"I don't understand! I've been here hundreds of times before and there's never been a problem getting in or out!" Rangiku yelled at the guard.
"Sorry ma'am. New regulations. Only specific Shinigami now have rights to join the paediatric squad."
"And what, may I ask, do you have to do to qualify?" Rangiku put her hands on her well established hips and looked down at the young lad dressed in a blue and white jacket, white cap with fake cat ears protruding from the top and a small dark backpack with wings poking out of either side. "What are you doing, dressed like that anyway? Cosplaying?" The teenager took a step back, he was becoming redder and redder in the face the longer that Matsumoto stood and surveyed him.
"It's the new regulations." He growled, though obviously still embarrassed. "Costume, entry qualifications, everything."
"You're just repeating yourself. Do you even know what the regulations are?" She asked sardonically.
"Of course I do! I-" All of a sudden he became quiet. He looked up at her with his midnight blue eyes, she was easily a head taller than him regardless of the fact that he was tall and looked old for the age of sixteen.
"Well? What do I have to do to get in there and talk to somebody?!"
"You can either get strict permission from Captain General Yamamoto or...or..."
"Or what?!" Matsumoto called. "If you don't get to the point I'll suffocate you in my cleavage!"
"IM NEW OK! GIVE ME A BREAK!" The boy leant heavily against the dark wooden, heavily bolted door that led into the deep and treacherous cave that, once navigated through, opened out into the parallel world of the paediatric squad. He scuffed his boots on the rocky ground casually, as if trying to wish this senior squad member away. Matsumoto looked at his painful expression. He looked as if this was the last place he wanted to be. He was wearing jeans, an unusual thing to see in soul society. In the human world they were all the range, but here they just looked out of place.
"What's your name, kid?" She enquired, he looked up.
"Takuto. Takuto Kira." A long lock of black hair fell in front of his face and he hastened to shove it back under his hat.
"What did you do that for?" Rangiku chuckled.
"Do what?" He blanked.
"Your hair, it's as if you don't want people to see it."
"So what? It's long, I only just got here and I haven't had chance to find a hairdressers yet!"
"You won't find a hairdressers in soul society. Lemme see your hair!" Rangiku made an attempt to snatch the hat from Takuto's head but he was too fast. "Come on! Let me see it!"
"No! What's your problem?! Who the hell do you think you are anyway?!" Takuto resumed his place in front of the door and kept his hands firmly on his hat, protecting it from wandering hands.
"Rangiku Matsumoto. Vice-captain of squad ten. Any more questions?" Takuto froze.
"You're a...a...Vice-captain?" Takuto blushed.
"Yes. I just said that!" Rangiku fumed.
"Oh. Well. Captain's and Vice-Captains are..um...allowed in." He stepped aside sheepishly and unbolted the door for her.
"Finally!" She began to walk past him but paused to take in his appearance. Sure he was young and skinny, but the costume suited him surprisingly well. "Yoink!" She knocked the cat-eared hat from his head and the thick black locks came tumbling to his shoulders.
"Hey!" He yelled, scrambling to pick up his fallen cap.
"You've got good hair! Captain Kuchiki would be jealous. See ya later Takuto! Nice meeting ya!" And with that she was swallowed by the darkness of the cave, her laughter echoing along it.