Note: Yo. It's EipenKora, this is my first fanfic, so it's probably going to be pretty rubbish, so I'd really appreciate it if you comment and review!
It was an unusually warm day in the Soul Society and Ichigo was uncomfortable under all the layers of his Shihakusho. He was walking pointlessly through the Seireitei, he knew it would be better to just sit in the shade somewhere, but he was itching for a good fight. Ever since the winter war it had been a relatively peaceful time. He just couldn't stand it, there was nothing to do.
'Why don't you just go to Kenpachi if your that desperate for a fight!' His hollow chuckled in his head.
'Not even I'm that desperate...' Ichigo replied, 'Where's the old man Zangetsu? I thought he would be keeping you quite."
'He was, but he got distracted by being wise and all that other shit he does.'
"Ugh." Ichigo groaned out loud.
"Ugh what?" Ichigo was snapped out of his conversation with his hollow by the red-haired, pineapple head Lieutenant, Renji.
"Is it against the law to talk to yourself!" Ichigo snarled.
"No, it's not against the law, but it does make you seem a bit crazy." Renji replied unusually calm. He started to walk away but turned, "Aren't ya coming?"
"Coming where?"
"To the Captain's and Lieutenant's meeting."
"I don't think you've noticed, but I'm neither of those things." Ichigo said.
"Yeah, I know that but you've been summoned, didn't you get the message." When all he got from Ichigo was a raised eyebrow, he continued, "Rukia was supposed to tell you..." He still got nothing, "How long have you been walking around?"
"About, three hours."
"Well that explains it doesn't it! She probably searched for five minutes, couldn't feel your spiritual pressure and gave up!" He rolled his eyes and started to walk away, Ichigo following after him.
Ichigo, felt like a complete idiot, standing in the centre of the two lines of the Captain's. And it didn't help at all with Yamamoto's demeaning gaze burning through his skull.
'You're in trouble!' His hollow sang.
'Be quite.' Zangetsu's deep voice rang out from somewhere, 'I doubt you're in trouble Ichigo, just, try not it embarrass yourself by loosing your temper...' He trailed off, telling his hollow to shut up.
"Ichigo Kurosaki." Yamamoto's booming voice broke the comfortable silence, "We Captain's have discussed the matter of the empty Captaincies and have decided it best that you become Captain of Squad 3." At that Ichigo lost the little composure he had.
"Uh... excuse me?"
"It is not a difficult concept to grasp Kurosaki." Byakuya's patronizing voice replied. Ichigo glared at him before turning back to Yamamoto.
"Um... I guess yes, but, I'll have to discuss it with my family..." He was unsure of how he felt about the whole matter. Yeah, it would be great to be a Captain, but he didn't want to leave his family, well, he wouldn't actually leaving them permanently, he could visit them, and it's not like his sisters really needed him anymore, since he was away from home most of the time and when he returned home they weren't exactly ecstatic to see him.
"No." He abruptly said, causing a few Captain's to gasp, "Oh, I don't mean like that!" He quickly tried to recover, "I mean, I do want the Captaincy, it's just that I'm nineteen now, I don't really need my families permission to do something I want to. So, yeah, sure. I'll fill the empty Captaincy." He smiled at Yamamoto.
"Thank you Kurosaki." Yamamoto nodded in respect, "Renji Abarai." Renji quickly stepped out, startled by Yamamoto calling his name. "You will be appointed Captain of Squad 9."
"Hai! Thank you sir!" Renji said almost too enthusiastically.
"We are yet to find a suitable candidate for Squad 5. The Lieutenants will accompany you to your new barracks, dismissed." Shuhei and Renji, quite literally, swaggered off. Izuru walked over to a slightly disoriented Ichigo. He smiled lightly at him.
"I'm your new Lieutenant I-"
"Izuru Kira." Ichigo finished and smiled, a change from his usual scowl, "I desperately need your help." He admitted.
"What do you mean Captain?"
"First off, It's Ichigo, and secondly," He paused to rub his forehead, "I mean for Pete's sake! I'm the ryoka that broke into the Soul Society to save a girl that I didn't even know that well, I am the idiot that beat Aizen by giving up my powers, I am the thick headed teenager who believed some guy I met on the street could help me regain my powers! Do you really think I know how to run a damn Squad!" Izuru looked slightly scared but replied.
"Well, when we get there the Squad will be waiting, all you have to do is say hello, say a few encouraging words then I'll help you with your paperwork, training etc. And before you know it you're a great Captain." He said enthusiastically.
"I think I'm gonna get used to your positive attitude." He smiled at him as they entered the Squad 3 barracks. The whole Squad was waiting for them. He swallowed hard.
"Go on." Izuru whispered to him and nudged him forward slightly.
"Hi." He greeted awkwardly, "I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, your new Captain." He swallowed again but he soon relaxed. "I expect great things from Squad 3. And I know, a number of you aren't completely comfortable with a stranger coming in and commanding you, but I hope, with time you can begin to trust me. I will respect you, as long as you show me respect too. Hopefully under my command Squad 3 will regain it's pride and strength, and will regain it's name as 'Best Squad of the Gotei 13'." He smiled as they clapped him. Izuru patted him on the back before leading him to their joint office. I'll guess I'll leave you in peace to get acquainted with the barracks." He turned to leave but stopped and turned again, "Oh, and the Captain's quarters and private rooms are in that building over there." He pointed through the open doorway on the other side of the room. It was a lush, green courtyard, with a small Koi pond and a stone steps. There was a moderately sized bungalow at the other end of the courtyard with the symbol for Squad 3 next to the door.
Once Ichigo had discovered where everything was found in the office he passed through the courtyard. The sun was still beating down and he was nearly tempted to have a cooling dip with the Koi. The bungalow was nice. It was the perfect size for him. He was glad that he was appointed Squad 3, his Lieutenant obviously just wanted to help him, help the Squad. Plus, the barracks were nice. He had been here before, but he had never really taken much notice since he hadn't planned on living there. He ventured through into the bedroom, to find a neatly folded haori. He smiled, leaned Zangetsu on the wall, and slipped the coat over his Shihakusho. He turned and fell onto the bed, he bounced before settling. It had been a surprisingly tiring day, so his mind quickly slipped into sleep.
Renji strutted through the house, trying to show the fact that he was now a Captain, luckily no one was there to see how ridiculous he looked. He slid open the door to the bedroom to find Ichigo splayed out, sleeping like a baby. He smirked at how cute and peaceful he looked when he was asleep. Renji noted that he looked a lot better without a scowl on his face. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took his cheek in his hand. He stroked his tanned skin softly, before leaning down and taking in his smell, a mixture of soft vanilla and apple, a strange scent for a guy like Ichigo, but Renji liked it, there was also something else there, a scent that was Ichigo. He smiled and sighed. Ichigo stirred at the breath on his face. He shifted his head before returning to an undisturbed state.
"So blissfully unaware of the people around you and their feelings," He sighed again, "Now your a Captain I guess it's even worse. Sweet, sweet Ichigo." He whispered. He sighed before removing his hand and rising from the bed, he turned to close the door. "Sweet dreams." He smirked once again and left the room.
He made sure the footsteps had completely faded away before sitting bolt up right. Had Renji seriously just done that?
'Oh he sure did!' His hollow sung in his ear.
'Shut him up!' Ichigo shouted.
'I would of shut him up a long time ago if I knew how to.' Zangetsu was as calm as ever, 'If what he did bothers you so much, just push it to the back of your mind and act like everything's normal.'
"I guess it's the only thing to do now." He said out loud before leaving the room. He found Renji looking through the kitchen cupboards. "What are you doing?" He asked feeling a little groggy. He had obviously startled him, because he banged his head on the underside of the counter jumping.
"Ow!" He turned to him rubbing his head, "That's made a lump."
"Hmmm..." He walked over to him, yanked him down so he could see where he hit it. "Hmmm, there is a slight bump, but it should go down, I doubt it with bruise or swell." He let him go, Renji faced away from him, to hide the blush that had creped across his face. He quickly composed himself.
"Thanks, but if I wanted an opinion of a doctor I would have gone to Unohana." He grumbled something under his breath, "Where's the tea?"
"I'll have some if you're making."
"You weren't listening. I asked where the tea was, not if you wanted some!"
"Oh, if we want tea, we should go round yours."
"'We', there is no 'we' in this. I will go back to my barracks and drink my tea, by myself."
"I always took you as a coffee person." Ichigo continued like he hadn't heard him. He got to the door. "Aren't you coming? It would be weird to go to your barracks to drink your tea if you weren't there with me." He said patronizingly.
"Ugh! I give up!" Renji threw his hands up in the air and trudged through the front door towards Squad 9 barracks. "Come on then! I won't wait!" He grumbled from across the courtyard. Ichigo laughed, making Renji grumble even more.
'To think only a few minutes ago, when he was leaning over me he was so much less... well less Renji.' He smiled at his own thought and quickly followed him as not to miss out on the tea Renji was so kindly going to make him.
They were sitting in Renji's office sipping tea, when Ichigo gasped slightly.
"Question. What were you doing in my kitchen anyway?"
"You were a bit spaced out today, so I came to check up on you. You were sleeping so I thought I better wait till you wake up."
"It was my first day as a Captain you know, of course I'm gonna be spaced out. Tch..."
"But you've gotta remember it's you! Your never spaced out doing something you chose to do! So don't get snooty!" He snarled back at Ichigo.
At that they sat in a comfortable silence, Ichigo looked out across Squad 9 training grounds, it was large and rocky. He guessed it had to be uneven so they could train to fight on slopes and such. He looked back into the office to find Renji staring at him. Renji hadn't seemed to notice Ichigo staring at him with a deep frown on his face.
"Renji?" Renji jumped slightly as he was brought back to reality.
'He's like a puppy when he's startled.' Ichigo noted.
'And that's from a guy who doesn't like other guys.' His hollow snickered back.
"Shut your mouth!" He was going to continue when he realized that he had shouted out loud. He looked back a Renji to see him frowning.
"I didn't say anything." Renji commented.
"Sorry..." Ichigo shook his head, "I... uh..." He took a moment to think about what he was gonna say.
"Zanpacto?"
"Yes!" Ichigo replied almost to happily. He just got an unimpressed expression in return. He turned back to the window.
"Well, what did you want?" Renji asked.
"Oh, yes." Ichigo replied still looking outside. "How was your first day as a Captain?"
"It was actually pretty easy, it helps to have one of my good friends as a Lieutenant. Plus I already know the ups and downs of how Squad's work and the paperwork. What about you?"
"Yeah, it was alright. The Squad is really encouraging and the paperwork isn't too bad."
"Too bad?" Renji almost choked on his tea, "Too bad?" He repeated.
"I'm good at speed reading and my own signature, so it's not hard."
"Lucky you..." Renji grumbled. At Renji's displeasure Ichigo laughed heartily. Renji soon stopped grumbling and laughed too. They fell into a comfortable silence again. Soon after Ichigo said his farewells and made his way home.
Even if it wasn't the type of relationship Renji yearned for, he was glad he was someone Ichigo could turn to even if it was for a good time down at the bar or a shoulder to cry on when some girl broke his heart. He was glad to just have Ichigo in his life. He was glad that what was truly was in his heart was content; content about Ichigo.
Ichigo had successfully pushed the happenings of that night to the back of his head, and was now continuing with his life as normal. It had been two weeks, and even if Renji had visited him when he was sleeping, he doubted he had the chance, in the past two weeks he had had about two hours sleep. He stepped through the doors of Squad 1's meeting room just in time. He took his place before Yamamoto begun.
He had dark circles under his eyes, but it wasn't because of the paperwork, it was because of the training, ever since Gin had betrayed, Izuru had also been doing the Captain's duty, meaning that he hadn't had time for formal training sessions. Ichigo had been forced to start from scratch because they were all so out of practise. He closed his eyes while still paying close attention to Yamamoto.
'You should get some rest Ichigo, and soon." Zangetsu's voice sounded from deep inside him. 'Your too exhausted to do anything. Stop pushing yourself.'
'For once I agree with the old man.' His hollow said, 'Because your exhaustion is affecting us and your inner world too.' Ichigo didn't answer. His breathing became shallow.
"I think..." Ichigo started grabbing everyone's attention, "I think I might pass out..." He managed to get out before falling forward. Everyone gasped at his sudden weakness. Unohana knelt down beside his unconscious form. She turned him over gently, to see blood seeping from his right eye running down his face. Her eyes widened.
"He's barely breathing, and I have no idea why his eye in bleeding." Unohana put her hand on his shoulder and shook him gently, "Ichigo...Ichigo." When nothing happened, she looked up to Yamamoto, who just nodded. She disappeared with Ichigo, using flash step. They arrived at Squad 4 barracks.
When she opened his eyes, she was shocked to see what was there. His whole right eye's whites had gone black, and the brown of his iris and turned a bright yellow, it was like when he pulled on his hollow mask.
"You are a puzzling man, Ichigo Kurosaki..." She commented to herself.