Thought of the day: Fortune cookie says: Hungry is the man who finds salvation in a cookie. Okay, at least it didn't say I was a man.
Promotion
It was some time after the ryoka had left to go back to their lives that I had a meeting with General Yamamoto.
"You wished to see me?" I asked confused since I did not remember doing anything wrong.
"I know that you requested division 6 specifically..." Yamamoto trailed off trying to think of the best way of organizing his thoughts.
"Am I being transferred?" I asked catching on.
"Yes, but you will also be promoted."
"Have you talked to Byakuya about this?" I asked feeling a bit hurt that Byakuya seemingly agreed to have me transferred.
"No, I did not think it was his decision."
"How is it not?"
"It does concern him but he cannot stop you if you wish to take your new assignment."
"I am sorry but I wish to remain in my division."
"At least hear me out."
"It can't hurt."
"We have lost three captains and unfortunately that means we are vulnerable. We need skilled and trusted people to take over. Usually captains must have a bankai or defeat the other captain in a match."
"Why are you telling me about captains...?" I asked confused refusing to believe what my mind was trying to tell me.
"I have decided that you have proven yourself to be powerful enough to be a captain."
"You're offering me a captain position!" I stated shocked.
"Yes."
"Which?" I asked knowing which one I would be able to deny and which I wouldn't.
"5th, Hinamori trusts and likes you, she will need someone who she knows to become her captain. Anyone else would be hated by her if they tried to take Aizen's place. The division members also know and respect you."
"How do they know me?"
"You are merely one division away right now and they have told me that you occasionally help them with things or chat with them."
"Oh yeah, that's right." I stated just now remembering that I like to talk to random strangers.
"So?"
"How can I deny this position? If for nothing else I would have to agree for Momo's sake."
"Excellent! I will call a captain's meeting immediately and inform them that we shall begin the coronation immediately."
"In a rush?"
"If not now then when?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Fine, that will give us time to get you a captain's jacket."
"Can I tell Byakuya?"
"You may tell whoever you wish, although I would prefer seeing his shocked face if you didn't tell him."
"You're right that is tempting." I remarked smirking quite evilly.
"I have called this captains meeting to have you all meet the person I have chosen as the new division 5 captain." I heard Yamamoto inform them from behind the door. "You can come in now I know you're listening."
"You know me too well." I said as I walked in to the room startling most of the inhabitants.
"Eri?" Byakuya asked shocked. Yamamoto was right his face is priceless, the first time in a long time that he didn't have his I-am-better-than-thou-face on. His mouth was even open a little.
"Wow, Princess, you could have told us." Kenpachi said after a short span of shock where he looked at me then at the wall then back at me to make sure he wasn't hallucinating, what the wall has to do with that I shall never know.
"Where's the fun in that?" I asked causing most of the captains to laugh.
"You're moving up in the world now, aren't you?" Mayuri asked joking with me unless he is being serious, with him you never know, "First you are a noble again and now a captain. Soon you will become general."
"Ah, you have discovered my ingenious plan. Now that everyone knows it I shall have to aim for something else." I said mock contemplative.
"It seems that this meeting has gotten out of my hands." Yamamoto stated since there was a conversation brake that he decided to use to remind all the captains that they were in a meeting.
"What else were you going to say?" I asked curiously.
"You are all dismissed." Yamamoto said causing all of us to blink in confusion at him.
"You interrupted our conversation for that?" Kenpachi asked.
"I don't want you all to continue talking in here; some of us have to work." Yamamoto said annoyed that everyone was messing with his authority.
"Speaking of work," I stated walking over to Unohana, "Can you put pockets in my new captain-y sleeves?"
"Sure." She responded kindly.
"What are the pockets for?" Hitsugaya asked curious, but he sounded bored. I know his secret he is secretly curious.
"Sharpies, didn't I tell you about that before?" I informed him referring to when we used sharpies to mess with an important legal document.
"I guess I forgot." Hitsugaya admitted deciding to take his leave.
"I scared him away." I pouted to Kenpachi.
"It's okay, I never did catch Ichigo." Kenpachi offered as comfort making some of the captains look at the two of us strangely.
"We should drown our sorrows by having a party." I said seriously as if I believed that was the best plan of action.
"Eri, you have to introduce yourself to your division." Yamamoto reminded me. "And the rest of you should get out of my room!"
"This is the conference, meeting, captain promotion room you don't work in here?" I pointed out confused.
"Just get out."
"Fine, we should have the party later then." I said waving goodbye to Kenpachi. I started walking away also but was stopped by someone who I had forgotten was there.
"Eri," Byakuya began.
"Bya." I said back using his nickname in hopes he would forgive me for not telling him about my promotion earlier.
"I thought that you were against changing divisions?" he asked as we walked towards the 5th division.
"I was, but I couldn't say no. Not with Hinamori in the condition that she is in and the divisions needing captains, especially ones that actually do their paperwork."
"I see, so it wasn't because I did something?"
"No, if it was I would have just transferred and not gotten promoted. Think of it this way, I am finally trusting you to take care of yourself. You finally have become emotionally stable, well to me you are emotional."
"So you are making leaving my division better by telling me that I no longer need a babysitter?"
"Yes."
"Fine, I just wish you would have told me earlier."
"I couldn't resist seeing your face when I walked into the room."
After a few days of me being captain Yamamoto called a meeting to inform us about something. On the way I met Kenpachi.
"Kenpachi, do you have any idea what the meeting is about?" I asked walking beside him.
"No, but I hope it involves fighting." He said with his usual I like fighting grin.
"I hope it involves brownies, but I think yours has a better chance of coming true." I answered jokingly.
"I doubt there would be a captains meeting called about brownies, Eri." Byakuya said as he appeared on the other side of me.
"Captain Kuchiki." Kenpachi growled obviously upset that his time alone with me was invaded.
"Captain Zaraki." Byakuya said calmly back then turned to me once more.
"Captain Aoki," I said because I felt left out.
"What do you think the meeting is about then?" Zaraki asked. (Why did I type Zaraki?)
"I think it is about certain squads not doing their paperwork." Byakuya countered coolly.
"If that was true I would have been yelled at by Yamamoto personally, he wouldn't have called everyone else."
"Has that happened often? You seem oddly sure about it."
"I think there can be a brownie captains meeting if there were no more and then I craved them." I said completely ignoring their banter and giving the explanation for a brownie meeting.
"How would that be the other captain's problem?" Kenpachi asked confused, completely forgetting to fight with Byakuya for a moment. Too bad it was only one moment.
"You have never seen her crave something and then be told she couldn't have it." Byakuya said remembering when this had happened in my presence, "It would become everyone's problem."
"Now I want a brownie. I hope the meeting is not about brownies." I said as we entered the meeting. Apparently we were either late or directly on time since all the other captains were already present.
"No, Eri, the meeting is not about brownies." Yamamoto said sternly, I guess this was a serious meeting.
"Thank goodness."
"This meeting is about Aizen, he has made a move. It seems that Ichigo has encountered one of Aizen's creations. He met with two powerful hollows and fought one of them. This meeting is to discuss what we are going to do about it. I want to send at least one captain there to keep an eye on the town and Ichigo. Since that captain has to analyze new hollow types and I have to trust him not to reveal himself to regular people I have chosen Hitsugaya."
"I accept." Hitsugaya agreed.
"Do you wish for any other members of your squad to go with you?"
"I suppose my lieutenant if someone must come," Hitsugaya told Yamamoto but muttered this after that "Since she would whine if I didn't take her."
"Captain Zaraki since this mission might require a lot of hollow battles I want to send two of your squad members.
"I'll go." Kenpachi offered thinking about possible fights.
"No, you are needed here to keep us safe. If we leave ourselves unprotected Aizen might sneak back in."
"Fine, I'm sure my 3rd and 5th seat member would love to go. Lucky bastards."
"Rukia will also be assigned to this mission since she is already familiar with blending in. Eri I would also like you to go on the mission."
"Sure." I answered wondering why me.
"Since you have already established a relationship with people there. Byakuya I would also like one of your squad members on this mission."
"Renji will suffice." Byakuya said realizing that he would not be able to go but knowing Renji would want to.
"Okay so the team is set. Oh and Eri if you are attacked by the hollows in an attempt to capture or kill you specifically then you will be immediately taken off this mission and will come right back here."
"Yes, sir." I agreed knowing that his tone of voice meant argue with me and die.
Living in the land of the lost...okay that's a random song to get stuck in my head while writing. I blame it for the name of the next chapter.
Preview from next chapter: Land of the Living
"Rangiku, what did you do to your shirt?" I asked noticing the revealing-ness that was not present in mine.
"I made it better, I can fix yours if you like." she offered.
"No I'd much rather keep my modesty."
"Suit yourself."