Chapter 6

"That barbaric squad? I heard the new captain is absolutely ruthless, merciless in a battle. He just barely became a captain and he already has a reputation! And you've been transferred there?" Hiyori exclaimed.

"Hiyori, you know I'm not cut out for research," Ichigo said.

"Yeah, I know that, but seriously. Squad 11 of all places?!" Hiyori exclaimed. "You're going to become one of those guys that's all brawn and no brains! Not to mention, you're being transferred only after three weeks of being a squad member."

"Now, now, Hiyori, calm down," Kisuke said. "You are allowed to visit her, you know."

"Yeah, I'm going to a different squad, not a different country," Ichigo added.

Hiyori scowled.

"You better visit," she said, pointing at Ichigo.

"You're my friend, Hiyori. Why wouldn't I visit?" Ichigo smiled slightly.

Hiyori huffed, but seemed satisfied with her answer.

"Well, it was nice having you in my squad, Ichigo," Kisuke said. "Please feel free to come over anytime."

Ichigo nodded and smiled.

"I will," she said. "Thank you for having me, Captain Urahara."


Ichigo took a deep breath before knocking on the doors to squad 11. It took a few moments before the doors opened.

"What do you want?" the burly soul reaper demanded.

"I've been transferred to squad 11," Ichigo said, holding out the paper.

The soul reaper glanced at the paper before opening the door wider.

"I'll take you to see the captain then," he said.

"Thank you," Ichigo replied.

Ichigo walked through the barracks, noting that most of the members of squad 11 were all men.

"Hey!"

Ichigo and her guide paused. A tall bald man followed by an effeminate man were walking towards them.

"Who's this? A new transfer?" the bald man asked.

"Yes, I'm taking her to see Captain Zaraki now," Her guide said.

The bald man looked at Ichigo.

"We'll take over from here," he said. "The captain just left a few minutes ago for a patrol."

The burly soul reaper bowed his head and walked away.

"My, you are rather beautiful. Why were you transferred to squad 11?" the effeminate man asked.

"Perhaps you should introduce yourselves first," Ichigo said instead, not displaying any emotion.

"Fair enough," the bald man said, smirking. "I'm Ikkaku Madarame, third seat of squad 11."

"Yumichika Ayasegawa, fifth seat," the effeminate man said, flicking his hair.

"Ichigo Shiba," Ichigo said.

"Shiba, eh? So, you're related to Captain Shiba," Ikkaku said.

"He is my adopted father. Is that important?"

"No," Ikkaku said. "If you can fight well, you'll fit in just fine here in squad 11."

"Like Ikkaku said earlier, Captain Zaraki just went off to fight a couple of Hollows in the Rukon District," Yumichika said. "He'll be back shortly. In the meantime, how about you show us your skills?"

"I'll be your opponent." Ikkaku said, grinning eagerly.

Ichigo nodded in acceptance to the duel and followed the two seated officers to the courtyard. Ikkaku began doing a strange dance. Ichigo blinked.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"It's my Lucky dance. I do it before every dance," Ikkaku said.

"It makes you look like a moron," Ichigo said bluntly.

Ikkaku scowled and drew his zanpakuto.

"Oh, I'll make you pay for that, Shiba! Bring it!" he exclaimed.

Ichigo smirked slightly and unsheathed her zanpakuto.

"With pleasure, Madarame," she replied.

With that, Ikkaku and Ichigo charged at each other.


Kenpachi entered the squad 11 barracks, his zanpakuto resting on a shoulder. Yachiru was peeking over his shoulder as usual. His squad greeted him.

"Welcome back, Captain Zaraki!"

Kenpachhi grunted in acknowledgement. He looked around and frowned.

"Where's Ikkaku and Yumichika?" he asked in his gruff deep voice.

"Captain, we got another transfer. Third seat Madarame is dueling her right now."

"A new transfer? I think I remember getting a message about that yesterday," Kenpachi said. "Where are they?"

"In the courtyard, sir."

Kenpachi walked through the barracks and opened the door to the courtyard. He joined Yumichika on the patio.

"Ah, Captain Zaraki, you're back," Yumichika said.

Kenpachi studied the scene before him. Ikkaku and an orange haired young woman were fighting each other furiously.

"How long have they been fighting?" Kenpachi asked.

"Since you were gone," Yumichika said. "So, about twenty minutes."

Yumichika hummed thoughtfully as he turned his attention back to the battle.

"She's a good fighter, that's for sure. But her fighting style is unstructured, unpredictable," he said. "That makes her dangerous."

"What's her name?" Kenpachi asked.

"Ichigo Shiba."

"Interesting," Kenpachi said.

"I like her!" Yachiru exclaimed. "She's pretty and it's about time another girl joined squad 11!"

Kenpachi grunted as he continued to watch the fight.


Ikkaku grinned, wiping some sweat and blood from his forehead.

"Damn, you're good," he said.

Ichigo huffed, shifting her grip on her zanpakuto.

"You're pretty good yourself," she said.

"So why were you transferred? And where did you transfer from anyways?" Ikkaku asked curiously.

"I transferred from squad 12."

Ikkaku blinked in surprise.

"Seriously? The research and development squad?" he asked. "How'd you get in there?"

"I believe it was random, but anything's better than squad 10 and squad 5." Ichigo said.

They attacked each other again.

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Ikkaku exclaimed, ducking under a fast swipe at his head.

"I refuse to be under the command of my father," Ichigo said, dodging a stab to her shoulder. "And I don't mind squad 5, but I don't like that creepy guy that's third seat."

Ikkaku snorted.

"Strange reason to dislike squad 5, but okay," he said.

Ichigo lunged forward and jumped up, smashing her feet into Ikkaku's face. Ikkaku stumbled and held his nose. Ichigo landed on her feet lightly.

"Learned that one from my friend, Hiyori," Ichigo said. "It's also very effective on my father when he tries to hug the life out of me."

"You broke my nose!" Ikkaku exclaimed.

"Payback for yanking my hair earlier," Ichigo said, smirking.

"All right, you two, that's enough," Yumichika called over. "Captain Zaraki's here."

Ikkaku and Ichigo looked over.

"Captain, you're back!" Ikkaku exclaimed, still holding his broken and bloodied nose.

"You got a broken nose from a kick to the face?" Kenpachi asked.

"Not funny, captain! Ichigo kicks really hard!" Ikkaku exclaimed defensively.

"Oh? We're on a first name basis already?"

"Shut up!" Ikkaku glared at the orange haired woman.

Kenpachi snorted in amusement.

"I like her," he said.

Yumichika was snickering at Ikkaku.

"You fight well," Kenpachi said, looking at Ichigo. "I think you'll fit in very well here."

Ichigo bowed slightly.

"Thank you for having me, Captain Zaraki."