Sorry this chapter's so short. It had to be this way cause of all the shiz I packed into the next chapter. Anyway...down to the description.
This fanfiction serves two purposes: (1) to show my view of what the Captain's Proficiency Exam is and (2) to introduce my original character, Hojo Nakama. Hojo is a Soul Reaper that is just a bit older than Hitsugaya (about the age of Hinamori and between her and Kira in height). To get a picture of his hair, imagine Kiba Inuzuka's hair; same color but longer (his bangs come down to just below his eyes). His Zanpakto, Kobayashi, is a nodachi (like Hitsugaya's) which he wears on his back. The hilt is green and the guard is ovular with a small grove of trees etched into it. Shikai to be revealed in the next chapter; bankai after that.
Anyhow, now that I'm done ranting, the main reason I'm introducing Hojo in such detail is because I plan to write him into some of the manga/anime events in a later fanfic. So, for now, meet Hojo!
I don't own Bleach. Bleach and all its characters, terms, related media, etc. belong to Kubo-san. The only thing I own is this fanfic, Hojo Nakama, and anything relating to Hojo that is original. Enjoy, and please R&R!
"For the last time, you can't get in to see the captain right now!" Tetsuzaemon Iba stood in front of the door to the 7th Squad's captain's office, a hint of annoyance in his voice as he spoke.
"C'mon Iba," the boy said, "I need to talk to Sajin-sensei about something important."
"No, the captain is busy and doesn't have time to see you right now. And as long as you are in these barracks, you will address him properly as 'Captain Komamura' and me as 'Lieutenant Iba.'"
"Damn it Iba, move!"
"I'll inform you when the captain can see you, but he's busy. Now leave before I throw you out."
"Iba. Move. If you don't get outta my way, I'm gonna kick your ass." The remainder of the 7th Squad just watched as the boy continued to argue with, and then threaten, their lieutenant. They stood dumbfounded that a Soul Reaper, especially one from another squad, would have the gall to barge into their barracks and confront their lieutenant.
"Hado #1: Sho!" The onlookers were stunned by the sight that was before their eyes as the dust settled. The boy stood with his arm extended while Lieutenant Iba was now at the end of the hall sitting under a small crater he had left in the wall from his impact with it.
"Damn it," he yelled as he climbed to his feet and drew his Zanpakto, "now you've done it! I'm gonna teach you a lesson about respecting your superior officers!" He began to advance on the boy, who had drawn his own Zanpakto from his back.
"What's going on out here?" Everyone in the hallway jumped at the booming voice that had just echoed up and down the hallway. They glanced toward the office door where Captain Sajin Komamura now stood, his eyes glancing over the scene before him. When his eyes came to rest on the boy, he paused.
"Hojo," he said in his gentle yet commanding way, "what did I tell you about coming into my barracks and making a racket?"
"Yeah, yeah," Hojo replied, "I know. But Iba wouldn't let me in to see you. I told him it was important; you really should find a more competent lieutenant."
"Why you…" Iba's sentence was cut short by Komamura's raised hand; a sign for him to hush. He placed his other large hand on Hojo's back and pushed him inside the office.
"Iba," he said as he turned to reenter the office, "anytime Lieutenant Nakama stops by you are to let him in unless I'm meeting with the Head Captain. Understand?" Iba nodded and the door to the office snapped shut. Inside the small room, Hojo sat on a cushion on one side of a table while Komamura proceeded to the opposite side.
"Now," he said as he sat down, "I assume you didn't come to my barracks to make a racket and attack my lieutenant. Is there something you'd like to discuss with me?"
"Yeah," Hojo replied, "and sorry about all that mess outside. Anyway, I've got something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it."
"Don't be nervous; you know I'll listen to anything you have to say."
"Well," Hojo said nervously, "I achieved my bankai a while ago and, as I'm sure you know, I've also been petitioning to take the Captain's Proficiency Exam for a while now, but Head Captain Yamamoto denied my request because there were no open captain's positions." Komamura nodded; he already knew where this discussion was going.
"Anyway," Hojo continued, "now, with the defection of Aizen, Gin, and…Tosen," he paused; Tosen was kind of a touchy subject with the two of them, "there are three positions open."
"And so you're going to petition to take the test again?"
"Well, that's the thing. I've already requested again, and this time my request was accepted. I came to get a recommendation from you. I'm going to demonstrate my bankai for the Head Captain, but I also want to get the required six recommendations and thee acceptances just in case. I also wanted to ask you to come and observe my bankai. Captains Soifon, Kyoraku, and Ukitake have agreed to observe, but I'd feel more comfortable if you were there as well." As he finished speaking, Hojo presented the captain with a piece of paper with six signature lines, five of them already filled. Komamura took up the paper and signed.
"Of course," he said, "I'll recommend you and observe your bankai. You had nothing to be nervous about; you know I would've said yes." Hojo smiled and Komamura could tell the boy was bursting with happiness. He had known for a long while that the boy's dream was to become a Soul Reaper captain, and soon he could finally realize that dream.
"Thanks Sajin-sensei," Hojo said as he stood up, "for everything you've done for me. The Head Captain said he'll send a Hell Butterfly when the exam is to begin." With that, Hojo bowed to the captain, exited the office, and took off in the direction of the 1st division barracks. Komamura smiled after him as both thought back to the day they had first met.
Like I said, sorry this chapter's so short. I promise, the next chapter will be much longer glances shiftily from side to side. The relationship (and the reason Hojo calls Komamura Sajin-sensei will be explained in the next chapter. Also, don't be surprised when another character, Uchiki Shizuka, shows up. He was spawned from a cool idea I had one day. Anyway, if you have any questions, just ask in the review or PM me. Next chapter up soon!
(P.S.- At the time this story takes place (around the end of the Soul Society Arc), Hojo was installed as the temporary replacement for Kaien Shiba, the late Lieutenant of Squad Thirteen).
La lune du sang