A/N: Thanks to all reviewers, it warms a heart to read these. (It also keeps a story going, haha). I hope the questions you have don't plague you, they will all be answered in good time. Enjoy!
"Her reiatsu clearly exceeds the level of normal shinigami," said Byakuya once the Captains were all assembled again before the Commander-General.
"It's interesting that she kept it hidden for so long, even during the battle," said Soifon.
"She does not seem deceitful...merely, hidden," said Eighth Divsion Captain Kyouraku Shunsui in a slightly amused manner.
"It stinks of Aizen," said Seventh Division Captain Konamura Sajin fiercely, his yellow eyes glittering, "Even she herself acknowledges that we cannot trust her"
"If Aizen had taken Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname, it stands to reason that he would have also taken any other accomplices," sid Byakuya.
The Captains thought over this for a moment, but it was clear the Konamura was still against finalizing Cheru's captaincy.
"I refuse to accept such a person as her as a fellow Captain. Surely the security of Sereitei cannot be compromised for one shinigami!"
"I see no danger in allowing her to assume captaincy of the Fifth Division. Her track record is meticulously clean and she has displayed ample skills in combat," said soft and clear voice of Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu
"No doubt because she is following in Aizen's footsteps," snarled Konamura.
"Calm yourself Konamura. Not everyone has betrayed your path of righteousness," said Twelfth Division Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Mayuri's black-painted face twisted into a sickly-looking smile as Konamura growled.
"In any case. If Captain Kuchiki did defeat her easily, I see no problems. Let us proceed with promoting her. It would at least keep the Fifth Division out of trouble," he said.
"I would like to note that the deterioration of the Fifth Division needs to be stopped soon with Aizen's forces making clear attempts to break into Sereitei," said Tenth Division Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro.
"Captain Unohana," said the Commander-General.
"Yes Commander-General," she said.
"Do you find Cheru Tsuikyuu as a viable candidate?"
The Captains waited for her response as she blinked slowly and thought it over.
"Cheru Tsuikyuu has not shown herself to be a malevolent or corrupt person. What she is hiding we can always reveal. Captain Mayuri brings up the most important point though that the Fifth Division needs some sort of leadership. I believe that she is the best person for the position as she is already part of the Fifth"
"Then I put it to you Captain Unohana, you will ensure that she is of good mental-health. The rest of the Captains will watch her closely to see that there is nothing truly suspicious. However I am sure that Captain Mayuri's reconnaissance will be enough for this"
Mayuri chittered with delight.
"Understand this however, that from now on Cheru Tsuikyuu is a Captain and will be treated as such. Any breaches of this ordinance will be dealt with, harshly"
Mayuri's victory laugh was cut short by this comment, and he sulked next to Shunsui.
"Captain's Tsuikyuu's Sealing and Coat Ceremony will be three days from now. Captain Konamura, Shunsui, and Unohana will assist me. This Captains' meeting is now over, you are dismissed," said the Commander-General.
Konamura's displeasure was apparant as he stalked away. The other Captains parted ways, going about their regular duties again. Mayuri was stopped short by his Vice-Captain appearing.
"Captain Mayuri, the latest report on Arrancar and Hollow activity requires your immediate attention," said Vice-Captain Nemu Kurotsuchi.
"Bah," he said irritably, "Always the Arrancar to interrupt me when I'm about to gather information"
"Should I analyze this myself then, Captain Mayuri?" asked Nemu.
"No. You would do a shitty job of it anyway," he said nonchalantly.
Ukitake gave him a distasteful look as he spoke to Shunsui.
"Yes, Captain Mayuri," said Nemu, bowing.
-+-
Cheru sat on the roof of a pavilion. For the first time in a long time, she felt something different from the usual inner clarity she had strived to create. It was...fear. She had come to expect that displaying her Bankai would lead to a test of her abilities, but she had not forseen a relapse on her part. Captain Kuchiki was faster than most people described him as, and even during the battle, she could sense that there was nothing akin to a killing intent in his movements. Yet as they fought she had felt something else grip her heart and limbs. Cheru flinched as she felt a phantom blow.
She had no doubts that people would tell her that it was silly to hold onto a memory for such a long time. However as much as she tried to confront it in past, she had always found the same thing happening again. It seemed that she could not escape it. What she had eventually learned to do was to lock the memories away and never visit them, and concentrated on one thing her entire life, protecting herself.
Looking back on it now, she realized with a hint of ironic mirth that she had never really been liked by her peers. The time for reflection was over, it was becoming uncomfortable. She stood and turned to leave. There would be nothing to do however; her schedule had been cleared out from the moment she had been singled out by the other Captains. At least there time now to speak with her sword, go over their mistakes, and strength their resolve.
As Cheru made her way across Sereitei, she was stopped by Captain Unohana.
"Captain Unohana," she said.
"Are you feeling well Cheru? I heard your battle was quite vigorous," said Unohana, smiling at her.
"I am fine," she said and waited for a dismissal.
"If you need anything, feel free to speak with me"
"Of course," said Cheru.
As Unohana didn't move and she was making Cheru feel strangely, she moved past her with a small bow. It seemed that the Captain was trying to either make nice with her or gather information. However no one would be able to do either unless it was by direct order.
It was a day of omens as when Cheru reached her quarters a hell-butterfly was waiting for her. She let it sit on her finger as it relayed a message for her. It would be three days until she would be Sealed. She released it and stepped into her room.