'Well, all of that planning and I'm still at square one', The thought echoed in my mind as I lied on a hospital bed, having the room to myself after Orihime had finished taking care of my wounds.
However, while she did restore them, the mental fatigue was still there and Unohana decided to offer me a room to sleep off the fatigue while the kids went off to do…whatever they want, I guess?
'Ah, if I wasn't focused on Ikumi, I might have gone for her instead. That mature energy from her is quite attractive.'
"Ah, this is quite the conundrum, isn't it?"
"What is?", A voice echoed in the room and I sat up before raising an eyebrow at the amused smirk on Yoruichi's face when she landed on the bed.
"Oh, look. It's the cat that hid away while everything was happening."
"Hey, I said I'd get you in. I never said anything about helping you all out. Besides, I was ready to intervene whenever things got rough, but saw you got everything under control so there was no need for me to."
"Uh-huh, sure~", I spoke with a knowing smirk, to which she rolled her eyes before I sat up with a groan.
"What's with the groaning? I thought Orihime healed all the damage?"
"Oh, she did. This is just instinctive when you get to the age of 32", I spoke, making her roll her eyes while I smiled at the thought.
A few months ago, I was but a 22 year old assistant doing documents and emails on the daily basis and now, I'm a 32 year old badass that can control the elements with a thought.
'Hah, there were the times I wondered what my life would have been like in my past life had this not happened. Who knows? I might have even made enough to get that Ford Mustang I wanted. …Pfft! Nope, not a chance~! Those were fucking expensive when they first came out and they're even more expensive now.'
"What are you thinking about?", Yoruichi's voice drew me from my thoughts and I looked at her only to raise an eyebrow as she was in her human form.
Fortunately, she was also not wearing clothes and I smirked as she raised an eyebrow before shaking my head as I leaned back against the wall.
"Nothing much. Just thinking."
"You tend to do that a lot."
"I find that it's nice to think about something and calming to just be thinking about…nothing, I guess."
"And what do you think about this?", She asked while trailing a hand down her side, to which I raised an eyebrow as I followed her curves before shrugging.
"You're beautiful, I'll admit that."
"Hmm, I was going more for 'breathtaking'."
"Oh, sorry. It takes a lot for me to call a woman breathtaking."
"Like Ikumi?", She asked, giggling as I looked her with a smirk.
"I would say so."
"So, you have no problem dating a woman with a kid? What if the dad comes back?"
"The dad's dead according to her and for his sake, I hope he is because if he left her and is still alive, I'm going to show him what it's like to be turned inside out before feeding his soul to a Hollow."
"…Damn, you care for her that much?"
"There is such a thing as love at first sight, you know?", I said with a huff, to which she shrugged as she rolled backwards, treating me to an explicit view of both holes before she shifted into cat form the moment she landed.
"You sure it's love and not because you want to date a…what's the term again? MILF, right?"
"…I will neither confirm nor deny such a statement", I answered with a shrug, making her giggle before I spoke as she leapt onto the window.
"Seriously, though, where were you during the fights?"
"Here and there. Mostly monitoring you and making sure you didn't work for Aizen."
"Kisuke put you up to it, huh?", I said with a knowing smile, chuckling as she simply smirked and vanished from my sight.
'Yeah, that's to be expected. Well, at least this way, he knows that I'm actually trying to protect the world especially after I got Yamamoto's katana through my chest', With a sigh, I flipped my legs over the side before hopping off of the bed, looking up as the door opened to reveal a hesitant Isane leaning in.
"U-Uh, hello Mr. Kanonji?"
"Hey. Isane, right?", I asked, to which she smiled and nodded before fully opening the door and walking in.
"Y-Yeah, I'm just here to say that Captain Unohana wanted to talk to you."
"About?"
"She didn't say", Isane answered and I raised an eyebrow before nodding.
"Okay, then. I guess I should thank her too for letting me stay here."
"G-Great! I'll lead you to her", She spoke before walking out and I raised my hand to the side, calling my sceptre from behind the door before I followed out after him.
"So, can I ask you something?", I began, to which she looked at me with a surprised look before nodding as we made our way through the groups of Shinigami walking to and fro inside of the hospital that served as the 4th Division's base.
"U-Um, sure. What do you wish to know?"
"What's it like working under Unohana?"
"Oh, it's not that bad to be honest. Captain Unohana treats everyone equally and is only impressed and happy when we show our worth through our healing capabilities."
"Huh, that sounds pretty fun. Okay, a second question. How does Kaido work?"
"Uh, why do you want to know?", She asked and I chuckled at the hesitance in her voice before speaking.
"If you're not allowed to share said information with a ryoka, you can say so. I'll understand."
"O-Oh! Oh, it's not that. It's just that I'm not the best in explaining it. To be honest, I think Captain Unohana would be the best person to ask for that."
"Hmm, good to know. Alright, last question. Has Unohana dated anyone?", I asked before bursting out with laughter as her head snapped to me with a shocked look, which was shared by the many that had been listening in on our conversation.
"I-I-I don't think I'm allowed to answer that!", She squeaked before picking up her pace, an amused smile spreading across my face as I followed after her.
"I apologize for that. Just trying to lighten the mood and make you more comfortable."
"O-Oh, it…it was a joke?", She asked before letting out a relieved sigh and giggle as I shrugged.
"Kind of. Did I take it too far?"
"Well, just maybe don't ask Captain Unohana that question, please?"
"Don't worry. I know better than to piss off the woman that could turn my organs inside out", I replied with a smile before she stopped in front of a pair of sliding doors, turning to me with a smile.
"She's inside. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some patients to take care of."
"Thank you for the escort. I found it quite enjoyable", I teased, snickering as she blushed before walking off while shaking her head.
As I opened the doors, I stepped through while staring at the woman seated at the low table, Unohana's gaze already focused on me as her expression was as serene as always while she sipped at what I assumed was a cup of tea.
"Mr. Kanonji, I thank you for accepting my invite. Please, sit."
"It would be rude of me not to considering you let me sleep my fatigue off in peace", I spoke with a smile as I walked over to the table, sitting down on the cushion opposite of her while lying my sceptre on the table in front of me as a sign of peace.
"Nonetheless, thank you. However, I must be honest when I say that this is a meeting that the Head Captain ordered me to hold. He finds himself intrigued by your abilities."
"That is what I've been hearing most of the time. Let me guess. This is related to me being able to use Kido spells?"
"Among other things, yes", She nodded and I crossed my arms before nodding.
"Okay, then. What do you want to know?"
"Let's start with the beginning. How are you capable of doing so?"
"I'm not so sure myself. Ever since I've been young, I've been able to see spirits and use my energy to make these unique orbs", As I spoke, I called upon the Reimyaku of the Seireitei and my own Reiatsu to form a Kan'onball, watching how her eyes narrowed as the blue flaming orb appeared above my hand.
"However, when I copied the Sho Kido spell that I saw Rukia use once, I found that I was able to do it quite easily. So, I began to copy every spell that she used, refining them while also finding out that I could absorb and contain the Reiatsu of Hollows as well."
"I assume that is the reason for the Hollow Reiatsu inside the sceptre of yours?", She asked as she looked at the sceptre in front of me, to which I smiled and nodded.
"May I?"
"By all means", I said as I picked up the sceptre and held it out, Unohana taking it with a murmured thanks and her Reiatsu flowed into the sceptre before my eyes widened as I watched its energy try to push hers out.
"It appears to function just like a Zanpakuto would. I can force it to listen, but I feel that doing so would make the sceptre inhibit itself to ensure I can't use it to its full power."
"Mayuri said the same before I killed him", I said as she handed the sceptre back and the words made her look at me as I placed the sceptre back down.
"You do not regret your decision?"
"Like I said, the man was a monster in human skin. It's a miracle that he is gone now."
"What I have learned in my years of living, Mr. Kanonji, is that there are monsters that walk amongst us everyday and what keeps those monsters at bay are the monsters that we ourselves use as protection. I do not fault you for what you have done as Captain Mayuri was indeed a despicable man, but I must ask if you are ready to face the monsters that he kept at bay."
"After what the bastard did to his men and the Quincies if Uryu is to be believed, I'm more than okay with that."
"You hold no illusion of being a savior, then?", She asked, tilting her head slightly as I smiled while slowly running my fingers along the staff of the sceptre.
"I'm not here to save everyone. I'm just here to make sure I save those that I can and if I have to become a monster to get rid of the monsters, so be it."
"Interesting. Most humans exposed to the truths of our world either shatter or become desperate for power, but you…have done neither."
"Oh, I have had a few breakdowns when I first started, but some good people and maybe my ego have been able to keep me from breaking down", I answered and she looked quite amused by my answer before nodding and finishing off the last of her tea.
"Very well. Then I'll look forward to see the monster that you become."
'…Say what?', I had not expected the saint that was Unohana to say that, but as I looked into her serene eyes, I blinked at the sight of…something flashing in her gaze.
'Was that…excitement? At getting to see me become a monster?…Nah, must be something in the air.'
"Now, I do believe you and Isane were discussing something before you came here?", She asked and I blinked before my eyes widened as I remembered what I wanted to ask her.
"Yes, I wished to ask if it would be possible for me to get a few handbooks of Kaido itself. Something to keep up occupied while Ichigo and the others catch up with their friends."
"It's only one textbook and it is right there to the side. Feel free to take it", She spoke with a smile and I blinked as I stood up, walking over to the cabinet it was lying on before lifting up the book with a raised eyebrow.
"Just the one?"
"Kaido in itself is a simple art, but one's proficiency and skill with it is increased through knowledge of the body, how your Reiatsu would react to your patient's Reiatsu, how you would use your Reiatsu and your patient's Reiatsu to heal said patient and simple training. It's not that hard to figure out, but not many have the patience or time to learn all of that to do so."
"…So, it's basically just studying?", I asked, smirking as she smiled amusedly and nodded.
"Precisely that."
"Huh, good to know. Well then, do you have any other question for me?" I asked as I walked back over, placing the book on the inside of my jacket and picking up my sceptre as she shook her head.
"If I can recall any, I'll ask Isane to call you to my office again."
"I'll be awaiting such calls, then. Well, this has been quite the pleasant meeting, Captain Unohana. Until the next time."
"Before you go, Mr. Kanonji?", She asked and I hummed as I opened the door while turning around before blinking as she smiled.
"If you wish to know of my relationship status, I am single and would prefer to keep it that way."
"…Got it", I said with a thumbs-up, sweating a bit at her Reiatsu making it hard to breathe for a moment before I walked out and closed the door with a deep breath.
"Well, isn't this quaint?", I nearly jumped out of my skin at the voice that spoke behind him, turning and aiming my sceptre at it only to frown at the sight of a familiar man in a captain's haori blocking it.
"So, you're not a captain, huh?", I asked and the man with the long black hair simply smirked as he nodded.
"I am or should I say, I was."
"Uh-huh, sure. What do you want, man? I've just got busy talking to a captain and I don't feel like talking to a guy that's imitating one."
"No need for such hostility. I'm simply here to talk", He spoke with a soft smile and I narrowed my eyes before lowering my sceptre with a sigh.
"Very well. What brings you here, Captain…?"
"Azashiro. Kenpachi Azashiro."
"…Bullshit. The current Kenpachi is Zaraki so try again."
"Like I said, I was a former Captain", He said with a cryptic smile and I frowned as I slowly connected the dots before scoffing.
"If you are a former Kenpachi, then how the hell are you here? I thought becoming a Kenpachi can only happen after you kill the former Kenpachi."
"That would be the case, but they could not kill me", He said with a smile and I narrowed my eyes while stretching my senses out only to frown as I could not feel anything.
"Oh, do not try to sense anyone. I am currently manipulating the Reimyaku of the area to hide us from everyone", As soon as he said that, I watched his eyes narrow as I grasped onto the energy in the Reimyaku as well, pulling away his control on the immediate area around him before forming it into a barrier.
"Hmm, quite intriguing. How are you, a human Soul, capable of doing such a thing?"
"No clue. Now, what the hell does a Kenpachi want with me?", I asked as I crossed my arms, Azashiro not saying as he looked at the bubble before I sighed as he snapped his fingers.
Immediately, a large fracture ripped across the front of it before I restored it, a smirk appearing on Azashiro's face as he nodded.
"I am quite pleased with this little interaction, Mr. Kanonji. Until we meet again."
"Wait…what?", Before I could finish my question, I watched as the man vanished like a mirage, the illusion around us vanishing as I heard the sounds of the busy hospital echoing through the corridor.
'And now I'm on the watchlist of a Kenpachi that can isolate me from the world…'
"…This is some bullshit", I grumbled as I turned and began making my way back to my room, wanting to end this day on a good note after that incident.
'Actually…yeah, I think if any time is going to be a good time, now would be that time.'
A/N: And we're finishing off this arc~ The Don talks to Unohana for a bit as well as Azashiro before we talk to the last person of the arc and then, back home to seduce Ikumi again.
Next chapter: A Robot/ Android/ Bio-mechanical being?…A girl wants to talk to me~ Yeah, a girl wants to talk to me.
Anyway, check out my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories that may peak your interest. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!