Alright, everyone, here's a new story for everyone. Special thanks to on this one. Don't know how this one's going to go, but I'm confident that this one will go far and be very enjoyable. Read and review if you have the time. Let us hear your thoughts and opinions.
Chapter One—Captain Narukami
The days seemed to drag on into eternity.
Sajin Komamura sighed as he looked out of the window behind his desk. It truly was a beautiful day, with the sound of birdsong and the gentle heat that complimented the lazy breeze. And yet, it just seemed to go on forever. Komamura wasn't sure why, but the calmness that had settled over the Seireitei had become slightly irritating. Perhaps he just wanted something new, something interesting, to break the endless boredom.
He sighed as he returned to his paperwork. That was one thing that never changed; paperwork. Even that seemed to have become more monotone, the words and sentences blending together into an almost unreadable mess of ink. He was forcing himself to stay on task now, but the boredom was starting to get to him. He sighed deeply; he wanted to take a nice, leisurely walk through the Seireitei. Anything to get himself moving, to keep himself from stagnating as much as the world around him.
He stood up and made his way from the barracks in which he lived and the Division which he commanded. Right now, he just wanted to calm down, to enjoy the beautiful day that had been presented to them. Truly, such delights were part of life's simple pleasures and he liked the stroll...
Until the messenger found him. The messenger, a Soul Reaper he did not recognize, ran up to him and gave a bow before holding out a piece of paper. Komamura took the paper, but did not read it.
"What's going on? Who are you?"
"I'm a Soul Reaper from the First Division under Captain-Commander Yamamoto," the Soul Reaper explained. "An urgent captain's meeting as been ordered and Captain Yamamoto requests all captains to attend immediately."
"What's the purpose of this meeting?" Komamura asked, reading the paper for the first time. Hastily scrawled and sloppily written, the paper was scarcely legible.
"To welcome the new captain of the Ninth, sir."
New captain of the Ninth.
Somehow, that phrase rang awkwardly to Komamura. He had long since gotten over Kaname Tosen's betrayal, yet it seemed strange to think of someone else taking Tosen's old post as captain of the Ninth Division, even after Kensei Muguruma had been put in Tosen's place. During his walk to the First Division barracks, Komamura found his thoughts drifting. Who was this newcomer? How did he become captain? Recommendations? Battle? The test?
Did it matter? The newcomer had, apparently, qualified to be a captain.
When he entered the meeting room, a familiar sight greeted him: a bald, old man (Captain Yamamoto) seated in a large chair at the front of the room with two rows of people standing on either side of him. Captain Komamura took his place and waited calmly for the meeting to commence. He was not the first one there, but he was not the last. Captains Kyoraku and Zaraki entered in at nearly the same time, discussing something that Komamura did not care to overhear. Then came Captain Ukitake right behind them, who seemed to not be ignoring or leading the others' conversation.
When they took their places, Captain Yamamoto cleared his throat for silence that came almost instinctively. Every captain had been conditioned to fall silent when Yamamoto was about to speak.
"As you all know, Captain Kensei Muguruma has recently been promoted to the Soul King's Royal Guard, leaving his post as captain in the Gotei 13 vacant," Yamamoto explained unnecessarily. Yes, they did all know. They had even watched Kensei leave. "So, to fill this void in our ranks, I have selected a candidate for captain with remarkable skill. Enter!"
The doors to the meeting room swung inward and... a child sauntered in nervously, with sleek black hair and eyes the color of obsidian. For a moment, Komamura was taken aback. Surely this child wasn't the captain candidate... Then he looked at the captain of the Tenth Division, Toshiro Hitsugaya. This newcomer seemed to be only slightly older than Hitsugaya, yet he was still remarkably young.
Another prodigy? Komamura wondered to himself.
"Captains of the Gotei 13, please welcome our new Ninth Division captain, Jin Narukami," Yamamoto called.
Awkward clapping filled the room as Jin Narukami fiddled nervously with his thumbs. The boy-captain, clearly lacking in confidence, seemed unsure of what to say or do. He was silent for a second before he gave a small bow. "Th-thank you, everyone. I... I promise to do my best."
"If you're truly going to be worthy of the rank of captain, then you must show a calmness in your body and soul," said Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division in his usual, detached manner. "Why are you so nervous? It's pathetic."
"Now, now, Byakuya," Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth remarked. "Let's welcome Jin with friendliness and support, not coldness. It isn't easy to be promoted to captain. It's a very overwhelming position."
"Hey," Zaraki called, "can you fight, kid?"
"M-me?" Jin muttered, pointing to himself.
"Yeah, you," Zaraki snapped. "Are you strong?"
"Zaraki," Byakuya started. "Now is not the time nor the place for your brutish stupidity."
"What'd you say?"
"I don't think I need to repeat myself to you."
"You want me to cut you up next?"
"I don't think you have the skill to—"
"ENOUGH!" Captain Yamamoto called out and everyone focused on the frail-looking old man. "There is not time for your pathetic, childish squabbles. Captain Narukami, there is work to be done. You must become acclimated to your new position and begin your work as captain of the Ninth Division. As of right now, this meeting is adjourned."
One-by-one, the Gotei captains filed out of the room. Only two remained behind: Captain Narukami, who was so surprised by his new rank that he was shaking with an odd mixture of fear and excitement, and Captain Komamura, who had become so wrapped in his own thoughts that he did not notice the end of the meeting had come. After a few seconds, they became aware of each other and Komamura gave a small, curt nod that Narukami returned with an uneasy chuckle.
"Congratulations on becoming the new captain of the Ninth," Komamura told him.
"Thank you, Captain Komamura," Narukami replied. "It's an honor to be a captain."
Komamura nodded again and started out of the room. He reached the door when he heard something behind him. It sounded like someone was stuttering. He looked back and Narukami's lips were moving, but he seemed to be fumbling with what words he wanted to say.
"Yes, Captain Narukami?" Komamura questioned. "Is there something you wish to ask me?"
"Um, yes, sir," Narukami began, but Komamura quickly spoke.
"You do not need to call me 'sir' anymore," Komamura told him. "We are equals now, Captain Narukami."
"Right," Narukami replied, making a mental note to break himself of that habit. "But I was just wondering... what's the best way to run a Division?"
Komamura considered the question for a few seconds before speaking. "I cannot answer that. Each captain has his or her own managerial style. Some prefer to lead by power, others by compassion, and others by intellect. You must find your own way of leading your subordinates."
Narukami nodded. "How do you do it?"
"I earn my subordinates respect," Komamura replied. "There is no better way of earning their loyalty." Having said such, Komamura walked out of the meeting room, leaving Narukami behind. Narukami stood there briefly, thinking to himself.
"Respect and loyalty," he said to himself before he, too, started on his way out.
Halfway to his Division's barracks, Komamura stopped and thought back to the meeting and the question the new captain had asked. He had a feeling that he could expect a few visits and more questions from Jin Narukami.
Okay, guys, here's Chapter 1 of the new story. Enjoy and review if you have time.