I received a summons from the 1st division today. I've been the vice captain of the 8th for about half a year at this point. I actually I'm surprised I wasn't summoned before now. I suppose Taicho being a former student of Yamamoto Genryusai soutaicho has its benefits. Such as postponing such things until a better time. After finishing the tremendous amount of paperwork left in Lisa-san's absence would be a good time, like I did recently. My desk is a beautiful combination of visible and organized. It makes me feel accomplished.
It was a bit of an intimidating experience going to the 1st division, which is why I'm glad Kyouraku taicho came with me. He didn't want "Yama-jii scaring off his little, pretty, efficient Nanao-chan." We walked there since it was a nice early summer day. I wish I would hurry up and grow more. Following Taicho is still a bit difficult even when he's taking his time. Actually, I'm not sure if I've seen him rush before. But I bet he is one of the fastest shinigami if he has a reason.
Yamamoto-soutaicho looked much older than I expected he would, but didn't act how he looked. I had heard and read much about him but never actually met him. With all things considered though, it makes sense that he's on the older side. Kyouraku taicho is a couple millennia old and Yamamoto soutaicho was his teacher in the academy. There were also lots of books on him too. While he didn't look mean, he didn't spare too much kindness in his demeanor. I liked how he wrapped his beard with ribbon, though.
Kyouraku taicho let me go in first and I stopped and bowed in the middle of the room in front of the Soutaicho. He asked me a few questions about how I am finding my duties. I replied I was grateful to have such an opportunity to serve my division and Seretei. I mentioned something about how I wish to be as dedicated as Lisa-san to the division, which was a bad idea. Yamamoto would have inundated me with questions regarding my loyalties if Taicho had not rested his hand upon my shoulder and interrupted. His hand was really warm. He spoke on my behalf of my loyalties and abilities, citing our spar just before I became vice captain and the innumerable times I have worked myself in both training and completing division paperwork to the point of falling asleep and muttering reports in my dreams.
Taicho's voice was much different than its usual relaxed tone. At first it was strained and almost… angry. I read all the reports and rulings about the incident when a large portion of the Gotei's leadership was accused of experimenting with hollowification. I vaguely remember the rumors and the uproar it caused, but my perception of it was muted by my gloom over losing Lisa-san. Apparently it was a huge controversy and underlying plots and schemes. Something about the whole thing didn't sit well with me, but I knew nothing concrete of the whole matter until Lisa-san had been gone for years. Kyouraku taicho knew all this and sounded like he was upset at his mentor that he would hint at me participating in any of it. I was only a small child more concerned about reading with Lisa-san than the line between shinigami and hollows.
When Taicho moved to the topic of my loyalty to the division he sounded proud. It rang with such determination that dared to be questioned. He conceded that I was very young, but had surprising potential. I looked up at his face and saw that he meant every bit of it. My chest swelled with the feeling of being praised for my abilities. I will do everything in my power to maintain the ability to bestow honor on my rank, division and especially my captain.
The soutaicho seemed a bit interested in the spar we had. He asked a few more questions about the matter. I explained I favored kido and that my shikai reflects that. Taicho snorted at my unintentional pun. I looked up at him and asked him what the matter was. He told me "nothing" with a very guilty expression on his face. I gave him a serious glare and commanded "Do not lie, Kyouraku taicho, it's unbecoming of someone of your rank." He stared at me for a second and then started laughing. Yamamoto almost smiled at my comment and announced:
"I wish you the best of luck Ise Nanao fukutaicho. You have a challenging job ahead of you as you probably already know. You are dismissed."
It was a sudden dismissal, but I wasn't going to complain. Now that I look back on the experience, I can't believe that I had the audacity to behave like that to my captain in front of the Soutaicho. Yet it felt entirely natural to act that way. Both apparently enjoyed my reaction. I wonder if Kyouraku taicho knew the issue about Lisa-san was going to come up, prompting him to come along. Maybe Yamamoto soutaicho wanted to know if I would be able to cope with a captain that does very little work and have the strength of a vice captain. He also could be concerned about his former student and having someone that can adequately support him in his duties. There are hundreds of reasons, but I glad that he found me satisfactory at this point in time.
A/N: Hehehe, I'm excited for the next part in Nanao's life. It'll be a bit more rocky than it was before, but she's going to get some new friends to share it with soon. :-D But unfortunately, I'm starting a full time job this week for the summer, so don't expect I'll be writing as much. Especially not at the rate of 6 chapters in 24 hours. Whee! As always, hope you enjoy!
PS: good news update, in a basic outline for future chapters, it looks like there are at least 30 more chapters. (That's part of the reason for the good mood I'm in)