"So, Yumichika, Tadakatsu. What do you think of what's going on?" Eleventh Division Third Seat Madarame Ikkaku sat in the division headquarters with his best friend, Fifth Seat Ayasegawa Yumichika and his immediate subordinate, Fourth Seat Miyanioto Tadakatsu.
"I think it's strange that Kuchiki would be the one to break the law. I mean, you'd think her brother would have taught her better." Yumichika sighed. "This is an ugly situation."
"Yeah, I know." The third man closed his eyes. "I wonder why we can't find her reiatsu. If she's accepting help from somebody, it's probably someone she thinks can fight us effectively." He opened his eyes. The "whites" of his eyes were black, and his irises were red. "She's just about at fukutaicho level, maybe higher. If she decided to become a vizard, we're all in trouble."
Ikkaku grinned. "Wow, I didn't even know you knew what a 'vizard' was."
Miyamoto smiled. "Same way you didn't know half the division knows about Ryumon Houzukimaru!"
"WHAT!?"
"Keep your voice down, Ikkaku." Yumichika smiled. "Nobody in this division is going to turn rat, because the rest of us all admire you keeping it secret so much that he'd get twelve ass-kickings a day."
"But, how do they know?" Ikkaku was in a sweat.
"Well, most of the division is perceptive enough to see your confidence, of a sort that only one power can create." He grinned ear to ear. "I let slip to Abarai that I knew, and that I knew he knew. He told me it's name, after I assured him I wasn't going to rat. I don't think anyone else knows it's name."
"Oh, and the two of us, not to mention the captain, know about your shikai's really cool attack, so don't laugh too hard, Fifth Seat."
Yumichika's grin faltered. "Does anyone else?"
"No. The signs of a kido type blade that can whip ass on most, if not all, fukutaicho are somewhat less obvious."
"But, yeah, I've know for a while." Ikkaku rejoined. "Don't worry. Nobody who is going to make fun of you or tell anyone who is is aware of your abilities."
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"Hello, class. Is everyone here?" Somehow, nobody even remembered that Rukia had been a member of the class. Except Ishida Uryu, he probably did. But he was great at not showing it.
"Good. I have a special announcement. Please welcome your new classmate: Matsumoto Rangiku!"
