A Shinigami Valentine

"Just remember to save the last dance for me, sugar." Zaraki whispered against her lips. "'Cause I'll be waiting."

"Kenpachi...do you mean it?" Akina whispered, overwhelmed by his soft spoken words. He grinned half-heartedly, sitting down next to her on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry, Akina. I've been a real shit lately." he said with sigh. He took her hands in his, looking down at their joined fingers.

"You had your reasons." she said softly.

"I fuckin' hate to say I'm sorry. I hate feeling like I need to say it." he complained. "I let that bitch fuck with my head. Just like Aizen did in that damn fight. He made me turn on Yumichika. She made me turn on you. Pisses me off. Makes me wanna fuckin' kill her."

"You believe me?" she asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. He squeezed her hands tightly, looking back up at her. Sadness haunted his grey eyes.

"Yeah, I do. I never should've doubted you. I know I fucked up, Akina. Can you forgive me?" he spoke quietly. Tears filled her eyes. She blinked them back as she whispered,

"I already have. It's Chizu I blame."

He held her eyes as he spoke in a low, serious tone,

"I meant what I said to Kuchiki. You're mine. Nothing'll change that for me again. I learned a hard lesson that I ain't gonna forget. I know I ain't been fair to you. I'm gonna try to make that up to you. I don't know how but..." Akina pressed her fingers against his lips, silencing him.

"There's nothing to make up. It wasn't your fault. If I blame you for what Chizu did to you, then I have to blame myself for all the years she screwed with me and my life. And I'm not willing to do that. It's her fault. She did this to me...to you...and to us. And I swear, she is going to pay." Akina said fiercely. Kenpachi leaned down, kissing her.

"If this shit with Kuchiki doesn't pan out the way he thinks, then you leave her to me, sugar." he said coldly as he straightened up.

"I can't do that." she snapped. He shot her a dark look of warning.

"I ain't asking, Akina. If she doesn't go before Central 46 for treason, then she's mine. And she's got a lot answer for. You stopped me from killin' her once before. You ain't gonna do it again." he said, crossing his arms. Akina laid back against her pillow. She didn't like the idea of him killing Chizu. She still felt remorse. She had been a friend at some point, right? Akina frowned, memories flying across her mind like a movie on fast forward. Or had it all been a lie? She didn't know anymore. She didn't think she ever would.

Akina's mind settled on the night Chizu had come to her at the Academy. She had pretended to have just discovered Takeshita's sordid past. She shattered all of Akina's dreams in one fell swoop. It hadn't been a lie. He really had slept with countless female students over the years. Chizu simply failed to mention that she was one of them.

"What are you thinkin' about, sugar?" he asked, watching her closely. Akina focused her eyes on him again. She realized that she still hadn't told him the truth.

"I was thinking about the fire...at the Academy. I need to tell you what happened." she said softly. He shook his head, saying easily,

"It don't matter. You started a fuckin' fire. Big deal. Trust me, I've done a lot worse in my time."

"It matters to me." she snapped. "It's been there between us since the beginning. I wouldn't let myself feel for you...I fought it...all because of him. Isamu messed me up. He told me that he loved me and I believed him. I was naive...and so damn innocent. I didn't know anything."

"He was one of your teachers?" Zaraki asked quietly. She nodded.

"Yeah, he taught combat training to the senior students. I thought he was...perfect. Strong, handsome, intelligent, funny, charming...He really turned my head when he started paying attention to me. I hadn't even kissed a boy before him." she whispered bitterly.

"You don't need to do this, sugar." he said gently. Akina took in his tightly clenched jaw, his dark, angry expression and his stiff posture. This was as hard for him to hear as it was for her to say.

"I do need to...please. I need to talk about this. I never really have with anybody. I told Commander Yamamoto. Captain Komamura seemed to already suspect. He approached me. I just confirmed his suspicions. I never spoke of it again. I just shut it up inside me. I was ashamed...and embarrassed. I should have known better. But I believed him." she whispered, tears running freely down her face. "I wanted it to be true. He used to tell me that I was his...that I belonged to him alone...I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you to hear but please, Kenpachi..."

"Go on." he said quietly, his eyes closed. Akina wiped her tears away roughly, sniffling as she continued,

"I loved him. And I believed him. But it was all lies. He just wanted sex. And he got it. He got me...all of me. Then Chizu told me about the others. I didn't believe her. It couldn't be true. He'd told me how special I was...fuck..." she growled, the emotions suddenly raw and new again.

"Those fucking dolls...that's what finally cinched it. He had this collection of china dolls. Pretty, delicate things. I used to look at them for hours. When Chizu took me into his office, she showed me a new one. It looked like me...or at least how he saw me. And I just lost it. I don't really remember it all so well after that. I trashed his office. He took everything from me there. My love, my trust, my innocence...It was our special place and I wanted it to burn. So I set it on fire. I stood and I watched it burn and I have never known pain like before or since. But the fucking fire got out of control. It spread and I couldn't stop it. I didn't know what to do. I ran and got people out of the building. I didn't want to hurt anyone. It just went up so damn fast..." she whispered, lost to her memories.

"Akina..." he said softly, reaching for her. She raised a hand, stopping him. Her eyes focused on him again as she said,

"I thought you were like him, Kenpachi. I thought all you wanted was sex. And I was okay with that...I really wanted you. As long as it was just sex, it was fine. I could deal with it. I didn't want to let myself care about you. I didn't want to get hurt again..."

"There ain't nothing wrong with sex, sugar. But it ain't been just sex between us...hell, I don't know if it ever was. I fought this thing. I tried to convince myself that I don't care about you, woman. It didn't work. I pushed you away. I even tried to walk away from you. But I couldn't get you outta my fuckin' head...Fuck." he growled, looking away uncomfortably.

"You don't have to say it. It's okay. I know what you mean." she said with a smile, holding his hands. "I feel it too. Before you, I always felt alone. Maybe it was partially Chizu's doing, I don't know. What I do know is that since I met you...I haven't felt alone. Even that night in the bar, I felt safe with you. It felt...right. Being with you made up for all those years when I felt lost. You bring me peace just by being near me. I don't understand it but I don't want to lose it."

"You ain't gonna lose it, Akina. I..." he started then caught himself. She thought for a moment that he was about to admit his love for her but he didn't.

"I need you, sugar. I don't know how or when but you crawled so far up under my skin that I don't know how to get by without you. You might not like to hear it but you're mine. Ain't nothing or nobody gonna change that. Understand?" he insisted.

"I understand." she replied with a smile. He stood, releasing her hands.

"And don't worry about the dance. You do what you gotta do with Kuchiki. But afterwards, I'll meet you here. And we'll have our dance...whaddya say?" he asked with a grin. She smiled.

"I like the sound of that." she agreed easily. Her words pleased him. He kissed her hungrily then stepped away quickly.

"I can't keep my hands off you, sugar." he admitted. "I oughta go check on Yachiru. She's probably driving Ikkaku crazy. I told him to keep her quiet."

"Oh no!" Akina laughed. "That might just kill him."

"He's tougher than he looks." Zaraki chuckled. "Besides, he's all worked up about seeing Nemu at that dance tonight. He'll manage to survive."

"I'll see you at the dance?" she asked quietly. He nodded, his grin fading.

"I'll be there. I'm gonna keep an eye on Kuchiki...and Chizu." he said grimly. "I don't trust either of 'em."

--

"Allow me to say that I am completely against this plan of Captain Kuchiki's." Captain Unohana announced as she helped Akina back to her bed. After a long bath, Akina felt more like herself than she had in ages. She said nothing as Unohana redressed her chest and belly wounds with clean, white gauze.

"All this intrigue is unnecessary in my opinion." she muttered angrily as she secured the bandages. "If Chizu is suspect, simply place her under arrest and question her."

"I think he's hoping to catch her red-handed." Akina commented quietly while Unohana examined the still tender cut on her above her left eye. She felt the ripple of spirit energy as the woman used kido to heal the cut further.

"That's all well and good as long as he doesn't place my patients in jeopardy. I don't agree with you becoming involved in all this. You need to be in bed...resting." she snapped. Akina's eyebrow shot up. What did she mean by that, she wondered.

"Although, I'm pleased that you and Captain Zaraki have worked out your differences, you're not ready physically for such...vigorous...physical activity." she said stiffly, her eyes on the wound. Akina grinned. She must have caught them together earlier.

"Sometimes, it's hard to control myself around him." Akina offered. Unohana looked down, meeting her gaze.

"It seems the feeling is mutual. Might I suggest that you try locking the door next time?" she said with a knowing smile. Akina blushed brightly. She had seen them together. She watched as the older woman lifted a syringe from the bedside table. Her eyes met Akina's again as she said,

"This medication will take the edge off your pain tonight, Akina. It will block it almost completely. It should help you get through the evening. But please, don't overdo it. Once the medication wears off, you will most likely be in more pain than you've felt since the battle. All the movement and activity will stress your wounds. They're not healed. Those blades cut deep into your muscle, Akina. One of them broke several ribs. The other bruised several of your vital organs. You were very fortunate and you've recovered remarkably well. But this one foolish night could set you back weeks. Are you sure that you want to do this?"

"I'm sure." Akina said simply. She was positive that Unohana was exaggerating. She would just have to take it slow. To sit and relax, rather than dance around the room. She could handle it. She could handle just about anything to get even with Chizu.

A knock sounded at the door, followed by the sound of Nemu's voice saying,

"No, you will come with me. Ito-san will fix this."

Unohana gave Akina a quizzical look as Nemu's head appeared in the door.

"May we come in, Captain Unohana?" she asked politely. Unohana frowned as she replied,

"Yes...fine! Come in." The healer released a deep sigh of frustration then jabbed the needle into Akina's arm.

"You come directly back here after the dance. I'll have pain medication waiting for you. And don't let Captain Zaraki detain you, either." she snapped sharply. Akina nodded, wincing and rubbing her upper arm where she had received the shot. With a frown, Unohana left the room. Nanao burst into the room, having been forcibly shoved by Nemu, who followed closely. Akina secured the sash on her white kimono as Nemu said,

"I am sorry to disturb you, Ito-san, but Ise-san needs to speak to you. She is having a personal crisis."

"No, I'm not." Nanao insisted angrily. "Don't listen to her, Akina. She doesn't know what she's talking about."

"But that is what you said, Ise-san." Nemu argued quietly. Nanao rolled her eyes.

"What's going on?" Akina asked, smiling. It was obvious Nanao was flustered by something.

"Nothing." she snapped. Nemu shook her head sadly as she added,

"It's Captain Kyoraku. He has been...indiscreet."

"I don't want to talk about this." Nanao declared loudly. "Why don't we talk about you and Ikkaku? And how wonderful he is and how he's always following you around like some little puppy and how he would never bring another woman to your office and sleep with her right under your nose."

"Oh no!" Akina cried out. "He didn't?"

"He did." Nanao sobbed, tears filling her eyes. "I saw the evidence."

"The evidence? You mean, you didn't see them together?' Akina asked, realizing slowly that her side didn't hurt anymore. There had been a dull ache throbbing steadily all day but it was gone.

"No, I didn't see them together, thank the heavens." she snapped, crossing her arms tightly. "But the slut left her bra and panties for all the world to see. Shameless hussy."

"Oh man...I'm sorry, Nanao." she said softly, crossing the room effortlessly to hug her friend. Nanao clung to her.

"In our office, Akina...OUR office." she cried. Nemu gently rubbed her back as Akina tried to comfort her.

"I'm really sorry. I thought he'd changed. He seemed so crazy about you, Nanao." she whispered. Nanao nodded, stepping back to wipe viciously at the tears that had slipped down her cheeks.

"I thought so, too. He's been so sweet...so attentive. But the last day or so, he's gotten so secretive. I knew he was up to something. I just never suspected this." she cried out, new tears replacing the one she's wiped away. She sat down in one of the wooden chairs heavily. She buried her face in her hands, crying softly. Akina moved to the chair beside her, patting her on the back.

"Maybe it's for the best, Nanao. If he could become bored so easily...so quickly..." she said softly.

"I know!" Nanao cried out, shaking her head. Nemu moved to her other side.

"Please Ise-san, don't cry. Perhaps it's not what you believe. Captain Kyoraku seemed very upset as well. He said it was a misunderstanding." Nemu reasoned.

"Of course, he would say that." Nanao shouted directly in her face. Nemu barely flinched. Nanao reached out, hugging her as she softly said,

"I'm sorry, Nemu. I...I don't know what came over me."

"I do." Akina said with a sigh. "You're losing the man you love. It's...it's the worst feeling in the world."

"Oh, Akina...what am I going to do?" she said in a shaky voice. "It hurts so much."

"First, you will go to the dance." Nemu said firmly. They both looked at her in surprise. It wasn't like her to take the initiative.

"What?" she asked, looking from one of them to the other.

"Nothing." Akina said quickly.

"I will speak to Captain Ukitake. I am sure that he will be willing to accompany you in Captain Kyoraku's place." Nemu said confidently.

"No, Isane is looking forward to going with Jushiro." Nanao said sadly.

"I think Tetsuzaemon would really enjoy Isane's company. I've thought it before. They're a lot alike. Maybe I can get him to take her?" Akina suggested. Nanao stared at her.

"The couples have all been prearranged. It's just like Valentine's Day. Captain Unohana and Commander Yamamoto matched everyone up already." she complained.

"But no one knows who they've been matched with, right? No one told me anything." Akina argued.

"Everyone knows that you're going with Captain Zaraki, Akina." she stated matter of factly.

"Did anyone tell you for sure that you were going with Shunsui or that you'd be with Ikkaku, Nemu?" she asked sharply. Both women shook their heads.

"No, Captain Unohana told me that it will be formal seating. The tables will be numbered. Two couples to each table. There's supposed to be place cards on the table with each person's name." Nanao explained.

"And escort cards will be set out by the front door." Nemu elaborated. "Your name will be on the outside of the envelope and your table number will be written inside."

"Sounds complicated but I'll talk to Unohana. We'll at least get you through tonight." Akina reassured Nanao.

"Why can't I just stay home?" she asked in a low, sad voice.

"No!" Akina snapped. "You're going to the dance and you're going to show Shunsui Kyoraku all that he has to lose. Maybe if he sees you with another man, he'll get his head out of his ass and act right."

"He doesn't care if I find another man." Nanao argued weakly.

"Bullshit. He's in love with you. I could see it when I spoke with the two of you before patrol. He might be too stupid to realize it. We both know what a dumbass he can be. But I think he'll fight before he'll let you go, Nanao." Akina reassured her.

"Ito-san is correct." Nemu said with a faint smile. Nanao looked from Akina to Nemu then back again.

"You really think so?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah! You just need to get dressed up and show him what he's letting slip through his fingers." Akina insisted with a smile.

"Okay!" Nanao said decisively. "I'll do it."

"Good. Now go and dress yourself up, Nanao. And I mean over the top. Don't be afraid to let show what God gave you." Akina teased her. Nemu nodded.

"Men like to see what you have on underneath your clothes." Nemu agreed.

"Nemu, do I want to know how you discovered that fact?" Akina laughed. Nemu blushed suddenly.

"No Ito-san, you do not!" she squeaked, hurrying out of the room. Nanao sighed and followed her slowly.

"Please, hurry and get out of this hospital, Akina. I miss you." she said, pausing at the door. Akina smiled at her friend.

"I miss talking with you guys too. Hopefully, I'll be out in a day or two." she said optimistically.

"Good. Oh, do you need help getting ready tonight?" she asked. Akina shook her head.

"No, I'm good. I feel like my old self again. Unohana's got some good drugs." she laughed. Nanao smiled and nodded. Akina watched her walk away, hoping that she was right about Captain Kyoraku. She didn't want to see him break Nanao's heart.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This turned out to be a more emotional chapter than originally intended. I hope you enjoy it. I'd love to hear what you think, so please review! Thank you all for reading!