A Mother For Yachiru

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Chapter 3


Kenpachi was leaning back against a tree on one of the distant hills of the society. This one was located away from the hustle and bustle of the city but still within the boundaries set for the Shinigami within the walls. He looked around, happy that no one else was present, except for Orihime, who stood staring out over the city. He picked up the jug of sake and then sat it back down, sighing.

"Orihime."

The young girl turned and looked back at him. "Yes?"

"Come here and sit. We needa have a talk."


Orihime sighed and walked over slowly, sitting down close enough to Kenpachi to hear him but away enough not to touch him. She nibbled her lip and looked over. "What do you want to talk about Captain Zaraki?"


Kenpachi growled. "First off, stop calling me a fucking captain. You never did before. My name is Kenpachi. Well to you it is no longer Captain Zaraki. Say it."

"Ken..pachi.", she whispered.

"That's right. Again without stuttering."

She took a deep breath. "Kenpachi."

"Good.", he half purred and took a drink of sake. "Very good."


Orihime looked over to see him looking at her. "What do you want to talk about Capt..I mean Kenpachi?"

Kenpachi smirked. "Give me a minute to get my mind around it."


He took a few more drinks and then sat the jar down. "Why?"

"Why what?", she echoed.

"Why did you do what you did back there?"


Orihime took a deep breath. "I don't really know. All I know is that I got a note from Serra about Yachiru's actions. I went to talk to her and heard what she said and then I was so angry that woman would say those lies to Yachiru. I couldn't let her marry you if she didn't accept Yachiru. I know it wasn't my choice but this was originally a plan for a mother for Yachiru. I hope your not angry at me because of that."


Kenpachi looked over to see Orihime looking back out over the society. "So you did it for her, huh?"


Orihime nodded without looking back to him. "I was so young whenever my parents died. I don't want her growing up without a mother like I did. Yes, my brother raised me but still, nothing replaces a mother's love, touch, and care. If you are angry, I am sorry."


Kenpachi chuckled. "I'm not angry, Orihime. But still I would have discovered her lies and even if she sent Yachiru to the real world, I would have found her. I always know."


Orihime turned to him and glared. "You think you could? What if she would have used a different gigai? One that didn't have pink hair. What if she bound her spirit signature and pressure to where you couldn't find her? Then what?"

Kenpachi gritted his teeth. "You think she would have done that?"

She shrugged. "I don't know but the way she spoke and then tried to lie to you, I do believe she would have done that."


Kenpachi continued to stare at the human. She had changed a lot since he last saw her. "You do realize something, right?"

"What?"

"She was the last choice. "



Orihime's eyes went wide and she jerked her head around to him. "I'm.."


"Don't say your sorry. You cared enough to protect her. You cared enough to step in. You kept me from killing her. I understand why you did it now. I guess I should thank you."


Orihime turned her head and then yelped as Kenpachi jerked her over to him and forced her head to his chest. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight.

"Relax, Orihime. Just lay here and enjoy this. I gotta take some time to think."


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The two remained under the tree for a while. Orihime found herself dozing off to the sound of Kenpachi's breathing and his heart beat. He shuffled her around and made her sit on his lap.

"Huh?", she questioned, half asleep.


"Kiss me.", Kenpachi said as he met her eyes.

"What?", she responded, now fully wide awake.

"Kiss me. She was the last choice before you. I wanna know how your kisses compare to her's. I wanna know if this is gonna be a marriage of convenience or a marriage of worth. I just wanna know if anything is there. That is if we get married. You can't be scared of me, you placed yourself between the two of us. Now, kiss me. I won't bite, at least not now."


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Orihime swallowed and met his eyes. "Just one."

Kenpachi nodded. "Just one."


Orihime kneeled on her knees, keeping her body off his own. She closed her eyes and leaned forwards, feeling his breath on her lips. She stopped long enough to take a breath and then leaned in, placing her lips over his own.


Kenpachi growled and his hands shot up to her hips. His left hand left her waist to cup the back of her head. Orihime gasped and he slid his tongue into her mouth. Her hands went up to his shoulders and he pulled her down gently to settle on his lap, her legs around his waist.

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Orihime pulled out of the kiss, her breathing erratic. Kenpachi slowly opened his eye and looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Orihime. I didn't.."


His sentence was stopped as she covered his mouth again with her lips. He groaned and pulled her tight against him. She tilted her head to the side so he could deepen the kiss.

Kenpachi pulled out of the kiss and pushed her down to sit on his thighs. "We have to stop, Orihime. While I want this, however, I don't want it just because of...Damn, I don't know what to say."


Orihime smiled. "You wanted the kiss, Kenpachi. I kissed you. I wanted to. Now, how about we plan this wedding so that Yachiru can come home. We do have to be married before she is released back to you. I am willing to do this. How about you?"


"I don't want a wife just because of Yachiru."


"How about we work on it? We take this one day at a time. The date is approaching quick, Kenpachi. I'm willing to try this, if you are. I am sure they will let Yachiru come to the wedding and then maybe we can take her home then. I can ask Serra."


"You plan it, I'll be there. I ain't good with all that wedding shit. Ask Matsumoto to help. She's good with that girly shit."

Orihime smiled. "Very well then. Something small.", she remarked as she laid her head back on his chest.

Kenpachi smirked. She had no idea what she was planning. The wedding's in the society was never a small deal, especially when a captain got married. Him, Ikkaku and Yumichika would have to keep the huge ceremony from her. He would talk to them tonight and have Rangiku meet her in the morning to start planning. He stood up, grabbed his sake and then flash stepped back to the division. He placed Orihime in her room, shut the door and then took off to find his third seat and fifth seat.

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The next day Orihime was sitting with Rangiku and Hinamori in her room. Orihime looked out the window to see Kenpachi practicing with the other male members of the group.

"Orihime?", Hinamori questioned.


Orihime sighed. "Am I doing the right thing? I mean a marriage of convenience, is that a good way? Divorce isn't an option, not here. I don't want to force him into something. And also, what about my friends in the real world? How are they going to take this?"


Rangiku stood and walked over. "Orihime, listen. Your not forcing Captain Zaraki into anything that he doesn't want. If he agreed to this marriage, then he obviously wants it. Captain Zaraki isn't one to be forced into anything. As for your friends in the real world, if they don't understand and refuse to be your friend due to who you marry, then they aren't friends at all. Besides, you have many friends here."


Hinamori nodded. "You do. Everyone likes you. The Captain Commander stated that he had been wrong in branding you a traitor. Besides, I think that Captain Zaraki likes you or maybe even loves you."


Orihime frowned. "How could he? I'm human. I'm not even a real shinigami."


Rangiku hugged her. "So what if your human. We don't care and I know Captain Zaraki doesn't care either. If he did, would he have given you rides on his back or even protected you when you were lost?"


Orihime snorted. "I wasn't lost. Maki Maki kidnapped me." She slapped her head. "Oh dear geez, I am already talking like Yachiru." She leaned against the wall and continued to look out the window. "He really loves her, doesn't he?"

Rangiku nodded. "He does. She's his baby girl. Even though he isn't truly showing it, he loves her, very much. Those two are like two peas in a pod. I just hate that they are apart."


Hinamori sighed. "Orihime, I am the last person to be questioning your actions but do you love him?"


Orihime spun. "Love him? Hinamori, I don't know him well enough to love him. Do I like him? Yes. Do I love him now? Not currently but I do think I could grow to love him."


Rangiku stood. "Well I better get back to the office. Captain Hitsuguya will have my head if I don't finish paperwork. That's one of the promises I had to make to get to help you with your wedding. If he let me help you, I would finish my paperwork on time. We will see you tomorrow."

Orihime nodded and hugged them both gently as they left. She then sat down on her bed and frowned. Why was she doing this and could she really love Kenpachi Zaraki? With her mind settled on yes, she picked up the magazines that had wedding stuff in it and started to work on her wedding.