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Different Circumstances	By : orionshadow Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female > Kenpachi/Rangiku Views: 42085 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 23
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Tite Kubo owns Bleach and the characters depicted
therein.�� The characters in this story
are not mine.

The Conditions

Despite my reluctance, I had to ask.� This woman had threatened the Captain-General
with something I didn�t understand.� I
knew she was brave and held a great amount of power, but I had never expected
to see her directly challenge Captain Yamamoto.�
While I knew there were problems between my husband and the 1^st
Division Captain I didn�t know any other person would dare answer back.� The confrontation had shocked me, but it pleased
me that Captain Fong seemed to be interested in the welfare of the whole of the
Seireitei. �I ran to catch up with her as
she was walking very fast, her shoulders straight and her back as inflexible as
ever I had seen it.� Maybe this was the
wrong time to broach the subject, but I was curious.� �Captain, I won�t ask why you are angry with
Captain Yamamoto,� I began tentatively, knowing that I might receive a negative
reaction.

�Good, because I will not answer that question.� I can�t,� she said curtly, fury evident in
her voice.� Instinctively I moved apart
while keeping pace with her while fearing her anger and possible consequences.

�But what did you mean about 2^nd Division?� I
persisted, hoping she would answer.

Captain Fong�s shoulders slumped slightly.� �I should have said the Special Forces under
my command, not the whole Division,� she sighed angrily.� She ran a hand over her hair in a distracted
manner.� �I was too angry to think the
threat through correctly.� Like most men
he can be so stubborn and it infuriates me that he�� She stopped, swallowed and
took a deep breath.� �I can�t really carry
out the threat unless I receive the full backing of the Shihoin clan.� The Special Forces, which include the Punishment
Division, the Executive Militia and the Patrol Corps, traditionally answer to
the head of the Shihoin clan, not the Captain of the 2^nd
Division.� I was merely reminding Captain
Yamamoto of this.� The control of these
elite forces should have reverted back to the family when Yoruichi left, but it
was considered an imposition on the people already shamed by her defection.�

It was now becoming clear to me.� If the Special Forces split from 2^nd
Division, that would make the Gotei 13 weaker as they would not answer directly
to a Captain or the Captain-General.�
That Soi Fong was prepared to surrender this command, at this time,
amazed me and I wondered if she was serious.�
If she was, then she had serious problems with Captain Yamamoto.� My recent interaction with the man had made
me question many of his actions, but I sensed there were deeper reasons for
Captain Fong�s antipathy.� Though I
didn�t know the Captain very well I was very sure that her motives were sound
but it frustrated me that I couldn�t find out.�
Maybe Zaraki would know�. Zaraki!

�I am very serious, so think before you question me. It
would be wise to leave the matter there, Lieutenant,� she said.� Her voice was serious and the determination
in her voice was mirrored in her face.

Deciding that to question her further might be dangerous; I
changed the subject to something else I wanted to know.� �Why are you escorting me?� It seemed strange
that she was doing so.� I wondered if she
had an ulterior motive and fervently hoped she didn�t.�

Her eyes blazing, she strode onward.� �You were abducted when you were meant to be
under my protection and I feel responsible.�
I hate it when any of my people fail.�
I am accountable.�

Shaking my head I couldn�t see how she could be blamed for
what happened.� Gin was a manipulative
person; I knew that only too well.� She
had tried to protect me, but the plan to seize me had been concocted by the
minds of three devious men who had fooled all of us for years.� How could any of us guess what would
happen?� I tried to explain this, but my
protests were ignored as she continued reciting her reasons, as if it was
important that they all be voiced.� �Captain
Hitsugaya is staying at 4^th Division in case another attempt is made
on Lieutenant Hinamori�s life, or so I have been informed,� her voice dropped
slightly.� �The news about Hinamori�s engagement
changes nothing.� People may still wish
to see her die, especially as the identity of the father of her child is now
widespread. ��I promised Kenpachi that I
would protect you if Tos� Captain Hitsugaya was unavailable, or if anything
happened to Madarame or Ayasegawa. �It
seemed unlikely at the time, but he was in earnest,� she paused and I wondered
what she was preparing to say.� �Also you
never mentioned my mistake, to anyone.�
Captain Unohana approves of you and as I value her judgement I have
decided to overlook our history.��

As we walked toward my Division I began to feel that perhaps
Captain Fong was not the heartless virago everyone gossiped about.� She felt the deeds of Gin very deeply and considered
the murder of her subordinates to be her direct responsibility.� For a person who was normally so confident,
it must be irritating to admit to any fault.�
�I decided to forget about it,� I said quietly.� �I�ve made so many mistakes that I�d
forgotten other people make then too.�
You could have used your position to make my life difficult, but you
didn�t.� Anyway, Zaraki distracted me.�� Just as mentioning his name distracted
me.� For a few seconds I longed for him with
hopeless despair.

She nodded.

�Captain, I promise that that incident will never be
mentioned to anyone,� was my sincere assurance.�
It reflected badly on both of us and would serve no purpose.� No harm was done to either of us.

�I will kill you if you do,� was her reply and then I
noticed that her lips were stretched into a smile.� I hoped she didn�t mean the threat.�

�Zaraki won�t like it if you kill me,� I said as lightly as
I could.

�No.� He won�t like it
if he can see any sign of harm.� It�s good
for all of us that Toshiro acted so quickly and no damage is perceivable.� Hanatoro, for all he acts like a fool, can
repair most physical damage,� she said looking at me carefully almost as if she
was assessing if any visible signs were apparent.

�She called my Captain Toshiro.� That�s strange.� Until now she�s been very careful to call him
Captain Hitsugaya.� Is it possible they
became friends?� That would be nice for
Toshiro.� I think he wanted to make
friends as he feels isolated,� were my quickly moving thoughts.� �Most of the captains seem isolated, except
Captain Ukitake, Retsu and Shunsui and, of course, Zaraki.�

As we walked through the sunny streets, nearing 10^th
Division I again felt an overwhelming longing for Zaraki.� The sunlight reminded me of him, the streets,
the scent of jasmine in the air, the birds swooping through the air.� Subconsciously I acknowledged that none of
these things directly reminded me of my absent husband, but breathing, simply
existing made me feel his lack.� I cursed
him for forcing me to remain behind.

�This shouldn�t take long,� Captain Fong said.� �I don�t think you�ll be required to make
sushi or ramen.� You are her to provide
reassurance that you are alive and without any visible damage.�

I noticed that, distracted by my thoughts of Zaraki, we had
entered the 10^th Division compound, being waved inside by the guards
who were enforcing lockdown.� Why had she
mentioned sushi?� Searching through my
memories I had a vague recollection that Toshiro had made sushi for the ill
fated party.� As she had mentioned ramen,
maybe that was the food she had provided.

�Lockdown is a real pain in the craw.� Three divisions locked down at the same time are
almost beyond our resources to maintain,� she muttered, almost to herself.� �If the Old Man doesn�t listen to me, things
will get dangerous.�

�But I thought 10^th wasn�t under lockdown any
more because they will be training with your Division,� I said, confused at the
information she had provided.

�You weren�t listening, or maybe you don�t understand the
bargain.� 10^th Division will
be allowed to leave, but only in the company of members of my Division.� In other words, they are guarded at all
times, but allowed more freedom of movement.�
Toshiro should be here, not skulking around Lieutenant Hinamori.� He takes loyalty too far,� Captain Fong did
not seem very happy.

�Without his loyalty I�d be either dead or badly injured.� If you ever take the time to get to know him,
Captain Fong, I�m sure you�ll like him.�
You have a lot in common,� I said, voicing a thought that I�d had pass
through my mind on more than one occasion.�
�He can relax sometimes and even make jokes.�

She stopped walking and turned from me. �I saw her shoulders shake and I wondered if
she was crying, or suffering a surge of anger at my forward behaviour.� Moving to face her I wondered if she was
suffering a fit, but then I recognised what was happening.� Captain Fong was laughing at my
suggestion.�

�He can be fun,� I insisted, startled that this stern woman
could find amusement in my comment.

�I�m no doubting you Lieutenant; it�s just I�ve never heard
you speak about your Captain like that.�
I haven�t heard anyone tell me he has a sense of humour,� her eyes
crinkled at the corners with laughter as she looked at me.� There was an undertone in her voice that I
didn�t understand.

�Captain Hitsugaya works very hard and most people treat him
like an infant.� I don�t think that�s
fair,� I protested, wondering if my mind was playing tricks on me.� My recent interactions with people made me
wonder if I knew anyone, or only the mask they wished to present to the
world.� This was not the Captain Fong I had
spoken to previously.

��I don�t treat him
like an infant,� the 2^nd Division Captain purred, a peculiar smile
curving her mouth.

Again that subtle double meaning lay behind her words.� It made me wonder.� As soon as I returned from the human world I
had been totally occupied with Zaraki and I had been unaware of what was happening
in the Seireitei.� When I returned after
the abduction I had been focused on Momo and my all consuming longing for
Zaraki so I hadn�t really noticed what was going on around me.� Shuhei had become friends with Toshiro, which
I didn�t understand, and it seemed that this Captain had become close to
Retsu.� What other things had I missed
out on?� I couldn�t ask Toshiro because
he had provided as much gossip as he was likely to and he would only talk about
things that were common knowledge; but maybe Captain Fong would provide me with
some information.

�Can you tell me if there�s anything I should know about?� New relationships?� Why Rukia delayed her wedding to Renji?�

The Captain looked over my shoulder and a small frown furrowing
her forehead.� She seemed to be
considering my question and I waited impatiently for her to reply.� From her expression she was unwilling to say
much.

�Many things have happened but most of them I cannot
discuss.� You will find out; depending on
how matters progress,� the formality of her answer indicated that she did not
wish to be questioned further.

Now my mind was alive with possibilities.� I knew that Shuhei had decided to distract
Nanao after talking about it for so long. �It seemed odd that after hundreds of years he
had tired of her constant interference in his life. �Suddenly it struck me why he wished to do
that.� He had finally fallen for someone
and wanted there to be no obstacles in his courtship. �How had that happened in such a short
time?� Something twitched in the back of
my mind but I dismissed the idle thought immediately.� It was a stupid idea and obviously one that
was produced by my overactive imagination.�

�Let�s get this over with,� Captain Fong said and ushered me
into the largest open area in 10^th Division.� As soon as I was seen I heard people calling
out to me.� The noise was so great that I
had difficulty making out what each person was saying, so instead I bowed and
smiled feeling rather embarrassed to be the centre of attention again.� �Get used to it,� I reminded myself.� �Being married to Zaraki won�t make people
pay less attention.�

Captain Fong raised her hand and the noise began to ebb
until only a few murmurs could be heard.�
�Your Lieutenant is here and well, as you can see.� Her injuries were minor and she is fully
recovered and able to resume duty.�

A hubbub of voices greeted her announcement.

�Where�s our Captain?�
Has he been injured too?�

�Is that little bitch dead?�
If not she should be.�

�Does this mean lockdown is over?�

I was shocked at the anger in the voice of my friend who
asked if Momo was dead.� I gulped,
realising how many people had been affected by the events in the past few
days.� It didn�t seem right that the
actions of a few people could affect many others so profoundly.�

�Lieutenant Hinamori is recovering and Captain Hitsugaya is
on guard to prevent any further attacks,� Captain Fong had crossed her arms
over her chest and I was rather scared when I noticed the anger radiating from
her.� �Your attitude does you no
service.�

�Sorry,� was the muttered reply.

�Once I clear it with your Captain you will be working with
my Division to prepare for battle with the Arrancar, Hollows and traitors.�

This announcement brought even more comment and the Captain
waited impatiently until the noise faded.

�You are still under lockdown and your actions will be
monitored, but it will give you more freedom of movement.� If merely one of you acts in a manner that
causes complaint, the whole division will be returned to full lockdown, without
privileges.�

This time silence greeted the announcement as each person
thought about the situation.

�Will you be staying here with us, Lieutenant?� asked the
soft voice of Mai, the fourth seat and my best female friend in the
Division.� I�d always admired how her
calm, sweet surface hid steely determination and the ability to persuade some
of the more unwilling members of our division to perform to their best.� It had been too long since we talked and I
realised she would be able to clue me in on some of the more interesting events
in the Seireitei.

�No.� I have something
I have to do,� I replied, mindful that I had to return to the Captain-General
but wishing I had time to stay and chat.�
�I�ll be back later, but please don�t try to hurt Lieutenant
Hinamori.� She is Captain Hitsugaya�s friend
and he would be annoyed if she was injured.�

�You�d think he�d be more upset that his lieutenant was
attacked and nearly killed,� a disguised voice said loudly.

�He is upset and he�s the one who saved me,� I said,
irritated that anyone was questioning our Captain.� Toshiro was not at fault, nor was Momo.� Damn Aizen and Gin and Tosen!� Damn the 12^th Division and its
creepy captain.�

�Remember, comments like that will keep us under lockdown,�
Mai said reasonably as her eyes scanned the Division, searching for the
person.� I had faith that she would find
out who had spoken and an appropriate punishment would be provided.

�I will return your lieutenant in a while,� Captain Fong
abruptly said and motioned for me to follow her.�

We did not talk for most of the walk back to the
Captain-Generals� office.� I was worried
about the situation in 10^th Division.� I knew that the seated officers would manage
but the ill feeling that was being expressed toward Momo made me worry.�

�Captain, do you think it might be an idea to send Momo to
the human world for a little while?�
Until this dies down?� I feel that
she might be safer there,� I said uttering the thoughts that had crossed my
mind.

She made a face.�
�That girl has put nearly all the Seireitei into an uproar.�

�I�m responsible, too,� I said quietly, acknowledging that I
had caused my share of chaos, but not through my actions.�

�I haven�t noticed you attempting to kill a friend recently
or falling pregnant to a traitor.� It is
true that you have been the focus of many of the disturbances since the day
before the mission went to the human world.�
However, there have been other unsettling incidents,� even as she spoke
her face became hard and she shut her mouth tightly signalling that no
questions would be answered.

As we entered the 1^st Division office I noticed
that both Yumichika and Ikkaku were there.�
They were staring at the Captain-General in disbelief and I could see
they were not happy about something.� I
wondered what he�d said.

�Fuck that for a joke,� Ikkaku said loudly as he shook his
head.� �Not happening.� Not in this afterlife time or the next.�

Yumichika�s face was blank as if he was trying to hide his
feelings but he was biting his lip, so hard that the skin had turned
white.� �I can�t,� was all he said.

�If I release you, you will both have to abstain from
alcohol and sexual relations until I am assured that your behaviour will not be
repeated,� Captain Yamamoto said, his voice hard with anger.

�Why does it have to be both?� Can�t it just be one?� Yumichika said
nervously, glancing sideways.� I could
see a small sheen of perspiration on his brow and wondered why.� I had never seen him look this uncomfortable.

Refraining from sex and alcohol were the conditions?� I could understand the ban on drinking, but
why was the Captain-General concerned with Ikkaku and Yumichika�s sex
life?� From my understanding they were discreet
and I knew that Ikkaku had an interest in the Seireitei and who she was.� The reason he was being so quiet about the
relationship was something he�d disclosed to me in the human world, but soon the
romance would be common knowledge.�

�Are you unwilling to give up sex?� Captain Fong asked with
interest.� I looked at her, thinking it
was an odd question for her to ask.� I
knew that if Zaraki were in the Seireitei there would be no incentive strong enough
for me to agree to give up sex.

�Alcohol,� Yumichika admitted shamefacedly.�

�You must abstain from both,� Captain Yamamoto
insisted.� �We need to have clear heads and
as you will be directing 11^th Division with 3^rd seat
Madarame, I expect you to provide an example.�
From now until the end of lockdown, the whole of the Seireitei will be
dry.�

Captain Fong laughed shortly as soon as he�d finished
speaking.� �Hmmm.� I remember how well that worked in the human
world, in America,�
she commented dryly.� �People became
obsessed with obtaining any form of spirit and crime flourished as a result.� The experiment was a failure.�

I watched as Captain Yamamoto�s face turned an interesting
shade of red and I wondered if he had problems with his blood pressure.� �You go too far, Captain Fong.�

�I don�t go far enough,� she shot back.� �You don�t consult, you don�t listen and you
keep secrets.� Now you make unreasonable
demands.�

I looked at Ikkaku and Yumichika to see if they were going
to intercede but they seemed to wish for the conflict to continue. I could see
Ikkaku�s eyes gleaming with interest but Yumichika seemed withdrawn and
unhappy.� He licked his lips nervously as
he glanced around the room, seemingly ignoring the argument, and then he
slipped his hand into his sleeve.� After
a fleeting look at the two Captains he withdrew his hand, empty.� Looking closer I noticed he didn�t look
perfectly attired, but I put that down to being in the cells.� There was a small bruise on his cheek, both
of which were slightly flushed and the feathers on his eyelids drooped
slightly.� One sleeve on his uniform was
torn but he didn�t seem concerned.�
Ikkaku, aside from a few cuts looked as normal.

Shaking my head I decided to try to intervene in the fight
that was brewing between Captain Fong and Captain Yamamoto.� �I think the Captain has been working too
hard and is tired from today�s events.�
Maybe we could discuss this later,� I said quickly thinking up any
excuse I could and knowing the distraction was weak.� This was not going well and I was worried
about what might happen if the situation continued.

�I�m not tired.� I�m
furious,� Soi snarled at the Captain-General and ignored my attempt to calm the
situation.� My suggestion had provoked
her further.

�We will not converse about this now,� he replied a stern
look on his face which I knew meant he would not change his mind.� I didn�t like the way this was going.

�I�ll go without alcohol if Yumichika goes without sex.� That do you?� Ikkaku offered, frowning, as he
cast a worried glance at his friend.

Captain Yamamoto�s lips thinned as he looked at the 11^th
Division 3^rd seat.� �No.�

�Release us from lockdown and I�ll abstain from both,�
Ikkaku said his face grave.� �But only �til
the Captain comes back.� I can�t see you
telling him to refrain from anything again, or if you try he won�t listen to
you, like last time.�

The colour of the Captain�s face deepened in a telling
fashion.� It was enough to make me wonder
if Captain Yamamoto had tried to restrict Zaraki and then remembered my
conversation with Toshiro and the reaction of Captain Yamamoto to Zaraki in 4^th
Division.� My husband had disobeyed some
very strict direction from the Captain-General in rescuing me and I felt there
were other matters I was not yet aware of.

�I do not make bargains with underlings,� the words were
hissed between clenched teeth.� �In view
of your inability to comply I will return you to the cells and place further
restrictions on 11^th Division.�

�I don�t care what you do.�

I looked at Yumichika, astonished that he would say
that.� His voice contained so much
melancholy that it made me concerned for his state of mind.�

�Lock me up; deprive me of my only solace.� It doesn�t matter.� My Captain won�t come back, none of them
will, and you�ll appoint some wanker to replace him who has no balls or sense
of humour.� And all the other Captains
will marry; all of them, and I won�t have anyone.� No one will be left for me,� he muttered
unhappily.

The breath gushed out of my lungs.� He didn�t think Zaraki would return and that
thought was not to be endured.� Despite
any restrictions, any promises, I would follow Zaraki today, to be with
him.� I would obliterate anyone who stood
in my way because life without him was intolerable.� Once in Las Noches I could think of a few
ways to persuade him to let me remain or I could just ignore his words and stay
any way.� For all he liked to tell me
what to do, I didn�t have to listen, or obey.

�Oh, stop being such a doom merchant, Yumichika.� You were acting like this in the cells and I
told you to get over it.� Can you imagine
anyone defeating our Captain?� Why would
all the Captain�s get married now?� Is
there a bonus or something?� Ikkaku cuffed him on the back of the head.

�It�s happened once.�
Ichigo defeated him,� was the surly reply.� Yumichika was rubbing were the blow had
fallen and looking at his friend with marked bitterness.� �Our Captain married.� Others might follow.�

�But our Captain got stronger, remember?� The last time I fought him he was so freaking
dangerous, I almost went b� begging him to stop,� Ikkaku said, covering up his
near admission about his ability to bankai.�
�So what if everyone gets married?�

�Shut up, both of you,� Captain Fong commanded.� �Of the people who went on the mission, I
have the most confidence that Captain Zaraki will return.� He has more compelling reasons to be
victorious and return than ever before.��
She glanced at me and I saw Yumichika and Ikkaku stare in my direction
and, slowly, Yumichika nodded.

�You�re right.� He
does and I should never underestimate my Captain.� It�s just being in a cell makes me brood and
I think about stupid things.� I agree to
your conditions Captain Yamamoto.� I�ll
do what you ask until Captain Zaraki returns.�
I hope it�s soon.�

�It won�t be soon enough for me,� I said.

�Yeah.� I got that
impression,� Ikkaku smirked.� Then
looking at me, he coloured and looked away.�

It didn�t take long for me to work out what he was
thinking.� The blood on the sheets must
have confused him.� One night, when this
was all over, I might tell him, but only if Zaraki was with me.� Shaking my head I refused to think of him
now.� It was no fun living with the memory;
I wanted to experience the reality once more.

�Okay, Captain-General, both of them have agreed to those
terms.� Are there any others?� Captain
Fong was noticeably impatient.

�They agreed to the other terms earlier.� This was the only sticking point.� In this case your word binds you to the
agreement.� If either of you fail, you
will both be returned to your cells and the 11^th will revert to full
lockdown.� Make certain the troublemakers
are not patrolling the walls, but kept within your Division doing any menial
task you can invent.� I expect you both
to check in once per day.�

�Don�t push it.� We�ve
agreed.� Can we go now?� Ikkaku was
exhibiting every sign of impatience.

�You may go.� I will
send further instructions later,� Captain Yamamoto said and we all moved to the
door eager to be on our way.� �One more
thing.� Captain Fong, you will go to 4^th
Division and bring Captain Hitsugaya here.�
He needs to be reminded that his duty is to his Division, the Gotei 13
and me, not his friend.�

Captain Fong had not turned around and I saw her roll her
eyes at the command, but she responded politely enough.� �You could send a Hell Butterfly.�

�He has ignored the Hell Butterflies I�ve sent and the other
messengers.� Bring him here,� was the
cold response.

She nodded and we left.

A.N.

The soundtrack this time is a list of the songs I listened
to when I was writing this chapter.� It�s
more that this is a sound scape rather than a soundtrack.

Sound Scape

�Superman (The Perfect Crime)� Juno Reactor

�Lust for Life� Iggy Pop

�Miss Sarajevo� from �Miss Sarajevo� by Bill Carter as on �Passengers
Soundtrack 1� Brian Eno

�Where�s Your Head At?� Basement Jaxx

Review.� I like
reviews.�

Thanks to Citadel, sweetsatincocoa,
Cuchulainn and Toast for the reviews.� Bit disappointed at the number of reviews,
but not in the quality.

Zaraki should reappear in the next
chapter, maybe.
- 23
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Different Circumstances