Ore No Taichou Daisuki
By Uchiha Xairylle
Seat 6 : Squad Basics
Wow. She really IS such a small captain.
Ichigo was staring at Rukia from her right. It wasn't the first time he had stood beside her but this was the first time he actually took time to look at her. She barely reached his shoulders and her shoulders looked so small. Her limbs seemed to be so thin under her loose Shinigami garb that he could swear that he could snap them with the slightest of his effort.
But Rukia had authority in her air. She had command in her eyes and dignity in her stare. He had to hand it to her, none of the squad members talked back to her even once. Besides, those small arms had the strength of a rhino and those thin legs had the power of an ostrich. He knew. She often hit him. Ichigo sometimes felt she grew larger whenever she got angry. There were two types of her getting angry. The first one makes her look like a bad-ass in Bankai while the other one makes her look like an angry cat with hair and cheeks puffed.
"So…" Rukia was saying now in a tone that Ichigo would like to classify under Kuchiki mode, "…That is the importance and role of the X-Squad."
Uh-oh, I think I missed that briefing.
"That being said, we have to keep some things at a faster pace than usual to reap results." Rukia continued, "First things first, I want you to properly introduce yourselves."
She looked at Ichigo who was not budging. He noticed and looked at her. She raised an eyebrow and he blinked and pointed to himself as if to ask, "Who, me?" Rukia nodded.
"Okay… So…" Ichigo began and cleared his throat,"I am your Vice-Captain, Kurosaki Ichigo."
This feels sooooo awkwaaaaaaaard.
"Prior to this, I was Shinigami Representative."
Soshi raised his hand.
"What squad is that?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo." Aishira began as her eyes lit up and her head tilted left and right, "Human. Fifteen years old. Earned Shinigami powers through Kuchiki Rukia during her stay in the human world. Earned the title Shinigami Representative after his contribution to exposing Aizen Sousuke's true nature and plan."
"You're only fifteen!" Sumire exclaimed, "Goodness, you poor thing died a young virgin!"
"HEY!" Ichigo was about to reason out and explain when Kurotsuchi Mayuri's daughter cut in.
"Negative." Aishira said again, "Kurosaki Ichigo is the human with a Shinigami soul known to Soul Society."
There was a long "Eeeeeeeh!" from Sumire and Soshi.
Ichigo's already permanent scowl intensified.
Soshi raised his hand again.
"What's a virgin?"
"Soshi, if you would, please introduce yourself now." Rukia said as Ichigo's right eye twitch and even before Aishira could say anything.
"Hai!" Soshi nodded heavily and stepped forward.
"Previously from the Sixth Squad, my name is Kuchiki Soshi, the only son of Kuchiki Yamato and Kuchiki Kaoru. I have three goals in life! Earn Bankai, become Captain and inherit the position of Kuchiki Clan Leader! That is all! Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu!"
Soshi bowed and stepped back. Everyone except the squad members looked at Byakuya who only responded by fixing his scarf.
"Okay, next." Ichigo nodded at Sumire who took one step forward and raised her hand in an enthusiastic wave.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Murasaki Sumire, Rangiku Matsumoto's sister-by-heart! I used to belong to the Tenth Squad but was transferred here! My favorite color is purple. My favorite drink is sake. My dream is to be the bride of Kuchiki Byakuya-sama! Yoroshiku Onegai Shimaaaaaaaaaaasu!"
Again, all eyes turned to Byakuya. And again, he fixed his scarf.
"Ara. He's not even blushing." Inoue commented.
"You're quite outspoken, I see." Rukia noted.
"Yes, and I'm a heavy drinker, too!"
"I don't see what that has to do with the conversation." Ichigo shook his head and when he saw her open her mouth to say something, he immediately added, "Okay, okay, next."
"My name is Kurotsuchi Aishira and sent from the Twelfth Squad. Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu."
Aishira spoke in such a monotonous manner that Ichigo felt that calling it monotonous wouldn't be enough.
"Are you older or younger than Nemu-san?" Rukia asked.
"I am her prototype."
Rukia blinked.
"So does that make you older?"
"Positive."
Rukia blinked and she and Ichigo looked at each other. Did it make Mayuri happy talking to people who answered like this. This mod soul experiment seriously needed a hobby.
"Do you have any dreams at least?" Sumire asked rather enthusiastically. Seriously, they should make her Public Relations Officer or something.
"I want to be a mermaid."
Silence.
"Mermaids are nice." Orihime smiled.
"Yes, but she's… I mean…" Ishida rubbed his fingers against his forehead, "Never mind."
"I think mermaids are nice, too." Chad nodded.
"And I said never mind." Ishida sighed.
Ichigo scratched his head and looked at Rukia who nodded. He finally turned to Enji, paused and said, "You're the last one, pretty boy."
"Kawamura Enji. First squad. Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
Enji stared at him as if he asked something uncalled for. Ichigo was hoping Sumire would ask why his eyes were of different shades but she wasn't saying anything.
"What's with the doll?" Ichigo asked instead that made Enji lift his doll. He moved her head so that it seemed to look at him and then at Ichigo and then at him again. In the background, Aishira was unable to answer the question processed, which resulted to her repeating the word "Error" around seven times before stating something about databases and data collection.
"Her name is Kana." Enji said, "She loves sunsets and takoyaki. She likes walking barefoot especially when walking in shallow rivers. She dislikes crying and being alone. Her favorite color is blue which is why she likes looking at the sky so much. Her favorite number is twenty-three. Her favorite hobby is singing. I wanted to get her a yukata but I couldn't find the one she likes."
"That is one busy doll." Sumire noted again. She never would not run out of things to say, would she? But everyone agreed so much that they chose not to say anything else. It was pretty interesting and, how do you put it… awesome… that the doll had more description than its master.
"Kawamura Enji…" Byakuya who had been silent the whole time suddenly spoke, "Where did you come up with that mouthful description for your doll?"
There was a short pause as all eyes turned shiftily between Byakuya and Enji. The younger Shinigami thoughtfully looked at his doll and told Byakuya, "I merely spoke the truth."
Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed as if to ask, "Did he skip the explanation?" But Byakuya didn't seem to mind or wonder and instead replied, "Sou ka?" To which Enji replied with a nod, "Sou."
Weird people understand each other or something? Ah, whatever. Ichigo shrugged and turned to Rukia. The smaller Shinigami acknowledged this and stepped forward to speak. Ichigo noted this new air of authority from Rukia and wondered if it had already been there all this time. And then he started wondering if he had that same aura of authority. Not that authority that reeked of power but that authority that commanded respect. It was pretty amazing how such a small girl like her could earn this kind of respect from four random Shinigami. Or was it really just the way Shinigami were trained?
"I am Kuchiki Rukia from the Kuchiki noble house. I used to hail from the Thirteenth Squad headed by Ukitake Jyuushirou-taichou. And from now on, I will be your Captain. And as your Captain, I want you to know that there are rules to be followed."
Byakuya nodded in agreement. Why wasn't that surprising?
"I will be brief and trust that I don't need to detail everything one by one." Rukia continued, "There are only three words you have to remember in our squad."
"Dedication. Resolve. Camaraderie."
"I want you to remember that although this is a test squad, everything must be taken seriously. I don't want to see you slacking off when we can't afford to. I don't want you ruining the integrity of this squad. I don't want you doing things half-assed. I don't want you trying to destroy each other. Selfish people have no place here."
"And if you ever, ever, ever do something unreasonable that will have me called for by Yamamoto-soutaichou for scolding…" Rukia's eyes narrowed considerably sharp and scary, "So help me, I will revive Soukyoku and punish you with it."
There was a sudden hush and even Sumire, who wanted to speak about how sinister Rukia looked like, did not say anything. Byakuya looked content.
"I think it runs in the family." Yoruichi purred after glancing at Byakuya.
"Now…" Rukia spoke again, "We have to determine the level of authorities and subordination for each member. Each one will get responsibilities. Like we all know, the strongest people in the squad are usually at the top seats right after the Captain and the Vice-Captain. Since there are only six of us in this squad, we will only have a third and a fourth seat. In order to determine that, we will have a small and simple test."
"And I thought I was already third seat." Soshi pouted and sighed before regaining composure saying, "I will be third seat. I will be third seat. I will be third seat."
"Awww, isn't that cute?" Sumire grinned. Soshi pouted and muttered something out of the corner of his mouth.
"The closest to the Captain is third seat…" Enji murmured to his doll.
"Negative." Aishira said in her flat voice, "The Vice-Captain is closer to the Captain."
There was a weird pause.
"You're right." Enji looked at Aishira and paused to think before raising the hand of his doll in an act to call for attention, "Excuse me, Taichou…"
"Yes?"
"Am I allowed to attempt for Vice-Captain?"
Urahara's fan was covering his lips but it was evident that he was smiling. Orihime was saying something like, "Oh dear" as Ishida smiled quietly while shaking his head. Rukia blinked and Ichigo's eyes widened. He did not know if it was an entirely innocent question or Enji was trying to tick him off. Either way, it ended up with Ichigo getting annoyed so what the hell did it matter now?
Why the nerve of this person trying to ask for MY position in front of ME!
"What do you think we're doing here, pretty boy?" Ichigo nodded at Enji, "Running for class rep?"
"Excuse me?" Enji asked and it was unclear whether he was responding positively or negatively since his expression wasn't changing.
"I'm Vice-Captain." Ichigo pointed to himself with his thumb, "The closest you can ever get to Rukia is third seat."
Enji frowned. Ichigo frowned back.
"Ru – " Ichigo paused and looked at their four members before returning to look at Rukia, "Captain."
Okay, that felt awkward.
"Yes?" Rukia replied to acknowledge him. She felt something warm running up her cheeks and something cold running down her spine upon hearing him call her "Captain".
"Give me permission to determine who gets which seat." He said.
There was a low "ooh" from the group. Rukia paused to contemplate. What was he planning? She had already planned how to do this in advance and Ichigo here was trying to do it his way. Should she let him? After all, it was not like Ichigo to participate in what he would call "trivial" matters regarding the squad. But then again, isn't it a good thing that he volunteered to do something? Although skeptical, Rukia felt like she wanted to give him a chance.
"What do you have in mind?"
"It's as you said." Ichigo shrugged, "We're going to have a little test."
The orange haired Shinigami Representative slash fukutaichou turned to his three human nakama and said, "Oi, lend me a hand here, will you!"
"Ara! H-hai, Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue chirped and trotted towards Ichigo at the same time Chad started towards them. Ishida hesitated for a while and muttered, "Troublesome Shinigami." But after seeing that Urahara and Yoruichi were looking at him as if wondering why he wasn't following, the Quincy started towards the direction of Inoue and Chad as well.
"Listen up, squaddies!" Ichigo raised his head and put his hands on his waist as he looked at the four members of the X-Squad. And then pointing to his three friends, he said, "This is Inoue Orihime. She's my classmate and can block, heal and slice. This one is Yasutora Chad."
"It's Sado."
"Yes, right, Chad." Ichigo nodded, "He has the greatest arms… Ever. Don't you argue with me. You'll realize it's true."
"And this is…"
"I am Ishida Uryuu. I am a Quincy. I hate Shinigami. That's all you need to know."
"Who told you to butt in?" Ichigo scowled at the Quincy.
"I don't like how you introduce people. It's so… un-introductory…"
"Sorry, I'm not into showbiz." Ichigo shrugged and turned back to his squad, "So, where were we… Ah, yeah, that's right… The closest you can ever get to the Captain is Vice-Captain, which is the position I'm holding."
"So let's do it this way…" Ichigo looked at Rukia and upon seeing no trace of opposition from her, he continued, "There will be four people you have to get past, Inoue, Chad, Ishida and myself. We will be in one straight line and a good distance away from each other. The goal is to get past the person in front of you then proceed to the next. You get hit even once or get knocked back a good distance twice, you lose. You are allowed to travel forward, sideward, upward but never backward. The one to reach the closest to Rukia will be third seat and then of course the next one is fourth seat."
"I have to fight in uniform?" Uryuu complained to no one in particular.
"What, you want a scarf or something?" Ichigo raised his eyebrow, "Coz I really have no time for your fashion crisis."
"Hey, I don't even belong to this squad!" the Quincy spoke with only his eyes moving towards Icihgo, "And I'm not even Shinigami to begin with!"
"Well, nobody's asking you to stay, four-eyes!" Ichigo yelled, "Go home before your ass gets kicked!"
"What did you say!" Ishida leaned forward.
"You need glasses and a hearing aid now!" Ichigo grabbed the front of Ishida's uniform.
"A-a-a-a-anou, Kurosaki-kun, Ishida-kun, let's not fight…" Inoue said as she held her hands up in a quite doubtful attempt to stop the two males from challenging each other.
"You can let him go if he wants to, Vice-Captain." Sumire spoke and yawned, "It won't make any difference with or without him here."
Ishida paused. Ichigo snickered and Rukia rubbed her forehead in dismay.
"What was that?" the Quincy spoke without bothering to look at Sumire.
"The Vice-Captain's right." She said lazily, "You do need a hearing aid."
"Say that after you get past me…" Ishida flicked his wrist as he faced her, "…Or die trying."
Sumire glared sharply and Ishida glared back. Ichigo chose to ignore them this time and spoke.
"Okay, now here's the catch…"
Ichigo allowed himself a small, smirkish but arrogant smile.
"You get past me, you're Vice-Captain."
Rukia's eyes widened. This… idiot!
"Is that all right with you…" he looked back at Rukia again, "…Captain?"
All eyes turned to Rukia who was looking at him sternly. Surely this was something he came up with just for the sake of telling the squad "I am the law and you do not mess with the law." That and the fact that he was pissed off about Enji wanting to take his Vice-Captain position. Perhaps it was man's pride because Ichigo didn't show any interest in being Vice-Captain to begin with. She was actually planning to freeze them with Sode No Shirayuki and then see who breaks out first but this could be a good idea all together. But Ichigo should've at least considered if she wanted to risk having a new Vice-Captain or not…
Wait.
Ichigo was still looking at her and he was smile-smirking. He was looking pretty sure. Come to think of it, this could help her see how her subordinates fared in battle.
"Good enough for me. Go ahead."
"Question." Enji raised the hand of his doll again, "Are we allowed to use any method to get past whoever?"
"For as long as you don't severely injure or eventually kill anyone." Ichigo replied, "Does that answer your question?"
"So we're allowed to use whatever method, too…" Chad rubbed his chin, "I see. So just don't let them get past us."
"I see… I see…" Inoue hit her palm with her fist in determination, "Not get past us! I get it now!"
Soshi raised an eyebrow. Did she just get the concept now?
"So does everyone understand now!" Ichigo raised his voice.
"HAI!"
"Great." Ichigo pulled out Zangetsu, "Let's do this!"
- End of Seat 6 -
AN: Wow… Years between updates. A lot of sutff happened in between. I wonder if anyone still reads my work. Ah, well, I've a lot of catching up to do. I'm not sure if I can update as fast as I did before. Sorry to disappoint. And finally technology of my own to lug around! I can write in various places now! Yay for my laptop! –dances– Thanks for all the messages. It's been very heart-warming. Plus thanks to my little online sisters Jaydz and Mari-chan for supporting me the whole day as I write this down. Haha!
So here's me hoping that you read and review.
Cheerios, cookies and a whole lot of Bankai love!
