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Ichigo grumbled to himself as he entered the dormitory building in hopes of finding Renji. So far his search had been futile, and he hadn't even been able to find Momo or Izuru. However, he did notice groups of people watching him from their tables in the cafeteria, lounge, or in the study room. It was like as soon as he stepped into the room, all eyes were on him and whispers would be heard.
He didn't pay attention to what others were saying since he had grown somewhat used to it over the last few days. Since the mission in the forest, people had been whispering and staring at him when he entered the room. It was extremely annoying and he would glare and scowl at them until they turned around. At the moment, he didn't have the sort of time.
"Ichigo!" He heard a familiar voice shout and turned to see Momo running up behind him. A panic expression was on her face as she stopped before him and caught her breath.
"What's wrong?" Ichigo asked and hoped that she would get right to the point and not go off on a rambling. If that were the case, he'd leave her to talk to the wall.
"Those guys that were trying to pick a fight with Renji before did it again. It got really bad and Renji got blamed for the fight. Captain Aizen was forced to take him to the cells for the night. I saw the look in his eyes, he didn't want to do it, but he had to! The lieutenant and everyone else was there!" Momo looked as if she was about to cry. Ichigo's eyes widened as he looked down at her. That was why he couldn't find Renji anywhere!
"How long did they leave?" Ichigo demanded and Momo only shook her head.
"You won't be able to stop them. That stupid lieutenant put Captain Aizen on the spot and made him take Renji to the cells for fighting. Captain Aizen probably won't be back until tomorrow after Renji's hearing with the head captain," Momo informed him and watched as Ichigo cursed and slammed his fist into the wall. He winced in pain as his hand went through it and pulled back to find scratches all over his hand.
"I am sorry; Izuru and I have been trying to find you since it happened," Momo said to him and Ichigo shook his head.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Ichigo told her as he walked down the hall towards his and Renji's room and slammed the door. He didn't blame Momo for what had happened but wanted to be alone at the moment. Tomorrow he'd find his captain and find out exactly what happened and straighten out that Renji was not a danger to anyone… maybe himself, but not anyone else!
The next day, Renji's hands were cuffed together as he was escorted by a guard and his captain down to Captain Yamamoto's office in the first division. It was one of the rare times the head captain made a decision on his own. Since he hadn't killed anyone or broken a law, he wasn't sent to Central 46. In some cases that had been reported of others who had caused trouble in their squads, they were brought in front of all the captains and were told to plead their case. In some cases they were transferred to another division, imprisoned, or thrown into one of the lower Rukongai districts. There were other things he had heard about some severe cases that ended up in a place called the Maggot's Nest. He didn't know or want to find out what that place was like.
Renji felt his heart rate speed up as the guard opened the door and slightly shoved him forward. The room was semi-large, but very bare. He walked across the wooden floor that reflected the morning light coming in through the large windows to the left. In front of him was a desk with the head captain and his lieutenant standing behind him.
The red-head gulped at being in the presence of the most powerful shinigami in the entire Seireitei. The old man kept his eyes closed and his head straight even when the young man was in front of his desk. It was only then did the head captain open his left eye and look at him.
"Renji Abarai, it has been reported that you have been starting fights in your division," the head captain stated and Renji opened his mouth to plead his case. "I do not have to hear your excuses for the matter. You are a graduate of the shinigami academy and should know better than to act childish with your comrades," Captain Yamamoto declared and Renji closed his mouth.
"Captain Yamamoto, if I may interrupt for a moment." Captain Aizen requested in a soft tone. The head captain looked at the fifth captain and nodded. He could see the guilt written all over the brown haired man's face. "I feel it is my responsibility for what happened. If I had been paying more attention, the fights wouldn't have broken out. Please give Abarai-san another chance." Aizen requested as his bangs fell in front of his face. He already knew the answer the old man was going to give even before they stepped foot in the room. However, this would only help him.
"You have enough things to do, Captain Aizen. I have read the reports that you have warned him of what would happen if he started another fight and he ignored the warning. I will not risk him causing harm to your division," Captain Yamamoto stated and Renji lowered his gaze. He was not some roughen that went out causing trouble wherever he went. He had been tricked by those idiots, and now he was here because of them.
"I have spoken with Captain Kenpachi and he has agreed to take you into his division." Captain Yamamoto said to the young man who looked up. "Consider yourself lucky that we are not kicking you out or imprisoning you. However, if you continue to cause trouble, you will be taken to the Maggot's Nest for life," the old man told Renji and nodded towards the guard who began to drag the young man away.
Aizen sighed and shook his head. He continued to wear the look of disappointment when really he was grinning. "Do not blame yourself for what has happened," Captain Yamamoto told the younger captain.
"I feel as though I have failed him. He is a good kid, he just made bad a decision," Aizen replied and looked at the door before turning back towards the head captain. "Thank you for your time, I promise I will not allow another incident like this to happen again." Aizen bowed slightly before turning to leave, the look of guilt ridden from his face.
He found Renji in the hallway and caught up with him as he was being dragged by the guards towards the exit. He was to be taken to the eleventh division right away without saying good-bye to any of his friends. The red-head looked slightly surprised that Aizen had stopped them.
"Abarai-san, I just wanted to tell you, I am sorry for what has happened." Aizen bowed his head and placed a hand on Renji's shoulder. This was only icing on the cake, just in case he happened to talk to his orange-haired friend.
"I know you tried everything, I am sorry I didn't live up to your expectations." Renji sighed as the guards had finally had enough and began dragging him away. Aizen stood in the doorway of the first division and for the first time that morning let a smile play on his lips. Perfect.
Later…
Captain Aizen walked back towards his office with a small smile of satisfaction on his face. He played his part perfectly and the old fool still believed that he was a good man and would never harm a fly just like the rest of them. Only one person ever saw through him, his former captain, but he was no longer a problem. It was slightly disappointing that the experiments he performed on the old captains and lieutenants ended in failure, but there was plenty of time and resources to test on. It was amazing how so little attention was paid to those who went missing and presumed dead.
He gave a small nod to some of the low-ranked shinigami who bowed their heads to him. It was annoying to enlighten these bugs, but it was only temporary. After all, they would be killed along with majority of those who stood in his way to becoming a god. It was only a matter of time and waiting for the perfect opportunity. He knew he couldn't rush into things, he was not that careless. Though in the meantime, he found something else to hold his interest… or rather someone else.
He opened the door to his office and gave a surprised look to Ichigo who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and was tapping his fingers against his arm. So the boy found out about his friend, it was a shame, because he wanted to be the one to break it to him. Who knew what the boy had heard with these idiots running around and flapping their gums.
"Kurosaki-san, it is good to see you again." Captain Aizen greeted his pupil as he shut the door and started walking towards his desk. He turned around to see Ichigo push himself off the wall and walk towards him with an angry scowl across his face. "You seem even more distressed than the last time I saw you," he commented and Ichigo placed his hands on the back of the chair in front of the desk.
"Cut the crap," Ichigo snapped and Aizen's smile faded slightly. So, the kid thought he could snap at him, he'd have to fix that during training. "I know you know what happened to Renji. Momo told me that you took him out of the division last night and met with the old man this morning." He stated and Aizen nodded with a sigh.
"I am sorry you had to hear about the situation that way, Kurosaki-san." Aizen apologized as he watched Ichigo's hands clench the chair.
"What happened? He's coming back, right?" Ichigo asked and his eyes widened slightly when he saw the look of disappointment on Aizen's face. "What the hell? Renji may be an idiot, but he would never start a fight on purpose. Those assholes were bugging us on the mission and tried to start a fight with him there!" He defended his friend, not knowing it was already too late.
"Unfortunately, I had to take Abarai-san to containment for the night. I was ordered by the head captain to bring him along with an escort to the first division for the verdict of what was to happen to him." Aizen stated and then paused for a moment. The next few words he was about to say were very important and would aid him in turning the boy in his favor, as long as he phrased them right. "The situation was explained to him and I asked Captain Yamamoto to pardon Abarai-san this one time. I know he is a good man and had faith that the situation would never happen again." He sighed and took off his glasses to rub his eyes.
"Unfortunately, the head captain didn't have the same faith in your friend as I did and he was sent to the eleventh division." Aizen said and watched as Ichigo pulled the chair back and sat down in it. He placed his elbows on his knees and buried his head in his hands. Obviously, he was distraught from losing a friend and not being able to see him every day. A lose for Ichigo was a win for Aizen. Hopefully, it would cause the boy to concentrate more on his training than worrying about his worthless friends.
Ichigo let what Aizen said process in his mind. After all the worrying they had done at the academy about being separated, it took less than two weeks for it to happen anyways. Now who knew when the three of them could get together. From what he heard, the eleventh division was somewhat strict and fighting was going on almost every day to prove that the shinigami of that division were strong enough to be there. He had faith that Renji would be all right. He wasn't a push over and could handle himself, but who knew with everyone there.
His mind wondered to what Aizen had said about Captain Yamamoto. The man had made an obvious mistake. Renji belonged in the fifth division, as did Rukia but she was enjoying herself in the thirteenth. They were like brothers and now he had no one to tease or smack in the middle of the night when the idiot tried to wake him up. He looked up at Aizen who had now taken a seat behind his desk and had his hands folded.
"What if… what if I talked to him and explained everything? I mean, Momo and Izuru could also help. We know Renji better than he does. He can't just make decisions based on a few fights. He isn't a bad person!" Ichigo tried to persuade Captain Aizen, but the older man only shook his head.
"I tried to plead for Abarai-san's case, but the head captain would not change his mind. He and Central 46 make the rules, and unfortunately, they cannot be changed once they are decided." Aizen stated and watched as Ichigo's eyes darkened somewhat. Good, the boy obviously caught the meaning of his words.
"Well, they are wrong!" Ichigo snapped and looked towards the door with frustration.
"There are many things that are decided for us that we have no power over. Look at the Rukongai district," Aizen said and was a bit surprised at how fast it caught Ichigo's attention. Interesting…
"There is a lot of violence that happens within the Rukongai limits and it is only when something serious happens do the shinigami investigate. We could do so much more for those people but we are only allowed to go when ordered. It is why so many there hate us." Aizen stated and Ichigo lowered his head so his hair was covering his eyes. What his captain said was true and he had seen evidence of that with his own eyes.
The young man fisted the fabric of his hakama in frustration. This was stupid, that they had to sit around and train, while innocent people were being abused in the Rukongai all because some old men didn't feel it was their responsibility to clean it up. He felt a twinge of hatred in his chest but breathed in to release it. There was nothing he could do, for now.
"Someone needs to do something," Ichigo murmured and Aizen smiled down at the boy. He may not have gotten a lot of information from Ichigo's reaction, but it was still something he could work off of. Not to mention, it helped to put doubt about the Gotei thirteen. He knew if he threw in little tid bits here and there the boy would eventually see things his way, but it would take time. If he rushed it, the boy may grow suspicious and turn against him.
"I agree with you, Kurosaki-san. Perhaps in time someone will come along and clean up what they wish to ignore." Captain Aizen replied and stood up from his desk and walked over to the bookshelf. "I have an hour before a meeting; do you wish to get some practice in for the day?" He asked, though already knowing the answer. He already fueled the boy with frustration and knew he'd be more determined than ever. He smirked when Ichigo nodded and got up from his seat. If he had known this was all it took to get the boy's attention, he would have done away with his friend a while ago.
Thirteenth Division
Rukia was relaxing outside underneath a tree with her eyes closed. It was a nice day and majority of the division was taking it easy. Captain Ukitake was catching up on paper work that had been delayed since his sickness that Kaien couldn't finish. She had to admit, it had been nice here ever since her first day. Sure not everyone accepted her and she was still criticized as being the 'Kuchiki Princess' but she was able to get along well with several shinigami.
She had quickly become friends with the two fourth seats who constantly bantered back and forth. Of course, they were friendly with everyone, but they were willing to joke around with her. She hadn't seen much of Miyako other than the few times the third seat was around Kaien. Speaking of her lieutenant, she would usually trained with him every other day for a short while if he had the time. She didn't blame him if he couldn't do it for certain days and was very grateful that he was willing to take the time to help her.
"Daydreaming, are we?" She heard a voice and opened her eyes to see Kaien standing over her with a raised eyebrow. In his hands he held two cups of tea and lowered one to her.
"I wasn't daydreaming, I was thinking." Rukia defended herself as she took the cup. "Thanks." She whispered and placed it to her lips and took a sip. She watched as he took a seat next to her and let out a small sigh. It looked as if something was bothering him.
"Is something wrong?" She asked him and he frowned. It was a rare sight since he was always so cheerful and full of life.
"You're friends with Renji Abarai, right?" He asked and she felt her heart stop for a moment. Immediately horrible images started running through her head of what could have happened to her long time friend. Her first thought was he had been hurt or worse, but they hadn't gone on any missions and Ichigo would have hunted her down if something happened to the red-head. The next thing she thought of was of what they talked about the last time they met. Renji was on probation and if he got into any more fights that would be it.
"Yes," she whispered and watched as he shook his head, obviously not wanting to have to deliver the bad news.
"I got word this morning that he started a fight in the fifth division yesterday and they are sending him to the eleventh." He said as he looked down at her and watched as the cup fell out of her grasp. He had been expecting a shocked expression from her, but wasn't exactly sure how she would react. Would she throw a fit and deny it, yell and scream or break down and cry. He hadn't known her that long to know how she would react to the news, but from what he knew, she was somewhat quiet and that was how she was right now.
Rukia shook her head and lowered her gaze. All that talk about avoiding fights and yet the idiot had gotten himself kicked out. All that hard work he had done in the academy and had gotten into a very good division and he threw it away over something so petty. Now, who knew what was going to happen to him. The eleventh division was very ruthless and many of its members would end up in the fourth division for healing after their sparring match. They hated weakness and it made her fear that it could change him. Sure, he enjoyed a fight occasionally, but there it was non-stop.
"I see," she whispered and didn't look up at her lieutenant. She'd have to wait all week and hope that Renji showed up at the bar for their meeting. Her thoughts wandered to Ichigo and wondered how he was taking it and why he didn't stop the fight. She sighed and leaned back, knowing she'd have to wait to find out the answer in a few days unless she was able to get a hold of a Hell Butterfly and send a message to him, though she'd rather ask in person.
Eleventh Division
Renji opened the doors to his new division and noticed the changes already. The fifth had a home feel to it. This one didn't even have grass, only sand in certain areas and he could hear men fighting in the distance. The building structure was the same, except they seemed much dirtier on the outside than the fifth. He shrugged, it didn't matter. This was going to be his new home for quite a while. He doubted he'd be able to move to a different division after what had just happened.
"You must be the new guy," he heard a female voice say cheerfully and looked around. He took a step back until he felt something land on his shoulder and looked to his right to see a girl with pink hair smiling at him. He gave a confused look at her and thought that perhaps she had followed him in.
"Ugh, who are you?" Renji asked as the little girl giggled and jumped off his shoulder and turned around.
"I am lieutenant Yachiru of the eleventh division; it is nice to meet you Red!" Yachiru greeted him and already assigned him his new name. Renji gave a confused look as he stared at the young girl. There was no way she was the lieutenant, maybe the captain's daughter, but there was no way a girl this young could have made lieutenant.
"Ya got the same look I did when I first entered here and saw that brat was the lieutenant." He heard a voice say and looked up to see two men walking towards him. One had his sheathed Zanpakutou draped over his shoulder and was bald. The other had a feather on one eyebrow and hair that barely came down to his shoulders.
"I already met him, baldy. You can go back to getting your butt kicked by some of the others." Yachiru smiled at the other man who narrowed his eyes at her. He felt his lip twitch and resisted the urge to unsheathe his Zanpakutou on the brat.
"Ugh, I'm Renji Abarai. I just got transferred here," Renji stated, almost feeling the tension in the air. The little girl looked at him with curiosity and then shook her head.
"We already know that, Kenny said you'd probably wouldn't be a challenge yet." Yachiru said with a smile and Renji stared down at her. Everyone in the Seireitei had heard of Kenpachi Zaraki and knew not to mess with the man. He craved fighting and was always looking for an opponent who would give him a challenge. To hear this child talk about him like he was friendly was a bit startling.
"I'm Ikkaku Madarame, the third seat, and this is Yumichika Ayasegawa, the fifth seat. We'll take ya to your room and then the others want to meet ya," Ikkaku ordered as the new recruit walked by the little girl, as if not trusting to turn his back on her. The last thing they needed was for Yachiru to show Renji around, they'd be wandering around the division lost for hours.
"Do you always keep your hair up like that?" Yumichika asked as he placed a hand on his hip and observed Renji. The red-head looked confused and Ikkaku ignored the two and began walking towards the main building. "Maybe we can style it a bit later; you have nice hair, but it does not help if you keep it tied up like that." He commented. Renji ignored the comment about his hair and wondered how this guy got into the eleventh division. For a place that was supposed to be barbaric, this guy looked like he belonged in the fourth division instead.
"You'll find a lot of things different around here. The only person who has a larger room is the captain, the rest of us sleep in bunks since we don't spend a lot of time there. In the morning there is a routine work out for two hours, then lunch and followed by sparring, after that there is training, and so on," Ikkaku explained to Renji who had caught up with him.
"And one other thing that you should know: do not start a fight with the captain unless you have a death wish." He warned, though Renji had already known this. Everyone knew that. He just hoped he didn't draw attention to himself here like in his previous division.
He sighed sadly knowing he was all alone here. No Ichigo, Momo, or Izuru, heck he didn't even know anyone from the academy that was transferred here. On the other hand, it could be a good thing; maybe here he wouldn't have to worry about idiots picking on him for stupid reasons. Besides, if Rukia was able to be in a separate division from her friends, then so could he. He'd find a way to make it work, or at least until he was allowed to transfer out of here.
Everyone was in bed and sleeping soundly except for a few people. Captain Aizen sat at his desk with a cup of tea in his hands and taking small sips. Everything was right on track, and he even noticed the boy was more focused as he predicted he would be after losing his friend. It amazed him how everything was going so easy, then again, the old fool also contributed. He knew Captain Yamamoto would move Renji to another division without listening to reason and it only made him look better when he defended the young shinigami. He knew even though Renji and Ichigo were in different divisions, they would still meet like they do with the Kuchiki girl. His story was backed up and it only planted more seeds of doubt against the Gotei 13.
"That wasn't too nice of ya, Captain Aizen." He heard from the door and glanced over at the shadows, though already knowing it was Gin. His smile never faltered as he poured his friend a cup of tea when he approached the desk.
"Some things are necessary." Aizen replied as he kept his hand locked around the warm cup.
"Takin' the poor kid's friend away, he's gonna be so bored," Gin said with a grin as he sat down across from the other man. His ex-captain informed him of all the information of what was going on. He knew better than anyone did if Aizen wanted something, he took it regardless of who got hurt. It also helped that his naïve lieutenant took the bait and goaded the other shinigami to start a fight with Renji.
"That is the idea, with no one else to turn to; he'll seek me out for more training. Then I'll be able to turn him over to our side little by little," Aizen replied and took a sip of his tea.
"Ya think Urahara's gonna come after him? I know Tousen is tryin' ta find when he found the kid, but hasn't had much luck so far." The silver hair man added taking the cup of tea. It would be rude to not take it.
"Even if he wanted to, he isn't stupid enough to enter Soul Society. If anything he'd send someone else to retrieve the boy," Aizen said and placed the empty cup down. "I have yet to question the boy about the ex-captain, but it is too soon." He sighed and leaned back in his seat. He wondered what interest Urahara had in the boy before he was exiled or if he had any idea of where Ichigo had been placed after graduating from the academy. Well it was still early and there was plenty of time to find out.
A/N: I just checked my notes and I am actually behind on this story since I've been adding different things here and there that were originally planned. I think this is the first time it has ever happened, usually I come up short.
Hope ya enjoyed the chapter and please review