Author's Rant:
First of all, I want to apologise for the long wait. I realise that some of you might have been waiting for this chapter to appear, or that you might have thought that I had dropped the story. But don't worry, I won't be dropping the story, I just had a bit of an inspirational block. That and I've been busy with a load of other stuff, ranging from retaking exams, driving lessons, girlfriend related stuff and reading other fanfics to become a better writer myself.
You might notice that I've tried to describe situations more than usual. This was a deliberate choice, I realise that my previous chapters were lacking in that departement so I'll be trying to fix that problem.
I am constantly trying to improve my writing skills in order to provide you with the best I can. Thankfully, I'm feeling completely refreshed and ready to tackle the next arc in the story, so this time, you probably won't have to wait for almost a month for the new chapter.
Oh, and if you can, please review the story to help improve my writing (and to get more people to read it )
Enjoy
Chapter 12
The headmaster held out his hand, his fingers curled slightly around the scroll that held Kaito's results.
"Congratulations Fujiwara-san", the headmaster congratulated him as he was given the scroll, "you've passed with flying colours. The entire teacher corps is proud of you. We all wish you the best of luck with your career in the Gotei 13".
Kaito bowed, thanking the headmaster before returning to his friends.
"Oi Kaito, could you wipe that smirk off of your face please? It's not like you didn't know what you would get for a score", Akimoto grinned as he twirled his own scroll around with his fingers.
"Oh, sorry, I was thinking I should reassure you that at least one of us had passed Akimoto", Kaito replied dryly, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in his retort.
His comment caused quite a few grins to appear on the faces of the small group of now ex-students. They'd all passed, no surprises there, but they were surprised to hear that almost every single student of the final year had passed. In total there were only a handful of people that had flunked the course.
"So, who of you has decided what squad to join?", Saruwatari asked, curious as to where her friends would go. She knew that Akimoto would probably follow her to wherever she went, so she didn't worry about him.
"Not really", the response came in unison, the excuses ranging from a simple "I don't know yet" to a downright lame excuse of "not having been able to contact the division of choice".
"So, where are you going to Kaito-kun, Emi-chan?", she asked when she noticed neither of them had answered yet.
"First of all we're going to talk with my father", Emi replied, "he wanted to see us. After that, we'll probably go visit Yoshikune Taichō. He asked us to come by once we had finished our training here".
"Where are you and Akimoto headed", Kaito asked, curious as to where the other couple were going.
"We're probably going to join the third division, under Yamamura Taichō", Akimoto replied, "which means we'll probably won't be seeing you that often anymore since I'm expecting you'll join either the fifth, the ninth or the eleventh".
"I am not joining the eleventh", Kaito said, an annoyed look on his face, "those guys would be constantly picking fights with me, which I don't really like at all".
"Fair enough", Akimoto nodded in agreement as he recalled the events of the exam.
"Well then, I'm off to catch up some sleep before I go visit a random division headquarters", Sakamoto said as he slowly stumbled away.
With nothing better to do, the rest of the students soon followed his example and left the grounds, walking towards the headquarters of the division of their choice.
Kaito however was led on a different path altogether as Emi pulled him towards their attic. After having changed into their official shinigami attire, picking up their valuables and saying a mental goodbye to their makeshift home, they walked towards the academy entrance.
"This is it", Emi said as they reached the gate, "the moment we step through this gate, we're full shinigami".
Her voice was trembling a bit, Kaito fully understood. It had been a goal she'd been striving for all this time, to please her family, her father in particular, a goal she'd accomplished in a spectacular fashion.
Emi tensed a bit as she felt Kaito's hand wrap around hers, but she quickly relaxed as he gave her hand a little squeeze, reassuring her.
"Come on", he nudged, as he slowly pulled her forward.
"I made it", she thought by herself as they stepped through the gate.
"Or rather", she looked at Kaito who was still holding her hand as he looked forward, "We made it".
"Ermm, Kaito, could I ask something of you?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"I was wondering if you would like to come to my house before we go and report to a division headquarters, my father asked us remember?"
She'd suddenly remembered her father's request and had decided it best not to let him wait. It was something that had to be done, no matter how nervous it made her, after all, her father still hadn't approved of her relationship with Kaito, which was probably going to be the topic of discussion. Not that she had much to worry about though, Kaito had graduated with the highest scores overall, and her father was one that would look at skill above all else.
"So, do you want to come? He asked for you to be there as well remember?"
"Sure, it's a good opportunity to get to know him for future reference", he winked, the comment causing a faint blush to appear on her face.
They discussed a myriad of topics as they walked towards the Shimizu estate, which was located quite far away from the academy. As they walked, Kaito noticed a significant change in the environment and the surrounding buildings. Instead of small buildings and side streets, they started passing larger buildings until they finally reached a small castle, a 10 foot wall surrounding the estate. He swallowed as he took in the size of it, in a rough estimate, he figured that there would be around two to three hundred rooms in there, and that was a careful estimate.
"Well, here it is", Emi said as they reached a gate, flanked by two guards, each clad in a standard shinigami outfit complemented by a special white coat. That, and the weapon they carried, a long staff which split in two near the end to form a U, used to capture possible intruders, indicated their status in the family as a member of the personal guard of the family. As they approached the gate, the two guards instantly recognised Emi and snapped to attention as they shouted a welcome.
"Hello Jin, Ebisu, it's been a long time. Good to see you two again", Emi replied as she waved her hand, signalling the guards that they could relax.
"A long time it has been, please, feel free to pass", Ebisu, the older one of the two replied as he pulled a lever hidden in the wall, "but who is the one accompanying you if I may ask?"
"This is Fujiwara Kaito, a classmate of mine, and my boyfriend", Emi smiled as she saw the impact of her words on the two guards.
Jun, the younger one of the two, tried to suppress a grin, but wasn't really that successful in doing it, while Ebisu simply raised an eyebrow.
"In that case, Kaito-sama, please feel free to enter as well. Welcome to the Shimizu estate", the man quickly added as the oaken gates started to open, revealing a wonderful garden surrounding the main building.
Nodding their thanks, the couple quickly entered.
"So, what do you think?", Emi asked as the gate slowly closed behind them.
Kaito couldn't respond. He felt as if he'd walked into the premise of a shogun's castle. Everything he saw looked exactly as the buildings and gardens he'd seen in several anime series while he was still alive. They found themselves on a long straight path towards the main building, several smaller paths branching off along the way, leading deeper into the lush garden. There were several flowerbeds strewn across the garden, well maintained patches of grass surrounding them and several trees and the accompanying bushes. A large pond was to their right, a glitter in the water telling him that there were fish swimming around.
"Must be koi, judging from the rest of this place", he thought by himself as he continued to take in the surroundings.
"It's pretty big, I know", Emi grinned as she pulled him forward by his hand, they hadn't let go since the academy gate.
"But I think the estates of some of the more established noble families are about two to three times larger than ours", she added.
"EH, even larger?", Kaito breathed. He had trouble taking in the size of this building, he couldn't even begin to imagine how something three times larger would look.
He took a closer look at the building, the closer they got, the more imposing it became. It was built the same style as practically every building in Seireitei, and thus was a perfect example of classic Japanese architecture.
As they made their way towards the estate, they were greeted by several more guards, gardeners and servants, each of which received a smile and a greeting in return.
"Shimizu heiress, Shimizu Emi, has returned", one of the guards shouted as they walked into the building.
Emi felt Kaito's grip on her hand tighten a bit, he was clearly not used to being inside a noble's estate. She figured he would have to learn some etiquette for future meetings with other nobles. For now though, it would do, her father wasn't one to be too formal around guests.
"Ah, Emi", she heard her father say as he walked into the central hallway. "I've been expecting you, and you as well Fujiwara-san", he nodded to Kaito, "please, follow me, we have much to discuss".
Bowing in acknowledgement, Kaito quickly followed Emi and her father as they walked deeper into the building.
The manor seemed to be even bigger on the inside than he'd been able to see on the outside. He eventually lost his orientation as they kept on walking through hallways, taking a turn every now and then until they eventually reached a large room. The only furniture was a small table with several pillows lined on each side. It was clear that the room's only purpose was to hold discussions in.
"Please, Fujiwara-san, Emi, take a seat", Yuuji said as he sat down on one side of the table, indicating for them to sit on the opposite side.
"I understand that the two of you are involved in a romantic relationship", he continued as the couple sat down.
Nodding in acknowledgement, Emi eyed her father. She'd suspected it would be about something like this and she'd been worried that he might not approve of her relationship with Kaito.
"This however brings along some minor difficulties", he continued, "for you see, I had planned on betrothing you to a member of one of the other noble families, the Hayashi family to be precise, whose heir, Hayashi Toru, is also my fukutaichō".
Hearing her father explain, Emi visibly paled, despair appearing in her eyes as she first looked at Kaito and then at her father.
Kaito too had stiffened when he heard the words. He'd known about arranged marriages, but never had he thought that he'd be faced with one, but now that he was, he'd be fighting it every step of the way he promised himself.
Noticing the tension rise in the couple before him, Yuuji quickly raised his hand, attempting to ease them a bit as he indicated that he hadn't finished yet.
"I had planned that, but who am I to decide my daughter's fate", Yuuji said, smiling a bit as he watched the youngsters visibly relax.
"I will approve of your relationship, but only under strict conditions. First of all, Fujiwara-san, you will start living together with Emi, starting today. Second, you will pledge your loyalty to Emi and solemnly swear not to betray either her or the Shimizu family, which means that you will marry her within the year. And third, neither of you will join the ninth division, it might develop conflicts between you and my fukutaichō, and I'd hate to see the fiancée of my daughter to be crushed under his recently achieved bankai".
Yuuji smiled, he'd seen his daughter and her companion brighten with every word he spoke until Emi had thrown herself into Kaito's arms, the force of which, combined with the surprise of the sudden glomp causing him to topple backwards onto the tatami mat.
Silent, he watched the couple laugh, tears of joy causing Emi's eyes to glisten in the now fading light.
"Thank you very much for giving me permission to marry your daughter Shimizu-sama", Kaito bowed when he'd finally been able to get back up after Emi had calmed down a bit.
"Please, call me Yuuji, we're practically family now, no need to be too formal here", Yuuji smiled at the man in front of him, "but just to be curious, what excuses did you have to defend your relationship, or what actions would you have taken?"
He looked at Kaito and Emi questioningly, wondering what kind of answers he would get.
"I would have challenged your fukutaichō to a fight I guess", Kaito shrugged.
"I figured as much, well, you may get your chance in the future. What about you Emi?"
"Well, it's sort of an excuse, though it's also a fact", Emi said. She was clearly nervous as she kept on fiddling with her sash.
"It's just that, father, I'm carrying Kaito's child".
Had someone walked into the room on that exact moment, they would've been able to hear a pin drop, until Yuuji suddenly started coughing as his tea tried to slip into his windpipe.
"You're WHAT?", the two fathers yelled at the same time, followed by them throwing each other questioning looks.
"Since when do you know?", Kaito asked Emi as his mind slowly started processing the information.
"I only found out yesterday, but I didn't have the chance to tell you yet", she explained.
They were interrupted by Yuuji, a subtle cough drawing their attention.
"In that case, you will marry within two weeks", Yuuji said as he shot them a serious look, "and next time please be more careful alright?".
Kaito and Emi only nodded, not wanting to provoke a taichō class shinigami who'd just received word that his only daughter was pregnant from someone that wasn't even married to her.
Yuuji sighed, no matter how he felt, he couldn't be mad, after all, his daughter had found someone to love. They'd just gone a little farther than he'd thought.
"Well, at least I won't have to worry about having someone to continue the family line", he grinned at the couple in front of him, "This calls for a celebration. Fujiwara Kaito, I hereby welcome you into the Shimizu clan".
After having left the room, Yuuji quickly summoned a couple of servants and gave them orders to prepare for a celebration. One which lasted to well into the night.
"How are you feeling?", Kaito asked his newly announced fiancée when he felt her stir. They'd retreated to Emi's room after celebrating until well after midnight. He'd woken up before her, as was the usual situation, and had been looking at her until now. She'd nestled herself firmly against his chest while they'd slept, again as usual. Apparently she found either his chest or arm to be a more comfortable pillow than an actual pillow. Not that he really minded, except for the fact that her lying on his arm usually also cut off the supply of blood, causing an annoying numbness in the limb in question.
"I'm fine", her answer came as a whisper. They hadn't been drinking any alcohol so they didn't have a hangover. Something Kaito thanked the gods for. He'd hate having a headache when faced with his fiancée lying in his arms, the light of the morning sun almost giving her a surreal glow as it fell through the open window. Fiancée, he still had some difficulty in fully realising that it was actually happening. He had no doubt that he'd marry her eventually, just not this fast, not to mention her being pregnant. The combination of all the facts almost made his mind overload as he thought about it.
"How are you feeling, my soon to be husband and father?", she smiled, returning the question at him. Apparently she too was still getting used to the idea.
"Couldn't be better dear", he grinned back. They'd been teased by both the personnel and the rest of Emi's family the whole evening and had found that they also started slipping into a different vocabulary every now and then.
A discreet knock on the door shook them from their thoughts though as one of the servants announced that the breakfast had been served. Deciding that they might as well get up now, they quickly got dressed and moved into the dining room. The teasing continued, though on a smaller scale than the night before. Most of it came from Emi's mother who had been winking at the couple almost continuously.
"So what do you think?", Emi's mother asked her husband as they watched their daughter and her fiancée walk towards the gate. They'd excused themselves after the breakfast, explaining that they still had to meet with Yoshikune Taichō.
"They'll be fine darling. Emi is a strong woman, and she's found someone that's even stronger to protect her. Honestly, that kid almost scares me with his potential".
"I'm sure he does".
"We're here to see Yoshikune Taichō", Emi said to the guard standing at the gate of the fifth division headquarters.
"And you are?"
"Shimizu Emi and Fujiwara Kaito".
"Ah, right, I was told you'd be paying us a visit, follow me please", the guard nodded before leading them into the complex.
"So, are you going to join the fifth?", the guard asked as they walked through the corridors.
"Probably, it depends on what Yoshikune Taichō has to say to us", Kaito said.
"Hehehe", the man grinned, "I sure hope so, I've heard quite a bit about you two and I was wondering if the rumours were true. Anyway, we're here".
He halted near a door, knocking on it before entering the room.
"Sir, Shimizu Emi and Fujiwara Kaito are here as you requested", the guard announced as the newly graduated shinigami walked into the room.
"Very well, dismissed", Shinji nodded at the guard as his guests entered his office.
The office was smaller than Kaito had expected it to be, though it might've been the stacks of scrolls and papers that lined the walls. Several wallscrolls had been put up, each one with a different motivational speech. The clutter apparently had spread to the taichō's desk as well, either that, or that was the point of origin for the mess.
Kaito decided that is was probably the latter as he watched the man in front of him put some more papers on a dangerously unstable pile, seemingly unaware of the potentially catastrophic chain reaction it could have on the rest of the stacks littered across the room.
"I've been waiting for you", Shinji said as he quickly put aside some papers in order to make some room on his desk.
"Honestly, I thought you'd be dropping by yesterday", the man exclaimed as he leaned forward a bit, gesturing at his guests to sit down, wherever there was place available that is.
"We're terribly sorry for not meeting with you yesterday Yoshikune Taichō", Emi bowed, "but my father had requested that Kaito and myself meet with him as soon as possible after the graduation ceremony. The meeting just happened to extend well into the night".
"That's all right", the taichō smiled, "it's not as if Soul Society is going to end because of it. But let's get to the point. Fujiwara Kaito, Shimizu Emi, I hereby request that you join the fifth division as the respective third and fourth seat of my division. I have recently lost my previous third and fourth seats during a high risk assignment and I have not yet had the opportunity to fill in the vacant positions. I understand that it is rare for a graduate to be assigned as a seated officer, but both your levels of power more than qualify you for the position".
Amusedly, he looked at the two youngsters in front of him, their faces covered with disbelief and shock. He knew they'd been expecting to receive an invitation to join his division, but probably not one like this. It usually took a shinigami years, even decades, to reach the level suited for a seated officer.
"Sir, we can't accept this", Emi breathed. She still had some difficulties fully comprehending what had just been said to her. This was above all of her expectations. She wanted to say more, but was suddenly interrupted by Kaito.
"You're holding something back aren't you Yoshikune-san", Kaito grinned as he looked closely at the taichō.
"I guess", the man grinned. He hadn't expected Kaito to find out so quickly, but now that he was aware of the fact, he guessed that he shouldn't hold anything else back anymore.
"Indeed, as you have said, there's more to this than first meets the eye. Kaito-kun, both you and Emi-san here have astounding powers, but you still don't know how to fully control them. Not only that, but there currently are powers at work that might want to take advantage of your powers, I'm sure you remember the attack on the academy. We still don't know who was behind it, but the fact that the two of you, together with several of your friends, were specific targets, isn't reassuring. Because of this, I decided, together with several other taichō, that you should be trained as much as possible so that you can defend yourselves without any problem. We have also implemented a new patrol system. Instead of a lone shinigami patrolling an area, we now have shinigami working in pairs to cover each other's backs. This is why several of your tests, including the final exam, during the academy were also in pairs."
"So you mean that there's people after us?", Emi asked nervously.
"Not just after you, but after your friends as well. This is why several taichō have decided to take a pair of students that have a lot of promise under their wing. I will be personally supervising your training, with Handa Taichō, Fukuzawa Taichō and Fukuda Taichō occasionally taking over for when I'm unavailable. So, what do you say? Are you ready to join the fifth division of the Gotei 13?"
A few moments of silence passed between the taichō and his two recruits. Kaito looked at Emi, he couldn't stop a massive grin from forming on his face, and apparently, neither could she. Both looked at Shinji at the same time.
"We accept", their answer sounded in unison.
"Excellent", Shinji smiled, "then I'll have my secretary hand you your badges as symbol of your rank. Afterwards I'll introduce you to the rest of the division, and don't worry about a place to sleep, Shimizu Taichō contacted me earlier and arranged for you to use the house of my former third seat. After his demise, the house has been empty anyway and it's within the division grounds so it's perfect for the two of you to stay there".
"And don't worry", Shinji waved with his hand as he saw his new officers tried to interrupt him, "Shimizu Taichō has explained your situation to me, so I am well aware of the facts, even your little 'accident'. But don't worry, that secret is safe with me".
With a sigh of relief, Kaito and Emi slumped back into their chairs. They had shot up the moment their taichō had mentioned their betrothal and her pregnancy but they understood the need for him to know about it. After all, it would be quite a mess if he were to suddenly find out about it during a mission or something. Their living in the same house also made sure that there wouldn't be any suspicion as to what had happened when the pregnancy would finally be announced.
"Well, I guess I should let you go settle in now", Shinji said as he got up and walked to the door.
"Misaki-san, would you please be so kind as to give Kaito-kun and Emi-san their badges and show them to their residence?", he spoke to his secretary, who stood up immediately, gesturing at the couple to follow her.
The house was not as large as the Shimizu estate, but still, it was quite large to Kaito. Then again, he had been living in a small apartment during the last few years of his life, after which it had become a single dormitory room and later on, a relatively small attic.
"So this is going to become our new home eh?", Kaito smiled as he gently touched one of the wooden pillars supporting the roof over the exterior walkway. As with all of the other buildings in Seireitei, this one was also built in the classic Japanese style, which meant a lot of sliding doors, thin walls, wooden floors and long hallways. Not that he particularly disliked the style, far from it, it was just something he had to get used to.
"Uh huh", he heard Emi whisper as she slowly put her arms around his waist. Returning the gesture, Kaito slowly pulled her closer until they were locked in a gently hug. They stayed that way for a few minutes, until the sound of rattling wooden boards drew their attention. It was the signal for everyone to gather in the division assembly hall for the welcoming party for the two new officers. Quickly, they locked the door of their new home, made sure they had their badges and made for the party.
"I'm sure many of you have heard about these two already", Shinji began as he stood in at the head table, Kaito and Emi were standing on the right, while Shinji's fukutaichō, Hayase Mitsuki, stood to his left together with his secretary.
"For those of you that don't know them yet, these are Fujiwara Kaito and Shimizu Emi. Both of them are some of the most promising graduates in the academy's history and they've accepted my offer to join our division as the new third and fourth seat. I sincerely hope that you show them the same amount of respect that you show to me or Mitsuki here", he said, pointing at his fukutaichō.
"Now, enough with all the official stuff, it's boring enough as it is. Let the party begin".
This comment caused cheers to roar through the assembly hall as people immediately started the party, some decided to eat some things, others found drinking more interesting while some came to the head table to congratulate the two newest members of the division. Only a few people noticed the angry looks the couple were receiving from some of the fifth division members, and even those that noticed didn't pay too much attention to them. If they had, the night might not have turned bad later that evening.