Hikaru and Haruka Ukitake, the children of Katsurou Ukitake and his wife Hana, grandchildren of Jūshirō Ukitake. The two were born following the Quincy war with Hikaru three years after the war and then Haruka 5 years after him.
This is their story as they start their training to become Soul Reapers like the rest of their family had before them.
Hikaru and Haruka were listening to their grandfather as he was telling them a story from when he was young. The two loved to listen to his stories about his years as a Soul Reaper.
"Right before we knew it, the four of us were surrounded by a group of Hollows"
"What did you do to get out of there?"
Jūshirō chuckled at his grandson, the boy was always quick to ask things in the middle of his stories.
"We were all exhausted after our long journey back but we knew we had to do something so we activated our Shikai and began to fight"
"I'm certain you used your ability to absorb attacks. Right?"
"I did. Every time a Hollow tried to fire a Cero towards us, I absorbed it and shoot it back towards it. In the end, we defeated them but the exhaustion took over and the next thing we knew, we were back in the Seireitei"
"How did you get there, Haruka asked"
"Another team had found us and called for help to get us home"
They then heard the door open and Jūshirō stood up.
"I think your father is home"
The two kids got up as well and all three walked out of the room and saw Katsurou by the frontdoor.
"Welcome home dad, said Haruka"
"Thank you"
"I take it the promotion ceremony went well, said Jūshirō"
"Yes. Rukia is from this day, the captain of the 6th division and Shouma has officialy become my lieutenant.
-And I also got something for you Hikaru on my way home"
"Really? What is it dad?"
"You know that you've started to awaken your spiritual powers, right?"
"Yes. Both you, grandfather and mom has told be for months now that I have started to show signs of my powers"
"We have. So when I was on my way home, I stopped by the academy and had you signed up for the entrance exam"
"You did?"
"Yes. In a few weeks, you'll take the exam and if you pass, you'll be able to attend the academy"
"Alright! Thanks a lot dad"
"No problem. Your mother and I talked about it a few days ago and I promised to get you assigned for the exam once the final captain had been instated.
-Rukia was promoted today so now, you're allowed to take the exam"
Hikaru smiled a wide smile and hugged his father.
"Dad, what about me, Haruka asked"
Katsurou looked at his daughter and when Hikaru let go, he knelt slightly to look her in the days.
"I'm sorry sweetie but you'll have to wait a little longer"
"Why?"
"Your powers have awakened but they're not as strong as your brothers. You'll have to wait until they've grown a bit more"
Haruka looked at her father and then down at the ground.
"Okay"
"Hey, don't worry Haruka, you'll be able to attend the academy in no time, said Hikaru.
-Maybe it doesn't take too long for your powers to grow stronger"
Haruka looked up at her big brother and smiled.
"Thank you big brother"
"No problem"
Katsurou smiled at his children and he then went to change his uniform for something more comfortable to walk around at home in.
When he was done, a maid told him that dinner was ready so he went to the dinning room and sat down with his family.
"Hey were is mom, Hikaru asked"
"I went to the 4th earlier today and she has to work the night shift today so it's just the four of us today, said Katsurou"
They all ate their dinner before sitting down in the living room were Jūshirō took out a book full of pictures.
"What's that grandfather, Haruka asked"
"This is a book of photos from my academy years and your fathers"
"Show us, said both kids"
Jūshirō placed the book on a table before sitting down between his grandchildren and opened it. The first picture was him as a young man dressed in the academy uniform.
"This was the day I entered the academy"
"Who's that next to you, Haruka asked"
"That's my father, your great-grandfather.
-He was also a Soul Reaper but he sadly passed away during my second year"
"He never got to see you become a Soul Reaper?"
"No. And according to tradition, as the oldest son, it was my duty to take on the position of clan head but since I was in the middle of studying to become a Soul Reaper, my aunt assured me that she would take care of everything until I graduated"
"That was very nice of her, said Hikaru"
"It was"
Jūshirō then turned to another page that had him and Shunsui standing next to Yamamoto.
"I know who that is, that's Shunsui isn't it, said Haruka"
"That's right"
"He looked so different with the short hair and without that pink kimono"
"Back then he didn't have any of that. It wasn't until we became captains that he started to wear that and his hat"
"Who's that old-man in the middle, Hikaru asked"
"That's Yamamoto, the head-captain before Shunsui, said Katsurou.
-I've told you about him before"
"Oh yeah. So that's how he looked huh"
After looking through a few pages with photos of Jūshirō as a student, he turned to a page which had Katsurou on it.
"It's you dad, said Haruka"
"Yes. That was the day I was accepted into the academy. I remember how nervous I was to know if I had passed or not"
"Is the test that hard, Hikaru asked"
"No. I just really wanted to get accepted since I wanted to become a Soul Reaper so much.
-Sure, you can retake the exam if you fail but still"
"I see"
The next photo was of Katsurou and Shūhei.
"Uncle Shūhei looks different without his scars or that grey line across his face, said Hikaru"
"That photo is from the day we finished our first year at the academy. We were both really happy to have made it through but we knew there was five more years left"
"Unless you're like uncle Tōshirō, right?"
"Yes. He finished it in just one year"
Katsurou then turned to the next page which was him and Shūhei on the day they graduated.
"That was also an incredible day. To know that our hard work had payed off and that we were going to join the Gotei 13"
Hikaru looked at his father and then at the photo. Hearing what his father and grandfather had told him, made him eager to take the exam and join the academy.
The days that followed, Katsurou was busy with his work since he had to help Shouma get used to his new position. So Hikaru asked his grandfather to help him prepare for the exam and Jūshirō was more than happy to do so.
Two weeks later, Hikaru went to the academy and took the entrance exam.
After he had finished the exam, Hikaru asked his grandfather who was the one to meet up with him if he could go to the Kuchiki manor.
"I don't see any problem with that. Go and have fun, just be home by dinner time"
"Sure.
-Thanks grandfather"
Jūshirō smiled at his grandson before they boy started to run, making his way to the home of his friend.
Once he got there, a guard stopped him.
"What business do you have here?"
"Hey. I've been here many times before so why do you stop me?"
"Oh young Hikaru. I'm sorry, I didn't see it was you at first.
-Go in. Lady Ichika is practicing kendo in the garden"
"Thanks"
Hikaru walked through the gate and around the house to the garden were he found her.
"Hey Ichika"
"Oh Hikaru. I thought you were doing the entrance exam to the academy"
"I just came from it and it was actually harder than I thought"
"But you passed right?"
"I don't know yet. I'll know in a week or two.
-Dad told me he was nervouse to know if he passed and I see now what he means"
"I actually heard that your dad was the senior of my parents"
"Oh yeah, he and uncle Shūhei were in their last year when uncle Renji and aunt Rukia joined"
"Those two had quite a reputation as well"
The two turned around and saw Renji stand there.
"Dad why are you home?"
"Lunch break.
-I also came to see how your training is going"
"It's going well dad. I was about to take a break since Hikaru came"
"I see"
Renji then turned to the boy.
"Katsurou told me you took the exam today"
"I did"
"I'm sure you'll pass it. You're a bright kid Hikaru, just like your dad"
"Thanks uncle Renji"
"Hey dad, is there a chance I can join the academy as well, Ichika asked"
Renji looked at his daughter for a moment before crossing his arms.
"I'm not sure"
"Why?"
"You might have my last name but you're still a Kuchiki through your mother. Since they are one of the great noble clans, they are taught by personal instructors"
"But mom was a student there wasn't she?"
"She was until your uncle adopted her into the family. After that, she got to leave and was taught by the clan.
-But your mother and I have been trying to talk your uncle into letting you go so there is a chance"
"Alright"
About a week later, a letter came from the academy.
"Come on big brother, open it"
"I want to but I also want to wait until mom and dad gets home"
"You can just tell them or show them the letter. I want to know if you passed or not"
"I said I wanted to wait!"
"What are you two arguing about?"
The siblings turned around and saw Jūshirō stand in the doorway.
"Grandfather, Hikaru got a letter from the academy and he doesn't want to open it until mom and dad comes home tonight"
"I see"
Jūshirō walked in and sat down next to his grandson.
"Your father didn't want to open his letter right away either since he was afraid it would say he didn't pass
-I told him he didn't have to worry and if he faild, he just had to wait and take the exam again. Failure doesn't mean you can't get in at all"
Hikaru looked at his grandfather and then at the letter.
He picked it up and opened it. Haruka and Jūshirō could soon see a smile spread over his face.
"I did it! I got accepted into the academy"
"Well done Hikaru"
"Thank you grandfather"
Later.
Hana and Katsurou arrived home around the same time and they were meet by their kids.
"Mom, dad I got a letter from the academy and I actually passed the exam"
"That's amazing Hikaru, said Hana.
-Congratualtions"
"Thanks mom"
"Well done my son"
"Thanks dad. I can't wait to learn what I need to become a Soul Reaper like you"
"Well you have to be ready for a time of hard training and studying"
"Don't worry. I will be ready for it"
Hikaru's uniform came the day before the entrance ceremony and it made him even more exited.
The next day, his mother, sister and grandfather wished him good luck before he and his father left.
"You know you don't have to come with me dad"
"I know. But the headmaster wanted me to come a speak for the new students"
"Really?"
"Actually he wanted any captain that was free and I had the most free time this morning so the head-captain choose me"
"I see"
They soon reached the academy were Katsurou put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I have to go see the headmaster. Try seeing if you can find someone to talk to"
"Okay"
Katsurou smiled and walked away towards the building.
Hikaru looked around and saw a lot of students talk to each other but he never approached any of them.
Soon, they had all gathered infront of the main entrance to the school.
"Welcome new students to Soul Reaper academy. You're now part of a proud tradition. A school dedicated to build up the forces of the Gotei 13.
-We are also honored to have one of the current captains here to speak for you first years"
Hikaru watched as the headmaster stepped aside and his father came.
"Hello everyone. My name is Katsurou Ukitake and I'm the captain of the 13th division.
-As you all may know, we're approaching the 100 year anniversary since our victory in the war with the Quincies. But despite it being that long, our divisions are still missing a few members since a lot of lives were lost in the war and a few has also retired"
He looked at all students gathered before him.
"I remember when I was like all of you over 150 ago. I was ready to give it my all to become a Soul Reaper and I want to advice all of you to think through your decisions on which division to join from today already.
-Sure, you can be transferred to other divisions after a while but it's better if you know from the start were you want to go. If you want to help heal the wounded, then the 4th is a place for you. If you want to research and develop new technology for us, then the 12th is for you"
A smile then spread across is face.
"The other captains and I will look forward to see you all join us and until then, dedicate yourselves to studying hard and I can assure you that one day, you will be great Soul Reapers"