Since I got such quick response, I decided to start on this quickly
I hope you didn't have to wait too long for this chapter, and that you enjoy it.
Credits: The song I'm using for this chapter is Another Day Goes By, which is sung by Dope. I got the lyrics from . I got the lyrics for Deliver Us from , but I don't know who sang it. However, I only used bits and pieces of each song. If you want the links, please feel free to ask me, and I will gladly tell you.
Since I don't really have anything left to say, I'll just start now. Oh, and in case you didn't get it, the previous chapter was when Hitsugaya was alive. In this chapter, he is the Captain of the Tenth Squad. Just telling you in case you get confused.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Deliver Us
"MATSUMOTO!!" A typical day in the Tenth Squad headquarters, with an annoyed Captain and his lazy Vice-Captain.
"Hmm? Just… Just five more…" Matsumoto mumbled and fell asleep again. Her Captain sighed and ran a hand through his white hair. It's a shame she has a contract, or else I would have replaced her by now, he thought.
Sipping some tea out of his cup, Hitsugaya left his office, choosing to have a short stroll around to unwind a bit before going back to work.
As he walked, Hitsugaya surveyed the monotonous weather. It only ever got cloudy when he summoned Hyourinmaru to his aid, but other than that, the weather was always fine. Sometimes, the Captain wished that there would be some change in the weather, even if it was only dark clouds gathering in the sky. At least it was different.
Another day goes by.
And I don't understand or know the reasons why.
I'm looking for a change in life,
But another day goes by.
Here we go again.
Heading back to his office, he sighed again. His life was also quite monotonous. He was always doing paperwork, his Vice-Captain was always on the couch or out drinking, and nothing interesting ever happened. Hitsugaya knew that the peace of Soul Society was the most important thing for him, but sometimes he just wished that something more interesting would happen for once. Surely peace came in other forms other than this tediously dull routine day after day after day!
It's today.
I wish it was tomorrow though I think I'd say
You know I think it feels just like yesterday.
So lately I've been looking for a change,
But the more things change,
The more they seem to stay the same.
Here we go again.
Hitsugaya entered the office and walked to the couch. He prodded her, and considered drawing something on her face for falling asleep, but fought off the temptation and sat down at his desk again. You see, his inner voice said, this is why you are so bored. You don't bother to change anything.
Oh, shut up, will you? I have work to do, he argued back, and then, Oh no… I'm arguing with myself. Must be the stress… Hitsugaya shuffled his papers and set himself to do a good two hours worth of paperwork.
What was this? Hitsugaya read a piece of paper with interest. It was a request to deploy more Shinigami to the human world. Apparently, there was a Hollow infestation. Fortunately, it was only an isolated village, so news of sudden and mysterious death would not spread easily.
It's a new day.
It's almost like tomorrow never came.
Same old thing, same old game, different name.
And everyday I sing the same old song.
And today I don't feel like waking up,
But the show must go on and on and on.
Hitsugaya signed the form and placed it on the neat pile of finished work. He wrote the last few reports and stacked them on top of the growing pile. Finishing off the last of his drink in one gulp, Hitsugaya walked to the couch and prodded Matsumoto again.
"Oi! Matsumoto! Get up and bring these to the mail room… Oi! Wake UP! If you don't get up right now, I'll make you deliver every one of these papers alone!"
"Ok! I'm up, I'm up! Jeez, Captain, cut me some slack, will you?" Matsumoto grumbled as she rolled off the couch. The Captain fought the urge to roll his eyes and said, "Matsumoto, if I cut you any more slack, you wouldn't be working under me anymore. Get my drift?"
The blonde's face was tinged with slight horror at the prospect of losing the easiest job in Soul Society. "Y-yes, Captain, I'll go right away…" She picked up the papers and virtually sprinted out of the door, trying to prove to her Captain that she could still her job when necessary.
Hitsugaya watched her go, and reached out for her spiritual power. When he felt her leave the mail room and head away from headquarters, he dropped the pursuit. Obviously, Matsumoto would not be back for at least three hours – she was heading to the bar with Renji.
He retrieved his cup and brought it to the tea-table in a corner, where he made more tea for himself. He had finished his paper work, but Hitsugaya was confident that within the next half an hour more would arrive. The Captain sat down on the sofa, sipping his tea, just relaxing. It was somewhat different from the fast-paced paperwork life, and Hitsugaya was grateful for the change. It was almost exactly what he had been looking for.
Another day goes by.
And I don't understand and I don't pretend to try.
I wanna change my life,
But another day goes by.
15 minutes later…
Hitsugaya's tea cup was now empty. He placed his cup on the tea-making table and left to relieve himself. When he came back, he found a fresh list of work to be done. Amazing the way they always deliver work without being seen…, Hitsugaya thought while he surveyed the list.
Looking back, Hitsugaya would say that that was when the real change had happened. Unfortunately, it was not the type of change he had been hoping for. As compared to his peaceful joy at being able to take a break, this change could possibly have thrown him into turmoil, even if it was only temporary.
As he was surveying the list, a Hell Butterfly fluttered into office and alighted on his finger. Hitsugaya listened for a moment, before dropping everything and leaving for the Headquarters of the First Squad.
So many days gone by.
I still don't understand, but now I realize
I'm gonna change my life, that's right
While the days go by.
I'm gonna change my life, that's right
While the days go by.
A Hell Butterfly had been sent to all Captains, calling for at least one volunteer to report to the Captain General's office immediately. Apparently, very shortly after Hitsugaya had signed the form to deploy more troops to the village in the human world, most of them had been killed or severely injured, with only a lucky handful who were able to make it back alive.
Obviously, whatever the situation in the human world, it was too much for ordinary Shinigami to handle by themselves. This time, the Captain General seemed like he wanted to go all out on this one. Anyway, wasn't Hitsugaya looking for a change? He might as well go for it – it might give him something interesting to do for a while. At this point in time, virtually anything was better than paperwork.
Outside the doors of the Captain General's office, Hitsugaya hesitated for a moment. Then, he knocked on the door and pushed it open.
The Captain General glanced at him. "Captain Hitsugaya. You are the first one here. I am glad that you are so eager to help. Please be patient while I clear this. Then, I will begin to brief you."
Hitsugaya suddenly felt sorry for the Captain General.
Yamamoto put his brush down and said, "Well, it looks like have first priority on this mission. Also, if anyone else decides to go, you will have leadership rights.
"A village in the human world has been overrun by Menos Grande, possibly Adjuchas. Your mission is to go to the village and rid it of the Menos Grande. After that, you are to stay there for a few weeks to ensure that they do not return, and if possible, discover how they got to the human world and close the portal. We will be on alert should you request for backup or help, and will grant limit release as soon as possible. You are to leave as soon as possible. Any questions?"
"Just one, sir. How powerful are these Adjuchas?" asked Hitsugaya.
The Captain General paused for a moment and said, "They managed to take out most of your squad and the Eleventh Squad in one fell swoop. Keep that in mind, and use Bankai if you have to."
Hitsugaya arched his eyebrows, but said nothing. The Eleventh Squad? I'd better be careful…, he thought.
"That is all, Captain Hitsugaya. Dismissed." The Captain General waved his hand and returned to his work.
Hitsugaya nodded, even though he doubted that his boss had noticed, and slipped quietly out of the room. He searched for Matsumoto's riatsu and found her hanging out with Renji, Kira and Iba. He summoned a Hell Butterfly and whispered his message to it, and then he left for the gates leading to the human world.
In the Human World…
The Captain of the Tenth Squad stood on the outskirts of the village, looking down at it from a hill. Villagers walked around doing their work, unaware of the colony of Adjuchas staring down at them from their roofs. Children rode on bicycles or kicked a ball around in a field. In the distance, a palace towered ominously over everything else. The palace gave Hitsugaya a slight shiver, but he thought it was the dead silence of the villagers that caused it.
The sun was already setting. Hitsugaya took in his surroundings. The Adjuchas had not noticed him yet, so he would have the element of surprise. He decided to use the cover of darkness to his advantage. If he could not kill any of the Menos Grande, he could at least find out how they got there, what they were doing there, or why the villagers were so quiet.
He waited until the sun had set properly, when it was very dark, before he began to make his move.
0-0-O-0-0
Chapter 2, complete! Guess what? I think this is the shortest time I have ever taken to finish a chapter! This is because I got a review so quickly. I know it's only one review, but the fact that I got it so fast gave me motivation. So thank you, McLovable, for giving me motivation! I hope you enjoyed what you have just read.
Sorry for any mistakes in my grammar or spelling. Oh and before I forget. The next chapter might or might not come out this quickly. I have major examinations coming up in a few weeks, so I can't spend as much time writing.
Well, that's all! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until the next chapter, then. Bye!
