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ajremixTitle: What Comes After
Fandom: Bleach
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1420
Characters: Centers on Ikkaku and Nemu
Summary: Takes place after the Come What May series. Five different views on what had happened.
1.Insult to Injury
Mayuri was, not surprisingly, highly annoyed- almost angry even. With his only daughter betraying him and then a high number of captains and vice-captains turning against him he bristled and snapped worse than usual. And then- oh, because he hadn’t been insulted ENOUGH -that brainless, bald Neanderthal that poisoned his daughter’s mind walked around blatantly wearing her choker.
One of the many, little things Mayuri forced her to wear to show her submission to his order and now that idiot had it wrapped around his wrist! Mayuri knew what that meant, he knew exactly what kind of slap in the face it was. He had it around her neck once to show that he owned her. That man had it now to show that she was free. And to prove that if Mayuri wanted to get at her again, he had to go through him, first. And, after that last incident, he’d have to go through many others as well.
Feh! Mayuri wasn’t a stupid man. That girl wasn’t so worthwhile he’d attempt to get himself killed over her. If he wanted such a useless plaything, he was welcome to it. Mayuri had better things to do. But that didn’t stop the insult from stinging.
2.Work Performance
Geh. As glad as he was the idiot wasn’t mopin’ ‘round anymore did he HAVE to be so goddamn HAPPY all the time? Zaraki scowled over the paperwork he was doing to glare at Ikkaku. The 3rd seat was working at least, but he had the dumbest ass grin on his face and was HUMMIN’ of all things. The captain sighed to himself and tried to get back to his own work. Well, he was workin’. And he was still killin’ the other division members durin’ trainin’ so he really couldn’t be THAT upset, after all.
Except that he was HUMMIN’ and HAPPY and absolutely NOT bein’ the hard ass he generally was especially when he was pissed off...
Geh, knock it off. Zaraki told himself. So the idiot’s happy, so he ain’t bein’ as intimidatin’ as usual. He still gets the job done and he still scares the crap outta other divisions and he still fights like a demonic monkey when he’s gotta. That’s what counts.
His cheek twitched as Ikkaku started making little wordless sounds now. This shit’s gotta stop.
“Ikkaku!” He snapped, taking some satisfaction in the fact the other man jumped. “Get the fuck outta here!”
“Eh? Ah, but captain-”
Zaraki scowled. “Lemme rephrase that. Get out NOW, while I’m tellin’ ya all polite like, or get out later when someone’s gotta carry your broken ass body.”
Hastily, Ikkaku got to his feet. “Right, uh... g’night captain?” And promptly hotfooted it out before Zaraki had a chance for one last glare.
Well. He just gave himself more work to do but at least it was quiet. Zaraki grinned around his pipe. He’ll have to get Yachiru to teach ‘im ‘bout being overly cheerful.
3.Catch-22
Ikkaku had his focus back. This was good.
He was cardsharking like a motherfucker. This was bad.
He didn’t drink until he passed out anymore. This was good.
He was sober enough to remember all the other dumbshit everyone else couldn’t. This was bad.
He stopped pawing the dark-haired beauties that worked the bars. This was good.
He still had someone waiting for him every night. This was… not necessarily BAD- just very, very annoying.
Fine, okay, whatever. They were all buddies. They were happy- no, really –that he was happy and he had someone to make him happy just by looking up at him with those big doe eyes of hers.
Iba sighed as he had to fold out, already in a considerable amount of debt and Renji tossed his shades into the pot and Hisagi tried to bargain an IOU. They were happy and all but- here Iba eyed Ikkaku’s maniac grin at the thought of winning yet another hand –if he didn’t shut up about the power of his dumb ass luck-luck dance someone was going to get hurt.
4.The Other Half
Horaizonnoakaiokan was an old zanpakutou nor did it ever grow out of its oldness. It knew many other zanpakutou and had seen how the spirits have changed from one generation to the next. There were as many zanpakutou as there were shinigami and just as varied in strength and personality.
It had seen shinigami that took their partners for granted, zanpakutou that disregarded the quality of their bearers in favor of just being wielded. It had seen so many pairings sour because one or both held no consideration for the other.
Horaizonnoakaiokan, being an old and respectful zanpakutou, knew many of the other old and respected zanpakutou and the less old, less respectful but very powerful zanpakutou as well. It felt close ties with Minazuki for being a fellow healer, was amused by the arguments held by the dual-nature of Zabimaru and bowed to the unequaled power of Ryuujin Jakka. And among those that Horaizonnoakaiokan knew, it knew how critically they chose their partners- knowing and understanding for it had only one master previously.
It knew Hozukimaru well- the rough-edged politeness and easy humor and the fact that he had never chosen a partner in his long, long life. So when it found out that Hozukimaru had not only chosen a wielder but had literally dragged the boy from other anxious zanpakutou Horaizonnoakaiokan knew the shinigami would be a spectacle to behold at some point. It just never knew that the boy would ever effect its life so greatly.
Horaizonnoakaiokan trilled high in its throat, strutting the beach that shimmered white under bright, clear skies. It held its head to the wind and seemed to smile to itself. Hozukimaru certainly knew how to pick a partner. It would have to thank him next time it had a chance.
5.Beaten to the Punch
Kurotsuchi Nemu, the new assistant teacher. He was in her first class and was among the first to be enamoured by her shy smiles and intelligence and beauty and reputation. She was gorgeous and kind, she treated everyone equally. Rumor had it that she used to be a vice-captain in the Gotei-13. It explained why she was always looking out for those that were struggling in their classes, trying to help them in anyway she could.
She was the kind of woman other women wanted to be like. She didn’t speak much but when she did it was almost musical and he’d daydream about her voice for the rest of the day. He had it bad and he knew it. He wanted to impress her with his skills but hated the fact that it meant she didn’t have to worry about him struggling in the academy. He wanted to be with her and make her small smiles grow and her dark eyes glitter. He wanted to be everything she could ever need.
Except someone else already was.
He had heard about a representative from one of the divisions that was checking out part of the academy’s curriculum but he didn’t equate it with the lovely assistant. Until, during the lunch break, he went out into the shady groove he knew Kurotsuchi-san liked to take her food and a strange man in a black uniform lounged against the same tree the object of his affection stood next to.
They spoke quietly to each other, the man grinning broadly and Kurotsuchi-san smiling warmly- without the uncertain edge she had in the classroom. He couldn’t make out much of their exchange, but the man was undoubtedly powerful, what must’ve been his zanpakutou resting next to him. Kurotsuchi-san made a comment and the man’s expression soured except that she laughed- actually laughed! –at him and he grinned again. Then, to his shock, pulled her into his lap.
She curled into his chest, playing with something wrapped around his wrist and the man told her something to make her blush prettily. He felt like an invader, desecrating something sacred between the two of them. He didn’t know this man, didn’t know their exact relationship, but he knew one thing for certain. They were meant for each other- there was no way anyone could ever get between them –and, though he knew he would never be able to receive Kurotsuchi-san’s affections he could help her and protect her whenever her man wasn’t there.
He wouldn’t be recognized for helping Kurotsuchi-san, but knowing she could be so happy would make it worthwhile.
Fandom: Bleach
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1420
Characters: Centers on Ikkaku and Nemu
Summary: Takes place after the Come What May series. Five different views on what had happened.
1.Insult to Injury
Mayuri was, not surprisingly, highly annoyed- almost angry even. With his only daughter betraying him and then a high number of captains and vice-captains turning against him he bristled and snapped worse than usual. And then- oh, because he hadn’t been insulted ENOUGH -that brainless, bald Neanderthal that poisoned his daughter’s mind walked around blatantly wearing her choker.
One of the many, little things Mayuri forced her to wear to show her submission to his order and now that idiot had it wrapped around his wrist! Mayuri knew what that meant, he knew exactly what kind of slap in the face it was. He had it around her neck once to show that he owned her. That man had it now to show that she was free. And to prove that if Mayuri wanted to get at her again, he had to go through him, first. And, after that last incident, he’d have to go through many others as well.
Feh! Mayuri wasn’t a stupid man. That girl wasn’t so worthwhile he’d attempt to get himself killed over her. If he wanted such a useless plaything, he was welcome to it. Mayuri had better things to do. But that didn’t stop the insult from stinging.
2.Work Performance
Geh. As glad as he was the idiot wasn’t mopin’ ‘round anymore did he HAVE to be so goddamn HAPPY all the time? Zaraki scowled over the paperwork he was doing to glare at Ikkaku. The 3rd seat was working at least, but he had the dumbest ass grin on his face and was HUMMIN’ of all things. The captain sighed to himself and tried to get back to his own work. Well, he was workin’. And he was still killin’ the other division members durin’ trainin’ so he really couldn’t be THAT upset, after all.
Except that he was HUMMIN’ and HAPPY and absolutely NOT bein’ the hard ass he generally was especially when he was pissed off...
Geh, knock it off. Zaraki told himself. So the idiot’s happy, so he ain’t bein’ as intimidatin’ as usual. He still gets the job done and he still scares the crap outta other divisions and he still fights like a demonic monkey when he’s gotta. That’s what counts.
His cheek twitched as Ikkaku started making little wordless sounds now. This shit’s gotta stop.
“Ikkaku!” He snapped, taking some satisfaction in the fact the other man jumped. “Get the fuck outta here!”
“Eh? Ah, but captain-”
Zaraki scowled. “Lemme rephrase that. Get out NOW, while I’m tellin’ ya all polite like, or get out later when someone’s gotta carry your broken ass body.”
Hastily, Ikkaku got to his feet. “Right, uh... g’night captain?” And promptly hotfooted it out before Zaraki had a chance for one last glare.
Well. He just gave himself more work to do but at least it was quiet. Zaraki grinned around his pipe. He’ll have to get Yachiru to teach ‘im ‘bout being overly cheerful.
3.Catch-22
Ikkaku had his focus back. This was good.
He was cardsharking like a motherfucker. This was bad.
He didn’t drink until he passed out anymore. This was good.
He was sober enough to remember all the other dumbshit everyone else couldn’t. This was bad.
He stopped pawing the dark-haired beauties that worked the bars. This was good.
He still had someone waiting for him every night. This was… not necessarily BAD- just very, very annoying.
Fine, okay, whatever. They were all buddies. They were happy- no, really –that he was happy and he had someone to make him happy just by looking up at him with those big doe eyes of hers.
Iba sighed as he had to fold out, already in a considerable amount of debt and Renji tossed his shades into the pot and Hisagi tried to bargain an IOU. They were happy and all but- here Iba eyed Ikkaku’s maniac grin at the thought of winning yet another hand –if he didn’t shut up about the power of his dumb ass luck-luck dance someone was going to get hurt.
4.The Other Half
Horaizonnoakaiokan was an old zanpakutou nor did it ever grow out of its oldness. It knew many other zanpakutou and had seen how the spirits have changed from one generation to the next. There were as many zanpakutou as there were shinigami and just as varied in strength and personality.
It had seen shinigami that took their partners for granted, zanpakutou that disregarded the quality of their bearers in favor of just being wielded. It had seen so many pairings sour because one or both held no consideration for the other.
Horaizonnoakaiokan, being an old and respectful zanpakutou, knew many of the other old and respected zanpakutou and the less old, less respectful but very powerful zanpakutou as well. It felt close ties with Minazuki for being a fellow healer, was amused by the arguments held by the dual-nature of Zabimaru and bowed to the unequaled power of Ryuujin Jakka. And among those that Horaizonnoakaiokan knew, it knew how critically they chose their partners- knowing and understanding for it had only one master previously.
It knew Hozukimaru well- the rough-edged politeness and easy humor and the fact that he had never chosen a partner in his long, long life. So when it found out that Hozukimaru had not only chosen a wielder but had literally dragged the boy from other anxious zanpakutou Horaizonnoakaiokan knew the shinigami would be a spectacle to behold at some point. It just never knew that the boy would ever effect its life so greatly.
Horaizonnoakaiokan trilled high in its throat, strutting the beach that shimmered white under bright, clear skies. It held its head to the wind and seemed to smile to itself. Hozukimaru certainly knew how to pick a partner. It would have to thank him next time it had a chance.
5.Beaten to the Punch
Kurotsuchi Nemu, the new assistant teacher. He was in her first class and was among the first to be enamoured by her shy smiles and intelligence and beauty and reputation. She was gorgeous and kind, she treated everyone equally. Rumor had it that she used to be a vice-captain in the Gotei-13. It explained why she was always looking out for those that were struggling in their classes, trying to help them in anyway she could.
She was the kind of woman other women wanted to be like. She didn’t speak much but when she did it was almost musical and he’d daydream about her voice for the rest of the day. He had it bad and he knew it. He wanted to impress her with his skills but hated the fact that it meant she didn’t have to worry about him struggling in the academy. He wanted to be with her and make her small smiles grow and her dark eyes glitter. He wanted to be everything she could ever need.
Except someone else already was.
He had heard about a representative from one of the divisions that was checking out part of the academy’s curriculum but he didn’t equate it with the lovely assistant. Until, during the lunch break, he went out into the shady groove he knew Kurotsuchi-san liked to take her food and a strange man in a black uniform lounged against the same tree the object of his affection stood next to.
They spoke quietly to each other, the man grinning broadly and Kurotsuchi-san smiling warmly- without the uncertain edge she had in the classroom. He couldn’t make out much of their exchange, but the man was undoubtedly powerful, what must’ve been his zanpakutou resting next to him. Kurotsuchi-san made a comment and the man’s expression soured except that she laughed- actually laughed! –at him and he grinned again. Then, to his shock, pulled her into his lap.
She curled into his chest, playing with something wrapped around his wrist and the man told her something to make her blush prettily. He felt like an invader, desecrating something sacred between the two of them. He didn’t know this man, didn’t know their exact relationship, but he knew one thing for certain. They were meant for each other- there was no way anyone could ever get between them –and, though he knew he would never be able to receive Kurotsuchi-san’s affections he could help her and protect her whenever her man wasn’t there.
He wouldn’t be recognized for helping Kurotsuchi-san, but knowing she could be so happy would make it worthwhile.
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-28 06:58 am (UTC)Zaraki's hilarious and the scene from the student's perspective is so sweet.
It's nice to know how things turn out afterwards. :D
no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:55 am (UTC)I think it's better without a name :D
no subject
Date: 2005-11-28 08:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:49 am (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!
no subject
Date: 2005-11-28 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:51 am (UTC)Glad you liked it!
no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 12:21 am (UTC)This was just fabulous. I love how you manage to add significance to little things we see thoughout canon (Ikkaku's reaction to finding out who Ichigo's teacher was, the way Nemu was dressed, etc.). I also adore your take on the way the whole zanpakutou deal works, and how you made it pretty clear by the end how close Ikkaku was to getting his bankai.
This is definitely one of my favorite Bleach fics ever.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:55 am (UTC)I'm a bit of a stickler for details. And because Kubo-sensei is, too, I had lots of little things to work with^^ Actually, Ikkaku getting bankai worked out in my favor as I already had it written out before that chapter came out^^;; *phew!*
Thank you very much for commenting! I'm always glad when I can entertain someone^^
no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:42 am (UTC)*Points and laugh at Mayuri* HAHHAHHA!!!
no subject
Date: 2005-11-29 01:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-30 01:56 am (UTC)1. Hah, take that Puddle Bitch! (<-- insult curtesy of Kuukaku)
2. Ooh, Ikkaku, you should know better than to HUM in front of Zaraki. The only person that can get away with that is Yachiru, and that's probably because her attention span is short enough to stop pretty soon after she starts.
3. He still had someone waiting for him every night. This was... not necessarily BAD- just very, very annoying. Aww, Iba is jealous! Don't know what to tell you, friend. Find your own booty.
4. Loved this. Every time I read about zanpakuto I enjoy it, mostly because it's interesting to see what they're thinking, when they're rarely shown in the manga (apart from Zangetsu)
5. Aww...sweet Ikkaku x Nemu moment. ^^ Poor academy kid. Doesn't stand a chance.
This was a great way to end it, I think. You gave everyone just a little bit more of that Ikkaku x Nemu love they so desired. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try and beat Ikkaku into a talkative mood. *tilts her rusting halo down at an angle and stomps off*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-01 03:15 am (UTC)2. XD that was just plain funny!!!
3. if i didn't know better, i'd say iba's just jealous. XD
4. aww. that was just nice. =)
5. its kinda sad that its a case of unrequited love for that poor student. but its still really sweet of him to accept that he doesnt stand a chance. and the scene with nemu and ikkaku was just all *squeal*
thank you so much for writing this. i can't believe i totally missed! its a good thing i decided to check the community today. haha...