Ayame and her Dumb Luck

[UHCM]

The two packages burdened Ayame despite their small sizes, however, the delivery girl must get them to 12^th Squad Captain Hanatan. Ayame was told they are fragile and should be taken with great care, but it was a contradiction that she is the one to do the task. Does not matter now because most of the careful delivery personnel are taken. A member of 11^th Squad was in front of her and was about to pass her. Knowing their reputation, Ayame strides off to the side to avoid any bullying from them.

"What are you looking at, dumbass? Boo! Ahahaha!"

The question from the member of 11^th Squad startled Ayame as she looked upon the man. No doubt she was already timid about the man, but the bark he made startled more as she jumbled the packages, trying to recover before they break. The man walked away laughing about his place in the squad. This kind of treatment was bad for Ayame's little confidence, but she was a little glad that she is not part of the 4^th Squad. They are reputable as being targets of worse bullying. Without a warning, Ayame heard a snapping noise as the man stopped before turning around and glare at her.

"Prick!"
"Ronin!"
"Alright, tomboy! Come here and face punishment for assaulting a fellow Shinigami!"

Too late for apology, Ayame chose to run away while keeping the packages firmly in her arms. It is just her luck that her Zanpakuto chose to retort by whipping the guy with one of its two vines. Through the hallways, the other soul reapers were caught off-guard as they dodged the two speedy cat and mouse. Without paying attention, she speed-bumped another member of the 11^th Squad. Sure enough that was is offended by the surprise "tackle" and the chase turned into two cats versus one mouse.

"Toku! Why are you not fighting back? Go one-two on them already!"
"Ronin! You're not able to do any damage aside from pissing them off more!"
"At least I can do something aside from teaching you not to trip over me so much!"
"All I wanted to do is deliver these two packages and you want action! Why!"
"I am bored! There is not a hollow and when there is one, a captain managed to get to it before we do! Now tough up!"

The argument ended abruptly as one of the vines spanked Ayame, causing her to lose balance and tumbled into a hard door. Ronin was begging to transform, but Ayame was dazed from hitting against the door. It was not long before the two 11^th Squad members started beating down on her. After a while of relentless kicking and stomping, the two left Ayame bruised all over; luckily, the two packages survived and the two soul reapers did not take them. Just her luck that Ronin picked the wrong time to pick a fight with these brutes. Ayame looked up and noticed that the door she tumbled into was the 12^th Squad Captain's room.

In pain, Ayame opened the door and dragged herself and the packages inside, fearing that more will come for her after they told the others about what she did. Ayame chanted the word of pain repetitively as she dragged herself to finds a place to rest so the pain can pass. What overcame her curiosity was an ancient computer that seemed to be slowed by something. Ayame stood up and looked at the computer screen. After a short while looking through the texts and research carefully, she found that the computer was slower than it should be by gut feeling. She fiddled with the computer and found the statistic program that gives out the computer's content status. Already she noticed that there are many.
----
175 Registry Errors
305 Temporary Files
5 Viral Threats
----
It was more than Ayame would expect, but she kept a calmed face, knowing that if she panics in front of a captain, it will dwindle her luck of being in one of the big time squads...and hopefully a safer line of work than being a bully-bait delivery girl.

(Note: The content is approved by Moderator Amai)

[UHCM]

While Ayame was looking through the computer out of curiosity, there was loud knocking on the door.

"Tomboy! Get out of there! You're not supposed to be in there!"

Ayame recognized the voice as it was the same who beaten her earlier. The bruises all over her body ached as the knocking continued. Tried as he might, the member of Squad Eleven was doing the lawful thing by getting the intruder out of the captain's room. Unfortunately, Ayame was the intruder and she feared that pain will be the punishment. So she chose to stay and be quiet, hopefully the member might have mistaken.

"Academy Graduate Ayame Tokumoto! Get out of there or I have to get the law enforcement squad out for your hide! For breaking an entry and trespassing into a captain's quarters!"

What proof he got of that? The door was unlocked so she can take the packages in for Amai, but the bully believed that Ayame used lock picks on the door. How could Ayame pick the lock after sustaining that much pain from him and his friend?

"Last chance! Get out now or make things worse for yourself, Tokumoto!"

[xamaichanx]

Amai Hanatan, the captain of the twelvth squad yawned as she finally slipped from the lab. She moved slowly toward the hallway after leaving the lower level which created the lab. Her eyes dimmed slightly. It had been a few days since her date with Markus and she hadn't really seen him often, only if a member of her squad was in urgent care, which wasn't very often.

Her eyes closed for a moment as she leaned against a wall for a moment until hearing yelling coming from down the hall at which she stood in. Her eyes flickered with annoyance as she let out a deep and angered sigh. She slowly stepped along her the hallways, heading toward the yelling voice.

As the yelling go louder, she saw a man standing outside her bedroom door, shouting. Her eyes shut for a moment before opening again. A slight smirk played over her lips as she then cleared her throat, trying to get the attention of the eleventh member. He seemed to just ignore her as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Ahem!" She said with a much louder voice, catching the eleventh's attention just as she had grabbed him and forced him into the wall. The man was about to attempt to fight the woman off but stopped upon seeing her attire. Obviously she was the captain of the facility which he was in and the owner of the room which he was screaming in.

"You can come out miss Tokumoto." Amai said in a calm tone. Before she released the eleventh member, she told him to leave her squadron's barracks and remain gone. The man nodded before walking away, trying to keep his cool.

Amai turned to face the girl known as Ayame Tokumoto and smiled lightly. "Mind explaining why you were hiding in my room? It's not really nice to enter someone's room without invitation." She said in a sweet voice, letting a soft giggle slip from her lips.

[UHCM]

Ayame heard the shouting stopped before the voice of a woman entered the one-way conversation. When she heard the woman asking her to get out of her room, she had to because of the woman's position. She knew she was Captain Amai Hanatan of Squad 12. When Ayame came into Captain Hanatan's sight, Ayame's bruises have not healed yet and she is still stumbling a bit from being kicked in the legs a few times. Ayame looked around and noticed the member and strayed back into Captain Hanatan's room.

"Sorry, Captain Hanatan...I was avoiding him. There are two packages for you, but I feared that they might be damaged when he scared me. Anyway, I noticed something was wrong with your computer. The statistic window is still up for you to view it. Sorry if I looked into your computer without asking...but I was curious as to why your computer is slower than it should be...I begged for your forgiveness and not to send me to Maggot's Nest!"

As if it was an ethical thing to do, Ayame sat on her knees and lowered herself before asking for forgiveness. The shaking gave away the evidence and the beating was brutal, but short. The resisting quivers of her voice also implied that she's expecting more pain for what she did.

"Hundred, seventy-five registry errors, three hundred-five temporary files and five viral threats, Captain Hanatan..."

The words recently spoken was mumbled, hinting Ayame's meager attempts to save herself the pain.

[Zerou]

There was a yell from the halls of the twelfth Division Barracks as the frantic man from eleventh squad was struggling to escape the man's grasp. In a calm yet extremely pissed tone the man spoke out "It isn't nice to ambush women in their own quarters now is it? Let alone torment one who did nothing to you." Zerou stared into the mans eyes but the eleventh squad member and anyone around didn't feel anything from the man holding the 'dickhead' squad member. One or two of the twelfth squad had to do a double take on the unknown man, for some reason he look familiar. The man dragged the eleventh squad out of the barracks and tossed him against the wall "Now leave and if i see you or any of your squad-mates attacking others again i will see to it personally that you are skinned. . . Alive, Got that?" He let the man leave as he turned around glancing making sure he didn't reveal who he was. He knew Captain Amai wouldn't know who he was because she wouldn't be able to sense his spiritual pressure, that and his features had changed a lot those years trapped. "Well lets see who is alive. . . " Zerou spoke muttering to himself.

[xamaichanx]

Amai's eyes looked over Ayame and the bruises which seemed to cover the female's fragile body. Slowly Amai opened a small drawer her the room, finding a small bottle of orange liquid and opening it. She walked over to Ayame and handed it to her. A kind smile on Amai's face as she looked at the female before turning away.

"No No... No need to apologize to me Ayame. It's perfectly fine. Thank you ever so much for bringing those packages to me and taking oh so good care of them. If you will, please drink that. It should help your body to heal faster on it's own instead of going to the fourth barracks right? Now.. About looking at my computer.. I don't see a reason to send you to the Maggot's Nest..."

She spoke softly as she faced the computer and typed rather quickly. Her fingertips seeming to dance over the keys as she then fixed the problems that Ayame had mentioned. She smiled softly as she then looked over at the young and timid looking girl.

"You have quite the eye... Thank you very much. If it wasn't for you, things around here could have fallen apart in days without this computer." Amai smiled at the girl before placing her hands on her hips. "Why don't you stick around for a while..? So I can make sure that the eleventh don't torture you anymore. Right?"

[UHCM]

Ayame was surprised when she heard that she was forgiven and was praised for the things she did. She was rewarded a small bottle of orange liquid as an enigma came to her mind. What was it was given to her? She pulled her back up in confusion as she wondered what Captain Hanatan had in mind if she is not going to get her arrested. She was told to drink it and the captain has no reason to send her to the Maggot's Nest. The relief came to Ayame as she chugged the bottle. If Captain Hanatan was right, Ayame's bruises would heal quicker. Already the pain started to lift in a soothing way.

Ayame gets up onto her feet and turned to Captain Hanatan as she was waiting to be dismissed, but after Captain Hanatan looked over the computer, she turned and praised her for having a good eye and explained that the operation will fall apart without the computer before placing her hand onto her hip. What is new to Ayame was being invited after all the trouble that happened. Ayame knew that the guy from eleventh squad would not leave her alone if she leaves the barrack, so she had no other choice than to stay with the Captain.

"Thank you for sheltering me, Captain Hanatan. The guy you scared off was the one who beaten me, his friend...I cannot see his face."

Ayame stood within the room and closed the door behind her before thanking Captain Hanatan. The room was darker than what Ayame expected, but she think it was supposed to be dark so the computer can be more effective without the electricity being split up for the light. Though Ayame was not bright when it comes to combat and street-smarts, she can still learn the technical stuff...if she could learn correctly. Ayame remained standing while gently straightening her uniform so she looked more representable.

[Zerou]

Zerou walked down the halls towards the room the man came running out of. . . Captain's Quarters. Zerou had slipped into the room unnoticed as the errors on the computer were stated from the young girl in Amai's room. Shortly after Amai had fixed the errors Zerou gave off a small grin as he spoke out "Seems that you have to place the default file in the directory and clear out the cache logs to avoid the same errors. . . Dear ol' Amai-chan" He remained in the shadows so he wouldn't be seen, he knew they couldn't sense him and he was glad for that. Zerou flipped the switch for the lights on across the room as he stood there he made sure his features couldn't be seen. "Still the same old room it seems things never change . . . or do they?"

[xamaichanx]

Amai smiled at Ayame as she giggled a bit, noticing Ayame was a bit iffy about the orange fluid until drinking it. As Ayame drank the fluid, a pleased expression came over Amai's face. "I promise he won't be bothering you anytime soon, okay?" She said in a soft tone before sitting on her bed. Her eyes slowly shutting.

Hearing the sound of slight movement then the door clicking shut caught Amai's attention, causing her to slowly open her eyes. She looked over Ayame, but it wasn't her movements that she heard. Suddenly the light went out. The only light that could be used was the light from Amai's computer which was looking over files still.

As a voice rang into the air, Amai's eyes slightly widened. She wasn't sure but something about the voice seemed familiar. She slowly stood up, her back facing the computer as she crossed her arms over her chest. She then heard the comment about her room, which made Amai realize exactly who it was. The only man to actually go into her room and see her in one of her weakest states of mind. Slowly, Amai's lips parted as her voice spoke in a soft whisper. "Welcome home.. Zerou.."

[UHCM]

Ayame looked at Captain Hanatan as she sat on her bed and nearly closed her eyes as the door was shut by Ayame. However, Ayame assumed it is something else that caught Captain Hanatan's attention. Ayame looked around as she heard the voices; the problem was her being used to the light and the darkness made it harder for her to see.

"Who was here?"

The voice from Ayame was broken in fear that someone could be after Captain Hanatan and her because she was the witness. Ayame looked at Captain Hanatan with hopes of safety. She noticed that Captain Hanatan is also surprised as Captain Hanatan stood up and looked at the computer with arms crossed. The comment about the room and Captain Hanatan slowly whispered the words of welcoming the return of this, "Zerou" fellow.

Ayame became curious if the Zerou fellow was an old friend or an old adversary. Ayame walked to Captain Hanatan's side and forgetting that only a lieutenant can get that close to a captain. Ayame's mouth gaped ajar while her eyes are innocently attentive to what Captain Hanatan was looking at.

"Zerou? Who ar-Op!"

Ayame's question was halted as she covered her mouth with both of her palms while remembering that it is a conversation between possibly two powerful people and her alone could make it worse, just like what her Kidou instructor told her after she accidentally interrupted the conversation between him and someone important over a cup of green tea that the instructor asked her to get. The instructor was scary when irritated and Ayame feared that the same will be with the captain, someone more powerful than the instructor.

[Zerou]

Zerou smiled at her "Thats it? just welcome home? No running and gripping me in a hug? so much heart break. And i was missing for a good five years." He stayed leaning on the wall as he looked over the two. It seemed that the young woman next to Amai was the victim not his Old Captain, "I was surprised you recognized me Dear ol Amai, i mean it has been five years" he had no emotion on his face as he stood there with his arms crossed.

The computer started to beep as strings of computer codes started to stream across the screen, hack attempt. . . and a good one at that. The hacker was about 50% complete "Seems you have a friend there trying to get in to our protected data."He strode over tot he computer and sat down and smiled. "This should be fun, lets see if i still have that computer talent shall we?" Zerou played with the keyboard at leisure toying with the would be hacker. "He is alright at best don't you think Kitty chan. . . i mean Amai chan." Zerou got bored and finally punched in a few codes and reverse hacked the would be hacker.

[xamaichanx]

Amai shook her head a bit and laughed as she smiled lightly. 'He hasn't changed one bit..'[/i] The female shook her head a bit from left to right with a still pleased smile placed on her lips. She then turned her eyes as she looked at Zerou. "Really..? Shocked that I remember my lieutenant that vanished five years ago?" She slightly pouted at the thought. She lost all contact with Zerou and still dreaded it even till now.

Amai's thoughts were int interrupted by her computer's flashing lights. 'Oh great.. Another one..'[/i] She thought and was about to move toward her computer when Zerou spoke up and moved before she could. A smile graced over Amai's lips as she shook her head a bit. 'Yup... Definately.. Never changed..'[/i] She thought as she walked behind Zerou. Her eyes glanced at Ayame to state that things were alright and to come toward herself and Zerou.

Amai'd eyes closed as she coiled her arms around Zerou from behind, hugging him gently. She leaned toward his ear as she spoke softly to him. "Welcome Home... You were missed Zerou-san..." A smile placed over her lips as she pecked his cheek gently befre removing her arms from around him.

[UHCM]

Ayame remained in confusion as Captain Hanatan shown her affection for this Zerou person. She knew that she was in the captain's room to avoid anymore beatings from the rude members from eleventh squad, then Zerou came and violated her sense of security; if that guy can get in, will they also be able to get into the room? Ayame will not allow it and decided to try and leave the room. Right when she opened the door, she faced her employer who was clearly pissed off about his worker not coming back when she is supposed to.

"Can't you do anything right, Ayame! What in the name of Yamamoto are you doing here instead of reporting back to me! You're late by five frickin minutes!"

During his first sentence of the scowling, he punched on Ayame's head and made her crouched while rubbing her head in pain. It is clear that Ayame is still in duty, but the employer seemed to be too irritated with Ayame's tardiness than why she was tardy in the first place. The pain was evident as Ayame let out a "ah-ch-ch-ch" groan.

"Sir...ow...I was atta-"

"Again with your attack excuse! You are not part of Squad 4 and Ronin is a damn flower, there is no way it will cause trouble!"

Ayame's explanation was in vain as her employer was annoyed and put his foot on Ayame's head. The weight was quite heavy for Ayame as she bent down further while on her knees. Even for a dead girl, she thought of it as a mistake to be in the Soul Society because all she could think of things in the Soul Society were abusive people taking their anger out on her and others who are just as unfortunate as her. Ayame barked "Ow" many times while her head was forced to the floor by her employer's foot.

[Zerou]

Zerou laced his fingers with Amai's, closing his eyes he had flashbacks of the explosion that caused him to be trapped in that forest. There had been change in his eyes and heart things just didn't feel right with him at the moment, he felt like he couldn't just waltz right in and take his old place besides his captain let alone share any feelings he had for her before that explosion. His thoughts were interrupted by a man who's voice seemed very familiar. . . . Seita, the wanna be know it all who thought he was so bad ass that he could take on everyone and who even was kicked out of squad eleven for being to stupid. Zerou let off a large grin as he patted Amai's hand and then vanished, and reappearing as he ripped Seita from the floor and into the wall.

"Hello Seita, welcome to Squad twelves house of pain, oh i know what you did those five years ago you anal bastard." He held the man by his throat as he tore the zanpaktou from his side tossing it away.

"Za Za Zerou? no you cant be i heard you died. . . "

"Oh no I am very much alive but you on the other hand might not be to much longer."

The man struggled to be free from Zerou's grasp but to no avail did he succeed "Im-im-impossible you have no Rai-reiatsu you're not Zerou! NO WAY I KI. . . . . . I SAW HIM BE BLASTED AWAY BY HIS STUPID MISTAKE!!!"

Zerou cocked his head "Oh you did now did you? seeing how that project was top secret and the only way you could have been there is if you had followed me or was apart of the team assigned to that project, and seeing how i was lead and in-charge of that project i know you were NOT apart of that."

The man was in shock as he tried to get away with a new sense of urgency. "NO NO NO IMPOSSIBLE!!!" Zerou quickly drew his blade and lifted his arm up ready to kill. "See those five years changed me Seita, you see i no longer have split personalities no no i don't i have one and that one is telling me to kill you here and now and i would have lost no sleep over that prepare to see the mother of the night and the father of the demons when i send you into eternal slumber." Zerou's eyes were calm and his aura stunk of death and murderous intent it was looking as if nothing could stop him.

[xamaichanx]

The feeling of Zerou's hand lace its fingers with her own and hold onto her hand made a light blush dance over her cheeks. Her eyes closed remembering the day that Zerou was last there, the day he hopped out of her window after comforting her. She figured he had left in order to go do something but he vanished from that day forward.

That day, Amai had been crying. This were going wrong just because she got close to the old captain of the 13th squad. The captain of the third squad, Akumu, said a few things that actually pushed Amai to being slightly annoyed and yelling at the woman about not being a true being and eternally being alone. This was a side that not many had ever seen of Amai. She then left from the third barracks and went to the twelfth. She worked and worked until the captain commander had come to her office, followed by the old captain of the thirteenth. She left the room in a hurry and went to her quarters where she confided in Zerou's arms.

The though of the memory vanished as she removed her arms from around him after feeling a light tap from his hand. With that he was gone. Amai's figure turned to face the door as she heard shouting from Zerou. A smirk played on the woman's lips as she grabbed Ayame and brought her into the room behind her.

As Amai saw Zerou about to strike the man, a murderous gaze in his eyes, the woman grabbed his wrist gently. "Zerou.. No.. Don't waste his blood.. Specially not in my halls.. We'll have him send off somewhere instead.. Possibly the pit.." A devilish smirk came over the woman for a second but vanished quickly. She looked at Zerou with a soft glance as she used to, the eyes she had before he left.