Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach however the OCs are mine
Chapter Four - Changes
"I can't believe that I got bullied into this," Shiro muttered darkly as he and Kasumi made their way across the Seireitei. The two teens had just left the Academy, much to the delight of Shiro and the dismay of Kasumi's female classmates, and were now on their way to the Squad Ten barracks. Every so often Shiro would glance over his shoulder, just to make sure that he wasn't being followed by any of her over zealous classmates.
Personally Kasumi had thought that it was only a matter of time before Shiro was made a captain however even she was surprised by the speed with which his promotion had taken place. "Look on the bright side Shiro-chan," she said as she offered her best friend a smile. "Your dad can't pull rank on you anymore cause now you're both even in rank."
"This is true," Shiro admitted. "But I still don't think that I have the necessary qualifications to be a captain."
"How can you honestly think that?" Kasumi asked, staring at her friend in confusion. "With the memories of Captain Hitsugaya you should know exactly what to do."
Shiro shrugged his shoulders, unsure how to explain the situation. "Knowing how to do something isn't the same as being able to do it."
Kasumi heard the uncertainty in Shiro's voice and she found herself feeling sorry for the boy that she had grown up with. Shiro had experienced a somewhat traumatic childhood, first being abandoned as a small child and then being plagued with the memories of his former incarnation. And now he had been pushed into the role of captain, a role that he wasn't sure that he was fit for.
"You'll do fine Shiro-chan." Kasumi wanted to reassure her friend but couldn't tell by his facial expression whether or not her words had any affect.
"Hmm," Shiro said, a thoughtful expression in his teal eyes. The boy abruptly shook his head and turned his attention back to his best friend. "So tell me, how was your first day at the Academy?"
Kasumi smiled, amused by her best friend's attempt to change the subject. "It wasn't as bad as you told me it would be. The instructors did talk a lot but I found most of what they said to be incredibly instructive. I think I may be able to do this after all."
Shiro smirked. "Your dad will be thrilled I'm sure."
Kasumi ran her hand through her hair. "Yea, um. . . about that. . ."
"You haven't told him," Shiro said, the grin on his face growing even larger. "I can't believe you, Ms. I Have to Tell My Parents Everything, neglected to share such an important piece of information. Not that I blame you of course cause your dad's gonna flip out but this isn't like you."
"I know," Kasumi said. "But it's just that all my life I've heard about the rivalry between the Quincy and the Shinigami and now I'm well on my way to being some kind of cross between the two. I just don't know how to tell him about it."
"My advice would be to tell it as quickly as possible and then run for it," Shiro said, his face completely serious without even a hint of humor.
Even though Shiro was being one hundred percent serious Kasumi couldn't help but laugh at the suggestion that he had just made to her. Truthfully it wasn't a bad plan however she knew that it wouldn't work. Not with her dad.
Lost in thought the two teens were surprised to find themselves standing in front of the gate that led into the courtyard of Squad Ten. It was familiar territory for both teens and yet in this moment it seemed different somehow. Both Shiro and Kasumi simply stood and stared at the gate, neither making a move to open it and enter the courtyard.
"If it isn't the new Captain of Squad Ten."
Shiro glanced over his shoulder and glared at his dad through narrowed eyes. Both Ichigo and Rukia were walking toward the spot where the two teens were standing and Ichigo wore an obnoxious smirk on his face as he gazed over at his son.
"Oh shut up," Shiro snapped. "You had a hand in that didn't you?"
"No," Ichigo said without hesitation. "Actually I didn't."
Shiro gazed deep into his father's eyes, attempting to ascertain whether or not Ichigo was telling him the truth, and he detected no lie from the older man. "Sorry," Shiro said, running a hand through his white hair and causing it to stand up even more than normal.
"It's okay," Ichigo said, waving his hand dismissively. "Believe it or not I understand exactly what you're going through. I had absolutely no desire to become a captain when I was given charge of Squad Five. Ukitake thought I'd make a good captain and took a vote. Then he informed me that I'd won even though I never put my name in for consideration."
Shiro's blue-green eyes widened in surprise. He'd never heard this story before.
"And look what a fine job you've done," Rukia said, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder. Then she turned a smile to her eldest child. "I know you're nervous and that you think you can't do the job but I assure you Shiro-chan, you'll do fine. And it's not as though you have to go it alone. You have Kin there to help you."
"That's right," Ichigo said, a smirk appearing on his face. "Vice-captains can really come in handy."
Shiro caught sight of the look on his mother's face and winced. "I think you should quit while you're ahead Dad." A second glance over to his mother made the teen change his mind. "I take that back. You'd better quit before you dig the hole any deeper."
Ichigo glanced warily in the direction of his wife and immediately realized that he should definitely take Shiro's warning. Clearing his throat nervously the Squad Five Captain stepped closer to Rukia and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
The look that appeared on his mother's face brought a smile to Shiro's face. His parents definitely had a unique relationship however it was obvious by the looks that they often exchanged that Ichigo and Rukia were still very much in love with each other.
"So Shiro-chan," Rukia said, offering her eldest child a warm smile. "Would you like to go and give your siblings the good news?"
Shiro thought about the two children who looked up to him. "I'm still not sure that it IS good news but yea let's go tell them."
Rukia's smile widened as she heard those words from her son. She knew Shiro well enough the know that, even though he hadn't asked for it and was somewhat irritated that it had been forced upon him, he was still proud of his promotion.
"Dead a grand total of three days and you've already been made a captain," Ichigo said with a smirk. "That's gotta be a record."
"I don't think so," Shiro said as he countered his dad's smirk with one of his own. "After all you were a captain for ten years before you even died. I think you hold the record."
"And he only agreed to do it until someone more suitable was found," Rukia added, enjoying her husband's obvious discomfort over the direction that the conversation had taken.
"What can I say," Ichigo said, holding up his hands. "Apparently there wasn't anyone more suited."
Kasumi laughed at the expression on Rukia's face. "You mean you're the captain Kurosaki-san? And here I always thought that it was Rukia-san. I mean she's the only one that I've ever seen doing paperwork. Don't captains have to do paperwork?"
"Thank you," Rukia said as Ichigo shot an irritated look in the young girl's direction.
"That was great Kasumi," Shiro said.
"Come on guys," Rukia said once she'd recovered from her bout of laughter. "Let's go and make sure that Kaien and Masaki haven't driven Momo crazy."
Ichigo still looked as though he wanted to fight however when his wife started walking in the direction of Hinamori's house he immediately fell into step behind her. Still chuckling softly to himself Shiro grasped Kasumi's hand and followed along a short distance behind his parents.
"Nii-san!" Three little voices called out excitedly as the group walked toward the small cottage where Hinamori lived with her family and Shiro was soon surrounded by small children.
"Hey runts," Shiro said as he gazed down at two little girls and one little boy.
"Looky," Masaki said as she stepped back from her older brother and grabbed the corner of his haori. "He's got a coat like Dad." The little girl gazed up at Shiro, a questioning look in her violet eyes. "Is you a captain now Nii-san?"
Shiro nodded, inwardly marveling at how perceptive his little sister was. "I'm the Captain of Squad Ten."
"But that's Ran-san's squad," Kaien said, his brown eyed gaze coming to rest on his brother. "You didn't fight her did you Nii-san?"
"Constantly," Shiro muttered before he ruffled Kaien's black hair in a reassuring gesture. "I didn't take her squad Kai, Grandpa Ukitake just changed things up a bit. I didn't fight anyone. It's okay."
"Oh," Kaien said. "Okay."
At that moment Hinamori emerged from the house. "Is everything alright out. . ." Hinamori's voice trailed off as she glanced up and her gaze locked on to Shiro. Her mind flashed back to Hitsugaya, standing in the courtyard with a smug expression on his face.
"Hello Momo," Shiro said, breaking into the trance that Hinamori seemed to have fallen into. "Ran-san finally got her wish."
Snapping back to the present Hinamori rushed across the yard and pulled Shiro into a fierce embrace. "Congratulations Shiro-chan! I'm so proud of you."
"Can't. . . breathe. . ." Shiro managed to gasp from around the vice like grip she had on him.
Hinamori blushed as she released the young man. "Sorry Shiro-chan, it's just that I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks," Shiro said as he fought to catch his breath. Hinamori had always been over enthusiastic, even during her childhood days in the Rukongai, and in hindsight Shiro realized that he really should have anticipated her reaction.
"And you brought Kasumi-chan," Hinamori said, offering the young girl a bright smile. "You look really cute in your uniform. Did you enjoy your first day of class?"
"I did Hinamori-sensei," Kasumi said politely. "I think that I'm going to enjoy my time there."
"Uryu's gonna flip," Ichigo muttered as he gazed over at his rival's young daughter, who was dressed in the red and white uniform that marked her as a student of the Shinigami Academy.
"Yea," Kasumi said, running a hand through her hair nervously. "I still haven't decided just how to break the news to him."
"Just blurt it out and then run," Ichigo suggested.
Kasumi shook her head. "You know that's the same advice that Shiro gave me. The only difference is how it was worded."
"I keep trying to tell people that their just alike," Rukia said.
Both Ichigo and Shiro whirled to face her. "We are not!"
"See?" Rukia said as though they had just proven her point for her.
"Well Rukia we should probably be getting back to the world of the living," Ichigo said as his gaze swept over his children.
Rukia nodded and held her hands out to her two youngest. "Come on guys, it's time to go home. Tell everyone bye."
The twins politely told Ayana and Hinamori goodbye and then they once again wrapped their arms around their brother's waist. "Bye Nii-san," they said in unison. Then Masaki gazed up at him with a pleading look in her violet eyes. "Please come and visit us soon."
"You will, won't you?" Kaien added.
"Count on it," Shiro said as he hugged the twins goodbye.
Once his family were out of sight Shiro turned to Hinamori. "I guess we should probably go as well. I have. . . responsibilities now."
"Good luck Shiro-chan," Hinamori said.
"Thanks," Shiro said as he and Kasumi turned to leave. "I'm gonna need it," he added under his breath. Kasumi heard his muttering but chose to ignore it. She had faith that her best friend would do a great job as captain and nothing he said was going to convince her otherwise.
"I guess I'll walk you to the dorms since it's getting late," Shiro said as he and Kasumi made their way across the Seireitei.
"Alright." Kasumi didn't really think that it was necessary for Shiro to walk her back since she was more than capable of taking care of herself however she welcomed his company so she didn't say anything.
"So exactly how long are you going to avoid telling your dad that you've entered training to become a Shinigami?" Shiro asked, arching a brow as he gazed at his best friend.
"As long as possible," Kasumi replied and then smiled. "I'm just kidding. I plan on telling him soon, I just haven't figured out how to bring up the topic. It would probably not be a good idea to just come out and say Dad, I'm training to become something that you've spent your life hating. I could be wrong but I just don't think that approach would go over well."
Shiro shrugged, inwardly thinking that if Kasumi broke the news that way then Uryu's reaction would probably be worth the price of admission. "I can't help you with that and I certainly don't envy you. The wonderful thing with my family is that my death didn't really change anything."
"But becoming a captain did," Kasumi said.
"Yea," Shiro said as he thought back on the events of the day. Now he was responsible not only for his own actions but for the actions of an entire squad. He still wasn't sure how exactly this set up was going to work and had decided just to wing it.
"At least the worst that could happen is I get demoted," Shiro thought to himself as he and Kasumi walked up to the entrance of the dorms. "Which wouldn't be so bad since I didn't ask for this job in the first place." A smile appeared on Shiro's face at the thought.
"What are you smirking about?" Kasumi asked as she turned to tell her friend goodbye and saw the strange little smile that he had on his face.
"Nothing," Shiro said quickly.
Kasumi didn't look as though she believed him however before she could say anything else on the subject the two teens heard the sound of squealing coming from the door of the dorm building. Both Shiro and Kasumi looked toward the sound and the young captain's face paled as he saw a group of girls standing in the doorway. He quickly turned toward his best friend. "I'll see you tomorrow alright?"
"Kay," Kasumi said as she watched her best friend's hasty retreat. "Good night."
"Night," Shiro called out over his shoulder as he quickly walked away from the dorm building toward the Squad Ten barracks, glancing back every so often just to make sure that he wasn't being followed. As he passed Squad Six the young captain finally slowed his pace a small degree, convinced at last that he wasn't being followed. Shiro heaved a sigh of relief as he continued on at a more normal pace. He wasn't sure what life would be like from now on but one thing was for sure. Things would definitely be interesting.
A/N - thanx to everyone who has reviewed this story thus far. I can't believe the response that it has gotten. Apparently Shiro has fans. Hope you enjoyed this story, please review and tell me what you thought. Til next time this is Hitsu-taichou signing out.