#and Unohana can be rough around the edges in her own way - but has a very welcoming demeanor as well

[spookyheaad]

KenUno Modern Day/Actor AU headcanons!!

Been writing these for the last couple weeks!

I’ll start with Unohana, then Kenny, and then KenUno specific headcanons.

@p-riama @girlwiththepapatattoo wanted to share with you guys specifically!! :))

Retsu Unohana Headcanons (Modern Day/Actor AU):

- 44 years old, looks much younger than her actual age, very small, but has an overflowing and warm personality. She loves to be surrounded with her friends (just like Zaraki, nearly the entire cast and crew are considered family to her).

- she has a lot of insecurities and self worth issues due to being used in the past (in terms of relationships, friendships, etc.), so she closed off a lot, and put up hefty walls to protect herself from being hurt any further. Unohana wasn’t exactly lonely, but she felt she needed to very much gain the trust of those she wanted to deem as friends. Essentially vetting anyone who wanted to be friends with her.

- for clarity, when I say she was “used”, I do not mean in a physical/violent sense (assault or anything of the like), she was used in the sense where people took advantage of her kindness and essentially stepped all over her, she’s been cheated on in past relationships as well. So she stepped away from the dating scene for her own well being. She became more closed off and distrustful of both potential friendships, as well as possible romantic relationships.

- she would be lying if she said she wasn’t lonely as time went on. She did have friends that she trusted and cared about, but she has been quietly yearning for companionship. It’s just so hard to let people in.

- tends to have bouts of depression occasionally; she gets into her head a lot, how she wasted time on people that didn’t treat her how she deserved to be treated, how she felt unwanted because of that. But all the friends she’s made on the Bleach set, and of course her relationship with Zaraki, started to fill that void, made up for that lost time.

- when she met Zaraki & formed a relationship with him, she saw how patient he was with her, allowing her to slowly open up, not rushing anything; simply allowing things to ebb and flow as needed. That drew her to him further because it was a form of validation. She did not have to prove anything to him.

- has learned to wall off emotions as a defense mechanism. Feels as though she must be strong and capable at all times, even if she is under extreme stress/mental duress.

-does not like to be seen crying at all; she had to learn that Zaraki is a safe person for her to open up to and it came on gradually. Eventually she allowed him to see the more ugly and unkempt part of her emotions.

- took up kickboxing as a way to vent out her frustrations.

- she absolutely calls Kenpachi, “Kenny” (just like the rest of us lol).

Kenpachi Zaraki Headcanons (Modern/Actor AU)

- 41 yrs old, very tall, muscular, gruff looking for his age. Looks a bit scary, just like in the show. But he’s very nice! He’s friends with just about everyone on set. He’s nearly the opposite of his portrayal in the show, more outgoing, and actually smiles a lot. Kind of a goofy ass (he deserves this let him be happy).

- funnily enough as a child, he was a runt; an only child he may have been, but he was skinny and small. Around fifteen years old he had a huge growth spurt.

- Has a lot of tattoos, mainly on his torso and upper arms. Tattoos are also mainly skulls. both Zaraki & Unohana have their squad flowers tattooed on their bodies.

- As with Bleach canon I think Zaraki is very good with kids and animals. A gentle giant in every way. Little Yachiru likes to show him all the fun games she has on her phone while on set; he listens, asks questions, and plays along intently.

- He has a condition known as Madarosis, which is a real condition that causes the loss of eyelashes (and sometimes eyebrows). He has a congenital form of the condition so he never developed eyebrows or eyelashes whatsoever.

- Used to get bullied a lot for it when he was little. He also had kids be friends with him out of pity, and didn’t really care about him as an individual.

- Thinks that people who pick on others/the weak/those that are deemed as “different” from everyone else are some of the lowest of the low. Being born without eyebrows/eyelashes gives him a small bit of understanding to that effect.

- there is a part of him that has been very hurt from being picked on as a child for his condition, so he is very quiet and more reserved around others he does not know. But when Zaraki knows you, he is warm and caring.

- Tries to be a very upstanding and kind individual, regardless of how off-putting his appearance can be to others. He is incredibly respectful and polite towards those around him, and jovial and funny around friends(you can absolutely trust this man with your drink, if anything he’d probably just drink it himself; but then buy you another one).

- while he is kind and gentle, do not underestimate him. He does know how to fight, he learned self defense classes as a young adult due to how his classmates treated him, and as an adult, he honed those skills with Kickboxing classes, as well as some Boxing on the side.

- loves to recount stories. When comfortable, he can talk on and on. With Unohana, he does not shut up.

- is very affectionate towards Unohana; he’s found someone he can love and he tends to unconsciously show borderline uncharacteristic forms of affection at any given time. Due to this, he comes off as very playful and sometimes overly caring. He honestly just wants her to be okay.

Examples:

- When Unohana is sad/having a bout of depression he insists that he stay with her in bed to talk to her and keep her company, even bringing himself and Unohana food to eat in bed.

- He likes to allow her to sit in front of him, he’ll rub her back and kiss her shoulders.

- wraps his arms around her waist in an intimate embrace, buries his face in her neck and stays like that, occasionally whispering loving words of affirmation to her:

“You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone, not even to me.”

“Opinions from other people don’t matter and never will.”

“Only do what’s best for you.” Etc.

- very much a romantic at heart, but doesn’t show it in a typical romantic way. He can be more blunt and to the point, but also knows when to be serious and show sympathy/compassion.

- on that note, he is also an emotional man, but has a hard time expressing his emotions sometimes. It’s best done in private.

- His nickname for Unohana is “Uno”. He abbreviates her last name and usually refers to her as such (he is also horrendously dumb, some may say smooth to a comedic degree because occasionally he’ll go: “you know why I call you Uno? Because you’re my number one.”)

KenUno Specific Headcanons (Modern Day AU):

- They met on the set of Bleach, hit it off really quick. No one picked up on it until about a year or so into production of the original 2004 show. (I love the idea that they’re all just actors on set I love that AU. I just slip it in to the Modern Day AU because it’s easier & it coincides). As time went on their relationship got stronger & they eventually married. They’ve been living happily together for a few years (so during the “filming” of TYBW, they are a married couple)

- The Muken fight was so difficult to finish because they kept messing up takes(I have so many ideas for bloopers to maybe draw out they’re so dumb). They can make one another laugh quite easily.

- but also, because of them being married and having a preexisting relationship, it made the interactions during the Muken fight feel real, and much more believable. As much as they make one another laugh, they work off of each other seamlessly, and that whole fight shines because of their bond.

- They read off their lines to one another at home, and did that as a good form of practice, it also made it much easier when it finally came time to film.

- Unohana had a realization at their home that she was reading her final lines as part of the Bleach cast and had to stop and take it in.

- Hand holding & hugging are their go to forms of public affection.

- Unohana has a hearty laugh, and she is actually very self conscious of it; Zaraki loves her laugh so much that he actively goes out of his way to make her laugh just to hear it.

- Unohana never really saw Zaraki as different for not having eyebrows/eyelashes. She always tells him how handsome he looks, and it always gives him major confidence boosts. She genuinely thinks he is incredibly handsome & attractive and is so thankful to have him in her life.

- in turn, Zaraki is so enamored by Unohana’s beauty that he thinks she is the most amazing woman ever. She could wear a paper bag and he would compliment her for hours. They’re both one another’s cheerleaders & biggest supporters.

- they’re two big nerds, especially Zaraki. He always found it hard to make friends as a little boy due to him looking “weird”, as other children would tell him, so he lost himself in fictional worlds. Specifically Star Wars. Unohana had liked Star Wars in passing until she formed a relationship with the man, now she is as equally invested in it as he has been.

- His favorite movie is Empire Strikes Back.

- if you don’t think these two do not own toy lightsabers, you’re sorely mistaken. Lightsaber fights in their backyard are very common. (Part of this headcanon came from knowing that canon Kenpachi & Unohana would absolutely be floored by the concept of a lightsaber. It can cut through anything flawlessly, and it ups the ante in terms of combat).

-Kenny loves being little spoon (Unohana has to hold on to him like a koala on a tree, but neither don’t really mind nor care). In the same breath, Unohana thinks Kenny is the best big spoon because he’s able to envelop her in his warmth due to their significant height difference.

- Just as with the Bleach canon world, they see one another as equals, except in this situation they are equals in their relationship. They have an extremely deep mutual respect for one another. Both went through a lot when they were younger and they both understand each other more than anyone else.

-Zaraki was first to say “I love you” in the relationship. Unohana wanted to be the one to say it first, but because of her past, she is afraid to throw those words around lightly. After he proclaimed the words to her, she felt comfortable enough to proclaim them back to him. both of them do not say “I love you” to just anyone, so when they said it to one another, that was real.

- They are both incredibly tender and gentle, they have a lot of moments with one another where they look into one another’s eyes, caress their skin softly with the pads of their fingers; in deep admiration of each other.

- Pillow talk is so incredibly common; loving whispers in between sweet kisses in the dark. Zaraki’s voice greatly enhances the experience too; his tone is deep and gravelly, and even more so when he lowers his voice.

[blameitonthebleach]

Can I request a scenario for Retsu or Isane please? They have a s/o who has been in a coma for sometime for some reason. Everyday our lady takes care of the fem!/SO and although it seems futile now, their wish is for their beloved to open their eyes again. A Christmas miracle happens and they wake up, they don't have to spend their Christmases alone anymore.

You sure can, my dear! I chose Isane for this one, because the ladies don’t get enough love on my blog.

It had been close to a year now. After what was supposed to be a routine mission in the Rukongai turned much more sinister, you were injured protecting your beloved Isane. From two different squads, you were the Fourth Division’s extra escort, and though Isane didn’t need your protection, it made you feel just a little better to be at her side. You loved the way she looked directing her squad members; that stern, concentrated expression, and the way she always had one hand on her hip making her regal and beautiful. You’d been together for what felt like centuries, and you always thought that she just…got you. You got each other, honestly. 

You knew that when she was fatigued, the only person she’d let see her weak and tired was you. She’d shyly sidle up to you when no one was looking and rest her head on your shoulder. Just the same, when you were angry, frustrated, or exhausted, she was always there to cheer you on with some sage advice and that beautiful smile. 

On that mission a year ago, it was just days away from Christmas. You two had decided that you would spend the day as the humans did, and you personally had drilled Orihime on human holiday customs so it would be perfect. On the way to the Rukongai, you’d spoken animatedly to Isane about how excited you were, how hard you tried, and that you couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she opened her gift. You assured her that it was just something small, but you wanted her to have it anyway. She had teased you, calling you silly, but you saw the small smile play at the corners of her mouth and the affection in her dark eyes. 

Upon reaching a clearing where Squad Four was supposed to aid some injured shinigami, something was…off. No one could put their finger on it, not even the skilled lieutenant captain herself. Everyone was on edge, and she worried about you even as she completed her duties. You could certainly take care of yourself in any normal situation, but this was completely abnormal. There should have at least been some residual reiatsu in the surrounding area, but there was nothing. Isane could feel nothing save for the shinigami in the clearing. Keeping her eyes peeled, she assisted the fallen with the rest of her squad, trusting you to have her back in an emergency. 

In the time it took to blink, the clearing was filled with commotion. First, it was a scream to Isane’s left. When she looked, the only thing remaining was a morbid painting in the dirt. She didn’t even have time to think about who it was before chaos ensued. Looking over her should, she didn’t need to hand out orders to you as you drew your zanpakuto to aid the others. Before she could voice that they needed to get the wounded back to the Seireitei immediately–

“Isane!”

Instinct guiding her actions, her blade was drawn and ready, but it was too late. Whatever Hollow had massacred their fellow shinigami was directly on top of her. In a blur of motion, you were there to take the blow of its ugly claws, sending a spray of blood and gore across the ground at Isane’s feet. You’d managed to deal it significant damage, but it was nowhere near defeated. You could no longer stand as the black faded in from the edges of your vision. Isane screamed your name, and the last thing you saw was a face of anger and hatred, and one single tear stain her porcelain skin.

The Hollow was defeated in record time, and Isane had to take a breath for that fact to settle in. She directed her strong gaze to the rest of her squad. “Get the injured back to the Seireitei immediately,” she repeated.

“Lieutenant, what about–?” They cast a glance at your unconscious form.

“I’ll take care of it. Now, move.”

There was more chaos once everyone reached the Seireitei. Three shinigami were pronounced dead on arrival, two were MIA, and one was presumed dead judging by the gory scene from the first scream. Doing her best to remain impartial, she instructed Hanataro to tend to you while she looked over some of the other patients in dire condition. However, Captain Unohana, ever astutely aware of everything, assigned Isane to your care with a gentle hand on her shoulder. She could have cried, she was so grateful, but there would be time for tears later. 

It took several hours, and she still required Hanataro’s help. It wasn’t pretty. Your mangled body broke her heart as she worked tirelessly for hours. Your feminine form looked more fragile than it ever had before. When there finally wasn’t anything left to do except wait for you to heal, she sent Hanataro away with her thanks. You were in the clear, your life was no longer in danger, so it was strange when you just…didn’t wake up. A few days passed, and she figured it was normal. These things happened, and Unohana wasn’t worried. Then it was a week, and then two. Then a month. Before she knew it, it had been an entire year. 

The preparations you’d both made for Christmas were never fulfilled, and your gift to her–sitting on your bedside table, wrapped immaculately to show your love–remained unopened. She couldn’t have cared less about the present. All she wanted was for you to open your eyes, and tell her everything was okay. The person she cried to when bad things happened remained unresponsive on a hospital bed. Isane checked your vitals every day. She caressed your cheek, smoothed your hair, and every night before she left she kissed your forehead, hoping that maybe that would rouse you enough to come back to her. She missed your warmth, your smile, your soothing words. 

Christmas Eve rolled around, and Isane was still by your side. She’d changed your bed sheets and clothes, and had gotten into the habit of telling you about her day. After all, coma patients could often hear and were aware of the outside world, they just couldn’t interact, couldn’t they? That thought alone broke her heart even more, but talking to you was the only respite she got.

“Hey, ___, it’s Christmas Eve,” she said gently. Smiling, she fluffed your pillow and fiddled with the flowers at your bedside. “Are you going to leave me alone again?”

She laughed derisively at her own joke, then took her permanent seat next to you. Propping her elbow up on the bed, she sighed. At least you looked peaceful, she reasoned with herself.

“Isane,” came her sister Kiyone’s voice. “I knew I’d find you here.”

Isane gave her a pained smile. “Here I am…”

The silence stretched on, deafening in the face of the falling snow outside.

“Are you going to stay here all night again?” Kiyone whispered, setting a concerned hand on her shoulder. “I know you’re worried, we all are, but you’ll make yourself miserable being all my yourself. ___ wouldn’t want that, and you know it.”

“But…what if she wakes up, Kiyone?” Isane mumbled, unable to help herself. “What if she finally opens her eyes, and I’m not there for her?”

It was silent for a moment again.

“I’m not going to force you. I know how close you both are, and I know how much you love her. Just… Don’t push yourself. You can’t help her if you aren’t taking care of yourself.”

With those parting words, Kiyone left quietly to talk to her captain, and Isane let out a sigh. Her sister was right: there was nothing she could do to make you wake up. If there was, she’d have done it a long time ago. She sat with you for another half hour, talking about everything and nothing, and left you as usual with a warm kiss to the forehead.

After a night out with her sister and some of the other members of the Shinigami Women’s Association, Isane was feeling just a hint better than the day before. A girl’s night had been just what she needed to reinvigorate herself, or so Rangiku had determined. They all supported her, and couldn’t wait for you to wake up and help them with their latest plot to sneak further pictures of the men around the Seireitei. 

Early that morning, you’d had a nightmare. Everything after that incident was a nightmare, honestly, but reliving the event was definitely awful. Choking on a scream, you’d awoken to a startled Hanataro checking your vitals, and the quick appearance of Captain Unohana herself. Breathing heavily, your hand clutched at the fabric of your clothes as you stared around the room in confusion. 

“W-What happened?” you got out after a minute of trying to remember how to move your mouth. Your voice was scratchy and rough from disuse, and your mouth felt like the deepest pits of Hueco Mundo. As Hanataro floundered for something to say, a look from his captain sobered him up, and he went in search of Isane.

“You were injured by a Hollow in the Rukongai,” Unohana stated calmly. “You saved Isane’s life, but sacrificed your own. Does any of this sound familiar?”

“…Vaguely,” you replied. You couldn’t remember the details, but the bigger picture was there. “How long was I unconscious?”

“It’s been over a year.”

“A year!?” you asked incredulously, hoping that she was joking. Unohana never joked. 

It was at that time Isane burst into the room, panting as her hair was in disarray. Well, more in disarray than usual. It hadn’t felt like very long to you, but to Isane it had been a lifetime.

“___!” she cried, running to your side. Unohana excused herself quietly, assured that you were okay to catch up with your lover for the time being. 

“I-Isane…” you said, feeling guilty. Wrapping your arms around her tall frame, you buried your nose in the crook of her neck. “I’m sorry I made you worry… And I’m sorry I ruined our Christmas plans.”

“Idiot! I don’t care about that!” Pulling away to hold your face in her hands, she glared at you lovingly as the tears spilled down her cheeks. You stretched out your hand to wipe her tears.

“You were crying then…” you whispered. “For me.”

“I thought I’d lost you,” she hissed back. “And I don’t care about the gifts or the celebration, I just care about you.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but it was quickly covered by Isane’s warm lips. You melted into her with a sigh, hands on hers hips pulling her closer by her shihakusho. She tasted like salt and booze, a taste that was strange to you, but it was still her. It made your heart beat quicker, and Isane slid her tongue along your bottom lip, unable to stop herself. Not much better, you obeyed eagerly, and basked in the attention of your girlfriend.

“I’m sorry,” you repeated once you’d parted, though you still clung to one another.

“Stupid~”

“So, I missed Christmas, huh?” Trying to lighten to mood, you grinned at her sheepishly. “Damn, and I was so excited about that gift.”

“Nothing can top what you’ve given me this year,” she replied, hugging you close to her. Confused, you made a noise.

“Christmas hasn’t passed yet?” you asked.

“Today is Christmas, ___,” Isane replied with a smile more radiant than the sun. As you gaped at her, she cradled your face in her hands again, and whispered “Merry Christmas…”

As the snow continued to fall, Isane closed her mouth over yours, and you shared in the affection between you. You were back, and Isane could hold you in her arms again, could kiss you again, could be with you again. It was by far the best Christmas ever.