Chapter 3
We spent a month working everyone to the point of dropping, some excelled the rest improved greatly. We got two weeks to relax and regenerate our strength, so I took Sajin to the living world to find a surprise. When he turned to full blood Diayōkai he also gained a living body, he was excited now we can travel to both realms! He did complain about the smell, he asked how we could live with it for so long? I then took him to several cities to show him what I meant by the soul reapers slacking on their jobs. He didn't understand how things could get so far behind, that was when I asked who was the main division to report on the conditions?
"I think Aizen, Gin, and Kaname were the main three to report on the situation here, (he sighs) this will take several teams to cleanup."
"Well, I noticed that you have a lot of fresh unseated recruits, divide them up among the 13 court squads. Then divide them all into smaller groups, the reason we are getting so many hollows are the souls are stuck here to long. So, I think we need to report back and cut our vacation short, these needs resolved before more suffer the same fate. Even though I would rather we just stay in bed for our time here, between shopping and getting food. Plus visiting our pack more, how did you like father's castle? Its hidden quite well don't you think?"
"Yes, it was a nice castle with the older era feel, but it had more of a modern touch. I think you were right we need to improve the living conditions of the soul society, compared to this? It's a not much of an afterlife like you said."
"Well, before we head back let's go home first and spend a couple days just you and me and our nice comfy bed. Then there is something I need to workout while we are there, something I have been thinking since I saw the shape of the soul society."
We send all the souls on in the city we could find. Then we had visited three more cities and cleaned them up before leaving. When we got to the castle we went straight to our room for 12 hours before dad called us to his office.
"Hello dad, you wished to see us? We tried to keep the noise down."
"Hello, my little girl and son, no it isn't about your constant need to be with each other, kami knows your mother and I are the same way. No, I wanted to know your thoughts on several issues concerning the soul society and the living world. I know that look when you are working out possible ways to improve on a situation my daughter."
"Well, I have some ideas on both, to bring the soul society up a little closer to a modern era but still hold the same old world feel, like our home. I also need to speak with gramps and the mad scientist to see if we can work something out for new arrivals. Sajin and I talked about the situation here and we might be able to clear it up in a couple of weeks with using all the squads and the fresh recruits."
"Hm, then draw out your ideas for the improvements then you two will need to work with the captains on the problems here. When are you planning to head back? I ask because I am teaching your other brothers to help with all the paperwork, so me and your mother and uncle can return with you."
"Sorry for speaking out of turn but what do you wish me to call you? And we were planning to return in two days from now sir."
"I am glad you asked when its not public call me dad like all my kids do, but in court or public just Lord Taisho if you like. Though my kids either call me father or if their feel ornery boss! It's what I get for raising a kitsune and your uncle while my pups were growing up."
"Dad, we all know you are fine with our teasing just as long as we are still respectful, oh what about Shippo and his mate? Will they be able to come home?"
"Yes, they will they came in last night, and it seems that when they mated the same thing happen to her as it did for you Sajin."
"Cool I was worried I wouldn't get to see him as much, and I love to travel with him on business trips, also uncle when he feels the need to travel. So, you are going to see the rest of our extended family then? Grandpa Taisho and your other half-brothers?"
"Yes, I will not make that mistake twice, well it was more like his fault first by turning my offer down to live with me, so I could train him. But I am afraid your visit here may be short, when I left yesterday I got a message informing me, there will be a captain and lieutenant meeting tomorrow, so write out your ideas for the meeting my dear daughter."
"Yes, dad I will get right on it, I mean we will get right on it."
We hug, and I go to my office and use my sketching table, while Sajin works out the squad divisions and fresh recruits. We work for six hours, taking a lunch break with the family, then we sat around and talked about my ideas, so mom wanted to help me out. She looks over my plans and drawings, she makes some adjustments in a few places, we then talk about ideas to improve both areas. We then polish it off with color drawings from above and street level views, then a few closeup and floor plans for many of the buildings.
We spend our last night making love, for several hours then I curl into his chest and his mokomoko wraps around us both. He said he likes his, plus right now his hair is shorter than Hitsugaya, but he plans to grow it to his shoulders at least. He even likes his tattoos like feels he belongs in our pack, I smile and tell him he will always belong with us.
The next day we have a big breakfast with the family, then we set off for gramps place. Once we arrive in the soul society we make our way to the squad 1 meeting chambers. We get there a few minutes before everyone, so I sit in my mate's lap, his lieutenant comes in and we talk a bit and is happy he has found the right girl. Everyone begins to come thru the door, I stay in my mates lap I giggle at a few who raise an eyebrow. I sigh and stand next to him with my hand on his shoulder.
"I am glad to see everyone has made it, now Aya your father said you have some ideas to help with some of our issues?"
"Yes, Captain this is a rough picture of the current four sectors outside the walls, as you can see there is no real flow to the sections. But with my mothers help this is what we came up with, as you see the single story dwellings we remove some of them. Then we build multi story apartments, not too many it would ruin the era this just adds more security for many. There will also be orphanages to keep the little ones off the streets, each sector will need four. Now this I will need help with as you can see there are barracks. Two positioned in equal distance around close to the outer edge to help with the patrol groups. Now you will notice these are bigger than normal, here is why.
On the first floor I had asked gramps if this would be possible, each one will have a greeting station, for souls when they come. We direct them to one of these stations; there will be those to greet, and inform them of where they are, and teach them if needed what they should do. Like children would go to orphanages to care for them. Families will be able to adopt, this also lets us test for high spiritual power.
Now the biggest issue is young girls and women, if certain groups find them? Will force them into whore houses, this also would prevent people taking advantage of children and women. Now you are wondering about how to staff something like this? Well there are many who we could train to do this, and if we give enough living space for their families you will never run out of workers.
Now the court guard I have noticed quite a lot of new recruits or some that really aren't doing much to advance. Well how about taking and splitting these up to rotate to these outposts with higher seated officers, for the hollows that do break thru to attack the civilians?
Here are some pictures of buildings for improvements, as you can see mom and I like several styles of architecture. I do realize we have other issues now, this is just a thought on ways to better organize and control incoming souls, so we will not lose them to crime, and have a chance for a better afterlife. Now my mate has issues he needs to address, thank you for listening."
"Thank you Aya, was some of these building projects for the squads also? You have three designs that would address some of our crowded barracks."
"Yes, there are several floor plans that would be perfect for a squad barracks, with optional courtyards or training area, or a greenspace for koi ponds, trees, plants, and grass."
I hand him the drawings for three separate styles, they pass them around everyone likes them, and several was bugging their captain to get in on a certain new building. Then my mate stood and handed out his copies of our idea to quickly clean up the wandering souls.
"Now sorry I don't have my mate's flair for putting together a presentation, but she took me around to three separate cities. The amount of lost souls was staggering, what makes it worse as my mate pointed out to me, with so many that even more could turn into hollows. And we did meet a great many of them in the last three days.
Now as you can see she also suggested this kind of splitting up the new recruits and mixing them in with well trained squads. But we need to start getting these souls here before there is massive amounts of hollows. We believe this was the intention of the three traitors to begin with, slowly creating his own hollow armies."
"I see you both have come up with very good ideas, and we haven't even thought about what state the living world could be in. We will need to go over all their missions there to see what else they could have been up to! Anyone have anything they would like to add?"
"I have the last five years here head captain, they took on 30 major cities around the world. Captain you and Aya took care of three while you were there?"
"Yes sir, I had to show my mate how to deal with the people since he had never had to deal with them before, but we split up and we took a day for each city to do soul burials. The hollows were weak, but there were some who had figured out if they eat the weaker hollows they grew more powerful."
"That isn't good, well then, we will take care of this problem first, if no one has issues with these teams then we shall go in shifts of ten teams this will give us thirty teams to clear this mess up."
We scatter and get in our group and we take five days for all the groups to clean up all the souls and hollows, in the cities the traitors had done nothing. When we went back to gramps he told us of the bount issue.
We met up with Ichigo he was mad at this group, so we went to checkout the places they had met them. We can feel the different power residue left as they transported them. So, we fly up above the city and I spread out my senses and point to an expensive estate we look at each other.
"Well, I sense their low level security guards, but the rest are in the mansion, Chad and Orihime are in the basement it seems. Where is Uyrū? He hasn't got his powers back, right?"
"Nope he didn't say anything to us about it, plus he was acting weird, like he expects them to kidnap him next!" Ichigo fumed
"He is training with his father right now at the hospital, I think we should pay a house call, don't you?" Said Yoruichi
"Just the four of us? Ok I am game; how do we want to break in?" My mate said ready for some fun
"Well, Ichigo goes to the front, Sajin goes in the back, Yoruichi and I come in from the second floor, you want to be a cat burglar?"
"You are still funny after all these years, and a great tactical planner, your almost scary sometimes. But hey we have fun at the same time!"
We chuckle as we get in position, I cover them with my illusion spell, so they are invisible, plus their shielded. We enter at the same time, we clear the top floor and meet down to help the boys! I finish off two before I run into my mate he said he got three weak ones we follow the sound of a fight and find Ichigo finishing off some guy we then go thru and clear all the first floor rooms. Then we find the basement door and go down to find our two friends, behind bars and we have two more left. We make them talk and find out all kinds of nasty things, then we kill them we let our friends out.
"Well this was fun, and disturbing! Shall we loot the place then destroy it for good? No point wasting anything you know like cash, gold, jewelry, paintings, and what ever else we may find, right?"
Everyone chuckled as we tear thru each room and find a vault in the basement and a couple of safes upstairs. It was easy getting in them with a cat burglar along for the job, we meet in the dining room with all our loot. There is quite a lot of cash and gold ingots even gold and silver coins, then I notice a couple statues and paintings.
"Well nice haul you guys, so split it how ever you guys want it, I am good so you all can keep my share, well our share right my mate?"
"Absolutely we have no need of it, though you kids could use it for college or Orihime you could get a bigger place to live. Ichigo I have no idea what you would buy, unless you buy a house of your own to host your friends from the soul society?"
"Hey, I like that idea, but I doubt dad would though, think you could talk to him Aya? You are able to charm people easily."
"For you my friend? Sure, I will talk to your ex soul reaper dad, so get it and burn the place to the ground?"
They said I could with dragon inferno, so they cleaned everything out they wanted I pick the guys pockets and find car keys. Then I snoop in his office, I find out he is one of our competitors! I also find he has a car collection, I pick out the ones I want and go online and change them over to my name and have the titles and plates sent to one of my p.o. boxes. Then I find the keys and then out to the garage and back them out of the garage the guys put their stuff in. I go and snoop thru the garage for any hidden money, or treasure hey you never know! I find a hidden stash of money I carry it out put it in one of the cars. Then I close the doors set it on fire then hit several rooms on the first floor then do the same on the second, then I fly over to the cars and get in and we drive off back to gramps place.
"So, I see you went shopping! For some expensive cars, paintings, gold, and cash! Well who gets what? I am curious to see who I hit up for a loan, or to borrow their car at least."
"Well Aya is going to sweet talk dad into letting me buy a place of my own so friends from the soul society can stay with me and not have to worry about freaking anyone out."
"How about you and Orihime go in together? She likes you and you like her, now I am not saying you share a room. Just you can see if you can stand living together, you might be surprised how you two feel."
"Ichigo she has a point, I live alone and with everyone coming for you or all of us it might be better to be close to each other."
"Really? Yeah ok I wouldn't mind living with you, but you do realize they will tease us without mercy?"
We chuckle as they go on line and search for something close to his dads, I have a place that I built just to see how well it looked in this area! So, I tell them lets go I know a perfect place! We all pile into the cars and they follow me three blocks from his dads.
"What do you think? It has a huge backyard that faces the forest, three car garage, with an apartment above it. Come in and see this, it's a two story square with an inner court yard that has a pool and hot tub. It has eight bedrooms suites, so you get your own bath! A chef dream kitchen, huge dining room, library/office, huge living room, and game room/home theatre."
"Uh Aya this is like perfect for our rowdy friends and us, but this must cost a fortune! Plus, the neighbors what would they say?"
"I won't say anything, we keep to ourselves when I am using it that is, see I built this house to see how it would look here. It is more of a western style home like they built in the southern part of the United States of America. Only thing is they would have it more like an indoor garden and breakfast area. Plus, you don't need to worry about someone building on the other side of you unless the family does, like Shippo and his new mate."
"Wait, how could she? Isn't she still a spirit?" Chad asked surprised
"Oh, you haven't heard? Well when me and Sajin mated, and he changed he also got a new body, so no Gigi needed, well when Shippo and she mated she also got a new body, so they might move out here for a while."
"That's great! Congratulations Sajin, so how does it feel to be flesh and blood demon now?" Ichigo asked turning red as a tomato
"Weird and overwhelming at times, like when we first came here I about tossed my lunch! It stinks in this world. But my wonderful mate can help me thru it, so I don't really notice it anymore. Plus, we have been working on my new demon powers, you think training to be a soul reaper is tough? This is a whole new level of power!"
"Yes, I am proud of you my mate, you prove just how much control and focus you have in our training, if only my nephews were as good as you."
"Aya? Is there a way to make us demons or to gain the extra powers?"
"Uh, yes but don't tell anyone, what it involves is blood transfer during an adoption or claiming blood brothers or something similar. But Ichigo you have a massive untapped power still, plus with three separate ones now you want to add a fourth? Are you nuts? It would be fine for like Chad and Orihime and it would lengthen their life span more than 1000 years because it is turning you to half human half demon. But with you it might cancel out your Quincy or hollow powers, and you have yet to begin working on that side of you."
"Yeah, your right, but if we wanted to be in your family we could?"
"That is up to the alpha, my dad and he would test you to see if you were worthy to join the pack. If you? Either of you were to get serious about this? Train extra hard you Ichigo need to train to control your hollow side plus Zangetsu needs to work with you more, and we are happy to help you get better. You will need it to control your inner hollow, I bet if you asked gramps here he would put in an underground training room for us, right gramps?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry I was just wondering if you got another house like this you could sell your poor old grandpa? But sure, we could have it put in a week. But I haven't heard of a price yet, and if it's too much I may buy it instead, I always liked the western style of buildings."
I snorted at him and shook my head, I look to the kids and raised an eyebrow at them, they begin talking to each other. My mate put his arms around me nuzzled my mate mark, I purr making him chuckle.
"Uh what are you two doing? You sounded like a low growling purr? Is that right? Would we be doing stuff like that if we could be adopted?"
"Yup, but need to know that you and Orihime might not be mates if you went thru with it, and with you being half-blood? You would have ears like me, but no big fluffy white tail! I swear the thing has a mind of its own sometimes. But if your lucky and you are each other's mates? Yes, you will feel the need to cuddle, and nuzzle your mate to check to see if they are happy. Well you have a need to touch them constantly, and you will wonder how you survived so long without them."
"Awe that is so sweet, but what would it do for my healing ability?"
"I am not sure, we demons can heal at a faster rate than the Shinigami, plus we can heal more critical wounds than they can. But with yours it could increase your ability ten times what it is now. Are you sure you want cute doggy ears? And possible white hair and claws?"
"I think I could live with them, and if me and Ichigo aren't mates then it would be better to know up front before or if we get involved. Or we just stay human and live with it."
"I tell you guys what I will do, how about I just rent this house to you until you decide if you want to buy or not, this way I don't have to worry about some morons moving in who might notice our uniqueness."
"Deal! What is the rent? Hey Chad, you want to live here to? Hey, can we get a car to drive to school from here?"
"Well as you can see the house is ready to move into, it has everything towels sheets for the western style beds. Even the kitchen is setup with everything but the food, let me see your rent right now is how much?"
"I have a trust fund right now that is why mine is expensive, but I pay 250 a month that includes power and water, what about you Orihime?"
"Well mine is cheaper you have seen how small it is? I pay 75 with lights and water included also."
"How about I sell the gold and silver for you and take most of the cash to invest it for you? I can and will make more money for you guys then with what cash you keep? Use for food, clothes, and stuff, now for cars I am keeping these two, they are collectors dream! But I have two next door that are plain, and nobody will pay any attention to, so I will give them to you and charge you 300 for rent. Now if like some of your friends that know and can see what is going on? If you want them to move in fine, its more to help keep the place clean and food on the table. So, do we have a deal, or do you want to negotiate?"
"Deal! So, you can make the money double or triple or more?"
I agreed that I could make even more, so they handed me most of it then I took it to my house they all fell over when they walked in. all I heard was oh my god its beautiful, I snicker as I put it in my safe it won't be until Monday till I can set it all up. I get the keys for the two cars and titles and sign them over and hand the keys to them. We rode over to his dads he let me go first I caught the fist and threw him into the wall, I giggle at him.
"Hello down there, so you try to keep Ichigo on his toes huh? Well I come to ask if he could move out to a nice big house 3 blocks from here? It even comes with his own car, swimming pool, hot tub, game room and theatre, 8 bedroom suites three car garage with apartment above it."
"I don't know, he tends to get into trouble, will there be any adults nearby?"
"What or who do you classify as an adult? My house is next door, does that count? Plus, it would be a good place for the soul reaper friends to crash when they come here for an extended stay."
"Well when you put it that way sure why not, I mean he wouldn't be drawing anymore hollows in this direction. Yeah it would work out well, as long as we get invited to dinner occasionally."
We chuckle at the expression on Ichigo's face, he shakes his head goes to pack his stuff, and it only takes ten minutes, we say good bye and head over to get Orihime packed up while the boys go get Chads. Wow talk about living in a closet! She said she was leaving everything except clothes, so I begin carrying out stuff, and it only took three trips.
We beat the boys back, so she gets to pick her room first, she picked out the girlie room that I had done in light pastel colors the same for the bathroom. She bounced on the bed and sighed, yeah, I hate futons too! When the boys got back we watched them pick rooms and put their stuff away, Chad likes lifting weights, so I show him the home gym out back. He was excited about the workout machines! Like you see at professional gyms. Everyone came out then and I begin showing them how to use everything, so now they will workout before school or after.
It was several days before we got word to come for a meeting with everyone again, dad, Inuyasha, Ichigo, gramps, Yoruichi, Chad, and Orihime was going also. So, we all meet at gramps Shippo and his mate are watching over our bodies, Sajin figured out how to step out of his body like I do. It still puzzles gramps, I snicker at him he just puts that damned fan up, I snatch it away. He grins and pulls out another, I roll my eyes and throw the other at him!
Once we finally get there and get to the meeting room my mate put me in his lap, I lean up and kiss him. Then I sit looking toward the head captain, waiting for everyone to show up I play with his hand. Then I put it on my belly and grin at him, it takes him a second to catch on he then grins and gives me a kiss that curled my toes. I smile at him he holds me tighter and won't let me up now once the meeting started, I listen in mostly reports on each team and how they did. Then the head captain began to speak.
"Very good, at least we got it cleaned up before to many turned to hollows, now how did everyone like working with the recruits? I see everyone is approving, that is good we will start using them more often, so they can learn and train more to advance. Now Aya has put forth plans to change a few things, and since central 46 is no more. The decision falls to me. So, I will take a vote now to see what you think of the changes and you Urahara will have to work with captain Kurotsuchi, so the new souls will go to those spaces as she called them welcoming stations. We had groups watching as this massive influx of souls came in, she is right they had to step in to prevent several trying to take women and children before they woke up! This will not be tolerated! This is supposed to be a safe place to spend resting and have a family if they never got one. So, vote now on the all the projects to build more housing that is a little more modern, then the orphanages and barracks improvements. All in favor raise your hands, it unanimous thank you Aya for moving us forward! When we seemed to be stuck, now construction, how well can you get our crews up to date to begin?"
"How many crews do you have currently sir?"
"Last I checked we only have five, but they are used to building with wood, and your plans call for concrete and steel, so they would need to be taught how to begin as it were."
"Well I may have a better solution if I may? We have our own construction company with ten crews, right now they are sitting on their hands. If father would allow it and you, we could pull several to come here to train them as well build. They are all demons and they all know about you guys for they all have seen you at work."
"I think that would be possible, what say you Lord Taisho could we use some of your workforce to help us move forward? And how many would you be willing to let us use?"
"Hm, my daughter has a good head for business, like she said I am paying for them to sit on their hands. I could let you use all ten crews, it will speed the construction up and train your own crews in the modern construction techniques. Plus, they know how to follow her blueprints, for she runs that side of the business when someone wants a special project done."
"Thank you, Lord Taisho, how soon could they begin?"
"I will have them here in two days' time, then Aya will need to go over the plans with everyone present, once they know what to do they move faster than many can see to finish the construction faster."
"But I will have several working with your crews, so they learn everything they need to know, then I need a list and sites that will be updated or new construction to go where."
"You will have it by the time your crew arrives, now for the Hueco Mundo mission, the ones you helped to train all agree we should go in full force. Would you agree to go with them also? This for all of you from the living world."
"Yeah, we would go sure, if it means less of these arrancar hollows then we are in, well the three of us I mean."
"Sure, we can go I am surprised you want anything to do with me sir."
"We again judged you before we got the facts, so when this is over if you or the hollow fide Shinigami wish to return we can see about putting them back in the squads, also if they wish to join in to show that they are in control then they are welcome also."
"Excuse me head captain, how soon are we going? I have a project that needs time to work itself out."
"We were planning two weeks from now would that give you enough time?"
"Yes, sir I believe it will thank you."
"Good now our next order of business, Ichigo we are offering you temporary soul reaper position with this badge you well it just means your legal is all."
"I accept head captain."
"Good now Aya I am sure you heard rumors, they fly like the breeze around here! But would you be interested in a captain position?"
"Uh, wont that piss off several people one I know it will, but also I am still living and will still be living for the next several thousand years."
"I am happy to say that no one in the squads had anything to say against you being a captain, in fact I have a stack of transfers to go to your squad if you accept the position."
"Really? But I haven't gone thru the academy and I haven't got the foggiest on the history or procedures. Sure, I can fight, and I am decent at training. What kind of squad would I be leading if I may ask?"
"We are down three captains, unless some we had wrongly accused come back, but the we originally thought of making a whole new squad 14 for you, you would spend more time in the living world mostly. But you would need to be here a lot also, this way you could pick your squads. How would you structure your squad?"
"I would not focus on one strength, I would have a couple good with healing, then at least three that excel in Kido then the rest trained for fighting sword and hand to hand. And if we are sitting on our hands they will train in what field they are lacking in."
"I see must be more of your fathers training?"
"Yes, she was an excellent student, and watching her she is excellent in training others as well, she does the family honor."
"Very good it is always wonderful to see children stand and make a name for themselves while honoring their family. So Aya, would you like to become a captain? Or think on it for now?"
"Well, seeing as my mate is a captain I will so I can spend time with him and help train any who needs it, so yes I accept but let's worry about what to do after this mission, if your fine with that?"
"Works for me anyone disagree? Well then after Hueco Mundo we will set you up either a new squad, or you can take over one. Anyone have anything to add?"
"I must ask that you consider Renji as you keep calling him, he has failed me twice and it would be better for me to transfer him."
Everyone was quiet I looked to Renji he looked crushed? I looked to the jerk and glared he flinched, I sigh and rub my temples.
"Jerk (BAM!) you are stupid to give up a wonderful lieutenant, he looks up to, he only ever wanted to be on your level and from what I hear he is an excellent right hand. But hey if you don't want him? I will gladly take him! Saves me the trouble to find my second, thanks Jerk(BAM!)
"Well then since you have accepted him here? It is official, here is your confirmed transfer, excellent choice Aya. Now anyone else?"
"If you are going to have healers? Where will you get them? My squad is barely staffed as it is, sorry just asking."
"No, you have every right to ask, I was checking out the academy last time I was here, there are three gifted healers, I thought I would take two and you get the better one of the three, or I can take one its fine with me. But I know they might washout before finishing also."
"Oh, I hadn't realized there was three going thru now, are you going to tutor them to make sure they pass?"
"I thought that was no, no we couldn't help them, but isn't like say second seat could help them along ok?"
"Yes, on both counts! I say your catching on fast Aya, anyone else?"
"Are you going to pick our best from everyone's squads?"
"Why Captain Hitsugaya! I would never take your lieutenant from you! She is your reason for going to work every day!"
"Only because she won't do her damned paperwork!"
We all busted up laughing even he chuckled when we settled down I was just going to lay it out there!
"Before you all get worried, no I will not take anyone from your squads unless you give me the okay, Renji I couldn't pass up. He is an excellent officer all the men under him respects him, I got to talk to them on my way to jail because I was healing him instead of chasing after the intruders, but that was also because he thought I was a recruit."
"I have another question, can I have Ichigo in my squad?"
"Yes, I don't see why not, would you like to join Aya and her new squad?"
"Yes! Sir, I would very much like that and thank you sir."
"Don't thank me yet, I heard how she is a real task master. Anyone else or we shall call it done?"
"What if a captain would rather be on her squad?"
We began laughing again the old man had his eyes wide open then chuckled at Captain Hitsugaya he was serious but does chuckle.
"You would really take a demotion Captain Hitsugaya? Are you serious you really want be third seat or lower?"
"Yes, I feel I have more to learn and would be better on her squad sir."
I close my eyes and look down and sigh hoping he says no, he is a good captain he just needs to kick Rangaku in the ass!
"I will allow it if Aya agrees to take you, but if she does not then you will be moved to another squad, that already has a Captain!"
"Are you sure Tashiro? From what I heard you were an exceptional captain, this is still about Momo isn't it?"
"I, yes, you read people better than anyone I have ever met, but yes I feel I have failed because Aizen beat me and hurt Momo."
"Very well, welcome to our ragtag bunch of misfits, you are better than you give yourself credit for Tashiro, maybe Rangaku will have to do paperwork aye?"
"Hey, no fair I have to work now?"
We chuckle at her she stomps her foot, I swear she almost spilled out of her top, talk about massive boobs! Yowzah, glad I am normal or average, yeah that sounds better, I grin at Tashiro.
"Now anyone else abandoning ship?"
"Yeah Ikkaku and Shūhei wish to join you, I cannot teach him, he would do better under your teaching, Shūhei asked for me to speak."
"Kenny are you sure? You two really want to give up your positions that you have worked so hard for?"
"You helped me see what I was missing, and I finally mastered my zanpakutō showing me how I was not fighting with my full potential. So, these two want to learn from someone who can come in here, after a month of training and raised all that she worked with, to move up several levels. I say good luck boys! I bet you're a real hard ass."
"As the captain was saying, you helped all of us, when we thought we were good enough. But you wiped the floor with us and wasn't even trying, Ikkaku and I agreed if you would have us we would gladly join you. Like you said, fighting can be fun as long as no one dies."
"You guys are making me feel like I am taking all the best officers, fine since Kenny says he is happy for you to join then welcome to our squad! What ever number it will be? Haven't a clue, or what we will do."
Everyone chuckled at me I give them a lopsided grin.
"So, shall we call you Captain Taisho? Or Captain Aya? Let's see your squad is growing you have, Renji, Tashiro, Ichigo, Ikkaku, and Shūhei. Now all you need are your healers and Kido members, how many recruits will you take into your squad? Normal squads have up to ten, but you can have as many as your seated members can handle."
"Well formal address Captain Taisho, but on other terms Aya is fine, as for recruits I will need to meet with my guys to see what their thoughts are, but ten sounds like a suitable number."
"Excellent, any thoughts on the coming mission?"
"Yes, train like we were last week, I am going to be working with Ichigo most of the time, until we are ready to go."
"Very well if there is nothing else this meeting is over."
Everyone filed out we waited to go last, well my mate decided to be funny and was carrying me, I stuck my tongue out at him. He just chuckled at me dad also chuckled at me I grin at him. My guys were waiting outside for us they all chuckled at me again tongue sticking out.
"Hey boss we were just wondering where do we move to? The jerk will make sure I am out of his barracks in less than two hours I bet."
"You can use my squads for now you may have to double up though."
"Also, if your interested you can spend some of the next two weeks in the real world with us I will help with your training. Until we get setup there isn't a whole lot we can do. Don't worry about a place to stay, we got that covered, also I am pregnant that is why my mate has decided to carry me."
"Congratulations boss, so its fine if we come back with you then?"
"Yup unless I have to go ask father time? Then I am cool with it until we get an idea of where we will setup and what our workload will look like, I have a feeling we will oversee training and trips to the living world. If I had to guess, so I hope you like snot nosed brats to beat on until they figure out how to hold a sword."
They all laughed, and we went to squad 7 barracks and me and Sajin kicked back while he went over paperwork. I fell asleep on his futon and woke up to hearing my guys talking about being ready to go.
"You all ready? Well my mate are you ready? Or do you need more time?"
"Nope I am ready, I was waiting for you to finish your nap first."
"Awe your sweet, let's go I am starving, plus I will need to return for a few days to get the crews going, Ichigo did you ask gramps about his friends we need to see?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah he said he would send them over tomorrow, and he said our training room will be done before the end of the week."
We went home and showed the guys to the house, I told them to keep the hollows under control, but take shifts they all said yes boss! We fixed steaks on the grill baked potatoes and sweet corn. Once the steaks were medium rare we sat down to eat, the guys telling Chad and Orihime about the meeting. They couldn't believe that Tashiro stepped down, but they were not surprised about the jerk, hell who would?
The next day the vizards or what ever they call themselves! Came and we went to a warehouse district, the guys watched as they began going over what they were going to do. I walk over and wait for them to get to the part I know Ichigo will have issues with when they do he looks at me like are you serious?
"Now as you can see they have the same issues you do, but they have mastered their hollows, you need to get him under control. Then we must build up how long you can keep the mask on, this is like Kenny. He didn't want to admit he wasn't fighting to his full potential without learning his zanpakutō! This is also the case for you, now I know you have unlocked the full Bankai, but you also might need the hollow side that will give a boost in everything. After you get this close to mastering your hollow side, then we will need to work with Zangetsu."
"I see you are just making sure I can pull more power from my hollow if I need it to beat a powerful opponent, so I can protect everyone if I am the last one standing."
"Not what Zangetsu has told me, he doesn't care about us, he only wants to protect you. You also need to trust him and use his power that you haven't been using, you are trying to use only your power instead of working with him and your hollow once you beat him."
"So, all this time I could have pulled power from Zangetsu and his knowledge and become a better fighter?"
"Yes! Think of it this way, you want to protect Orihime right? Well the only way to be able to do this is to master yourself, if you can't work as one fighter then you are fighting against yourself. Think of Zangetsu as a part of you, like your arm, if you don't use it with your other arm then it doesn't do you any good."
"So, in order to be better, I need to rely on Zangetsu and master my hollow side then put it all together, so I am fighting three as one person?"
"Keh, close enough but you get the idea, after this you need to do a lot of meditating to work with him, I can only beat on you so much."
I grin at him making him chuckle I pat his shoulder he nods I walk over to the other guys and set up partners to work training for a few hours. I walk around and give pointers on working faster and to be precise in their attacks. After they had rotated several times I turn and watch Ichigo as he struggles to keep his mask on longer, I go ask one if there is a certain technique to extending it? He says its all in his focus, he loses it so his mask crumbles.
"Ichigo what are you thinking about to keep your mask?"
"Uh about all the people I can protect once I master this thing?"
"Try not to think of everyone, this will sound selfish, but it is the only way to stay focused on the fight in front of you. When you lose focus and begin thinking of everyone you failed or could fail? You lose your drive, you need to focus on keeping you in top fighting condition, if you don't then you will fail everyone else. Do you see where I am going?"
"Yes, if I slip I could get injured then I fail everyone! Got it! Think about everyone after the fight, what if they try to taunt me with who could be fighting and losing?"
"Again, what good are you if you lose to the jerk your fighting? How would you make it over to help if your down and either dead or on the way there? The other friend could be holding his or her own, or somebody could get there before you finish. You can not lose focus from your fight, focus is your main weakness right now."
He nods and gets that I am going to kick somebodies ass! I chuckle as I pat his shoulder and head back to the others. I turn and watch a couple hours later, he is up to 5 minutes and is doing better! Good he will learn he isn't going to help anyone if he is down for the fight. I go and work with my guys some, they are needing meditation time also, we call it lunch everyone settles to eat.
"So, we hear you made captain? Plus, you mated and now Sajin your body is demon? Cool your lucky dog!"
We crack up for that she just realizes what she said and blushed.
"Is it true they might let us return to the 13 court squads?"
"Yes, it's possible, though they were talking about starting a number 14 for Aya! When we left, but they said if you guys want in on this fight your more than welcome! I bet if you wanted to you could even get on our squad! If you asked Aya."
I was halfway listening while sitting in my mates lap we was sharing our lunch, though he is huge compared to me, so he needs more than me. There was small talk just chatting really, then we jump back into training! I watch my guys and my mate he can't call on his Bankai, so he is working on speed and sword techniques; with Bakudō and Hadō tossed in every now and then to throw the guys off. We work into the night then at ten we head home and shower, hmm my mate is very attentive and loving, its going to be a short night!
"Morning guys! How do you feel about yesterday's workout?"
"Every time we train you show us more areas to improve then let us get used to it then point another area to work on… I feel it was a good day."
"I managed to get up to eight minutes keeping the mask on, they said it was a vast improvement to my two minutes before you talked to me."
"Great! But remember you need to train with Zangetsu, so everyone meditation today, but you three have school. Now if you guys want to go play in the school? You can I leave it up to you guys. If you do make sure to be friendly with Uyrū, he will end up in the Quincy group, I really don't want friends to fight. Well unless it's for fun!"
"Mate I think a couple from the group yesterday will ask to be in your squad, how do you feel about them?"
"They all are great at their areas of fighting like the big guy is a master at shields and seals, also he is an excellent healer. The two or three younger ones are hot heads, they like to argue but they are funny. The tall blonde who used to be, captain or high seated officer? Will be pulled back for a captain position I bet."
They all nodded and finished eating then three decided to go to school.
The rest of us went to the back yard to meditate for as long as we could get in today. Mine asked when I was going to fully release her, I grin and say soon we don't want to scare the kids. She then asked if Hueco Mundo will be a good place to show them our full release Bankai? Yup I feel it will be a battle royal with some of the Arrancar I had seen in Kaname thoughts. I pull out of meditation by hollow spirit pressure we jump up and look up and see a Garganta with many Arrancar coming down.
"Well guys it looks like your real full test is happening now, lets kill some Arrancar! Where are they headed?"
"Well they seem to be going after high spiritual pressure people, so the guys at school and us, so we have five headed our way!"
"Toshiro remember our plan for a large group? Let's do it save one for questions if you can guys."
They all chuckle knowing there wouldn't be any left they did land right in a tight cluster I flooded them, and Toshiro froze them solid then we shatter them. We took off for the others we came up to a big brute and a smaller one calling everyone trash! Then the big one eating them I fly above and send dragon inferno on to both, the little guy almost missed it, but he was burning still, the big guy was screaming, so I cut his head off!
"So, would you mind telling us who you are and what are you doing?"
"I am told to come here and look for some that would be good bait for the soul reapers, then come back and get them when your guard is down."
"How many are we talking here? 20 or 30 Arrancar or more? And why do they want us to go to that cold boring desert?"
"You are right on the numbers, since Aizen has been working on making us into an army for himself, we have no real purpose now. So, our current leader that calls himself a king of Hueco Mundo wants to see just how strong you all are, after all even we couldn't take on Aizen."
"How soon is he expecting to lure us there? And if you can think on your own, couldn't you just create a life there?"
"What life? We are hollows and still need to feed but we have evolved to eat food most of the time, if not all the time. Plus, we are all violent to each other, well some aren't but you get my meaning."
"Toshiro how many are left? I feel there are three and heading this way, so are our squad. Is that what your gizmo is telling you?"
"Yes, all the others are gone, it's just three left. What shall we do with them?"
"Well, I see no reason in keeping them, do you?"
I moved and cut his head off before he knew I moved, then in came the last three. Well they all look like smart asses, yup he opened his mouth and proved it to be true.
"Well aren't you a pretty one? White fluffy tail and puppy ears to match! I think I will keep you as a pet! The names Grimmjow I was waiting to see who the best fight would be, lucky me you took out these two morons. So, the five that went at the same time? That was you guys?"
"Keh, so what if it was? Who is your friends? Or are they to squeamish to talk with their friends roasting in front of them?"
"Nakeem and Aldegor we will enjoy eating your souls!"
I hit them with water then Tashiro freezes them then the other guys shatter them then toss them on the fire. I move towards the humans that are out and begin healing them, then everyone comes running up.
"We kicked their asses easily, I see we didn't make it here in time to save a few. What was their plans in coming now?"
"Well, don't beat yourself up over the few we couldn't save, the others were a distraction, for the two who showed up here looking for someone they could kidnap to make us go and rescue them."
"Well that's just stupid! So, we took out the weaker of what 10 or 15?"
"I sensed 15 that came down, they also attacked gramps and Yoruichi, so I think that brings our total to 17, am I right on my count guys?"
"Yup boss that is what we counted, unless they went for our friends at the warehouse. You want me to send a report to head captain?"
"Yes, thank you Renji, would you like to share your seat? I know we have yet to set anything up. But I know your job has you running all day."
"Sure, that would be great, are we flipping a coin for the job?"
We chuckle at the joke as we head home after we got the ambulance called, we get home and jump back into our bodies or Gigi. We repeat the next day except it was Saturday and we all meditated all day, I was watching my guys more than meditating. So, I go fix dinner, stir fry with steak American style with fried rice and sweet and sour chicken with white rice. I fix a couple pots of tea, I get some Saki out for the guys that like the stuff, yuck I prefer a smooth brandy or aged whisky, or scotch is good aged! Also, sadly being with pups none for me!
"Hello, my sexy mate, something smells wonderful! What are these dishes called?"
"Well my also very tall and sexy mate, this is steak stir fry American style, sweet and sour chicken with orange dipping sauce. But we also have pork fried rice and white rice, for drinks we have tea, Sake, aged whiskey, and scotch oh and Brandy. For those that wish to drink tonight we head back to the soul society with our construction crews. And I am sure there will be a meeting about our visit last night."
"Yes, head captain likes his meetings, I think he would have a meeting for the meetings!"
"Oh my god what smells so good in here? Boss if you were still single? I would marry you tomorrow, and wow what a choice of alcohol. So, this is us celebrating before going back to work then?"
"Yes Renji, we go back, and you know impending meeting, even if they have yet to send us a notice, so everyone eats up I made enough to feed an army, so we shouldn't run out! Now Chad and Orihime are you wanting to join our trip tomorrow?"
"Sure, we can see what they say when you give them what we heard, plus I am curious about the construction crews."
"I will go I would like to see how Rukia is doing."
"Good, I just hope they don't try and give me more of the best of the squads again, we still need to figure out who, what, and where."
They chuckle at my lack of finesse on being a captain, hey I wouldn't even have considered it if it wasn't for Sajin! But we will make it work, it's not like I have had to work in weird places before.
The next day we all met up with my crews and they are bringing tons of supplies well 100 guys or more dragging bags of concrete and rebar, then tools. So, all of us was dragging or carrying something, well except me, I get our bags that weigh nothing. Wow it was a trip getting everyone thru and setup out of the way, then we get to go to a meeting in two hours, yay! I get the plans out and go over them with my guys they know what I want we have been working together for years.
We walk into the meeting late of course with my guys and my mate.
"Glad you could join us; how did the crews get along?"
"They are getting along great, the hardest part was explaining how and where they will build, I thought we could take care of the towns people first. Then we work on any plans anyone would like here, if that is fine with everyone?"
"No, we agree the citizens come first, now your report was a little disturbing to say the least. Do you think we should move our time table forward?"
"I am afraid so, without the fear of Aizen they may push more into the living world when they find out their team aint coming back. Plus, they sound disorganized and that could make things worse, in my experience if a group has no real purpose dreadful things will happen. They could tear each other apart or all attack the living world all at once."
"Yes, that wouldn't be good, is your team ready to leave say in a few hours? The rest set things in motion to be ready when you got here."
"Yes, sir we are ready when you need us, how many are going sir? The reason I ask I got more info I was trying to sort thru. As I said before 15 will be the hardest, the king as he is calling himself will be tricky, once he goes full power he has the look of a skeleton and can send out a purple cloud or miasma that will deteriorate anything it touches. We took out three closes to the top in the attack, the one we questioned would give anyone problems, his speed and cunning was captain or above. The other two one he would grow to the size of a large three story house, and would brush off most attacks, the other was a smartass but he had power and speed to back it up. The rest from what I could see are tricky, by that I mean one uses a pistol to shoot high powered Raichi at you with tremendous speed, Coyote Stark if you want to look for him. There is one for our mad scientist, his name is Szayelaporro Ganz he thinks himself a scientist and unbeatable. There are three female Arrancar that sacrifice their left arm to summon a giant brute that can brush off most attacks, the rest are crafty, or they run their mouth too much to set you off."
"Did you get that captain? You were complaining of no one for you to sink your teeth into."
"Oh yes this sounds marvelous, I also want samples of this king if we can get it, anything else you can tell about this scientist?"
"Yes, he is able to analyze and cancel out or seal your Raichi and I looked like he turned it against the person it came from?"
"Ooh I can't wait to go now, this will be exciting indeed!"
"Very well we shall leave in three hours, see you then."
We all file out and just lounge around where they will open the Garganta why go for several mile walk? Rukia comes running up to us, I smile at her as she gets closer, I hope she isn't wanting to transfer!
"Hello Rukia! How are you feeling today? Whats going on?"
"Oh, not much thought I would come and see you guys off is all. You're the talk of all the squads now, everyone has put in transfer requests. More in squad 6 than anywhere, my brother is a real jerk!"
"True but I got a damned good second seat! Plus, I am going to appoint another to share with him. Lieutenants run their butt off all day, now I just got to figure out who it would be."
"Can I ask you something?" I nod yes. "Good uh could I transfer to your squad also? I mean you have the best and I am excellent at Kido."
"As I told the captains I will not take anyone from them unless they give the okay. Now if you really want to join us? Even though I have no idea what or where we are going to be setup, if you want to gamble on it talk to your captain, I like him he is nice guy. His drinking buddy is a little out there, the straw hat and flowered Kimono?"
"Yeah, I bet he will be happy for me to transfer, so if he says yes you would take me?"
"In a heartbeat, besides it will get you closer to Renji. What? He has the hots for you, but you were making eyes at Ichigo, so he wouldn't stand in your way. But on the flip side Orihime is doing the same to Ichigo."
"I see your point, I will think on it, I will go talk to the guys before they leave! Bye good luck boss!"
"Mate why is everyone taken to calling me boss?"
He chuckled deep in his chest I reach up and kiss him and grin.
"Well, when you do drills on training you sound more like a boss, or so they tell me. I don't think I have met a boss before, but if you are a boss then I am glad to have met you, I love you my boss."
I giggle and kiss him again while running my hands thru his hair.
"I might have to release my full Bankai while we are there, so if you hear a loud dragon roaring? It will be my Bankai, she is ready for some action, the few times I have released her well the destruction was um. Has anyone heard of big swaths of land going flat and barren over night?"
"Hmm now that I think about it, yes we all wondered who or what could have done it. The readings showed a powerful hollow Menos Grande then a spike in Raichi then nothing, the team that went to see what happened came back pale, but they refused to say anything."
"Well that was us, she likes to growl and threaten Shinigami to keep them from telling on us, she is ornery but a gentle soul when the time calls for it. Well here comes father time, must be that time to visit a dark and dreary dessert."
Looks like twenty five of us are going, well more the merrier I say, I tell Orihime if she doesn't want to go she can stay behind, nope she is going to be support with squad 4. I grin, and nod Chad said he is going to make use of his new training now that he is even more powerful. And he is he now can use both arms, and he has a wicked punch. Well they begin to open the Garganta that looks like a giant mouth, and everyone moves forward uncle and dad comes running up saying we aint leaving them behind!
