Fandom: Bleach
Pairings: None.
Setting: The death of the great Yamamoto Genryūsai brings on responsibility and a sense of weariness for all who knew him.
Rating: K+
Characters: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Unohana Retsu, Kyoraku Shunsui & Ukitake Jūshiro.
"His will clearly states that the 1st Division now belongs to you, Kyoraku-sama." the official lawyer says, spreading documents on the table. "And since we are in war conditions, we need to elect a new leader and fast, or else the whole of Sereitei will be running around like headless chickens. Yamamoto-soutaicho chose you as his heir, Kyoraku-sama."
Kyoraku draws his hat over his face, and for a moment, the room is very still, as if the world is holding its breath.
Unohana and Ukitake look concerned. They are afraid that he will reject this position— no one should hold the burden of being a leader of so many lives, for it is truly a curse, a curse that Yamamoto himself would not have wished upon anyone, so long was his reign. He was protecting the three of them from responsibilities, putting the burden upon his shoulders alone.
But now what will Kyoraku choose?
Out of the three of them, it might seem that he was the most unlikely choice— Unohana was always among the original Gotei 13, strong and dependable. But Yamamoto knew her too well, he knew that her future was filed with bloodlust and war, she may look like a pillar of strength, but her mind is a different story altogether, not quite leader material, unless you wanted Sereitei to turn into a bigger version of the 11th Division. Ukitake was too gentle, and very sadly sick. He wouldn't be able to take the burden of choices that came with being the head-captain, the ability to cut off subordinates at will and for the greater good.
So the last, and final choice lies with Kyoraku.
He has the cunning and skill of a viper, combined with the easygoing-ness of a normal person, utterly approachable and friendly, a skill that Yamamoto lost over the years of war and the world. He is not always drunk, or so people think. (his blood is quite likely to be almost 50% alcohol, though) But most importantly, he is still young. He has the vision and ability of a general, someone who looks forward for the people, and is willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and drag his people with him.
"I suppose I've had enough naps stored up to take this on." he finally says, and the world starts turning again, and the other three people in the room let out huge sighs, for they had unknowingly been holding their breaths.
"I will become the captain of the 1st Division."