AN: This is not the story I had intended on writing, but this is what I got, and since I haven't written in forever, I decided it was better than nothing. So, here ya go. I decided to make this one T, not M, because I was in the mood for something sweet, and when I added all that sugar, the lemons got sick and ran away.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach; I only borrow the characters to play with for a while.
Chapter 1: A Grave Matter
The doors of the First Squad meeting hall closed slowly behind the last captain to arrive to the meeting. In the corner of the dimly lit room stood an unfamiliar man with a nervous expression on his face.
Head Captain Yamamoto addressed him, causing the man to jump. "I understand that you have come here seeking a favor?"
The man stepped forward. "Not I, sir. I have come on behalf of my master, Lord Izo Himura. He seeks the aid and protection of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. An attempt has been made on his life, and he fears for himself and his family. My master beseeches you to help us, though not without compensation, of course."
The Head Captain folded his hands in front of his face thoughtfully. "Does your master not have guards under his employment?"
The man nodded. "He does, but he fears it will not be enough to stop an assassin."
"Why does someone want so badly to kill this Lord Himura?" Captain Soifon said.
The man looked perplexed. "My master is a wealthy and affluent man. I should think that would be reason enough."
"Surely we could spare a few men from each division," Captain Ukitake stated.
The man shook his head. "My master insisted that he needed someone of captain level."
Eyebrows were raised. Several of the captains protested.
"Please," the poor man said. "I am only following my master's orders." The room fell quiet again. "My master's estate is very large, and it is remote, nearly a day's journey from here. The assassin, or assassins, in the most recent attempt to kill Lord Himura, laid an elaborate trap that took the lives of nearly two dozen guards. The trap was undetectable, but perhaps for a captain…" He trailed off.
"Tell your master we will consider his request," the Head Captain said. After the man had gone, he continued, "It is a grave matter indeed. We are still short three captains, and I hesitate to weaken our forces further by sending another away."
"Head Captain, I believe it may be beneficial to honor the Lord Himura's request." Everyone turned to look at Captain Komamura. "It will show our squads that we have faith in their abilities, while showing our enemies our faith in our own strength."
Captain Kurotsuchi sneered at the wolf captain. "If you are so concerned about helping this man, you should be the one to go."
"I would not object to it," Captain Komamura replied coolly. "After all, I am positive that my squad is competent enough to hold up without me for a while."
Captain Kurotsuchi fumed at the veiled insult, but was cut off before he could retort.
"Very well," Head Captain Yamamoto said. "Captain Sajin Komamura will aid the lord, and the other squads will pick up the slack in the administrative work in his absence. Take care of this problem as quickly as possible. If the matter is not resolved in a week, you shall return here to report, and it shall be decided whether you will return or another captain shall be sent in your place. Am I understood?" All of the captains nodded. "Dismissed."
Sajin sank down into the chair behind his desk. What have I gotten myself into? he wondered to himself. He suspected that the mission would not be a hard one, yet he felt tired just thinking about it. Then again, he had been feeling tired a lot lately. He was not the only one to notice; his lieutenant was constantly advising him to take a vacation and release some stress.
Maybe I can look at this as if it were a vacation, he thought suddenly. I will be away from the Seireitei, spending time on a large estate in the country. I have to go regardless; I may as well try to enjoy some aspect of the trip.
He stood and began preparing things for his absence, his mood a bit lighter.
"Who knows," he mused aloud. "It might even turn out to be fun."
AN: Alright, that chapter was boring to write and was a little sticky. It gets better, I promise. Sorry if I am slow to update, but I can't escape school (unfortunately). If anyone read my other story, Nightmares and Daydreams, you may notice some similarites with this one because they were originally the same thing, but somewhere branched off into two different things. Comment if you want to make my day.