Chapter 1: Green, the Colour of Despair
Twilight illuminated the seireitei; the white architecture seemed to flourish radiating with the light. A warm breeze blew quietly through the Seireitei.
Relaxed and eyes closed, Head Captain Ryuusuke embraced the warm breeze in his quarters, enjoying the fluidity of it passing around his face and through his long dark hair. His mentor had shown him the pleasures of nature. Staring up into the darkness he wondered if he'd ever be better than his predecessor and mentor Shunsui Kyoraku. Ryuusuke let out a sigh before staring contently into the fading glimmer of twilight.
What would I be, if Shunsui weren't murdered? I'm sure he would be in the zero division by now; Kurosaki-san would have definitely chosen him. Ryuusuke gave a faint smile, sensei what really happened that night? He couldn't have killed you, it makes no sense! Events regarding Shunsui's murder plagued Ryuusukes mind, he felt uneasy at the outcome decided by central forty-six.
Ruffling his hair, he thought of all he had achieved, overseeing a brand new generation of captains was no easy feat. Most recently captain Hitsugaya, the last of the previous generation of captains had finally been invited a seat in the zero squad, soon he would proudly watch one his subordinates become the captain of squad 10. Something Ryuusuke looked greatly forward to. Moving away from the balcony, Ryuusuke stretched, another peaceful lazy day, things couldn't be better.
The door flew open, damaging the wall, taken by surprise Ryuusuke jumped. A skinny tall man ran in. His skin normally pale flared red, his hair usually well kempt now a blond mess, stopped. His silver eye's glaring intensely at Ryuusuke.
Taking a deep breath Ryuusuke waved his hand up, "Glad to see you're finally back lieutenant, although I'd prefer you knocked, how was it?"
The man's stare grew more intense, "How was it? Bloody awful, this is the second time today I've been looking for your zanpakuto."
"Well, did you find it?" Ryuusuke interrupted.
"Of course I did, at the bottom of a hot spring!"
Ryuusuke paused, "Oh, of course. I thought I'd have a well-earned head captain break, you should try it sometime Etsuo. Plus there are a few blonds there that would gladly take care of any needs," he winked.
Clenching his fists Etsuo lunged forward, his fist burying into Ryuusuke's face. "Have a well earned head captain break!" he shouted, "Everyday you go to those hot springs and leer at the women, completely dismissing your duties. Most nights when you're actually in your quarters you daydream. But to top it all off you lose the most powerful zanpakuto around the Soul Society."
"Oh, come on, it's easy to do, my shikai is pretty small."
Etsuo, still infuriated, pulled a short one-handed silver hilt without its blade from within his black kimono and threw it to Ryuusuke. "Here is your zanpakuto, don't lose it again." He said assertively.
Ryuusuke caught his zanpakuto, "Try not to throw it, as you said it's the most powerful zanpakuto. Show it some respect."
"Respect? That's hilarious; I'm shocked that you've learnt the word. Do you actually know what it means?" Etsuo said sarcastically.
Ryuusuke froze as he tightened his grip on the hilt. Etsuo continued to complain.
"Shut up!" Ryuusuke demanded, looking serious.
Immediately Etsuo ceased complaining, he knew when the head captain was serious.
"We need to leave now, a large group of people are fighting in district 75, south Rukongai."
As the two of them moved a green light lit up the night sky, followed by a large explosion shaking the first division's quarters. Officers could be heard shouting, alarms echoed throughout the Seireitei. Chaos emerged after more than a century of peace.
"That came from squad four's barracks. Could somebody be trying to wipe out our healers?" Etsuo said, his voice erratic from shock.
"I doubt it," Ryuusuke said attempting to hide his concern. He threw on his captain haori, "Etsuo lets go. He placed his zanpakuto in front of his face and shouted " Kanjiru Furaijin!"
A tall slender woman in a pale blue dress strolled through the streets of Karakura town, her beauty emanated around her. Men simply stopped at the sight of her. Her long red hair swung gracefully below her shoulders, her sea blue eyes glistened in the sunlight. Behind her a well-sculpted man followed, carrying a variety of feminine bags.
"Hey captain Kuchiki? Where to next?"
"Next we're off to buy a few suits for the husband. He deserves a treat, always running around doing work for me." She giggled.
"The lieutenant's a lucky man, its such a shame I don't have a lady like you," he chuckled.
"Of course he's lucky, without me he'd be an absolute fashion disaster," she said grinning, revealing a set of perfect white teeth. "Like me? You would be so lucky," she laughed, "If you weren't so dedicated to the fourth division, you would have women falling all over you."
"Maybe I should take a break, but then how would you cope without me?"
"I'm sure it won't be hard to replace you, any officer could do your job."
"Oh captain don't say that you'll break my heart," he said flirtatiously. "I guess you get the coldness from your mother."
"You haven't experienced cold until, you've seen her bankai, Hakka no Togame. It's absolutely beautiful.," Miyu said, looking mesmerised.
"I'd rather not see it, Rukia's bankai had a reputation for wiping out quincy instantly, that's scary considering how powerful some of the sternritter were."
Jiro could hear someone running frantically near him; quickly he spun around facing a petite woman.
"Captain Kuchiki!" Yelled the woman.
Captain Kuchiki turned around; "This can't be good," she thought. The third seat of the first division rarely leaves Soul Society.
"What's going on Yuna?" She replied frantically.
"There has been an explosion at your squad barracks, your husband and Captain Abarai were last seen there."
Dazed, captain Kuchiki went pale, tears streamed down her face. Yuna stared; she had never seen the captain look so desperate.
Captain Kuchiki put her hand on Jiros shoulder, her fingers digging into his muscle. Getting grip on her emotions, she focused on him.
"Jiro open the senkaimon immediately, I need to prepare my shikai."
"There are people watching us," Yuna interrupted.
Captain Kuchiki glared at Yuna, "As I said, Jiro open the senkaimon immediately."
As Jiro opened the senkaimon horrific images of the two most important men in her life ran through her head, her husband and brother. "Don't die on me now," she begged in her mind.
To all that have read this chapter, hope you enjoyed it, it's my first fanfic - ukitake99
