Author's Note:
So, in this fanfiction, Renji is the third seat of the 6th Division, and my OC is the Assistant Captain of 6th Division.
Just wanted to do that so I could write more OC x Byakuya pairings XD
This story will be starting right from the beginning, before the events of Volume 1.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, only my OC.
OC Information:
Name: Kanae Shibuya
Position: 6th Division Assistant Captain
Zanpakuto: Nisshoku
"Shibuya Kanae, 4th Seat of 9th Division, receiving promotion to Assistant Captain of 6th Division."
The words rang through Kanae's head.
"Wait, promotion?"
Hisagi scanned the crisp white sheet of paper again. "Yeah. That's what it says."
Kanae's eyes widened. "No way!"
"Congrats." Izuru said, in a monotone that barely conveyed his approval.
"Careful, though. Captain Kuchiki isn't meant to be messed with." Hisagi warned, standing up from the mat where the three friends sat. "I have no idea how Rukia's survived all these years."
"It can't be that bad." Kanae rose after him. "If I don't get in his way, it'll all be fine. Right?"
"Hah. Good luck not provoking him. Captain Kuchiki is... a difficult captain. According to Renji, he expects a lot of discipline from his division."
Kanae snorted. "Like we haven't heard that before."
"No, really. All the 6th Division dudes work their asses off 'cause Captain Kuchiki is low-key scary."
Izuru followed the two as they made their way to their respective barracks, Kanae now reporting to her new division.
"Well, if we don't see you for while, we'll know where you're at." he said, thinking of the piles of paperwork probably waiting for him back at the 3rd Division.
"Don't worry. I'll survive." she promised.
As Kanae made her way to her new captain's office, she came to the realization that, no, she really didn't know much about Captain Kuchiki. She had seen him during the captain's meetings when she had delivered a note to Captain Tosen, but other than that, there had never been interaction between him and her. Hisagi and Izuru had been pretty adamant about his personality.
Coming to a stop before the giant wood door of his office, she took a deep breath.
Knocked once.
"Come in." came the curt reply.
She slowly opened the door (it was pretty heavy) and stepped in. There was her new captain, seated at his desk and neatly going over a few papers he had on his desk.
The room was full of books, large volumes stacked up on shelves. The whole place was so organized, so unlike herself, that Kanae couldn't help herself from staring.
"Yes?"
She blinked and looked up from the lone speck of dust she had been chasing with her eyes on the floor. "Oh! My apologies!" She bent down in a slight bow. "I'm Kanae Shibuya, your new lieutenant?" She ended the sentence with a questionable tone, slightly unsure if Hisagi and Izuru had simply been playing a prank on her.
Byakuya studied her for a moment, then evidently decided that he approved of her, since he simply nodded and looked back down at his paper.
"Your office is down the hall to the right across from the courtyard. Third door." As he spoke, he began writing again.
"Oh. Okay." She was beginning to wonder if her captain really disliked talking. "Uh, is there anything I'm supposed to do?"
"No."
"Alright. Thank you, Captain!" she cheerily added, before stepping back out into the hall. She closed the door and took a deep breath.
"Holy shit!" she muttered. "There is no way I'm gonna be able to put up with this."
She shunpoed down the hallway and began to inspect her new office. It was relatively barren, except for a desk and a chair.
"God, this is so blank. I'm gonna have to bring a painting or something." She groaned. It would take a couple of trips to bring over her stuff from 9th Division barracks.
Upon her reentry into the hallway, she was nearly hit by a large red object making its way to the other end of the barrack.
"Wah!" She stumbled back in surprise.
"Sorry." The object, now revealed to be a tall Shinigami with vibrant red hair, scratched his head. "Wait, who are you?"
She stepped back. "Oh, uh..." How was she supposed to respond? "I'm the, uh, new assistant captain."
"New assistant captain?" He narrowed his eyes. "Wait, why wasn't I promoted instead?"
"Wha-"
Before Kanae could ask, the redhead had stormed down the hallway to where she could only predict was Captain Kuchiki's office.
"Wait!" She raced after him. "I can explai-" She came to a halt in front of the door, which he wrenched open without even knocking.
"Captain!" He demanded, slamming his hands down on the table. Byakuya didn't bother to look up from his paperwork. "Why wasn't I promoted to assistant captain?"
After a while, Byakuya sighed, then carefully picked up another document. "Is that all you had to ask, Renji?"
"Yes!"
"Perhaps, if you finish the rest of your work and have extra time today, I shall tell you." Obviously finished with the conversation, Byakuya turned his attention back to his desk.
"B-b-but- Captain!"
Byakuya looked up at him. It was enough to send Renji into a series of rushed bows.
"I'm sorry, Captain! I'll leave right away!" He hurried out the door, bumping into Kanae's shoulder.
"Wait-" Kanae stopped as he disappeared from sight. She sighed, then turned to close the door to Byakuya's office.
"Miss Shibuya."
She turned around. "Yes?"
Byakuya gestured towards the chair in front of his desk.
"Oh. Okay then." she thought. "Now he wants to talk."
She slowly made her way over and took a seat. Her hands ran over the arms of the chair, fingers dancing across the finely carved wood. It was clear to him that she was unable to sit still, a fact which greatly bothered him.
"Miss Shibuya, your zanpakuto's ability is kido based, correct?"
"Yes." Why was he asking this? Was this a test of some sort that all assistant captains had to go through?
Byakuya rearranged the items on his desk, putting a vase of pink flowers to the side. "You may be wondering why I chose you to fill the position of Assistant Captain."
Kanae looked at him, a confused expression on her face.
"I did not have much say in it. Captain Tosen recommended you to me."
Her eyes widened. "Captain...Tosen?"
"If you are to continue as Assistant Captain, you will be required to uphold the reputation of the Division, as well as keep the rest of the Shinigami... in check."
Kanae nodded. "Yes, I-"
Byakuya held up a hand. "I do not have any information regarding your skills in fighting or kido. But we may let that pass for now." He looked back down at his desk. "You may leave."
"Y-yes, Captain!"
"...so then he, like, started saying all this stuff about how I should 'uphold the reputation of the Division' and basically clean up after everyone else. And, he doesn't even talk! He's literally mute!" Kanae groaned, collapsing back onto the mat.
"That's definitely Captain Kuchiki." Hisagi nodded. "At least you know it's not an impersonator."
"Not funny." she glared at him. "My career is in shambles!"
"...you're a dead soul." Izuru pointed out. "You have no career."
"Shut up!"
It was the first time she had seen both Hisagi and Izuru crack a smile, despite having known them for years. Maybe tormenting their fellow Shinigami was the only entertainment they enjoyed.
"You guys are so helpful." she grumbled.
"You're welcome."