One is Too Many

Ah, oops? Somehow, I got Ikakku's name twisted. My excuse is that everyone just calls him by his first name when most others seem to go by their last names. And I'm sticking to it! *L* Thanks for pointing it out, I'll leave it as is because, like I said, no one calls him Madarame, and I doubt he would want to change that just because he's Captain now. I'll just treat Madarame as an intimate name. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I must have checked my email a dozen times. Not much has changed between them, they're just wandering along, tryign to match decently. Enjoy!




~Kira~


Inspection day. I can't believe it's already been three weeks; feels like a decade. Barracks are busy today, everyone rushing to get ready for the Captains to come by and watch us. Teams are putting in last minute practice and double checking their fight times; the tournament I called a week ago was put off and will be our 'test.'

“Kira!” And the Captain has been especially nervous, stomping around, yelling at everyone. I wish he would just go to his room and stay there until we call him.

“Yes, sir!” He's snarling from the main door, kicking at an imaginary dust bunny.

Dark eyes turn to glare at me and I smile. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Just getting ready sir. A few more minutes and we'll be completely finished.” A low grunt and he kicks again. “Oh, sir? Renji was looking for you earlier. Have you spoken to him?” A tiny fib; I asked my friend to distract his old trainer.

“What? What did he want? Fucking idiot.” I just smile blandly until he stomps away, heading for the Sixth Division. A tiny sigh of relief and I go back to organizing the last seconds before show time. Only an hour to go and we're as ready as we will be.

Tetsummi and I take charge of greeting our guests, seating them while the Fourth serves sake and tea. Only Captains were invited but most have brought their Lieutenants as well, as expected. It's only an exhibition match, not usually a big deal. But it's also our new Captain's first time as leader, the first chance he has to show he is capable, and we will make him proud.

Teams have been carefully chosen and matched strength for strength. They're finishing dressing as we seat our guests; Tetsummi and I are the last match and will slip away as soon as the second last set begins. I hide a smile as Renji hauls Ikkaku energetically up the street, nagging about being late as he's cursed for making them late in the first place.

“Captain, everyone has arrived. We'll start in a few minutes, if you approve.” I bow but glance at him from under my bangs as he huffs and stalks past me.

Renji shrugs and follows, grinning; I guess I was caught. A quick look around and I'm struck by the difference in leaders that our thirteen squads contain; from the icy Byakuya to the uncaring Kenpachi and back to the formal Unohana and the casual Kyouraku. Their Lieutenants are as varied and I wonder if, perhaps, our little ragtag division might fit in somehow.

The Captain is looking at me and I bow, stepping forward to formally welcome everyone and introduce the first match. There will only be a dozen but each is important, a mix of new and experienced men, and I watch carefully from the sidelines, kneeling at Ikkaku's side. The first nine matches go smoothly and I introduce the tenth, preparing to leave for my own.

A hand on my sleeve holds me down and I lean in. “Did good, Kira. We eat after yours?”

I go to answer, to tell him that everything is ready when I hear “Hadou 24, Shuryuudan!” I'm moving before I even realize it, hands raised, the chant sliding through my mind and over my tongue.

“Soukatsui!” I use one hand to call the blue flames and the other to spread them in a shield. There is no one on the field who can control Shuryuudan, the little blasts spreading farther than they should, pummeling my thin protection. I can hear and feel others setting defenses hurriedly but I hold my barrier, trembling as out of control reitsu slams against mine. They are our guests and it is my duty to protect them.

Finally, it stops and I drop to my knees, panting faintly. “Sir, I” What am I supposed to say? I don't how it happened? I didn't think anyone would try something so silly and obviously beyond their abilities? “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” He doesn't speak and I bow lower. I'm so ashamed, that we couldn't even be worthy for an hour. “I'm sorry, sir.”

“What the hell were you thinking?” I don't dare look up but suddenly I'm on my feet, staring up into angry eyes. “What the fuck are you apologizing for?” My mouth gapes open and I stare at him, confused. The flash of temper is gone as quickly as it arrived and he sets me back down, smoothing my shirts gently and lifting my hands, burned from holding the flame too closely. “Fuck. Captain Unohana, can you look after this?”

“Oh, sir, I can” I'm so embarrassed, the other Captains and Lieutenants are looking away, politely ignoring my horrible failure.

“Just be quiet.” I shrink down and let myself be settled beside the Fourth Division Captain, hands healing quickly. Please don't notice the men kneeling in the center of the sparring range. Of course he does, how can he not? But he says nothing, just hovers over me for a minute until I lift my hands for him to inspect.

Once he's satisfied, he pulls me over to sit beside him, a hand on my head and the other around my waist. “You're not fighting. Call the next fight.”

Not fighting? But... A glance at his face and I quietly call Tetsummi to announce the next group. They bow and begin but the Captain isn't watching them. He's staring at me and I try to watch the ground. “Kira.” His voice is soft, meant only for me and I nod to show I hear him. “You did good. I'm proud of you. You didn't have to hold it yourself, there were others who would have helped.” I peek up when he says he's proud but glance away quickly. “From now until tomorrow night, you are absolutely forbidden to fight or use any kind of kidou. Let others help you.”

Forbidden? But, but, that's my best weapon! What if something happens? What if someone gets hurt? What if, if, I don't know! Something, anything, I might have to use it. I'm certain panic is clear on my face but he just leans in and whispers in my ear. “We're here with you. We'll all protect you and ourselves. Have faith.” I don't know if I can but I suppose I have to try. I nod quietly and let him pull me against his side.

Supper is a fairly quiet affair, other than Yachiru; without Yumichika there to hold her back, she runs wild, clambering over and around the tables, racing from end to end. I try to lure her away from the Captains' table but she insists on eating with Kenpachi, who mostly ignores her. Much to Renji's loud amusement, all my efforts are ignored or screamed out loud, so that everyone glances at me from time to time. The second I give up, she's clinging to my waist, asking me to play with her.

Renji falls over laughing until I send her to pester him to see his sword's form. The volume rises but no one seems to mind and I relax enough to smile and laugh with the others. It's nice, to be able to eat and laugh, tease and congratulate each other on our reflexes, or harass the slower people. There is much bragging about both their abilities and those of their Captains, becoming more outlandish with each bottle of sake consumed, and just as much teasing.

I'm a bit tipsy at the end of the night but can still stand, which is considerably more than I can say for almost everyone else. Lieutenant Ise chases them home, gathering the most sober of each Captain/Lieutenant pair to act as guide. Mostly, I just wave and say goodbye and try not to get in her ever efficient way. When they are all gone, I turn to go back to go to the Captain and promptly stumble and start to fall, giggling helplessly. Strong arms curl around my waist and lift me up. “Captain.” It's more of a sigh than the exclamation of surprise it was meant as; I thought he was drunk hours ago.

“No, sir. Should I take you to him?” Oh, it's Tetsummi. I snuggle into his chest and nod, gripping the lapels of his uniform. He's nice and warm and I'm so very tired.

The next thing I remember is being tucked into bed and cuddling up to another warm body. “Good night, Kira.”

“Night, Teshummi.” I frown at the slurring of his name but he smiles and pats my shoulder before leaving, taking the small lantern with him. “Shorry.” I can't seem to speak between the alcohol and exhaustion.

He pauses and looks over his shoulder briefly. “Whatever for?”

“Din't get to fight.” My eyes won't stay open and I sag back down, blinking as fast as I can. “Ssorry.” There, I said it better this time.

The small smile vanishes and he steps quickly over to lean over me, a big hand brushing my bangs aside. “Kira, you never have to be sorry to me. You saved a lot of trouble today and let the Captain show off how strong you are. He's been bragging about you all night.” I just blink at him, confused. Why would the Captain brag about me? A low, frustrated groan and his hand runs through long shaggy hair. He kneels beside the bed and rolls me towards him so our faces are close. “Kira, Izuru. He knows exactly the prize he has. And you like him too, we all know it.”

My face turns red, embarrassment at being so obvious showing. “Do me this one favor.” I nod quickly, ignoring the way his face circles in front of me; I'm mostly certain it's the alcohol. He takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. “He's a good man and he's proven it over and over. Let him take care of us. Trust us to him and do as you like. Please Izuru.”

It almost sounds as if he's asking me for something but I'm not sure what. “Tetsummi?” A tiny frown crosses my face and he pulls away, smiling softly. “What...”

“Shh. Go to sleep, Kira.” A last brush of bangs and he's stepping away, ignoring my calling his name. “You made the right choice. Good night, Lieutenant.” A quick little salute and he's gone, the door closing before I can call him again.

Choice? What choice could I have made? Ikkaku shifts beside me and I rub his stomach idly, listening to his breathing. I'm wide awake now, sober as can be and confused as hell. Is he upset with me? But he wants me to leave my post as caretaker and 'do as I like.' Whatever that means. I like what I'm doing, like protecting the men, even if they don't need protection from the Captain. Like being with Ikkaku. Unless he wants me to... choose something else. My eyes widen and I start to rise.

A hard hand grips my wrist. “Leave him. Unless you're going to him?” A soft gasp and I turn to look at him, faint lights from outside reflecting off his head. His eyes are covered by shadows but I can feel the intense stare.

Am I going to Tetsummi? No, no, he's my best friend, my most trusted companion but never a lover. Ikkaku reads my decision on my face and pulls gently, bringing me down to his chest, thick fingers trailing my bangs. “Go to sleep. He'll be fine in the morning.”

But I want to go to him, I must have hurt him. He smiled but it was empty, devoid of any pleasure. It hurts me too, to think he might not be my friend in the morning. Still, going after him now might not be the best thing. Maybe I should let him think it out overnight and see how it is in the morning. I wonder vaguely if it's really for the best or if I'm merely being selfish and hoping it will go away.

My moments of sobriety have caught up with me and I'm so very tired, the warmth from the big body next to me urging me to drift. Gentle lips touch the curve of my ear, soothing me into sleep.

Breakfast arrives quietly, Tetsummi smiling at me as always as he hands me the tray. I feel a bit awkward, off center but he says nothing other than 'Good morning.'

Ikkaku and I eat slowly, nursing little hangovers. “Ikkaku?” He isn't in a very good mood this morning and I have a favor. He grunts at me. “I would like to have a training session today, for kidou use.” Now comes the favor. “Instead of morning practice.”

“No.” No hesitation and I look away, setting my plate down. “You can do it in the afternoon.”

“But, sir! They'll be tired. It's better if I have them do it in the morning. They can have physical practice in the afternoon.”

He grabs at me and hauls me in to sit in his lap. “Why, Kira, should I listen to you? Sirring me to death this early in the fucking morning. I let you get away with far too much.” A frown focuses on me but I just glare up, crossing my arms; I don't care if I am being a bit spoiled. “It's high time those lazy brats you call a squad learned some stamina. They're nearly useless.”

I gasp and squirm, offended by his criticism of our division. We've worked very hard to get better and have improved immensely in the short item he's been here! “Sir, that's not fair to the men. They've worked hard and did well yesterday.”

“Sure they did. Tried to blow us all up.” So he is annoyed about that. Fine. A little huff and I look away, hands folded in my lap. My lower lips trembles a bit and I try to move away from him; he grips my hips and pulls me closer. “Don't be like that.” His tone has changed dramatically, from a bit rough and annoyed to almost wheedling. I just sigh and continue looking at the floor.

He'll crack, he's unbelievably weak to the 'I'm sad but can't say anything' ploy. “Sir, please let me go. I should clean up now.” I still can't believe Yumichika shared this little trick with me.

His nose presses into my neck and he sighs loudly. “Alright, fine. You can have them this morning. But they all better show for practice later.”

“Thank you, Ikkaku.” My arms are flung around his neck and I snuggle close, dropping little kisses along his jaw. For an instant, he's still before he groans and kisses me back.

“Brat.” I laugh and hug him tightly. “I'll catch you next time.” Probably not. He's always in such a rush to head off a potential pouting session he doesn't check to see how serious it is; obviously something Yumichika taught him.

Tetsummi is waiting for me as always and we move together as we always have, seamlessly instructing the men in exercises. I'm so very glad he isn't upset with me and that he still wants to be my friend. Even if I can't return his feelings, he's my best friend and I don't want to lose him, even to gain the Captain.