Holy Crap! Over a year since I've updated! What the hell is wrong with me! I mean seriously! I know this chapter is a bit short but I ended it a bit early because I wanted to leave you hanging. This time it won't be for a year this time. So I hope you all enjoy!
So here's the long awaited chapter 9. Again, I don't own Evangelion, Bleach, or any of the connected characters to either series.
"Good work today Shinji-kun," Shunsui smiled at the boy, putting his boken back on the racking. "If you keep improving this fast it won't be long till I'm out of the job."
"You're too kind Captain," Shinji bowed his head, returning his own boken.
"Wash up and report for duty assignments," the older man walked out of the room, receiving a nod from Shinji.
Over the past six months, Shinji had begun personal training under Shunsui while attending his duties as a member of Division 8. While his Captain looked like a lazy drunk and buffoon on the outside, inside was heart of a warrior and the mind of a genius.
After his first training session with the man, Shinji knew why he was held in such high regard. His stance, moments, even his breathing was perfect to the point it looked like he wasn't even trying.
Pushing the thoughts away, he grabbed a quick bath before changing into uniform and reporting into the Captain. He ran into a few officers along the way, sending them morning greetings and getting them back warmly in return. The people in Division 8 were pleasant to be around. Not to be mistaken for the 4th Division, who ran the medical facilities and related areas. Division 8 was still considered a combat-type, despite their appearance.
Finally arriving at the Captain's office, be knocked on the door and waited to be told to enter.
"You can come in Ikari," Nanao's voice came through the door.
"Good morning ma'am," Shinji greeted.
"Good morning," she returned the greeting. "You beat the Captain here again," she frowned slightly. "I wish he would start taking more responsibility in these matters."
"I'm sure he's trying to improve," Shinji smiled walking over to a small table. "Tea ma'am?"
"Is that what that was?" She blinked in surprise. "Who brought that in?"
"I asked a lower seated member to bring it in before I went for my morning training," Shinji answered pouring two cups. "I thought maybe a nice cup of tea would be nice. Besides, the Captain could use to drink something else other than saki this early in the morning no?"
"Indeed," she said taking the cup he presented to her.
A comfortable silence filled the room as the two enjoyed the tea, as the herbal tea calmed their nerves and minds. It was short lived however, when a black butterfly soared into the room and hovered in front of Nanao. Watching as the woman in front of him frown then brush the butterfly away, he decided to ask.
"Trouble?"
"The Captain was called away for a meeting with the General," she got up and walked over to the desk. "He won't be back tell sometime this afternoon and it's up to me to hand out the assignments."
"I see," Shinji nodded. "Do you need any assistance?"
"I suppose," she said then pointed at a large stack of papers. "Start by going over those and organizing them by importance. Straight forward, each paper is marked on the upper left corner. Red is the most important followed by Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue then finally Violet. While you're doing that, I'm going to check over the roster to see who's available to take the assignments."
"Hai," Shinji nodded and got to work organizing the files.
It didn't take long for Shinji to organize the piles, much to Nanao's surprise, so she had him round up the people that were running late for assignments. After three hours, all the assignment were handed out and all he members had reported in for duty.
"That just leaves my lieutenant rounds and the Captains personal files," Nanao's placed the folders neatly on the desk and stood up. "Thank you for your help Shinji, It would have been another hour or two without your assistance."
"Pleasure to be of help ma'am," Shinji bowed. "Seeing that there are no more assignments, do you need anything else?"
"Hmm," she pushed up her glasses. "I guess we didn't leave any for you to do... I suppose you can accompany me on my rounds unless you can think of a task."
"Not at the moment ma'am. We took care of the Divisions business efficiently enough that I can lend you a hand."
"Very well," she stood up. "Follow me. Our first stop is the 13th Division Headquarters."
"13th Division? You mean Ukitake-sensei's Division?"
"Correct." She nodded.
"Welcome Lieutenant Nanao," Kiyone smiled as the par entered the office. "I take it your here for the forms that were issued at last week's meeting?"
"Yes," she nodded. "Have the instructions been filled out correctly?"
"Of course," she smiled, then noticed a shadow behind her. "Uh Nanao?"
"Hmm?" She looked behind her. "Oh. There were no more duties to be handed out this morning so I had Shinji to assist me with my rounds today."
"Shinji? Ikari Shinji!" She pushed past Nanao and beamed happily. "It's is you! I haven't seen you in ages! How've you been?"
"Well," Shinji bowed. "I hope the same can be said on your side?"
"Yeap!" She grinned. "Sentaro is a pain as usual, but he's on patrol in the human world this week so I don't have to deal with that!"
"If that is all," Nanao frowned. "I'd like to continue about my business. Could you get the papers Kiyone?"
"Uh? Oh, yea here you go," she grabbed a thick folder off the desk and presented it to her. "I hope this is enough information for you. I had a hard time collecting it without the Captain and Sentaro noticing.
"Thank you," she passed the folder to Shinji. "I won't stop you from your duties then, have a good day."
"You to Nanao! Shinji, feel free to stop by some time! I'm sure Captain Ukitake and Misato-san wouldn't mind seeing you!"
"I'll remember," Shinji bowed then followed Nanao to the next stop.
"Sorry I'm late!" Shunsui smiled as he walked into the room. "Hope I didn't miss anything important."
"We decided to wait for you," Ukitake smiled.
Shunsui made his way to his standing spot muttering apologize in his wake. It seemed like half the Captains were in attendance for this meeting. Soi Fon, and Byakuya, stood on the left while Aizen, Kenpachi and Ukitake stood across from them. Taking his place beside Byakuya, the General coughed, getting everyones attention.
"There have been a series of Hollow attacks in the Human world," The old man began. "Normally this is nothing of mention, however the fact that the amount of souls being consumed is disturbing. We might have a group of Menos before long walking about."
"Do we have any information so far?" Soi Fon asked.
"There are several at the moment that stand out from list. So far our attempts to eliminate the Hollow have proven ineffective."
"Hm," Kenpachi grinned. "How so? Maybe the people you've sent are just weak old man."
"Possible but unlikely."
"What are your orders?" Byakuya asked.
"Each of you are to select a member of your squad to join the current teams in the real world. I want this person to act as their leader and if need be eliminate the hollows before they become a major problem. Your Lieutenants and seated members above 8th seat cannot be chosen however."
"Ukitake." He continued. "I would like you to select someone to oversee the teams."
"Understood. I would like to nominate Katsuragi."
"Very well. Have her report to the Tokyo district and begin. She will, upon arrival, begin to review the data we've collected so far. Soi Fon! Kyoraku!"
"Hai" Soi Fon answered while Shunsui smiled.
"I want your candidates to join Katsuragi on her way to Tokyo."
"Hai." Soi Fon answered again. "General I would like to nominate Ayanami. She has so far exceeded my expectations and is well prepared for his assignment."
"Very well," he nodded and looked at Shunsui. "Captain Kyoraku, your candidate?"
"Hmm..." He rubbed his beard. "Someone below 8th seat..." He paused as a large grin appeared on his face. "I can only think of one person sir?"
"And who would that be?"
If possible, Shunsui's grin got even larger.
"Ah Nanao! I was wondering when you'd come around!"
A tall woman with Strawberry blond hair walked up to Nanao and Shinji with a large smile. She was the seventh woman Nanao had taken Shinji to see on her trip around Seireitei and so far he was enjoying himself. Seeing Kiyone again was a nice trip down memory lane, despite Santaro and Misato's absence.
The ladies from the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 9th division were normal and had all ready forgotten their names. Captain Soi Fon was absent for the meeting so Nanao told him she'd see her tomorrow. Isane greeted them at the 4th squad head-quarters and handed over the papers to Nanao quickly muttering Shinji a greeting and rushing off.
Momo, the Lieutenant of the 5th division blushed and handed over her papers while eying Shinji suspiciously but in a friendly manner. On the way to the 10th Division, a girl with pink hair landed on Shinji's head and started chatting happily with Nanao. The girl introduced herself as the Lieutenant of the 11th Division and departed after giving Nanao her papers.
Shinji was brought back to reality when he heard his Lieutenant introduce him to the other woman.
"Ah so this is the Shinji Ikari I've heard about from Misato-chan!" The woman beamed walking around Shinji, examining him like a piece of meat.
"You know Misato-san?" Shinji blinked.
"Of course! The two of us go way back to our academy days. Though she did spend most of her time with those two friends of hers. Anyway I'm Rangiku Matsumoto! A pleasure to meet you."
"Same here ma'am," Shinji smiled.
"No no no," Matsumoto waved her finger at him. "I am not old enough to be called ma'am. Call me Rangiku-chan or Matsumoto, but not ma'am."
"Hai... Matsumoto-san," Shinji chuckled nervously.
"... that'll do I suppose," she pouted cutely then looked at Nanao. "You here for that information for our association?"
"Yes," she said shooting a glance at Shinji.
"Ah," Matsumoto grinned looking Shinji over again quickly. "I see."
"Is it ready then?"
"Of course," she grinned pulling the papers out of her impressive bust making Shinji blush. "Awe! Your look so cute when you blush! See something you like Shin-chan?"
Shinji looked away turning a even darker shade of red as the blond woman teased him.
"If that will be all Matsumoto, we have a few more stops to go before returning back to HQ."
"Does Shinji have to go," she hugged his arm. "I'm sure if I ask Toshiro he'll be all right with Shinji staying here while you're out!"
"Not likely," Nanao shook her head. "Let's go Shinji."
"Hai," he said trying to free himself gently.
"I'll get you next time Shin-chan," She smiled coyly. "I'll have to scold Misato for not telling me how cute you are."
Nanao was about to give Shinji a hand when a butterfly came into her vision and gave a report. Seeing the butterfly and Nanao looking puzzled, Shinji and Matsumoto walked over.
"Orders?" Shinji asked.
"Hai," she said pushing up her glasses. "You're being sent to the human world for an operation. It says you're to report to Katsuragi for the duration of the assignment.
"Misato-san?" Shinji blinked. "But why?"
"Doesn't say," Nanao said as the butterfly flew away. "Head to North Senkaimon and meet with her there."
"Understood," Shinji nodded. "I was nice meeting you Matsumoto-san."
"Pleasures all mine Shin-chan," the woman grinned. "I'll have to invite you next time me and Misato go out for drinks."
Shinji smiled nervously and left as fast as his feet could take him towards the North Senkaimon.
Asuka was fuming.
Normally this was normal for people to see, even for people outside the 11th Division, but today was different.
Seeing she hadn't seen 'Baka Shinji' or so she called him while referring to him to her teammates, she decided to grace him with her presence. It was to kind of her, she knew, but she had to lower herself to the level of other people once and a while. However, despite taking giving up her free time to see the baka, he had other planes apparently.
No one, and I mean no one knew where he was! Not even the people in his own Division. The best piece of information she got was he was with the Lieutenant of his Division. Not very helpful.
"I us my free time to grace him with my presence and this is how he repays me," she growled, making a few people passing by move away from her. "He's so dead the next time I see him..."
On the other side of Seireitei, Shinji stopped in front of the Senkaimon after a series of rapid and violent sneezes. Pushing the sneezing fit aside, he walked over to a small group of people on the side of the large gate.
"Shinji Ikari of Division 8?" A man with a deformed nose and black hair asked.
"Hai," Shinji nodded.
"You've been assigned under the command of Misato Katsuragi," the person said handing him a cell phone and pezz-like dispenser. "This is your communication device and this is your gigai dispenser. It creates a body that resembles yourself that you can inhabit so you can recharge your power understood?"
"Hai."
"Ah, I see you beat me here Shinji."
Shinji turned around and smiled. "Misato-san. It's good to see you again."
"Same here Shinji!" She returned the smile and gave him a one armed hug. "Wish it was under better conditions but here we are." She took the supplies of the other men and placed them in her pocket.
"What's the mission Misato-san?"
"Oh? You didn't hear? The hollows near Tokyo have been increasing and growing more powerful. We've been assigned to assist the other teams all ready there. Which reminds me there's one more thats supposed to join us..."
"Who?"
"My apologies for being late."
"Ayanami?" Shinji said before turning around.
"Ikari," Rei nodded. "I'm to assume we'll be working together on this assignment?"
"Maybe," Misato grinned. "You'll both be under my command for the duration of this mission."
"I see," Rei nodded and took her equipment. "I am ready to leave whenever you are ma'am."
"Right," Misato nodded to the gate masters.
After a bit of chanting, a door of white, rippling light appeared in the arch, causing Shinji to close his eyes for a moment. Without looking back, Shinji followed Misato and Rei into the portal, and back to the human world.
To Be Continued...
I assume you all have guessed what's going to happen. If not, you'll have to wait and read in the next Chapter.
