"Kyoraku Misaki, today you have been presented in front of us, the Gotei 13, for one reason: the ceremony of making you the captain of the 9th Division." The Elderly leader drawled out. "You have not only been recommended, but in only thirty years after leaving the Academy, you have reached Bankai. In the fight against Aizen and the Arrancar, you fought valiantly, dispatching a previous Captain, Gin Ichimaru."
The sun was shining viciously that hot summer morn'. It was a day that would not soon be forgotten by any of those gathered together that day. Many wondered, how could this fragile-looking girl possibly become a Captain in so little time? How was it, that this single female dispatched the strong Gin Ichimaru? What was it in that small frame so many Captains readily recommended her to take over the 9th Division? Sweat dripped steadily down all the living gathered around, watching, and waiting. Even the flowers seemed to be sweating on this, what seemed to be, mercurial morning. The ceremony was normally a more private affair, but this time hundreds of the students attending the Academy were even there. This was not even mentioning all of the Shinigami in Soul Society. Necks craned like giraffes in order to get a better look: the time was drawing near.
"Now, only one part is left. Show us your true power." Yamamoto announced in a spectacular way.
The apprehensive subject glanced in the way of her proud brother. The flamboyant man caught her eye and gave her a thumbs-up. 'Good luck' an excited Kyoraku Shunsui mouthed. Not even he had seen his sister's bankai yet.
She unsheathed her Zanpakuto and muttered some inaudible words to change it into the Shikai stage. Then, one booming word left her lips, a sound that all the hundreds gathered heard. "Bankai!"
"Now, Misaki! We party in celebration! Come, the sake is going to be flowing!" An overly-excited Rangiku spat at the reluctant new Captain.
Misaki shook her head delicately, "My brother is the drinker, Rangiku, not me. You should know that by now."
"Doesn't mean that we shouldn't start a family tradition, Saki-chan!" Shunsui approached his sister warmly, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "You just got moved up to Captain! I had a wonderful party when I was moved up, and now it's your turn. Come on, all the Captains attend."
"Yeah, even stiffs like my Captain will be there." Rangiku said, making a motion in reference to her vertically-challenged Captain. "Well, Yamamoto-sama doesn't come, but that's different."
"Fine. I'm convinced." She said as Shunsui and Rangiku exchanged looks of victory.
Misaki regretted her decision as soon as she walked through the door into the garden of raging drunkards. Rangiku and Shunsui already had the smell of alcohol on their breaths, but that wasn't as surprising. What was surprising was the sight of a very drunk Captain Zaraki allowing his beloved lieutenant to nearly fall into a large bowl of sake.
It seemed that out of the entire body of 5th seats and up for every division was drunk, except five people: Kyoraku Misaki, Captain Histugaya, Captain Ukitake, her brother's beloved lieutenant, Nanao, and Kuchiki Byakuya.
Misaki found her eyes lingering on the last name listed for much longer than she anticipated. She was most definitely in… "The Stage". "The Stage" that all the woman in Soul Society go through at one point in their life, and Misaki had divided into three parts:
The initial attraction. He was a beautiful man, absolutely stunning, breathtaking, a wonder for the eyes… the list could go on for pages. Most women were generally in this part of The Stage their whole life.
For more fantasy-prone people, the crush stage follows. Every time the women in this category would see him, their heart would quicken, they would get goofy smiles on their face, and even though they constantly told themselves they didn't have a chance, they still dream of the day Kuchiki Byakuya acknowledges their existence.
The irresistible stage. Misaki diagramed herself at this point. Every time she got a good look at him, her heart quickened, a quivering started in her legs and moved… up. It was all she could do to keep her breathing level, and resist the giant urge to shunpo across the room and quickly slip him some tongue. Or a lot of tongue. Or an entire make-out session. Or even…
No! Misaki chastised herself. Those thoughts are saved for more rebellious people
like Rangiku. I, I am Kyoraku Misaki and I am level-headed, calm, shy, and definitely not hormone-ridden! She shut her head tight and put both hands over her head, shaking it viciously. Perhaps she thought if she shook her head hard enough, the thoughts would simply fall out. But, that is definitely not what happened, and instead earned her curious attention.
"Are you alright, Kyoraku-san?" A velvet drawl pulled musically at her ears, a siren's call beckoning her toward an abyss. She pulled one eye open, looking at the man of the hour between two fingers. Blood rushed to her face as she quickly pushed her hands down.
What could she do now? Bite her nails? Tug on her hair? Pull on her earlobe? Run away and hide? Shake? Shiver? Scream? "I-I'm…p-perfect. Thank you, K-Kuchiki-sama." She stammered out. Right. That's what people do when one speaks to another. They answer, and try not to look like a babbling buffoon. She flashed a meek smile.
Said Kuchiki had opened his mouth to respond. So many things could have come out of his perfect, godly lips. Maybe a 'congratulations on becoming a captain' or 'your Bankai was splendid' or maybe even 'I think you're beautiful and you should marry me', as Misaki's imagination was terribly active this night, but she would never know what kind of profession would leave the perfectly sculpted lips of Kuchiki Byakuya. A very ill-timed, yet genuinely concerned brother decided to approach his incredibly embarrassed sister rather obnoxiously.
"Saki-chan! Are you feeling well? You're as red as flames! Did you drink any sake? Can you not hold your alcohol? Do you have a fever?" The very inebriated Shunsui fretted over his dear sister. Then reason began to push past the barriers of intoxication, and realization hit his face in a very obvious manner as he slowly twisted his head between the tall Kuchiki and his short sibling. "Ohhh…" He drawled out, completely oblivious to the damage he was causing. "Right, well. Seems you're fine. Carry on, Kuchiki-kun, Saki-chan." He added a sloppy wink to top of the icing on the cake.
Misaki exhaled slowly, and bent her head in shame, until Byakuya cleared his throat. "I'm sure you have many others to converse with this evening." He stated before turning briskly on his heel, leaving the party and disappearing thoroughly, Misaki being silently hopeful that this all was a trick of the mind.
She looked around slowly, making sure her escape would be as stealthy as Byakuya's, and slipped quietly out of the partying room, and headed back to the home she shared with Shunsui. It would be her last remaining night there, and she wanted to savour the home as she was never able to before.
Misaki smiled softly to herself. The Captain's haori was something that was quiet pleasing to own. All of the lower rank Shinigami were bowing their heads respectfully to the newly appointed Captain as she made her way to the 9th Division Captain's office. She was very excited to know that one of her closest friends, Shuuhei Hisagi, would be her very own lieutenant. Shuuhei Hisagi was also pleased, for he also knew his friend was a hard-worker so she'd be likely be taking a lot of the work load off his shoulders.
A bright smile and enthusiastic personality cloaked her demeanor as she threw open the office doors, not bothering to close it. She nearly ran over to Shuuhei's side to wrap him in an embrace. He merrily returned the gesture.
"Misaki, I am so happy for you." He said genuinely. "However, I didn't get a chance to congratulate you yesterday, since you disappeared from the festivities so quickly." He paused thoughtfully. "Your Bankai was absolutely wonderful."
"Thank you. You know, you're close to that point yourself. Almost seems silly to put me in charge when you'll be just as strong as me in no time." Misaki said sheepishly.
"Oh, don't put yourself down. You have enough trouble with crowds to begin with, and today, you must introduce yourself to your squad. I asked them to all be assembled at this time, so let's hurry out." Shuuhei said, leading the way.
Misaki made a face of a little distaste, but hurried after him to where all of her division was assembled. She scanned over the crowd nervously. There were a lot of them. She must've been thinking for longer than she realized, for Shuuhei cleared his throat impatiently and motioned for her to step up.
Misaki scratched her head bashfully. Give her a month or two, and she'd be open with every single one of the people in her division. Unfortunately, her shyness was extremely strong around people she didn't know. "Um," She began, feeling her anxiety rise as she saw some of the division shift their weight uncomfortably, "To begin, I'm honoured to have been made Captain of this division. I really want to live up to those standards, and I hope that as a division, we will all learn to know each other's weaknesses, and therefore be able to support one another." She paused, taking a couple seconds to think. "I believe that the seated officers we have now have a lot of potential, from the research I've done, and that's only the beginning. With the right training, I'm positive that all of you will be able to be on par with every single other seated position, and some of you, lieutenants!" Her voice rose excitedly, as her shyness turned into an awkward confidence, a bright smile colouring her face. Many of the division smiled at the new Captain's kindness and enthusiasm. Shuuhei Hisagi joined in the smiles in a knowing manner, well-aware of the effect this girl would have on the members of the division. He had no doubt that she'd soon become their sunshine and hope.