The New Squad Nine

There was a new officer in the Soul Society wearing the Captain's cloak and that was Shuhei Hisagi. His new uniform had gained him much well deserved respect around not only his own division but among others as well. After being a Lieutenant without a Captain he pretty much had to support his division by himself, so this concept wasn't totally new to him he would just shoulder more responsibility. He didn't like the idea so much at first but Sajin was very persuasive. The training with Mayuri and Kiganjo was tough but it had been enlightening. Kiganjo had told him that as a Captain he could have whatever he wanted, and this idea appealed to Shuhei.

As he walked down the street to his barracks many Soul Reapers would stop and tell him 'Good Morning'. Not just the ones in his own division but many from other divisions, this was the beginning of something new for him. Kiganjo had said as a Captain he could do whatever he wanted and get whatever he wanted, so far it was working out fine.

"Instant Respect." Said Shuhei softly to himself after just being told 'Good Morning'." I could get used to this." Then he walked into his barracks.

The Division was in a hurry as they tried to publish the latest magazines. Soul Reapers running left and right up and down the halls. Shuhei opened the door and entered, it took only a second for someone to recognize the white coat and suddenly everyone shot up.

"Attention on deck!" called out one man." Captain Hisagi." Shuhei walked into the room feeling confident of himself as everyone stood at attention.

"At ease everyone." Shuhei said walking past them." As you were." Shuhei walked on to his 'new' office, which was just his old one but was now more suited for his Captain's position. He walked into the office and shut the door behind him.

Then he made his way across the room and sat down behind his desk. He let out a sigh as he sat back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk. His eyes scanned the room and he suddenly realized something, it was very quiet. He looked down at his desk and then noticed some paperwork there which made him groan.

"Paperwork." He muttered taking his feet off his desk." That's a Lieutenant's job." And right there he stumbled right onto the problem. With his promotion to Captain he had no Lieutenant, thus leaving everything on his shoulders again . But he had an idea of how to get a Lieutenant and he knew just who he wanted. Time to put Kiganjo's logic to the test.

So Shuhei quickly left and paid a visit to his neighbors at Squad Ten.

Rangiku who heard a knocking at the door quickly went and answered it.

"Shuhei!" she exclaimed happily at seeing him standing there.

"H-Hello Rangiku." He said nervously with a blush on his face." May I c-come in?"

"Of course." She said grabbing him by his arm and pulling him in." Come in." Then she pulled him across the room and sat him on the couch, before sitting down next to him." So tell me." She said very gitty." How does it feel being a Captain? Is it everything you thought it would be?" Every time she spoke she would hold onto his arm tighter, making Shuhei blush even harder.

"Well um." He stammered." It's great so far."

"But I'm sure the workload is awful. Doing both the Captain's and the Lieutenant's work."

"Well um not exactly." He took a moment to adjust his collar before continuing." In fact that's what I came here to talk about."

Rangiku turned to him and starring at her beauty Shuhei suddenly felt himself getting choked." Talk about what?" she asked smiling at him.

"Yes." Said a third voice, but this one was a male's. Shuhei suddenly felt a dark cloud come over him and he quickly turned around to find the source of the voice.

"C-Captain Hitsuguya." He said seeing the little Captain hunched over behind his desk starring at the two.

"Captain how long have you been sitting there? You shouldn't listen in on the conversations I have with my friends." Rangiku whined.

"You do it to me all the time." Toshiro said back to her.

"That's different."

"How's it different?" Shuhei darted his head back and forth as the Captain and Lieutenant bickered back and forth.

"Shuhei, Shuhei!" called Toshiro's voice suddenly snapping him back to reality.

"W-What?" asked Shuhei confused as he shook his head. He looked down to see he was now standing up and Toshiro was now in front of him and Rangiku next to him.

"You said you wanted to talk about something?" asked Rangiku leaning in closer to him.

"What is it?" asked Toshiro.

"Well I." stammered Shuhei. His job would have been much easier if Toshiro wasn't there because he would surely object." I-I just wanted to thank you Captain Hitsuguya for giving me the recommendation for this promotion." Toshiro stood back with his brow raised, and a suspicious look on his face.

"Well that's nice of you." Said Rangiku." And we're so happy you got the promotion." Then she leaned in and hugged him, putting her head against his chest. Shuhei blushed again but looked down closer to the floor to see Toshiro looked him over quizzically.

"Yes." Toshiro said quietly." We are indeed."

"Well, I just wanted you to know that." Shuhei said. Then he turned away and began walking backwards to the door." Th-Thank you for the support, and I hope I don't disappoint you." Toshiro had returned to his desk and had given no more mind to the topic, he just waved his hand shooing Shuhei away.

"Bye!" Rangiku waved to him." Call me later, we'll go out and celebrate."

Shuhei stopped right as he was about to open the door." Of course." He smiled. Then he opened the door and left.

"Well that was nice." Said Rangiku smiling at the spot Shuhei was just standing.

"Hm." Toshiro grunted from his seat.

"Don't be like that Captain." She said turning to him." He wanted to come by and thank you." Toshiro picked up his head and looked at her." That was nice of him."

"He's up to something." Toshiro muttered turning back to his work.

"Sorry?" asked Rangiku having not herd him.

"Nothing." He replied." Now stop talking and get back to work."

"Oh sorry Captain." She said as she back up towards the door." But I've promised Nanao I'd help her out today. You know with Captain Kyoraku and all-" Then she quickly turned and ran out the door.

"RANGIKU!" Toshiro yelled at her retreating figure.

Meanwhile Shuhei headed to the Squad One barracks to speak with the Head-Captain. His first plan to try and persuade Rangiku had not gone as he's hoped with Captain Hitsuguya there, but there was more than one way to get a Lieutenant. So Shuhei was going right for the throat in this case.

He walked through the halls of the Squad One barracks this being only the second time he'd been there, the first being when he was appointed Captain.

He walked through the halls and came upon Lieutenant Sasakibe.

"Captain Hisagi." He stopped and greeted him almost on instinct, Shuhei was once again flattered by his instant respect. Sasakibe bowed and then stood up again." What can I do for you sir?"

"Lieutenant Sasakibe." Shuhei said to him, liking how he could talk down to others." I have a desire to speak with the Head-Captain where is he?"

"The Head-Captain?" He responded with a raised brow." He is in his office, but do you have an appointment?" Normally an appointment was not necessary for the other Captains who had been there longer, but Shuhei was new and had to learn the hierarchy of things.

"No." Shuhei replied. "It's a matter that has just come up fairly recently, but it's very urgent."

"I don't think the Head-Captain will like this sudden meeting. Tell it to me and I will deliver your-"

"Are you questioning my authority?!" said Shuhei using as status to pull rank." This is an urgent matter that concerns the structure of the Gotei 13 and I will discuss them with the Head-Captain, and only with the Head-Captain."

"Of course, sir." Said Sasakibe." Forgive me, sir." Shuhei stood back feeling very confident in himself once again. So far Kiganjo had been right.

So then Shuhei was led around the First Division by its Lieutenant until they came to two large doors. Then Sasakibe stepped aside and turned to Shuhei.

"This is the Head-Captain's office." He said pointing to it." I will go in first and tell him you are here, then he will announce you." Then Sasakibe opened the door and walked in.

Shuhei stood there and waited for what felt like hours but had only been a few seconds. The door opened back up and Sasakibe stepped out.

"You may enter." He said steeping aside. Shuhei nodded and then entered the office the Head-Captain. The room was very wide but very empty. The old man sat behind a small desk doing his paperwork, off to the right was a large balcony overlooking all the Soul Society.

"Shuhei Hisagi." Said Head-Captain Yamamoto suddenly getting his attention." I take it you have an explanation for your sudden visit."

Shuhei stood before the Head-Captain's desk and swallowed hard. He recalled Kiganjo had a lot to say about the Head-Captain, most in a negative light. But standing there before the man Shuhei couldn't help but feel intimidated.

"Something to say?" said Yamamoto looking at him from his sitting position. Shuhei cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"Sir." He said." I have a very important matter to discuss with you." Yamamoto opened his eyes slightly and looked at him.

"And what may that be?" Shuhei froze for a moment to think of the right way to word this, if he wanted his way he was going to have to play his cards right.

"Head-Captain my new promotion has allowed me in to some insights I never knew about before. I now see things in part of a bigger picture." Yamamoto sat back and said nothing." For instance the lack of sufficient staff in our officer's positions." Shuhei began to walk around Yamamoto and stopped once he came to the old man's right. Yamamoto stood back silently the whole time, after all with age comes patience." Like how Squad Twelve is still had no Captain or Lieutenant. And with my own promotion I too am left without a Lieutenant."

"So that's what this is about." Said Yamamoto." You'd like a Lieutenant."

"Yes." Said Shuhei returning to his position in front of Yamamoto." Yes sir I would." Yamamoto nodded his head before continuing.

"Not a problem." He said bending over and looking around his desk." There's surely got to be somebody worthy of the position."

"Oh great." Said Shuhei clapping his hands together. Yamamoto had now pulled out a paper and pen and was most likely writing up the paper for Shuhei's new Lieutenant." I'd like someone around my own age." Yamamoto suddenly stopped writing and looked up at Shuhei." Someone fun loving, loyal." Yamamoto put down his pen and looked at Shuhei strangely while he described his dream Lieutenant thought to Yamamoto it sounded more like the requirements for a date." Someone like, oh I don't know Lieutenant Matsumoto of Squad Ten." Shuhei now turned and noticed Yamamoto staring at him. Shuhei quickly straightened himself out and cleared his throat." If that's alright with you sir."

Yamamoto sat back in his chair and he could have possibly been smirking but Shuhei couldn't tell under his massive beard.

"That's alright." The Head-Captain replied." I think I have just the person in mind."

"You, You do?" Shuhei asked surprised.

"Oh yes." Said Yamamoto as he continued writing the application." The person perfect for you." Shuhei couldn't help but shake with excitement, finally Rangiku was going to be his." Your new Lieutenant will arrive at your barracks in the next few days."

"Thank you Head-Captain." Said Shuhei." Thank you very much." Then Shuhei turned and walked off with an extra spring in his step. At one point he jumped up and clicked his heels together.

The following night at the Squad Nine Barracks.

Shuhei was deep in his work. He'd been busy all day, signing document after document. He had to supervise all the patrols and watched his division held usually a job reserved for its Lieutenant which he didn't have. But soon that was all going to change because Rangiku would be there with him soon.

Shuhei signed another document and moved it to the finished pile. It was then suddenly that he heard a knocking at his door. Shuhei's eyes moved from their work and over to the door. It was very late, who could be coming to visit him now? He got up and answered it and was surprised at who was standing there.

There was an older man standing there, around the height of Shuhei himself. He had mostly gray hair except for a long black streak, a thick moustache, he was dressed in usual Soul Reaper robes. The man had a cold glare around him as he stood there and faced Shuhei.

"Genshirō Okikiba." He introduced himself." At your service Captain Hisagi." Shuhei did not know who this man was but he clearly knew him, obviously who wouldn't know the name of the Captain. Shuhei assumed this was one of his division members come to report something.

"Captain Shuhei Hisagi." He replied." Will you come in."

"Thank you, sir." Said Genshiro as he walked into the room, arms folded behind his back. Shuhei watched him confused but then shut the door and then returned to his desk. Genshiro now stood in the middle of the room, standing tall and firm as if waiting to be addressed.

The old man had an aura around him that Shuhei didn't like. It was something that put him on edge, similar to when he spoke with Toshiro and the Head-Captain recently. Whatever he wanted Shuhei wanted to hear it and then send the man on his way.

"So Soul Reaper." Said Shuhei as he walked to his desk and sat back down in his chair." What can I do for you? Make it quick, as you can see I'm very busy." He motioned to the paperwork around him, but there was very little of it.

"I can see, sir." Replied Genshiro standing at attention." That's why I'm here, sir." Shuhei picked his head up and looked at him." I have recently been assigned her to assist you in running the Ninth Division." And with those sudden words the horror dawned on Shuhei." I am your Lieutenant."

And a sudden cold feeling hit Shuhei and he was frozen in his spot. His pen suddenly fell from his hand and hit the desk, then it rolled off the desk and onto the floor.

Genshiro casually walked over and retrieved the pen while Shuhei sat there still stunned. Genshiro then put the pen down before his new Captain and then returned to his at attention position.

Shuhei however was still sitting there with a look of surprise on his face.

"Captain." Said Genshiro leaning down towards him." Captain Hisagi." Shuhei once again came out of his trance.

"What? What?!" he said as he came back.

"I'll be needing the Lieutenants badge." Told Genshiro.

"Wait a minute!" Said Shuhei as he quickly stood up and slammed one hand down on the desk." How is it that YOUR my Lieutenant?"

"The Head-Captain said you came in yesterday and asked for a Lieutenant."

"Y-Yes, but I was expecting someone else."

"Like it or not. I have my orders and I am now your Lieutenant."

"I refuse." Said Shuhei. As Captain he had pretty much the right to do anything." I'm sorry but I don't need YOUR services."

"You misunderstand." Sid Genshiro pulling out a piece of paper from the inside of his robe." This document proves it." Shuhei quickly leaned forward and ripped it from Genshiro's hand.

"We hereby promote former third seat of Squad One, Genshiro Okikiba to the Lieutenant position of Squad Nine." Shuhei read. And then under the document was the signature of Lieutenant Sasakibe but not only his. Right below it was a different signature a Captain's, Toshiro's to be more exact. And with Toshiro's signature the act was finalized. Shuhei put the document on his desk and sat back in his chair, feeling defeated.

Genshiro meanwhile turned around and noticed the empty desk sitting across from Shuhei's, clearly it was the Lieutenant's desk and atop it was the Lieutenants badge. He walked over and picked the badge up, then fit it onto his arm.

Shuhei looked up and saw him doing in and then the truth dawned on him then and there that this was all real. Genshiro turned and looked at Shuhei wearing his new Lieutenant's badge. Shuhei slammed his head on the desk and buried his hands in his hair.

Squad Nine was now under new management.

Over the next few days Captain Hisagi had a hard time dealing with his new Lieutenant. The man was addicted to order and wanted everything to be neat and organized which didn't help Shuhei's more care-free attitude.

A few days after Genshiro's promotion Toshiro and Rangiku were walking down the streets of the Soul Society. He leading the way and Rangiku following him. But it wasn't long before they came across another Captain and Lieutenant pair.

Coming towards them were their neighbors Captain Shuhei Hisagi and Lieutenant Genshiro Okikiba. Shuhei led the way but having his Lieutenant behind him only made him more stressed. Looking out in the distance Shuhei saw Toshiro and Rangiku approaching him.

"Good Morning Captain Histuguya." Shuhei greeted them." Morning Rangiku."

"Morning Shuhei." Toshiro replied with a smirk as he saw him with his new Lieutenant.

"Hey Shuhei how are you doing?!" asked Rangiku.

"Oh." Groaned Shuhei glancing behind himself." I'm getting by you know." Then he huffed and continued on with Genshiro following.

Toshiro and Rangiku stood in their places and watched Squad Nine officers walk off.

"You know." Said Rangiku tapping one finger to her chin." I don't think Shuhei likes his Lieutenant all that much."

Toshiro only snickered and continued to walk on." Serves him right." He muttered. Rangiku turned and followed after him.

Meanwhile Shuhei had gone to the world of the living to talk with Kiganjo. He remembered where their home was and had arrived bent on business. Kiganjo had told him he could do anything he wanted and get what he wanted when he was a Captain. But that hadn't worked out for Shuhei, so he was determined to tell it to Kiganjo's face. Not like it would fix anything but it would help Shuhei feel better about himself.

"Yea." Muttered Hisagi as he stood before the home of Kiganjo and Mayuri." We'll see who's boss up in here." The door opened up and Mayuri had answered the door for once and his face looked surprised although he suppressed it." Good." Said Hisagi putting on his tough guy act." I-"

"What do you want?" asked Mayuri clearly not intimidated. Clearly the new Captain's coat didn't faze him.

"I um." Said Hisagi before stopping to clear his throat." I need to talk to Kiganjo."

"Why?" asked Mayuri. He'd only trained him as a favor to a friend, outside of that he didn't like the new Ninth squad Captain.

"It's very important." Said Hisagi. Mayuri closed his eyes for a second as if considering the idea.

"Come in." he said as he stepped aside and allowed him in." He'll be around somewhere." Hisagi then walked around the house in search of Kiganjo but he was nowhere to be found. No the backyard, his bedroom or the living. Lastly Hisagi came to the kitchen.

But still Kiganjo was nowhere to be found. Hisagi let out a sigh as he leaned on the wall." Who would have thought someone so big would be so hard to find." Then right on cue Kiganjo walked in right behind him but paid him no mind and moved towards the fridge.

Hisagi looked over his shoulder and jumped at the chance to get at him." Hey there you are." He said getting Kiganjo's attention." Yea we need to talk man." Kiganjo like Mayuri didn't expect Hisagi to come back and needless to say like Mayuri he didn't like him." I did everything you told me to and none of its worked." Kiganjo walked forward and stood before Hisagi." So I thought the whole thing over and it's your fault." Kiganjo crossed his arms seeming somewhat interested." You were too tough on me so now I'm soft."

"Oh boo-who." Replied Kiganjo." You think I give a rats ass about your little situation? I did it to help a friend, the Halfling vouched for you and for his sake I helped you." He pointed his finger at Shuhei for emphasis." And if you think you could come in here and cry your problems to me you are very mistaken. Now why don't you run along before I give you a swift kick in the ass!"

Then with very little dignity Shuhei fled out of their home, he thought that was the fastest he ever ran.

"Come back anytime." Cackled Mayuri as he ran out the door. But Shuhei knew for certain he would never be coming back.

With his mission failed he returned back home to the Soul Society, back to his barracks where his new Lieutenant whom he was now stuck with was.

Shuhei was in for a long ride as Captain.