Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Bleach or it's characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo.

The years seemed to have flown by. Kagome was happy and was proud of those in her class. Each had grown exponentially. And she had been a part of that growth. Of course, Kagome was well aware of her growth.

"Miss Higurashi?"

At the sound of her name, Kagome went still. That voice sounded very familiar. And with a glance at Shamilla beside her, she noted that the girl's eyes were wide as she looked behind them. Whoever it was had her attention. So, with deliberate slowness, Kagome looked over her shoulder at who called her name — seeing that Shamilla was not the only one who was reacting to that person.

When her eyes landed on a tall blond man, Kagome smiled. "Captain Hirako!"

The way that faint tint of pink dusted the bridge of his nose had her laughing. Just to see him try not to look flustered as he stared down at her. He was wearing his Captain's robes and looked rather dignified.

"I cannot believe how much you have changed in six years, Miss Higurashi," he said.

With a slight lift to one eyebrow, she let her smile getting wider. She took the compliment for what it was. Then again, she didn't care about compliments. And was feeling more than impish at the moment.

"And you haven't, Captain. You look like you did six years ago when you came to the Rukongain to recruit me," she said, allowing her voice to take on a teasing tone.

The way he blinked at her before laughing had her smiling wider still. He was still the personification of levity. A nice change from some of the other Captains she'd seen come to teach here at the Academy. Though she did enjoy the Calligraphy class, the Captain of the 6th Squad taught. And when she was able to get him to speak, she enjoyed listening to the wisdom he departed.

"Now, now... that isn't nice to say," he said. "I called out without thinking in all honesty. Not sure if you were the same person."

"Oh!? Well, at least you don't have to feel like a heel now," she said, chuckling softly. "I take it you here for the same reason as all the other Captains?"

When he nodded his head in answer, Kagome just gave a small tilt of her head and bowed at the waist. It was all the indicator she gave before turning and walking away. Even with her class graduating soon, she still had her classes. And as she passed Shamilla, who was stunned, she grasped the woman's arm and pulled her along. It was never polite to show up tardy.

All 13 Captains were in attendance sitting in the large meeting room. It was silent, though there was an air of excitement around everyone. This was a rather promising class that was graduating. And, of course, they all had their eyes on the prospective soon-to-be new Shinigami. And they had the students they wanted to be listed on the paper before them.

"Well, if you all have who you want written down, bring me your list," Shunsui said, a jovial smile curving his mouth.

As one, they each stood. Though when they moved forward, a small stir was caused when they noticed that a particular Captain was moving with them. He usually just left. This was not something he ever participated in. And it now held the other's attention as he handed his piece of paper to the Captain Commander. Who looked at it, then looked back up in shock.

"You serious, Kenpachi?" Shunsui asked.

The low rumbling, dark chuckle was all the answer that was given as they watched the Captain of the 11th Squad turned and left the room. Each was now wanting to know who the person he wanted was. But it was a private thing. So, they all knew they couldn't ask; just wait and see if that particular student would take the honor for what it was.

Kagome was glad that the ceremony was short. Though she felt a bit anxious at the moment, she didn't receive anything, like her fellow students, that said she had caught the interest of a particular Squad. But that was okay with her. There was only one squad she wanted to join and had taken great care not to let it slip to anyone. Though if she had, she was sure that people would think of her as crazy and try to convince her that she needed to choose a different squad.

"Miss Higurashi, would you come here for a second."

At the sound of that voice, she turned and looked at the Captain-Commander himself. Quickly she tried to figure out if she had done something wrong and was not going to get to be a Shinigami. So, taking a deep breath and swallowing the spit that had seemed to collect in her suddenly dry mouth rapidly, she walked over to him. Bowing at the waist until he told her to raise.

"This is for you. I felt that I should give it to you personally," The Captain-Commander said, his dark eyes observing her.

Taking the folded piece of paper, Kagome studied his face and aura. A bit shocked to see he was both amused and in shock himself. Pursing her lips, she dropped her gaze to the piece of paper and opened it. Quickly she scanned it. Not at all surprised to see that she had been selected to join the 4th Squad. Her healing abilities were up there with what was required. Next was the 5th Squad. She figured after seeing the Captain a few days ago that this might happen.

But still, it was a pleasant surprise. Though Kagome couldn't recall what the 5th Squad was known for other than being well rounded in all areas. Next came the 6th Squad. This had her glancing up at the Captain Commander, who just continued to look at her, assessing. She was sure that Byakuya wouldn't want anything to do with her since she knew, he knew, that she'd kept taking his calligraphy class to annoy him.

It was the last one written on there that had her jaw-dropping as she lifted her head, eyes wide in her face to stare at the Captain Commander — fully understanding why he wanted to deliver this to her himself. A fact that was well known was that the Captain of the 11th Squad didn't even scout out potentials. He took those that thought they wanted to join. Put them through a ringer of a hazing. And those that survived got to stay. That Squad valued strength over anything else.

"Huwah?" she said so inelegantly.

The smile she got at her response, before the Captain Commander replied, "Yeah, that was my first thought. But apparently, he was serious about this. I asked. He smiled..."

What he said had her smiling widely — showing her happiness and confidence in her decision. Which had the Captain Commander staring slack-jawed at her?

"You mean... you wanted to..." he said. "I would have never expected you to want to join that Squad. By all means, go for it. Show them what you're capable of."

Giving a small nod of her head, Kagome clutched the piece of paper to her chest, spun, and ran from the room. Once more, ignoring the stares, she was receiving from everyone else around her. She wanted to pack her few meager belongings. And the fact that the others would probably speculate that she'd been chosen for the first Squad by the Captain Commander himself was just fine for her.

Yumichika stood there, staring down at the petite girl standing before the gates to the 11th Squad's main compound. He was rather curious as to what a little girl was doing there. And he was already late to see the new hopefuls that wanted to join the 11th Squad.

"Hey, you lost?" he asked, putting on a polite smile.

When the girl turned around, he realized that this was no little girl. Rather a woman who was short like Rukia. And her azure eyes held him captive as he stared down at her. He was seeing in her arms a small bundle and Zanpakuto, which had him rechecking his thoughts at the door, literally.

"No, I have come to be a part of the 11th squad," she stated primly, and very seriously. "And shouldn't you already be inside... I mean, you are the 3rd seat, right? Ayasegawa, Yumichika?"

He couldn't say anything but nodded his head yes. He was stunned that this little slip of a woman wanted to join. It would be her humiliating funeral. The slight haze that they did to weed out those that were not suited for the 11th Squad was brutal.

"Yes, you are right. Please follow me," Yumiochika stated as he walked by her.

The way she smiled softly up at him had him feeling even more sorry for the girl. But he figured that she would have to learn on her own. He quickly made his way to the main training hall, where he could hear Ikkaku giving a break down of what was going to happen. Yumichika only stopped long enough to open the sliding shoji door and enter, closing it once the girl was in.

"Alright, you new peons, once your name has been read stand in a line. You will be facing off against each other first. Then once I've seen what you can do against each other, I will have those that impressed me the most continue to the next round."

From there, Yumichika took his seat, his eyes straying every few seconds to the girl. Who had set down her small bundle of things and was standing proudly at the end of the line of newbies. That gentle smile was at odds with an almost manic light in her blue eyes.

"Blase, Kevin you'll be facing off against... Higurashi, Kogame," Ikkaku called out after looking at the name for a few seconds. "This will be without your Zanpakuto. The moment one of you two hit the ground, the loser is done."

Yumichika didn't miss the face the girl had made at how Ikkaku said her name... or the fact the tall brown-haired man sort of went pale as they stepped out onto the training floor. This was curious. So he paid rapt attention as they bowed to each other, before sliding into the traditional fighting stance.

"Begin!" Ikkaku yelled.

Watching his friend as he sat down in his Lieutenant seat, next to him, Yumichika heard Ikkaku mutter about the short man. Deciding that it would be best not to correct him, telling him that was a woman. It would be more fun this way. And he wanted to see just what she was capable of. So, turning his gaze back to those sparring, he noted a few matches had already been finished. While others were circling and assessing, that was when his gaze landed on the duo at the other end of the hall.

Yumichika felt his eyes go wide as he watched the man pause for a slight second before the short woman. Only to give her that opening as she moved in swiftly. A hand was grasping at the sash at his waist, the other at his chest. Before she slammed her shoulder into his stomach, twisted her body, and literally, judo flipped him over her to the ground.

"I'll be damned...the midget is quick," Ikkaku stated.

"Indeed," was all Yumichika replied as he watched the woman hold out a hand and help her opponent up, before bowing respectfully to him in thanks.

After everyone finished, it went in standard order. The woman had made her way to the last four. She was leaving him impressed. As well as Ikkaku. Not once in each match had she used the same move to win against her opponent. Though her first round was still the quickest, she proved that she was not going to be forced to leave. She was proving herself. There was no going to try, Yumichika knew she was doing it.

"Okay, you four have proven yourself of going onto the second round," Ikkaku said, cackling in delight. "Now, you get to fight your way through the ranks so we can appropriately place you. This is your last chance to back out now and have some kind of honor."

TBC!