Chapter 3
Ichigo was given a shikakusho. She changed into it before grabbing her zanpakuto. It was back in its katana form. Before she entered the academy, Isshin had taught her how to control her massive spirit energy reservoirs so she wouldn't be wielding a zanpakuto the size of a skyscraper. The blade's hilt was black with dark red crisscrosses. There was a small thin chain that hung off end of the hilt, the metal circles only big enough to fit a single finger through. The blade collar was black as well and was in a rectangle-like shape with tiny carvings into the metal. When her zanpakuto had turned back, the blade was remained silver, but it was slightly darker now. She tucked her zanpakuto into the white sash before running out to join her fellow graduates.
"Congratulations for graduating. You are now official soul reapers." one of the instructors said, smiling. "You have all worked hard and it has paid off."
They were handed a sheet of paper.
"These are your squad assignments. If you don't like them, you can request a transfer later." the instructor continued. "Report within thirty minutes to your new squad. You are free to go now."
Ichigo walked out of the academy, paper in hand.
"Ichigo!" she heard Isshin yell.
Ichigo looked over to see Isshin waving at her wildly. He was walking with two others. She recognized the two of them as Yoruichi Shihoin and Rangiku Matsumoto. Ichigo waved back and flash stepped over. Isshin hugged her tightly.
"You graduated! I'm so proud of you!" he exclaimed, squeezing the life out of his daughter.
Ichigo wheezed and managed to plant a knee in her father's stomach, kicking him away.
"Damn it, goat face! I can't breathe!" she exclaimed, panting to catch her breath.
Isshin had a hand curled around his stomach.
"Nice kick," he groaned out.
Yoruichi laughed.
"So, you have a zanpakuto and now you're an official soul reaper," she said. "Which squad were you assigned to?"
"I haven't looked yet," Ichigo said.
Rangiku stole the paper from Ichigo.
"Hey! That's mine!" Ichigo exclaimed.
Rangiku evaded her and looked at the paper.
"Squad 12," she said.
Yoruichi blinked before smiling.
"So, your captain is Kisuke," she said. "He's very nice, so don't worry, Ichigo. Although you may have to get used to all the renovations he's done to squad 12. He's turned it into a research institute with permission from the head captain."
"Research? I don't do research," Ichigo said.
"Hey look, you've even been assigned a seat already." Rangiku spoke up again. "You were probably placed in squad 12 because they needed the seat filled and you fit the bill."
"What?" Ichigo exclaimed. "Already?"
Ichigo snatched the paper from the strawberry blonde and looked at the paper. Sure enough, it was stated she was assigned to squad 12 as the twelfth seat.
"You're right in the middle," Yoruichi said, peering over the orange haired girl's shoulder. "Come on, I'll walk with you to squad 12."
"Me too!" Isshin exclaimed. "Can't miss my daughter's first day!"
Ichigo groaned as the four of them walked towards the squad 12 barracks.
"What's Captain Urahara like?" Ichigo asked Yoruichi.
"He can be pretty shy around new people, but he'll warm up to you soon enough. He's very smart too. When he was still in squad 2, he was the head of the Detention Unit and my third seat. He's a good man, Ichigo. You'll like him." Yoruichi said.
"We'll see about that," Ichigo said, sighing.
They got to the squad 12 barracks. Yoruichi knocked on the door. A few minutes, the door opened. A short girl glared at them.
"What?" she demanded.
"We're here to drop off a new member of squad 12," Yoruichi said, smiling. "Is Kisuke around?"
The girl scowled and stepped out fully.
"He's busy doing something in his office right now," she said. "I'll take the new member."
Isshin nudged Ichigo forward. Ichigo bowed in greeting.
"Ichigo Shiba," she said before holding out the paper.
The girl took it and scanned it.
"So, you're the new twelfth seat," she said. "Well, come on in, I guess."
Ichigo followed the girl into the barracks. Isshin waved goodbye to her as the doors closed.
"I'm Hiyori Sarugaki, Lieutenant of squad 12," the girl said.
They entered the main building. Hiyori went over to a door and knocked on it.
"Oi! Come out!" she shouted.
The door opened and a bleary looking man poked his head out. His blond hair was messy. He wore a captain's haori that was slightly wrinkled. His zanpakuto was tucked into the sash around his waist. He yawned.
"What is it, Hiyori?" he mumbled tiredly.
"Wake up, idiot! We have a new member," Hiyori exclaimed.
The man blinked and turned to look at Ichigo. He blinked a few more times. Then, he straightened and smiled kindly.
"Hello, I'm Kisuke Urahara, captain of squad 12," he said.
"Ichigo Shiba, the new twelfth seat," Ichigo said, bowing her head in greeting.
"Shiba? So you're related to Isshin," Kisuke said.
"He is my adopted father," Ichigo said.
"Well, it's good to have you here, Ichigo. I can call you that, right?"
"I don't mind," Ichigo replied.
Kisuke's smile widened.
"Well, Hiyori can show you around. I'm a little busy right now, but once I'm free, we can have another talk to get to know each other better," he said.
Hiyori sighed before grabbing Ichigo's sleeve.
"Lazy butt," she muttered.
Hiyori showed Ichigo around the lab and then the barracks.
"You don't really need to know what's going on here; you'll learn it on the job," Hiyori said. "Do you see that guy?"
Hiyori pointed to a pale white man with dark blue hair and an overall strange appearance.
"Yeah," Ichigo said.
"Stay far away from him. He's dangerous," Hiyori said. "The only thing keeping that guy in line is the captain. He was originally in the Maggot's Nest, the prison underneath squad 2."
"What's his name?"
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi," Hiyori said. "He's smart, on par with the captain, but his methods are unethical."
"I see," Ichigo said.
"So, you're one of the Shiba clan; no wonder Captain Shiba was with you," Hiyori said. "He must've been real proud."
"He almost suffocated me in his happiness," Ichigo said, scowling. "I had to kick him in the stomach to get him to let me go."
Hiyori chuckled.
"I like you, Ichigo," she said.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Call me Hiyori," Hiyori said. "You kicked a captain level soul reaper in the stomach. That earns my respect. It means you don't take crap from anyone, even if they're of a higher rank than you. You'll fit in well here."
Ichigo smiled slightly.
