A/N: Hey there guys!! first and foremost, I'd like to give a big thanks to two very special reviewers. Alucard180 and Vassago-Toxicity, who's constructive reviews hlped me crackdown on some mistakes I've been making in my technique while writing this story. Thanks to you both. Well enough about that lets get to chapter four!!: "Midnights and Meetings"
The next few days seemed like hell to Ichigo. Each hour was filled with a different stack of paperwork, even with Nel and Rukia helping, it was starting to get to be too much. Once they finally finished there was the matter of Introducing Nel to the other captains in Lieutenants at the meeting the next day, and the fact that at the meeting, he and Rukia were going to tell Byakuya that she was being promoted to 3rd Seat of the 5th Division. It was all scheduled for the meeting tomorrow, Ichigo's first Captains meeting.
"We finished Itsygo!!" Nel cheered as she hopped up and down by the stack of finished papers, the last of the pre-Kurosaki era in the 5th Division, the sun had set hours ago and everyone but Ichigo and Nel had gone to sleep in the barracks. "We can play now Itsygo!" Nel pulled Ichigo out of the office and around the 5th division area. "Infinite tag, yous it Itsygo!" Nel shouted as she sprinted away from Ichigo, who was in no mood to run long distances, but he jogged after her nonetheless. After about ten minutes she'd officially left Ichigo behind and he couldn't even tell where she was anymore.
"Nel where'd you run off to?" he called into the night, walking around a few corners, half expecting her to jump out and tackle him, he continued to call for her but to no avail.
"Good evening Captain Kurosaki" a soft, familiar, voice called to Ichigo. He turned to see Captain Unohana; she must have been on a midnight stroll through the Sereitei.
"Um...hello Captain Unohana, nice night huh?" he said, trying to match her respectful salutation.
"What brings you outside this late at night?" She asked him, and Ichigo let out a soft chuckle.
"Playing a game of "Inifite Tag" with my Lieutenant, she always gets too far to look for, and then I never find her."
"It sounds as though you were playing with little Yachiru, she can be very evasive." She mused remembering how Yachiru continued to evade Byakuya Kuchiki's security and sneak in and out of his mansion.
"Nah, she's a bit bigger than she is…what brings you outside this late?" Ichigo looked away inconspicuously.
"I take regular weekly night time strolls. It's very soothing, to be out in the cool night, listening to just the sounds of nature. If you don't mind me saying this but you are a very interesting person, Ichigo." Unohana ran her hands up and down her Braid lightly as she awaited Ichigo's response.
"You think…I'm interesting? How so?" although the statement caught him off guard, Ichigo really wanted to know how he of all people was interesting.
"Well, you began to intrigue me when you and your friends infiltrated the Sereitei last year. It was as if you fought your way through high level Soul Reapers on pure desire. Defeating rank after rank until you defeated both Captain Zaraki and Captain Kuchiki, the latter in a most impressing fashion. You willed your way passed opponents of greater strength and skill, and your desire made up for your lack in experience. Your daring rescue of Miss Kuchiki was simply awe inspiring" Unohana began to move closer and closer to Ichigo as she spoke until she was within his personal space when she finished.
"Retsu…I don't know what to say" he hadn't been this nervous since the first time he played Tag with Yoruichi in Urahara's training area.
"You don't have to say anything, but I really should continue my walk, my lieutenant tends to have nightmares at this time of night, I really must see if she's ok. I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow Captain" Unohana continued on her walk and Ichigo watched her until she was out of sight.
"Did…I just get hit on…?" Ichigo ran the events that just transpired over in his head again.
"Captain, it happened again, this time it was egg plants fighting Strawberries in an epic duel for top food." Isane waited for Unohana's return after her nightmare, just as she did every night. Her captain always seemed to soothe her nerves after her nightmares and she would easily fall back to sleep.
"I do so adore strawberries; tell me Isane, did the Strawberries win?" Unohana mused as her thoughts moved to Ichigo again.
"Yes, they did Captain."
They day met Ichigo with a loud clang and a lack of air. His eyes popped open to see a mass of green hair obscuring his vision. He also felt weighed down, and being semiconscious didn't help it.
Nel let out a soft moan as Ichigo roll over under her, putting her into a deeper sleep. Only when Ichigo successfully rolled her off of him did she start to stir. "Itsygo, you're awake, ITSYGO!" she pulled him into the first bear hug of the day. After a few minutes she released him to let him gasp for air and they both slowly made it to their feet.
"Nel, never sleep on top of me again" Ichigo dusted himself off and put on his captains Haori. Today was the day Ichigo attended his first captains meeting, he was told to bring his Lieutenant, as were the other Captains, so no doubt mostly everyone he knew in Soul Society would be there. Ichigo and Nel set off nearly an hour later when Rukia finally showed up to the office.
"Well, this meeting might get ugly Rukia, are you sure you want to come?" Ichigo asked her for about the twentieth time during the walk to the meeting.
"Yes! For the last time YES! I can speak for myself you know, let's hurry up; we're probably going to be late!" Rukia started pushing Ichigo faster.
"Ok ok fine" Ichigo side stepped away from Rukia and continued to walk to the meeting. When they got there Ichigo took a deep breath, and then pushed the big door open, the creaked as he pushed harder until all the other captains were in view, along with their Lieutenants.
Ichigo's first glances were at Byakuya and Renji, whose eyes were widened with shock when they saw Rukia behind Ichigo. His second glances were towards all the other captains, when they saw Neliel, an arrancar standing at his side. His eyes caught a few of them reaching towards their Zanpakuto's.
"Stand down, all of you" Yammamoto's stern voice carried through the room and halted every action at once. "Captain Kurosaki, I can only presume that this Arrancar is Neliel Tu Oderschvank, the former 3rd Espada. Is she one of your seated officers?"
"Yes, I have chosen her for my Lieutenant…and I have chosen Rukia Kuchiki as my 3rd seat." Whispers began to fill the room when Ichigo finished, until Byakuya stepped forward, his eyes closed, but everyone could feel the silent anger emanating from him.
"I forbid this promotion, as head of the Kuchiki family, Rukia is not ready for the responsibilities, or the danger that comes with being a 3rd seat." When his eyes opened his glare met the eyes of Ichigo, "I'm sorry, new Captain, but you will have to find someone else to fill that seat in your squad." And the nonviolent battle was on…
"I was told I could pick anyone for my squads officers and I chose Rukia" Ichigo spat back, "If the Kuchiki family is so great, you should be happy that Rukia KUCHIKI is becoming a third seat from being unranked." A few ooo's filled the room as the heads turned back to Byakuya.
"Watch what you say, boy, don't take your new Position to mean that you can disrespect the head of one of the four noble families in the Soul Society" Byakuya's glare intensified, "Rukia is forbidden from becoming your 3rd seat, I won't say it again.
"But Brother, I want-"Rukia was drowned out by the Reiatsu coming from Byakuya; he'd said his final words and the Reiatsu cause Rukia to fall to her knees.
"Byakuya!" Ichigo roared angrily as he let loose his own Reiatsu to protect Rukia.
"Both of you settle down" Yammamoto's Reiatsu was now filling the room, and weighing everyone down, "Now, Captain Kurosaki, as Head of the Kuchiki family, he does have some say in where Rukia is placed, and without the support of two other Captains, I'm afraid you can't make her your 3rd seat. Do we have any who support the move?" a few long, silent moments passed before Captain Ukitake raised his hand.
"As her current Captain, I know she will do fine as a 3rd seat, I support this promotion." Ukitake gave a soft smile towards both Ichigo and Byakuya.
"Do we have a third?" another long pause passed, until the silence broke again.
"I'll support this promotion" Unohana said as she stepped forward. "I believe she'll do great work, especially since she defeated an Espada on her own in the war." Byakuya looked at her incredulously as she smiled at him, then he closed his eyes and stepped back, stinging from being overruled.
"It is settled, Rukia Kuchiki is now the 3rd seat of the 5th Division, in the same matter, Neliel Tu Oderschvank is now the Lieutenant of the 5th Division. Captain Kurosaki, you still have seats to fill" Yammamoto said and he was right, he'd filled some of the lower spots, 12 to20.
"I think those spots were reserved for us!" everyone's attention was turned to the now opening doors of the meeting hall. When they stopped everyone's eyes widened to see that the Vizards were standing there.
