Lovers Come Together

Chapter 6
Names

Yachiru woke up slightly confused as to where she was until the nights events came back. Startled she sat up quickly, looking around her room with no memories as to how she had gotten there.

Her eyes fell upon the single flower left on her desk and the small slip of paper beside it.


Thank you for the wonderful evening, I will see you at the training field.


Smiling and feeling as giddy as when she ate an entire cart of her favourite sweets she all but twirled into her uniform, tied her hair up in a pony tail, and skipping down to breakfast paused only to give Kenpachi a kiss on the cheek that left him staring after her as if she had lost her mind.

“I do believe that is the sign of someone heavily infatuated.” Someone commented from his side.

“I hope it isn’t contagious.” He grunted before continuing on his way.

Yachiru was in such a rush to get to Karin’s that she failed to notice the bodies on the path until after she tripped over them, earning a startled yelp that sounded very familiar.

There was a great many things Yachiru wanted to see in her life, her former third seat completely naked and covered in dried sweat, grass and sex was not one of them, add in a completely naked Tatsuki similarly dress with the addition of mussed hair and she found herself paralyzed.

“Yachiru-chan? What time is it?” Tatsuki asked, looking around and seemingly completely at ease with the discovery of them like this.

Ikkaku meanwhile was frantically looking for his clothing, which was scattered all over the near by training field and under various bushes.

“Almost noon.” She managed to stutter out once Ikkaku at least was out of sight and cursing behind a bush trying to get dressed again.

“Darn, didn’t think I had slept that late.” Tatsuki yawned. “Can you pass me that thigh holster by your foot?” She requested.

Yachiru was only too happy to comply and looked away when the older couple finally got their stuff together and shared a kiss that looked like it was more a war. Tatsuki joined her as they made their way to Karin’s.

“Don’t you have class today?” Yachiru asked to break the awkward silence.

“Not until tomorrow. Holiday and all that. I can see why Pantera-chan complained so much about this school. It is rather boring and the only classes of interest are the combat ones.”

“I heard you been talking to Soifon-Taichou.”

“A bit. She is a very skilled martial artist and I can see what Zan-kun sees in her and why he chose her division. So how do you think fair Karin did?” Tatsuki asked with a slightly evil snicker.

“We will find out in a moment.” Yachiru answered as they arrived at the door and knocked.

It took a moment, but the door did open to reveal Karin, and the grin on her face let Tatsuki at least know her best friends little sister had gotten the lay of her life. No doubt Tatsuki’s matching grin parted very similar information.

“Ladies.” Karin greeted them, her grin widening slightly. “Give me two to get presentable and I will be right out.”

“Only two? Getting quicker my dear.” Tatsuki grinned at her.

Karin blushed and disappeared back into the house she shared with Toshiro, leaving the door open to admit the other two woman. Soon enough the black haired fukutaichou was presentable and looking a little less sexed up.

“Where to ladies?” Karin asked.

“Saki shop on the west corner.” Tatsuki answered quickly.

“After what I saw this morning, I will need six or seven thousand shots.” Yachiru groaned.

“What could be so bad you would need that?” Karin asked over Tatsuki’s sudden explosion of laughter.

Yachiru just glowered while Tatsuki regained control of herself to explain to Karin the pink haired girls dilemma. Karin shot her a look of disbelief and shook her head, patting Yachiru gently on the shoulder.

They girls made it to the shop and ordered their favourite snacks with tea all around. They spent the afternoon poking fun at each other and seeing who they could get to blush the most.

Tatsuki was winning by far, knowing just how to get the two woman beet red while not really being effected by much.

“All my years as a cop has shown me some interesting scenario’s my friends. There is almost nothing I haven’t walked into and let me tell you some of it is enough to make even the most experienced pause. Why I remember on one bust…..”

“I don’t want to hear it, for the love of all that is sane, do not tell us this story.” Karin quickly interjected.

“Matsumoto seemed to like it the last time I told her.” Tatsuki pouted.

“Yes, well we are not her.” Yachiru pointed out.

“And don’t you dare tell us why she was interested in your stories either.” Karin quickly added.

“You two are no fun.” Tatsuki pouted.

“No, we are just sane.” Karin countered.

“And the round goes to Karin-chan.” Yachiru chuckled.

“Indeed.” Tatsuki conceded.

“So, how far did you get with Renji?” Karin asked.

“Please tell me you at least kissed him.” Tatsuki demanded, leaning forward.

“No.” She admitted slowly.

“Did he at least walk you home?” Karin asked.

She blushed deeply as she recalled falling asleep on the roof top to wake up in her own bed, thankfully still clothed. There was no doubt about it, he must have carried her home and tucked her in.

“Okay, what happened? Out with it.” Tatsuki demanded.

“It’s nothing.” Yachiru denied, blushing deeper.

“You can tell us or I will make up something outlandish and share it with the entire S.W.A.” Karin threatened.

“You wouldn’t.” She gasped.

“If she doesn’t, than I sure as hell well and you know whatever I come up with…..”

“Alright, alright.” She interrupted Tatsuki. “I’ll confess, I fell asleep on the roof and woke up in my bed,”

They spent the rest of the early morning chatting before they had to go their separate ways. Yachiru could feel her heart pattering with excitement as she made her way towards the training field, unconsciously searching ahead for his reiatsu.

She had never been good at sensing it before, and that had not changed much. She could tell someone was there, but could not identify it beyond the fact it seemed slightly familiar.

Coming into the clearing she spotted him, stripped down to his hakama with sweat rolling off his body as he swung Zabimaru about, the whip like weapon nailing the targets he had set up with a precision that had taken years of training to master.

Just like the first time she had stumbled upon him training she found herself hypnotised by his movements, as the skin moved over well honed muscles. He was well built without being disgustingly bulked and the splash of red hair reminded her so much of blood.

Her eyes unconsciously started to follow the bold lines of his tattoos and she had to shake her head a bit to ground herself back to reality when the lines led past his hakama. Drawing her Zanpakuto she set a foot back and watched his movements carefully. With a wide grin he launched herself at him, swinging her blade around.

He reacted immediately, shifting his hip and brining his own Zanpakuto around to parry her strike. A grin lit his face to match hers and in wordless agreement they swung their blades about a second time, sparks flying as her Zanpkauto’s blade clashed with Zabimaru.

They continued on timelessly until the need to take a break finally overcame them. Yachiru gratefully accepted the water skin Renji tossed to her and downed half the contents in one gulp.

She found herself sitting across from him, whet stone running over her Zanpakuto while he studied Zabimaru for any damage that might have occurred during their sparing. Zanpakuto’s were strong but they could be damaged and even broken.

“Are you ready to try communicating again?” Renji was the first to break the silence.

“Yes.” She answered firmly.

They settled across from each other cross-legged, backs straight, Zanpkauto’s laying across their laps. It wasn’t long before Zabimaru appeared before them. The Nue settled down beside them and the small group remained in companionable, meditative, silence.


She was in that forest again, the foliage deep around her. She knew something was there, she could feel it staring at her. Every once in a while she would get a shadow movement out of the corner of her eye, but it would be gone by the time she turned to face it.

It was frustrating. She much preferred her opponents to just come at her without the sneaking. Not to say she didn’t enjoy playing hide and seek, but she much preferred to meet a challenge head on.

The more frustrated she got, the less she was able to focus on the presence. Growling, she whipped her mind back into focus and closed her eyes, trying to centre herself the way Ranji was across from her.

She got that hint again, but this time she forced herself not to turn to look at the moving shadow, to follow the movement with her ears and through the vibrations of the earth instead of her eyes. She could feel it, those eyes were on her and close by.

Yachiru screamed and jumped as something cold and wet touched the back of her neck, completely breaking her out of her mediation and bringing her to her feet, blade ready and staring wildly behind her to see what had attacked her.

Her movements broke Renji out of his own trance and both heads of Zabimaru were laughing at her in clear amusement. There was of course nothing behind her and her hand slapped onto the back of her neck, finding it completely dry.

“Are you alright?” Renji asked once she calmed a bit.

“Peachy.” She growled, throwing a glare at Zabimaru, who was still chuckling softly.

The break let them both realise how late it was and with quick good byes they headed back to their own obligations.




Karin arrived at the office later that day to the resounding cheers and congratulations from the various members of her division. Judging by the way the office door was firmly lodged shut her husband to be had locked himself away to do the daily paperwork.

She opened the door wide to see him slouched over the desk, working diligently away and if the stack of ‘dones’ was anything to go by he was in one hell of a mood. He never did take things like this well.

“Good afternoon love.” Karin greeted him, coming up behind him and hugging him, chair and all.

A mumble was all she got back in reply. Grinning she turned the chair around until he was facing her, earning a loud protest at her actions.

“You do want to marry me right?” She asked with a look that promised immense pain should he answer negatively.

“Of course.” He growled.

“Good, than what do you have to be grumpy about?” She demanded.

“This.” He sighed, handing her a piece of paper.

She didn’t even need to read it because there was suddenly a very loud explosion that came from a far too familiar location, followed by the distinct, bellowing voice of a certain Taichou.

“You know, if they wanted a child so bad the least they could do it raise it themselves.” Karin sighed as she gave her fiancé a kiss on the cheek before heading towards to 12th to retrieve the little terror they had apparently been left with yet again.

One of the buildings was in ruins and a rather smoke smudged Hanabi was looking pleased with herself while Kurotsuchi ranted, foot slamming into the ground as he looked at the ruined building.

“Can we do that again?” Hanabi begged. “Only this time we need to use less of the blocking agent and more of the…..”

“No you confounded child. The blocking agent is what we need more of.” Kurotsuchi rounded on her.

“But I think the blocking agent is what caused the explosion.” She pouted. “ Too much tried to get past too little.” She huffed.

“And someone is overdue for a bath.” Karin interrupted.

“But we aren’t done.” Hanabi protested.

“We are quite done.” Kurotsuchi growled.

Hanabi pouted some more, looking ready to cry. Kurotsuchi remained unmoved, arms crossed and glaring at her. Karin just watched, counting down in her head. Sure enough when two un moving objects met inevitably one eventually budged.

“Fine.” Kurotsuchi threw his hands up in the air in exasperation.

Hanabi grinned and bounded back through the wreckage to find what they were going to need to continue whatever experiment they were working on this time while the rest of the 12th continued to clean up the mess with an efficiency born of constant repetitiveness.

“Tshu.” Kurotsuchi snorted before following the child into the wreckage.

Karin just shook her head and returned to her own division. As far as she was concerned Kurotsuchi could have the child. She had wedding plans to arrange.



She was almost there, she could feel it. Each time she caught a better glimpse of the reddish thing that stalked her in the jungle. She could hear a name being whispered on the wind and being sung by the Cicada’s.

She was so deeply entrenced in her inner world now that she couldn’t even feel the soft fur of Zabimaru as her hand stroked the head laying in her lap.

“Please. I am listening. I want to know you. Please tell me your name.” Yachiru begged into the forest.

There was a flash of reddish fur and suddenly the feline was standing before her. Yachiru gasped as she finally got a full look at her Zanpkauto’s spirit and was jolted back to reality even as the name roared in her mind.

Iriomote.

Yachiru’s eyes took a moment to focus and she realized she was staring into the concerned eyes of Renji. Once her brain caught back up to her body she leaped into the air and cheered, launching herself into his arms and shouting in joy.

“I did it. I did it.” She celebrated. “Iriomote. Iriomote.” She repeated over and over.

Renji laughed and hugged her tightly, swirling her about in a circle as they celebrated her success. Zabimaru shared a look with himself before sharing a chuckle and retreating back to his own world.

“This calls for a celebration.” Ranji declared. “Rib house, My treat, all you can eat.”

“Done.” Yachiru instantly agreed. “And you are probably going to regret it. I got to go tell the others.”

They broke apart and Yachiru found herself blushing slightly as she realized the position she had just been in.

“I do got to get back on top of that paper work.” Renji reluctantly agreed.

“What time?” She asked.

“Sixish.” He suggested.

“Done. Don’t forget now.”

“I don’t think you would let me.” He laughed.

She shared in his laugh and skipped out of the clearing, humming in delight and repeating the name over and over in her mind while she hunted down Karin. She found the woman in the office of the 10th and hesitated before knocking. But when no suggestive sounds were coming from the other side of the door, Yachiru felt secure in the knowledge she wouldn’t be interrupting anything and knocked.

“Enter.” Toshiro bid.

Yachiru walked into the room, nodding to the taichou before turning a full grin to Karin.

“Something big must have happened.” Karin noted. “Renji ask you out for another date?” She asked.

“Yes, but that’s not why I am grinning so much. “She admitted.

Karin got a thoughtful look on her face and started to name various things that generally made Yachiru happy.

“All right, I give up.” Karin sighed after ten minutes of guessing.

“I finally learned it.” Yachiru beamed.

It took a second, but dawning eventually lit up Karins face and she flung herself over the desk to sweep the other woman up in a hug and congratulate her. Toshiro just sighed and pulled another paper from the pile to work on.

“Women.” He muttered.




Yachiru spent the rest of the day telling everyone she knew about her success. Yumichika made some comment about the beauty of it and Ikkaku challenged her to a duel, as soon as he could catch up on his paper work, which would be in about another four years.

There was only one last person to tell and she was very nervous about doing so. Sure he had given his support for her task, but it was still something she felt was taboo with him. She found him lounging in their home, pot of tea brewing and apparently half asleep.

“Welcome back brat.” He grunted as she joined him. “How’s the training going?” He asked.

“Good.” She smiled nervously.

Kenpachi may not be the most observant person, but when it came to Yachiru he could detect something wrong with her in his sleep halfway around the world.

“But?” He pressed.

“It’s nothing much.” She shrugged. “Just….” she couldn’t help but to smile, despite her nervousness, “I think I finally got some results.”

That caused him to sit up and grace her with one of his wide grins.

“And.” He pressed.

She felt strange, bundled with both nervousness and excitement.

“Iriomote.” She announced. “His name is Iriomote.”

It took a second for him to understand, but when he did his face erupted in one of his trademark grins.

“Took ya less time than I guessed.” He congratulated.

“Yeah.” She blushed a bit in embarrassment. “ I need to get ready. Renji-kun is taking me out for dinner to celebrate.

Kenpachi’s grin widened a bit more before he shood her off.

“You know if he hurts you I will bust his balls after you are done with him.” He promised.

“There would have to be something left of him in the first place.” She laughed back as she danced towards her room.

She didn’t exactly own clothes other than her uniform and the dress she had worn at the dance. It had never bothered her before but suddenly she was wishing she had something, anything, that would get a reaction out of him.

Karin was far better at this stuff than her.

Wait.

Her and Karin were about the same size and she was sure the fukutaichou of the 10th had a small selection of clothing she might be persuaded to let a fellow fukutaichou borrow. Decision made she made her way to Karin’s house.

It wasn’t Karin who answered the door when she knocked, but rather Tatsuki.

“Oh, Yachiru-chan I heard the good news. Congratulations. Come on in, Karin-chan and I were just getting a Sushi party going, want to help?”

Tatsuki had moved aside and led her into the kitchen where there was a large pile of rice waiting next to several trays of prepared vegetables and fish. Karin was in an apron and Yachiru was surprised to see several of the other women here from the various other divisions.

“Oh, Yachiru-chan.” Karin greeted her. “Come to help huh?”

“No, sorry. Can I talk to you in for a moment?”

“Yeah, sure. No problem. Excuse me everyone I’ll be right back.” Karin excused herself and led Yachiru into another room. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just…. I sort of have….a date.”

“Great!” Tatsuki exclaimed. “Karin-chan, you entertain the guest, I’ll handle this.” Tatsuki’s grin widened as she grabbed Yachiru’s hand and dragged her up the stairs. “You don’t mind if we use your stuff right.?” Tatsuki called back halfway up the stairs.

“Would it mater if I did?” Karin asked rhetorically to the now empty room before giving her head a shake and with a smile returned to her guest.

Yachiru wasn’t sure what happened. All she recalled was a whirlwind of activity as Tatasuki hovered about her before she found herself standing once more on the doorstep with Tatsuki wishing her luck and a promise that she would see Yachiru’s uniform would make it home.

She was halfway to the rib house before she passed a reflective surface that permitted her to see just what Tatsuki had done to her. It was very simple, yet perfect. Hair braided back, just a hint of make up and a basic black kimono with pink flowers and white obi.

Surprisingly she didn’t feel self conscious either as she made her way to the rib shop. She wasn’t even aware she had a large grin on her face until she arrived at the shop and caught her reflection once more in the glass.

She tried to school her features into a more nonchalant look, but failed miserably when she caught sight of her date. He had also forgone his uniform for a basic set up of black bottoms and a black top with white geometric patterns that reminded her of his tattoos.

He jumped to his feet the moment he spotted her and awkwardly pulled out her chair for her. She felt a blush coming on and thanked him. The waiter was giving them both an amused smile before asking if they would like menus or the regular.

“The regular please.” Yachiru answered, feeling oddly nervous.

“And for you?” He asked Renji.

“I’ll have the same.” He shrugged.

The waiter lifted an eye but said no more as he left to put their orders in.

“Think you can keep up?” Yachiru challenged, feeling more bold now that the knowing look in the waiters eyes was gone.

“We will see, wont we.” He answered with a trademark smirk.

“Oh it’s on.”

She paused to take a sip of her tea as an awkward silence fell over them.

“Thank you, for all your help training.” She thanked.

“No problem. You know Ikkaku-senpai helped me with my training.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah.”

Silence again.

“So, what’s the next step?” She asked.

He had a look of panicked confusion on his face for a second before he all but slapped himself on the forehead.

“Oh you mean training.” He chuckled nervously.

“Well yeah.” She looked at him confused on what he could have possibly thought she meant.

“Well, you never stop trying to talk or communicate. Tomorrow we can see start working on unleashing your Shikai.”

“I would love that.” She agreed with true enthusiasm.

“How did Kenpachi-taichou take the news?”

“He was happy for me.” She admitted.

Dinner arrived shortly after and with a shared grin she started the countdown and the rib eating competition began. She had to admit Renji had a healthy appetite and gave a good run of himself, but in the end she was still the rib queen and after paying the bill and admitting defeat, he walked her home.

“Thanks for dinner.” She thanked into the silence as they walked down the streets.

“It was nothing.” He shrugged and they fell into a companionable silence once more.

They made it back to the house she still shared with Kenpachi and paused at the front door, staring at each other nervously.

“Have you ever thought about getting your own place?” Renji asked.

“Not really.” She admitted.

She had no reason to need a place of her own. It’s not like she had anything to hide from anyone. The thought of getting her own place had never crossed her mind until he mentioned it.

They stood on the step staring at each other. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but suddenly she was leaning towards him, and he was leaning towards her.

“They are soft.” Was all she could think of as their lips touched in a rather chaste kiss before they pulled apart.

She was feeling slightly fluttery and somewhat disappointed that the kiss had ended. As if anticipating her problem he moved gently back in again, taking her into his arms this time.

The kiss was deeper this time and before she knew it her back was against a wall and she was pinned between him and the wood. Her entire body felt flush as they were pressed together and she found herself having a hard time breathing but couldn’t bring herself to want to come up for air.

“That you brat?” Kenpachi’s voice echoed from somewhere in the house.

They jumped apart from each other as if the other was on fire.

They were both blushing furiously. In fact Renji’s cheeks were so bright that they were almost the same color as his hair.

“I had better go. Good night.” He said hurriedly before giving her one last chaste kiss on her check and disappearing with a flash of Shunpo just as the door was slammed open.

She fought for breath as her surrogate father looked around before his eyes finally settled on her.

“You all right brat?” He asked concerned when he noticed her flushed and out of breath condition. “Did he do something to you?” He demanded.

Yachiru turned her eyes to him and smiled widely before giving him a peck on the cheek and dancing into the house, leaving a very confused Kenpachi behind.

“Yep.” She called back cheerfully.






The only problem with this inbetweenqual is getting the time-lines to match up and try not to make things feel too rushed.