A Shinigami Valentine

The following day marked the beginning of a parade of visitors for Akina. Word was out that she had awakened from her long sleep and everyone seemed to want to pay their respects. Her first set of visitors came in the form of Captain Komamura and Tetsuzaemon.

"Damn, you look like hell." Tetsuzaemon snapped, stepping into her room early the next day. Akina stuck her tongue out at him.

"Thanks." she whispered, her voice weak but slightly less hoarse. He grinned, standing at the foot of her bed as Captain Komamura carefully settled his large frame on the only chair in the room.

"Akina, how are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"I'm alive. Captain Unohana says that's an improvement." Akina joked with a faint smile.

Komamura's golden eyes twinkled as he replied,

"An improvement I wholeheartedly approve of. We have all been quite concerned. Your survival seemed in question for a short time. I was relieved when I received news of your regaining consciousness."

"Thank you, sir." she said softly.

"You, and the entire patrol, acted with honor and courage. You did well. Mai is recovering down the hall. She's asked about you. Her injuries, while different in nature, are equally severe. I am sorry to report that the other members of your part of the patrol group were..." Komamura started stiffly.

"I know." she said coldly, cutting him off. "Captain Zaraki informed me last night."

"I see..." Komamura said with a nod.

"What about your half of the patrol group?" she asked Tetsuzaemon directly.

"We didn't really see that much action. We got in a skirmish with the arrancar but it looked like our arrival sent them packing. They retreated back to Hueco Mundo. A couple of the men suffered minor injuries but nothing major." he replied.

"Division 10's patrol group?" she asked, straining against her fading voice.

"They didn't fare so well." Tetsuzaemon said, dropping his head.

"Division 10 lost eight members of their twelve man patrol unit." Komamura said quietly. "They were outnumbered and overwhelmed. Lt. Matsumoto was hospitalized but released a few days ago."

"Man." she whispered, closing her eyes. So many deaths. Did they really stand a chance against Aizen's arrancar army.

"But we learned a valuable lesson." Komamura continued. "We will no longer underestimate the arrancar threat. I hope that Commander Yamamoto will see the importance of an offensive attack versus the continued defensive stance we've taken so far."

"We're going to attack Hueco Mundo?" Akina asked sharply, her eyes focusing on the her captain. He stood.

"No decision has been reached yet, Akina. I can see that our visit is taking a toll on you so we will leave you to rest. I'll visit tomorrow. I am very happy to see you looking as well as you do. Please, let Tetsuzaemon know if there is anything you need." he said, patting her hand gently. He turned and walked out of the room.

"You did good, Akina. You took out one of those arrancar bastard. I'm impressed. Look, I would have come by before but I didn't think it was a good idea for me to visit alone. Sorry. I hope you understand. Now get some rest and I'll stop back by later." Tetsuzaemon added before following Captain Komamura out of the room.

Akina laid back, worn out by the conversation. When, she wondered, had she grown so weak that just talking exhausted her? She closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.

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"Shh!" hissed a female voice. "We shouldn't wake her."

"But Captain Unohana specifically said that visitation was recommended for Ito-san. She said that she prescribed it for her quick recovery." Nemu's soft voice reasoned. Akina smiled, slowly opening her eyes. Nanao and Nemu stood near the door, arguing. Of course, arguing with Nemu was a tricky thing, Akina thought. Her mind didn't work like most people. She took everything that was said to her quite literally.

"I'm awake." Akina called out in a low voice. Both women jumped in surprise.

"I'm sorry." Nanao said quickly as they walked over to her bedside.

"It's okay. It's good to see you both." Akina whispered, still weary despite her brief rest.

"I'm very happy that you did not die, Ito-san." Nemu said with a smile. Akina grinned.

"Me, too."

"I heard that Zaraki saved you...so romantic." Nanao said with a smiling sigh. Akina's grin faded.

"You know that we broke up, right?" Akina asked quietly.

"There have been rumors to that effect." Nemu acknowledged.

"But," Nanao objected. "He obviously cares about you, Akina. He saved your life."

"I really don't want to talk about it." Akina whispered. It hurt too much to talk about it. The words just reminded her of everything that she had lost.

"Ito-san, Captain Zaraki sat with you while you were sleeping. He ignored his own needs to remain at yours and Lt. Kusajishi's side. He watched over you. Whenever one of the Division 4 shinigami came in to care for you, he remained to make sure they didn't hurt you. I saw him. The way that he looked at you. He was sad, Ito-san. Sad because he feared losing you." Nemu spoke with a quiet fierceness that surprised Akina. "Do not underestimate his regard for you. He may be unable to speak of it to you...but it exists inside him."

Akina stared at the friend silently. Her words carried a wisdom that even she couldn't dismiss.

"Zaraki's a stubborn ass. It's going to take him awhile to overcome his pride and come crawling back." Nanao snapped.

"I will speak to him." Nemu announced suddenly.

"No!" Akina and Nanao cried out simultaneously.

"Please, don' t do that." Akina begged.

"He'll eat you up and spit you out in little pieces." Nanao warned her.

"But Ito-san, you spoke on my behalf to Madarame-san. He told me. He said you told him how much I cared for him. It helped him overcome his fear of approaching me. I want to do the same for you." Nemu countered. Akina frowned. She had to get her off this subject. She didn't want Nemu talking to Zaraki about her. It would only piss him off more.

"So you're still seeing Ikkaku?" she asked, hoping to derail the girl. The mention of Ikkaku's name lit up Nemu's face with a beautiful inner light.

"Yes, we are seeing each other." she said proudly, a faint blush on her cheeks.

"She even stood up to her father." Nanao mentioned with a grin.

"What?" Akina cried out in surprise.

"Captain Kurotsuchi discovered that Madarame-san and I were spending time together. He was not happy but I remembered Captain Zaraki's advice." Nemu explained softly. "I told him that I had a right to my own life...my own happiness."

"What did he say?" Akina asked fearfully.

"He was not happy. He punished me for my insolence." Nemu whispered.

"Bastard." Akina whispered.

"That's not the end." Nanao said, "Ikkaku saw her bruises. He went nuts. He tried to take on Captain Kurotsuchi. Nemu intervened. Then Commander Yamamoto caught wind of it all and he had a little conversation with Kurotsuchi about his treatment of his lieutenant. Long story short...Ikkaku and Nemu are an item."

"He is...very kind to me." Nemu whispered. Akina smiled. She wanted to hug her. The girl deserved so much happiness. Perhaps this was the beginning of much joy that would come her way. She turned towards Nanao and asked,

"What about you and Shunsui? You looked really sweet the day I left."

"We are progressing well." Nanao replied vaguely. The bright pink blush that spread across her face brought a grin to Akina's face.

"Just how far has it progressed, Nanao?" she teased softly. The pink turned to a deep red.

"Shunsui is learning the value of staying home in the evenings. He has not been carousing or skirt-chasing since before you left, Akina." she offered. Akina laughed then winced, the movement hurting her chest.

"I'm so happy, Nanao. For both of you." she whispered, rubbing her aching chest. "That Valentine's Day match-making thing worked for a few people at least."

"Oh, that's right!" Nanao cried out. "You don't know about White Day."

"What about it? Yamamoto made it sound like you were doing the whole thing again." Akina whispered, her voice weaker.

"No. There will be matches made and a dinner but he and Captain Unohana will decide on who dates who. Commander Yamamoto said they knew more about his captains and lieutenants than Kurotsuchi's machines. I think he came up with this just so that he knew he'd end up with Unohana." Nanao laughed.

"I hope it's a success." Akina said softly. She didn't think she'd be going. The only person she wanted to spend time with wanted nothing to do with her.

"You're going to be involved, right? You have to." Nanao insisted. Akina shook her head.

"White Day is less than a week away. I doubt that I'll even be out of here by then." Akina argued, wanting desperately to rest. Her body was aching and her head had begun to hurt. All this talk of romance had reminded her too much of what she didn't have.

"You have to come." Nemu agreed.

"I'll talk to Unohana. You will be there." Nanao snapped.

"I'm not going. It doesn't matter what you say." she said, her eyes drooping.

"Ise-san please, we must let Ito-san rest. She looks very sleepy." Nemu insisted.

"Fine! But I'm not letting this go, Akina. You will be there on White Day." Nanao called out as Nemu pushed her out the door. Akina smiled faintly, letting herself drift away.

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"Is she asleep?" Akina heard a male voice ask. She stirred restlessly as another male voice said,

"Her eyes are closed."

"She could be faking." the first suggested. Akina frowned, half opening her eyes.

"Why would she be faking?" snapped the second. Akina watched Yumichika's face flush with frustration as he spoke. Ikkaku shrugged, standing next to him.

"Maybe she's pissed at us too. Who knows? She could blame us for the captain being...wait. Her eyes are open." Ikkaku said, leaning closer.

"Why would I be mad at you?" Akina asked him softly. He grinned, straightening up.

"You shouldn't be. Besides, it's hard to resist my charm." he teased.

"Trust me. It's not nearly as difficult as you think." Yumichika said, stepping up with a large glass vase full of yellow daffodils.

"These are for you, Akina. I thought you might like something cheerful and bright. This place can be so depressing." Yumichika offered, sitting the vase on the bedside table next to her head.

"Thank you. I love daffodils. They're my absolute favorite. Thank you so much." Akina gushed, drinking in the sweet, fresh fragrance from the flowers. Yumichika beamed happily. Ikkaku rolled his eyes.

"I don't see why anyone would get so excited over a buncha dead weeds." he snapped. Yumichika reached out, popping him hard on the arm.

"Try giving a bunch to Nemu and maybe you'll understand. Idiot." he added under his breath. He took a deep, cleansing breath then smiled warmly at Akina.

"You look a bit pale but much better than you did before." Yumichika offered, sitting down in the chair.

"You saw me before?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. Ikkaku and I sat with you while Captain Zaraki was with Yachiru. He was quite insistent that you shouldn't be left alone. He was afraid that you'd wake up and he'd miss it again."

“Yeah, even the half-wits and reprobates in Division 11 are worried about you.” Ikkaku added. Akina blanched. They knew the about the awful things she had said about them during their argument.

“Zaraki told you?” she whispered. Ikkaku grinned as he said,

“Nah, Tetsuzaemon told me about the fight. But I'm pretty sure everybody in the Sereitei's heard about it by now. Word travels fast but you know that already.”

“Yes, it's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about Ikkaku.” Yumichika sniffed.

“Hey!” Ikkaku growled. “The point is that the Captain was worried about you despite all that shit. So were we.”

"I don't understand. Why would he act like he cares so much when I'm unconscious and then ignore me completely once I wake up?" Akina snapped. Yumichika patted her hand sympathetically.

"It's best not to try to understand him, Akina. He and Ikkaku are a lot alike. They don't know how to handle their emotions when it comes to women."

"Watch it!" Ikkaku objected loudly. Yumichika ignored him.

"I'm hopeful that Captain Zaraki will come to his senses soon. You still care for him?" he asked. Akina's eyes narrowed.

"I don't want to talk about it." she snapped angrily, looking away.

"That's what I thought." he said smugly. She glared at the pretty man. He just smiled and patted her hand reassuringly.

"Yachiru's just a few doors down." Ikkaku said, motioning with his thumb. "She keeps asking about you. She really misses you, Akina."

"I miss her too." she admitted.

"She's not allowed out of bed yet." Yumichika explained. "It has been quite difficult keeping her still."

"I can imagine." Akina laughed then winced from the pain. Silently she scolded herself. She needed to stop doing that.

"Captain Zaraki's with her. She listens to him best of all." he said, standing.

"Well, we won't keep you. You look like you need to rest. Please, let us know if you need anything at all. I'm very happy to see you up and awake. I really didn't think you'd make it, Akina." Yumchika added. Ikkaku nodded, agreeing,

"You were messed up after that fight with the arrancar. I don't know how long you and Yachiru were sitting there. Nobody noticed till Aizen pulled back with the arrancar. It was Captain Zaraki who found you. Shit! The look on his face...I ain't never seen him move that fast. And he's fast. Really fast."

"He didn't want to lose you, Akina. Remember that when he's being obstinate and hard to handle." Yumichika said softly. "He blames himself, you know."

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Oh, on top of all the rumors, he blames himself for letting you and Yachiru get hurt. That can't be easy for someone like him." Yumichika explained.

"I told him before...I don't need him to take care of me." she snapped.

"Yeah, I bet that went over big." Ikkaku chuckled. Akina glared at him.

"A man like Captain Zaraki wants to protect those he loves, Akina. It's in his nature. It's a blow to his self-esteem that he allowed you to be hurt...not just hurt but nearly killed. I'm sure he blames himself. Now, we're going to go but we're not far if you need us. Rest. You need your beauty sleep." Yumichika added as he followed Ikkaku out of the room. Akina frowned, thinking of his parting words. Zaraki blamed himself for her injuries? It was ridiculous, she thought.

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It seemed to Akina that she spent most of her time sleeping. The large clock on the wall marked the great gaps of time she lost to sleep. She stared at it in the dim light of night. It was after midnight. Now was the time she should be sleeping, she thought with a frown. The door to her room opened wider, ushering in a wide band of light. Akina turned to see who it was. A familiar pink head stepped up to her bedside.

"Aka-chan? Are you awake?" Yachiru whispered. Akina tried to bend down to look into her eyes but a sharp, sudden pain in her side stopped her.

"I'm awake, squirt. What are you doing out of bed? I thought you weren't supposed to get up?" she asked her softly. Yachiru climbed up into bed with her, pulling back the blanket and snuggling close to Akina. Her movement brought Akina a rush of pain but it settled quickly as she hugged Akina, resting her head against her breast.

"I missed you, Aka-chan." Yachiru whispered, snuggling even closer. Akina hugged her as best she could.

"I missed you too, Yachiru. I'm glad you're okay. I was worried about you." she whispered, closing her eyes.

"I was afraid you were dead. Ken-chan said you wouldn't wake up. I was afraid you were gonna sleep forever." she continued in a small, frightened voice.

"I'm sorry that I worried you. But I'm okay now. I'm not going anywhere." she said softly, feeling the now familiar need for sleep creep up on her. She felt Yachiru's breathing become slow and even. She was asleep. With a smile, Akina joined her, drifting off.

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"I don't care what time it is. Where the hell is she?" Zaraki's loud, angry voice cut through Akina's dreamless sleep, jerking her awake. He was in the hallway, close by her room. She considered calling out to him then thought better of it. It would cause her pain and would wake Yachiru. He'd find her eventually, Akina thought, closing her eyes again.

A sense of presence pressed down, invading her dreams. Akina slowly opened her eyes. She met Zaraki's dark, glaring gaze.

"Kenpachi." she whispered.

"How long has Yachiru been in here?" he demanded. Akina shifted her gaze to the clock. It was nearly five in the morning.

"Around midnight." she replied softly. He looked different. Something was wrong with his hair. His spikes looked lopsided and uneven.

"Your hair..." she started.

"Yeah, I know. Looks like shit, doesn't it?" he complained, his hand going automatically to the right side of his head.

"What happened?" she asked curiously.

"It got cut." he said sullenly. A frown furrowed his brow.

"Cut?" she whispered.

"Yes, cut! One of those damn arrancar cut off one of my spikes. The bastard was trying to take my head and missed!" Zaraki growled. Akina laughed softly in spite of the pain. His frown deepened as he lightly touched where his missing spike should be.

"I didn't even get to kill the son of a bitch." he growled. "Made me lose my bell and everything. I'm gonna shave that blue hair right off the top of his head the next time I see him."

Akina smiled, unable to suppress it. It felt so good to be talking to him again. It brought a smile to her face.

"I think you're as handsome as ever, Kenpachi. It makes you look even more dangerous." she said softly. He gave her a strange look, his lone eye watching her closely.

"I gotta take Yachiru back to bed. She ain't supposed to be up. Sorry if she bothered you." he snapped, moving to the other side of her bed where Yachiru was curled up, still sleeping.

"Can't you just leave her?" Akina asked. "I've been so worried about her. Please?"

Zaraki stared at her silently. He didn't look happy.

"Please, Kenpachi...don't take her away from me too." she begged. Her words caused his face to harden then his irritation seemed to melt away. Resignation filled his eyes. He jerked the chair up closer to the bed suddenly, sitting down.

"Fine." he snapped, crossing his arms tightly. "I'll let her sleep but when she wakes up, I'm taking her back."

Akina watched him through heavily lidded eyes. He seemed uncomfortable in her presence, shifting and fidgeting anxiously.

"I saw Nemu today. She told me that she and Ikkaku were still seeing each other." she said softly. Zaraki grunted, not looking at her.

"She even stood up to her father on his behalf." she continued. He made no reply.

"I believe it's because of what you said to her before I left on patrol. You did a good thing, Kenpachi. A good thing for both of them."

"Kurotsuchi's been here a couple times lookin' for you." he snapped, changing the subject abruptly. "He heard how you could see the arrancar's reiatsu. He really wants to get his hands on you."

"Great." she murmured sarcastically, closing her eyes. She would be happy if she never saw the man again.

"I wouldn't let him in. I can't stand the way he looks at you." he growled. Akina's eyes opened. Was he jealous, she wondered.

"Thank you." she whispered. "I don't have the strength to fight him off yet."

"You're getting better." he reassured her. "You're a lot stronger than you were just yesterday."

"You think?"

"Yeah, you could barely talk, let alone move. You're getting better, Akina." he said firmly, glancing over at her.

"Will we ever be the same, Kenpachi?" she asked softly.

"No." he replied quickly. she tried to ignore the pain that cut sharply through her from the coldness of that single word.

"I can't trust you, Akina." he added sharply. Akina fell silent. There didn't seem to be anything else to say. It was pointless to try and defend herself again.

"It was good though...while it lasted." he said softly. She smiled, trying not to cry.

"Yeah, it was." she whispered. "I guess you should know that I love you, Kenpachi."

"What?" he snapped, jerking stiffly upright. She didn't look at him. She didn't want to see the rejection in his eyes. Softly, she continued,

"I know it's over but I just thought you should know. I don't think I really realized how much till you were gone."

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about." he said harshly, settling back in the chair.

"Maybe not but I know what I feel." she whispered, closing her eyes and willing sleep to come. She had said it. She couldn't take it back it now. What he did with her confession was entirely up to him.

"Go to sleep, you stupid shit. You need to rest." he snapped. She smiled. That might be as close to caring words as she would ever get from him. Akina let the sweet comfort of sleep whisk her away. She felt remarkably lighter, happier even, after her confession. She never realized the true weight of three little words.


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