Alright, here we go. First story and feeling kind of nervous, but here's hoping you enjoy. FIRST: I DO NOT ON BLEACH; IT IS OWNED BY TITE KUBO! IF I OWNED BLEACH, KOMAMURA WOULD GET MORE SCREEN TIME!

Chapter One: The New Recruit

"So, this is the Seventh?" Koji mused, looking up at the barracks. Certainly, this was bigger than what they had at the Academy. Koji stood there, swallowing hard, shaking slightly as he double-checked the document he had been given. The document stated his division, his captain, and his duties.

Division: Seventh

Captain: Sajin Komamura

Duties: To be given at the captain's digression

"Nothing like certainty," Koji snorted as he folded the document up once more. He looked back at the barracks and found himself hesitating again. The familiar questions rolled through his head: Will they like me? What'll they think of me? Am I good enough?

He took a deep breath and approached the barrack's front door. Whatever came next, he would take it. He was tired of being "shy Koji Shimizu". Now, he was an official Soul Reaper, not some Academy student. He had to prove himself now.

He knocked, and jumped back in surprise when the door opened so swiftly. Standing on the other side was someone with sunglasses, a blank face, and a flap-top haircut. Koji's first reaction was Yakuza, but his second was of confusion. Who was this guy?

"Can I help you?" the man asked curiously and Koji found himself snapped back to the present and out of his own thoughts.

"Uh... Yes," Koji said, annoyed that he was stumbling over his own words. "I... uh..." He held out his document which the man took and looked over. "I think... Is this the right place?"

"Are you Koji Shimizu?"

"Yes."

"Then yes," the man replied. "According to this, you're supposed to report directly to Captain Komamura on your first day."

"I guess."

"Come with me," the man said. He stepped aside to allow Koji entrance. "By the way," the man said, leading Koji through the barracks, "I'm the lieutenant of the Seventh. Tetsuzaemon Iba."

"I'm Koji."

"I know."

There was an uncomfortable pause until they reached the captain's office. Iba turned and looked over Koji once more before saying, "You need to toughen up. You look like you're about to pass out."

"Sorry."

"We'll get that straightened out in no time." Iba did not smile, yet his words were somewhat encouraging. He knocked on the door to the office and a low, gruff voice answered, making Koji jump slightly.

"Enter!" the voice said.

Iba pushed the door open, but moved aside so that its occupant could not see him. Instead, the occupant saw only Koji, who seemed to be frozen on the spot. Unceremoniously, Iba pushed him forward and Koji fell into the office, his face hitting the hard-wood floor painfully. No sooner had Koji fell into the room did Iba close the door, leaving him alone with the captain and the captain's deep, intimidating voice.

The sound of shuffling papers caught Koji's attention and he looked up at the captain... and suppressed his gasp of surprise. He had honestly expected a captain like the Sixth Division had... not a dog...

But I'm not complaining, Koji thought. A part of him was excited; he had always loved canines. Yet it soon became clear that the captain was not focused on him at all.

"E-excuse me... sir...?"

The captain did not look up. "Yes?"

Koji cleared his throat. "I was told that this was my division... I was given this paper." To his shock, he realized that Iba had not handed the document back. He suppressed another gasp and continued to speak. "I was told to..."

"You are Koji Shimizu, are you not?" Captain Komamura inquired.

"Y-yes."

"I've seen your scores."

Koji winced slightly. A part of him knew that he had bungled the final tests. Komamura was probably going to suggest that he return to the Academy and study harder.

"I want you to fill a new vacancy."

Koji looked up in surprise.

"Our third seat was just transferred to another division, the Eighth, I think," Komamura said. "I think you'll do well as our new third seat."

Koji nodded, then noticed just how distracted the dog-captain was. "Captain Komamura? Is everything okay?"

For the first time, the captain looked up at the newcomer, as if just now aware of his presence. "Yes, everything is fine." When Koji did not move, Komamura said, "You're dismissed."

Koji nodded and turned to walk out, but he stopped himself. "Excuse me, sir. May I ask a question?"

"I suppose," Komamura said, once more distracted by his paperwork.

"What kind of dog are you?"

Komamura's ear flicked and he looked up again and Koji heard a low growl come from his new captain. "I'm not a dog. I'm a wolf."

"Sorry, sir."

"Tetsuzaemon will show you to your quarters," Komamura remarked, "and before you leave I should tell you that I'd like you to report to my office tomorrow morning. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

There was a pause between them.

"Dismissed," Komamura snarled.