked at her quickly, then turned his eyes back to the corner that he'd been looking into prior to it. "As I explained, there are numerous reasons." His fingers were loosely clasped around the sake cup in front of him. "But it is largely because you are a lovely young woman who is capable of discretion, and no one will be suspicious if you visit regularly, as you are a friend of Rukia's."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. It seemed very mercenary, put that way. "I understand completely. I would be happy to . . . at least spend the evening with you, to see if things work out as well as we might hope." Amaya pushed her cup away from her and leaned back from the table, looking at him with speculative eyes. She'd have a hell of a story either way - imagine what people - what Rangiku! - would say, but she didn't want to commit to something without knowing what the results would be.

He stood up, motioning for her to as well. "That is a wise idea." He'd known that she was a good choice, clever as well as attractive. Amaya pushed herself to her feet, standing quietly until he moved for the door - and not the door they'd entered this room from. Then she followed a step or two behind him, trying not to feel the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

She didn't really know what to expect. The other men - people - she'd been with had been younger, more willing to let her take the lead, or do as she wished. But Amaya knew enough about how things worked to know that they were the exception, not the rule. And none of them had been nobles.

The room he lead her into was well-appointed, but everything in it looked just slightly out style, as though the things in it had been purchased and maintained, but never changed. It was small, compared to the other houses - she was certain it wasn't his bedroom. Rukia had said he'd been married, once; it probably wasn't his late wife's room either. This was, she realized with a small jolt, the room maintained for the head of the house's official mistress. God, what a strange world nobles lived in.

~ ~ ~ ~​

The last piece of paperwork had been filled out, and filed - or rather, piled on a desk nearby that bore none of what Isamu knew were the earmarks of Rangiku's crazy work habits. It was clearly the desk that Isshin, and then Hitsugaya, used to check over her work. Isamu cracked his knuckles and leaned back. "That wasn't too bad, I guess," he said.

Rangiku looked over at him from where she was sprawled on the couch. "See? It's not bad, it's just deathly boring. I could pass out just reading one of those things, let alone filling it out!" She sat up quickly, her breasts bouncing in a way that made his eyes feel like they wanted to sweat. "Now, I promised you something great for helping, right?"

"There was talk of a reward," he said guardedly, pushing the chair back from the desk. "But there's no need, really." Damn the politeness. He wanted something for wasting his time on this, but it wouldn't be . . . .

She was shaking her head. "Nonsense!" She lurched over the arm of the couch and grabbed his arm. "Come on, Takeuchi-kun, we'll get some booze and snacks, and head to my room."

As she tugged him out the door, he muttered, "Of course. I'll get a reward that I have to pay for."

 

[Armphid]

Byakuya Kuchiki looked as impassive and calm as ever as they entered the mistress' quarters; rooms he had never used in his time as the head of the family. Not until now. It still had the look of his father's last mistress; one of his fellow captain's younger siblings. Dignified and pretty, certainly.

His appearance belied the uncertainty he now felt at this; the point of no return. He remembered well his last visit here. The older members of the family had showed him this place and told him to bring Hisana here; this was a rightful place for her and she would still have fine lodging and food, be taken care of.

It looked then like a prison; a place to hide a shame that he did not feel for a marvelous woman who owned his heart. Now...it was a refuge; a place where he might, for a few minutes or even hours, slough off his cares and a part of his weighty dignity.

He turned and gestured to the small attached bath room, "Go in and you will see a pair of sleeping robes. Change into one of your own, then you will come out and undress me to don the other." It was proper to change and drink a bit, then perform the purpose of the room...but if it happened as he was being undressed, he would not complain.

Byakuya knelt down near the table which was, coincidentally, lined up with the door to the bath room. "When changing...leave the door open."

~~~~~~~~~​

Isamu was not as grouchy as he wanted to be. True, he had done hours worth of Rangiku Matsumoto's work for her. True, she had then teased him into buying sake and snacks for them both so he was down both time and money.

But seeing her lounging in a most delicious way, the front of her shihakusho displaying an even more scandalous amount of her famous features that normal, as well as her way of making people smile and laugh, and her talent at making a man feel...well. It wasn't as bad a time as he thought.

"I've actually been slipping in popularity lately, you know," Rangiku was saying. Her lovely face was perched on one hand as she idly sipped out of a sakazuki with the other. "I may not be the belle of the Gotei 13 anymore."

"How do you even know that expression?" The American shook his head, "But I wouldn't worry, Rangiku-san. If you put a poll in the paper now of "Sexiest Female Shinigami," you'd win." Amaya should win but Rangiku would.

"I meant with my delightful protege!" He blinked. Rangiku sighed and rolled onto her back; the exposed cleavage now almost indecent. He should really look away. Yeah. He should...any time now, he would. "I fear she's turning her back on me, Takeuchi-kun. It's so sad! I've taught her so much!"

Isamu shook his head, "Rangiku-san, don't be so dramatic. Amaya-chan adores you. You're her closest girlfriend." Next to Rukia but he wasn't going to say that. "You're a role model; a gorgeous woman with very...non...traditional features who's an assistant captain. She admires that." He also wouldn't say that she did admire Rangiku, but after other female shinigami like Captain Unohana or Miyako Shiba.

Rangiku smiled a little and then rolled over to look at him right side up, her grey eyes suddenly sharp, "Ara, you say that, Takeuchi-kun, but you see, she's stopped sharing with me. That speaks louder than words."

He blinked again; she was shifting gears quickly tonight. "What do you mean? You two trade clothes all the time." They were some of the only female shinigami that each other could do so with.

"Mm-hmm, we do, but she hasn't shared the one thing I've asked her about more than once."

Isamu felt oddly like he was being outmaneuvered but he had no idea why or in what way. "Well, if it's something worrying you this much, I'll help Rangiku-san. Let me know what it is and I'll ask her about it when I see her."

"Ah, that's how a man should be!" She rose up on her arms and smiled at him, "But your help is all I need, Takeuchi-kun. You see, the thing Amaya-chan hasn't shared...is you!"

"What?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya bowed slightly, then turned and headed for the door. Her hand on the edge of the sliding door, she paused. "Would you like me to take my hair down as well, Kuchiki-taicho?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

He looked up at her, his eyes lost in thought for a moment - she wondered if he'd heard her for a moment, until he shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Do as you wish in that regard." One long-fingered hand gestured, and she bowed again as she slid the door open.

This felt so strange! He seemed so calm about it, but it was such a . . . personal thing. What should she expect from here on out? All of the stories she'd read about nobility in love were about how they revealed their passions to their true loves, and sacrificed everything for it. That was emphatically not what this was.

She spotted the robes hanging from the wall next to the door, and stood just inside the room, conscious of him watching as she started to change. Thankfully, she'd been practicing untying obi by herself - it normally seemed to take forever, even with help. But she also hadn't done anything too elaborate with it this evening, in case something happened, either with him or with Isamu afterwards.

Her arms twisted behind her back, undoing the layers of fabric that held her robe closed in front, still fully aware that her friend and sometime-lover's brother was watching her. That made it feel somehow even more illicit, and as the sash around her waist come undone and slithered to the floor, she turned slightly away so that he wouldn't see all of her as the seam of the kimono parted.

Byakuya was watching as intently as he dared now. Perhaps he should have helped her untie her sash - heaven knew that a properly tied one could take ages to undo. But she seemed to manage well, and then turned slightly as the silken garment parted, to hide most of her body, teasing him with the idea of her bare form. Clever, to keep some of the mystery.

Amaya shrugged her shoulders out of the kimono, letting it slide down her back slowly, exposing her well-muscled arms and shoulders to him before slipping it completely off. He could see her back, the curves of the sides of her breasts, and the swell of her hips clearly silhouetted, and the blue-and-white striped panties she'd worn beneath the traditional garment.

She bent over, back still facing him, and tucked her fingers in the waistband of her underpants, sliding them down her legs. The feeling of cool air on her ass and pussy made her shiver slightly, but she straightened up, dropping the triangle of fabric on the growing pile of her clothing. Amaya turned now, letting him see her nude body in profile as she reached up to remove the comb that held her hair in place.

Kneeling by the table, Byakuya felt himself getting hard. She was . . . quite stunning, though he did normally prefer more slender women. It wasn't just her ample endowments, but the confidence in her motions as she moved. This was a girl who wasn't afraid to let people see that she was well-built, who knew the effect she had on men. As her hair cascaded down around her face and shoulders, he found himself admiring the way it fell, almost caressing her skin on its way to the small of her back.

But the show she was putting on - and she clearly knew that it was a show - was doing a better job than he'd anticipated. Her nude body was more arousing than he'd thought, and his member was stiffening even before she turned to face him as she tied the sleeping robe closed at her waist and lifted the other one to carry out to him. The sleeping robe did as poor a job at hiding her generous chest as everything else she wore did, and his eyes flowed from the lush curves of her cleavage to the gap in the robe where her legs split it as she walked.

As she reached the table, he moved to stand, waiting as she lay the spare robe on the table. Small, warm hands went to his shoulders, sliding his captain's haori off his shoulders. Without having to be told, she moved to one side, hanging the official garment on a hook near the door, then came back to untie the white belt that held his uniform closed. Amaya's fingers were slender and clever, and well-practiced at those particular motions; in a short moment, the black fabric was spreading open over his chest and stomach.

She let the belt fall, her eyes traveling over his now-exposed torso with interest and hunger for a moment. Then, almost shyly, Amaya reached out and touched gently, her hands sliding over warm skin and hard muscle before shifting to push the garment off of his shoulders. She moved behind him at the last moment, catching the kosode before it fell and setting it aside as well. It was hard not to feel impressed, and aroused, knowing what she was here for, seeing and feeling the firmness of his body.

Amaya moved again, this time making a conscious effort to brush against him as she moved back to being in front of him again. She could feel his arm and torso against her breasts, and knew that he would be aware of the softness of her most salient assets against him as well. The slight intake of breath from him as she did so made her hide a smile; looking down to see the growing bulge in his hakama made her bite her lower lip as her fingers unfastened the wide-legged pants.

When Byakuya's pants were lying on the floor, his only covering now the fundoshi that was being stretched to its limits containing his erection, Amaya looked up at him, her eyes wide and luminous in the dim light. "Kuchiki-taicho," she breathed softly, her fingers sliding over his stomach, just above the twist of fabric that served as the waist for the male undergarment, "you are quite a fine example for the Gotei 13." Her hand went to the bulge there, almost as if it couldn't help itself, and he took in a sharp breath, letting it out in what was nearly a moan. "All of our shinigami should aspire to your excellent condition."

~ ~ ~ ~​

Rangiku had moved to sit next to Isamu, her eyes steady on his. "I've asked and asked, and she just won't lend you to me, not even for a night."

"I . . . you . . . I'm not a . . . I'm not a pair of shoes!" he managed to get out, a little indignant, and a lot intrigued.

She nodded. "Of course not. But you have to admit, it's been very selfish of Amaya, keeping you all to herself."

Isamu didn't say anything, unsure of what he would say. She hadn't been keeping him to herself, but he didn't want to tell Rangiku that. Instead, she pouted prettily at him. "I know you two are . . . involved, but not exclusive," she said, reaching out to stroke one hand through his hair. "And I'd very much like it if, since you're not a pair of shoes, you'd like to spend the evening with me." Rangiku leaned forward, giving him a better view down her cleavage, and took a deep breath. "Please?"

There was a moment where he couldn't say anything - the visual he was getting was too much, and had temporarily shut down the part of his brain that did the talking. Or anything, really, except for shunt blood flow to his cock. After a moment, he tore his eyes away. "Y-yes, of course, Rangiku-san," he managed. That wasn't right, he was . . . he wasn't some stammering virgin.

Making an impulsive decision, Isamu reached out with both hands, putting one of either side of the improbably proportioned vice-captain's waist and tugging her close to him. "All you ever had to do was ask me," he said softly, leaning in to capture her mouth in a kiss.

 

[Armphid]

Her hand felt amazing; such pleasure as he had not known in years pulsing through him from the way it cradled and just barely petted his manhood through his fundoshi. He took another quick breath to master himself, eyes closed. He opened them then to look down at her; a most appealing vision of sweet, innocent admiration artfully mixed with the opening of the front of her robe to make it all the more sexual.

Amaya Kuragari was the right choice. She could also be very formidable; he would have to remember.

He spoke again, the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of his lips, "Of course. As the head of the noblest of the Four Great Houses, I am a higher breed of man." The pale skinned captain reached down to caress one of her cheeks with his agile fingers, "Undo it and see. I will not need the sleeping robe until later."

Amaya felt a little thrill at that. It might have been silly to feel good about throwing off his plan for how the night was to go but she did. He wanted her enough that it had shaken his resolve to the point that he had to change; being that it was Byakuya Kuchiki, that was no small thing! "Hai, Kuchiki-taichou."

She reached around to the fastening of the garment, sitting up a little to press her bosom against his thighs and feeling a faint tremble go through him before she undid the basic tie and his last bit of clothing came off. Amaya bit her lower lip again and then leaned back to see his revealed cock. She let out a breathy little gasp that was only partly feigned, "Oh, Kuchiki-taichou! You look so...so wonderful. It's so big and proud..." He was well formed all over, that was certain. Amaya blushed prettily and reached a hand forward but then pulled it back, "May I...?"

He made an affirmative now; his dark eyes fixed on her fully. The scrutiny helped make her blush real as she reached out and ran her fingers over his length; a gentle caress at the bulbous crown and then sliding down the shaft to the tangle of his pubic hair. The slow, shaking sigh that escaped him brought a rush of satisfaction through her, as well as a growing warmth elsewhere. "It feels so hot and hard, and alive, pulsing with your strength," she cooed.

Byakuya shifted his legs a bit wider apart for a more comfortable stance, "That is good but touch more. When you are ready, use your mouth."

This was his most sinful thought. When Hisana had first done so to him, their wedding night; it had been a revelation. While he would lie with Kuragari as a man did, this particular act was one that he desired most of all.

~~~~~~~~~​

Not that he'd ever doubted it, but Rangiku knew how to kiss. There was a half second of surprised slack before her lips were alive against his; warm and eager, a faint hint of amusement blending with excitement coming through. Her arms moved about his neck and drew tight to press her against him with strength that was shocking, though it shouldn't have been given her rank. They kissed again and again, her lips parting to allow him entrance when his tongue caressed them.

The feel of her massive breasts pillowing against him was wholly indecent and glorious; reminding him of Amaya in a way that gave him a twinge of guilt. Though he knew that when he told her about this, she'd be ecstatic to hear all the details and then repeat as many of them as time permitted.

God damn, did he love that woman.

He took a breath as Rangiku pulled back with a pleased, sultry smile. "That's a very good start, Takeuchi-kun! Amaya-chan told me you were a good kisser."

He grinned back, "I'm good at more than that."

The strawberry blond giggled, "She said that too. I wondered if she wasn't just," she winked and laid back on the cushions spread on the floor, "boasting a little."

Isamu didn't answer for a moment, just enjoying the sight of her laid out before him like that. Holy hell. "Why don't I show you and you can decide?" He moved pushed himself onto her, head dipping to kiss her neck and turn her answering laugh into a sighing moan as he moved lower, pressing his lips reverently to the junction of her collarbone while his hands dove into her kosode to feel the almost hot skin of her sides before pulling the garment open. She leaned up into him, bending her back so she could pull her arms out of the sleeves and let the it fall to the ground, still tucked into her sash, but leaving her topless otherwise.

She lay back down and he pushed himself up enough so that he could see her; healthy, smooth skin and her body softness over hard muscle, round and feminine nonetheless. And those gorgeous, mammoth, perfectly rounded and luscious breasts that every man in the Gotei 13 dreamed about rose and fell majestically before him. "God...Ran-san, you're just...magnificent."

Her plush lips spread into a happy, almost gloating smile, "It's nice to hear that, even if I know it." Then her eyes went wide before the lids fluttered half-closed as Isamu bent his head to kiss and lick her breasts, worshiping the bounteous mounds of sweet flesh, "Ahh, you do like, mmm, them, don't you?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya wasn't entirely certain why he'd thought to tell her that. Did . . . did noble women not give blowjobs? Maybe they didn't, she thought, as her hand moved slowly, deliberately over his cock. "Of course, Kuchiki-taicho," she said softly, her eyes traveling up to his. Almost as though she were unsure, she leaned forward, her tongue slipping out to touch the head of his cock.

A shudder seemed to go through him, and as she continued to lick gently around the head and down he opened and closed his hands. It felt so good, and she was acting as though it wasn't a strange, deviant request at all. Her hesitancy was false, he knew that. If she has really been concerned about it, she wouldn't have gone directly to it, or would have protested. He looked down for a moment, watching as she slid her tongue over his member, feeling the erotic, amazing sensations of wet and hot and supple, then closed his eyes to do something he rarely did: He let himself get lost in the feeling of her touching him.

Until she pulled back slightly, then dropped her head forward, taking half of his cock at once into her mouth. He let out a sound that was somewhere between a moan and a cry of pleasure, his fingers and toes curling at the feel of her mouth wrapped around his shaft. "Ahhh, that's . . . excellent," he managed to say, feeling her tongue slither along the underside of his cock. Her mouth felt . . . god, as good as anything he could remember.

That was disrespectful to his wife's memory, but at the moment, he couldn't have cared less.

One of his hands went to the back of Amaya's head, fingers lacing with surprising gentleness into her pink hair. Byakuya used it to guide her head down a little bit more, stopping when he felt the back of her throat and allowing her to pull back. Perhaps in time, she would be able to take all of him at once; for now, this was more than enough.

Hand still in her hair, Amaya began to move her head back and forth, taking care not to push herself as far as she knew she could; she could have taken his entire cock the first time, but wanted to make him feel as though he were too big, or she was more innocent. And, she thought impishly as she pulled back off of his cock to catch her breath, it would give her something to surprise him with later on.

Licking her lips, she pressed forward again, taking a little more of his cock into her mouth this time before starting to bob her head up and down, using her lips and tongue to please the thick, hot shaft in front of her.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Isamu's hands were full of warm, soft breast, and he looked up at Rangiku with a roguish smile. "Who doesn't like them, Ran-san? They're the most famous and well-loved mountains in all of Soul Society!" His mouth went back to work, lavishing the generous mounds with kisses and licks, one of his hands shifting now to move downward over her taut stomach.

His fingers nimbly untied the belt around her waist, and she chuckled. "Someone's spent a lot of time doing that, I bet. Amaya-chan ties hers tighter than I do." Her fingers raked through his hair and she whispered, "I make her undress herself - I don't want to break a nail before I get to play."

There was a soft moan from where his mouth was suckling on her breasts. He knew that the two of them had been together, more than once, but hearing about it like this was . . . so sexy, illicit even. His fingers moved lower now, slipping underneath the waist of her hakama. She squirmed a little, letting Isamu get farther down before she moved her own hand there, shimmying the wide-legged pants down to her knees.

With the obstruction of her pants out of the way, Isamu's hand found its way quickly to her panty-clad pussy. He lifted his head, and smirked at her. "Ran-san, I'm shocked! I didn't think you wore these," he said, pressing his hand to the center of the fabric that covered her most private area.

Her face tried for an expression of loftiness, but she just couldn't get there with a hand pressing against her already-damp slit. "I wear them occasionally, when it suits me," she said, trying not to rub against his hand eagerly. The ginger-haired vice-captain bit her lower lip. "They do seem to be in the way, though, don't they?"

 

[Armphid]

Byakuya's breath was rushed and heavy in a way it had not been in decades; no foe had pushed him so, even in sparring, and he had no lover since Hisana died. His pale, smooth lined body writhed in place as much as possible; his noble, fine featured face a study of pleasure that was vainly being resisted. He should not display any feeling, even this one, so basely, but this was...so good, so low, so sinful!

Amaya cooed around his hard, throbbing member as she took him deeper than she had yet and one delicate hand cupped his balls. It was amazing how he was responding! She did give one hell of a blowjob but even with that it was gratifying. It really had been years for him, hadn't it? This might even be his first oral!

His hand had tightened in her hair; his grip firmed and communicating a silent desperation to his furtive, muffled moans. He was trying not to pump his hips and fuck her mouth; something that made her smile around the beautiful meat in her throat.

She, Amaya Kuragari, had broken the legendary resolve and decorum of Byakuya Kuchiki this far.

Time for the rest of it.

Amaya drew back and back, until all of his spit slicked shaft was past her lips. She looked up at him with those wide, innocent green eyes; warm with lust and want and the joy of serving him. Only partly feigned, she did love this kind of thing. She kissed the head of his cock and then thrust her head forward, swallowing as she did so, taking his whole length into her mouth and down her tight, wet throat.

"Gah!" His eyes flew open wide and then pinched shut, his thin lipped mouth opening and the stoic officer crying out, "Ahh! Hhn!" He rocked against her chin; his balls rubbing against her skin and she felt them quiver before she felt his cock pulsing. Oh, yesss...just what she'd wanted.

Byakuya gasped again as he came harder and more than he had in years; Amaya swallowing around his cock and seeming to milk his dick as she drank down his noble seed. She swallowed again and again before pulling back enough so that it did not pump down her throat but onto her tongue. She let out a loud "mmm" as she tasted him, rolling his jizz around her mouth before swallowing the last.

Amaya pulled his cock from her mouth, licking her lips, "Oh, taichou...so wonderful. To be so low born but be allowed to taste the pure, noble seed of such a man...I am so happy, so honored!"

He looked down at her as he gained mastery of his breathing and he smiled slightly. In the euphoria of his pleasure, he did not doubt she meant it. "It is...appropriate to feel that way. Truly, you are gifted, Kuragari. But this is not the last of me you will have tonight."

~~~~~~~​

"Not for long," Isamu answered with a smirk. He grabbed hold of her panties and pulled them down by moving himself; sliding down her body. Before she could speak again, the breath blasted from her as the auburn haired American mashed his face to her warm, wet pussy and shoved his tongue into her core.

"HhmpP!" Rangiku arched her back, her hands splaying wide for a moment before she reached down to grab his hair with one hand, the other reaching to grope one of her own magnificent tits. "Suh-so fuf-forceful!" She let out a giggling moan and slid her right leg to rub her foot against Isamu's ass as it moved up and down with the motion of his body. "Ohh, I like it, Takeuchi-kun, eat my pretty pussy like a good boy."

He growled into her cunt, the vibration drawing a happy coo from her plush lips, but he didn't stop either. His tongue drove deep into her pussy over and over, curling back each time to rasp over and taste her walls as he drew it back. He loved the feel of her hand in his hair, almost yanking him into her pussy, matching the pace of his thrusting tongue precisely.

"Hh, uhh, aya, hai, Takeuchi, tongue fuck my cunt," she moaned. Amaya had told her how much he liked dirty talking. Time to show him how a master did it! "Taste my sweet sex before I cream on your face, you pretty boy, make you lap it allll up when I cum and paint you with my girl jizz."

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya beamed up at him, her face lit with pleasure and hunger and pride. She'd done well, better than she expected - though she probably should have, if she'd thought about it. If he'd been hiring prostitutes, or had a mistress that would be considered 'suitable', there would have been gossip about it. "I am glad to hear it, Kuchiki-taicho. I . . . am a very lucky girl, to have such a chance." She remained kneeling as he regained his balance, both mentally and physically.

It took longer than he wanted it to. The amazing rush of pleasure was something he hadn't felt in years; even in his most shameful hours when he would touch himself, wanting the release it granted, it had never felt as good as it did with someone else. And Kuragari was . . . quite talented. He found himself hoping that she was as gifted at the rest of the things they were going to do, and felt his cock getting hard again as he thought about the possibilities. Byakuya shifted slightly, moving back to get a look at her, kneeling there meekly as she waited for his will.

"To the bed," he said, motioning for her to go first. As Amaya stood up, her anatomy shifting in the most enticing ways, he had an uncharacteristic moment of indecision. Rightly, since she was to be his mistress, they should have intercourse facing each other, letting her see that she was doing well, that her body and her actions were arousing and pleasing to him. But he . . . wanted to lie to himself for a bit, to have her facing away so that he might lie to his heart, tell himself that this was his beloved, not a girl he barely knew.

Amaya stood by the bed, her arms hanging at her sides as she waited. He was clearly struggling with something, but she didn't know what. It was obviously something to do with her, and she could guess that it was what position he wanted to take her in for their first time together. She just didn't understand why it was such a struggle for him.

There was also a moment where she realized she'd thought of this as their first time together, implying that she'd already decided that there would be more. Huh. This might be a little complicated to explain to Isamu.

Finally, his mind made up, Byakuya strode over to the bed, masking his shame in confidence he didn't feel. "On the bed, on your hands and knees." He looked over her body again and nodded, his half-hard shaft twitching as he did.

Well, that was that. Amaya bowed slightly and turned away, climbing up onto the surprisingly plush bed. She stopped near the edge, her feet just hanging off the edge as she leaned forward and shifted her knees slightly apart. Her ass was on display this way, and the feel of air on her pussy made her wetter than she had been, knowing that, while he might not be able to see the entirety of her, there was probably at least a glimmer of wet pink that was showing from behind. She looked over her shoulder at him, wiggling her ass slightly. "Like this, taicho?"

~ ~ ~ ~​

Isamu groaned into Rangiku's cunt, his tongue sliding as deeply as possible into her slit. She knew how to talk dirty, not that he'd ever doubted it. And she tasted wonderful, sweet and tangy; he also wasn't sure how she walked around if she got this wet this easily. It was a miracle she wasn't cumming constantly.

The thought of her creaming her panties all the time, that beautiful face contorted in pleasure, made him groan again, the vibration traveling over her slit to make her gasp and moan. "Ohhh, such a hungry little cunt-licker," she cooed, almost grinding her pussy over his face. "God, Takeuchi, if I knew you were this good, I'd have fucked you sooner!"

He chuckled against her slick hole before pulling his tongue out and slipping it up to circle around her clit. His fingers took the place of his tongue inside of her, and she gasped, her back arching a little at the feeling of his mouth on her pearl. "Unnh, fuck, that's right!" she breathed, "God, Amaya-chan must have taught you how to eat . . . eat a cunt right," the ginger-haired woman managed, feeling her body drive closer and closer to climax. "Can't . . . get ready, T-takeuchi, I'm . . . going to make you the l-luckiest . . . fuck!"

 

[Armphid]

"Exactly." She saw him move not towards her but to one side and then came the rustle of cloth. She blinked, a bit confused, as he returned to her field of vision with the sleeping robe meant for him on, hanging loose and open but still about his shoulders.

"Oh, I'm so glad," she answered and then flushed artfully, "But...isn't it lewd?" She actually liked that it was but she was supposed to act innocent, at least this first time, she knew that much.

Byakuya's lips quirked in that abortive, phantom smile of his. Yes, she was a natural. "It is," he answered, stepping up behind her. She gasped artfully as he pushed her sleeping robe up to the small of her back to fully expose her ass. "But it is also lovely and is how I desire you to be."

She shivered and smiled back at him, "Then I'm happy." She let out a cooing gasp as she felt his cool, dextrous hands caress her ass cheeks and then squeeze them, fondling her pert butt now. "Ah! Oh, Kuchiki-taichou..."

He bend forward over her, sliding his hands up her body and under her sleeping robe. His renewing hardness rubbed against her ass as his hands found and delighted in her large, plush breasts. An appreciative grunt came from his lips as he hefted and caressed them; her assets were large, indeed, almost as much as the Squad 10 woman...though Kuragari's were enough smaller to be large and enticing without being indecorous as the other woman was. Which was one reason he'd chosen her, of course.

She was moaning and whimpering as he toyed with her tits; exploring her body for the first time. Amaya was gratified and quite pleased really; she had been happy to just get by on acting innocent, being sexy, and her skills but it was nice to have her body appreciated too. "Ahh, feels so good, taichou, your touch..."

He gave her breasts a last, hard squeeze and then stood up and back. "Be ready now, to take me into you." And after the pause of a second or two, he guided his cock to her sex and pushed into her; the feeling of her hot honeypot spreading around him enough to make his gasp and groan.

~~~~~~~~~​

He would have loved to say that he would be the luckiest when he was actually fucking her but his mouth was very busy. Rangiku let out a wail and her back arched even more; mashing her pussy into his face, the hand in his hair tightening and actually pulling hard as she creamed on his face.

Isamu didn't stop for a second, lapping at her clit even faster now; lashing the tip if his tongue over it. Two fingers pumped in and out of her slick heaven at the same pace; driving her further into her pleasure. Her thighs suddenly clamped onto either side of his head as she came again before the first had ended; they tightened on him, squeezing and almost crushing, mashing his face harder into her hot, steamy, sopping sex.

He could hear her crying out and gasping and felt pride at that, as well as the extent to which she was physically reacting. Except for the fact that she could potentially have the strength to crush his head between her thighs...and it felt like she was aiming to do so. They were tightening further and further as he kept licking and sucking at her pearl; of course, he also couldn't breathe with his nose and mouth full of her pussy, so it was a question of what was going to make him go first...

Her legs suddenly flew open and released his head, Rangiku grabbing his hair with both hands and yanking him bodily up from her sex to mash him against her chest and kiss him hard and fierce. Her tongue drove into his mouth and he moaned into her lips as he felt the immense, soft plushness of her tits against him.

The kiss broke and she smiled up at him, panting, "Takeuchi-kun...I may...have to keep you...after that." The ridiculously busty beauty hugged him to her, "I haven't had anyone do that so fast or so hard with their mouth in a long time."

"I belong to one woman, Ran-san," he answered with a grin, "but damn if you can't borrow me whenever you want."

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya let out a long, low moan as he filled her. There was nothing at all quite like the feeling of a cock spreading her open the first time, and his shaft was . . . impressive. She threw her head back, arching her back as Byakuya's hands found their way to her breasts again. "Ah-aah, Kuchiki-taicho," she breathed, "feels so . . . so full, amazing!"

He was still for a moment, full of strong, conflicting sensations. He wanted to take in every bit of this feeling, wanting to revel in it. But it felt so good, and it had been so long that he was struggling not to explode inside of her in the first minute. God, her body was so warm and welcoming, so tight! His eyes shut tightly, getting himself as under control as he was going to get with her body wrapped around him the way it was.

Though she wasn't entirely sure what was going on, Amaya was willing to take a guess. If it had been as long as she suspected for him, he was probably trying his best not to cum for her immediately, even after the load he'd blown down her throat. She cooed a little, wiggling her hips for him and feeling his cock hit every inch of her body. "Onegai shimasu, Kuchiki-taicho, I need more. Please?" she whispered, looking over her shoulder at him.

Byakuya had mastered himself as much as he could, and opened his eyes. As he looked down at her, his face was colored with lust and hunger. "Yes," he said, voice husky with desire. "Yes, I need it too." His hips started to move, slowly at first, pulling back until he was almost completely out of her, and then just as slowly back in.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Rangiku laughed softly, her glorious breasts jiggling. "I may take you up on that, you know." She grinned at him wickedly, maybe a little shame-faced. "Takeuchi, normally, I'd return the favor, but . . . I can't wait for you to shove that incredible cock into my pussy." Her hand traveled down to his shaft, gripping it firmly and stroking him lightly. "Will you take an IOU on the best blowjob in Soul Society?"

Isamu doubted sincerely that her mouth would be better than Amaya's, but again new better than to say it. And her hand on his cock was driving the thought of anything else from his mind. "I . . . I think yes, Ran-san." His hands went lightly to her waist again, slipping over the smooth skin. "I can't wait to be buried inside of you, and I'll take a blowjob from you anytime."

She licked her lips, tugging him on top of her, getting his cock closer to her pussy. "I think you'd like that - image if I paid you back in the middle of a meeting." His shaft twitched, and she chuckled. "Mmmm, Takeuchi-kun likes that idea," she whispered, rubbing his cock against her wet pussy. "Why don't you show me how much?" Her hand loosened slightly, holding him against her gently. "Fuck me," the busty redhead moaned, "please, give me your cock!"

 

[Armphid]

It was a new thing for her, the way Byakuya Kuchiki was fucking Amaya's hot, tight, sweet little pussy. Her other lovers were all verbal in one way or another; Isamu, Rangiku, and Hisagi all loved dirty talk from both sides, Rukia and Isane liked to be talked dirty to, even those who didn't really talk dirty were at least loud and expressive about their pleasure.

He was not.

Byakuya had established a slow, steady rhythm of taking her; his long, proud dick pushing fully in and almost all the way out on each firm stroke. His hands gripped her hips, holding her in place with the kind of unyielding yet gentle grasp used with precious things. His breath left him in measured groaning gasps that were nonetheless muffled, as though he were trying to retain his dignity even now as he fucked a his much younger mistress in a room whose sole purpose was for trysts.

Amaya moaned too, with each thrust breathy, feminine sounds of startled pleasure. The pleasure was genuine, though the girly surprise at it was hardly so. She wanted to cry out, to beg him for more, ask him to fuck her hard and fast, but she knew she couldn't. She mustn't.

Not this time, anyway. She might have to try on another visit. ...Which meant again that she'd decided there would be another visit.

As it was, she couldn't keep entirely quiet. She looked back at him as best she could, eyes shining, her face a study of repressed delight, "Oh, taichou! It feels so big, so hard! I can't...ahh! Can't believe how good it is."

There was a half second of pause in his stroke and then he moved again, "Yes," he said and his voice was thick with contained feeling. "Your body is excellent; perfect for this purpose."

She blushed prettily, which felt a little disingenuous as she had a dick buried in her, and answered, "Oh, Kuchiki-taichou! It's embarrasing to hear, but...but I'm so glad you think so! Please...don't hold back, I want all of what Kuchiki-taichou has for me."

He swallowed, his eyes closing as he tried to hold off a little longer. "You...hnn...will...have it..."

~~~~~~~~~​

God damn. He'd imagined hearing those words from her before he even knew her name.

Isamu wiggled his hips, drawing a giggling moan from Rangiku as his head slid up and down her slit in response to the motion, "Glad to," he growled as his hands took a firm grip on her hips. He thrust his own forward a moment later and a pair of mingling, staggering cries burst from them both as he speared into her.

He pushed in hard; trying to bottom out in her in one stroke. Fuck! She felt amazing! Hot as hell, slippery and slick but still grasping at his rod, tighter than he could believe given how much sex she was rumored to have! "Fuck! Ran-san, you...are...amazing!" He pumped his hips a few times, sawing in and out of her before thrusting in to the hilt once more. "Damn! I am the luckiest guy in Soul Society right now after all."

"Ahh, I told yuh-you," she smiled back up at him. She closed her eyes and nibbled her lower lip as he started to rock within her, her hands running up his arms to his shoulders, "Ahh, fuck, Takeuchi, no wonder my Amaya-chan's so happy! Such a great dick! Ohhh, nasty, mmm, hungry gaijin cock in my pussy..."

He chuckled. It was something almost every girl said. He knew why, even if it didn't quite click. For the racially sensitive and isolated Japanese of Soul Society, to fuck a foreigner was incredibly taboo. "That's right, feel my big, foreign dick in your pure Japanese pussy, Ran-san? Going to stretch you out with it, make you a slave to gaijin cock, fucking have you begging for me to fill this sweet hole every fucking day!"

Her moans grew louder and he could feel her heat and wetness increasing around him. "Oh, no! You gaijin bastard! Taking me like this, fucking me, ohhh, fuck! You'll wreck my pussy, fucking ravage it!"

"Damn right, girl," he growled. And then he started to hammer her; fucking her almost as hard and fast as he could. "Take it, Ran-san! Take all this white bred foreign cock and love! Every! Fucking! Inch!"

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya could barely think as the feelings coursed through her body with every thrust. Byakuya's cock was filling her up as well as any cock ever had, and she was close to cumming. Was it all right if she did? She'd read enough stories to know that this sort of thing wasn't supposed to be about her. But was it a bonus? Did he want to know that she enjoyed it as well?

The hot wetness of her pussy was making the controlled captain moan, his eyes closed tightly as he tried to believe that the girl in front of him was his love. But she felt incredible, his body certain that even Hisana had never felt this good. His breathing was coming faster and harder; there was no way he would last much longer.

With a shuddering gasp, Amaya's fingers clenched on the bed. "Ohhh, Kuchiki-taicho . . . something's . . . happening . . . ahhh!" Her body convulsed around his cock, trembling and gushing hot, wet fluid. He could barely believe the feeling of her twitching around his shaft; it was as though she became even tighter, clutching at him as she keened.

Byakuya groaned, trying to hold himself back - he was a captain, a nobleman! He should be able to outlast a common-born orphan! But even as he thought it, the idea that he was fucking her, someone that would be considered beneath his station, the combined feeling of her body, and the illicit nature of it, pushed him over the edge. He moaned, pushing hard into Amaya's body as his balls gathered their load and released it inside of her.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Rangiku could barely talk as Isamu plowed into her over and over again. "Unh! Takeuchi, fuck!" Her eyes closed for a moment, and she bit her lower lip. "Amazing, I love . . . every . . . god, inch!" Her fingers were clenching on his shoulders as she moaned, back arching for him. "So thick, fuck!"

He laughed breathlessly, still pumping into her cunt as fast and hard as he could. "That's right," he breathed, leaning forward to whisper in her ear. "Going to wreck this hot cunt, make it mine!" One of Isamu's hands groped her breasts while he pounded her, teasing her nipple as he did. "Make this hot body all mine, nasty slut for this gaijin cock!"

"Mmmmph! Shit, yes!" Her back arched again, more powerfully, and he could feel her getting wetter. "God, getting me so hot, gonna cum on this amazing dick!" Her eyes were lusty and hot, her cheeks flushed brightly with the feelings running through her veins. "Fuuuuuuuuck!"

 

[Armphid]

Amaya squealed and wailed softly as Byakuya Kuchiki came inside her; his cock throbbing again and again and again as he emptied himself into her. "Ah! Aya! So much! So hot and thick and creamy in me, taichou," she gasped. "Filling me, cleansing my low body with your noble seed!"

That made him grunt, his next few shots having a bit more force. She'd have to remember that he liked that classist kind of dirty talk. Amaya pushed back against him, marveling at how much he was cumming. Fuck, still! How long had it been since he'd let go? She could actually feel a bit of pressure around the entrance of her sex where they were joined as more of it shot into space already filled.

Finally he stopped thrusting and took a deep breath. His hands slid up her back and then back down in a caress and he stepped back and away from her. She let out a breathy, feathery sigh as he slid free of her body with a wet, slurp-squish sound and she left his cum oozing out of her stuffed cunt.

She clenched up and looked back at him, "Kuckihi-taichou, gomen, but will you please give me my panties?" He raised a brow and she blushed prettily, "I...I can feel taichou's noble seed leaking out of me, so much was pushed in, and...and I want to keep as much as I can inside. Please, taichou?"

He took in another breath and his flagging cock gave a mighty twitch. "Of course." Byakuya retrieved the garment and even slid them onto her legs and over her hips, snugging the fabric into place.

He moved to close his sleeping robe and she slid off the bed, "Taichou, wait, please! Let me clean you."

That ghost of a smile was on his lips for a moment before he nodded, "You are very attentive. Proceed." Then he let out a soft sigh as she crawled to him and leaned against his legs; her plush tits pillowing against them as she licked his cock clean of their mingled juices.

~~~~~~~​

Isamu growled as she came on his rod; squealing and writhing under him. God, that was so sexy! But he wanted her to cum again; wanted her to lose control and scream.

Rangiku's eyes fluttered, her pouty mouth open and gasping, huge tits heaving, "F-fuck, came on your foreign dick, you...you gai-aaaiaa!" She blinked then as he suddenly grabbed her legs and lifted them up to sling them over his shoulders and pulled her up and back into him; impaling her again on his cock and leaning back so that her shoulders and head were the only part resting on the floor, "Ahh! You barbarian! What are you doing?"

"Giving you a good American fuck," he answered before he started to drill her again. She yelped, the new angle wringing his cock against her slick, sweet walls in new ways; re-igniting her fire and renewing the delicious friction of their parts. "God! Such a hot slut, Ran-san, such a perfect fucking hole! Feels amazing, this tight little Asian cunt surrendering to my cock!"

"Ahnn!" Oh, he was wonderful! Amaya-chan was so lucky! She'd have to get them both at once someday, even if it killed her!

Which it might, if this was just him alone.

"Yes! Being taken, conquered, ruled by your gaijin dick! Fucking me so good! Spreading me open, drilling me deep!" Her tits were bouncing obscenely, her hands up over her head and bracing herself against the floor as he fucked into her. "Uhnnh! More, please! I'm-I'm-"

"Gonna cum again?" He crowed triumphantly, "Then do it, slut!" Isamu reached down and grabbed her jugs hard, squeezing almost viciously before taking hold of her nipple sand twisting, "Cream on my dick like a wanton whore!"

Her back arched so much she was nearly bent in half and she screamed, eyes screwed shut, her hands clutching her futon and twisting so hard the fabric strained almost to tearing. Her cunt clenched down and then spasmed; gripping his dick again and again. Her joy gushed out of her, soaking her thighs. "A WHORE! Yes! Yesss, fucking hell, yes!"

Fuck, that was it. He couldn't take it. He shrugged her legs aside and stood up, his hand going to clutch the base of his dick and squeeze to keep himself from shooting. Fuck! "Here's your pay, whore!" He stepped over her waist and let go, grunting primally as he fired his load, his cock trained at her tits and neck. She was still shivering through the remnants of her pleasure when it struck her; bathing her glorious breasts in cum, streaking her collarbones and her neck in his glistening white jizz.

~~~~~~~~~​

"Your answer?" Amaya looked up at the softly spoken question; she had just finished re-dressing and had knelt again before the tall, lean form of Byakuya Kuchiki. He was wearing the sleeping robe, not properly adjusted and belted as he stood over her.

She smiled and bowed low, pressing her forehead to the floor at his feet. "I am honored and pleased beyond my humble words, taichou. You are magnificent, and I...I am very glad to accept your offer."

He smiled, not that she could see with her bowed. As she straightened he nodded, "Good. From now on, you will come to me when I send for you. Here, unless I specify otherwise. My servants will know to let you come and go as needed at those times." Byakuya knelt down by the small table in the room, Amaya reaching to pour him a saucer of sake. He lifted it, not yet drinking. "You are to be discreet, of course, though rumor of our connection will likely soon spread. If asked, I expect you to demure and avoid the question." He watched her with his cool eyes for a few moments, "It is possible there are certain events where I will ask you to accompany me. On those occasions, I will send you word on how to dress and the formality needed, as well as the nature of the event. Any such situations will be nobility only, so you do not need to worry of word of them escaping."

He sipped his cup, "As my mistress, I will give you gifts and money." The nobleman reached into his captain's haori where it hung on the wall and removed a pouch with he set in front of her. "This is more than it will usually be, as I am not yet familiar with your tastes in garments, jewelry, or other appropriate gifts." He took another long drink, "I may occasionally use my influence for your benefit but that is done at my discretion. You may ask for gifts, or even money if needed, but never for that. Do you understand the nature of our arrangement?"

Amaya nodded, eying the heavy pouch sitting in front of her with mixed feelings. Girls who took money in return for that were...but she wasn't, was she? This wasn't the same. "Hai, taichou, I understand."

He nodded again. "Good. Further, I will say this...should you tire of our agreement, you may end it at any time. I will not expect or ask for the return of any gifts." To do so would be to declare that there was enmity between them.

She bowed low again, "Moosiwake arigatou gozaimasu, Kuchiki-taichou. You are so generous."

He simply nodded once more. "When we are alone together like this, you will refer to me as Kuchiki-dono." Byakuta shivered slightly, thinking how alluring it would sound tumbling from those sweet, common lips. "I am done with you for this evening. You may go." He took a long drink and gave her that ghost of a smile again, "Rest assured that after this...I will send for you very soon."

~~~~~~~~~​

There was a faint clink as Rangiku's sakazaki and Isamu's touched, the busty redhead tipping her head back and drinking the whole in one long pull. "Ahhh...nothing better after a good, hard screw, ne, Takeuchi-kun?"

He quirked his brows, "As long as you don't expect me to keep up with you, Ran-san. I'm brave, not stupid." They were both dressed again, well, mostly. Isamu was back in his shihakusho proper, but Rangiku was magnificently lounging in a scandalous sleeping robe. He took a drink and then looked at her, "So...now..."

She smiled, "We're the same as we were before. We're friends, even though I outrank you." Rangiku wondered how long she would. She needed to get a pool going about him and Amaya and the rest of that crowd about who would get promoted when. "But I'd like it if you called me Rangiku-fukutaichou in public form now on, hmm? And Ran-san in private or with our other friends. I like that."

He smiled and there was a faint blush on his cheeks. "So do I."

"You sure should!" She winked and poured herself another drink. "We'll do this again too. Ohh, and maybe Amaya-chan can join us. It'll be such fun!" She winked again and waved, "You should get going now, Takeuchi-kun, but I'll see you soooon!"

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya meandered around the Seireitei for a while after leaving, mostly in the Noble's Quarter. She didn't feel bad about the decision she'd made, or what she'd done, but it . . . was strange. Would Isamu be upset over this? Did it make her a whore? Strictly speaking, she supposed it did, but it was . . . different. Wasn't it? Normally, this kind of thing would be something she could talk about with Rukia, but that was another source of confusion and doubt. Her friend would be shocked, and it might ruin their relationship. Rukia didn't have enough friends for Amaya to want to risk that.

She couldn't talk with Rangiku - the strawberry-blond would want the gossip, and to talk about Kuchiki-taicho's preferences and measurements. That wasn't what she wanted to do right now, either.

The pink-haired girl stopped in front of a heavy stone wall, where a few trees could be seen poking out, her eyes speculative. She'd have to tell Isamu about it anyway, and if he was uncomfortable, then the rest of it wouldn't be a problem. Nodding decisively, Amaya used shun-po to move with purpose now, heading towards Squad 9's barracks.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Amaya knocked on the front door of the barracks, uncertain if anyone would answer. It was getting late, and she was unsure who would be out on patrols. After a few moments, she shook her head and turned to walk away - Isamu wasn't inside, anyway, so it didn't make a difference. She'd sleep on it, then, and talk with . . . .

"Hello?"

Spinning around startled, Amayha flushed brightly. "Gomen nasai, Tousen-taicho. I didn't mean to bother you, I was looking for Takeuchi-san." She bowed, then blushed even more brightly. Of course he couldn't see her bow, regardless.

The dark head nodded once. "Yes, you are Kuragari-san, correct?" His expression remained impassive, and his sightless eyes turned toward her. "Takeuchi-san was visiting with Squad 10 earlier today, but he has not returned yet." He stepped back into the hallway of the large building. "I believe that he will return soon, however. You may wait, if you like."

Indecision wracked Amaya again. Then she shrugged. "Arigato gozaimasu, Tousen-taicho. I will wait, it is kind of you to offer." She stepped inside the barracks, feeling strange about the laconic man who slid the door shut behind her. "If I may, I didn't expect a captain to open the door," she said, as he motioned for her to follow him.

A thin smile passed over his mouth. "I was passing by and heard the knock. It took a moment, since I wasn't sure if anyone else was nearby, but when no one came, I decided to take matters into my own hands." He stopped near a doorway into one of the sitting rooms. "Here you are. Please, make yourself comfortable, I'm afraid I have other business to attend to."

"Thank you again," she said, bowing again, feeling silly for doing it.

He inclined his head. "It is no trouble. You are another warrior for justice; it is the least I can do." Tousen paused outside the door, one hand on the wall. "I have heard very complimentary things about you, Kuragari-san. I am pleased to see you have courtesy as well as strength of mind and will."

 

[Armphid]

"So this hard metal-"

"Heavy metal," Isamu corrected. He had run into Hisagi on his way back to the Squad compound, and the wild haired lieutenant had begun to talk about the band's musical repertoire.

"Really?" Hisagi shook his head, the wild, spiky hair shaking a bit. "Hard seems more fitting, but anyway, I think that's something we should really take into consideration. The guitar work is just..."

"It can be really impressive," the half-breed acknowledged. "Well, why don't you bring a few albums to the next practice and we can listen to a few tracks as a group and see what everyone thinks." The two men passed into the Squad gate as he spoke, Isamu suddenly pausing.

Amaya was here? That was great! He broke into a smile, though his eyes were curious. But why was she here? She hadn't sent any message about tonight...

Hisagi had noticed her reiatsu as well. "Kuragari's visiting, huh? Well, let's not keep her waiting." He shrugged, "I won't stick around but I want to say hey."

The two men walked to the sitting room, Isamu sliding the door open. Hisagi waved a hand in greeting, "Yo, Kuragari-san! Wow!" He blinked and then grinned, seeing her in her kimono. "You look great!" Damn! Takeuchi was one lucky son of a gun...but then, he had said they weren't together together...

Isamu grinned and nodded his agreement, "You really do, Kuragari-chan. That color's great for your eyes." Not to mention how to clung to the rest of her. Mercy.

Hisagi had been staring none too subtly and seemed to catch himself. "Uh, well, I should check in with Tousen-taichou before I turn in. Later, Takeuchi. Kuragari-san, don't be a stranger!" He waved again and set off.

Isamu watched him go and then turned his gaze back to Amaya. "You're always gorgeous, Amaya-chan," he said with a sigh, "but damn if you don't dress up even better. What's up though? I mean, I'm happy to see you, but..."

~~~~~~~~~​

Amaya finished her story and shook her head, "I'm not sure I made the right choice or...or how I feel about it, Isamu-kun. I mean, taking money like this..."

Isamu was staring at her; his face shocked. So that...the whole point of her visit to the Kuchiki manor was so Captain Kuchiki could make her his mistress? And she'd enjoyed him, enjoyed him! And said yes!

He felt a sudden urge to grab Hitoshirezu Daimyo and go pay Byakuya Kuchiki a visit.

But for what? This wasn't anything different than Amaya being with other guys. She'd done that since they'd confessed their love to each other, and he'd been other people too. What did he have to be angry or jealous about?

Byakuya Kuchiki. That was why. He didn't like Captain Kuchiki or his elitist, classist bullshit. Racist too, as he knew from a few accidental slips of Rukia's that Byakuya considered him to be something almost less than human because he was a half-breed. Yet he'd taken in Rukia and asked Amaya to be his mistress, despite her status as a commoner and an orphan. It sounded like he'd been cool but not unkind to her, and his gift was certainly generous.

There was an uglier reason too, why this shocked and almost hurt him. Byakuya Kuchiki was handsome, a noble, wealthy, powerful personally and socially, influential, and apparently open and nice to her. How could he compete with that? And he wasn't a mongrel. He was Japanese, like her.

Amaya would leave him. It was a simple comparison and a simple conclusion. She would fall in love with Byakuya, not intending to hurt Isamu, but how could she not? It was a classic story, a classic Japanese story.

But that wasn't fair of him to be afraid of that or discourage her from continuing this arrangement. It would be nothing but good for her. And if she...well, that would be her choice. And it sure as hell wasn't his place to deny her choosing her own destiny.

"Isamu-kun?"

"Sorry, Amaya-chan." He shook his head, "It's a strange idea for me to wrap my head around." The auburn haired American took another few moments to gather his thoughts, "I think...that number one, you shouldn't feel bad about it. If you were, ah, selling your time to all comers that's one thing. But in this, you're spending time with a certain guy. There's no money changing or charging for, uh, services. He wants to give you gifts because he likes you and likes your time together, that's all it is. So don't feel bad about it at all."

He licked his lips and then went on, "And I think...you said you liked it, being with him, that he was, uh, good...so if you like it, and enjoy it, then you should go ahead, Amaya-chan. Especially since it's going to be good for you in other ways too. I mean, it sounds mercenary to say so, but his favor and influence will be a big help to you in the future."

She didn't answer right away. Her head was slightly tilted to one side and her fathomless green eyes were looking at him in that deep way he's come to recognize when she was hearing and seeing through his words and his appearance.

Then she got up and walked over to him before kneeling smoothly beside him, "I love you, Isamu-kun." The lovely and curvaceous young woman leaned into him and their lips met in a sweet, lingering kiss. As they parted, she spoke again, her lips moving against his, "You. Don't forget that."

He blushed and put his arms about her, pulling her onto his lap. "I won't." He knew it; she loved him. "I do know, and I love you."

But love could change. It could grow, it could lessen, it could even die...

~~~~~~~~~​

"Takeuchi-kun, what's gotten into you?" Momo's large eyes looked up at him with concern and curiosity in their doe-like depths. "Abarai-kun and Kira-kun say you're training harder than ever, even taking time away from seeing Kuragari-chan and our other friends. Did something happen?"

Isamu grimaced. He should have expected this, somehow. He had stepped up all of his efforts after Amaya became that man's mistress, and he had known others would notice, but not that anyone would really care. It wasn't like he'd made his ambitions secret. "It's nothing, Hinamori-chan. I just need to get stronger." His grimace deepened as he thought of where Amaya would be tonight. "A lot stronger, as fast as I can." He then shrugged, "She's got a lot more demands on her time now too, with being 3rd Seat and still keeping up her training schedule too."

"Hmm." He could tell that she hadn't bought it entirely; her soft eyes skeptical. "Is that so?" Momo tipped up her tea cup and took a drink. She looked across the grounds of the park area in Squad 5's zone of control in which they sat. "Captain Aizen says that we must be careful when we train; so that while we make ourselves into someone new, we don't forget the person we are."

She set her cup down and looked back at her friend. "I think that also means we shouldn't forget the ones we care about. Don't you?"

Isamu had a moment where he thought about saying where Captain Aizen could put his new, old, and currents persons but instead he just looked away. Momo was trying to help. And part of him could admit that she wasn't wrong. Maybe he had been taking it all too personally. He would hate to think he'd been isolating Amaya and his friends after all these years. "...I think maybe it does. Perhaps I shouldn't push so hard."

Momo beamed taking another sip of tea. Isamu then added, "Though I think you just want to make lieutenant before I do. Tricky, Hinamori-san."

"Takeuchi-kun, how dare you?"

~~~~~~~~~​

"I thought we couldn't meet here anymore." Isamu was standing with Amaya and Renji, his arms crossed. They were at Squad 11's training ground and Ikkaku was standing in front of the three of them, Yumichika seated a bit behind him.

"It should be all right," the fashion plate 5th Seat answered. "The Captain's out right now on a few tasks he couldn't avoid, and it'll take him at least an hour to find his way back when he finishes up."

Renji sighed, "It'd only take him half an hour if Kusajishi-fukutaichou didn't help..."

"Anyway." Ikkaku shrugged, "We'll start doing training when the Captain's out. It's a pain in the ass to try find other spots for it. But that's not why I wanted you all here at once today."

Amaya had a suspicion about this; she'd overheard a snippet of conversation between Ikkaku and Yumichika at her last training session. Something about how they had to see something to know how to do it. "Then this is a demonstration, Madarame-san?"

"Tch!" Ikkaku glared back at his lover and partner, "I told you we should have talked about it in private!" He turned back to his students and crossed his arms over his chest, "Something like that, Kuragari-san. You're all getting stronger, and fast too. You've all developed more than one special technique or power for your zanpakuto and done it in less than than fifty years. That's pretty good; a lot of shinigami don't even develop one in a century."

Isamu smirked, "We are pretty great. But we've also had your instruction, Madarame-san. You're a better teacher than I ever would have expected."

Amaya nodded her agreement and Renji spoke up, "You really are excellent. I still think you should-"

"Shut up!" Ikkaku lashed a hand through the air, though he couldn't quite keep the smile off his face, "I ain't teaching just anybody or even the whole Squad! Don't start that crap again!" He huffed, "Anyway! What this means is that the time's coming where I won't have a lot more to teach you. You're not there yet, so don't get cocky! But since we're at this point...it's time you started thinking about the next level of your zanpakuto's release."

All three of them blinked and stared; eyes intent. Ikkaku grinned, "Thought that'd get your attention. You've learned about it, probably all studied a little," he shook a hand in a fey gesture showing what he thought of study of that kind, "and I know some of you have been around someone at that level. But it was in a fight and you weren't paying attention to it." As it should be, really. "So. If you're going to reach for that level, and I know two of you have started trying to grasp for it already, way before you're ready for it, but you should have a chance to really see it and feel the way it works. The flow of reiatsu, the difference in conditions, all of it."

Renji blinked, "But Madarame-san, does that mean we're training with someone else now?"

Amaya, however, looked as though she'd had a question answered. She knew he was stronger than he let on! "No, Abarai-kun, I think-"

"Shut up," Ikkaku said again. "And pay damn attention. Before this, I want your word, your solemn oath that this is a secret you will never tell anyone."

The three of them looked from one to the other, expressions both disbelieving and beginning to realize what that meant. Amaya spoke up first, "I promise; I will never tell anyone."

Renji nodded, "I don't know what's going on, but you've got my word."

Isamu frowned. "If this is what I think it is...then I don't agree with your choice, but I'll honor it. You've got my word too."

"Good." Ikkaku drew his zanpakuto and took a deep breath as he slammed the sheath into the end of the hilt. "Extend, Houzokimaru!" The pieces glowed and fused, the red tasseled naginata was in his hands. "Pay attention, I'm only gonna do this once." Power surged visibly around him, "And remember, don't tell anyone!"

~~~~~~~~~​

"Quite a set up, Ran-san." Isamu was standing in a rarely used conference room in one of Squad 10's annex buildings. It was still dusty, showing how little used and tended it was, but one wall now displayed a large bulletin board that showed the busty lieutenant's latest scheme.

On the left side were chibi-versions of the heads of Amaya, Momo, Kira, Renji, Miyako, Rukia, and himself. Across the top were the the numbers of the 13 Squads followed by the symbol of the Kidou Corps, then the Onmitsukidou, and a last spot that was the four point emblem of the Gotei 13 but with no number inside it. Below each column was a listing of the odds that choice would pay.

"I know, I'm so proud!" Rangiku beamed, "My subordinates were so delighted with my special project, though I had them do different parts of it so no one would figure it out." She gestured, "Now Matsumoto's Promotion Prediction Game is ready for bets!"

"What's this money going to, anyway?" Isamu wondered at the amount of work and consideration that went into this. There were separate boards on the opposite wall for retirements of senior officers and for placement of the current top ten Academy students.

"Oh, a very worthy cause."

"You then."

"Takeuchi-kun, you flatterer!" The buxom beauty beamed and then leaned over a bit. "So...care to place a few wagers? 10 ryo minimum!"

"10 minimum?" Damn! But she was offering some pretty good returns...hmm. "...All right." He pointed at the big board, "I'll put 20 on Hinamori making Squad 5 Vice-Captain, but Amaya-chan will make Vice-Captain first out of all of us, though I don't know where. Put 20 on that."

"Just that much?" Rangiku leaned a bit further forward, "Ne, Takeuchi-kun, you're a bold young man. You can bet more than that!"

He knew he shouldn't, but he just...when she was showing...gah! "Uhh, yeah. Sure." He pursed his lips and then grinned, "30 on Abarai for Squad 6 Vice Captain."

"Eh?" Rangiku looked shocked. "Are you sure?"

"Yep."

She looked at him long and searchingly as she put the markers for his bets up at the according places on the board, as if trying to divine if he had some information she didn't. Kuchiki-taichou wouldn't want someone wild like Renji. "Anything else?"

"50."

"Ooohh, on what?"

"On me being the last of us to make Vice Captain."

Rangiku blinked, "You're betting against yourself?"

Isamu shook his head, "No, I'm betting on Soul Society being exactly the place that I think it is."

~~~~~~~~~​

The new electric lights glowed brightly in one of Squad 13's meeting rooms; the renovations to fully make their compound electric completed only days ago. How Amaya Kuragari had gotten enough funds to match those Captain Ukitake had managed to raise for improvements was a question many asked, but she simple smiled.

Amaya was in the meeting room, along with her fellow 3rd Seat, Miyako Shiba, the two 4th Seats, and the 5th Seat. In front of them on a raised area were the white haired Captain Ukitake and gallant Kaien Shiba, both men looking unusually grim.

"These Hollow attacks are becoming worrisome." Ukitake had improved since his treatment had begun more than five years ago. His skin was less pale and no longer clammy; though his hair was still snowy white. Captain Unohana had revised her prognosis, acknowledging that with someone who had the illness for hundreds of years, a longer treatment would be needed. His attacks still came but they were far fewer and shorter in duration when they occurred, though all the more violent for that. "There are similarities to another incident from years ago."

"Spearfinger," Kaien caught Amaya's eye and gave a grim nod.

"However, this Hollow is staying within Rukongai and the parts of the Seireitei under our control," Ukitake went on, "leaving it to us to neutralize it before more harm is done or it gets powerful enough to do the kind of damage Spearfinger did."

He gestured to Amaya and Miyako, "Shiba-san and Kuragari-san have suggested a plan to increase patrols in order to flush the Hollow out; including having a top 5 seated officer with each patrol. I've decided to implement this plan starting tomorrow. We will find this beast and return peace to the Seireitei."

"Hai, taichou," the lower officers chorused.

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya sighed and pushed a few strands of hair from her face. If she'd known it was this much paperwork, she'd have declined the promotion. She shoved the last piece of paper to the side, leaning back on her heels. At least she was done for the day, and had the rest of the night off - tonight was Miyako-san's turn on patrol, so she'd be free.

A head popped into the room as she stood up. "Oi, Kuragari, have you seen my wife?"

She shook her head. "No, Kaien-dono, but I think she's getting ready for her patrol tonight." The busty girl shifted a little, putting on a mock-scolding face. "You should give her a kiss before she goes - I know you two have been arguing a bit lately, you should show her that you love her!"

Kaien made a face at her. "Women! Always on each others' side! How do you know she hasn't been starting the fights, hmm?"

"Then it's even more important, Kaien-dono!" Amaya's green eyes were wide and sincere. "You have to still love her even though she's been testy! How else will she know your love is true?" She clasped her hands in front of her chest. "You have so much to learn for a married man!"

~ ~ ~ ~​

Rukia sat very still, the only part of her moving her fingers, which were twisting nervously together. She was kneeling to one side of Amaya's room, uncertain of herself. She'd shown up because Amaya had asked her to come. She wasn't sure, however, if she'd been asked as a friend, or as a subordinate. It made sense that it was friendship, otherwise Amaya would have asked to see her in a public room.

The door slid open, and Rukia started to a more upright position. Amaya walked in, a sheaf of papers in her arms, and stopped when she saw the other girl there. "Ah, Rukia-chan! I'd forgotten you were coming over to talk!" She slid the door shut, and set the papers down next to her futon. "I'm glad to see you, there's something I've wanted to talk with you about for a while now."

"Oh? I hope I haven't offended you, Kuragari-cha-san."

A small smile played over the pink-haired girl's face. "You don't have to be so formal, Rukia-chan. We're friends, and this isn't official business."

A shadow of relief passed over Rukia's face. "In that case, Amaya-chan, what did you want to talk about?"

Amaya knelt across from Rukia, her face now the one a little worried. "I don't know how to say it, really. But the time is coming when you, at least, will know what's going on, so . . . I'd rather tell you myself than have someone else do it."

"What do you mean?" Had she and Takeuchi made their relationship more official? What would make her bold friend this nervous?

Amaya's cheeks were bright red, and she looked down at her hands nervously. "Well, there's an event coming up that I've been asked to attend. I'll be going as Kuchiki-taicho's escort."

Rukia's eyebrows rose almost to her hairline. "You will? I didn't know that he'd requested you to escort him, when did you two talk about it?"

"Well, you see . . ." Amaya couldn't look Rukia in the eye. "Several months ago, Kuchiki-taicho asked me to become his mistress."

There was shocked silence from the other side of the room. After a few moments, Rukia gathered herself enough to say, "Gomen, Amaya-chan, it's a funny joke, but . . . ." She looked up at her friend, and her mouth dried up. "It isn't a joke at all." Her mind whirled. "You . . . and nii-sama . . . that's why you've been over so much, isn't it?" As Amaya nodded, Rukia shook her head. "Of course, how couldn't I have seen it? Well, I . . . never expected it."

Amaya shrugged. "I didn't either, really. It was very much a surprise when he asked me."

"But . . . what about Takeuchi-san? How does he feel about this?"

"He's not thrilled - I think that's why he's been training so hard." Amaya licked her lips nervously. "But he's decided that, as long as I'm still all right with it, he's fine with it as well." She rubbed her hands together. "How do you feel about it, Rukia-chan? Are we . . . still friends?"

"Of course we are!" Rukia blinked at the other girl. "Amaya-chan, you were a friend to me when I didn't have anyone, and wouldn't let me feel sorry for myself because of it. And, frankly, I should have known there was something up. Nii-sama has been much more upbeat since . . . well, the past little while." She reached out impulsively and placed a hand on her friend's arm. "We're still friends, and I'm glad you told me. It would have been very upsetting to hear from someone else. Or find out on my own, since if the event is that party next week, I'll be there as well."

Amaya gave her a lopsided smile. "That was sort of the reason I told you now."

 

[Armphid]

"Hadou no 54! Haien!" Miyako Shiba's hair was tossed and disheveled; her shihakusho dirtied and torn here and there; her scabbard was at her side but her sword was nowhere to be seen. She threw out her hand and a lavender wedge of power shot forth as if thrown by the high seated officer. The target laughed and hurled the last of it's struggling captives into the path of the spell; the man screaming as it struck him and he burst into flames, ashes after only a few moments.

"Bastard," she swore; something that would have shocked her subordinates were they around to hear her. But they were dead now, all of them, most hanging limply in the Hollow's writhing tendrils. "You won't kill me so easily!"

"No, I won't!" The words were full of joyous malice. "It'll be far harder than their miserable deaths!"

~~~~~~~~~​

The haft of Hozokimaru bent as the head of Isamu's hammer clipped it; the fragile weapon barely able to take the impact as Ikkaku hurled himself back to take the brunt of the force away. "Good! Nice and aggressive, that's the way to be!"

The two shinigami had been training hard tonight; and longer than usual. Yumichika was absent as well, having been pulled off in order to speak to some of Squad 4's healers. It was dark in the courtyard; the only illumination coming from a pair of torches that had been lit by the Squad's 11th Seat.

Both men were worn and panting; their power high and their attention fully on the fight. Isamu's wolfish snarl gleamed almost as brightly as Ikkaku's mad grin as they leaped towards one another, weapons flashing.

Then, suddenly, the air seemed to grow thick and heavy and their movements slowed as if they were fighting in water instead. Isamu shook his head, his reiatsu rising to meet the sudden pressure change and throw it off. "What the hell was that?"

Ikkaku however looked horrified, the 3rd Seat now moving easily as well, "Shit! I wasn't paying attention."

Isamu was about to ask him what he was talking about when that heavy, thick pressure grew stronger; and a feeling of eager malice with it. "Well, well." The door to the barracks opened and a massive figure emerged, taller even than Isamu by about five inches with a thick powerful build, ragged edged white haori, and his stringy black hair pulled into belled spikes. "Look at you, huh? I knew Ikkaku was teaching you and that chesty girl. You've gotten stronger."

Isamu's face was stunned and stricken as Kenpachi Zaraki approached him with a smile starting up that was not unlike the one Ikkaku had worn moments ago. His right hand held the long hilt of his cracked and chipped bladed sword. "Even threw off my spiritual pressure. That's pretty good; you might be strong enough to be some fun. You're still weaker than me though...tell you what, you can take the first swing and see if you can cut me. Then we'll tear each other apart!"

~~~~~~~~~​

"Taichou, what...what happened?" Rukia's voice quivered, the pale beauty's hands limb and helpless at her sides as she stared at the horror before her; trying to will it away. "Th-this can't be...Miyako-dono..."

Kaien was standing beside a table in one of the squad's meeting rooms, his head bowed, his shoulders shaking with restrained tears. On the table before him was the lifeless body of Miyako Shiba; her garments ragged, ripped, and muddied, yet no mark on her flawless skin to tell why or how she died. "H-how?"

Ukitake's deep voice answered slowly after a few moments. "Her squad were all killed on their patrol; her body was the only one still intact. Sentaro and Kiyone found her and brought her back. Kaien...I'm sorry. She was dear to all of us."

The vice captain didn't answer. He was watching her with liquid eyes, as if begging her to move, for it all to be a joke. But then he closed them and stood up. "Taichou. Do they know where it happened?"

"Yes."

"Then I will go there. And I will kill that Hollow myself. For Miyako."

"...Of course, Kaien. We will accompany you."

Kaien was silent again for a few moments, gazing down at his wife's body. Then he nodded, "Thank you, taichou. Let's go." He turned and stalked from the room. Ukitake watched him and then gestured for Rukia to follow and went after his lieutenant.

~~~~~~~~~​

Amaya was running towards the building where Miyako had been laid down. Sentaro and Kiyone were following after, their faces grim. Tears ran down Amaya's cheeks as she ran. It couldn't be true what they were saying; it just couldn't!

Other shinigami in the squad paused to watch the officers as they raced past; exchanging worried looks. Amaya and the others paid them no mind, hurtling past without comment.

Not Miyako-san. Not now, not like this! And not after she'd teased Kaien so.

One of the sliding doors in the building ahead opened up and a dark shape shot out of it into the courtyard. Screams began as the shinigami going about their business suddenly fell, blood spurting from vicious cuts as the shape hurtled past them.

"Sentaro, Kiyone, take care of the wounded!" Amaya leaped up into the path of the fleeing attacker, her sword coming free of its sheath. She alighted on the ridge of the roof of the high wall around the compound, "Stop right there, whoever y-you!" Her eyes went wide and her guard lowered a fraction of an inch.

Miyako Shiba stood before her, sword held in both hands, fresh shed blood shining on its' blade in the light from the new electric lamps that illuminated the compound and the large, high moon overhead. Her eyes were dully flat and listless, and her face was emotionless.

After a moment's pause, she lunged to the attack, Amaya crying out and parrying her strikes, "Miyako-san, what are you doing?"

"MIYAKO!" Both combatants froze at the shocked, hurt bellow. Kaien landed heavily on the roof behind her, his face stricken. Further back, Ukitake and Rukia touched down.

The silent Miyako looked back at him and then bull rushed forward to slam her shoulder into Amaya and send her stumbling out of the way. She dashed to the end of the wall and leaped off into the darkness.

"Miyako! No!" Kaien ran after her, the others following behind, Ukitake pausing to lift Amaya to her feet. They bounded off of the wall and then came to a halt a few yards away. Miyako's shihakusho and sword lay on the grass, empty.

 

[HookerBoots]

Isamu looked at the spiky-haired man in utter disbelief. He'd heard stories about Kenpachi Zaraki, and some of the things Renji had said about him seemed pretty plausible, but this . . . he was strong, and there was a part - a small part - of Isamu that wanted to fight the man. He wanted to test himself, prove himself against the supposed best swordsman of the generation.

He also wanted to keep himself whole for Amaya. And, well, he couldn't make captain if he were dead.

It cost the young shinigami a great deal to shake his head and bow slightly. "Gomen nasai, Zaraki-taicho. I was just on my way back to my squad. Perhaps next time." He'd never heard of the man attacking someone who'd said he didn't want to fight, so that should work.

The courtyard was silent, expectant, as Isamu gathered his things and moved for the door. He was almost there when a rough laugh rattled the windows. "That's fine, kid." Zaraki moved away from the door and slammed his sword back into its sheath. "I thought you might be an interesting fight, I've heard a lot about you." He folded his arms over his chest. "But I guess they were wrong. You're not worth it."

The silence now was only broken by the sound of Isamu turning on the stone floor of the courtyard. His golden eyes were blazing with fire now, his jaw tight. "Draw your blade," he growled, whipping his own out and pointing it at the larger man.

Ikkaku leaned forward, Houzukimaru held loosely in one hand. "Look, captain, don't . . . ."

Zaraki waved one hand. "Don't interfere, Ikkaku, or I'll kill you." The grin that bloomed on his face was wild and thoroughly mad. "We'll see how he does. I told you," he said, raising his voice, "if you can cut me, then we'll fight. I don't need my sword before that."

~ ~ ~ ~​

Taking a deep breath, Amaya looked around. "I can't sense them, sir," she murmured. The swells and ebbs of reiatsu were messing up her ability to sense the others. Whatever was inside Miyako - and she didn't have any doubt that her friend and teacher was no longer in control of her own body - had a strong enough spiritual pressure that, when it and Kaien met, it burst and filled the area with it.

Rukia, whose senses for things like that were almost pin-point fine, closed her eyes for a moment. "Over there!" she pointed eastward, moving almost before she finished speaking. The two girls were slower, somewhat, than Ukitake was, but they appeared on the same rocky outcropping that he did just a moment behind him.

The scene in the valley in front of them was horrible. The Hollow was horrible, a monstrosity with six green-grey limbs and a mass of writhing tentacles protruding from his head. The white mask covering its face was decorated with what looked like flames around its eye sockets, reminding Amaya horribly of one car she'd seen in the human world. She wondered madly for a moment if that was to make it look like it moved faster.

"Do you have regrets, monster?" Kaien's voice ripped through the vale, his face set with hatred and contempt.

In a voice like nails on a chalkboard, the Hollow replied, "Regrets? What sort of question is that? I, like you, have a heart! Thus, there are nights when I feel regretful about the Shinigami I ate. Even now I feel regretful about what happened last night. Especially about that female Shinigami last night. I didn't eat her head or torso. I really regret not doing it!" It laughed, the mouth of the mask gaping open.

Having sparred with the vice-captain a number of times in the past few years, the trio on the rise could tell by the shift in Kaien's stance what would happen next. The monster, however, did not that have their experience. Kaien threw himself at the Hollow in a complicated kendo form, the blade of his sword flashing out and severing one of the tentacles. The beast bellowed, and Kaien almost fell forward as two other tentacles lashed out, grabbing his blade.

And then the gleaming sword popped out of existence like a soap bubble.

"What?"

The Hollow laughed. "Foolish shinigami! That is my power - one of them, that is. The first person to touch me with their sword each night . . . has their sword vanish!" He laughed gleefully. "You get the privilege of being the first one tonight to die! Kehehehe!"

Rukia and Amaya both leaned forward, hands on their swords, in preparation for diving into the fray. But from between them, Ukitake held out his hands, grabbing their shoulders. "No. This isn't our fight."

"But, taicho . . . ."

"There are two types of fights. Whenever we are in battle, we must be one of the two. The fight for life or . . . the fight for pride!" Ukitake's eyes followed Kaien as the younger man moved, fighting bare-handed against the Hollow. "Right now . . . he is fighting for his pride! His wife’s pride…his men's pride . . . most importantly…his own personal pride. Dismiss this as his stubbornness…and let him fight alone like this." He grounded the blade of his sword on the outcropping and sighed. "We will only act if we must."

The girls exchanged a glance, then sighed and leaned back, hands clenched at their sides as they watched their mentor fight for his life and his wife's honor.

 

[Armphid]

Kaien hurled himself backward as a trio of thick, pulsating tentacles slashed at him and slammed into the ground trying to break him apart. As he landed, he snapped his left arm forward, palm held flat out, his right had crossed behind it and a blazing crimson orb blasted forth to strike the horrific Hollow. The red flame burst around it, the beast letting out a snarl as it was rocked by the power.

Amaya's heart was in her throat and she could almost feel Rukia's fear and anxiety pouting off of her in waves. Just watching...it was awful! She gasped as a slashing tendril cut across one of Kaien's forearms, shredding the end of his sleeves and ribbons of red blood spurting into the air. Her eyes were wide and her heart was pounding.

She was an experienced fighter and the thrill and fear of battle was nothing new but she'd always thought that it was usually better to avoid a fight than not. But not now. Standing here and watching was far worse than fighting. The pink haired warrior took a half step forward, halting when Captain Ukitake's eyes moved to her; his brief glance speaking volumes.

Kaien leaped up on top of the Hollow, grabbing hold of a writhing, lurid pink tentacle and pulling hard, "GrraaaAH!" The flesh sundered and tore in his hands with a hideously wet tearing sound. Amaya had known he was powerful, even seen him fighting firsthand before, but the sheer savagery of the combat before her was stunning. Kaien snarled and slammed his right hand down hard and jerked again, ripping another tendril along with a hung of grey-green flesh out with a snarl.

The Hollow squealed and then thrashed about, the dark haired lieutenant leaping off of it to avoid the crashing appendages. The two opponents squared off, both pausing, breathing hard. Blood ran down the side of Kaien's face from a cut on his brow, and the wound on his forearm bled freely. "So, boy, too proud to call for help?"

"Shut up," Kaien growled. "I don't need a sword, or anything else to handle scum like you. Controlling Miyaki to fight for you, making her kill her comrades, you're pathetic."

"Controlling? Oh, that delicious wife of yours." The creature's voice was snide and cruel, "Not the way you're imagining it. I was inside her body, and I ate my way out. And now, I'm going to do the same to you!"

All of the wriggling mass of tendrils seemed to shoot forth from the creature at once, lancing out at the winded, wounded Kaien with terrible speed. At the same time, they seemed to thin out and merge, twining together into only a few thin, spindly cables. The shinigami moved to block the blows, right hand raised.

"Kaien-dono!" Rukia and Amaya cried out at once, both starting to move and stopping themselves in the same moment, almost absurdly rocking forward.

The thin cables seemed to strike the arm that Kaien had thrown up to block the attack, bending oddly to seek the cut there and look almost as if they were flowing into it, then they were gone, the ends vanishing. The wild, flame-painted mask and the six arm-like legs suddenly crumbled, hollow and empty, to the ground in cracked ruin.

There was silence for a few moments; the three watchers shocked into disbelief, not even sure what they had just seen. "K-kaien-dono," Rukia said, her voice trembling in a fearful question.

"Yes?" The hateful, gleeful voice that came from the still form of the lieutenant was not his; but that of the Hollow. He turned his head, grinning with feral wickedness at the slender beauty. His skin was a dead greyish hue and a the same blazing flame pattern that had been on the Hollow's mask was now around his eyes; eyes that were bright with an unholy light. "What is it, girl? What do you want?"

~~~~~~~~~​

Worth.

That bastard.

That damned bastard of a bully and his whole bullshit bully Squad were always worth. His men thought only those like them had it; that's why they picked on other shinigami, especially Squad 4, beat them, tried to do worse to the girls.

All because of this grinning psychotic! The crimes they committed, the blood they slipped, the pain they laughed at causing, all came from him! Because of his tolerance; his fucking Darwinian beastial idea of worth.

Isamu snarled and leaped forward, his unreleased blade slicing out in a clean and savage arc, roaring his fury. Kenpachi stood there, unmoving and impassive, his one visible eye slightly widened in interest and then in surprise.

The younger shinigami leaped away from a brutal but lazy counter swipe from the ragged edged sword; the force of the blow sending dirt and dust flying. As he landed, Kenpachi laughed. The fabric of his shihakusho parted slightly and red was visible in a thin line beneath, starting to trickle down his chiseled abs. "Ha! I heard you had fire, but you were looking like just another weakling. This is more like it!"

"If you like that," Isamu shifted his grip on his sword, "you're going to love this." He'd been allowed that first cut but that was all he was getting and he knew it. There was no way he stood a chance right now; without his release. "Bring him to his knees, Hitoshirezu Daimyo!" Power burst through and around Isamu as his sword changed to it's released shape; the mighty warhammer gleaming in the torchlight.

But Kenpachi was gone. He blinked, then heard a faint chiming to his right.

Isamu spun into the blow, swinging his hammer down to catch the vicious Captain's sword with the spike on top and send it cutting into the practice ground instead of himself, his own weapon swinging low with it. A twist of his wrist freed the weapon, Isamu jerking the hook side of the head into the scarred man's side with horrific force as Kokuo no Te magnified the weapon's weight, launching Kenpachi back away from him.

The massive officer landed on his feet, skidding to a stop. "Good! Your spiritual pressure's something worth talking about now; and you can hear my bells." He seemed entirely unconcerned with the hole Isamu had just made in his side; and indeed it was barely bleeding despite about two inches worth of penetration. "Now's when the fun begins!"

~~~~~~~~~​

Amaya's gasp was sharp and shocked, "N-no!"

Rukia took a half step back, "Kaien-dono..."

He turned, his head low, "Why do you keep saying my name like that, girl? Are you that worried? Or maybe..." When Kaien looked up again his eyes were gone and his mouth was unnaturally wide, "Maybe you're in love with me."

He laughed and long, hideously thick tongue flopped out of his mouth and licked the lieutenant's lips, "If you love me so much, then-" Suddenly he shot at the traumatized Rukia, "you'll let me eat you first!"

There was a flash of white and Captain Ukitake was there, his sword flashing forward. Kaien snapped down on it instead of Rukia, catching the blade in his teeth. "Kuchiki," he glanced back at her, "run! Get away from here now! Kuragari-san, stand by to assist!"

Rukia was trembling like a leaf, shaking from head to toe, "B-but, Kaien-dono-"

"Rukia-chan, go!" Amaya actually gave the slight girl a shove, "Hurry! Do you want to die too?" It was vicious to say, but it was the only thing she could think of to shock Rukia into motion. She knew her friend had hesitation issues in battle; Isamu had told her of how he'd nearly gotten killed so she would release her sword, and the loss of Miyako, of...of Kaien was too much for her to handle.

Amaya knew she'd go to pieces herself. Just later.

Rukia turned and bolted as Ukitake grunted and hurtled the possessed Kaien away from them. Amaya heard her friend dashing through the brush in an almost panicked retreat.

"Kuragari-san." She turned to the Captain, "Stay back from the fight. But be ready to use a binding spell if he tries to escape."

"Hai!" She wanted to disagree. This was stupid; they should fight together! What if it had more tricks?

Ukitake raced forward and Kaien leaped back away from him. The now monstrous lieutenant snarled and then broke into a run away from the white haired captain. But the powerful officer was ready for the move, darting to parallel the fleeing creature exactly, his eyes never leaving it.

"What's wrong?" Kaien sneered, "Why aren't you attacking? Oh." It laughed then, "I know! You're trying to figure out how to separate me from the boy so you can kill me!"

Amaya blinked and her heart leaped in her chest, "Captain, you can save Kaien-dono? Please, you must-"

"Forget it, girly girl!" Kaien slashed his hand out in a gesture of negation. "This isn't like possessing a human. I'm a spiritual being and so is he! Our energies are mingled together now; there's no taking me out! We're joined forever! There's no way to kill me without doing the same to him!"

"No!" Amaya wailed, "No, there has to be a way." But even as she said it, she knew it was true. She knew enough from her study of kidou and the nature of spirits at the Academy to know that the Hollow was right.

"Well, you can still be together, girly girl," Kaien leered, "Just let me eat you t-aahghg!"

Ukitake had leaped as the former shinigami had spoken and as he landed behind Kaien, a gout of blood spurted from his right shoulder, the captain's blade dripping crimson. Kaien turned jerkily, a hand going to the cut where his neck joined his left shoulder. "No, you'll hurt no one else. I'll kill Kaien's body," he turned to face the startled fusion creature, lifting his sword in both hands, "And you with it."

Kaien took a step back, "A-are you insane? What kind of captain would kill one of his own men?"

Amaya saw Ukitake flinch slightly at that but his head moved from side to side just enough to be noticed, "Kaien...no longer exists. I won't allow you to destroy his pride, or hurt anyone else!" He stepped forward, a sweeping downward cut slicing down the front of Kaien's chest from his right shoulder to his right hip; the lieutenant leaping away and starting to sprint away.

"Coward!" Ukitake started to run after him, "Stand and fi-" His voice suddenly cut off and Amaya's eyes went wide. The captain's whole body seemed to suddenly tense. There was a wet, hacking cough and the sword tumbled from Ukitake's hands as blood burst from his mouth, bright red and vivid even in the dark. He fell to his knees, coughing and shuddering, hacking more and more blood onto the grassy floor of the forest. "N-not...now," he managed before he began to hack again, his whole body shaking.

"Ukitake-taichou!" Amaya ran to his side, dipping under one of his arms and starting to lift him. Then she caught movement on the other edge of the clearing they were in. Standing there; her luminous eyes wide and horrified, was Rukia, her sword held loosely in front of her in both hands. Directly in Kaien's path. "Rukia-chan!" Kaien had seen her too and laughed, leaping at her. "Rukia, no!"

Not her too!

~~~~~~~~~​

"Gnh!" Isamu twisted to the left as a hard thrust sailed past him by a hair, ripping a fresh cut in his uniform. He realized too late that it was a feint, moving his weapon too far forward as Kenpachi's left hand reached out to grab the half of his warhammer and hold him as he swung his sword in to cut the American in two at the waist.

He flipped backwards, releasing his hold on his weapon entirely as the captain's sword sailed under him. He landed in a crouch and launched himself forward with all his strength to drive his right elbow into Zaraki's wrist hard enough to get him to let go of Hitoshirezu Daimyo. Isamu snatched it one of the air with one hand and ducked into a roll to move under the back swing of his enemy's sword. He came to his feet and pivoted immediately, an upward swing crashing into Kenpachi's third slash with enough force to rock them both back.

"Quick on your feet!" The grin that split Kenpachi's face was wide and toothy, and utterly insane. His eyes were wide but seemed to be almost all whites, his irises and pupils tiny within them. "But you've got to do better than that! Don't disappoint me now."

Isamu bobbed as though he was going to run in low again and instead leaped up, above the counter slash Zaraki threw. He swing the head of the hammer down on the menacing captain's right shoulder; jerking the man to one side and buckling the ground beneath him while a clarion snap of cracking bone rang out.

"That's the spirit!" Zaraki reversed the motion of his sword with a laugh and rammed the hilt of his weapon into Isamu's chest. The wild half breed felt a give in his own chest and heard cracking as well, sailing away to land hard on the ground. He rolled as he hit, the jagged edged sword crashing down where his chest had been just a moment ago.

He rolled back up the flat back side of the weapon, tossing his hammer to his left hand as he did so and lashing out to crack Zaraki on the left bicep. The muscle there distorted and burst under the impact, blood spraying out as Kenpachi jerked his sword up and sent Isamu into the air again.

Isamu managed to get his hammer in the way of the thrust sent after him as he tumbled over to land on his feet, but only partly, grimacing as the brittle looking blade stabbed into the left side of his torso just an inch or so above the waist, about an inch in. The auburn haired fighter wrenched himself way, tearing himself open to get off of the impaling blade. Pain like he'd never known screamed through him, but his mind whirled through it.

This wasn't working. His chest was burning and he was bleeding badly from the new wound in his side. And his enemy was hurt but it didn't seem to be slowing him down much at all. He was bleeding from his smashed bicep and the cut on his chest, and that shoulder strike had to have broken bones and snapped tendons, maybe even gotten him bleeding internally. But none of it seemed to matter.

He had to do something to even the score. Kidou? No time, and with Zaraki's spiritual pressure, it probably wouldn't work. But what would? Maybe...he hadn't used it in a real fight yet, or even on practice against Ikkaku, but...

"You've got fire, all right. Most people would have died right there." Kenpachi laughed and rested his sword on his right shoulder, then winced slightly and moved it to the left. "Pretty good swing too. But you're not good enough, kid." He was still grinning, "Enough for some fun, but I think you're about done. Too bad."

Isamu grinned back, trying not to notice the taste of blood in his mouth as he did so. "I can't be done then. I never disappoint." He stood up straight and seemed to negligently swing his hammer at his side, swinging it back until the head was behind him. Then he swung it back up, still a few yards from Zaraki, but hurtling past him as the weapon went past was one of the heavy stone lanterns that decorated the Squad's courtyards, rocketing at the startled captain.

He grunted and swung with his sword, cutting the lantern into pieces. Isamu came in behind it with his hammer held in both hands. He swung low and smashed it into Zaraki's upper thigh, the leg buckling, then drove the hook back into his left forearm, before letting out a roar and putting all his strength into slamming it into the side of Zaraki's head, bells chiming as they blew off of the man's hair spikes and sang through the air, blood and a few teeth flying as Kenpachi's head jerked to the side.

He stayed there a moment and Isamu felt a wild surge of hope that he'd knocked Kenpachi out, maybe even broken his skull. But then the ragged blade in Zaraki's right hand flashed down.

The ripping sound of sliced meat was accompanied by hard, staccato ping-like sounds as Zaraki cleaved through the left side of Isamu's torso in a line from his shoulder to his navel. His eyes went wide and he stiffened up, blood fountaining from his mouth. His whole world was pain and shame and regret, and horror as he could feel the weight of his arm pulling the cut section of his body away from the rest of him.

Isamu fell back onto the practice ground, gasping for breath, trying feebly to move. He could see Zaraki slowly standing, using the sheath of his zanpakuto as a cane to support himself. "N..not ligg...this..."

"Good fight!" Squad 11's captain seemed cheery, smiling down at the dying young man. "Not enough for me to really cut loose but you pushed me harder than anyone had for a hundred years!"

"A...ma..."

"Huh? Well, I wouldn't say amazing. Come back in a few years when you're stronger." Zaraki shrugged and turned away, "If you live. Doesn't look likely but, hey, maybe you'll luck out."

Isamu couldn't feel anything. He could barely see. He heard voices nearby. Yachiru's high chirp of congratulations, Ikkaku saying something. There were shouts then, arguing, but he couldn't make out what they were saying.

"A...ma...y..." It couldn't end like this. For no reason, not without seeing her...without-

~~~~~~~~~​

The blade of Rukia's sword erupted from Kaien's back; spraying Amaya with his blood. The green eyed girl froze in her tracks, having left her Captain to try and cut their foe down before he took her Rukia away too.

His blood was so hot. God. God, it was all over her. And Rukia.

She felt cold wetness then and glanced up. The skies overhead had opened up and a steady rain poured down. She swallowed and started to move to Rukia when a voice stopped her.

"Ukitake-taichou," it was Kaien, really Kaien speaking, in his own voice. "...Thank you for...letting me fight on my own..."

The white haired man was standing behind Amaya now, one hand bracing himself against a tree. His dark eyes were stricken but he nodded. "Yeah."

"Kuchiki, Kuragari, I...I'm sorry you had to watch. It must've been hard." He lifted a hand slowly, still impaled on Rukia's sword and rested it on one of her slender shoulders. "But Kuchiki, thanks to you...I can leave my heart here."

His body shuddered once and his hand fell.

 

[HookerBoots]

Amaya couldn't think, watching Kaien's hand hit the ground. It was as though the world had frozen, time stopping while the last flicker of life left his eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. They should have been all right, able to overpower the monster and head back to the barracks, laughing. But now . . . .

She shook her head slightly. There would be time to mourn later. Now there was . . . a great deal to do. Ukitake needed to get back to the barracks and rest, someone needed to call Squad 4 for him. Rukia might be going into shock, since she was sitting there, blade held loosely in one hand and staring straight ahead. And Kaien . . . . Amaya swallowed hard. They had to arrange his burial.

Taking a deep breath, the pink-haired officer stepped over to Rukia. "Kuchiki-san. Can you hear me?"

The distant, blank look in Rukia's eyes dimmed, replaced by shimmering tears and self-loathing. "Amya-chan, I . . . I'm sorry."

"That's not what I asked you, shinigami." Amaya rested her hands on Rukia's shoulders. "Are you unharmed, physically?" The petite girl nodded once. "Good. Stay here for right now, I need to get the captain back to the barracks, he's had another relapse." She peered over Rukia's shoulders to where the white-haired man was leaning over, trying to restrain his coughing. "Stay here, I'll send some of our squad to help you bring Kaien-dono back to his . . . family."

She hadn't realized how little she knew about the man until just then. He had a brother and sister, she thought, but didn't know anything else. And without Miyako-san to consult . . . God, how would they explain this to his siblings? "Stay here, stay safe."

Rukia nodded numbly, her fingers flexing a little around her sword. For a moment, Amaya just looked at her, then hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry you had to do that, Rukia-chan," she whispered. "Come to my room later, we'll cry together, okay?" And with that, she flashed away, to support her captain. "Ukitake-taicho, please, come with me. You need to - I mean, I should get back to the barracks to notify everyone." It would be improper in the exreme to mention that he needed to rest, and even more so to essentially order him to.

He peered at her, his breathing labored. "Very true, Kuragari-san." He knew what she wasn't saying, and shook his head slightly. "Kuchiki-san, be careful, and call if you need help." Amaya looped an arm around his waist, astonished at how light but well-muscled the captain was, before using shun-po to start towards the barracks.

~ ~ ~ ~​

There was a bustling chaos at the front of the infirmary, and Isane shoved her way through it to the center. "What's going on here?" she asked, unusually stern. "There's no reason to be so loud, there are sick . . . people . . ." her eyes fell on the figure on the make-shift stretcher, and she swallowed hard. "Takeuchi?"

The dark-haired girl leading the pack, her hair up in a bun, nodded. "Hai, fukutaicho. Please, help him! He and Zaraki-taicho were fighting, and . . . ."

The silver-haired healer started. "Zaraki-taicho? How did he make it this far?" That spiky-headed butcher killed more of their people for fun than Hollows did, it sometimes seemed. Even as she spoke, Isane's hands were moving over the American's prone form, casting reiatsu into him to ascertain the extent of his injuries.

A tall blond man stepped forward. "That was me and Hinamori-san, fukutaicho," Kira said softly. "She's more powerful with kido than I am, but never had healing training. I walked her through a few of our techniques, hoping to stabilize him."

Isane nodded once. "You probably saved his life." She regarded the unconscious young man with worried eyes. "We'll have to see. Hurry and bring him inside." As the two youngsters moved to carry their friend inside, she glared at the handful of Squad 4 members that had been fighting with them. "The next time people come here with an injured man, you let them in. If he dies, I'll have your ranks stripped," she said, her voice carrying every ounce of stern anger she could muster.

~ ~ ~ ~​

They almost crashed in the courtyard because Amaya was unused to the extra weight. But she managed to catch herself, and by extension Ukitake, before they tumbled to the ground. The barracks were in disorder, people running everywhere and unsure of what to do. Ukitake coughed again, and Amaya ground her teeth. "Taicho, can you stand on your own for a moment?"

He nodded, and through the hacking coughs, he said, "Do what needs done, Kuragari-san."

She stepped away still close enough to catch him if he should fall over. "OI! SQUAD THIRTEEN!" she yelled, her voice probably carrying all the way to the other side of the seireitei. "Assemble right now!"

The stillness that had fallen when she called out initially vanished as they all started to move to obey. Most of them in fact seemed pretty happy to have someone take charge. In front of the group stood Sentaro and Kiyone, their faces worried.

"Right, the Hollow has been eliminated. It cost our lieutenant his life to do so." Amaya's voice rang out clear and sharp, and everyone in the courtyard acted like the words themselves were some sort of blade. "Right now, there are things that need to be done. Sentaro, go to Squad 4, get a healer - Unohana-taicho or Kotetsu-fukutaicho. The captain has had a relapse."

The bearded man nodded and vanished. "Kiyone, I need you to escort the captain to his chambers, and get him settled in bed."

"Hai, Kuragari-san," the tiny blond said, moving quickly to loop one of Ukitake's arms around her shoulders.

Looking over the others, she pointed at three shinigami who were also unseated. "You, you, you. Head that way, meet up with Kuchiki-san. She's standing guard over Kaien-dono's body. Help her bring him back to us." The trio indicated headed off, and she sighed, looking at the rest of them. "Friends, please, see to the other wounded, make sure they're safe and comfortable. I need to . . . check on something."

She needed to see Isamu, because she thought she'd felt something while they were running after the Hollow. But she couldn't tell them that. "I will be back as soon as I can. Until then, Sentaro and Kiyone are in charge."

~ ~ ~ ~​

Ikkaku looked up as Amaya leaped down from the wall. "You're a little late, Kuragari."

She looked around. The air was rich with the scent of blood and flushed with excitement and reiatsu that she recognized. "What do you . . . mean?" Her eyes found a pool of drying blood on the stones of the courtyard, and her whole body felt as if she'd jumped head-first into a river in January. "Madarame-san, what happened here?"

He snorted, but his face was a little sad. "The wolf and I were sparring, and we weren't paying attention." One hand gestured towards the barracks. "Captain came back, and . . . well."

Amaya's face drained of all color. "What do you mean, Madarame-san? Isamu-kun got away, right? He's okay?"

Yumichika spoke up. "No, he really isn't. That blond boy, the one with the miserable eyes, showed up with that little brunette from Squad 5, they got him stable and hauled him off to the healers." He looked at his nails, but Amaya thought she detected a sparkle in his eyes that wasn't because of how lovely he was.

From behind her, where they almost hadn't noticed him, a deep voice spoke up. "He'll be fine, he's tougher than he looked." Amaya spun around to face Kenpachi, her eyes blazing up with hatred. "Took me longer to put down than anyone I've faced in years." He grinned madly. "Are you here to be his follow up, Tits?"

The pink-haired girl had her hand on her sword already, but took a slow step backwards from him. "No, I'm not." She wanted nothing more than to fight this man, to kill him with whatever powers she could muster. But this wasn't the time. "Too many people I care about have been hurt tonight, you cold-blooded monster. I don't have time to indulge your idiotic bloodlust."

He scowled at her, the one visible eye darkening with anger. "Scared, huh? I don't blame you." He stretched, scratching at a small cut on his side. "At least he managed that, but the rest of the blood here's all his."

Her own blood boiled in her veins, but Amaya said coldly, "Some other time, Zaraki-taicho, I will fight you. And it will be my great pleasure to destroy you utterly. But right now, my squad has lost one of its 3rd seats and it's Lieutenant. I would be remiss in my duty if I left them with no one but the 4th seats to pick up the slack."

A sharp look came over the three men looking at her. "Shiba's dead?" Ikkaku asked, his voice incredulous. "How?"

"A Hollow," she said flatly. "While your captain was busy playing 'best warrior', a Hollow infiltrated the seireitei and killed a patrol and two high-seated shinigami. It's a shame he couldn't be distracted from his game to do something useful." Her eyes held nothing but contempt for the mountain of a man that stood before her. "If you'll excuse me, I have actual work to do." And she turned and leaped over the wall, running on thin air towards the infirmary.

 

[Armphid]

There was a flicker of pain in her dark, gorgeous eyes for a moment when she saw him but it was only there for moment before it was gone; replaced with cool and keen observation and analysis. Retsu Unohana's beautiful face was composed but grim as she walked around the ruined body of the young man before her.

Her eyes went a bit flat as she sensed a familiar spiritual pressure in the horrific wound that had nearly separated his left shoulder and arm from his body. "Zaraki-taichou."

That man. She should show him real strength. But her part was to save lives, not take them. And it would take a great amount to save brave and foolish Isamu Takeuchi's. It was a miracle he'd made it to them for treatment.

"Taichou..." Isane was with her; and she could feel the hurt and fear in the younger woman. She was hiding it well, or trying to. Much the same way Unohana was; she just had a lot less practice. "Can we save him?"

"I think...so." She nodded. "It will take us both, Koutetsu-san. Now here's what-" She blinked and then turned with a frown to face the door.

It burst open a moment later, the bearded Sentaro Kotsubaki dropping to one knee, Hanataro Yamada hanging around his waist; apparently having been dragged along in trying to stop him. "Unohana-taichou!"

"Kotsubaki-san! I expected better." He flinched from her cool rebuke, "I am in the middle of treatment and this young man may die if I am distracted for a moment."

"Taichou, I...I'm sorry but, Kuragari-san sent me, the Captain has relapsed." The dark man bowed his head, "You must come, please."

Unohana stared at him and she wavered slightly on the spot. She looked back at the pale, broken body of Isamu and then back at Kotsubaki. For a moment, torment was clear on her perfect features, then it was gone. "...Of course."

"Unohana-taichou!" Isane's voice was stricken. "Is-Takeuchi-san, he needs you!"

Unohana had stepped towards the door, but she paused. "...The life of one of Soul Society's oldest and most powerful captains...must take precedence over a junior officer." She hated herself for saying it but it was true. She looked over her shoulder at her second. "You must save him, Isane-san. I leave him, and the Squad, in your hands."

She didn't wait for a reply but strode out of the room, Kotsubaki following a few moments later. "I assume Shiba-fukutaichou is in command of your Squad as usual, Kotsubaki-san?"

They came out into the courtyard, making for the entrance in a walk that was almost a run. "Uh, n-no, Unohana-taichou." Sentaro's voice was low and thick with emotion, "Kaien-san...he's gone. And his wife too."

Unohana stopped, her eyes wide. Kaien Shiba? Dead? How- no time. "I...I can't believe it. Then who is in charge of your Squad?"

There was a flash and Amaya Kuragari touched down in front of them. She was keeping it together well; but the experienced and eternal woman's eyes saw better than most the agony the girl was in. "Unohana-taichou, I-I'm glad Sentaro found you, but Isamu-kun...is he..."

Unohana's heart ached, all the more for what she was about to do. "Isane is tending him, Kuragari-san. ...It isn't good." The pink haired girl shuddered but didn't wail or flinch. Such a will! "You and Kotsubaki must come with me to attend Ukitake-taichou. Isane will do her best." She started to walk again, but Amaya did not move.

Unohana stopped beside the young woman and lowered her head, "Kuragari-san. Come. Your Squad needs you; as of now, you are the highest ranking active officer in Squad 13. Your duty to them must come first."

How she hated duty sometimes!

She reached out to grab the girl's arm, "We're going. This outcome is beyond either of our help, in any case. All we can do...is pray." And then she used shun-po to carry them both away.

~~~~~~~~~​

Amaya walked out of Captain Ukitake's office and shut the door behind her, then leaned back against the wall and tried not to cry. She wanted to cry, she needed to. To howl and wail and scream her anger, her loss, her grief, and her worry.

Oh, her Isamu. She hadn't even seen him. His reiatsu, she hadn't felt it since it had flared so brilliantly and then guttered and gone. Was he dead already? Just the thought brought tears to her eyes but she blinked them back.

She couldn't. Not yet. She had to stay strong; she had to be here for the Squad.

Rukia was in the room they once shared, she knew. The three she'd sent to help her and come back to report both Rukia and the body gone. The dark haired girl had returned hours later, reporting in a dead voice that she had taken Kaien's body and Miyako's shihakusho and sword to his family. She hadn't looked Amaya in the eyes the entire time, but then plodded off to her room as though she was made of lead.

And she couldn't go to her either. She couldn't help Isamu. She couldn't help Rukia. She hadn't helped Miyako or Kaien.

She hadn't even had time to wash Kaien's blood off of her.

She was so...so trapped.

Then she gasped, feeling someone approaching. No, two...more than that!

She rushed to the gate of the Squad complex and threw it open; her eyes wide. "Ahh, Kuragari-chan!" Kyouraku-taichou was dressed in usual garish style, shrugging, "I was about to knock, but thanks for getting the door." His eyes were kind and caring as he looked at her, "But that's all right. I bet you have somewhere to go anyway, right? If you have to go, it's fine. I'll keep things together until you get back."

"And we'll keep a lookout for any trouble." Ikkaku, not smiling for once, stood there as well. Yumichika was behind him, and for once his lurid orange accoutrements were absent. Wild haired Renji was there as well. "So...your Squad'll be in good hands."

She looked back and forth between them for a few moments, moved beyond words. Renji sniffed and growled, "What are you waiting for? Get going!"

~~~~~~~~~​

His skin was pale, far more than usual, and his tousled auburn hair looked all the redder and more outlandish than normal. The lights over him were bright, casting his injuries into stark and jagged relief as the healers worked. A plastic mask was over his mouth, tubes going to his nose and mouth; other tubes went into both his arms, clear and red fluids moving through them and into him.

The room looked like something unknown in Soul Society; there were no wooden floors or oil lamps burning. It was a clean, sterile modern operating room; bright racks of lights were on next to metal tables around which were clustered electronic equipment that hummed and beeped. The floor here was plain poured concrete, smoothed and sloped, leading to drains set in the floor. Other than the smell of alcohol, the only scent in the room was the sharp metallic tang of blood.

Isane Kouetsu's eyes were keen, if stricken, as her hands moved over flesh she knew well in happier times and ways. Glasses wearing Iemura was grim and silent as he funneled power into the healing kidou the Squad was famous for. Isane shifted, pushing and then grimacing as something hot and wet slipped over her hands and flowed up past her wrists, her hands now pressing the realigned sections of his body together. Then she twisted her shoulders and the pale, limp form lifted up and rolled to the right.

After a few moments, she ceased pushing and simply held. Iemura stepped in and grunted as he started to insert objects that looked like little more than large staples made of some fibrous material into the young man's still body. Green power flowed from his hands as he placed each one, dozens being inserted into Isamu Takeuchi's unresponsive form. He stepped back and nodded at Isane, who carefully lowered the patient back down to the operating table.

The two officers then both snapped through the same set of finger signs. "Foaming West, Flowering East, Freezing North, Warming South. Enduring Center." The woman and man chanted together in the same cadence; their movements in synch as they performed one of the few healing spells with an incantation. "Two and Five and One, the eternal powers, locked in skies and bound by freedom, harken now and let ashes kindle once more! Uneaten by waves, clean of poison, untouched by frost, unburned by fire, unhurt and adamant! Chiyudo no 19, Tenchiken!" They both pressed their hands, set in peculiar finger signs, to Isamu's chest. Light flared, drowning out the rest in the room with its intensity and brightness; as though as green sun had burst into life where they had touched.

It was gone in a moment. Isane frowned and reached up to wipe her forehead with her left forearm, smearing blood on it. She did not notice. "Status, Iemura-san?"

The 3rd Seat consulted the instrument readouts, "Critical, fukutaichou, but... stable." He glanced over at her and bowed his head, "You have done it, Koutetsu-fukutaichou. I did not think it was possible."

"We did it, Iemura-san." The silver haired beauty leaned back against the wall of the operating room for a moment and her shoulders sagged with the effort of the healing powers she had called forth. Isane sighed and almost smiled, "This is one battle I was not about to lose. Not for anything."

The 3rd Seat did not answer, merely pushed his glasses up his nose. "The ones who brought him in were going to wait, fukutaichou. Perhaps you should go speak to them. I will see him moved to the ICU for observation and set up properly."

He could see her hesitate. She almost stayed. "...Hai. Please, Iemura-san, do so and take care with him." Isane shook her head, "He is...important to me." She blushed as she said it, but she looked him in the eye as if she dared him to question the appropriateness of that comment.

"He is one of us, even if he is no longer Squad 4," Iemura answered. "It will be done right."

She nodded and then went out to face Kira, Momo, and by now most likely, Amaya as well

~~~~~~~~~​

"Wake up, Takeuchi-kun."

"Seriously, get up off your ass, already!"

His eyelids quivered faintly but no more than that. Noise...there was some noise...but he was so still and it was so quiet...all so far away...he felt so weak, so tired...he wanted to stay asleep.

"Don't talk so loud, Abarai-kun! There are sick people here! Takeuchi-kun, please wake up. Koutetsu-fukutaichou said you should wake up today."

"There's no way to be fully sure, Hinamori-san. He may need more rest. It was...very close..."

The noise was fading again. It had been louder sometimes, fainter others. A few times...a few times he had nearly woken. But that sound, that presence...wasn't close. It was too loud there, where the noise was, and too cold. He'd stay here...dark, warm, still.

"He needs the right inspiration. Amaya-chan, give him a kiss!"

"Matsumoto..."

"This is a hospital, not a fairy tale, Matsumoto-fukutaichou. Ah, Kuragari-san..."

Warmth cut through the cold he floated in and he felt breath on him, sweet and fragrant. There was a smell; something pure and light that cut through sterile nothing. And then there came words, the softest spoken yet of all, heard by none but him, right to his ear. "Aishiteru, Isamu-kun. Come back to me."

He breathed and his golden eyes opened wide. His body was stiff and he felt pain; distant and muted, but still there. Pain. Thank God...pain meant he was alive. His breath wasn't free; there was something over his mouth, in his nose. He reached up to paw at it, but a soft, warm hand took his and pushed it down, holding it.

Amaya.

His eyes moved to see her beside him; sitting and looking down at him. She was smiling; though there was sadness at the edges of her eyes. God. God, she was so beautiful. He gave her hand a squeeze. "I," his voice was raspy and rough, scratchy and weak, "I'm back. Wasn't...done yet."

Her eyes were bright and she looked like she was trying not to cry. "Welcome back, Isamu-kun."

Isamu could see others past her, gathered near the foot of the bed. Slender, delicate Momo was all but hopping up and down, making no attempt to disguise the tears of happiness on her cheeks. Sad eyed Kira's lips were smiling behind her, and beside him Renji nodded with a snort and then looked away. Rangiku was back from the others a bit, her arms folded under her prodigious assets and leaning back against the wall; for once not looking the sexpot or the fool, but the alluring mystique and beauty of a mature woman, a smile on her rich lips. Isane was on the other side of the bed from Amaya, towering over him, relief almost embarrassingly evident and strong on her face.

He could see the door to the room was open and barely make out a few spikes of white hair as they retreated through it, followed by Ikkaku's bald pate and shoulders and then Yumichika, the effete fighter catching his eye and nodding before he shut the door.

He groped for words and felt his eyes stinging him. All of them. It was..."Too much." The women's smiles turned a bit knowing and Renji coughed, turning away further. "The lights are too much after having my eyes shut for so long," Isamu said as a few tears streaked down his cheek.

 

[HookerBoots]

Bed rest was a great and terrible thing. Isamu was enjoying not having to do his normal tasks, and it was always nice to get a break from training. But since he was right-handed, he was deemed fit to still do paperwork; Squad 4 had given him a number of forms to fill out, and Hisagi had shown up with a three inch thick stack of forms that required Isamu to fill them out. He was pretty sure it was informal punishment, since his being laid up like this meant that he would be exempt from normal punishments.

He stretched a little, feeling the stitches pull slightly. It wasn't fun, being injured like this. He couldn't even properly hug Amaya when she came to visit. And speaking of her visiting, it was about the time of day when she showed up, after her duties. He kept one eye on the door while he labored over the reports he was supposed to be writing up.

The door cracked open, and a pink-haired head poked in. "Konbanwa, Isamu-kun," Amaya said cheerfully. "Are you well enough for a visit?"

"As I say everyday, Amaya-chan, I'm always well enough to see you." He grinned and set the papers aside - he wouldn't go back to them tonight, most likely - as she stepped into the room. "What's that in your hands?"

She looked down. "Well, you see, I ran into a young man, Yamada-san, I think, who was carrying a large number of cards and letters for you, as well as this fine potted plant. I think they're get-well gifts from your fans." He feared for the safety of the plant, the letters, and the rest of the room as his love juggled them around to shut the door and make her way to his bedside, but she made it perfectly fine. She dropped the letters and cards onto his lap before turning to set the fern on the windowsill.

"Fans?" Isamu asked blankly. "What fans?"

The look she gave him was raw amusement. "Well, let's see. You have a column in the only paper most of us get, that's caused a fair bit of stir amongst young shinigami. You're also a rockstar. What fans indeed," she snorted, flopping down into the chair by the bed.

He looked at the pile of colorful paper in his lap, and a stupidly wide grin spread over his face. "Huh. Who'd have thought." Two fingers lifted a yellow card, and he peered at it. "She hasn't been to see me, but she apparently made this." He opened it, and his grin faltered a little. "She's taking it hard, isn't she?"

Amaya looked at the open card, and the crudely drawn rabbits on the front. "She is. But . . . dammit, Isamu-kun, I would too. That's never a situation you want to be in, having to kill a superior officer. And someone you know, that you like. It's not . . . it isn't fair." She ran a hand through her hair, and he noted the white armband she wore, commemorating Kaien Shiba's death. "I'm just not sure what to do."

He stood the card up on the table near his bed. "Give her some time, and then badger her into talking about it, or going out and doing something. Like you did when she didn't want to come spend time with us."

"I did not badger her!"

He grinned and picked up the next card, this one from Nemu and decorated with a syringe. "I call it like I see it, darlin'."

~ ~ ~ ~​

A gentle tap on her door made Rukia start from where she'd been lying, stretched out on the futon and trying not to think. "I don't want to be disturbed, please," she called, pushing up on one elbow.

The door slid open anyway, and Amaya stood there, arms folded over her chest. "That won't work with me, Rukia-chan, you know that." She stepped into the room and knelt down beside the other girl. "I want to talk to you."

Rukia sighed and let herself fall back to the futon. "I don't want to talk."

The steady green gaze made her flush slowly. "I'm sure you don't. You haven't wanted to talk for the past 2 weeks. That doesn't mean you don't need to." Amaya put one of her hands on one of Rukia's. "Rukia-chan, we're friends, I want to . . . do what I can to help you." She sighed and shook her head. "I mean, I know nothing I can say can make it better, but if you want to talk, or just grieve, I'm here."

There was a moment when Rukia looked at her, and the pink-haired girl knew that she was weighing a number of hurtful things to lash out with. It would be easy to do, and in the depth of her despair it might seem like the best way to feel better was to make everyone else feel as bad as she did. And saw the second when reason overtook the feeling of hatred, and Rukia decided not to bother. Tears glimmered in her eyes. "Amaya-chan, I just . . . everyone should hate me now," she said in a slightly tremulous voice. "How could they not?"

Amaya let out a soft sound and leaned over, gathering the smaller girl in her arms. "Hush. We don't hate you, none of us. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault."

~ ~ ~ ~​

"I'm sorry, sir, I must have misheard you." Amaya was kneeling in front of the desk in Ukitake's office, hands lightly resting on her legs. "You can't have said . . . ."

The white-haired man smiled at her, his eyes a little tired from recovering from his spell of illness. It had been a rough 3 weeks for Squad 13. "I did say it, and even after consulting with my fellow captains, everyone agrees." He pushed the badge across the desk to her. "Unless you can come up with some serious reasons you can't do it, you are the new lieutenant."

Her mouth opened, closed, opened again. "Everyone, sir?" she asked in a small voice.

"Yes, well. Kyouraku-taicho, Hitsugaya-taicho, Unohana-taicho, even Zaraki-taicho." His face twisted into a curious smile. "I'm curious, really. He said," and here he lapsed into a very passable imitation of Squad 11's captain, "'She's got more balls than any of the one's we've got,' and then did that snorting laugh thing he does. What did you do to impress him?"

Her cheeks were burning. "I'm sure I don't know, taicho. I . . . don't know what to say." She looked at the badge almost hungrily, and realized that she'd wanted this a long time. Even if it was Kaien's position, she . . . she'd wanted to have it. "Yes, then. Arigato gozaimasu, Ukitake-taicho." She bowed as formally as she knew how, and he beamed at her.

"Very good. You've more than proven your capability, you know." He flipped open a book and checked a few things. "We'll set the ceremony for . . . oh, say, a month from today?" At her dismayed look, he grinned. "I know, it's forever. But there's a LOT of paperwork to be done, and this will give time for everyone important to be able to attend." She blinked, then smiled slowly, the blush returning to her cheeks. "It wouldn't be the same without the people you care about there, would it?"

~ ~ ~ ~​

Isamu smirked at Rangiku. "I told you so," he said. "Now, what were the odds you were giving on that? Because I believe you owe me some ryo."

She huffed indignantly at him, and he tried not to think of how impressive it was when she did that. "That's all you can say? We have to have a party for her, and all you can think about is money!"

His right arm tucked behind his head, Isamu kept his insolent grin on his face. "Yeah, but the party won't be for a while. The money I could use now." He sighed; when Amaya had shared the good news, he'd been ecstatic for her, and a little jealous. "Really, Ran-san, it's great news, and we do have to have a party for her. But right now, I'm a little incapable of hanging streamers."

The busty red-head put on an expression of mock hurt. "Honestly, Isamu-kun, how could you think I'd ask someone as injured as you to do physical labor?" She settled into a chair and pulled out a pen and paper. "I need your advice on what kind of party to plan."

 

[Armphid]

Amaya rose from her low bow, her head pressed to the floor. "Mooshiwake gozaimasu, Kuchiki-dono." Her cheeks were flushed, and it was mostly honest. "Please forgive me, I was unable to attend you at the party. I had worried that...you were displeased with me, and might no longer wish to see me."

She was in the small, but elegant and well appointed room in the Kuchiki Manor used for her meetings with the collected captain. The decor had changed slightly since their first time here; there were still wall scrolls with calligraphy but they were in his hand now, not his grandfather's. The vases were filled with tastefully arranged plants but there were more flowers in them now than before, lending the place a healthy, pretty appeal it had lacked.

Byakuya inclined his head after a moment, "Your fear was unfounded. Duty comes before all else; it is pleasing to see that you know this." He paused, "I too was unsure my summons would be answered but am gratified you have come." He was seated at the small table there, already changed into a loose sleeping robe. A box was beside him and he lifted it and set it on her side of the table. "Your captain spoke to me about your upcoming promotion; I encouraged him to give it to you, though his mind was set already, I believe. Accept this as congratulations."

Amaya bowed low again, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Kuchiki-dono." She opened the box and then gasped, her eyes going wide; within was a lieutenant's badge but it was hardly standard issue. The backing was a beautiful black stained wood; designed so a sash or a few cords would loop through to secure it; on it that rested the pentagonal shape of the badge in gold, real gold, and the character for "13" was set into that, the actual characters made of platinum. "Kuchiki-dono...it's...it's beautiful! It's so...so noble, so rich! I...I'm stunned, I don't know what to say."

He smiled then; a controlled, small expression but still a smile. "It is an acceptable piece, made by the Omaeda family; they employ the best jewelers and goldsmiths in Soul Society. It is well made enough that you could wear it to everyday lieutenant's meetings if you wished, even into combat." He was proud of the gift; an extravagant one even for the mistress of a man as powerful and wealthy as he.

Take this into a fight? It was worth more than everything else she owned put together! "That's amazing! Such craftsmanship and quality...thank you, Kuchiki-dono, thank you!"

He inclined his head again. "Of course, you will keep it hidden until your ceremony but I saw no need for you to wait to have it." He looked at her, her beaming lovely face, those wide grateful and awed eyes, the plunging and open neckline of her shihakusho. Byakuya lifted his sake cup, "You may try it on now," and then licked his lips, "though everything else should come off."

Amaya blushed deeply, "Hai, Kuchiki-dono." She rose, her hands moving to the sash of her uniform. There was a faint remorse in her heart; she'd wanted to wait until Isamu was healed enough for this and make him her first time after everything had happened. But she would make it up him, up to both of them.

~~~~~~~~~​

Isamu winced and let out a muffled grunt as he stood up by the window to his hospital room. Fuck, his left side was stiff. Painful too, but the stiffness was a bigger worry. He walked awkwardly about the room, trying to get his shoulder and arm moving. After a few circuits, he made his way to the little closet there, hoping to find actual clothing within and not the barely there hospital robe they'd put him in.

He was sick of this crap; all of it. He wanted to be back out there; training, fighting, doing his work for the Squad, meeting his friends, and most of all, sleeping with Amaya. Others too, but her more than any of the others. He'd come to close to dying...he felt a need to feel alive, and with her.

His hand froze on the handle to the closet as he heard the door to his room open, and a soft, disapproving feminine grunt. Crap! But who was coming in here at this time of night anyway?

He turned his head to see Isane frowning at him and closing the door behind her. "Isamu-kun," she chided, the term of address one she only used when they were being intimate, "I shouldn't be surprised, but really."

"Koutetsu-san...Isane-san," he shook his head, "It's fine, I know I'm not supposed to get up and about yet, but-"

"But nothing." The tall, busty silver haired healer walked over to him and put an arm through his, "You could re-injure yourself or undo all your progress. You've been a healer, you know that."

Isamu growled softly as she turned him back towards the bed, "It's different. You fixed me up, I'm sure I'm as good as new. I can't...I just can't stand doing nothing all the time now! I mean, I've got the work Hisagi-fukutaichou brings me, and I've written my next column but-"

He was cut off as she pushed him back onto the bed and stepped up next to it. "I know, Isamu-kun. You're a very vigorous," her cheeks colored but she went on, "young man, but you can't push it. Your injuries were incredibly severe. You'll be back on your feet soon but if you try to move too fast, you could set it all back."

Isamu sighed. "...I don't feel vigorous now." Then he shook his head, "I know you're right. It's just frustrating."

"Hm." Isane looked over him for a moment and then blushed again, a bit deeper. "Well, frustration isn't good for a patient." She looked at him and then reached out to take hold of his hospital robe a moment before pulling it open.

"I-Isane-san!" She'd never been so bold before! He looked up at her shocked and tried to cover himself up.

She grabbed the hand that was pulling the blanket over his body and pushed it back down firmly. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were nervous, but she was trying to look confident and even a little stern. "None of that. As your physician, I have to treat anything that could lead to health issues. Frustration and, ah, tension in certain parts of the body can be unhealthy." Her left hand moved down his body to find his hardening manhood and his breath rushed out in a startled gasp as she took hold of it. "Hm, yes...I'd better take care of this."

"H-hai, Isane-sensei..."

~~~~~~~~~​

Rukia sat quietly at the small table in their room. Amaya was with her, a pair of bentos on the table. The pink haired girl was tucking into hers with gusto, while her friend absently picked at her own.

Amaya set her chopsticks down after another minute or so, "You really need to eat, Rukia-chan. You'll waste away and lose all your boobs!"

Rukia merely shrugged and sighed, lifting a pickled radish to her mouth and chewing half-heartedly on it.

Amaya frowned; usually a gibe about her figure got some kind of response. But maybe this was progress. She then fidgeted a bit and looked down at her bento. "Rukia-chan...are you upset with me? That...I accepted it?"

She almost said yes. Because she was; it wasn't fair and it wasn't reasonable but she was. Kaien-dono wasn't even gone a month yet and...and Amaya was stealing his place. Trying to replace him! Rukia closed her large, deep eyes and breathed. Amaya wasn't trying to do that; she knew she couldn't. But the Squad needed a lieutenant, and she was strong enough.

Rukia wanted to be happy for Amaya. But all that came was more anger and resentment. She opened her eyes, "...No, Amaya-chan," she lied. "It's a good opportunity, and Ukitake-taichou needs someone he can depend on. You'd be a fool to have said no." She stuffed a load of bean sprouts into her mouth so she wouldn't have to talk anymore.

Amaya watched her for a few moments and then looked back at her finished bento. "I want you to come to the ceremony. Will you? You're my dear friend, and...I want you there."

Rukia didn't want that at all. She wanted to stay away from the whole thing and ignore it. Being there would prove that the world was moving on. But it would also hurt Amaya deeply. For a moment, she wanted that. But she pushed it away. "Since you asked, Amaya-chan...all right."

~~~~~~~~~​

The sun was shining down and it felt glorious as Isamu stretched his arms wide, his left shoulder twinging a not inconsiderable bit as he did so. "God damn! Now this is recovery!"

Momo giggled, "It's good to see you getting back to yourself, Takeuchi-kun." The petite brunette and her friend were outside the Squad 4 recovery clinic in a small park set aside for walks and even light calisthenics. That's what they were for; Momo was visiting and Isamu had suggested they take a walk. Getting light activity was part of his treatment now. "Now, let's have a nice walk and then some tea, hmm?"

Isamu grinned, his wolfish roguish smile. She felt a bit of a flutter to see it directed at her; she wasn't sure she'd ever see it again, for one thing. "I've had enough tea to choke a horse, Hinamori-chan."

"To choke a...what?"

"It's an American saying," he shrugged. Isamu looked around and then walked to a section of wall that the park abutted. "Enough walks and tea, I need some real exercise." He lifted a hand to his mouth and let out a whistle. A few moments later, an answering one came.

"Ha!" In a blur of black and red, Renji Abarai came over the wall and landed in the garden. He stood up with a smile, "About time. I've been waiting ten minutes." He had his own sword in his sash, as usual, but he was also carrying another over one shoulder, still in its scabbard. "Here you go, Takeuchi-kun." He tossed the weapon to Isamu, who caught it and ran his hands over the scabbard with a look of relief. "Damn thing's heavy."

"Not for me."

"Abarai-kun!" Momo blinked and looked between the two men, "What is this?"

"Light exercise, Hinamori-chan," Isamu said with a grin. He turned to face Renji, his grin growing toothier. "Abarai-kun's just helping me out."

"That's right," Renji answered with a similar smile. "Putting him through his paces a little."

"No, no!" Momo was glaring at them both, "You know that isn't what Koutetsu-fukutaichou meant. And neither of you will keep it light, anyway. Stop it right now!"

She looked SO cute when she was being stern that it made him almost want to listen to her. Almost. "Gomen, Hinamori-chan," Isamu chuckled, "But I do need my exercise today."

"Oh, my." Both men started as though icy cold water had been dumped on them. All three younger people turned to see the smiling, serene form of Retsu Unohana on the path with them. "Good morning, everyone. Hinamori-san, Abarai-san, it's so nice of you visit Takeuchi-san." Her eyes seemed to notice the zanpakuto for the first time. "Oh? What's this?"

"Ah..." Isamu shrugged, wincing as his shoulder responded to the motion, and tried to laugh, "Nothing, Unohana-taichou, um, Abarai-kun was just helping me to exercise, that's all." Renji nodded dumbly, not trusting himself to speak.

Unohana exchanged a look with Momo and them her beatific smile returned, "Is that so? That's very good of you, Abarai-san." Her eyes opened a bit more, moving to each of them in turn. "You'll keep it very light, won't you? No more than ten minutes?"

"I, uh, that is, taichou-"

Her smile grew a bit more and her tone grew even sweeter and lighter, "You'll keep it very light, won't you?"

The two men blanched. "H..hai," Isamu nodded.

"O-only ten minutes or so," Renji added.

"That's good." She turned her head to Momo, "Hinamori-san, I'll see you at the next Women's Shinigami Association Meeting, then?"

"Hai!" Momo was smiling, looking a bit smug.

Unohana smiled then and looked back at the two young men and inclined her head, drawing bows from them before she walked away.

The trio watched her go. Renji shook his head, "Ara...she's strong..."

~~~~~~~~~​

Ukitake leaned back in his chair and sighed. The last of the paperwork had finally come back approved for Kuragari's promotion. The ceremony would be in a two days and then things could almost get back to normal.

Well, no. They wouldn't be normal again for a long time. Kaien and Miyako...he closed his eyes and lowered his head. Their ranks might be filled, but their presence and loss would be felt in the Squad for years to come.

But, he couldn't focus on that now. There was one more appointment for today...and he was here, exactly on time.

There was a rap on the door and Ukitake stood, "Yes, come in."

The door opened, and then opened wider as a second person moved to stand in it along with the first, the two shoving at each other. "Taichou," Sentaro said, "Tousen-taichou is here to see you, as-"

"As scheduled, taichou," Kiyone cut in. "Back off, Sentaro, I'm telling him!" The slender, girlish blond pushed the larger man back for a moment, "He's here to discuss personnel issues, Ukitake-ch-taichou," she said, coloring brightly.

"He knows that, Kiyone, and I should have told him that, anyway," Sentaro grabbed the girl's head from behind and hauled her out of the doorway.

Ukitake sighed. They'd gotten worse in the last few weeks. Probably both trying to get an edge in on becoming 3rd Seat. "Thank you both. Show him in immediately, and then give us some privacy."

"Hai!" The two left at once and moments later, soft footfalls announced the arrival of quiet, determined Tousen.

He stood for a moment and then entered, bowing despite their equal rank. Ukitake smiled and did the same, "Welcome, Tousen-taichou. I was surprised that you asked to see me."

"We have not had much business, it is true," Tousen acknowledged, "Though we are often in accord on matters before the captains, and I consider us alike in mind on many things."

"I am sure we are," Ukitake agreed, gesturing for the man to sit. Then blinking, feeling awkward. He forgot his fellow captain was blind sometimes! "Won't you have a seat?"

"Thank you." Tousen sat and drew up his shoulders, "I will not take much of your time, Ukitake-taichou. I know you are busy, and short handed these days. You have my sympathy for your loss. I had my own Squad put on mourning as well."

Ukitake nodded, "I know. Thank you for that gesture."

Tousen nodded again. "I also agree with your promotion of the Kuragari girl. I had heard, however, that you had not selected a new 3rd Seat yet." He paused a moment, as if to allow the other man to contradict him. "I'm sure you have worthy candidates in your own company. I would like to put someone else to you for consideration, however. A very skilled shinigami and capable, but not as...serene and focused as I might prefer for my Squad."

Ukitake raised his eyebrows, seeing where this was going. "Really? I had thought you very happy with him, Tousen-taichou."

"I am," the dark skinned man agreed, "But I am also aware that his path is not meant to go along mine for much longer. With his nature and talents, I feel he would do very well with you. What do you think?"

"...Well..."

~~~~~~~~~​

The ceremony for a lieutenant varied from Squad to Squad. Some didn't even have a ceremony for the awarding of the promotion. In Squad 1, it was extremely formal, with all members not invited directly but fully expected to attend. Squad 5's ceremony was small, only the top 13 seated officers attending, and a general announcement made to the Squad the next day. There was no ceremony for Squad 11, the lieutenant for it usually just handed the badge by their captain, or taking it themselves from the body of the previous lieutenant.

Squad 13 had been, as long as anyone save Captain Commander Yamamoto, Chojiro Sasakibe, and Captains Unohana, Kyouraku, and Ukitake, a company that valued it's members and their bonds to one another. It was about heart and companionship; a warm, welcoming atmosphere despite it's status as a military organization. As a result, while only the seated officers were invited directly, all of the Squad not on duty were in attendance, and no one from other Squads was turned away.

This made Amaya's ceremony one of the most attended official events in the recent history of the Gotei 13. In addition to the seated officers of Squad 13, and most of the unseated ones, an unprecedented number of shinigami from other squads were there, including high seated officers. Captains Soi Fon, Ichimaru, Unohana, Aizen, Kuchiki, Komamura, Kyouraku, and Hitsugaya were in attendance, making it the most Captains at a lieutenant's ceremony in five hundred years. In addition to those luminaries, lieutenants Sasakibe, Kuroji, Koutetsu, Ise, Hisagi, Matsumoto, Kusajishi, and Kurotsuchi were also in attendance.

There seemed to be some confusion on the parts of Captain Hitsugaya and his radiant lieutenant about which of them was supposed to be watching Squad 10.

All of her friends from other Squads were there as well; Momo, Izuru, Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Hotaru, Michiru, and even the full Women's Shinigami Association. And he was there; Isamu was moving easily for the first time she'd seen him since his fight with Zaraki, finally given his clean bill of health.

Amaya was astounded, humbled, and embarrassed to see the turn out. The initial idea to hold the ceremony inside was scrapped almost initially as people began arriving for it; an outdoor location in the Squad's scenic (and spacious) gardens used instead.

The ceremony began with Ukitake addressing the assembly and after a minutes of silence for reflection on those lost in the line of duty, he opened with the statement of a lieutenant's duties as set down by the Captain Commander over 1000 years ago.

Amaya then rose and recited that same list, along with the oath of office of lieutenant in a clear and firm voice that carried out across the gathered crowd. Some there were surprised to hear her speak with such conviction and will in her voice; and that she didn't stumble or trip once while before the audience. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the most senior priest in Soul Society made an offering to the spirits and to the King, giving a prayer and a blessing to the new lieutenant on her new path.

The ceremony then ended, and many of the attendees simply left. But a staggering number poured into the reception line to get a chance to personally thank and speak to the new lieutenant.

Amaya tightened her new lieutanant's badge. The ceremony had been nothing, the reception line would be more difficult, but the worst (or best) was yet to come.

Ran-san was planning a party. She just knew it.

 

[HookerBoots]

"Are you sure about this, Amaya-chan?" Rangiku was standing there, holding what looked like a pirate wench's outfit - only very abbreviated - in one hand. She herself was clad in a short black dress with a very low neckline and a high, ragged hem. On top of her head was a pointed hat, and she wore a pair of thigh-high striped stockings and heels. "I got two costumes so you could have one, and that one . . . well. It's not very va-va-voom."

Amaya was sitting on a bench, her hands busily weaving her hair into two braids. "Yes, I'm certain." She turned her head slightly to look at the older woman. "Ran-san, trust me. It's very specific, and . . ." she twisted a little, a high slit in her white dress exposing her leg most of the way to the thigh," it shows off enough." Her fingers wrapped the braid she'd just finished around itself on one side of her head, making a bun that seemed to cover her ear. "I just got promoted, Ran-san. I don't want to look like an indecent woman this early in my tenure," she added with a wink.

Rangiku sighed, her eyes traveling over the snugly fitted white dress with long sleeves. It certainly showed off a lot of her protege's assets without exposing them, and that slit let her show off her leg if she wanted to, and hide it if she was talking to someone important. The silver belt at her waist accentuated the curve of her hips, and there was a weapon tucked into it that she didn't really recognize. And the hairstyle was strange, but . . . well, Amaya said that's what she wanted. "All right. You do look great, but I'm also sure it's not for me," she added with a wink.

~ ~ ~ ~​

Taking a deep breath, Isane walked into the courtyard where the party was. She wasn't at all sure about her costume, but Kiyone had said she looked good. There had been more back and forth between Soul Society and the human world, and she was dressed like a character from a movie she'd seen. Her silver hair had been dyed black and styled carefully, and she was wearing a dress in blue and yellow, with red accents. Kiyone and Hanataro, not wanting people to pay too much attention to them, were dressed as dwarves from the movie.

She paused at the entrance. There were so many people here! She hadn't expected that. Maybe she should have, given the attendance for Amaya's ceremony, but . . . didn't keep her from being nervous. She caught a glimpse of the back of someone's white-haired head, and blanched. She didn't know that captains would be here! Why weren't they in costume?

A man in a bright pink kimono walked up to her. "Ahh, Kotetsu-fukutaicho! How nice to see you again!"

She blinked. He was dressed like Kyouraku-taicho, but . . . "Ukitake-taicho? Is that you?"

He beamed. "Yes! It's a great costume, isn't it? He's dressed like me, you see." He gestured to the white haired man she'd spotted earlier, who turned and waved. From this angle, she could see that he wasn't actually Ukitake, but had the beard and slow eyes of Kyouraku-taicho.

"Y-yes, it's . . . I never would have guessed." She tugged at her dress a bit. She felt a little less awkward now, but it still was strange to wear Western-style clothes in the seireitei.

She spotted a few faces she recognized, even if they weren't in clothing she'd ever have guessed. Hisagi was wearing denim pants and a vest with no shirt underneath it, a red bandana around his head, and a small false beard on his chin. He was chatting with Renji, who was dressed as an oni, two horns glued to his head and his body clad only in a loincloth that hid as much as it could. Over there, she could see Hinamori, dressed as a geisha, sipping a drink and talking with Michiru Tomoe, who was wearing a coppery wig and a Western-style dress, her face made up to look like a female comedian Isane could remember seeing, but not remember her name.

Next to her, Ukitake nodded. "It's a great party. Matsumoto-fukutaicho knows how to plan one, doesn't she?"

A snort came from next to them, and they both looked to see Toshiro Hitsugaya, dressed in a red robe, white gloves, and a blue hat with silvery stars on it. "She does, if she put half as much effort into her work . . . well." He looked up at Ukitake. "Ukitake-taicho, I've been meaning to talk to you about something, if you'd excuse us, Kotetsu-fukutaicho?"

She nodded and watched, a little bemused, as they walked away. Who would have thought that some of the most powerful people in Soul Society would be willing to dress like fools for one girl?

~ ~ ~ ~​

Isamu was standing, arms akimbo, as he talked with Kira. The American was wearing a blue suit that covered most of his body, a large red diamond shape on his chest with an S in the middle. A red cape draped down his back, and red boots clad his feet, and he'd done his hair in a very specific style. Kira, simply, was the King. His hair, dyed black as Isane's was, was shaped into a pompadour, and he wore a white jumpsuit and belt, both covered in rhinestones. He looked a little uncomfortable, but every now and then he seemed to channel Elvis, his lip curling a bit in a sensual sneer when he spotted Momo.

Isamu was saying animatedly, ". . . but, see then, he jumps this building that's at least 5 stories tall!" when he noticed that Kira's eyes had focused on something behind him. Before he could turn around, he felt warmth at his right shoulder, and a soft, sweet voice whispered in his ear, "Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!"

He knew before he turned around. He knew, but still wasn't prepared for it. Amaya stood there, one bare leg exposed by the slit that wasn't wholly canon, fake blaster in one hand, the other on her hip, and that hair . . . . "Mercy," he breathed. The dress caressed her body in the best, most sinful ways, and made him miserable that they had to wait until the party was over to be alone. "Amaya-chan, you look . . . damn."

She beamed at him, her cheeks coloring a little. "Is it really? I mean, I wasn't sure." She tucked the pistol into her belt and shrugged. "Kira-kun, what do you think?"

The man in question shook his head. "Honestly, Amaya-chan, if you weren't my friend's girl, and I didn't have one? Well." He flushed a little. "You, um, look very nice." He looked around again. "I should, uh, find Momo-chan," he said, looking at them as they looked at each other, then sidling away.

"I'm glad you like my costume," she said softly. "You look . . . excellent, Isamu-kun." Her eyes traveled over his muscles, encased in the snug blue suit. "Superman, one of your favorites, right?"