ajremix: (gen)
[personal profile] ajremix
The one thing about moving is that when you get to the junk drawers (or drawers where I stick papers of half-written drabbles/ideas that I haven't gotten around to typing up yet) you find interesting things. Such as this little drabble I'm now presenting. If you can't guess, it's about a month old.

Title: Faith by Candlelight
Fandom: Bleach
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 632
Characters: Zaraki, Nemu
Summary: Reaction piece to chapter 204.




It was too late for this shit. He barely got Yachiru sleeping an hour ago and he had to get the division up and training by sunrise on top of all the paperwork piled on him now that he was short two officers. Zaraki growled to himself, striding down the halls like he had someone to beat within an inch of their life.

The night duty was on patrol in the hall by the officer’s quarters and snapped at attention when he saw Zaraki stalk by. “Uh, Captain!” He paled. “Y-You don’t have to go down there- I just checked an’ everythin-“

“Keep walkin’.”

“But-“

Zaraki stopped and glared. “Walk yer goddamn post.”

“Yes, sir!”

Che! Zaraki snorted as the duty scampered off. Like he didn’t know what was going on in his own fucking division. He strode up to the first door and shoved it wide open, striding in like it was his.

“Oi, woman!” In the dark he saw her jump and try to slink back. “I already know yer there.” Zaraki closed the door before reaching for the matches on the nightstand, lighting up the candle next them. “C’mere.”

Slowly, kneeling out of the shadows, Nemu bowed her head. “I…” Unable to think of any excuse, she fell silent.

“I don’t give a shit ‘bout guys bringin’ their women in the barracks. But I draw the line when they ain’t here with ‘em.” He eyed the girl and sat down. “The other men seem to have problems keepin’ their hands to ‘emselves. Women too, for that matter.”

Her hands clenched at her thighs. “I apologize, Zaraki-taichou.”

“Che.” Zaraki scratched at his chest and wished he brought his pipe with him. “What’re you doin’ here?”

“I’m sorry for disturbing you.” She stood up. “Good night, Zaraki-tai-“

“Siddown.”

Nemu blinked. “I’m sorry.”

“I said sit.” He pointed in front of him. “There.”

Carefully Nemu knelt on the chosen patch of floor, keeping her face and discomfort hidden.

“Why’re ya here?”

“…I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why come here when you know he’s gone?”

Nemu’s gaze slid sideways for a brief flicker and Zaraki followed it to the open closet and the uniform that lay crumpled on the floor. Fuckin’ perfect.

“What, you afraid?” Zaraki leaned in close to the vice-captain. “You think he ain’t gonna make it?”

“Ayasekawa-san said-“

“Yumichika’s a fuckin’ drama queen. You think they woulda gone if there weren’t gonna win?”

Nemu bit her lip. “I just… I’m just worried.”

Zaraki waved vaguely. “That guy don’t go down easy. Trust me on that. He knows he’s gonna die fightin’, but he’s got better things to die for.” He eyed her briefly. “Got better things ta live for, anyway.”

When Nemu looked up at him- fearful, sad but wanting so badly to hope –Zaraki felt his insides twist.

“Look,” he said gruffly, getting back on his feet and trying to frown intimidatingly, “if you think he’s gonna die from somethin’ as simple as this, you’re carin’ ‘bout the wrong guy. He’s been through worse, he’ll go through worse.” Zaraki put a hand on the door and said over his shoulder, “Blow the candle out, wouldya? Don’t wanna go advertisin’ an’ all.”

Nemu stood again and bowed. “Thank you Zaraki-taichou. I will-“

“The fuck you think yer goin’?”

Nemu’s words fumbled. “…I’m sorry?”

“I ain’t turnin’ ya out.” Zaraki growled. “Just don’t make a mess, eh? And stop apologizin’ all the damn time.”

She gaped soundlessly until the door shut, the force of it blowing the candle out. “Th…” Nemu crawled back into the darkness and buried herself in the linger warmth and scent of Ikkaku’s uniform. “…thank you.”

Zaraki, meanwhile, stalked back down the hall even more pissed than before. When Ikkaku got back he was going to kill that boy.

Date: 2005-12-28 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-rong.livejournal.com
I love how Zaraki comforts Nemu! Well, in his way... and its kinda sad, the way Nemu snuggles into Ikkaku's uniform...

Date: 2005-12-28 01:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
In his own, special, Zaraki way^^

When I imagine Nemu clutching at his uniform, it makes my heartbreak ;_;

Date: 2005-12-28 01:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-rong.livejournal.com
*nods*

And Zaraki is so... big-hearted that it makes me smile too. :)

Date: 2005-12-28 01:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] myuki-chan.livejournal.com
Awww. D:
Poor Nemu.
Kenpachi's such a softie. LOL He'd probably kill anyone that said that though.

Date: 2005-12-28 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
He is, that big, spikey teddy bear. But... how could you NOT be a softie to a wibbling Nemu? ;_;

Date: 2005-12-28 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lily22.livejournal.com
Aww... so cute. :)

Date: 2005-12-28 02:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Thanks^^

Date: 2005-12-28 02:20 am (UTC)
ext_97775: (Default)
From: [identity profile] renuki.livejournal.com
T_T

Ikkaku, stay away from Zaraki when ya come back.

He might kill you. o.o

*wonder if she can high five Zaraki without die or losing a hand*

Date: 2005-12-28 02:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
If he doesn't kill you, let me know. I need to give that man a few dozen high fives, myself.

Ikkaku? That's what you get for making your woman worry.

Date: 2005-12-28 05:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xiao-huli-chan.livejournal.com
*squeals*

zaraki comforts nemu in his own gruff, uncaring way!!

hisashiburi!! i'm glad i came online today~

Date: 2005-12-28 06:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
It has been a while, hasn't it? But I still stick with them! *waves the IkkaNemu 'ship flag*

Date: 2005-12-28 08:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsukishine.livejournal.com
The angst! *sobs at the thought of Nemu snuggling into his uniform in the dark*

I love Zaraki so much. His King-Thuggy-self and his gruff, I'm-a-reluctant-daddy self. Just too perfect.

Date: 2005-12-28 02:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
Zaraki and his 'grr-but-secretly-marshmallow'ness is so much love.

And Nemu needs love like whoa.

Date: 2005-12-30 08:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsukishine.livejournal.com
Zaraki is the biggest marshmallow of them all. Granted, he's got the thickest layer of cruchy burnt-ness, but he's also got the biggest, gooiest, most fluffy center. He can't hide it from us.

Date: 2005-12-29 09:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuncyn.livejournal.com
Sorry for the strange intrusion but I wanted to say well done on the story. You kept both Zaraki and Nemu in character which is a mean feat in this kind of situation (to me anyway). ^^ And it's full of the snarky humour I enjoy. The last line is the best, I gotta say. Thanks for the read!

Date: 2005-12-29 02:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] idiosyn.livejournal.com
No, no. I's not very strange at all. Welcome, in fact^^

I'm glad you liked it, and I'm glad both are still in character. It's a bit strange to have the two of them interact, but I was surprised that it actually worked out^^;;

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