Author's note:
This is my first Bleach Fanfiction, so far I've already written up to chapter 5 as of 8/6/2014. Just one quick reference. The picture for the story is a picture I have edited to reflect the appearance of the OC character. Please enjoy! And if you don't like yaoi, just a word of advice. Don't start, nothing happens in this chapter, but I wouldn't want you to start reading and then get blindsided by it. Now, enjoy! Also, I just noticed that the story received a follower earlier, I apologize as I had to remove it, I wanted to make this chapter better by editing a couple of the first paragraphes..
It has been 3 months since Aizen's defeat. The Soul Society has finally returned to normal, they've taken the knowledge that they've gained in the fight and applied it to teaching many more soul reapers. Through this, they become better educated and better soul reapers. One of the first graduates of the Soul Reaper Academy since the battle is to be given an officer's position in the 13 Court Guard Squad. Though little is known about him, that doesn't stop some people from trying to find out. He has been assigned to the Third Seat position of Squad 10.
Though the Captain has received all knowledge possible about the new recruit, he has yet to inform his subordinates with details other than they have a new addition. And of course, for some, it's just an invitation to start gossiping.
"Have you heard anything, anything, about our new 3rd seat?" Said Rangiku, she was fishing for information in any way she could. Even if it wasn't exactly in the right places.
"Um, no, I can't that I have. Why would I?" Replied Renji, wondering if she would realize that he's the least likely to know anything about another squad member.
"I don't know Renji! Toshiro has never been this secretive about anything that involves new recruits, it's killing me not knowing!"
"Won't you just find out when Hitsugaya introduces him to the rest of the squad tomorrow?"
As Ranji said this, he could be heard by Toshrio, and being fed up with Rangiku, he decided to do a little eavesdropping and put a stop to it.
"Ugh, yea, but the wait is killing me."
"Try getting him drunk like you do with everybody"
"That won't work, he doesn't drink anything I bring him anymore"
Toshiro scoffed as he entered the room, acknowledging that she was right. He knew that she would try to get him drunk.
"Especially when I know you're trying to get something out of me"
Rangiku jumps as though she's been shot "Gah! Captain! W-when did you get in here? How much did you hear?"
Almost done dealing with her gossip, he burst out at her "Enough to know that you will go to any lengths to get a sliver of information!"
"But captain! What's with all the secrecy?!"
"Um, yeah Captain Hitsugaya, from what I've heard, you're being a bit strange for bringing in a new member of your squad." Renji said, not sure if he should stay or leave
"I have reasons, all I'll say is that he's strong, I plan on having him demonstrate his power tomorrow, so you'll have to wait until then"
Renji sneaks out carefully, not wanting to get scolded for prying into another squad's affairs by Byakuya. As he does so, he can hear Rangiku begging the captain for more information. But as stubborn as Toshiro is, she's not going to get anything.
The sun shines bright in the courtyard of Squad 10's barracks, flowers bloom next to the miniature waterfall. The majority of the squad members are gathered in the courtyard and Rangiku mingles, offering drinks. Captain Hitsugaya appears and stands on the office's steps
"Alright, everybody listen up!"
The crowd goes silent, except for Rangiku who stumbles up to stand next to him, forgetting that's what she was supposed to be doing in the first place.
"We have a new addition to our squad, he's being appointed to the position of 3rd seat lieutenant. Now, 3rd seat, please come outside and introduce yourself to the rest of the squad!"
The door behind them slides open. A male who appears to be 16 appears, at least, 16 if he were a human anyway. He's not wearing the average black soul reaper kimono, he wears a black short sleved top that looks somewhat like a T-shirt, his bottoms are almost like that of a kimono, except, they're actual pants. For him, they permit better movement. He carries his zanpakto on his back, it's about a yard long, its scabbard is a dull dark green. The webbing on the hilt of his word alternates between the colors of dark blue, green, red, and a bright blue.
"He looks like he's straight out of the punishment force with those clothes" whispered one of the soldiers
He is rather slender with pale skin, and medium length reddish blonde hair that falls halfway to the bottom of his neck with deep green eyes.
He steps forward and stands next to Hitsugaya. Awkwardly, he rubs his neck then begins to speak.
"Um… Hi everybody, m-my name is Akane Tamotsu. I'm the new third seat of your squad… I graduated the soul reaper academy and was one of the top in my class. I specialized in hand to hand combat and the use of Kido. I am very skilled with the sword but don't use it that often. I consider it as a crutch some rely on far too much. I look forward to working with you."
Rangiku stares at her new subordinate, wondering just how he got to be 3rd seat despite not having been part of any squad at all. She whispers to her captain "Um, sir, may I ask just why you're letting somebody with little experience in the squads be the third seat?"
Hitsugaya ignores her and continues begins speaking.
"Now, some of you may wonder as to why somebody with no experience in the 13 Court Guard Squads, well, I have asked Tamotsu to demonstrate some of his abilities. Akane, if you will please?"
"Yes sir!" He steps to a clear area of the barracks while everybody forms a circle around him. A gentle wind blows while Tamotsu first exhales then takes in a deep breath of air.
"Alright, one of you, come at me… with your sword drawn. And act like I'm your worst enemy."
Tamotsu looks around, eyes narrowed, waiting.
"You heard him! He's your superior!" shouted Toshiro who was still standing his original position though Rangiku moved in for a closer look.
Nobody moved, maybe they were intimidated, or they just didn't feel comfortable.
"Oh god… if nobody else will, I guess I have to." Rangiku stepped forward and drew her sword.
Akane looked at her, a small pulse of fear shot through his veins "Against my lieutenant? Seriously?" he thought to himself. He got into fighting stance, but did not draw his sword.
"Is he seriously going to take her on without his zanpakto?" murmured one of the men in the back. "He must be crazy"
Rangiku shot a menacing look their way, but she too was confused by what she was seeing "No sword?" Then, she charged. He was easily able to doge, however she swings around nearly taking his head off.
"Hado number one! Sho!" Shouted Akane.
Rangiku is pushed away with a tremendous force, even with the use of this very basic Kido. Stunned, she doesn't notice Akane using flash step, he gets behind her and knocks her zanpakto from her hands and pins her to the ground.
"Alright, that's enough…" Toshiro stated calmly.
He walked towards the two who just sparred, Akane clearly the winner.
"Rangiku… please tell me your sorry performance just now was because you're drunk…"
She looks away, avoiding his gaze. She knew that she's fought better, with even more liquor that she already had in her. Something threw her off her game. Him not using his sword, or how powerful that very basic kido was. It must have thrown her off her game.
These very same thoughts went through Hitsugaya's head as well.
"The reason that we have accepted this soul reaper, is his skills. He may be inexperienced but he's good. And I hope that you can all learn from him. I understand and completely agree with him on that we mustn't rely solely on our zanpakto. It's crucial to be skilled in multiple areas. That's why, Akane is going to sharpen up all your abilities in Kido and hand to hand combat, as Matsumoto demonstrated, witht eh proper training, you can take down even a lieutenant."
Akane stood there, absorbing what his new captain was saying… "He agrees with me? When he himself rarely uses Kido, or fights hand to hand? Hitsugaya seriously wants me to teach the whole squad when I just graduated?"
"Alright, dismissed!"
It was dark before Akane had finished moving into his officer's quarters and all the other squad members were already asleep, well, except for one other.
"Evening Tamotsu!" Rangiku stated loudly as she entered the room. "All done moving in?"
"Lieutenant Matsumoto. Yes, I am, thank you."
"Don't mention it, and please, call me Rangiku!"
For a few minutes they laughed and talked, exchanging some memories and stories of the Soul Reaper academy. To no surprise, Rangiku was a bit of a part girl during school, but she still managed to do excellent in her classes and rise through the ranks after graduation.
"Hey, just to let you know, the only reason you knocked me down earlier was because I had some liquor in me. Plus I was holding back, I could have taken you out easy."
Tamotsu smiled, not letting on that he knew she was lying. He knew she did have some alcohol in her, but something about that little spar, he could tell that she didn't hold back much, if at all.
"Heh, yeah. Probably."
"So what are you, like, a prodigy or something? I mean, straight out of the academy and being given an officer's position, and based on your skill set, you seem better suited for Squad 2."
Akane looked surprised. He did take it as a compliment but didn't really know how to respond without letting on too much about just why he was there.
"Well, I know that Captain Hitsugaya actually offered me the position. Well, not in person anyway. I was told that he wanted me in the squad based on my abilities and that he wanted to take the opportunity to help teach the rest of the squad, but that's about it."
He didn't want to tell her. Not only did she have a reputation for not being able to keep her mouth shut, but he didn't really feel comfortable with her about it. He didn't want to say that he was overjoyed when he got the news, how that if he hadn't been selected anyway, he would have put in formal requests for transfer.
"That must be why he didn't tell me anything about it. He must've wanted to keep his intentions under wraps…"
Akane was surprised, especially since typically the Captain is supposed to tell the Vice Captain about all things concerning training. At least, that's what he's been taught.
"Ah well…" Nonchalantly, Rangiku pulls a bottle of liquor out of her sleeve along with two glasses and pours them.
"A toast! To new beginnings, welcome to the squad!"
They both toast their glasses and drink when Rangiku states "I know I have a reputation for things like drinking and not being able to keep my mouth shut. But, if you ever need anything, or anybody to talk to, come find me, I'll be happy to talk to you!"
"Thanks Rangiku."