The Job Hunt

Disclaimer: I DON’T OWN THEM! –being held hostage by rabid Kaien fans- Send the ransom in the form of paper Soul Society money. In small non-consecutive bills. kthnxbai

Warnings: Hetsecks. THAT’S RIGHT. I wrote hetsecks. But, it’s brief and non-descriptive. Don’t worry. Humour. Will not follow canon Bleach timeline. This is based during Kaien’s time as the thirteenth squad’s vice captain and as such, contains spoilers for those who are ignorant of his situation, BUT, big but, I’ve altered it to be during the living world’s present time, even though what happens to him happens before then.

Notes: This is part two of my Job Hunt series. Shiba Kaien strikes me as a very outgoing and immediately likable person so his job was inspired as such. I actually spent one entire summer under the instruction of a man just like him. Had I known at the time who Kaien was, I probably would have married the cutie I worked with.

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"Oi, watch your step!"

The young child bent on walking into the path of a group of boys playing soccer stopped dead, turning to face the man who had called out to him, wide eyes staring with a frightened look.

"You have to be more careful!" The man chided, lifting his right hand to playfully ruffle the boy's hair. "Why don't you ask them nicely if you can play too? It'll keep you out of trouble."

The red-haired child suddenly smiled brightly and nodded, turning away to complete the offered task.

Shiba Kaien smiled and moved back to the wooden picnic table he had been sitting at, a can of soda keeping his paperwork company. The dark haired shinigami lifted it to his lips and noisily guzzled it, keeping his eyes on the surrounding landscape, a dozen and a half children needing his protection as they frolicked in the sun.

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Having accepted a job from his taichou to venture into the living world and live there as one of their own, Kaien had quickly found the job in the local newspaper, a small ad asking for capable men and women to be counselors at a day camp in Karakura Town. He was immediately liked by the camp's coordinator and was hired on the spot once he had scheduled a proper interview. Thrilled with his new endeavor, the thirteenth squad fukutaichou went home to celebrate alone, sitting in just a pair of relaxed fit pants with a cold beer in his hand, feeling satisfied with himself after sending a notice home to his captain and his wife, telling them the good news.

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The next morning, dressed in light shorts and a t-shirt, an outfit the normally hakama wearing shinigami had found exceptionally comfortable, he made his way to the large park where the camp was held, smiling at the various families that lingered about, waiting to register their children. One family in particular caught his eye and he walked over to them, lifting a hand in greeting and crouching down as the young daughter came running towards him with a bright smile.

"Kaien-chan! Kaien-chan!"

His arms held out, the dark haired swordsman scooped her up and stood to swing her about, enjoying the laughter in his ear and the happy looks on the parents' faces. He had a way with kids, there was no doubting that. He only wished that Miyako could see him as he set the girl back down and was immediately latched onto by three more of the cheery faced youngsters, each one squealing to be heard over the other as they clambered for the counselor’s attention.

Excusing himself politely, Kaien went to the man meeting area and sat down under the flag bearing his group's name, a large crescent moon adorning the hand painted item. It was their first assignment after becoming a camp team, to create a flag that would represent their shared interests. Each child, the relaxed Shiba noticed, enjoyed things to do with astronomy. Good enough for his own tastes as well, as he had always been fascinated by the night sky.

"So, is your troupe ready for the games today, Kaien?" A pretty young counselor asked, stepping over to him and grinning brightly. "My team's ready."

He looked over and saw each of her team members sitting neatly in rows behind the flag, immediately lifting his arm to beckon to his own, the little bodies running and making a general nuisance of themselves before settling down under the shinigami's intense get-yourself-quiet-right-now gaze.

"I guess mine's ready too. Bring whatever you've got, Miki-chan."

She snorted softly and moved back to stand before her post, awaiting orders from the head of the camp, Kaien doing the same and smirking lightly as two of her children started a bicker which quickly caught her attention.

"Looks like what you've got is a bunch of rowdy brats."

"...urusai. Mind your own team."

The dark haired shinigami gave a tight salute and turned to his team, smiling broadly at them as the camp leader called a start to the games.

"Yosh! Let's go team!"

"Hai, Kaien-taichou!"

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After an entire summer of spending time with other people’s children and families, the bright-eyed shinigami clocked out for the last day, hugging his troupe and offering smiles and friendly bows to the parents. Everyone went home happy and although he was somewhat sad because he was leaving them all behind, Kaien knew that the mission had been completed successfully and that in a matter of minutes, he would be home with his wife and life in Soul Society would go on as planned.

He had used the Urahara Shoten as his gateway but had chosen to rent an apartment instead of live with the odd shop owner and he stepped through it after thanking the blond, a brilliant smile on his face, his eyes scrunched up from the width of it. Kisuke smiled back and returned to his leisurely duties, only peering back to make sure the doorway closed behind the thirteenth squad vice captain.

A squeal and a shout of happiness greeted him when he appeared through the glowing shoji screens in the main hall of the thirteenth division, the fourth and fifth seats chattering on about his trip, with the smaller of the two, Kiyone, hanging off of his arm like an unwanted accessory. She was pulled off and given a light smack from her close friend, the bearded shinigami bowing politely and forcing her to do the same as their white haired leader came in to greet his subordinate.

Immediately, Kaien noticed how pale the elder man again seemed, hoping that during his time away, the soft spoken captain would have rested himself and gained his strength back. Though there was no denying the power behind the sudden hug he found himself in, his own arms winding lovingly around Ukitake’s waist. He always enjoyed an embrace from his valiant but ill taichou and even under the watchful eyes of their seated members, the two men hardly denied their want for personal comfort.

“It’s wonderful to see you again, Kaien-dono.”

“Maa, I told you not to call me that anymore, taichou. I’m just Kaien, ok? I hate all that formal stuff.”

“Hmm. So you’ve told me many times in the past. I still prefer to recognize you as the nobility you are. I hardly refer to Kuchiki-san as Rukia.”

“I guess. Maybe you’re just a little too uptight, taichou.”

The dark haired man winked and scooped up his bag of trip belongings, immediately opening it up and digging out a small wrapped package for the elegant captain, handing the heavy object over with a playful smile.

“What is this, Kaien?” He smiled, though frowning on the inside for not addressing the younger man properly. “I didn’t ask for anything to be brought back.”

“Nah, it’s just something I got for you. I got something nice for Miyako too. Go on and open it.”

Touched, Ukitake slid his thumb under the taped flap and with a bit of a tug, flicked the paper open and found a well-tied bundle of bamboo stalks, each of them trimmed to sprout at proper right angles so they would compliment each other. He lifted them a bit higher and counted. There were fourteen.

“You bought me fourteen bamboo stalks, Kaien?”

“Yeah! Because your given name means fourteen sons and your family name means bamboo. Pretty clever, huh?”

The elder man laughed until he started to cough forcefully, easily bending over to set the package down and cough into a small cloth tugged from his inside sleeve pocket, discreetly wiping his mouth with it and stuffing it back inside, desperate to keep his young subordinate from seeing the blood that coloured the pale material.

“Thank you, Kaien. I’m very touched. And speaking of Miyako, where is she, Sentarou?”

The eager-to-please fourth seat smiled broadly and pointed towards the front walk as the main doors hadn’t been closed yet, the longhaired third seat walking briskly to see her husband after his three-month mission.

“Miyako-chan!”

He squealed as he ran towards her, his arms out and face alight with love and excitement, right away scooping her up into a tight hug and turning enough to swing her around in the wide hall, burying his face in her long hair when he stopped.

Polite as ever but just as excited, the elegant woman held her husband’s face in both hands and gently kissed his forehead, blushing slightly from the simple gesture, their audience watching on with expectant, happy eyes.

“It’s so nice to see you, Kaien. I’ve missed you dearly.”

“Me too! Just…about you. I didn’t miss myself.”

He laughed then, a cheerful, lilting noise that made the beautiful young vice captain blush even more brightly, her own smile widening before the eldest Shiba slipped his right hand into her left and waved back with the other, starting to walk out of the building.

“See you tomorrow, taichou! I’m taking Miyako home!”

Kiyone, vigilant as ever, snatched up his packsack and ran with it to hand it over to him, smiling softly and bowing to the other female shinigami before scurrying back to their captain’s side, as eager to help him as she was to help his playful, somewhat eccentric fukutaichou. She sighed once regaining her place beside Sentarou, her hands lifted and clasped beside her head.

“They’re so cute together! I wish I could find love as adorable as that!”

A groan came from beside her as the bearded fourth seat barely dealt with her rambling, a soft sigh of tolerance and understanding from her other side, a warm hand resting on her head before the taller Gotei 13 member turned to walk back to his chambers.

From across the courtyard and echoing in through the still open doors, came Kaien’s voice, a bellowing only he could muster and one that only he was seemingly allowed to do without a reprimand.

“Baka! We’re married! You’re gonna see this for years to come! Get over it!”


In the privacy of their own home, little changed other than Kaien’s voraciousness, his hands wandering nearly the minute the door was closed behind them and Miyako had taken her sword off. She squeaked softly as she was lifted off of her feet and carried to the bedroom, certain of what lay ahead and prepared for it, having wanted her husband on more than one occasion during his absence.

The speed at which he undressed made her laugh, her own clothes taken off quickly but not alarmingly fast, his well muscled form mounting her almost immediately, slim legs spread and arms circling his neck to pull him down closer as they both moaned deeply, Kaien with his face buried between her breasts and Miyako with her head tipped back comfortably.

It was a strange thing, for the two shinigami to have been together for so long and to not have ever conceived a child, both of them knowing that it was indeed possible, but unable to figure out why they couldn’t. In the end though, it mattered little as he quickened his pace and she cried out her ecstasy amidst grunts from the elder Shiba, his lithe form collapsing atop hers and seconds later, his peaceful snoring filled the slightly muggy room.

Before she fell asleep, Miyako wondered silently to herself, her hands rubbing along his back before he unconsciously rolled over onto his side, freeing her from his oppressing weight.
She was happy as the third seat in the thirteenth squad. She was happy with being married to its vice captain. But their captain was the person she worried most about. Perhaps it was her childlike nature that made her look to him as the father she needed when her own father she could hardly remember. Maybe it was the delicate way she saw him move as he coughed and politely wiped his mouth. She agonized needlessly over his health and once finally falling asleep, dreamt of lightning filled sky and the white haired shinigami in a rain soaked haori, shouting orders to her oddly sleep addled brain.


The next morning began like any other, other than the fact that Kiyone was at their door bright and early, even before the sun had risen. In her arms she carried a summons for Kaien only, giving instruction to Miyako that she could join the rest of the squad for their daily duties as usual. Nodding, the dark haired fukutaichou took the thick scroll and headed to the center of Seireitei, where he would get his formal orders appraised by Genryuusai-dono himself.

Upon entering the large meeting hall, he bowed politely and stood at attention as the feeble but immensely powerful captain commander spoke.

“Your duties in the thirteenth division took you to the living world, Shiba-fukutaichou. I am told that you completed your mission successfully. What details do you have to give, besides those that will be written in your reports?”

The dark haired vice captain smiled a bit, knowing full well that the elder man liked him, having told him on many occasions that the young Shiba clan member was as aloof and alive as he himself was in a forgotten lifetime.

“Just that children are as rambunctious as ever, Genryuusai-dono. Kinda like me when I was a kid, ne?”

The wrinkled brow lifted as a tiny smile peeked its way past the man’s lengthy facial hair.
“You were a handful. Your mother and father both came to me for advice. They were relieved when your brother and sister did not turn out quite so…”

“…uppity?”

“That is most likely the best description that could be given.”

The younger swordsman smiled and brushed an errant piece of hair from his pant leg.
“So, did you have anything else to tell me, Genryuusai-dono? I’ve got morning training to get to. Taichou’s probably not feeling well today. It’s kinda muggy outside.”

“No, you may go. Give my regards to Ukitake-taichou. I will expect your mission reports by the end of the week.”

Kaien lifted his hand and gave a small salute before bounding away in a swish of hakama and kimono, his voice carrying in the overly ornate meeting hall.

“Hai! No worries!”


“He is too the strongest!”

“Is not! Taichou’s much stronger. He’s just sick a lot!”

What the young vice captain walked into was hardly what he wanted, already feeling the slight twitch of irritation pinging at his temples.

“Will the both of you cut it out? What’s so important that you have to argue about it right outside taichou’s door?”

Kiyone and Sentarou stared up from where she had her arm circling the man’s neck and his right fist was lifted in a threat, both shinigami grinning adorably as they tried to shake off their fighting in front of the snarling fukutaichou.

“Kaien-dono! Ano…we were just trying to decide who was a strongest between you and Ukitake-taichou. I thought you were.” The girl nodded cutely.

“But I thought taichou was when he’s not sick! He’s one of the best captains in the Gotei 13. Everyone knows that!”

Kaien pinched the bridge of his nose and moved quickly, thumping both of them hard on the tops of their heads, earning grunts of pain that echoed in the corridor, the unmistakable sound of rustling coming from within the ill shinigami’s chambers.

“You’re both on probation starting today! I need the barracks cleaned out. Top to bottom. Together. And if I hear arguments between you two, even one, you’ll both be on latrine duty!”

The fourth and fifth seats saluted and ran off without question, each one taking turns as they punched the other in the arm, keeping quiet and only grunting with exertion from each blow. The now less annoyed Shiba turned to the slowly opening double doors with a wide smile and was rewarded by a tiny grin from the white haired captain, Kaien's adorable face immediately trying to apologize for the others’ rudeness.

“Ah, gomen, taichou. They were just being themselves.”

A light yawn and a cough later, Ukitake smiled back, gesturing for the younger man to join him within.

“I’m making tea. Please come inside.”

"Ah, hai."

The inner rooms, while large and somewhat cluttered, were neatly furnished, each tabletop adorned with well loved personal items and each sitting area stuffed with plush pillows. The younger shinigami chose his usual spot, the medium length divan that sat across from his captain's seat, his legs crossed as he plopped himself down and wriggled to get more comfortable amongst the fluffy pillows.

"So, what's up, taichou?"

Ukitake stood beside the low table and poured them both a cup of steaming jasmine tea, a delicacy the elder man regularly had brought to him by his younger subordinates when they ventured into the living realm, the dark haired swordsman taking it eagerly and sipping it before resting the small cup atop his left knee.

Sitting before tasting his own tea, the thirteenth division captain smiled a bit more broadly and gently fingered the hot cup before setting it back down.

"Nothing really. Just happy to see you in good spirits, Kaien. I trust everything is all right with Miyako?"

The tiny blush on the overly happy vice captain's face did not go unnoticed by his captain, a knowing chuckle filling the room before a quietly murmured "Urusai." caused Jyuushiro to laugh outright, the sound compounding to create a loud cough. Kaien was by his side instantly and was patting him on the back, slowing to a gentle rub between his shoulder blades. The elder man calmed and turned to smile warmly, earning himself a relieved look from his young subordinate.

"Thank you. It has been happening less often but still, it sneaks up on me when I least expect it."

"Maa, no worries, taichou. Just making sure you'll live long enough to see my kids."

Reaching for his tea, the white haired captain stared for a moment.
"You and Miyako plan on having children? When is this coming to light?"

"Hopefully in the spring. We're kinda hoping to get more of a start on it in the coming weeks."

Knowingly, Ukitake nodded, understanding the need to keep one's name alive and to enjoy the entirety of one's life. He had passed on the need for both himself, once upon a time, and now in the depths of many hundreds of years in Soul Society, Jyuushiro found himself somewhat jealous of Kaien's eagerness.

"I'm very excited for you, Kaien. I'm sure your children will grow up as dominant and proud as Miyako and yourself." He gave a bit of a sly look. "And probably just as obnoxious as you once were, ne? I remember the days when you were only a seventh seat. Your pranks were the talk of the captain's meetings. Did you know that?"

"...no. But I kinda figured. Afterwards, when the fukutaichou meeting was over and we waited outside for you guys, they all kinda stared at me. Komamura-taichou and Kyouraku-taichou used to snicker at me when they passed."

Lifting his cup, the young fukutaichou polished off his tea and slammed it down on the wooden table, immediately standing and giving a salute.

"Well, I've wasted enough of your time, taichou. I'm gonna head out. I've gotta go make sure Sentarou and Kiyone do what I told them to."

Nodding, Ukitake allowed it.

"Of course. They're wonderful at what they do but when placed together, they do tend to cause a bit of a ruckus."

Giving a bit of a snort, the short haired shinigami was on his way, his hakama slapping noisily as he threw the doors open and ran for the main barracks, waving playfully at those who acknowledged him on the way.

From the door, Ukitake watched him, having risen to see his beloved vice captain go. He wasn't in love with him, but in some strange way, he felt protective of him. He was a shining star in Jyuushiro's world and when he sparkled, like he just did before leaving, it made the elder man remember his astronomy classes, a millennia ago.

His grizzled old teacher had told the class, that even though stars seem to live forever, the time will come when one day, they shine so brilliantly that they're more luminous than those that surround them, and then they die.

It was never a gentle or fading death. Their brilliance would die suddenly, but those around them remained forever moved by the suddenness of their demise.