A/N: UPDATE 9/30/12: Chapter 3 Rewrite is up!


As the sun set on another day in Soul Society, three figures made their way lazily toward the location of the 1st Division barracks. Passing other Shinigami going about their business on the way, they garnered more than their fair share of attention. Mostly due in part to the fact that their clothing, which was the norm in the World of the Living, clashed so loudly with the flowing dark robes the soldiers of the Gotei 13 wore. When one small group of Shinigami ceased their conversing entirely to stare at the traveling party, one of the three visitors let out a shout that caused the nearby onlookers to scatter. "Just what the hell are you all looking at!?" Muguruma Kensei barked at the frightened Shinigami. "You got a problem with us walking here? Just because the Captain-Commander himself called us here, that doesn't give you dumbasses an excuse to stop and stare!"

"Come on Kensei don't be too harsh on them." Outoribashi Roujuurou said, attempting to assuage his friend's anger. "We're probably a rather odd sight to most of them, I doubt they've had much interaction with the members of the World of the Living or their fashion habits." He tossed his hair and straightened his cuffs. "If I remember correctly, Soul Society was never big on expressing yourself fashionably or creatively." Kensei grunted and turned from watching the intimidated Shinigami retreating down the street. "Whatever. It's not like we'll be here for long. I wonder what the old geezer's even called us out here for? It's only been a couple days since we fought Aizen." The third man in the group glanced back at Kensei with an irritated look etched on his face.

"We've already asked each other that about six times now Kensei." Hirako Shinji snorted. "It's not like the three of us are gonna get any answers outta the soldiers, especially not if ya keep glarin' at 'em like that." He picked up his pace a little and the other two Visored followed. "We're just gonna have ta wait until we see Yamamoto." Behind Shinji's back, Kensei opened his mouth to let out a retort, but the look Rose directed at him caused Kensei to close it and smolder in silence. Rose grinned slightly at the sight of Kensei fuming quietly, but eventually reverted back to his usual slighty bored expression. "He's right Kensei. Yamamoto didn't give the envoy he sent us a reason for our summons on purpose. The Captain-Commander wants to tell us whatever it is he wants to tell us in person."

As they approached the building that housed the Captain's meeting room, Shinji stopped short and smirked. "Anyone else gettin' deja vu from this?" He heard Love let out a small chuckle and Kensei a grunt. Shinji laughed. "Just like old times huh?" Leading the way, he began to walk up the stairway to the other floors of the 1st Division barracks that held Yamamoto's office, the various meeting halls and countless other rooms. "How many times must we have climbed these stairs?" Shinji asked nostagically, running his hand across the banister. Rose pointed to a nearby section of wall that seemed to be slightly lighter in color than the rest of the material around it. "I remember that was where Hiyori once smashed you through a wall with her sandal for calling her short." Shinji winced. Rose then pointed to a banister which, like the section of wall, seemed to be somewhat newer than the area surrounding it. "And that's where Lisa once kicked Kyoraku-san through the railing for trying to grab her ass." Even Kensei laughed at that one, and the three made their way toward the double doors that marked the entrance to the Captain's meeting room in higher spirits.

Pushing the heavy wooden doors inward slightly, Shinji poked his head through in an attempt to examine the occupants of the room before they entered, but noticed everyone in the room was already looking at him expectantly. He grinned sheepishly at all the eyes watching him and motioned the other two Visored to follow him in. Looking around, he let out a whistle. "Full house huh? Didn't know you'd call an official meeting just to talk to us Yama-jii." At the end of the room, the ancient man stirred slightly and opened his eyes. "Hirako Shinji. Outoribashi Roujuurou. Muguruma Kensei. You three are late. I sent that envoy to you hours ago. Shinji and his companions stopped in front of Yamamoto, making sure to keep a relatively safe distance from him in case this meeting of peace suddenly took a turn for the worse. Shinji bowed slightly, making sure not to expose much of his neck to Yamamoto. "Ta be fair Yama-jii, he offered to bring us back with him, but I think we have ample enough reason not ta completely trust ya. We had ta wait for Kisuke ta send us over." To his left, he saw Soifon scowl and step forward, looking at him distastefully.

"You trust Urahara Kisuke over the Captain-Commander? What's wrong with you?! That man is a conniving snake, at least Yamamoto-dono has honor! If I recall correctly, if it wasn't for Urahara Kisuke's experiments you wouldn't have even had to lea-" The sound of Yamamoto's cane striking the floor instantly silenced the head of the Onmitsukidou. "That will be enough Soifon-taichou." She nodded apologetically at the head Captain before taking a step back into line. The old man turned back to the Visored, his eyes opened narrowly. "Though I would like to address this skepticism of our intentions, that is not the reason I have called you here." All eyes were on the Captain-Commander now. "There is some grave business that we must attend to."

In less than three seconds, half a dozen different actions happened at once. Shinji, Rose, and Kensei all drew their Zanpakuto from their hip sheathes, Soifon pressed her already released Shikai to Kensei's throat, Komamura Sajin took a step forward, snarling at the men pointing their blades at his leader, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri let out an amused cackle. Shinji adjusted his grip on Sakanade, continuing to point the blade at Yamamoto's face. "I think yer growin' senile old man. If ya had wanted ta execute us ya should have invited all of us instead of just us three." Shinji watched the Captain-Commander closely, though he hadn't moved at all since the three Visored had drawn their weapons. "Hirako Shinji." The old man said, and though he spoke each word calmly, there was an undeniable weight to them. "Do you take me for some sort of fool? If I had wished for your deaths so readily I would have come to annihilate your base of operations myself instead of sending a messanger waving a white flag."

Shinji narrowed his eyes. The old man had a point, he already known where their headquarters were since he had sent that messanger to them. The Captain-Commander must have been tracking their movements ever since they had left the fake Karakura Town. Frowning, he lowered his sword and saw Rose and Kensei do the same, though apparently much more hesitantly than he had. "What do ya want?" Shinji asked bluntly, and he noticed that Komamura, still standing out of line watching Kensei closely, briefly glared at him before returning his gaze to Kensei. "Insolence." He heard the bestial Captain mutter. "You da-" It was Komamura's turn to receive the Captain-Commander's gaze before he turned it back to Soifon once more, and two resumed more relaxed stances. "Sajin, Hirako Shinji's reaction is expected, we must not judge him too harshly, his opinions of us are not entirely unfounded." Though plainly taken aback by his leader's words, Komamura bowed deeply to him before he and Soifon resumed their places in line. "As you say Yamamoto-dono." The wolf saluted. The old man nodded at his subordinate, seemingly satisfied.

Finally rising from his seat, Yamamoto walked towards the three Visored, who had to force themselves to not take a step back as the powerful, ancient Shinigami drew closer. "It is the duty of the Captain-Commander to make the decisions he deems neccessary in times of war. One hundred and ten years ago I made the decision to exile you and your allies under the assumption that you had defected from Soul Society." Yamamoto opened his eyes completely and stared at Shinji for a few moments. "It seems that I was incorrect, as even I am from time to time. You and your compatriots showed your true colors no more than three days ago Hirako Shinji, and, just as it is the duty of the Captain-Commander to make the decisions, it is also the duty of the holder of the position to compensate for the consequences of the decisions he makes." To the shock of everyone in the room, Yamamoto inclined his head deeply toward the three Visored before him. "On the behalf of the entire Gotei 13, I wish to apologize."

After the initial shock had passed, Shinji assumed his classic cheshire grin for the first time since entering the room, regarding Yamamoto with a gleam in his eyes. "I guess I'd have ta be an idiot to not accept an apology from Yama-jii himself." He looked back at his friends, still staring open-mouthed at Yamamoto, who seemed completely unabashed. "I can't speak for Rose or Kensei, but... alright Yama-jii. I forgive ya." Rose walked up beside Shinji, and after a moment's thought, nodded. "I suppose if Shinji can forgive the Gotei 13 for what they've done, than I can as well." Everyone in the room now turned their eyes to Kensei, who seemed to be having trouble keeping his temper in check under all the scrutiny. "Damnit!" He shouted into the air, marching up next to his friends and crossing his arms. "You guys are going to make me look like a jackass if I don't accept the old man's apology too."

Shinji noticed that even though Kensei's statement should have eased the tension in the air somewhat, all the Captains were still watching them with warily. The blond locked eyes with the Captain-Commander. "If ya had just called us here ta apologize ya would have asked fer all of us, but ya only asked fer us three. There's somethin' else ya want isn't there Yama-jii?" The old man looked at Shinji unblinkingly for several moments, before turning to Kensei and Rose and doing the same. At last he spoke. "You are correct Hirako Shinji. There is more to this summons than pleasantries. There is still that grave business we have yet to discuss." You could cut the air with a knife. "I wish to extend to you three the offer to resume your previous positions as Captains." Behind him, Shinji heard Kensei drop his Zanpakuto, and had to remember to keep a firm hold on his before he did the same.

"H-Hold on." Rose said, putting a hand to his temple and apparently trying to gather his thoughts. "It's one thing to pardon us of our crimes, but you want us to work for you again? As Captains? That seems like a pretty big leap in the other direction from where we were standing a few minutes ago." Kensei and Shinji both nodded at their friend's words, and Yamamoto looked at him unblinkingly. "As you are well aware, Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname's defection left three openings in our ranks. These three openings just so happen to be ones you three have all filled in the past. After watching you and your brothers-in-arms fight in the war three days prior, I decided that you three would be more than capable of filling these gaps in our ranks once again, should you so choose to accept the offer."

Beside Shinji, Kensei narrowed his eyes and bent to pick up his blade. "And if we refuse?" The Captain-Commander's face was blank. "There will be no action taken against you, you have my word." Kensei bit his lip and seemed to be wrestling with himself inwardly. It was Shinji's turn to speak, and the wide grin he was well known for had once again plastered itself onto his face. "We want a pay increase." The old man stared at him briefly. "Granted." Shinji's grin widened even further. "And weekends off." Rose called out. Yamamoto turned to the taller Visored and momentarily regarded him as well. "...Granted." Shinji laughed. "And I wan- okay, okay I'm just jokin'!" He said hastily as the old man's expressionless staring had turned to a glare the moment he had opened his mouth for a third time. "I give you these bonuses not out of desperation for the positions to be filled you three, but as reparations for the inconveniences our actions may have caused you over the past century." The three Visored bowed to Yamamoto. "Sir." They said. Yamamoto nodded. "Then by my right as Captain-Commander, I hereby bestow upon you three your old positions as heads of the 3rd, 5th and 9th Divisions." The three Visored bowed once again, this time more deeply.

The old man slammed his cane into the ground. "Then this meeting is officially disbanded. Return to your respective barracks, to our newest Captains, I will have your haori brought down to you shortly, and send messangers for you to inform your comrades of the decision you made today. For now however, I'd like for you all to come with me and I will brief you on your new duties." The three men nodded and followed Yamamoto through a back door to his office while the rest of the Captains filed out the front door into the night. Hours later, after Yamamoto had finished lecturing them on the various things that had changed in the Gotei 13 since they had last held Captaincy, they bowed to the Captain-Commander in farewell. As they approached the exit they heard Yamamoto call out to them. "Ah yes. I had almost forgotten. Aizen Sousuke's fate was decided today by the new Central 46." The newly-Captained Visoreds turned to him, their faces apprehensive. They could not see Yamamoto's own face clearly from so far away, but there was disapproval evident in his voice. "20,000 years in Muken."

Walking out the door, Shinji swore. "20,000 years? After all he's done? That's too good for him. The bastard is immortal, it doesn't matter how long they shove him in there, he's just gonna kill all of us when he gets out. And that's assumin' that he even stays in there the whole time." Kensei growled in agreement and closed his eyes. Rose inclined his head and looked out into the night sky. "I suppose we should just be glad Ichigo was able to stop him and enjoy the time he gave us." Shinji suddenly remembered what the cost of Aizen's defeat had been and grimaced. "Yer probably right Rose. Ichigo sacrificed a lot fer our sake." Walking in silence for a bit, the three Visored eventually found themselves at the crossroads outside the 1st Division's barracks that led to the various other Divisions in Soul Society. They looked at each other for a moment, then all grinned at each other. "Didn't think my day was gonna end like this." Shinji yawned. "I guess I'll see you two tomorrow." Rose blinked. "We're Captains again Shinji, I don't think we can just sleep all day like we have been for the past century." Kensei scoffed and punched Rose in the arm. "Idiot. It's Saturday tommorow. Remember? You got us weekends off." Rose laughed softly and massaged his arm. "Oh, right. So I did." Shinji bid his friends good night and, wondering if he could still remember how to get there, Shunpo'd to the 5th Division barracks.

Looking up at the largest building that served as housing and offices for the majority of the 5th Division, then over to the small house that served as the Captain's quarters, Shinji felt a wave of deja vu come over him. He hadn't been here in over a hundred years, yet nothing appeared to have changed. Walking into the smaller building, he found that it contained nothing except a low table, a few cushions, a stool, and a bed which he could just make out the corner of through the doorway to the only other room in his house which served as his sleeping space. He groaned and kicked a cushion. "Damnit Aizen. Did ya have ta take everything with ya when ya left?" He sat down on the stool and began to play with his tie. "I'm gonna have ta get some of the men ta haul my furniture into here from the warehouse." A small knock on the door interrupted his whining. "It's open." he called, and the doorway slid back to reveal the visitor.

A petite girl entered the room nervously, her black hair tied up in a single bun on the back of her head. In her hands she held a white piece of fabric which she kept playing with, apparently unconciously. She refused to meet Shinji's eyes when he looked at her and bowed deeply. "U-uhm." She stammered, slightly shaking under the blond's gaze. "Are you Hirako Shinji?" She glanced up at him quickly before diverting her eyes back to the floor. Shinji regarded her odd mannerisms for a moment before answering. "Yeah. I'm Hirako. Hirako-taichou now I guess." The girl gave a start and looked at the spot right over his shoulder, seemingly doing her best to imitate making eye contact. "O-Oh! Uhm." She began fidgeting with the bundle in her hands again. "I'm Hinamori Momo... you're Vice-Captain." She gave another deep bow, and her next words were said so quickly Shinji had trouble making out one from the other. "It'sapleasuretomeetyouCaptainIh opeIcanbeofservice." Looking down at the cloth in her hands, she gave another start and layed it down on the floor in front of him gently. "I-I'm sorry C-Captain. I had almost forgotten. This is your haori, if you n-" Shinji stood up, which apparently interupted her train of thought and caused her to stare at him blankly.

"You gotta be kidding me. Why do I always get stuck with the crazy Vice-Captains?!" Shinji lamented to the otherwise empty room. Momo's cheeks went slightly pink at his statement. "No, I'm serious!" Shinji continued, as Momo watched him pacing the room irritably. "I've got you, who apparently is too scared of her own shadow ta even speak straight, and looks ta be so fragile that I bet ya'd break if I so much as touched ya. But then before you I had Aizen! Who, on top of being absolutely batshit insane, the reason fer me gettin' kicked out of Soul Society fer a hundred years, and the cause of a War that caused Yama-jii to lose an arm, got kicks out of shoving his Zanpakuto through the chest of some stupid little g-" He stopped ranting at the expression on Momo's face.

"Ah shit." Shinji muttered, finally recognizing where he had seen the girl before. "That was you wasn't it? The one he swapped places with." Momo nodded shakily, and pulled apart her robes to reveal many bandages wound tightly across her upper chest. "Unohana-taichou said that I shouldn't be up and walking about." She said, slowly retying the front of her robe. "B-but I wanted to meet you... I'm your Vice-Captain after all." Shinji winced and slapped himself mentally. No wonder she looked so frail, she just got gutted no more than three days ago, and then she had to go and make him look like a jerk by saying she came to see him and after he had said all those unflattering things about her. Momo bowed to her Captain and made for the door. "Well then, good night Hirako-taic-" She turned around at the touch of a hand on her shoulder, and saw Shinji pull on the last sleeve of his haori. "Hold on ya stupid girl. I haven't finished sayin' my bit." He let go of her shoulder and took a step back. Momo seemed confused.

"C-Captain...?" She asked curiously, and Shinji took a deep breath. "So like I was sayin', I always got stuck with the weird Vice-Captains. Aizen was nuts, and looked like a total pushover with those stupid glasses, so imagine my surprise when he turned out to be tougher than most of the Gotei 13." He rubbed the spot on his right side Unohana had healed after the battle tenderly. "But you look like even more of a pushover. So I'm lettin' ya know right now, I've got my eye on you. The minute ya start shootin' off level 90 unchanted Kido spells at me I'm gonna be on ya faster than ya can blink." Momo looked at Shinji with open shock. "Wh-what?! I'm nowhere near that good!" Her cheeks began to glow pink again. "I-I mean, I'm decent at Kido but-" Shinji grinned at her, inwardly thankful he had gotten that little piece of trivia Yamamoto had shared with him right. "Well then there ya go! I knew ya had ta be good at somethin'! Like I said, ya got that look about ya Momo, like yer hidin' some secret side of yerself from the world, waitin' for just the right time ta surprise everyone." He nodded assuredly, his eyes closed, and heard a small giggle from where Momo was standing.

"A-Ah. No, Hirako-taichou, I'm nothing special." She looked outside one of Shinji's windows. "B-but it's getting to be pretty late. I should be going." She walked out the door and bowed before closing it. "Good night Hirako-taichou, I'll be by to see you in your office tomorrow morning." Shinji nodded and waited for her shadow to disappear from his entryway before breathing a sigh of relief. He had dodged a bullet on that one, the last thing that foolish girl needed was another shitty Captain after what she had been through. Striding over to his window to watch his new Vice-Captain walk over to her own room in the main barracks building, he was surprised to find her humming happily to herself. "Idiot girl, you really that easy to please?" He asked himself, and as Hinamori turned to close the door to the barracks and caught sight of him, she gave a small, nervous wave, which he returned, making sure to make it seem half-hearted. "Well, well Aizen. I guess I'll get ta see if I'm good at reversin' more than direction now." He grinned his wide, well-known grin. "Bein' a Captain really is a pain in the ass."