Soul Society - 11th Squad District

See: 4th Squad's district. 

I sure am in a bad mood this mornin'.

For starters, I haven't heard of my beloved for half a day now. I didn't even spotted her yesterday even though we were supposed to have lunch together.
I had to cook stuff outta what was left in the cupboards. Using imagination and burned fingers, I somehow happened to end up eating banana fried chips, crunchy rice wrapped in smoked ginkgo leaves, with figs and honey and cream cheese sauce as side-dishes. Believe it or not, dipping banana chips in the cream cheese sauce was astonishing.

Then, I have been out in the nearby forest for most of last night, teaching Yamada Hanatarou how to go for the Mighty Ironing 257 Push-ups. Even though I told him that even Kotetsu Isane would fall for him when he'd get a hot six-pack, he gave up after the 100th. Since I had remembered his Captain's orders, I didn't want him to overexert himself so we split the session into series of ten. Still, I was kinda proud of him. He gave it his all, that's what really counts.
He looked exhausted as we finished at 4am. I sent him to bed after offering him a cup of my Special Workout Tea.
Unohana-Taichô hasn't killed me yet, so I guess the sips he drank were efficient on him too. Special secret ingredients stories always kinda work!

Well, it's not like I'm all that worried about what my newlywed has been doing for the past day, but I am feeling a bit concerned about her whereabouts. I mean, it's very uncommon that she doesn't at least leaves a word of explanation on the pillow when she's got plans.

With such thoughts roaming through my head, I arrive at the rendezvous point for the duel.

"You're late, weakling".

Before me stands my latest encounter, a tall, broad shouldered guy, with light beard and huge fists.
I spotted him a couple of days ago as he was yelling at one of his trainees around the barracks of the 11th Squad. Despite everyone knows this Squad is for battle-crazed monsters, you still count smoother recruits among the ranks who easily get bullied in order to strengthen them up at fast pace.
I didn't like it and spoke my mind to that Grader who was yelling all over the place for petty reasons.

As I knew it would happen, we ended up setting a duel up to settle the score.
Since releasing Zanpakutôs ain't allowed if not for official training or wartime, we agreed on a hand-to-hand fight.
"Ready to get beaten to a pulp, huh?" he shouts.

"Hi, nice to meet you too. I'm not the kind of opponent who underestimates the enemy, so I'm going all out there. You better brace yourself this second."

He goes straight for my jaw with a strong punch from the right. I barely have time to block it with my forearm as my guard wasn't ready yet.
Shit, he's one fast bastard.

I miss him by an inch as he quickly avoids my counterattack, and brutally smashes my torso with a kick.
I take a dozen of steps back, surprised and shaken by the powerful blow. Despite the damage wasn't all that serious, I am quickly reminded of my health issues. Suddenly gasping for air, a deep pain in my chest, I feel my lungs starting to burn.
No way...Already? Shit. Now I really am pissed.

Coughing blood, I snort the anger and steady my stance.
At this rate, I'll end up fainting in no time...Better end it quick then, right?

I jump towards him and launch a right kick. The moment he steps aside, I directly follow with another one, circular, from the left this time.
He manages to avoid it again.
Dammit! What's wrong with me?
And him? Still flying around?
Take that, you smartass!
I let my left foot continue its course, turn around, and as my back faces him, I deliver a powerful third kick backwards. He definitely wasn't expecting that.
Since he's twice my height, I hit his crotch at full blast with an attack wrapped in anger.

"Gaaaagh! Y...Yo...you bas...ta...orgh." He fells on the gravel covering the road, his hands desperately covering his wounded parts.

"My bad, Grader. I didn't mean to hit you there but it looks like you were slightly too big for me to kick higher. Get how it feels to be in pain now? If so, you better stop acting all bossy around those who need help. I'll get going now. Remember. Ever do that again, and this time I'll make you eat that gravel you're lying on. That's what Yowaiseishin Hiroshinji stands for."

Wiping the blood still dropping off my mouth, I quickly wash my face with water from a bucket leaning against a wall.
I stand back up to see a girl with short green hair coming at me. She has a pouting face but I can see joy in her eyes.
I shoot her a wide warm smile.

"Yowaiseishin-san, why did you stand between him and me? I could've taken him down myself!"

"That's an 11th Squad member for you! Hungry for battle, huh?" I reply.

"That's not it! ...you just mind your own business!" she shouts, not sounding convinced herself.

"Minding my own ass, huh? Well I'll tell you some piece of advice. I care for people around me. That's why I love my friends, and that's why I have something I can wish to protect and stand for. Do you have that? What do YOU stand for, young lady?"

She turns crimson. Ah, those kids these days.
"Er...I...I want to get strong so that my Mother and Father won't have to crop the fields all day long anymore!"

"See? That's good. You know what to stand for. Now, what you really need is to believe in your own power, kay?" saying it with a serious look, I lend her my hand.
"Shake it. Gimme yours, come on. And next time we meet, I wanna feel even more determination than I feel now when we'll shake these hands again, alright?"

She eventually releases my hand, takes a straight stance and, looking at me with shining eyes, she replies:
"Of course you will!" and immediately runs in the other direction, not stopping until she's out of sight.
Well.
One good thing to be done.
...
Oh crap, I almost forgot!
I offered Mayu-chan Vice Cap' Nee-Saaan to have lunch with me today!
Gotta hurry to the Pub right now!