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The Wolf and the Demon	By : Zarakiswolf Category: Bleach > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 2174 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bleach and it's characters (except my OC's) are owned by Tite Kubo. THIS IS NOT FOR PROFIT. I MAKE NO MONEY FROM THIS.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
I sit in front of Harmona's grave. We put her right next to Ukitake, since she was closer to him than her mom. I'm drinkin', tryin' to get hammered. There's a marker for my daughter next to Harmona, though there's no body to put in it. She's been gone for three days. I fuckin' hate Kuchiki, even though he was just doin' it to save the stupid city. I suppose I should get back to the barracks. It's about time for the triplets to have their bottles.
"Hey, Kenpachi...thought I'd find you here." I hear Ichigo's voice behind me.
"Come for a fight?"
"What!? No way! Actually...well, kinda I guess. Shunsui sent word you needed a distraction. Orihime is helping Yumichika with the kids. She's gunna stay with you all here in the Seireitei for awhile."
"Why?"
"Uh...we've decided to get a divorce. I married her when I was young and stupid and I can't keep dragging her on like this. She's too nice and...well, she's fallen in love with someone here. So, it's for the best. Our son has moved in with my younger sisters for now til we get things settled. We're still friends and all but there's no love there anymore."
I glare at him over my shoulder. "You should be fuckin' thankful you have a woman who worshiped you, stupid."
He sits beside me. "Yeah, I know. That's why we decided to call it quits. We just...there's nothing there anymore. Like I said, she's fallen in love with someone here. And I can't make her love me anymore when I love someone else."
I down the rest of the bottle before openin' another one. "Love is fuckin' stupid. That's what she always told me. It gave someone all the power in the world to hurt you, whether by their own hand or by someone usin' them as a weapon. She was right. This shit fuckin' hurts."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No. I don't even feel like fightin right now."
"You really loved her, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did. She was my better half." I sigh before gettin' to my feet. "I'm goin' to the bar tonight. Join us, Ichigo. We'll have a good barbecue."
To my surprise, he scampers to catch up to me. "Sure, I'll join in. We're friends, right?"
I smirk. "Right."
********
Takeshi is cryin in Yumichika's arms when I get home. "Shh. Tak, it's ok."
"Want mama!"
I sigh and take him in my arms. "I know. I want mama too but she's gone. You gotta quit cryin'. Mama wouldn't want you to be sad."
"Sissy gone too?"
"Yeah...I'm sorry."
His little face scrunches up more and he throws his arms around my neck. I pat his back gently.
"Sir, he'll go to sleep soon, I think. He's been crying for thirty minutes now." Yumichika whispers. "The trio are sleeping now. Orihime is in with them. They've been fed with that powdered milk she brought with her."
"Thanks."
I get inside the house and carry Takeshi upstairs to his room, layin' him in his bed. I curl up beside him, just holdin' him to my chest. His sobs turn to hiccups and then sleep. He's always been a mama's boy, followin' her everywhere when he was allowed to....Michiko was mine. She was my baby girl, full of energy and tenacity for training. My little spitfire that was so much like me in her eagerness for a good fight many people said it was scary. Her scream has been hauntin' my dreams the past couple of days. Arimaki said they had been chased from the house by an arrancar that slipped past their wall of swords. She'd been too fast to catch.
When I'm sure Takeshi is asleep, I head back downstairs and watch Orihime through the door of the triplet's room. She glances up at me and comes out, leavin' the door cracked behind her. I don't expect her to hug me. "I'm so sorry, Kenny! I'm going to stay in the Seireitei for awhile to help with the kids, if that's alright. I know you'll need it. She was such a great person. And little Michiko was so sweet."
"Thanks for helpin'." I sigh before extractin' myself from her arms. "She lives on in the kids. There's nothin' else to be said. You're welcome to stay in the barracks here, if you want."
"Oh, thank you. I was going to stay with squad four but I actually feel better here, if you're sure that's ok? Captain Kotetsu is very upset right now and needs time to grieve too."
"Why? She wasn't close to Harmona."
"You didn't know did you? She was hit in the stomach during the battle and...she lost her baby."
"She was pregnant!?"
"Yes. She's taking it hard. She's also mad at Yumichika and broke up with him."
"Shit. No wonder he's been gloomy." I sigh.
"Well...to be honest, I'd like to help him, if you don't mind. He's always been so sweet to me."
"Ichigo mentioned you had a thing for someone here in the Seireitei. Never woulda guessed it was the damn peacock."
"Oh, Ichigo has been to see you?"
"Yeah. He's goin' to the bar with us tonight before he goes back in the mornin'."
She nods. "That will be good for him, I think. Oh...uhm...Captain Kurotsuchi came by earlier."
"What the hell did he want?"
"He said he left you something in your room and to be on the look out but he didn't say for what."
"I hate him and his riddles. I'm gunna go get a shower."
"Probably a good idea. You smell like dirt and sake."
I turn and head for the shower. I don't...on the bed lays her sword, completely fixed and lookin' just like it should. Why the hell would that stupid lab freak bring it back? She's dead. There's no use for it anymore. I stick it in the closet, in the farthest corner out of my sight. There's no use seein' it every day. She's dead. She won't be comin' back. I head for the shower. I've felt cold since her death. It's not a real cold, it's grief cold. It's pathetic. The memories of her take over once I'm under the warmth of the water...
*******
"To Wolf!" the men shout as we down more drinks. I'm feelin' pretty drunk right now. Ichigo is dancin' with Matsumoto and she's plastered already. I down more sake, tryin' to kill the pain in my heart. Why the fuck is it hurtin'? Damn that wife of mine, goin' and leavin' me alone like this...
******
Takeshi climbs in my bed and curls himself up against my chest. It's too early to be awake but I'm glad he's here. The nightmare is back. Of Retsu and Harmona both. I kiss his head before goin' back to sleep...a sleep full of nightmares. That fuckin' sword triggered them to be this bad. Had to have.
*******
I wake when I hear the triplets cryin'. I also hear Orihime in with them. Takeshi is sound asleep still so I head to their room. "Need a hand?"
"Oh, please! Your son is being impatient for his bottle." she laughs from where she's sittin' in the rockin' chair with the girls.
I pick up the bottle and grab my youngest son. "Hey now. No need to cry." I grumble before stickin' the bottle in his mouth. He continues screamin' for a few seconds before finally realizin' it's there.
"Is Takeshi sleeping in?"
"Yeah, he crawled in bed with me last night. He's still sleepin'."
She nods. "I think it's a good thing. He's a very sweet boy. Also very sad. This is a lot to happen to him so young."
"Yeah. He'll be ok eventually."
"Are you ok though? When I came for their night feeding, I could hear you talking in your sleep. You sounded upset."
"Nightmares." I mumble, removin' the bottle from Ryden's mouth before ploppin' him on my shoulder and pattin' his back. He whimpers a little before givin' me a huge burp. "That's my boy." I change his diaper and get him back to sleep before takin' Mitsuki from Orihime and burpin' her too. She gives me a little extra though, makin' Orihime laugh.
"I've got a towel here. She seems to be the one to spit up each time." she smiles, handin' me the towel.
"I can't blame her. This stuff smells terrible." I grumble, cleanin' Mitsuki and my shoulder off before changin' her diaper too.
"Yeah. It does but it's the best thing for them since..." she trails off and I know what she wants to say.
Yumichika comes in, lookin' troubled. "Captain, may I have a word in private?"
"I've got them, Kenny. Go on." Orihime says softly.
I follow Yumichika out onto the porch. "What is it?"
"Sir, I'd like your permission to take a small vacation. Three days. Please. I've heard some troubling news from some old friends and would like to investigate." he says cryptically.
"Is it important?"
"Gravely."
"Can you tell me-"
"I can't tell you anything until I've investigated, sir. I don't want to say anything and start rumors."
I nod. "Fine. Take your three days. You ain't runnin' from Isane, are you?"
He frowns. "It wasn't mine. She told me so."
"What!?"
"Captain Kotetsu told me before we got together that she was expecting. I offered to pretend it was mine so no questions would be asked and then....well, anyway, she decided to grieve and has broken up with me so the charade won't have to be maintained."
"I see. Fine then. Go on. Report as soon as you get back."
"Yes, sir."
He's gone in a flash, leavin' me wonderin' just what in the hell he heard. I don't like it.
********
I'm trainin' Takeshi in the dojo while Ikkaku focuses on the men. I plant Tak's feet on the floor. "Imagine you're a tree."
"Like mama's?"
"Yeah, like mama's tree."
"Is pwetty!"
I want to smack my forehead. "I mean imagine you are her tree. With big roots in the ground that hold you still."
"I still pwetty?"
"Sure, fine! Just concentrate!"
I see his legs stiffen and nod. "Good. Now, stay still and don't flinch. I'm gunna try to make you scared but I won't hit you, ok?"
He looks a little nervous. "Pwomise?"
"Promise. I won't hit you. Trust me."
He stiffens back up so I stand and circle around him. I take a few swipes at his legs, begin' careful not to connect the stick with them. He stays real still. I move the kendo stick up, aimin' for his sides. His eyes close.
"You don't close your eyes in a fight, kiddo."
"Sowwy." he says, openin' them back up.
I go back to testin' him. After a few minutes, it becomes clear he's not afraid of gettin' hit anymore. That was my goal. "Good. Go play."
"Wanna watch Kaku. He funny."
I smirk. "Funny lookin'."
He giggles and follows me to a clear spot closer to the trainin'. We spend the rest of the afternoon watchin' the men, me pointing out mistakes to avoid when I see them and him seemin' to absorb it. He's a smart kid. Maybe too smart.
************
I kiss each of the triplets before goin' upstairs to say goodnight to Takeshi. He's in his bed, wide awake, lookin' sad. I curl up in his bed too, though my feet hang off the end and it's really not big enough for me to lay on. He snuggles into my chest, the way Harmona used to. "Daddy?"
"What?"
"Why you love mama?"
"Mama was a good woman. A good fighter. She was strong, just like you've been lately."
"I gunna marry Ichika."
I smirk. "You gotta grow up first."
"I know. Ichika is stwong and she nice to me. I wuv her."
"That's good."
"Daddy...you won't mawwy another girl will you?
"What?"
"Hime said you may fall in wuv again. She said you may find me a new mama if you wanted."
"Women are a pain, kid. I ain't marryin' another one."
"I don't want a new mama. I want my old one. Why she won't wake up?"
"Mama died, kiddo. When you die, you don't wake up."
"Why didn't you kiss her?"
"What?"
"Hime says a kiss always wakes up the pwincess."
I sigh. "I wish it worked like that. But death isn't sleep."
"You won't die though. You the Kembachi. You too strong!"
"Even I can die. It'll happen eventually, probably."
"I don't want you to die!" he whimpers.
"Easy, kid. I won't die until someone stronger than me comes to kill me, ok? That won't be for a long time, probably."
He throws his arms around me. "You my daddy. I don't want you dead."
"Relax. No more talk of death now."
"Daddy, what happens to the pakto when it's person dies?"
"It disappears, usually."
"Mama's didn't."
"Well, mama was a bit odd, kiddo. Her sword was weird."
He yawns finally and closes his eyes. "Night, daddy. I wuv you."
"Love you too." I kiss his forehead before I leave the room. Somethin' is very wrong. What Mayuri said is makin' my brain itch and now this. What in the fuck is goin' on? Okami should've disappeared when she did, since it was broken. She told me if it was broke and she died, that was it. There would be no comin' back. And what the fuck did the freak mean, tellin' Orihime to tell me to keep an eye out?
******
Shunsui stumbles into my office. I can smell the sake from here. "Hey, big guy!"
"The hell do you want?" I grumble.
"Let's go bar hopping. Orihime has offered to watch the kids and Rukia is gunna help by bringing Ichika for a play date."
"Fine."
"Let's go! We gots drinkin' to do!"
I roll my eye and follow him out. I need a drink. My mind won't shut up.
*******
"Hello, Captains. What can I get you tonight?" the pretty red head says, comin' to our table.
"The most expensive sake you have. Just bring the bottle, sweetie." Shunsui says.
The girl looks to me. "Same for you?"
"We'll be sharin'. Just bring a couple saucers." I growl.
"Yes, sir." she says before turnin'. Shunsui watches her.
"You like her, huh?"
"She's beautiful." he croons.
"Get ahold of yourself. This is a strip bar, dumbass. She's probably-"
"No! I won't!" the girl yells behind me and I hear the unmistakable sound of a punch.
"Now you won't. No man would look atchya now. You're pathetic! You better get a big tip from those captains or I'm gunna beat it outta your hide tonight!"
Another hit and I hear her sob. None of the other people in here even look up. The girl returns to our table. "Sorry about the wait." she says quietly, hidin' her cheek behind her hair.
Shunsui grabs her wrist as she turns to leave. "Wait. Sit here with us and talk for a minute."
"I'm flattered, sir, but I'm hardly worth your time."
"Sit and talk. That's it. Just talk. I'm not interested in whatever that squabble was about."
She sits and stares at the table sullenly. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Your name, first off."
"I haven't given it to you and I wasn't planning to either."
"Your last name isn't Abarai is it?"
"What? No. It's Tanaka."
"Of the minor nobility?!"
She shrugs. "Used to be."
"You run away?" I ask curiously.
"I was sold to that horrible man so my sister could go to the academy." she sighs.
"And now you're stuck here?"
She pulls the collar of her dress down, revealin' an actual collar. "Yeah, you could say that. I can't go past the door without this collar tightening and choking me."
Shunsui frowns. "Do you want out of here?"
"Unlike the other women that work here, Captain, I refuse to prostitute myself to buy my freedom." she snaps.
Shunsui lifts her hair. There's a dark bruise on her cheek. "Tell me your name. Mine is Shunsui Kyoraku, head captain of the Gotei Thirteen. I want to help you."
"There is no helping me."
"Tch. You have any idea who I am, woman?" I ask. "Between me and him, you'll be outta here before the night's out."
"No, I don't know who you are."
"Captain Kenpachi Zaraki."
She pales. "The Kenpachi?"
"Yep. Ol' Zaraki here isn't one to mess with. If you want out though, tell me your name." Shunsui urges again.
"Akane Tanaka." she sighs.
"Akane for your hair color, I assume?"
"I was born when the peonies of my father's estate first bloomed, the color of blood. My father took it as an omen, especially since my mother died birthing me. He believed that, since no other child has been born to him with hair the color of blood, that I am a changeling."
"And are you?"
"Of course not. There's no such thing. Fairy tales are for children, Captain." she scoffs.
"Well then, let me be your fairy tale prince and rescue you from your tower, my princess."
She stares at him in shock for a moment before laughing. "You are quite the charmer, aren't you."
"He's a horrible flirt and a drunk." I snort.
She giggles a bit. "Well, if you really want to help, you can try but the owner won't-"
"Akane, you idiot! Get back to work!" the barman yells, sneakin' up behind her and smacking the back of her head.
Shunsui jumps to his feet. "Don't touch her again."
"Or what? You gunna stop me?"
"How much do you want for her? I'll buy her from you."
"More than even you can afford, head captain. This little slut is my best looking whore, if she'd actually do her job. I'm planning to fix that problem tonight. Plenty of men have offered to deflower her but I think I'll do it myself, against her will."
"Zaraki, your turn. Akane, my dear, let's clear the area."
"My fuckin' pleasure." I snarl, gettin' to my feet. The man has the decency to look scared.
"Captain Zaraki? Kenpachi Zaraki?" he asks.
"Yep. I hope you put up a little fight. I'm in a bad mood." I snarl.
***********
Shunsui carries the girl in his arms. She's quiet and tense. "Thanks for the help, Zaraki."
"Harmona woulda wanted me to." I grumble.
"Harmona...Mori?" Akane asks.
"You knew her?" Shunsui asks.
"Yeah, sort of. Her father brought her to his estate sometimes and she'd sneak out to play with me. My father's estate borders his...well did anyway."
"What do you mean did?"
"There was a terrible fire a few years ago." she says, her voice soundin' a little too innocent.
"How'd that start?"
"Oh, I have no clue. Nobody was hurt, except for him. He burned to death. Poor thing."
I smirk. "Vindictive little thing, aren't you?"
She shrugs. "I'm not sure what you mean, Captain Zaraki. How is Harmona?"
"She...passed away a few days ago."
"What!? Oh that's terrible! I'm so sorry! She was so sweet as a kid."
"Zaraki was her husband so it's been rough. They have four little ones."
"Oh!? Harmona always did love kids."
"What're you goin' to do now?" I ask to change the subject. That wound is still too deep.
"Oh...honestly I don't know. I don't really have anywhere to go."
"Akane, when I touched your wrist earlier, did you know you released some reiatsu?" Shunsui asks.
"Yes. I'm not very strong though."
"You're going to the academy. Once you graduate, it's up to you what you do but what you call weak was strong enough to be at least a ninth seat officer."
"I don't-"
"I'll write a letter of recommendation for you."
"Why would you do that for me?"
"Because Harmona was like my child. And because you're such a pretty face."
She blushes. "You're ridiculous but if that's what you're insisting on, then...wait, you're not asking for payment, are you?"
"No, of course not. I don't have any ulterior motive other than helping a pretty girl like you out."
"I smell bullshit." I grunt, turnin' toward my barracks. "Night, Shunsui. Don't come callin' early in the mornin'. I won't answer."
I hear them talkin' for a little while before I get too far away. Great. Yet another piece of tail Shunsui will whine about never gettin'. You'd think he'd learn.
*******
"Captain, there you are! I've been looking everywhere!" Yumichika yells, runnin' to me.
"Get your problem figured out?"
"Captain, you need to go back to her grave."
"Why?"
"Just take her sword and go back there! You'll see what I mean! Please!" he shouts.
"Alright already! Chill the fuck out."
********
I place Okami on her tombstone. "Alright, now what? You're dead. Okami is still here. So what?"
Silence greets me. It would be creepy but, since the graveyard is shielded, it doesn't bother me. There's no ghosts here in Soul Society. I wait patiently for thirty minutes before I decide nothin' is gunna happen so I get to my feet. As I turn, my hakama catch on somethin'. I look to see what it is and a cold chill runs down my back. "It's not fuckin' possible..." I whisper.
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The Wolf and the Demon