Waiting

Chapter 2- "In Which Kenpachi Takes His Revenge"

AN: Thanks to all the readers and (especially) reviewers of chapter 1. Now, on to the conclusion.

---begin chapter 2---

The throat culture came back negative for strep throat, which should have been a relief for Isane. Instead it was more a source of irritation: if she had just trusted her gut, she wouldn't have had to perform the culture, and thus would have been spared from the growing dread she felt.

It had officially been a week since she had signed her own death warrant, and she hadn't seen hide nor bell-tipped hair of Captain Zaraki. That also should have been a relief, but instead it made her even more nervous. After all, they said waiting was the worst part, and right now Isane was inclined to agree. I wish he'd just get it over with already.

At first Isane had thought it strange that she hadn't encountered Captain Zaraki, since Yachiru was staying in the 4th Division to recuperate. She soon figured out that Captain Unohana was deliberately keeping her busy at times when he was around, even going so far as to pull her off all night shifts (apparently Captain Zaraki had spent every night in the bed next to Yachiru's.)

Bless Captain Unohana. She had shown up not ten minutes after Captain Zaraki had left that day, demanding an explanation. Apparently one of the 4th Division members had fled to the 13th Division as soon as Captain Zaraki had started yelling, babbling that he was attacking Isane. Needless to say, Captain Unohana had been relieved to find out that this wasn't the case, but was still concerned over the events that had actually transpired. Now she was trying to protect Isane without outwardly stating it. Isane was quite grateful.

The 4th Division was torn between revering Isane as some sort of goddess and planning her funeral. As soon as Captain Ukitake could spare her, Kiyone had come running to Isane in tears, bawling not only about her imminent status as an only child, but that Isane was "hogging" Captain Unohana away from Captain Ukitake on purpose. Isane tried to reassure her, but it nearly impossible to get through to her sister when she was like that.

The 11th Division members (other than Captain Zaraki, of course) were taking the news rather well. Isane had been afraid that they would want revenge of behalf of their Captain, but instead they seemed to find the situation as hilarious as Yachiru had. This was a good thing, because she ran into various squad members throughout the week who were visiting Yachiru, and having to defend herself from them every time would just be a huge pain in the butt. Yumichika had even pulled her aside and apologized for Captain Zaraki's behavior without actually apologizing.

"He just gets so hung up over the Lieutenant sometimes," he had said, in this irritating, trying-to-be-soothing voice that didn't seem to fit him. Nevertheless, Isane had smiled and thanked him for his concern, saying that she wasn't really worried about it.

Of course, that was a lie. Not a moment went by where she didn't expect to round a corner and come face-to-face with Captain Zaraki. She started tiptoeing down the corridors of the 4th Division, peeking around corners and glancing over her shoulder. Unseated members of the squad would make themselves scarce when she came by, not wanting to be around when Captain Zaraki finally showed up. They all knew she was dead.

In fact, all thirteen divisions seemed to feel she was dead. Never had Isane had so many of her friends visit her in one week. All of the other Lieutenants had stopped by the day after the incident and had taken her out drinking, which had started out as fun and ended as a drunken "who can compose the best eulogy" contest. Kiyone showed up nearly every day to check up on her, usually in tears. Some 12th Division researcher had shown up twice, asking Isane to "donate her body to science." She had vehemently refused, and considered asking Captain Unohana to make sure she was cremated, as she didn't trust the 12th Division not to dig up her body.

So in all, it was really no surprise that Isane was a complete nervous wreck by the end of the week. It was one thing to know that you're dead, but a completely different thing when everyone else knew it, too, and wanted to make sure you remembered about it.

Yachiru recovered by the end of the week and returned to her barracks, which was a huge relief because it automatically lessened the chance of running into Captain Zaraki. Another week passed after that, seeming surreal to Isane. It was almost like she had never yelled at Captain Zaraki, but then again, she knew there was no denying that it happened.

She continued in her duties like normal, but some of her squad members still treated her like she was already dead, as did members from the other squads. Whenever she went out to run an errand, she could hear the whispers behind her and feel the stares on her back. Isane knew what the question they all wanted answered was.

Why aren't I dead yet?

In reality, Isane was pretty sure that the answer was merely that Captain Zaraki was a sadistic bastard who was delighting in making her squirm. He was probably observing her from afar, laughing his ass off every Isane so much as jumped.

Oh, there's an awful thought. Could he really be watching her every move? Isane stopped in her tracks (she was in the 1st Division barracks, on her way to deliver the monthly reports for 4th Division). Pivoting slowly on one foot, she scanned her surroundings. She didn't see anything suspicious, and was it really possible for Captain Zaraki to be inconspicuous in anything? Probably not. God, I really need to cut back on the paranoia. I mean, it's been two weeks today. He hasn't got that kind of patience. If he was gonna do something, he would have already. Relax. Breathe.

Isane resumed her course along the building. She turned a corner and instantly forgot how to breathe.

There he is. Crap! Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap!

Captain Zaraki was striding down the same hallway, drawing ever closer to her. Yachiru was perched on his back, as usual. As soon as she caught sight of Isane, the pink-haired terror began bouncing up and down and waving.

"Heya, Gag-lady!"

If she hadn't been so terrified and naturally polite, Isane would have rolled her eyes, or at least arched an eyebrow. Yachiru had been calling her that since that day two weeks ago. It wasn't an appreciated nickname. However, she waved a bit at Yachiru so as not see seem rude. No reason to piss off Captain Zaraki any more than she already had.

Okay, calm down. He hasn't reacted to my presence yet. Everything's okay. Isane briefly entertained the thought of running, but immediately shot it down. He'd think it was fun. Nothing to do but keep going and act confident. And if he does decide to kill me, well, the least I can do as a Lieutenant in the 13 Court Guard Squads is to take it honorably.

Isane squared her shoulders and fixed her eyes straight ahead, trying to radiate confidence. It wasn't easy. She could see Captain Zaraki still coming towards her, seeming to be nonchalant. In fact, he hadn't even seemed to notice her, which had to be an act because the hallway was empty of anyone else and, at six feet in height, Isane was a bit hard to miss.

Still they drew closer to each other, and Isane could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Part of her wondered if he could, too. Probably.

They were almost upon each other now, and Isane's panic rose still higher. He still hadn't even looked at her, and she wasn't sure if she should take it as an insult or a blessing.

And then, just like that, he strode past her, never even glancing her way. Isane froze in shock, staring straight ahead, listening to his footsteps as they faded. I'm alive. I can't believe it, but I'm actually alive. Be still, racing heart. She risked a quick glance back to confirm that he was still walking away, holding back a sigh of relief.

Taking a deep breath, Isane moved to start forward again. But then she felt it: a small a brush of wind rushing past her from behind, accompanied by the light, ominous tinkling of bells. She whipped around and couldn't help but give a sharp gasp.

Captain Zaraki was right there, bent slightly with his face mere inches away from hers. His expression could only be described as an unpleasant leer as he stared straight into her wide, shocked eyes.

"Boo," he said, as intimidating as he could make his voice while keeping a low volume.

Isane's eyes rolled back into her head as her strained nerves finally took control. Captain Zaraki watched in satisfaction as she crumpled to the floor, unconscious. He stood admiring his handiwork for a few more seconds, and then turned to resume his previous course.

"That's it?" Yachiru asked.

"Yup."

---end---

So, there it is. Maybe a bit anticlimactic, but whatever. Reviews are appreciated.