A/N: This is my first Bleach fanfic, and while I did try to remain as accurate to the story as possible, I must insist that while the arrancar exist, they have not yet kidnapped Orihime, and no one has thought to save her. I'm in blatant denial until I can manipulate the manga into my story as much as possible, while focusing on side characters such as Captain Kenpachi and General Yamamato. If you notice a mistake in ranking regarding the gotei 13, or spelling, feel free to inform me.

The mini summary left out that Zaraki may or may not be paired with Takara, depending on how large his desire for strength may be, and the rating may or may not change, depending on how violent or drunk either of them become. Takara is an OC completely of my own making.

Read and review. ^_^

The Strong Ones

In the beginning…

After the defection of Captains Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Souseke, and Kaname Tousen, desperate measures were required. It was true that the other captains did their best to help, as did he, but the fact remained that soul societies defenses were all but shattered. The lower rank shinigami did not believe they would win the war, and the people of soul society had lost their faith in the Gotei 13. Training increased in preparation for the war, and a search was made to find who could replace the 3 captains. Unfortunately the only good candidates did not want the position, weren't strong enough, or in the case of Hinamori Momo…too inept mentally and emotionally.

Former Captains of the Gotei 13, such as Urahara, or Yoruichi, were considered "retired" or "defected," and were unable to take the posts required. Their only value was that they could influence lower ranks to a small extent, as well as fight in the war when the time came.

It was with great trepidation that he called her.

From his memories, Yamamato could recall how unstable she had been, and how frightening as well. He had first met her when he was a captain, and after she had become one. She had been young…but much stronger than him. One fight and she had trounced him, nearly ripping him in two, and leaving him forever nervous of being near her. And she hadn't stayed in soul society long. Once she became captain the elite took notice of her, and shortly after making her division the strongest of them all…she had been called away to Division Zero.

The youngest person to ever graduate the academy at lieutenant rank…the quickest to rise to captain, the youngest and quickest to rank into the kings guard, and the only undefeated shinigami in all of soul society. Her record was as impressive as it was terrifying. But her strength was needed. If there was one thing he knew it was that she was probably still serving. Like him, she would never stop. Unlike him, she only did it for the pleasure of battle.

If he was correct in his thinking, she would still be fairly young. She had taken a captaincy at Yachiru's age, and left by Toushiro's. It had only been a little less than two hundred years ago. She was probably a young woman now. The only communication he had came about fifty years ago. A note with a number on it, asking him to call her for old times sake. He had ignored it until now.

With the thought in his mind of soul society changing for the worse, he dialed the number and waited for her to pick up.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

Click.

"Yo. Takara speaking."