I OWN NOTHING BUT THE STORY LINE AND THE CHARACTERS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW FROM THE ANIME/MANGA!

Chapter Ten

Seat 8

"So just where is it that we're going?" Chisa called up to her Captain.

"We're going to go ask Kisuke a question and then we're going to go and try to find my father's old Lieutenant." Hiromi called back to her friend.

"If we're looking for Kisuke, shouldn't we be going to the Squad 12 Barracks this early in the morning?"

Hiromi shook her head with a smile as they arrived at the base of the Sokyoku Hill. "He's already up and running. He's probably been here for hours."

Chisa raised her eyebrows and then glanced back at the Hill. "What in the hell would he be doing here?"

"The question is what you two are doing here," Kisuke's voice made them turn and see the blond man standing behind them. His gaze told Hiromi another story though. She had promised not to show his Training Grounds to anyone else. Why was Chisa here?

"We were actually waiting for you to appear for your daily jog," Hiromi shot a lie at him. His gaze softened. So she hadn't told. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Again?" He grinned. "You seem to like being around me, Hiromi."

She gave him a scoff. "Don't kid yourself," She took a breath. "While you were working in the Maggot's Nest, did you ever come across a woman named Shiori Teruko?"

"Teruko?" Kisuke asked.

"Yes."

"Not in the Maggot's Nest, no." He answered her.

"Oh," She sounded disappointed. She had been hoping. She had been trying to find Shiori for a long time. "It's all right, I suppose."

Kisuke gave a smile. "I said I never came across her in the Nest. I know where she lives." He looked surprised. "How do you know her?"

Hiromi titled her head. "You know Lieutenant Teruko?"

"Well, she's no longer a Lieutenant, but yes." Kisuke scratched the back of his head; Hiromi smiled. He was cute every time he did it.

~Oh my. Did I really just think that?~

"Would you like me to take you to her?" He asked.

Chisa watched as her Captain nodded her head. "Yes, please."

"She lives at the edge of the 80th Rukon District," Kisuke told them as the two Captains and the Lieutenant traveled through the homes. They were all being stared at in wonder. It was normal. What three Soul Reapers would come out this way? Especially two Captains and a Lieutenant?

"But that's Zaraki, the North Alley of Loitering Spirits," Chisa replied. "What would a Lieutenant such as Teruko be doing out here?"

"That's something that you'll have to ask her," Kisuke gave a small smile as the ignored the glares that they were receiving from the people around them.

Zaraki was the worst, most lawless region of Rukongai, full of thieves and murderers.

Hiromi pause just moments before a group of men dropped down in front of them. Her eyes opened and she stared at them coldly. "What do you want?" She asked.

"You're in our territory." The one that seemed to their leader said with a smirk. "Captain or not, that's bad news."

"Oh?" Chisa took a step forward to block her Captain from them. "And just what do you think that you're going to be able to do about it?"

"Oh, a fiery one," The man licked his lips. Leave that one alive. I'll deal with her myself." His men nodded and went to run forward.

The three Soul Reapers didn't even have to move. Someone else took care of their attackers for them. It was a tall man, very tall over 6-in-a-half-feet with long black hair and a short, pink-haired child on his shoulder. (Guess who :) ) The four men were down in seconds, leaving the three of them to just stare at the two before them.

"Thanks for that," Kisuke scratched the back of his head. "Some people can just be so troublesome these days."

"I blame it on you," Hiromi decided to tell the man beside her.

"On me?"

"Yes. Not only were we attacked here, but in the Maggot's Nest as well. I think you have a sign on your head that says 'Attack Me'." She turned to the man and child again. "As he said; thank you." She continued to walk past the silent man and child but paused as the man decided to finally speak.

"There are only 13 Squads of Soul Reapers in the Seireitei," The man's deep voice said. "Yet you wear a Haori that claims to be a 14th one."

Hiromi closed her eyes again. "It seems that the news has not reached all over the regions. A 14th Squad was created. I am its first Captain."

"But why?" The pink-haired child's voice was high.

"Captain Yamamoto made a bet and lost. He had to keep to his side of the bargain." Chisa replied, arms crossed with a scowl on her face.

"Now now, Chisa," Hiromi turned and faced the three that stood behind her and Kisuke. "Grandfather may be stubborn but he kept to his deal."

"Grandfather?" the child asked.

The large man smiled. "So, you're the daughter of Shijo Kyoma, hmm?"

Hiromi's eyebrows rose. "You knew my father?"

("No, I am your father." (J/J, lol Ignore that, XD))

"No, I know Shiori Teruko."

Hiromi lifted an eyebrow. "What, does everyone but me know where my father's Lieutenant is?" She asked herself.

"What do you want with Shiori?" The pink-haired child asked.

"Nothing harmful, I assure you." Hiromi told her. "I just need to ask her something."

The tall man gazed down at her before walking past and off into the trees. "Her home has been moved since the last time you were here," He commented to Kisuke. "Follow us."

Hiromi looked at the man beside her as they followed the other two. "Have you met?" She asked.

"No," Kisuke answered with a small smile. "But then again, if they know Shiori, then they must know that I've been to her home. She's quite the entertaining subject," His hand then lowered. "You might not know this, but she can't exactly…talk anymore."

Chisa was the one that replied this time. "What do you mean?" She inquired.

"You'll see." Was his answer and he decided to fall silent now.

They followed their two saviors through the trees until they came across a clearing with a small home near a little pond. The little pink-haired child jumped off the larger man's shoulder and hurried off into the home. As they neared, the door slid opened again and the little girl waved a hand, telling them to hurry up. Hiromi paused outside the door as Kisuke and Chisa walked right in. The large man paused as well.

"Not scared are you?" He asked.

"Of course not," She replied. "Just…just fearing the worst." She shook her head and then entered the home to be blasted with the smell of chocolate and sweets.

The pink-haired child was sitting at a table in the middle of the room eating candy from a bowl as Chisa and Kisuke were sitting across from her. The large man moved in and sat down beside the child. There was nothing else in the home, leaving Hiromi nothing to turn her attention to but the woman sitting at the head of the table. She couldn't help but let out a relieved breath. This was the one she had been looking for. This was Shiori Teruko; her father's Lieutenant.

At 5'7', the woman held black/blue hair to her shoulders with matching eyes. She was no longer in her Shinigami Uniform like she remembered her, but head to foot in red and white. Just on the sides of her neck, Hiromi could see the tips of the wings of the dragon that Shiori had tattooed on the back on her neck butt her attention was truly captured by Shiori's throat. It was a scar; it resembles claw marks, most likely from a hollow, slashing across her throat. Hiromi was quickly able to put together why Kisuke had said what he said about Shiori.

The woman was staring up at her before waving a hand across the table, motioning for her to sit down. Hiromi sat and Kisuke smiled.

"It's been a while, Shiori. How have you been?"

"I'm fine," Raspy, thin voice came from the woman's mouth. "I see that you've become a Captain, Urahara," The woman had to stop several times to get a breath. It seemed that the woman struggled to talk. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Kisuke smiled at the woman.

Shiori smiled back as her eyes landed on the woman beside him. "You must be a Kuchiki."

"I am." Chisa's voice held pride.

"Yes," Shiori continued to smile. "You resemble Ginrei. You're his granddaughter?" She asked.

"Yes," Chisa nodded.

"What has happened to your father, Sojun? And of your Uncle, Koga?" Shiori pondered. She noticed the look of pain on Chisa's face. "My apologies," She lowered her head.

"No, it's not your fault." Chisa shook her head. "Father has taken his place beside mother again and as for Uncle Koga…I do not know what happened to him. I was young and Grandfather decided to keep it a secret what happened after he was trialed for murder. I suppose he's in the Maggot's Nest somewhere or…somewhere much better than…" She paused. ~Than here~ She told herself.

Shiori nodded again before she finally turned to the woman sitting at the other end of the table. "It's been a while, Amira."

The Captain shook her head. "I'm not Amira," Hiromi replied. "I am Hiromi Yamamoto. You were my father's Lieutenant in Squad 10." Shiori frowned. "I know that I greatly resemble my mother." She added.

Shiori stared at the woman for a moment before glancing at the pink child and the man beside her. They took the look and stood to leave the room. Kisuke took the hint and grabbed Chisa's arm, dragging her out behind the three of them. The woman turned back to Hiromi.

"It's been years. You were still a child the last time I saw you. Why have you sought me out? What is it that you are looking for?"

Hiromi closed her eyes. "When you disappeared, I didn't think anything about you until years later. I was obsessed with my father's death that I didn't think about what had happened with his previous Squad. And I apologize for that."

Shiori shook her head. "Don't fret over such trivial things. You don't need to explain anything." The woman smiled. "Just look how much you've grown. A Captain now. Your father would be proud. Speaking of which, did you take his position?"

Hiromi shook her head. "No. There are no longer 13 Squads. There are 14."

Shiori closed her eyes. "I had heard rumors…but still. To think that you were able to talk Captain Genrysai into something as big as that …is impressive."

Hiromi grinned. "Then you'll be pleased to hear that I've come across Faile Yamato and placed him as my 3rd Seat. As well."

"Faile?" Her gasp sounded so strange due to her raspy voice. "But he was killed by the Arrancars during his Captain Exam." Hiromi nodded again and explained everything to her father's Lieutenant. Shiori scowled. "Genrysai was always harsh but I never thought he would do something like that; especially not to one of his 3 students."

"His true colors just decide to come out at strange times "Hiromi sighed. "But that's not the reason why I'm here."

"I figured that." The woman smiled.

Hiromi smirked. "I have received permission to add the members I want to my Squad. I have 8, so far, and would like for you to be the 9th."

Shiori shook her head. "I deserted the Seireitei after your father's death. I doubt that I'd be allowed back within the Squads. One look at me and Genrysai would send me to the Maggot's Nest."

"Ah, but is Faile not on my Squad?" Hiromi held up a finger. "You leave my Grandfather to me."

Shiori gazed at the woman across from her. Hiromi looked so much like Amira, her mother, but she took on her father's personality. It brought forth memories of Shiori's times as the 10th Squad Lieutenant. She had loved man and his death had proven too much for her to take. Perhaps now was the time for her to redeem herself.

Kisuke's laughter halted as the door to the house slid open. He and the pink haired child had been talking as the tall man and Chisa stood in silence. Hiromi walked out and locked eyes with her Lieutenant before closing them.

"Chisa, meet Shiori Teruko. Seat 9 of Squad 14."

Kisuke smiled and Chisa gave a nod, but the two with them didn't seem to happy.

"You're leaving us?" The pink-haired child looked like she was about to cry.

"No, Yachiro," Shiori moved forward and hugged her. "I'd never leave you! I'm still here for the both of you!"

"B-but you're gonna be gone! You'll have to live in the Squad Barracks! Zaraki and I can't live there!"

Hiromi took a step forward. "The 14th squad Barracks is my personal home," She announced. "I can let anyone I want live there."

Kisuke saw Chisa's look. He was surprised himself. Not very many people he knew would accept unknown people into their homes.

"C-could," The child was wiping her eyes. "Could Ikkaku and Yumichika come to?"

Hiromi opened her mouth but Zaraki responded first. "No."

"What?" The child asked. Everyone looked at the tall man.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do," He told Hiromi. "But I want to earn my own way into the Seireitei. You can take Shiori but don't forget," His gaze landed on the woman still holding the child. "We won't be far behind."

Shiori smiled as she set the child back down. She ran to Zaraki and jumped on top his shoulder. Hiromi closed her eyes. "Do as you wish, but if you change your mind, it's still open."

We can visit too, right?" Yachiro asked.

"Of course," Hiromi turned to leave. Kisuke followed her and Chisa as Shiori said goodbye to her two friends. "It's curious," Kisuke walked beside the other Captain; both stared straight ahead.

"What is it?"

"The lengths that you will go to in the task of annoying your Grandfather." The blond replied. "It's entertaining."

Hiromi glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, first Faile, now Shiori? Next thing you know you'll be trying to add a Hollow to your Squad."

(EPIC FORESHADOWING! Lol)

Hiromi smirked. "You're more clever than you let others believe, Kisuke," She told him. "Besides," She then added. "I always win."

Kisuke gazed at the woman beside him, a small feeling in the pit of his stomach.

~Oh, I've no doubt about that~

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