(Sajin reflects on his friendship with Katsurou)

After leaving my clan I didn't expect that people would accept my appearance. Master Genryūsai found me one day and offered me to join the Gotei 13 even thought I wasn't human.

I went through the training I needed to become a Soul Reaper and I joined the 7th division after that. I hid my true face from everyone with a mask that covered my face as well as gloves to cover the fur on my hands and arms.

For years I hid my true appearance and no one besides master Genryūsai knew what I really looked like.

Until one day.

I had been asked by captain Ukitake to look after his son Katsurou while he recovered from a bad attack of his illness. I knew the boy since I had meet him before and according to the captain, he seems to like being around me.

However, I was scared that the boy would see my face and be afraid of me.

I shook those thoughts out of my head as I entered the grounds of the 8th division were Katsurou was.

I found the boy along with captain Kyōraku outside the barracks and when I got closer, the captain noticed me.

"I thought you had a mission, captain."

"I do Komamura but I managed to talk Old-man Yama into letting me wait until someone came to look after Katsurou"

"Well I'm here so you and your division can leave"

"Right.

-Be nice to Komamura now, okay kiddo"

"Right Uncle Shunsui"

Katsurou hugged captain Kyōraku before he was handed over to me.

We then left the 8th division and I decided to take the boy to a place I had found some time ago.

"Were are we going Mr Komamura?"

"There's no need to be formal with me, just call me Sajin.

-As for were we're going, you'll find out soon"

I walked in among some trees and reached a small field were I placed Katsurou on the ground.

"Go on. Why don't you run around and play a little"

Katsurou smiled a little before he started to run around on the field and I sat down, keeping a close eye on him.

After a while, Katsurou came and sat down on my leg.

"Why are you hiding your face?"

If hadn't had my mask, he would have seen the surprise in my eyes.

"Because I'm different from others"

"How?

I looked down at the boy and sighed before I reached up took off my mask, showing my true face, the face of a wolf.

To my surprise, Katsurou wasn't scared. Instead, I saw how he reached his hand up towards me so I lifted him up and he started to stroke my fur.

"So this is why you hide your face"

"Yes. You are the only person besides Head-captain Yamamoto to know what I really look like. Others have only seen my masked face. I'm afraid about how they would react if they saw my true face. I'm afraid to scare them"

"I'm not scared"

"You aren't but others might be. I'm not human after all and I don't know how people would react to have someone like me around them"

"I'm sure that someday they will accept you"

"That makes me glad to hear you say. It's really kind of you"

He then smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

After that day, Katsurou and I became very good friends. I took him to that field every day he stayed with me. I took it as a chance to take off my mask and the two of us played together.

A week later, captain Ukitake was fully recovered and I when I left Suro at the 13, I told him that I'd love to look after him again.

As he got older, Suro would come a visit me more often and on those days, we would go to that field so we could talk alone.

It was a very nice day and Katsurou who now had grown into a young man laid on his back in the grass next to me.

"I'm nervous Sajin"

"Don't be Suro. I'm sure you passed the exam and can attend the academy"

"I hope so too.

-By the way, how is it going with your Bankai training?"

"It's going well since I'm almost done with fully mastering it.

-It's a weird feeling though, having a giant behind you that mimics your every move. I've been close to hitting myself a few times"

Suro started to chuckle at that.

"I wonder what my Zanpakutō's powers will be"

"I guess will have to wait and see until you've awakened it"

"You're right Sajin"

Suro got accepted into the academy and left to start his studies a week later. A few days after that, I was made the new captain of the 7th division.

I knew he had days off but I was busy with my new position and didn't have a chance to see him on those days. I did hear about the injury he got during training but captain Ukitake came and assured me that Suro was fine.

It wasn't until he had graduated that I was able to see my friend again.

I was taking a break from work, just walking around the Seireitei when I spotted him.

Dressed in a Shihakushō and slightly longer hair.

"Katsurou is that you?"

He turned to look at me and when I saw his face, I knew for sure it was him.

He smiled and came up to me.

"Sajin?"

"I knew it was you Katsurou, it's been so long since I last saw you"

"Before I attended the academy if I'm not mistaken"

"That's true and judging by the fact that you're dressed like that I'd say you've graduated."

"I did yesterday. Today is my first day back home.

-Oh I almost forgot, I know it's been a while since it happened but congratulations on becoming a captain"

"Thank you my boy. I should say the same to you for graduating from the Soul Reaper academy"

"Thanks Saj... I mean captain Komamura."

"You can still call me Sajin when it's just the two of us. We have known each other for a long time after all."

"Right"

"So are you just on a nostalgic stroll through the Seireitei or are you going somewhere special?"

"I'm actually on my way to the 4th division to see if captain Unohana has more medicine for my father"

"I see. Mind if I join you on the walk there?

"Sure"

We took the time it took to walk to the 4th to catch up on what had happened since we last saw each other. I was happy to hear that he had made some friends at the academy and I was also sorry that he had lost one of them during training in the world of the living.

Soon, we reached the 4th division.

"Well I need to return to my division now"

"Right. It was nice to see you again Sajin"

"Same for you. Come by the 7th division some day when you have time"

"I will, don't worry"

A week later, Katsurou came by the 7th and we went to that field were I started to train him in how to stand up against bigger and stronger opponents.

Months passed and as he was promoted to 4th seat, he too had a lot of work to do in his division.

This day was one we both managed to get away from work for a while and Suro said he had something to show me.

"So what is it that you wanted me to see?"

"Just the result of some training I've done on my own"

He drew his Zanpakutō and held it in front of him before saying a word I didn't expect, Bankai.

Spirit energy surrounded him and when it died down, Suro stood there with a black pelt over his shoulder, a sword in each hand and some sort of black energy around his feet that made them look like paws.

"You've achieved Bankai"

"Yes. A few weeks ago actually.

-Dad and Shunsui has been helping me with training up my skills when it comes to fighting with dual swords"

"Well then, care to show me how much stronger you've become with that"

"Of course"

I drew Tenken and decided to wait for a while before activating my Shikai.

I was impressed over his skills even thought he hadn't fully mastered his Bankai. It was also easy to see the training he had given by the two dual wielding captains.

After a while, I put Tenken back in his scabbard since I saw that Suro was getting tired. He still hadn't mastered that part of his Bankai.

"That was amazing Suro to think that you've achieved that much power already"

"Thanks Sajin. I couldn't believe it myself at first when I got it but Kuroi must think I'm ready for it or else he wouldn't have given me the powers"

"That's true"

Time passed and a few years later, the 13th division lost their lieutenant. I felt really sorry for captain Ukitake, Suro and the rest of the 13th.

Suro was named the new lieutenant a week later and I had no doubts that he would do a great job. I was right since after every meeting, Tetsuzaemon would come back and tell me great things about him.

40 years had now passed since he took on the position and the two of us were walking down the path that led to our usual place.

"I heard from Tetsuzaemon that you recommended that Kuchiki girl for the mission in the world of the living"

"I did. Both dad and I believe that it will give her much needed experience"

"I see. Then it's a wise decision.

-I guess you also heard that a junior of yours will become a lieutenant"

"If you mean Renji then yes, we were told that during the meeting.

-That guy has come along way since that time"

"You talking about the field training in the world of the living you had at the academy?"

"Yes. Back then I did see potential in him, Izuru and Momo but I never thought all three would end up as lieutenants, two of them even getting the rank before me"

I chuckled slightly at that and as we exitet the forest, I took of my helmet.

"Ready?"

"Of course"

We then began our normal training.

Rukia Kuchiki, the one sent to the world of the living was supposed to return the next month but she never did. I could see that my friend was worried at first but he told himself that may just be a problem that would take a few days to fix.

But it didn't, another month passed without her returning. In the end, captain Kuchiki and lieutenant Abarai were sent to the world of the living to get her back and it decided that she would be executed because she gave her powers to a human.

Some days after she was taken back to the Soul Society, a group of Ryoka appeared in Rukongai but was stopped from entering the Seireitei by captain Ichimaru.

But they managed to get into the Seireitei somehow and all officers were allowed to carry their Zanpakutō around at all time.

In the middle of all the chaos they created, captain Aizen was found dead by his own lieutenant. Kaname and I visited the 4th were Unohana confirmed his death to us.

But it didn't stop there. I got news that Suro had encoutered two Ryoka that night but he managed to get away with only a few scratches and then, captain Kurotsuchi had encoutered the same Ryoka who injured him quite a bit.

Kaname found the boy that morning and he was taken to the 4th to have his injuries healed before putting him in a cell.

I myself was at the 7th when it happened and a while later, Tetsuazemon came with a Hell Butterfly.

"Sir this message came just now"

I held out my hand and the butterfly landed on it and I listened to the message, that Rukia Kuchiki execution had been moved to 29 hours for now and that it wasn't going to change again.

I didn't have a chance to worry to much about my friend who would have to watch his own subordinate die since on my way to the execution, Kaname and I found out that Kenpachi had helped the Ryoka escape.

We fought against him and during the battle, I shielded Kaname from a strike and it made my helmet crack, revealing my face. But I didn't care, I activated my Bankai and fought against Kenpachi until we saw the Sōkyoku being released.

Not long after that, I felt Master Genryūsai's spiritual pressure and left the battle to find him.

I hadn't gotten far when the voice of Unohana's lieutenant was heard. She told everyone that Aizen had faked his own death and that he was a traitor along with Ichimaru and Kaname.

I quickly went to Sōkyoku Hill were I indeed found Aizen alive. I landed behind him and tried to attack but he grabbed my sword with just one hand.

"It's been quite a while since the last time I saw your face.

-What's brought about the change of heart, Sajin. Has something happened?"

"Aizen how dare you stand there and smile like that.

-You betrayed everybody, everyone of us. You will not be forgiven. Neither will you...Kaname."

I raised my fist and with my Shikai activated, I tried to hit Aizen but he got away and stood next to Kaname.

"Kaname if you got an explanation I need to hear it now"

Kaname was quiet.

"That's it...Nothing. Too bad Kaname.

-BANKAI"

But before Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō had a chance to appear, Aizen somehow appeared in front of me and used a level 90 Hadō on me so I collapsed on the ground.

When the trio then was raised into the air, I slammed my fist into the ground and screamed at Kaname before the Garganta closed.

Members of the 4th division arrived a while later and two of them went up to me but I told them that I was alright.

"You two, go help someone else. I'll take care of the captain"

"Yes sir"

I looked behind me and saw that it was Katsurou who had ordered the two away. He then looked up at me.

"Sajin sit down"

I looked at him and did as I was told before he placed his hands on my arm and started to heal my injuries.

When he asked me why I wouldn't let those two heal me, I turned my head away from him.

"You're still scared about what they would think of you"

"Maybe so"

"Sajin, every captain and lieutenant saw your face earlier, they know what you look like. So there's no need for you to hide it anymore.

-Your appearance won't change anything. You're still the strong and fair captain of the 7th division"

"You sure?"

"Sajin, I've known you since I was a child and you haven't changed a bit since then.

-Your men or any other Soul Reaper will not be scared of you because they know how kind you truly are"

I closed my eyes and sighed before I looked at him and smiled.

"Thank you Suro"

I may have lost one friend to Aizen but I was glad that I still had Katsurou.

After that, we began training for the battle with Aizen that would take place that winter.

When the day came, we all entered the world of the living but just we thought that we had defeated 2 of the Espada, another Arrancar appeared and revealed that they were still alive. But we were lucky since eight people appeared and helped us in the battle, among them was my old captain, Aikawa.

Shūhei and I found ourselves in a battle with Kaname who had gained the powers of Hollowfication. After a tough battle, we defeated him and when it looked like he seemed to become his old self, his body exploded.

Hadn't Ichigo Kurosaki appeared at that moment, I may have attacked Aizen inblind rage which could have ended in my death.

Myself, the rest of the captains that was standing and Aikawa's group all helped Ichigo the best we could but Aizen defeated us.

When I woke up, I was in the 4th division and captain Unohana was standing above me.

"Good to see you're awake captain Komamura"

"What happened?"

I then sat up a bit too quickly and as I raised my left hand to my head, I noticed that it had been restored.

"As good as new isn't it?"

"Did you do this captain Unohana?"

"Yes. Both you and SoiFon had your arms cut off or destroyed by the enemy but I restored them for you"

"Thank you very much"

She nodded at me before leaving and a while later, Suro came in.

"I'm glad to see you're okay Sajin"

"Glad to see you're okay as well

-How's your father? I saw what that Arrancar did to him"

"He'll be fine after a few days of rest here.

-I did some emergency healing back at the battlefield and Captain Unohana did the rest"

"I'm glad to hear that"

A sad look then appeared in his eyes.

"Shūhei told me what happened to Kaname. I'm sorry Sajin"

"Thank you.

-I never expected that to happen to him but if Ichigo hadn't showed up when he did, I would have been killed by Aizen myself since I was about to attack him"

"He's an amazing kid. Too bad we won't have him on our side anymore"

"What do you mean?"

"According to Rukia, Ichigo gave up all his Soul Reaper powers in order to defeat Aizen"

"I see"

"He and his friends are still here but they will return to the world of the living once he wakes up.

-It's sad to lose such a strong ally"

"Indeed. If not for him, your subordinate would be dead by now"

"And we would all have fallen for Aizen's plan

-We were lucky to have Ichigo and now we have to do things on our own"

Aizen was give 20.000 years of imprisonment in Muken for what he had done. His, Kaname's and Ichimaru's captain positions were given to three men who had held the position 100 years ago, three of Aikawa's friends.

17 months later, Kisuke Urahara came to the Soul Society and on the head-captain's orders, all captains and lieutenants placed a bit of their spirit energy into a sword which would be used to restore Ichigo's powers.

Our greatest ally returned to us and not long after that, a new threat came to the Soul Society in the form of Quincies.

During their invasion of the Seireitei, I faced a girl who had killed many officers before I got there. But before I had the chance, my Bankai was stolen from me.

We lost Master Genryūsai during that battle and once it was calmer, I seeked out my great-grandfather and after defeating him, I had him reveal to me a secret technique of our clan.

The Humanization Technique allowed me to become human for the cost of my heart and when the battle was over, I transformed into a regular wolf.

I had exchanged my soul of vengance, gone against the very advice I gave Kaname.

Tetsuzaemon found me not long after that and we went through the rest of the war together, apart from the other divisions.

When the war was over, I began living on the hill behind the 7th division training grounds were two werewolf cubs names Shouma and Urui found me one day and I let them stay with me since they wanted to become Soul Reapers.

I was laying in my home when I heard three set of feet get closer, I figured that it was Tetsuzaemon but the smell wasn't quite his.

I soon heard Shouma's voice telling me to come out and when I did, I saw someone I didn't think I would see with them, Suro.

He knelt down and I sniffed his hand before leaning my face into it.

"It's good to see you again old friend.

-I've missed you a lot, Sajin"

I looked at him before I nuzzled my face against his chest, my tail wagging. I was so happy to see him again.

Since I couldn't speak anymore I let out growls that Shouma and Urui translated into what I wanted to say.

Suro then laid down in the grass and I laid down next to him as the brothers told him their story of how they found me.

Katsurou visited us a lot after that and with the help of both him and Tetsuzaemon, the boys got into the academy some years later.

There was one time he visited when he told me that he had began dating a woman named Hana and I was actually happy for him. A few months later, Tetsuzaemon told me that they were getting married since he was invited to it.

Ten years had now passed since the war and I was laying in the grass, enjoying the good weather when I heard footsteps.

I looked up and saw Katsurou come with two children, the boy of the two looked a lot like him.

"Wolfie, said the girl"

I backed away a bit when the boy came closer to me.

"Hikaru don't scare him!"

"Sorry dad"

Katsurou knelt down and held out his hand.

"It's okay Sajin, these are my kids"

"Wait, this is the wolf captain you said was a good friend of yours, said the boy"

"Yes. I told you didn't I, he gave up his life as a Soul Reaper to defeat his enemy"

"I remember that"

The boy then held out his hand.

"I'm Hikaru. Nice to meet you Sajin"

I sniffed his hand before my tail started wagging and I heard Katsurou chuckle.

"I think he likes you Hikaru, as long as you're gentle with him"

"Got it"

Katsurou then placed the girl he was carrying on the ground and she seemed a bit more scared of me. Not that I blamed her, I am a big wolf after all.

I gently got closer and laid down to let her pet me instead of doing the same as with her brother.

Suro saw that his daughter seemed scared and placed his hand on my head.

"See Haruka, he's not dangerous"

She lifted her hand a bit and placed it on my nose and when she realized that I wasn't scary, she laughed a bit in happines.

After that, Suro would visit me with his son and when she got older, Haruka would come with them more often.

One day, Hikaru and Haruka came on their own to see me.

"Sajin!"

My tail started wagging when I saw the two get closer and Haruka even hugged me.

"We have a surprise for you, she said"

I looked at the two of them before turning the way they had come from.

There came Suro, dressed in a captain Haori.

"What do you think Sajin? Does the Haori of the 13th look good on me?"

I let out a happy bark which he seemed to take as a yes.

He told me that Ukitake retired and that he had been promoted the previous day.

I was really happy for him, he deserved that position a lot.

Katsurou became one of my best friends during my life as a Soul Reaper. Our friendship meant a lot to me and after the war with the Quincies, I was sad at first that I couldn't see him again.

But of course, when he showed up, I was really happy that there was a way for us to meet again even though I couldn't talk back to him.

His kids soon became good friends as well since they would visit me with their father or without him when he was busy.

I couldn't have asked for a better friend.

Author's note.

There will probably be at least one more of these chapters and it will be from Hisagi's POV.