Hello everyone! Here we are with the last 'actual' chapter of this arc. Can you believe we've reached book length? I couldn't when I realized I'd reached almost 100.000 words! This is so fucking amazing!
Anyways, next chapter will be smut, only smut, and nothing but smut. If that's not your cup of tea, you've been warned thoroughly ;). No worries if that's not for you and you wish to skip it, you won't miss vital details of the story, and I respect your preferences.
After next chapter — whenever I get around to it, hopefully sometime in the next two weeks —, I'm going to take a longer break to take some time for myself, work on some other projects, and think about how I'm going to structure the next arc. That way I start refreshed and eager at the next part of this wonderful journey, probably in September, but we'll see how things go.
Many thanks to my beta Alysaldria!
Please enjoy and leave a review on your way out!
Chapter 36: Unexpected Rewards
"You've ignored every rule, both spoken and unspoken, put in place to protect you as Academy students. You followed another student out of the gates and into the most dangerous parts of Rukongai, which you were all well aware you have no permission to do unless accompanied by a senior member of the Gotei 13. You interfered in a mission so far above your pay grade it's not even classified as deadly anymore and when things went awry, instead of notifying the proper instances, you set out on your own. You broke into the lair of a highly dangerous criminal, who had only hours before kidnapped several Captains and Lieutenants before your very noses, with no regard for your own safety!" Here, the Captain-Commander pauses his tirade to take a deep breath.
Ichigo cringes inwardly from his place between his friends and he's not the only one. Ise looks close to tears and Komamura's head is hung low in dejection. The corners of Matsumoto's mouth are set in stubborn defiance and Tousen is standing straight-backed and stoic. He's gotten his own earful already multiple times. From Kaien. And Sousuke. And Kyoraku and Ukitake. And Miyako. And Kukaku. And Ganju. He hadn't been able to set a foot within the Shiba compound without getting scolded to be honest. But at least that had all happened in private and not in front of the entire upper echelon of the Gotei 13.
It's two days after the prison break and brutal elimination of Central 46. Two days of examinations by Unohana-taichou and Geta-Boshi. Two days of teaching the Visored how to deal with their new instincts and urges as well as how to use their new powers, all the while sidestepping questions with bullshit like "It just comes naturally to me," or "My Hollow has strong opinions and refuses to see me not at full strength,". No one truly believes him, obviously, but they don't press him for the truth. Two days of getting scolded by everyone he knows followed by nearly getting smothered in care and concern.
Ichigo is at the point where everything is getting on his nerves and all he wants to do is flee to Rukongai to get some rest and silence. And maybe carve up some Hollows in the process to let off some steam. However, the worry lingering in the corners of Kaien's eyes and Miyako's shoulders has stilled his feet each and every time. So instead, he has been seeking refuge in his rooms and at the Kuchiki manor under the pretense of playdates with Rukia and Hisana every free moment he's had. Even Kaien can't protest against Ichigo spending time with other clans within the protection of Seireitei.
The summons this morning had been a surprise and now, standing in the giant meeting hall in front of the Captain-Commander with all the Captains and Lieutenants present behind them, Ichigo wishes he hadn't gotten out of bed this morning. Not that he regrets anything, he will do it again if he has to, but he's gotten pretty tired of the constant reprimands and he never intended for any backlash to reach his friends. Not that any of the consequences had really crossed his mind when he'd gone after the rescue group, but this is still not a wanted outcome.
"Your actions have placed yourselves in immense danger," Ichigo wishes the Captain-Commander would get on with it. The message has been received, all right! "And saved those same Captains and Lieutenants from a disastrous fate. We are all in your debt."
'Wait – what?!' Ichigo almost does a double take as he struggles to process the words that have left the Captain-Commander's mouth. The others next to him look as flabbergasted as he feels and the emotional whiplash hits hard.
"Therefore, after much debate about rewards and punishments, we feel you have reached the goals the Academy sets for graduating students. You have displayed initiative, an excellent set of skills, teamwork, and incredible courage in the face of danger, something we rarely see even from our most seasoned Shinigami. Congratulations on graduating from the Shin'o Academy and becoming fully fledged members of the Gotei 13!" the Captain-Commander finishes with a proud smile and a wide gesture of his arms.
The hall explodes in applause as the five gobsmacked teenagers look at each other to confirm that this is really happening. They don't get to stay astonished for long however as the severe hall is transformed into a much more festive looking place in literal seconds around them. Banners and streamers are let down from the ceiling, food and drinks are brought in and everyone starts to mingle.
Ise is the first to be approached, Tessai dwarfing her already slight posture as he bends over her to invite her into the Kido Corps. Not even a moment after the last word has left his lips, Unohana-taichou shoves him aside to make her own offer. She has also grabbed Tousen by the arm and is making him an offer of his own. Tessai, despite his quiet nature, clearly can't let that stand and is making counteroffers.
Not long after Matsumoto and Komamura are swarmed with Captains as well and Ichigo can hear them bidding up against each other, all trying to make the ultimate offer that would secure them the graduate they are vying for.
"So the 8th division or nothing, huh. Does that still stand?" Ichigo whirls around only to come face to face with Kyoraku, who is lounging against one of the pillars.
Ichigo raises an eyebrow, "Depends, am I still being offered that 3rd seat?" he asks back playfully. In truth it doesn't matter what he's being offered, he's already made his mind up, but he knows Kyoraku enjoys the game.
"Naturally, I'd be a fool not to offer you a position as high as that. Especially after having read your report on the whole kidnapping and imprisonment situation, it was incredibly thorough. Lisa will be happy to not have to do all the paperwork alone anymore," Kyoraku smiles back.
He has to resist rolling his eyes in response. Of course Kyoraku would also be looking to get out of doing his paperwork. Too bad Ichigo has no patience for slackers and he isn't planning on doing his Captain's work for him. But, he'll keep silent on that particular part of his personality. It will make for a nice surprise once he's officially part of the 8th.
"Tsk, tsk. Careful, Shunsui. You might run off this wonderful young man with your remarks and then I'll have no option but to offer him a position in my own division instead." The Captain-Commander's voice sounds from his right.
"Threatening to steal my favourite graduate student already? How mean," Kyoraku teases right back.
The Captain-Commander smiles at them both. His aura has changed drastically from what Ichigo has seen before — the scolding speech not even an hour ago and the serious interrogation days ago — now he is exuding a warm, almost fatherly presence. "I wouldn't dare. No, I've actually come to make a somewhat different offer, though I would love to see Ichigo in my own division."
"I'm listening," Ichigo says while motioning for the Captain-Commander to continue. He's confused as to what else he can be offered.
"You are a very talented young man. A genius when it comes to the blade, which you have proven more than once, as well as other areas of fighting. Perhaps a bit rough here and there, but nothing that experience cannot teach. Most importantly… you are a leader at heart. When you talk, people listen. And not just that, but you care. You care deeply for the people you've welcomed into your heart, yet also for strangers you've never had much interaction with. The first part makes you a good person, the second part makes you an excellent ruler."
Ichigo scoffs. "I don't want to rule anyone. And I only took the others with me because they refused to accept no as an answer. Besides, they spent most of that mission on their own while I was kidnapped by Kurotsuchi."
The Captain-Commander gives him a considerate look. "Humble too, I see. I wasn't just talking about that specific escapade) or even the one that directly followed it. I'm talking about you as a person in general. You inspire people; to follow you, to do things in your name, even to become a better person. All by simply being in your presence. It's a gift and a curse and I wish to help you with it. To guide you as you flourish into your adult life and see your journey up close. In short, I wish to be your mentor."
Ichigo is dumbstruck at the Captain-Commander's speech. He's never had a true teacher before. He's been taught things for sure, by Geta-Boshi, by Yoruichi, by Shinji, even by his own father. But he would hardly call them teachers, let alone mentors. They taught him one specific thing pertaining to a specific situation and then sent him out to clean up their messes. The Captain-Commander doesn't seem to have an immediate ulterior motive. Not that he doesn't have one, but Ichigo can't divine it right now and that's a step up at least.
"I'll think about it," he responds, trying to go for slightly interested, yet unable to hide his anticipation.
The Captain-Commander is practically vibrating in place as he nods his head. "I'll be looking forward to your answer in that case."
Another key difference. Ichigo could never quite shake off the feeling his teachers didn't really want to be there. That he was just another box to check off and it burned, especially when they underestimated his intelligence. He didn't need to pull all-nighters to get his 23rd place in the school rankings and yet each time he was treated like an idiot simply because he learns differently than what they were used to.
He shakes off the thoughts like a dog ridding his coat of water. None of that matters anymore and while the memories may linger, their hold becomes fainter by the day. He'll see how the Captain-Commander does as a teacher and make up his mind afterwards.
As Ichigo turns towards the centre of the hall, where various bottles of alcohol have been pulled out, he almost smacks into Shinji.
"Ichigo! The man of the hour! How about some sake, hmmm?" he cries out as he shoves a cup into Ichigo's hands.
Meanwhile Ichigo looks at the small innocuous cup like it contains potent poison. He still vividly remembers the last time Shinji pressed a cup of sake into his hands. Or rather, he still vividly remembers the alcohol shaped hole in his memories. He doesn't plan on repeating the experience any time soon. Even if good things have come from it as a result.
"I'll take that, love."
All-right, now Ichigo really has to stop being preoccupied with his own thoughts. If he doesn't even notice Sousuke sneaking up to him, when he's practically attuned to the others reiatsu, something is really wrong.
Wordlessly he hands the cup to Sousuke, whose fingers linger a little too long and caress his own as they slide the cup from his hand. He tries to throw a reproachful glare at him, but the heat in Sousuke's gaze makes his breath catch and he feels the warmth creeping up his cheeks.
He turns away from Sousuke, intending to seek out one of his friends to calm down a little, but Sousuke catches his elbow and bends towards him. Ichigo can feel the warmth of Sousuke's body burning at his back even through his Shihakusho and he wonders briefly whether it had always been this hot in the hall.
Sousuke's breath is cool against the overheated skin of Ichigo's ear as he whispers, "Kaien is distracted, let's go outside while it lasts."
Wide-eyed, Ichigo does his best to suppress the shivers that roll down his back and looks back at Sousuke, because surely he can't be implying what Ichigo thinks he is implying, right? The devilish smirk gracing Sousuke's handsome face and the way his eyes have become dark and glittering quickly banish whatever misconceptions lingered in Ichigo's mind.
Heart racing and feeling bold all of a sudden, he asks, "Do you have a place in mind?"