Marie silently hummed to herself as she worked on polishing the large book shelf.
It was her first assignment in her new squad: clean up the Captain's office. She was use to being stuck on cleaning duty so she didn't mind.
It was her first day so she was working extra heard to impress her new Captain and Lieutenant.
Honestly, she didn't care if the rest of the squad liked her they didn't matter. She wouldn't work to impress them but she would like to make some new friends now that she would hardly ever see her old squad three friends anymore.
But that was a thought for later right now she had work to do!
She worked vigorously on the office till she needed a small break. Marie plopped herself on the couch in front of the Captains desk. Now that she had time to think she pondered over the events of the past day.
She had been told of her acceptance to the squad then had packed her meager belongings, said farewell to her friends and Captain, avoided the Lieutenant then had gone off to meet her new Lieutenant.
Which was odd seeing as the Captain is suppose to welcome the new members.
"The Captain?" Lieutenant Matsumoto echoed back to her new subordinate.
"Y-Yes" Marie stammered on.
She always stammered. It was a bad habit she needed to work on.
Lieutenant Matsumoto stopped walking down the hall way that was to lead them to Marie's new room and turned to face her. Her breast bouncing from the movement.
"Well right after approving your transfer her left for an important mission" Matsumoto answered while folding her arms under her breast.
Marie sincerely wished she wouldn't do that. It moved her breast out more and even closer to spilling out over her uniform top.
Crestfallen Marie slightly hung her head.
"I see"
"Don't worry the Captain should be back before sunset" Matsumoto then turned and began walking down the hall once more, expecting Marie to follow.
After settling in to her new room and getting a few minutes to freshen up Marie was rushed here to clean.
Marie smiled at the memory of Lieutenant Matsumoto apologizing for having her on duty before she was able to adapt to being in a new squad. Matsumoto had said that if the Captain returned to a messy office he was sure to yell at her. She had said the Captain could be quite scary when he gets mad.
Marie had smiled and said it was not a problem. Matsumoto rewarded her with a big hug telling Marie what a great pal she was.
This actually shocked Marie. She began stammering on about how the lieutenant shouldn't be thanking her because it was her job after all. Matsumoto had just laughed.
Marie's cheeks turned a light shade of pink remembering how she had felt when embraced by the Lieutenant. She was awful warm…
Marie shook her head violently.
She often got lost on her own train of thoughts. There was no time for that now especially since the sun was about to set.
Marie jumped up, wide eyed.
"Sunset! Damnit!"
The Captain could be here any minute and she still had to polish the desk.
She jumped over the couch and dove for the rag and wood polish.
She quickly began working on the desk all prior thoughts banished as she was consumed by the work.
When she finished the top and sides of the desk Marie pushed back the chair and began to polish the underneath.
Marie was too engrossed in her work to hear the sound of the door being slid open.
She also didn't hear the sound of foot steps walking towards the back of the desk.
"Who are you?"
Marie yelped, tried to leap up, hit her head and then sat back down. Her heart pounded against her rib cage.
Rubbing her head she crawled out from the desk.
Looking up, Marie met the quizzical look of a young blue-green eyed boy with spiky white hair. She had a moment to wonder what he was doing in the Captain's office before she noticed the white article of clothing that marked him as a Captain.
"Captain!" Marie screams and leaps to meet him. She knocks her head on the edge of the desk and falls back down again.
Rubbing her sore head Marie mentally curses herself as she crawls further out from the desk before standing to attention.
Now at her full height Marie notices how small he is. With the exception of his hair they are the same height. She stands in awe for a few seconds protocol forgotten.
"Well, who are you?" He demands again. Arms folded across his chest a stern look on his face.
He was obviously not use to finding strangers under his desk.
Shaken from her wandering thoughts Marie bows and flusterly replies, "Y-yes. Marie Sohma. I have just transferred from squad three. I am now to work under you as a member of squad ten, Captain Hitsugaya sir."
Marie's head began to spin.
Appearing to be thoughtful Captain Hitsugaya steps past her and opens a desk drawer. Marie barely stumbles out of his way and places herself in front of his desk.
Her palms were sweaty and her heart beat erratically again.
Marie swallowed nervously. I never thought…
Marie stopped her thoughts and focused on Hitsugaya. He read over her transcript. He seemed deep in thought over something.
Marie stood there silently. She listened to her throbbing head. It's constant pounding against her skull and brain. Maybe she had a concussion.
That would not be good. Getting a concussion on her first day in her new squad? So much for impressing the Lieutenant and Captain. They'd think she was so pathetic.
Man her head hurt.
Hitsugaya finished looking over her transcript.
"It says here you have mastered your Shikai. And have achieved Bankai level but have yet to master it."
Marie winced. She had hoped to avoid this conversation.
It was true that she has mastered her Shikai and been able to activate her Bankai. But they were both "useless". Like her.
"I have." Marie replied her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yet you remain an unseated officer." He said more to himself then to her.
Marie saw how his demeanor changed to one of deep thinking.
His eyes shifted and caught hers. Marie was captivated by his stare. She felt her cheeks heat. She blamed it on her concussion.
"I'm promoting you to thirteenth seat. For of your abilities and lack of them. I expect you to master your Bankai and hone your skills to a more suitable level. You missions will waver accordingly."
Marie stared dumbfounded. He was kidding right. He can't promote her to thirteenth seat. He had to be, he couldn't expect her to go on missions!
Captain Ichimaru was sure to write down how utterly useless she was!
Marie began to protest but Lieutenant Matsumoto walked in.
"Oh Captain your back" She then noticed Marie. "And you've met Marie-chan"
Captain Hitsugaya nodded to his Lieutenant. "Matsumoto can you escort thirteenth-seat Sohma to the medical ward." He received a questioning look from Matsumoto before grumbling, "She may have a concussion".
Hitsugaya began placing all the items back on his now polished desk.
He looked up from his small task and looked directly into Marie's eyes.
"You're dismissed"