"Bound By Destiny"

Prologue

By- Tiny

It had only been a few days since the invasion of the Sereitei by a small band of five ryoka and already things had been turned on their heads, most notably the lack of leadership among the Gotei 13. Sosuke Aizen's betrayal had come as a shock to be sure, but that he had managed to corrupt the seemingly dignified Tosen Kaname, and the not so incorruptible Ichimaru Gin, was just as shocking. After all, each of the three had been captains of their divisions and, with the exception of Ichimaru, were senior ranked and very powerful figures in the Soul Society.

Then there was the war that had broken out among the many divisions during the confusion surrounding Aizen's plot, with some high-ranked officers aiding the fugitive ryoka while still others tried to see them dead. The most prominent example of this internal conflict was when the captain of division six had been forced to strike down his own vice-captain in a bloody, heart-wrenching showdown. The two had since come to an uneasy peace, though neither would admit they were wrong in their ideals, and a relative peace had settled in the Soul Society.

The ryoka had remained in the Sereitei for the last few days as they recovered from their numerous injuries, including the loss of his powers in Ishida Uryu's case, while the Captain-General instructed Kurosaki Ichigo in combat. They were slated to leave and head back to their own world at the end of the week, as all would be well and good by that time. Before they left, however, their presence was requested at a special ceremony that would include all of the remaining captains and vice-captains, with Ichigo standing with them as a special guest.

The ceremony took place on what was the remains of the execution stand, which Ichigo and Ukitake had destroyed to save Rukia, now being used for the elevation of who were considered the future of the Soul Society. There were three of them in all, each being escorted by someone of the rank of fukutaicho or higher, the only exception being the ryoka, Kurosaki Ichigo. All of the remaining taicho and various other ranked officers were present at the ceremony, including new fukutaicho Kuchiki Rukia and 11th Division's new 3rd Seat, Ayesegawa Yumichika.

The first of the three men being escorted had only recently mastered the use of his sword, learning how to do so after the betrayal of his taicho, and had had his efforts recognized by the head of Soul Society. He was a younger looking man with long blonde hair that fell down over his left eye, though his good looks were betrayed by the seriousness of his demeanor. This man was Izuru Kira, the fukutaicho of the 3rd Division and one of it's most respected and dignified occupants, if not one of the most strategically brilliant there was.

The next in line, being escorted by Kurosaki Ichigo himself, was a man with a bald head that glistened like the sun in the early morning, his eyes narrowed and face set in a firm scowl. It hadn't been his idea to even put his name in for this 'honor' in the first place, but had rather been his own taicho so that, as the taicho put it, they would be able to fight one another again as equals. The second man was none other than the former 3rd Seat of 11th Division, Madarame Ikkaku, who was currently trying not to lash out against his former fukutaicho for calling him "baldy".

The last man being escorted along the former execution stand was the only person other than the ryoka Ichigo to dare stand against Kuchiki Byakuya, though the outcome of his battle was quite different. He was a powerful looking figure, with tattoos covering him from his legs all the way up to his forehead, his long red hair tied up on his head so as to keep it out of his eyes while fighting. This man, who had already built up a fearful reputation for his prowess in combat even before facing his own taicho was none other than Abarai Renji, considered the strongest of the three men by far.

Standing upon the ceremony stand was the Captain-General himself, his fukutaicho and the other senior taicho standing at his side as the three men and their escorts approached the stand. The mood was one of commencement and celebration as the three stepped up alone onto the stage and kneeled before the leader of the Sereitei, all of them feeling quite a bit intimidated by their commander's presence. He was, after all, the oldest and wisest taicho in all of the Soul Society, and as such when you were around his very presence demanded nothing but respect.

"Those of you who have come today are here for one reason, to witness the commencement of these three great men," Yamamoto began, "Over the last few days, they have undergone the trials to prove themselves worthy of a taicho. The three characteristics necessary are bravery, dedication, and, above all, fortitude in the face of great danger. It is, with great honor, that we recognize their accomplishments today."

The three kneeling adjuncts knew what those last few words meant and, as if on cue, rose to their feet before the senior taicho, making sure to keep their heads bowed in respect to the powerful shinigami. As they awaited the ceremony's continuation, three fukutaicho walked up to the stage, those being the fukutaicho of 5th division, 9th division, and, as Izuru was on the stage, Kuchiki Rukia. Each was holding a white robe of sorts with the various division insignia on their backs, also each being sleeveless to symbolize the newness of this rank.

The three fukutaicho signaled for the three honorees to turn around and face out into the crowd, extending their arms out as the three white cloaks were placed gently on their backs. The marks of their new divisions were emblazoned on the back of the cloaks, with the symbol 9 on Renji's back, 5 on Ikkaku, and 3 on Izuru; signaling their assumption of leadership over the three formerly vacant divisions. It was at this point only that they raised their heads and turned to face the senior taicho who were also on stage, their bodies still shaking with nervousness and anticipation.

"It is at this point that the three of you shall display your bankai to the crowd, the final signal that you are worthy of your rank," Ukitake smiled, gesturing to the masses behind them, "Ready...NOW!"

The crowd nearly went into shock as a massive overflow of spiritual pressure erupted throughout the Sereitei, causing some of the lesser ranked people in the crowd to pass out just by it's presence. None of the ryoka or more powerful shinigami were effected all that much, but each were stunned as the smoke cleared to reveal the final form of the three warrior's zanpakuto. Renji's was as it had always been, a sort of large skeletal snake that had a bushy red man around the base of it's skull, known widely as Hihou Zabimaru, but the other two were a brand new sight.

Ikkaku's was quite large, so big in fact that it almost stunned most of the onlookers that he was even able to hold such weapons, as his usual spear had turned into a three piece weapon. Each one resembled a different type of weapon, with the two he held in his hands having red horsehair tassels at their blade's base, while the largest of the three had a black dragon crest on it's center. The purpose of this was unknown, save that it was a decoration or possibly part of the blades namesake, as this was Ikkaku's bankai, Ryuumon Hozukimaru.

Finally, there was Izuru's bankai which he had only just recently learned how to use and which was not quite as powerful yet as his two fellows, though it's sight was nonetheless impressive. It was easily three times Izuru's size, towering over him and yet he wielded it with great ease, resembling a large, three bladed scythe with sharply curved black blades and a deep red rod holding them. Nobody yet knew this blades properties or how exactly it worked, save for Izuru himself, but it's name was nonetheless intimidating and frightful, Ketsueki Wabisuke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I now introduce you to the three newest taicho of the Sereitei," Captain-General Yamamoto boomed, "May they be loyal and true, 'til the end of their days."

The celebrations went on long into the night in the Sereitei, with the new taicho celebrating their advancement in rank and accomplishments, their friends congratulating them accordingly. The only ones not taking part in the festivities were Kurosaki Ichigo and the other ryoka, as well as the rather clumsy Shiba Ganju and the fukutaicho of 12th unit, Kurotsuchi Nemu. Why the two of them were with Ichigo and his friends seemed a mystery as Renji approached the group, knowing they had to leave soon and might not see each other again for a long time.

"So, I take it your all leaving us now, eh Kurosaki?" the new taicho of 9th division chuckled, "Well, I wish the four of you luck when you return to your own world."

"Thanks Renji, but we won't be going alone," Ichigo chuckled, "But we won't be going alone, Nemu and Ganju are going to be going back with us."

"WHAT?" Renji gasped, "But Nemu is a fukutaicho and Ganju is a member of the nobility! Who the hell authorized such a thing?"

"I did, Renji," a gruff, elderly voice coughed, "I have been training young Kurosaki personally these last few days and his progress has been astounding. I allowed these two to go with him as part of a task force we are assembling in his world, as Ichigo hand-picked them both."

"But...Yamamoto-sama, both Shiba-san and fukutaicho Kurotsuchi are quite strong and will be restrained in Earth realm," Renji protested, "Would they not be of more use here?"

"I don't think so," Yamamoto mused, scratching his beard, "If Aizen and his followers should decide to launch an assault, they will first go after the human world to try and gain more power. Therefore, it is only plausible that we send some of our best to help combat the threat in that world, and who better to lead them then Kurosaki?"

"No offense, Yamamoto-sama, but Ichigo is still by our standards a rookie, and he has had no formal training aside from a few days with you," Renji protested, "Maybe he should remain here a while, then return when he is better prepared."

"Nonsense, he has more than proven himself," Yamamoto laughed, "Besides, he will have someone to watch after him in that world Renji, possibly even to further his training as a shinigami. Now, you must be off Kurosaki, and god speed."

"Thank you, Yamamoto-sama, I'll never forget all you've done for me," Ichigo bowed, his friends following suit, "Good-bye, and may we meet again..."

Yamamoto simply nodded as the six people went through a sort of gateway, a ragtag group of ryoka who had not only managed to stop the execution of Kuchiki Rukia but also to change the face of Sereitei. It would be a long time before tails of the four from the human world faded; the power of an orange-haired shinigami, the honor of a powerful Quincy, the determination of a strange, dark young man, and the gentleness of the auburn haired beauty. They were four souls interwoven with one another by destiny and fate, and it made Yamamoto smile to know that he had met what he believed was the generation of the future.

The aged shinigami watched sadly as the six people disappeared into the gate and went to the human world once again, where unknown dangers would inevitably await them sooner or later. He knew that they would rise to the challenge, it was hard to imagine this group crumbling under the pressure, but their age and inexperience worried the ancient taicho. He didn't have much time to dwell on such things, however, as Renji walked up beside him and gazed off into the sunset just outside Sereitei, his eyes a bit lighter and less serious than before.

"Do you think that they can stand up to Aizen and the Menos Grande, Yamamoto-sama?" Renji sighed, closing his eyes for a moment, "Ichigo is inexperienced, Uryu is headstrong, Chad is stubborn, Orihime is bubble-headed, Shiba is...odd, and Nemu is a scatter-brained shinigami. Can they do it?"

"Time will tell, Abarai-san, but for now let us not dwell on that over which we have no control," Yamamoto smiled, "For now, you have been promoted to taicho, so let us celebrate with another round of drinks!"

"Sounds good to me, sir," Renji laughed, looking into the horizon, "Sounds good..."

Translations

Hihou Zabimaru: Baboon King

Ryuumon Hozukimaru: Dragon Crest, Demon Light

Ketsueki Wabisuke: Blood Apology

Author's Notes: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!! THIS IS MY FIRST NON-DBZ or NARUTO STORY, SO ANY CRITICISM OR COMMENTARY IS APPRECIATED. YOU CAN ALSO POST IN MY FORUMS ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR THE STORY AS IT GOES ON.