Lieutenant- First Note: for those who don't remember, Renji was part of 11th squad before sixth. Also, I like reviews. They keep me writing.
Ch.1 Meeting the Wolf
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Byakuya Kuchiki stepped out from the Senkai Gate and onto the sands of Hueco Mundo. Not a hundred feet from the base, the white sands were soaked red with blood. He gazed at the frozen, horrified faces of his fallen squad members, his feet maneuvering carefully to avoid the carnage. No emotion crossed his face as he stared into the lifeless eyes of his lieutenant.
The dark-haired, brilliant boy was given no chance to a fair fight. Burns over the majority of what was left of his body were clearly from a powerful cero. A broken sword rested a few feet away, proof that he had attempted to fight back. Having nothing left to see, the young captain turned and headed back towards home.
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"The strike at our base in Hueco Mundo last week has left the survivors there completely vulnerable to another attack and Squad Six lost many good officers. As such, I'm pulling all officers out of the base until such a time as the shields can be revised, tested and installed. At that time, Squad Eleven- led by Kenpachi Zaraki- will take over patrol duties for Squad Six." The head-captain paused to look directly at Captain Kuchiki. "Speaking of which, do you have replacement for your vice-captain?"
With unusual tiredness, the captain spoke up. "Both my lieutenant and third seat were lost in defense of the base. Also, my fourth seat does not have the capability to be promoted for either position. I would then like to as my colleagues gathered here if they would have any recommendations."
"Very well, I shall have a gathered list of suitable participants on your desk by morning. If there is nothing else to speak of, you are dismissed."
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True to his word, a list of five names sat atop his paperwork that morning. Each profile had a picture and as Byakuya flipped through each one, the photo of a young man with fiery red hair and facial tattoos caught his attention. 'That's, Rukia's old friend. Interesting.' With hidden anticipation, he rose and left for the Barrack's welcoming hall. When he arrived, he found immediately the trace of a fight. Two of the applicants had bruised faces and knuckles, while a black pile of a now broken vase was poorly hidden.
"You two may leave." He indicated the two fighters and watched their embarrassment show. "I have no need for those who don't have the self-control to act civilized." Faces flush, the two men bowed and left the hall. "Come." He turned, not waiting to see if the other three would follow.
He had barely taken two steps outside before the killing intent radiating off if the redhead behind him could be felt. The young man's anger was not dull in any way. It rolled off him in waves that could have drowned a normal person. Byakuya smiled inwardly at the challenge. 'This will be fun.' They stopped at an oversized training field and the captain turned towards the men.
"For the rest of the day, you will be given various tests to show me your skills. These tests include: swordsmanship, flash-step, hand-to-hand combat, and kidou. If any of you has skill that I deem worthy of lieutenant than you will be chosen. The position is a dangerous one. Your missions will be harder, more will be expected of you from society and should the time ever arise where my life were to be in danger, it is the duty of a lieutenant to protect their captain. Now, let us commence. First will be a test of your released zanpakutou fighting skills. Narumi."
The young brunette stepped forward towards the many targets that filled the room. He called out to it and the glowing silhouette of a feline stood before him. He sent the creature forward, taking out all of his targets with perfect strikes.
"Good. Abarai."
The redhead walked past the noble, huffing as they nearly brushed shoulders. He called out to his zanpakutou and released it upon his targets. The jagged fangs of his blade stretched most of the room, twisting in sync with the wild dance of it's wielder. The targets all fell, perhaps with not the clean cut of Narumi's, but Byakuya saw its possibilities.
"Very well. Takada."
The spectacled youth stepped before his own targets. Closing his eyes in focus, he called out for his sword. When nothing happened, he tried again. This time the sword released but the boy was flustered and lost focus. Most of the targets fell but not all of those would have been fatal wounds. 'A poor connection to your sword will only dull your blade.' "Let us move on."
Narumi tore through the street in front of squad building, his flash step perfect for the level he was at. Not far behind him was Renji Abarai. The redhead may not be the fastest but whenever Takada came close to catching up, a new burst of speed would hit the 11th squad member and he'd be off ahead.
In the hand-to-hand test, Renji was clearly the best taking down both opponents with little difficulty. Narumi held his own against the former street rat but Takada still managed to get a few bruises.
As the day came to an end, the final test was one of kidou. Both Takada and Narumi displayed excellent skill, perfect chants and perfect power. When Abarai took aim, Byakuya noticed two new presences outside the window. He ignored the ones peeping in and focused on his final contestant. "Hadou No. 31! Shakkaho!" The room filled with smoke as the spell blew up in its user's face.
Laughs broke out from the window, lieutenants Kira and Hinamori in joyful tears at their friend's mistake. It was clear that it pissed the redhead off.
"OI! Bastards, shut up will ya?" Byakuya watched as he stomped over to the vice-captains and, ignoring the test, kept talking. He only heard bits of the conversation mocking the 11th squad member's lack of skill.
With a silent turn, the noble captain left the room, followed at a distance by his lieutenant-hopefuls. When the room had cleared out, Kira turned to his long time friend. "So you are really going for this, huh? I mean, there's nothing wrong with being a lieutenant and all, but his? I thought you hated him."
"I still do. But I can't beat him unless I get better and maybe being next to him will help that." He became silent as he tried not to think about the day he first saw the noble. With knowing looks, his friends left him to himself.
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The next morning was similar to its prior. Byakuya Kuchiki laid out the pictures of the three candidates for the position. He went over the results of the tests in his head as his eyes looked at each face.
'First is Takada. He has average skills. His fighting could use work, especially concerning his zanpakutou. No, he might make a good candidate with more practice but one who does not have a good connection with their sword only swings a dull blade.' Byakuya placed the picture aside. 'Now there are two. Abarai's hate for me is a major consideration. Should the unlikely chance arise where I need protection, would he do it or watch me fall? He seems capable of improving his skills with a shunpo and his sword work and fighting are good. His kidou is horrendous. I must also consider his personality. He get's along well with others. Lastly, Narumi. In every test his marks were perfect. He reminds me much of how I was many years ago.'
Byakuya's hand strayed over Abarai's picture. After a moment's thought, he picked up Narumi's picture and ripped it in half. 'This squad does not need another me.' The noble summoned a hell butterfly to him and gave it its message:
"Lieutenant Hinamori. Fetch Lieutenant Kira and have yourselves here at the Sixth Squad office in one hour. I have a message for the two of you to deliver."