The Broken Souls of the Seireitei

A/N: I borrowed the name 'Matsuflex'. I don't own it, or the sexy man who embodies it. I just needed to borrow the name (you all will see). I have 2 days off work, so I'll try to update this soon. My birthday is Tuesday btw...I DEMAND GIFTAGE NOW! J/k. Enjoy the story.








Byakuya cracked his knuckles and sighed. He had a crick in his neck and he was hungry. He glanced at the small picture of his mother on his desk and sighed again. Renji cast a concerned look in his direction. Byakuya was known for carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he always had done it with a strange grace about it. It seemed though that ever since he and Ichigo became a couple, Renji could tell that the weight was getting heavier and heavier and harder and harder to lug around.

“Taicho? Is everything alright? Would you like some tea and sticky rice or something?”

Byakuya found a small smile gracing his face. Tatsuki had done a great job of softening his edges. Renji was more thoughtful in his words and actions, and was a bit more observant. The youthful cuteness of it all was almost chuckle-worthy.

“Yes, Abarai fukutaicho. I’m alright. But tea would be nice; even more so if you’d please share a cup with me.”

Almost excitedly Renji scraped his chair back and disappeared into the anteroom for the supplies. A few minutes later he returned with an ornate tea tray, obviously a Kuchiki heirloom, with a tea set with two cups on it. He placed the tray on Byakuya’s desk and poured his captain a steaming cup and even blew on it before handing it to him. Once Byakuya took a sip and nodded in appreciation, Renji made his own cup, adding way too much sugar to it.

“Taicho?”

“Hmmm?”

Renji got all fidgety. “I was, uh, wondering if maybe you and Ichigo would like to…um…come with me tonight.”

Byakuya nearly cracked the cup in his hand. “WHAT?!!” He roared, totally misunderstanding the request.

Renji paled. “No, no, no, that ain’t what I meant! I mean Tatsuki and Orihime are gonna dance tonight and I wanted to know if you guys wanna come!!” Renji was practically cowering in fear. He had seen first hand just how possessive Byakuya was over Ichigo the other day. The three of them had went to visit the Silver Tonbo, due to the fact that Ichigo was starting to become like Renji in the way of having a propensity for sunglasses. Mihane was there, cute and bubbly as always, showing them the different sunglasses and also schmoozing up to her captain. Ichigo had wandered off to a stand in one of the corners, and smiled when he found someone standing extremely close behind him, breathing on his neck. He put on a pair of purple shades, grinning as he turned.

“Am I gorgeous?” He gushed flirtatiously. He ripped off the glasses and backed away from the stranger that was sensually panting on him a moment ago.

“You betcha,” The strange man that had been practically pressing up behind him drawled lecherously, looking him over like he was fresh meat. The man was tall and muscular, his face covered in scars. “I’d like to take more than those glasses off of you, though. I’d GUHHHH!!!--” There was a ’whoosh’ of air and then suddenly man started gagging and Ichigo saw two white gloved hands encircle the man’s neck. Byakuya had easily slipped in between the almost invisible space between them and was on the verge of cracking the man’s neck.

“Oh dear,” Mihane said, hoping for no collateral damage.

“Oh shit,” Renji whispered, seeing the rage on Byakuya’s face. He hadn’t looked like that since…since…well ever!

“How dare you even look at my Ichigo, let alone accost him? Apologize. NOW!” Byakuya barked, tightening his grip. The man wheezed and a small trickle of blood started to run from his nose.

Ichigo grew a bit frightened. He wasn’t used to this. “B, please let him go. I thought he was you because he was pressing up so close to me.”

Wrong answer.

Byakuya’s grip tightened even more and the man’s eyes rolled back in his head. He stopped twitching and wheezing, and when Byakuya finally let him go, the man just fell to the floor with a thud. Renji walked over to the man and looked at him, shaking his head.

“That’s Motohiki Shuuya. From the 11th division. 8th seat or something like that.” Renji frowned at him. Shuuya liked pretty objects, but had no couth whatsoever. It served the man right, since he had no business pushing up on anyone like that, especially a vice-captain.

“I’ll alert someone from the 4th to come get him,” Mihane squeaked, running to get a Hell Butterfly. Ichigo just stared wide eyed at Byakuya, who still wore an angry look on his face.

“C’mon,” The dark haired man said forcefully, grabbing Ichigo’s hand and dragging him away. Renji shrugged and quietly followed.
**********

Byakuya leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Very well then. I’m sure you will see Ichigo before me, so ask him if he desires to accompany us. I will also ask Kenpachi and Rangiku if they want to go.”

“Rukia and Ikkaku are coming too.”

Byakuya made a face. “Never mind then.”

Renji stamped his foot. “No!! Besides, tonight is New Wave night. Best music you‘ve ever heard. Please, taicho don’t be that way. They won’t fight. I promise.”

Byakuya almost laughed. “You can’t promise me that. And you know how Rukia gets when she drinks, and you know how Ikkaku is, period. Aizen and Yamamoto are nicer to each other than Rukia and Ikkaku.”

Renji chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. His captain had a good point. “Listen, I’ll watch Rukia and if things get heated I can take her to the shouten or to Ichigo’s house and throw her in the closet.”

Byakuya audibly laughed. “Sounds like a great contingency plan.”

Renji nodded and smiled, happy to be complimented.
***********************

Rangiku, Rukia, and Nanao sat outside on the patio of the Mess Hall, watching Yachiru and Yumichika playing hopscotch. Zaraki had told his small vice captain and former 5th to have a play date, as Yachiru was missing “Sparkle-Sparkle”, which he assumed was this week’s nickname for Yumichika. Of course, Rangiku complained about who would do the paperwork, but after a few kisses here and sucks there, she relented. Yumichika was a great babysitter, purposely letting Yachiru win, even though it should be noted that Yumichika is the hopscotch master.

“So Lovelies, what’s the game plan tonight?” Matsumoto asked, stretching her long body on the hall steps, nearly making a few academy students fall over each other from staring at her.

“Tatsuki and Hime are dancing at Passion Fascination tonight. I’m going,” Rukia declared with gusto. Few things seemed to move the Kuchiki, but naked jiggling breasts and overflowing liquor were high on the list.

“Ugh, your such a lesbian,” Nanao teased, poking at her. Rukia shrugged. “Fucking Ikkaku for three years will do that to you.”

They all laughed, but their chorus dwindled upon seeing Isane, Kiyone, and Momo walk up.

All six of the women exchanged venomous glances, the most hated looks between Momo, Matsumoto, and Isane.

“Oooh…Fatty Matty looks mad!” Yachiru noted, happy to have been taught the new nickname by Yumichika. The feathered man looked at the troupe of women and nodded.

“Looks like Fatty Matty is about to turn into Matsuflex here in a moment. And I don’t even have a camera,” He lamented. He retrieved his compact of power from his pocket and after dusting Yachiru’s nose, he powdered his own face swiftly and switched over to the ladies, intent on being as bitchy as possible.

“Hinamori-chan. You are indeed amazing.”

Momo looked annoyed as she turned to Yumi. “Excuse me?”

Yumi colored. “First of all sweetie, its Ayasegawa fukutaicho. Use it whenever you address me. Second of all, I left an obscene stack of paperwork for you to do. So for you to be out here giving our beloved and revered captain some serious stink eye, you would have had to finish all of that work. And if that is the case, then you are amazing.”

Momo looked troubled. “I, uh…was taking a break.”

Yumi batted his eyes. “And who said you could?” He placed his hands on his hips and Yachiru mimicked him, excited to be involved in grown-up business.

Momo bit the inside of her lip and looked at Kiyone and Isane. Out of the three of them, only Isane had considerable rank. Before them stood four vice-captains and one captain. They were outnumbered and outranked.

“I apologize, Ayasegawa fukutaicho. I will get back to work immediately.” Momo turned to leave, but was stopped by Yumi clearing his throat.

“You forgot to apologize to someone else, Honeybuns.”

Momo gritted her teeth and turned back around. “I apologize, Matsumoto taicho.”

Rangiku just stared at Momo. She wanted to rip her from limb to limb, but instead smiled at her. She flicked her hand to dismiss her, as she didn’t deserve the effort it would take to form words. Momo colored scarlet and ran off angrily.

Isane decided to try to take Matsumoto down a few notches. “So Matsumoto taicho, how is Zaraki taicho doing? Does he still have a healthy appetite?” She smiled in her bitchiest way, making Yachiru slink behind Yumi’s rock hard thighs.

Rangiku smiled demurely. “Oh yes. Kenpachi eats very well. And often too.” She grinned saucily, causing Yumi and Rukia to laugh. Isane blushed molten red.

“Such crass talk, and in front of a child! You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Yumi drew himself to his full height against the towering woman. “Funny you should talk about things that are shaming, Isane. Wasn’t there a time once when you-”

“Enough!” Matsumoto stood up quickly, almost knocking Isane over. She looked at Yachiru, who appeared to be on the verge of pissing her pants in fear. She glanced at Yumi, who nodded his head. He looked at Isane and rolled his eyes, smoothing his unmussed hair.

“You aren’t beautiful, and neither is this conversation. Over it!” Yumi proclaimed and flounced off, whisking up Yachiru and carrying her on his shoulders.

Matsumoto watched them leave and then turned back to Isane. “If you have a problem with me, then that’s fine. But at least have the dignity not to start up in front of Kenpachi’s child.”

Isane tossed her beaded braids and ‘humped’ in anger. “C’mon, Kiyone. Let’s go eat.”

Kiyone, who had been watching the event silently looked over at Rukia. “I have finished my work for the day, Kuchiki fukutaicho.” She wasn’t going to ask Rukia for permission to eat, but she didn’t want to appear as badly as Momo had.

Rukia nodded. “If your duties are completed, then the rest of the day is your own.” Kiyone smiled at her, but a grunt from Isane quickly erased the smile. She bowed to them all and scurried inside, her sister following her.

Nanao glared after them. “Isane is such a bitch!”

“Yep.” Matsumoto sat back down and sighed, rubbing her temples. She held her head down, staring at the dirt until she saw two little feet appear before her. She lifted her head and looked at Yachiru, who was holding a daisy.

“Here. Don’t let that hag get you down.” Yachiru thrust the flower at Matsumoto, and then took back off immediately when her gift was accepted. Matsumoto looked at the daisy and smiled widely.

Rukia smirked. “And you were afraid she wouldn’t like you.”

Nanao picked at her fingers and sighed. “Let’s go get some pizza.” Secretly, she wanted to go back to Barnes and Noble to get more books, but the pizza shop was right across from the store, and maybe they would see their ryoka friends. The girls all agreed in unison and made preparations to leave for pizza.
*********************

Karin chewed her food thoughtfully. She was comfortable for the most part, her wounds bandaged and covered with salve, and the steak and rice Ichigo had snuck her were delicious. He had retrieved some assignments from school for her, and she was relieved to know that Ririn had taken her place in her mod soul so at least she could rest knowing that she wouldn’t flunk out of school. She took another bite of the steak and swallowed, closing the Styrofoam container. Ichigo had come in and Toshiro had abruptly left, saying something to Ichigo about him being glad that her brother had ‘finally told the truth about coming to see her’ or something along those lines. He was agitated the whole time he was there, complaining that she smelled sweaty and that she looked pale. Karin said little, opting not to look into those piercing aqua eyes. They looked angry and accusing, and she didn’t know why. She was in too much pain to care either.

She held the sides of her body cast and took a huge breath before sitting up. Wincing, she stood and slid her feet forward until she reached the door. She looked across the hall and saw Nemu’s door was open, and she ambled across the hallway, nearly falling onto Nemu’s bed, startling the half asleep girl.

Karin looked up at her and smiled. Nemu gave her a gentle smile in return, and then sighed. Karin winced as she rolled onto her back, taking in a deep breath.

“That sigh is the truest thing I’ve heard today.” Karin stared at the ceiling, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

“Are you hurting?” Nemu quietly inquired. Karin nodded and then turned toward the vice-captain.

“Do you think Toshiro loves me?”

Nemu colored red and averted her eyes. “I-I wouldn’t know. Do you think that he does?”

Karin shrugged. “Sometimes I know it. Other times…” She trailed off and a shiny tear slid down to the bed covers. Nemu tentatively reached for her and stroked at the layered black locks. Karin tilted her head to give Nemu better access, and they remained that way for awhile, Nemu’s fingers gently navigating through Karin’s hair.

“I wonder about Uryuu sometimes,” Nemu offered, trying to alleviate Karin’s burdens. The young girl scoffed and sighed. “I don’t see why. He loves you. I mean, look at you. You’re so sweet and beautiful. You aren’t all bony and boyish like me.” Karin had an almost angry look on her face, and Nemu shook her head.

“It has nothing to do with looks. Hitsugaya taicho should appreciate you for who and what you are. And if he doesn’t, then do you need him?” Nemu’s words were so bold, they even surprised her. Karin looked at her and gave her a small smile.

“I know, I know. It’s alright, I’m probably just feeling needy or something. Toshiro loves me, he just doesn’t like having to come see me in the medical division. He will act better once I’m healed and out of here.”

Nemu shifted uncomfortably. “Karin, I don’t know how to say this, but-”

“No, I know. And it’s okay.”

Nemu gave her a confused look. Karin smiled. “I know what you were gonna say. You were gonna tell me not to put up with anything less than the best, but it’s ok. I know how special I am, but I know how special Toshiro is too. He loves me. I know it.” The look of desperation in the girl’s eyes was too much for her, and Nemu looked away.

“You’re probably tired now, aren’t you? I’ll figure out a way to stand…and once I do I’ll go back across the hall. Thank you, Nemu.” Karin managed to roll herself off the bed and after many winces and hisses of pain, she stood and managed to grab onto the door jamb. She paused and turned, looking at her purple haired friend.

“Once we get out of here…do I have to call you Kurotsuchi taicho?”

Nemu smiled and shook her head. Karin blushed and ducked her head, her hair hiding her expression as she ambled back across the hallway. Nemu didn’t close her eyes for sleep until she hear Karin’s bed squeak and the girl’s breaths even out. She bit her lip and considered sending a Hell Butterfly to let Ice Cube know she saw him, but she relented. Her position as a captain was new, and not even confirmed by Yamamoto. Nemu might not have been the best at public relations, but she knew when she had a shiny gold coin in her hand, and also not to spend that coin all in one place. She leaned back against her pillow and relaxed, letting fatigue weigh her eyes closed.

****************************

“Oh fuddies.” Yuzu was wrapping gauze (again) in the doorway of a storage closet and almost as soon as she had wrapped the white ball she sneezed and dropped the whole thing on the floor. The 4th was immaculate, so after looking suspiciously up and down the hall, she decided to re-wrap the gauze and put it back rather than discard it. Perhaps that hateful Soi Fon would get a cut and have to use that gauze and get floor herpes and die. Yuzu smiled at the thought of the ‘Busy Bee’ getting infected and sneezed again. The closet was a bit dusty, and even though she wasn’t allergic to dust, she kept sneezing.

“What are you doing?”

Yuzu jumped, the gauze flying up and over her head. She turned around slowly, facing Soi Fon, who had a small red mark on her forehead from where the ball of gauze hit her.

“I was…um…” Yuzu pointed at the closet.

“You were in the closet?” Soi Fon asked snidely, not thinking of the double entendre.

Yuzu glared at her angrily. “Don’t make assumptions about me! You don’t know me,” The girl railed vehemently, then remembered what Isshin had said. “I mean, please forgive my insolence, Soi Fon taicho. I didn’t realize you were behind me.”

Soi Fon grunted and slowly walked around the girl in a circle, staring at her the whole time. She faced Yuzu, glaring at her harshly. “You couldn’t sense my reiatsu?”

Yuzu fidgeted under such close examination. “No, Soi Fon taicho.”

“Weak.”

Yuzu frowned at the comment. “May I be dismissed, Soi Fon taicho?”

“No. Not until you pick up that ball you dropped.” Yuzu’s exasperated sigh reached Soi Fon’s ears, but she was too busy peering in Yuzu’s haori when she bent over. It seemed to take forever for the girl to gather the soft material between her fingers, but once the ball was gathered, she stood up straight and looked at Soi Fon briefly in the eyes. The 2nd division captain couldn’t help but smirk at the girl’s boldness. If Karin had more of Yuzu’s gumption, and if Yuzu had more of Karin’s awareness and strength…but then she smiled. That entity already existed, and it was called Ichigo.

Out of habit, when Soi Fon smiled, Yuzu thought that it was at her and smiled back. As soon as she did, Soi Fon frowned and walked away. Yuzu pouted and watched the captain walk away and waited several moments before verbalizing her thoughts.

“Bitch.”


A/N: :)