Chapter 240: Looming Tensions
[January 2nd TST/August 25th DBT]
"I'm beginning to understand how you tamed that irksome cat..." sighed Kukaku, reclining against Vahn in a whirlpool bath, enjoying the feeling of the water bubbling and being cradled after five successive hours of slow, thorough lovemaking.
"Tamed is a bit much..." stated Vahn, pointing out, "She's still the same free-spirited woman I fell in love with. I'm just the lucky fool she returns to when she seeks companionship or information..."
"I guess that works for me as well..." remarked Kukaku. "Though, I'm not looking forward to meeting and playing politics with a bunch of arrogant Nobles..."
"If you think it's too much to handle yourself, why not rope your cousin and his kids into the restoration...?" asked Vahn. "Ichigo's potential is too great for those in power to ignore him, and pretending to be normal while nightlighting as a Substitute Shinigami...it leaves him and his future family vulnerable..."
"What future family...?" asked Kukaku, snorting faintly before adopting an accusatory tone and stating, "I met that big-breasted brat who Ichigo is supposed to marry. She dreams of becoming a permanent member of the Dragon's Pavilion, and she regularly drags on about how amazing you and the other members are..."
"In my defense, I've never made a move on her, and we've met in person maybe a dozen times since she became an Ascendee..." contended Vahn. "I would never question the realness of another person's feelings, but her attraction and devotion toward me are things she has fostered herself and through her interactions with the Maid Battalion..."
"Uh-huh..." droned Kukaku, her sidelong, half-lidded gaze and monotone making it clear she didn't believe Vahn was as innocent as he claimed. He may not have wooed Orihime directly, but granting a poor, lonely girl who previously got by eating loaves of bread and heavily discounted, recently-expired produce a job that ensured she never wanted for anything while also allowing her to make friends and grow as powerful as she desired—it would be stranger if she didn't develop feelings for him.
"On a related note..." started Vahn, gently cupping and fondling Kukaku's large breasts as he revealed, "The last time Yoruichi and I spoke, she had the idea of disclosing that it was you who first came into contact with the Dragon's Pavilion. Some will doubtlessly oppose it, but it would serve as a suitable pretense for why you're qualified to represent your world. We can just claim you always had been. More consequentially, we can assert that our involvement in the recent matter resulted from you refusing to sit idle as a second Great Noble House was harmed by Aizen's actions."
"Hoooo...that's pretty clever..." hummed Kukaku, her emerald-green eyes focused on Vahn's hands as she muttered, "The Kuchiki Clan is famed for their rigidity and pride. If they learned that I was the reason their adopted descendent was spared a very public and shameful execution, they would feel compelled to back my Clan's restoration..."
"And with your position as representative cemented, it would compel the other Nobles, the Gotei, and even the Royal Guards to work through you to coordinate with us..." stated Vahn, his voice deep and compelling as he contended, "Depending on the decisions you make from hereon, it isn't an overstatement to say your and the Shiba Clan's status and authority could exceed even the Soul King's..."