I've Never Been with Somebody
Chapter One: Descending Back to Soul Society
"Kasumioji-sama, you called for me." The Knight of One kneeled in front of her master, the princess of the Kasumioji noble clan. Although she herself had been from an equally noble clan, the knight chose to abandon her clan because of the humiliation that her twin brother had brought upon them.
"Rika. I am grieved to tell you that Yamamoto-soutaicho has asked for your service in Gotei 13," the young princess said. Her eyes were melancholic as she stared at her friend. Rurichiyo felt really, really sad. For years, her Knight of One served under her even though she is a noble herself. Ichimaru Rika is a very loyal woman.
"I will understand any decision you make, Kasumioji-sama," Rika said. Her crimson eyes gazed at the floor, finding it interesting at that moment. Her silvery white hair shone under the light glare from the grand chandelier hanging from above.
Rurichiyo sighed. "Well, I cannot possibly let them take my knight away. So I told him that I will allow you to give them your service but you will still be a part of my Numbered Knights," she said with a smirk. Rika glanced up and smirked also.
"You are so crafty, Rurichiyo-chan," Rika said, chuckling slightly. Rurichiyo laughed. "Well, it's my best friend they're going to take. I cannot possibly allow that," the princess stated flatly.
"Don't worry. I'm pretty sure Enryuu and Kenryuu would take care of you. They should," Rika said. Rurichiyo told her to stand up. "I'll see you around, Rika-chan. Come and visit the palace sometimes," Rurichiyo told her friend. Rika just smiled.
"I will. I really will."
Rika walked around the hallways of the old building of Gotei 13 still wearing her knight uniform. Lowly shinigamis stared at her and whispered to each other. She wore a black pencil skirt stopping on her mid-thigh; a white tube top; black jacket with sleeves wide at the end and going past her arms and of course; the two symbols that showed she served under the Imperial Palace of the Kasumioji: her silver pocket watch, engraved with the symbol of the Numbered Knights of the Kasumioji clan; and the black choker around her neck. It had a black rose on it and a silver chain with a silver cross on it.
Her black stiletto heels sounded loudly as she walked confidently to Yamamoto-soutaicho's office. Her zanpakutos [Yes, she has more than one.] lay secured on her waist with a white obi-like cloth tied around her waist.
Her face was deathly calm and serious but not in a scary way. Her white hair was up in a high ponytail, and her bangs were kept in a clip. She reached a door, which had a plate saying:
Yamamoto-Genryuusai Shigekuni, First Division
Rika knocked twice on the large wooden door. It stood towering above here, nearly three times her height. The door creaked open slowly, and revealed Yamamoto inside. But the other captains were also there. They all stared at the new comer.
"Yamamoto-soutaicho." It was all what Rika said.
"Please come in, Knight of One, Ichimaru Rika," Yamamoto said. There were hushed whispers.
Ichimaru? Is she related to Gin? That traitor?
She looks like a female version of Gin. She might be relatedto him somehow.
Why is she here? And more importantly, why did the Soutaicho ask for her presence?
Rika stepped inside the room. She could feel every stare on her. She understood. After what her brother did, after his betrayal, surely, this reception to his twin would be like that. Rika bowed.
"It is an honor to have the Knight of One of the princess of Kasumioji clan here," Yamamoto said in that old voice of his. Crimson eyes stared at him.
"As it is an honor to represent Kasumioji-sama here," Rika replied. And she bowed once again. "Now, Ichimaru-san, do you know why your presence is asked here?" Yamamoto asked.
"Yes, Yamamoto-soutaicho. Gotei 13 is asking for the service of the Knight of One," Rika replied politely. Yamamoto nodded. The other captains simply stared at the soutaicho and the girl related to Ichimaru Gin.
"Very well. I would like to offer the position of captain of the 3rd Division."
"I refuse. I refuse to take the position," Rika said firmly. Her reply was fast—as if she had expected the offer and had decided already. Her eyes became dark and cold. There were some gasps.
"I can accept any position you would like to offer except that one," she went on. Her tone was stone-cold. Yamamoto was unfazed. "And may I ask why you do not want to accept the position?"
"I…" Rika hesitated for a moment. Her eyes softened for a little. "I don't like the idea of being captain of that division since I…had some issues with its old captain. Besides, wouldn't it be improper to everyone's eye that I become the next captain of the 3rd division, since we have the same last name, I'm afraid," she explained in a soft tone.
"Isn't Ichimaru Gin your brother?" Yamamoto asked.
"Gin was disowned by our family long ago."
"What can you say about the 9th Division?" Yamamoto offered. Rika was really hesitant. "To tell you the truth, Yamamoto-soutaicho, I am made to be a knight and not a captain. But since Kasumioji-sama requested me to leave her side and be here, I shall accept. I will perform any position, as long as it is not in the 3rd Division," Rika answered.
"Welcome to the Gotei 13 then, Ichimaru-taicho of the 9th Division. In a while, your lieutenant, Hisagi, is going here to escort you to the 9th Division barracks."
"Yamamoto-soutaicho, you called for me."
It was a black-haired guy with a tattoo of the number '69' on his face. He wore a white cloth tied to his arm, meaning he was a lieutenant.
"So this must be my lieutenant," Rika thought.
"This is Ichimaru Rika. She will be your new taicho. Help her adjust here in Gotei 13," Yamamoto introduced. Rika bowed to him. Hisagi bowed back.
"Ichimaru-taicho, he will be your lieutenant. This is Hisagi Shuhei. I hope you'd both get along," Yamamoto went on. Rika gave the old man a nod. "Hisagi-san, would you be kind to bring me to our barracks?" Rika said kindly. Hisagi blushed a little with her soft, feminine voice.
"Right. Ichimaru-taicho, follow me. Yamamoto-soutaicho, we'll be going now," Hisagi bid. The old general gave a nod and Rika and Hisagi left.
After a while of walking, Rika decided to break the silence. "Ne, Hisagi-san, what is it like to live in Gotei 13?" she asked casually. She threw a friendly smile to her lieutenant. Hisagi thought for a moment. "It's fairly normal. Aside from lots of paperwork, we usually go to the Living World for missions in fighting hollows," he said simply. He glanced at his new captain.
"I've never done so much paperwork in my life. Back in the Kasumiojis, all I did was to stay by the princess' side all the time. I've never been to the Living World either," Rika said excitedly. She looked kiddy.
Hisagi chuckled. "I guess she's a lot different from Ichimaru Gin," he thought. "You must be lucky then, Ichimaru-taicho. Doing paperwork is a lot of trouble," Hisagi said. Rika giggled. "Well, standing around all day is a lot boring. Not to mention it causes too much fatigue on my legs," she said.
"Taicho? Just call me Shuhei okay?" Hisagi suddenly said. Rika smiled at him brightly. "Okay Shuhei!" she replied energetically. They finally reached the 9th Squad barracks. There were some people outside, and Hisagi greeted them.
"Good morning, Hisagi-fukutaicho!" two men saluted. Hisagi nodded. "Guren, Makio, she is our new taicho: Ichimaru Rika-taicho. Bow to her," Hisagi said. The two of them bowed low to their new captain.
"It's a pleasure to finally have another captain, Ichimaru-taicho," Guren said. Makio agreed with him. "The pleasure to be with all of you is mine, Guren, Makio," Rika said softly. Hisagi led Rika inside the offices. They met a brown-haired girl with light brown eyes.
"Ne, Takeuchi-san, she is Ichimaru Rika-taicho. She's our new taicho. Ichimaru-taicho, she is Takeuchi Mizuki, our 3rd seat," Hisagi introduced. Rika bowed and Mizuki gave her a friendly smile.
"It's nice to finally have a taicho. After so many years, we can now have our own taicho signing our paperwork, ne Hisagi?" Mizuki said. Rika giggled while Hisagi laughed.