Jidanbo's defeat shook Kiku. He was a very kind soul; as kind as he was tough. Once, he was able to kill 30 Hollows with one blow.
She had all her medicinal herbs spread around her. As soon as it was safe, she planned to rush to him and treat his injuries.
Captain Retsu Unohana knocked at her door.
"Captain. Please, come in."
The woman walked in and observed the herbs.
"Is everything all right?"
"Some Ryoka tried to break in. Captain Ichimaru attacked before they could enter."
The Captain could see Kiku's worried expression.
"Kiku, I need you to be careful. Fourth Company is mainly a cleaning and healing unit. Very few of us could hold our own in a fight. You're one of the few exceptions. You are one of the most incredible fighters I have ever seen. Its amazing you weren't made a Captain."
"I-I'm that good?"
"The only reason I protested against it was because your healing abilities are far too great to be ignored. I managed to get you sent here but I had to work around a few things to get you to 5th Seat."
Kiku noticed the Captain's sad expression.
"I can tell you're also aware of what's happening. Captain Ichimaru must have made a mistake because the Ryoka are alive. We are going to meet to dicuss with with the other Captains. I suggest you take care of your medicines."
Captain Unohana left as Kiku continued with her packets and ointments.
Her hands nervously shook.
They're going to fight them. I know it. Anyone strong enough to fight Jidanbo would be stupid to not try again. Captain Zaraki will surely want his Squad after them first. The Ryoka are either planning a massacre or have something to do with Rukia Kuchiki. She's only been here for a little while. Its no coincidence.
-----------------
The next morning, Kiku went to 11th Company to make sure they were prepared. She knew a majority of them would ignore her so she saved her time.
Ikkaku was walking down a hallway when he spoted her.
"Kiku-chan!" he went over and hugged her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just making sure you and the Assistant Captain were behaving."
He laughed but noticed her slightly depressed mood.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"There are...Ryoka."
"I heard."
"Here. More ointment for Hozukimaru. No doubt you already used some."
"Kiku-chan..."
"Please. Be careful. I know you're strong but-"
He pulled her into a tight hug. She was trembling.
"Everything will be all right. Sure, the Ryoka beat Jidanbo but..."
He pulled away and struck a pose.
"They'll never defeat the 11th Company's Third Seat, Ikkaku Madarame!"
Kiku laughed as he started a battle dance.
"Thank you, Ikku! I needed that."
"Just try not to worry so much about me! It hurts that you think I'll let some pathetic Ryoka take me down!"
"No, its not that. I guess I'm just scared you'll be hurt."
"I promise I won't be beaten by whatever fool tries to break in here!"
She rolled her eyes.
"You'll be the first to try and find the Ryoka."
He chuckled.
"Good point."
---------------------
The first time Kiku met Ikkaku and Yumichika was during a big fight. She had just reached her Seat and wanted to inspect the men she would be responsible for. In one of the training halls, it looked as if every member was fighting. The only one not there was a girl with pink hair, the Assistant Captain.
"Hi. You're Kiki, right?"
"Um, my name is Kiku. Its an honor to meet you, Assistant Captain," she said bowing.
"You can call me Yachiru. You're okay."
Kiku was nervous. She knew the Assistant Captain was far stronger than she looked but didn't know if this was some kind of test or something.
"May I call you Assistant Captain Yachiru?"
"Okay. But I'm still calling you Kiki."
Kiku smiled.
When she looked back at the fight, only two people were standing. One had a strange orange scarf around his neck, feathers on his one eye, and girlish black hair. The other had no hair, red marks above his eyes, and was...dancing.
"Excuse me. My name is Kiku Aoyama. I'm the 5th Seat of Squad 4."
It took her a second but she recognized them.
"Forgive me!" she said bowing. "Where are my manners? Its an honor to meet you. Especially two of the best fighters in Squad 11."
The black haired one smiled.
"You know of us?" he said vainly.
"Of course. The 5th Seat, Yumichika Ayasegawa, is one of the men most frequently spoken about by the women of my Squad."
Yumichika brushed his hair back.
Kiku nervously looked up at Ikkaku.
"And then the Assistant Adjutant Madarame-Sama. I have seen you practice with Hozukimaru on a few occasions. Its amazing."
He turned a light shade of pink.
"Buttering us up already?"
"No! No no no!"
She turned red.
"I just really wanted to meet you for a long time."
--------------------
A few days later, a loud boom erupted from the sky. Kiku was on her way to the First Company when she looked up.
The barrier over the Seireitei was hit by something. The barrier was so powerful but whatever hit it, the object managed to keep its shape.
Finally, a vortex formed in the air before fragments started crashing down.
Kiku realized her fears were right. The Ryoka were back.
She rushed to the Fourth Company relief stations.
"Everyone! Get with your groups and get moving!"
"Come on!"
"Move!"
The people were in a frenzy and rushing to get ready.
"Get the equipment ready!"
Kiku's mind kept rushing back to Ikkaku and Yumichika. She hadn't spoken to them that morning.
Those two better not get into trouble.
------------------------
Yumichika and Ikkaku were relaxing when the Ryoka appeared. They were happy when two Ryoka landed near them.
"Yahoo! Lucky me!" Ikkaku shouted.
The two of them jumped off the wall and stared at the Ryoka. One was a Soul Reaper with orange hair, the other was a soul wearing a strange green outfit with black hair.
"We were hiding out here because we didn't feel like being deployed and the intruders fell right into our laps! Lucky, lucky me! Its my lucky day!"
Ikkaku held out his sheathed Hozukimaru.
"But its not so lucky for you."
--------------------
While Ikkaku performed his Lucky Dance, he expected the Ryoka to come out of the sandpit. The idiots just stood there gawking at him!
Ikkaku's eye twitched angrily.
"What are you doing, you fools?! Couldn't you see I was doing my Lucky Dance while I was waiting for you to crawl out of that hole and fight me?! And why are you gapping at me like a couple of idiots?!"
Ikkaku continued his rant and when he looked back, the Ryoka were arguing.
"What are you two arguing about?"
Yumichika chuckled.
"It could be they're both scared out of their minds."
"So...why don't we let them take their time and argue about it."
"But then again, if they take too long, some of the other Soul Reapers may show up. And they will steal our glory."
Ikkaku stood up.
"I got it. Why don't we set a time limit? That'll give me time to do another one of my pre-fight dances while they settle it out-"
"Be my guest!" the one Ryoka said running.
"Aw, you two have a falling out?"
"Kinda."
"He really shouldn't have run away. Get him."
Yumichika nodded and went after him.
The orange-haired Soul Reaper climbed out of the pit.
"Hey. Why didn't you run like your friend? Its obvious he could tell our power was far greater than his own."
"If your power really is stronger than mine, it'd be useless to run because you'd catch me. On the other hand, if I'm the stronger one, I'll just defeat you and be on my way."
Ikkaku chuckled.
"I guess so. Maybe you're not so stupid after all."
The two locked eyes before the battle started.