Assistant: Kagome

Cheers ring out around me but it doesn't touch me and why should it? None of it was for me so what did I care? Exiting the stage I see my classmates rushing into the group of parents laughter ringing from them as they receive congrats from their parents. Knowing that my father wouldn't be here made this day all the worse and it was all that woman's fault. If she wasn't here my dad would still be my dad instead she had demanded that he stay home with her since I was a "big girl now and you shouldn't be standing behind her all the time."

She's lucky I thought that I don't kill her. Immediately guilt rises in me for such a thought. Shaking my head quickly I walk away from my graduation to get my division. I hoped fervently that I wasn't placed in the fourth division. Though I had great healing abilities I had no desire to stay behind battle lines. I wanted to be in the front lines fighting to prove not only to myself but to everyone that I didn't need to be taken care of. I stepped in front of the desk were I would get my division number. The person there smiles up at me as I tell her my name. She quickly handed me my scroll which I took before hurrying away to read it. With shaking hands I opened it to find a large 8 printed with the words 'assistant to the lieutenant' written beneath it.

Relief coursed through me, squad eight was known for their captain who though lazy was an incredible fighter so I knew I would be able to fight. Somewhere in the back of my mind a voice wondered about what it meant by 'assistant' but dismissed it. After all I got what I wanted didn't I? I was free and I could fight what more could a girl ask for? With a bright grin I headed home to gather my clothing then to head to the barracks where I would receive my duties that I would perform the following day.

The scene at the house was not what I expected. When I walked in the door my father stood there a grave look on his face. "Father" I said formally since if I showed warmth my father girlfriend would be quick to make some remark.

"Kagome when did you get so cold" he asked a sad expression on his face.

Since you started dating the woman I thought before saying "should not a daughter give respect to her father? This has never troubled you before."

Ok so maybe I didn't hold my tongue as well as I thought. He winced slightly at the barbed insult which surprised me. "I'm sorry" he says "I haven't been giving you the attention your achievements disserve. Congrats for graduating from the academy. What squad did you get?"

Warily I looked around expecting the woman to be standing nearby. "I got the eighth squad. I'll be the lieutenant's assistant whatever that is" I reply not sure where this is going.

"Kagome she's gone she left today I couldn't take anymore of her whining."

For a moment his voice captures that cold tone that he use to be so well known for. Before I can stop myself I reply "looks like the Ice Prince Sesshomaru is back."

My eyes widen and I scold myself mentally for bringing that up. Unable to bring myself to look him the eye I made to leave but his laughter stopped me. "Aww your mother's old name for me still sticks doesn't it?"

I nod a small smile touching my features "sometimes I can see how you got the name" I say truthfully. "I've got to get my stuff and go they're expecting me today."

My dad nods then offers to help me pack. I decline only because I know he has other things he must do. With one last goodbye we part ways. I never realized that I would never see my father after this but at the time I was glad that we had mended the rift between us. "Bye dad I love you" I call over my shoulder before we can no longer see each other.

I reach the barracks with time to spare but I learned that to be early is the best way to impress people. With no hesitation I head towards the lieutenants office at the end of the hall. Opening the door a young woman sits in the chair behind the only bit of furniture in the room. "Oh you must be Kagome. Please come in and take a seat."

I nod my nerves trying to overwhelm me but I push them back down. Settling into the chair I look up at her expectantly. "My name is Nanao I am the lieutenant of the eighth squad under captain Kyoraku. You have been named my assistant. To be honest that's not even really a job but the head captain made an exception for me since he helped train my captain and knew how much of a handful the man can be. Since your records say that you were quite the forceful one and that you got a lot of your schools trouble makers to stop captain Yamamoto thought you could help me with Kyoraku."

I acknowledged her compliment "I would be happy to help you in any way I can but there is one thing I would like to know."

"What's that" she asks leaning forward towards me slightly.

"I want to know that I will be allowed to fight if necessary with the other squad members if needed and that I will not be stuck behind a desk at all times."

Nanao gave me an appraising look. "Why would you ask such a thing? Surly you don't want to fight?"

"I have no desire to fight just to fight but I would be more at ease with this job if I knew that if threatened I would have free reign to fight" I replied fiercely.

She is silent a moment then "your records show that you have a very strong healing ability, strong enough that you could have been given third seat in the fourth squad. Tell me do you really prefer the right to fight in a battle over a seat?"

I nod "yes if I cannot fight I see no point in getting into the Grotto Thirteen. I believe it is important that all be allowed to fight regardless of gender, age, and so on. If I am to be denied of this right then I will leave right now."

"There won't be any need of that now" said a male voice.

Startled I turned to see a tall man standing in the doorway. He wore a large straw hat and a pink haori over his captain uniform. I recognized him immediately as the captain of the eighth squad. In other words my captain. I glanced over to Nanao as I stood. She wore an irritated expression which she covered quickly. "I cannot count how many times I have asked you to knock Captain. Please remember to do that next time."

I almost laughed out loud. If I didn't know better I thought I would think they were a couple. Swallowing a giggle I bowed to my captain. "Captain Kyoraku pleased to meet you my name is Kagome."

I straightened from my bow to find him giving me a wide happy smile kinda like a child. "Well now that's a greeting you could learn something Nanao." An irritation mark appeared on the lieutenant's forehead. Captain Kyoraku came around to me and I found myself wrapped in a hug. I squeaked in surprise after all this is not something I was expecting. Hell I wasn't even expecting to meet the captain today I thought that was a second day thing. Kinda like when you had to wait till the second date before your boyfriend kissed you. The man deposits me on my feet "would you come drink with me?"

Ok maybe this would work "I would love to" I say with a grin. I note the surprise on Nanao's face but I couldn't care less. I enjoy good sake unlike many girls and I had no intention of hiding it "lead the way."

Kyoraku leads me to a bar not far from the barracks that I have a sneaking suspension was the main reason he was such a well known drinker. He leads me to a table were a few other men sit. Most stare at me openly but I ignore them. The waitress brings me my olives and sake. I pop two olives into my mouth then swig back a cup of sake. I take a deep breath as the fire from the alcohol blooms in my stomach. "My my you did that like a pro" my captain compliments.

"My dad taught me."

"Your dad taught you to drink?"

I chuckled at his expression "as crazy as it sounds yes. My father is a businessman and he learned long ago that the best way to seal a deal was to make the other person feel at ease with him. And of course my father had to learn to drink. He past his tricks to me" I say taking another drink.

"I see so did he teach you hangover cures as well?"

"As a matter of fact" I say smiling up at the taller man "he did but I have a feeling that you won't need them."

"What gives you that impression" he asks.

"Your reputation is that you're a heavy drinker and that you never seem to get hung-over" I replied taking another drink.

I realize for the first time that I probably shouldn't be so open with this man he might get the wrong idea of me. Can't have him thinking that I don't respect him I thought glancing up at my captain after all he is my boss.