Part 2: Night Flight

So far Sion's return had led to some interesting developments. Hearing of Aizen's rebellion, and now the opportunity to earn a Captain's position. Things were looking up, Sion thought to himself before walking to the door of his barrack. Instead of opening the door and walking out, he merely flash-stepped through it and onto a nearby roof. The cold air blew briskly through Sion's long black hair; he curled a strand in his hand, and began a walk. Not knowing where he was going, nor caring, he began to recall his time in the Soul Society.

He graduated the academy the same time Renji did, and was assigned to Squad 13, it was then he learned of his sword's unstable power, and his inability to use it. He focused on training his sword, but also honed his other skills. It was soon seen that Sion's mind was as powerful as his unstable sword.

Sion took on some of the odd jobs that the Captains would ask of lower Shinigami, these ranged from; helping Squad 11 build a suitable place to sharpen their blades. Or making a strategy to execute a large group of hollows for Squad 2. He did these jobs, and he did them very well. His Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, promoted him to the position of 6th seat because of Sion's continued success.

It was then he received a job from Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad 6, to kill a group of hollows being controlled by a rouge Shinigami. It was later learned that the Shinigami was the 3rd seat of Squad 6. Sion executed a plan that eliminated the hollows, and then their leader. It was this job that granted Sion passage into Squad 6's hierarchy. He still did his odd jobs, but now he was well-respected by most of the Soul Society's Captains.

Sion returned to the present and realized he had made a lot of ground. He had no clue where he had ended up, but knew it wasn't Squad 6. He flash-stepped a ways ahead, and looked around. He saw few lights, but there were no Shinigami. He sighed, and almost gave up hope when he heard a loud shout.

"HEY COME OVER HERE!!!" Sion nearly fell from the roof hearing this. After hearing a whistle from the same voice he followed it onto a nearby roof. There laying under a small lantern, with his usual pink robe over his traditional Captains robes, was Shunsui Kyōraku, Squad 8's Captain. Sion immediately bowed before the well-respected Captain.

"Good evenings Capt. Kyōraku, how are you this night?"

"Relax, all the other Captains are asleep, there's no need for such formalities."

"Oh, so I no longer count in this matter." This voice was behind a small bit of building. Sion peered around, and saw familiar face. With his long silver hair, it was none other than Squad 13's, and Sion's former, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake.

"Good evening Captain, it's good to see you as well." Sion bowed before his former Captain, and they both exchanged smiles.

"Well now this makes a party, but we'll need more to drink." Kyōraku said this while pouring out the invisible contents of a sake bottle.

"Nanao-chan I know you're nearby, so please be a dear and bring us up some more sake." Within a few moments Kyōraku's Lieutenant, Nanao Ise, appeared wearing a black robe loosely draped over what Sion assumed was a nightgown. In her hands was a full sake jug, and clean glasses. She looked up and saw Sion only to be taken aback.

"What's the matter Nanao, you look as you've seen a ghost?" Nanao had tossed the jug and glasses to her captain, and proceeded to hold her robe tightly shut, and her face turned a deep crimson.

"I didn't realize that it wasn't just you and Capt. Ukitake. Now if you'll excuse me." With that she flashed away, and Ukitake was barely holding back a laugh.

"Didn't know I was that scary. Hope all women aren't like that towards me." This comment caused the 3 men to burst out laughing. After a minute of that they all quieted down, and began to drink.

"So Sion what do you think your chances are tomorrow in the exam?" Sion nearly chocked upon hearing this, as his Captain had only nominated him a few hours ago.

"How did you know Capt. Kuchiki nominated me?" A sly smile crept across the 8th Squad Captains face.

"Come on, Byakuya is the kind of guy that will always follow protocol. If he gets to nominate multiple members of his squad, he'll go with his Lieutenant and 3rd seat." Kyōraku refilled his glass with that statement, and tossed the jug at Ukitake.

"You will have some competitors tomorrow; all the Squads are sending at least 1 representative. Your squad and mine are the only ones sending multiple Shinigami." The jug was now hurled at Sion who caught it.

"That should make the game interesting. I hope they can keep up with me." Sion filled his glass, and hurled the jug back to Kyōraku.

"Now don't get cocky there are at least 3 men I'd worry about when competing tomorrow, in whatever exam is picked." This time the jug wasn't hurled, and the smiles disappeared.

"Who should I worry about Captain?" Sion was eager to receive advice from 2 of the wisest, and the most skilled Captains in the entire Soul Society, and he intently listened to every word. Ukitake was the first to speak after a long drink.

"First is Squad 11's Ikkaku Madarame, this man loves fighting, and would love nothing more than to get into a big brawl with a bunch of Lt and other high ranking Shinigami. However, if the exam isn't a pure brawl he probably won't stick around."

"I'm surprised he's competing, didn't he always say that he wants to die at Captain Kenpachi's side as his subordinate."

"That is true, but the fact that he is even considering competing should be a cause for your concern. His stamina and expertise with a sword make him a threat to any opponent."

"Second is Squad 9's Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, he has a lot of pride for Squad 9, and is acting as its Captain till a replacement is found. He is skilled, and would like nothing more than to seal his place as Squad 9's Captain." Ukitake drowned his drink, and promptly refilled it with the sake jug he had just caught.

"I can understand trying his goal to try and reestablish Squad 9's honor. That could drive any man to fight with great strength, and pour everything he had into the competition." Sion was now starting to worry a little. He was good with a blade, unstable as it might be, but he could back himself up with his use of Kidō.

"Last but certainly not least is your old pal, Renji Abarai. His use of Bankai and overall strength will be your greatest challenge. If you have to face him, make it quick, or he'll take you down." There was no joy in Kyōraku as he spoke this. Sion had realized Renji had obtained Bankai after reading the report, but still the thought didn't worry him. Both Captains looked at Sion with content, but also caring. Were they actually pulling for him?

"Even with Bankai, I have a strategy on how to take on Renji. Plus you both are forgetting one thing." This caused the 2 Captains to pause from their drinks.

"Oh really, what are we forgetting Sion Fierro?" The smile was back of Kyōraku's face.

"No one has fought me since my zanpakutō stabilized. Only I know what it can truly do. That there is an ace up my sleeve." Sion smiled, and he rose and drew his zanpakutō. He held it up towards the moon, and let its light bounce off the blade. This caused the other two Captains to rise from their positions.

"Then fight Sion Fierro, fight with all of your heart. Though you're Squad 6's 3rd seat, you'll always be Squad 13's 6th seat to me." Ukitake clapped Sion on the shoulder.

"I thought you might think of my more highly now, instead of just your 6th seat." Kyōraku laughed as he clapped Sion's other shoulder.

"Just remember even the smallest bird, can fly through the biggest storms, so long as he spreads his wings." With that the 2 Captains flashed out of sight, and Sion followed suit. Within a few minutes he was back in his barrack, and preparing for bed.

"Tomorrow is the day, the day I face my storm. Hope they're all ready to watch it." Sion turned down the cover, laid his sword beside him, crawled into bed, and drifted to sleep. Nearby, in its sheath, Sion's zanpakutō glowed with a faint orange.