"Crazy, cold-hearted, amnesiac, authoritative little--"
Ryu
"Why", Yoruichi scolded impatiently, "are you always as careless as ever?"
Soi Fong glared. "You've seen it. It's impossible, unless she's a Hollow."
"Ah, well, the mask is suspicious. I didn't sense anything Hollow-like, though."
Soi Fong snorted incredulously. "How could you sense anything from something undetectable?"
"Well, if you insist, I managed to get", Yoruichi held out her paw impressively, "this."
Soi Fong bent forward, squinting. "Is that--?"
"A strand of hair. I bet Kurotsuchi can make something out of it. Even Urahara could come close to identifying a soul by its piece."
--------------
Renji had noticed it in his first day as the captain of the Eleventh Division. He had seen the stark difference when he had first moved from here to the Sixth Division, but now he saw it from the 'captain's angle. The eleventh division was a mess. No one had bothered to sort any papers at all. Any paper could be anywhere, from Yachiru's lollipop end to Yumichika's toilet paper. Even the papers that were stacked in the office were not neat at all; all sorts of papers were mixed together. His first real work as a captain had been to sort all of those papers, some of them dating back to hundreds of years ago. Renji wasn't a neat sort of person in the beginning; at other situations it might be fine for him to leave it be; but after working with Byakuya he had found it very difficult to work under the Eleventh Division's centuries of tradition. On top of that, Yachiru was no help at all.
Yachiru hadn't been herself ever since the events of Arrancar's raid on Soul Society. Renji couldn't blame her. After all, she lost Zaraki, her 'father' and the only person important for her. Ever since that day, she had suddenly become melancholy, abandoning half of her sanguine childishness. Sometimes Renji wondered how she could survive sulking like that. If he wasn't mistaken--as insensitive as he was sometimes, he knew this was mostly true--she had stepped into the age of angst and over-emotional bursts. Very much alike Ichigo.
Kurosaki Ichigo, a human high school student, the ryoka who had caused so much damage, the vaizard who in the end had helped them destroying Arrancar, and the boy who was currently Rukia's top concern. He was also a rival to Renji in so many ways he couldn't say to much positive things about him before saying the negative sides of him. True, a part of him was glad Ichigo had quit being a shinigami and thus wouldn't meet Rukia so often now. Another part of him was very irked at how much Rukia concerned about him so much he just wanted to kick the orange-haired boy and yelled at him to return to his old self so that Rukia wouldn't frown so much.
He had often thought of Ichigo as a very foolish, emotion-driven, regular human who ironically had a very high spiritual density, but didn't seem to deserve it anyway. What was the use of having such powers if the only thing he did with it was blaming it for everything that had happened on his girl friend? The last time Renji saw him, he was something akin to zombies, only that he could talk straight. Renji had participated in Rukia's attempt on reviving him at first, then he soon abandoned him. He knew futility when he saw one. Unfortunately, Rukia had threatened not to persuade her out of it. He was jealous, very much so, on how endeavoring Rukia was on Ichigo. He often wished it was him who received her care, instead of his rival.
Hinamori and angst weren't something that could be in the same sentence. At least everyone used to think of that. Like so many other novelties, she had changed, thanks to Aizen's deceit. She refused to trust anyone for anything, not even Hitsugaya. According to Kira, Hinamori had somehow attained a cold and cynical personality, almost the exact opposite of the old one. Renji had scoffed Kira on how a person could change that much, but he could see it as clear as he could see her previous kindness: it was truly her.
He could curse Aizen all he wanted for bringing so many sorrows and changes--undesirable changes--in their lives. Yachiru, however, chose that moment to enter their office.
"You're back", Renji greeted her.
Yachiru nodded lightly, walking to her chair. She stared at him, stared at the chair, and sat on it.
Renji mentally shrugged, returning to his work. He had been used to working alone in that office.
"Ken-chan used to read me aloud his crossword quizzes", she said wistfully.
"Hmm--huh?" Renji stopped writing. He took two seconds to replay Yachiru's words and fully grasped them.
"Yeah. He'd then ask me what the answer could be." She giggled slightly. "We used to make up these really weird answers." She pouted again.
Renji's hand became gradually slower. He scratched his head when it stopped.
"Do you want to do that now, Yachiru?" He offered carefully.
Yachiru smiled. "Yeah."
"But I won't be able to be as funny as Zaraki-taichou", he murmured.
"Doesn't matter. Ken-chan was never too good in answering them", Yachiru sighed. "I miss him, Ren-kun."
"We all do, Yachiru", he didn't dare to question how much of that statement was true. "But that's why we have to go along, you know? So that he won't be too worried about us."
Yachiru grinned. "Ken-chan died happy. Ken-chan won't have any regrets."
Renji had always admired how much Yachiru gave her all for Zaraki.
He didn't like the fact that she was so devoted to Zaraki Kenpachi.
--------------
"Kotsubaki Sentarou reporting for duty, sir!"
"Ah, you're early", Ukitake remarked, surprised.
"Yessir. I couldn't bear to let you working alone so I came back as soon as the meeting was over", Sentarou said--shouted--in his usual enthusiastic manner.
"I don't mind, actually. I know that the vice captains always have their special party after the meeting anyway. Won't you miss all the fun then?"
"No, sir. It is my utmost desire as the bearer of Kiyone's last wish to always be by your side", Sentarou uttered, a bit softer than usual.
Ukitake shook his head. "I don't deserve your loyalty", he muttered,"I always let my subordinates dying."
"Definitely not, taichou", the vice captain was aghast; "We all take our pride in serving you! It is the thing we want the most, your safety!"
"Sentarou--"
"Regardless of what taichou said", Sentarou ignored him, "I will carry the spirit of Kaien-dono and Kiyone to keep you from harm."
Ukitake ran a hand through his hair. "That is exactly what I'm worried of the most."
"Uhh..."
"Never mind. Let's just inspect our division, shall we?"
Sentarou and Ukitake trotted to the training grounds.
------------
"Finally! I thought he was going to talk on and on forever!" Ryu declared.
"Really? You seemed to be enjoying your extra nap time", Akira retorted.
"That was all his lectures worth for! Sleeping", Ryu said hotly, "and besides, it's not like we're going to need that so called history of Soul Society anyway!"
Akira stared at him, opened his mouth to reply, then shook his head and said nothing. "It's not like the future member of the eleventh division can understand any of it."
"Four eyes, you're definitely in for a lot of trouble", Ryu said irritably, touching his zanpakuto.
"Some times", Mika droned, "I wonder if you two can even talk about something important at all."
"Well he started it!"
Akira shook his head again. "You're right. We should probably just worry about the loads of homework we have."
"Do you have to spoil all of the fun?" Grumbled Ryu.
Regardless, he too took out books and began writing, albeit with minor complains now and then.
As they made progress, Akira noticed that Mika often stole glances at Idaten, whose work was lying open on the table, all done. The owner was currently staring at her zanpakuto--something akin to Chinese sabers--, stroking it absently.
And so the other woman finally gathered all her courage to ask, "What happened, Idaten-san?"
Idaten was mute, lost in her own world. Ryu motioned his index finger spinning near his temple.
"It's nothing."
"Yeah right. It can't be just 'nothing' when a captain asked you that entire question", Ryu scoffed, "I mean, it's like she knew you!"
"Wait, that's not what you think it's all about, is it?" Akira deduced carefully.
"...Maybe. I don't know", Idaten murmured more to herself than to them.
"If you think that way, could it be that this is the answer you've been looking all along?" Mika said excitedly.
Idaten nodded slowly. That nod was not with certainty, Akira knew from spending two years with her.
"But..." He lured for her real thoughts.
Idaten didn't answer immediately.
Ryu rolled his eyes.
"As familiar as they seem to be", Idaten answered slowly, "The way they address me...it's as though I have done something gravely offending in the past."
"Then she would have had kill you by now", Ryu grunted impatiently, "That's the Second Division's captain we're talking about! She's never known for being nice!"
"Or that I was supposed to be dead", Idaten calmly continued.
"...No way."
"But you're alive!" Mika responded impulsively.
"It shouldn't have been your concern in the first place", Idaten said firmly, "You may return to your work. Good evening."
She packed her stuffs and left.
Ryu muttered incoherently under his breath.
"What's that?" Akira frowned, scratching his wrong answer.
"Crazy, cold-hearted, amnesiac, authoritative little--"
"Ryu!" Mika scolded him.
"You forgot very powerful, captain-like..." Akira trailed off.
"What, you think so too?" Ryu widened his eyes.
"Think what?" Mika asked anxiously.
"It's crazy...but don't you think she's to powerful for a soon-to-be shinigami?" Akira mused.
"And you're saying that..."
"...What if she's a captain under disguise? Or worse, an amnesiac Arrancar!"
"Ryu! That's too--" Mika said, horrified by the thought.
"Possibly", Akira agreed, "There's the suspicious white mask after all."
"But...Idaten-san...She wouldn't...She saved our lives, remember?" Mika defended.
"I've told you it's crazy", Akira muttered.
It was a very tense moment when they all thought of how true the theory could be.
Ryu shrugged. "It's just a crazy theory."
"Very", Akira agreed.
Nevertheless, the theory had had quite the impact on them.
---------------
Night had fallen, and the moon had replaced sun as a source of light. That night, the moon was especially bright. Idaten was never poetic, but there was something that was very aesthetic in that scene, what with the bright full moon and the two figures from noon in front of her. It was not in her nature to stay up late and admire the night, but the presence of Soi Fong had been quite alarming, and it was more than enough to summon her to the court yard. Right at her arrival, she noticed that the cat was now a dark-skinned woman, a stark contrast to the pale one next to her. Idaten knew right away, they were the answer, she was just anxious on how they could be it.
"Soi Fong-taichou", she greeted cautiously, creating a sense of deja vu.
"Kusanagi Idaten", Soi Fong replied, "We meet again."
"Do you know why we are here?" Yoruichi asked. There was a strange glint in her eyes, like she was amused of something.
"I would not dare to presume so much", Idaten politely replied. The glint intensified.
"Do you remember anything about yourself?" Soi Fong asked sharply, observing her every movement.
"I only remember my two years in the academy", Idaten answered honestly. Obviously, the captain had done her research, and it secretly agitated the both of them.
"The school's record says that you always get the highest mark in every test they subject you to", Yoruichi spoke, hiding her amusement, "And they especially noted how you could 'succeed in every first attempt as thought she has done it times and times before'."
When no one spoke again, Yoruichi carried on impatiently,"Well, no guesses? What about the mask, then?"
"I have no memory whatsoever about it", was the truthful reply. Somehow, Soi Fong's body language said that they didn't know either.
"Have you attained Bankai?" The captain hissed.
And somehow, the slow pace of their conversation must have agitated her even more.
"Yes." Idaten scowled inwardly. As inappropriate as it was to be disrespectful towards a captain, she was also getting impatient at their attempt in hiding what she wanted to know.
"Anyway, we're here to offer something", Yoruichi said, giving Soi Fong a particularly scolding glance.
"As you should have known", she continued, "You are actually capable of being a captain."
When nothing answered Yoruichi ploughed on. "And since Gotei 13 is in need of one captain as of now--"
"--How did you choose me?"
"...Pardon?"
"This is random", Idaten said sharply, "too random for someone who you have just met today. Whatever conspiracy that you have in your mind right now--"
"The only conspiracy we're having", Soi Fong interjected smoothly, Suzumebachi on Idaten's throat, "Is if you continue being smart-mouthed."
Idaten said nothing, feeling the cold sensation of the short zanpakuto a few millimeters from taking her life. Even though Soi Fong leaked no excessive reiatsu, her blood had momentarily felt like it was rushing down from her head.
Yoruichi glared at Soi Fong briefly. "There is no conspiracy", she said softly, "we're just offering a win/win solution for all of us."
"How so?" Idaten asked boldly, her hand drifting to her right hip. Soi Fong noticed that, but apparently she chose to ignore it since she sheathed her own blade.
"Naturally, every newbie would be thrilled to be offered the highest position before they even graduated." Soi Fong said acerbically, "Apparently you're in no way natural or normal."
"I'm not so thrilled about anything that's lurking behind that kind of deal", Idaten said stubbornly.
Yoruichi sighed. "Look, we noticed how you were there this afternoon but possessed no apparent reiatsu, alright? Then we checked with the school and a few teachers, and they all said the same thing. You deserve it."
Idaten stared numbly at both of them. "You're just going to hand a position that important to a random Mary Sue?"
"You're really getting on my nerves", Soi Fong warned, right hand twitching.
"We'd hate to see a great potential wasted", Yoruichi shrugged.
They knew something. They definitely knew something about her that she didn't know. It was infuriating how someone else could know her better than she knew herself.
"This offer has an expiration date", Soi Fong snapped, "If you're interested, come to the fourth division main office at Saturday noon. Good night."
She vanished.
"Just think about it", Yoruichi suggested before disappearing in a similar manner.
There was no doubt Idaten would be thinking about it every second.
-------------
"Let's see...According to this letter, the shinigami entry exam should be at...Saturday noon! That's only a few days!" Ryu shouted.
Akira fixed his glasses irritably. "If you had paid any attention at all", he droned, "You would have noticed that all the teachers have been crazy on us for months."
"That's because I don't need to pay attention", Ryu said, tilting his head up, "because I will pass with flying colors without much effort."
"I doubt it", said a bandaged Murasaki, "This entry exam means the final exam. They're usually more than difficult." He smirked. "Or, if you're trying to get into the eleventh division, then you don't have to study at all."
"You too?" Ryu growled. "What is it with that? The eleventh division is by no way full of stupid heads! They just don't need brain that much!"
"Actually, I heard they always have the lowest entry score", Akira scoffed.
"At least they're strong! They don't need poor excuse of helpers like kidou!" Ryu spat.
"Kidou, Ryu", Murasaki droned, mimicking on of the teachers' accent, "Can be more powerful than a single zanpakuto. Of course", he used his normal voice, "that's for people who are willing to admit that they are incapable of using kidou."
"Nnggh", Mika massaged her temples, "Why are boys always debating about stupid nonsense like this?" She read her letter instead, stating about all the rules and laws of the entry exam.
"You know, I notice that only those who get this are allowed to take the exam", Mika said, ignoring and being ignored by the boys, "Even a few sixth years still have to stay longer. I'm glad none of us does."
"Now that you mention it", Murasaki said, tired of arguing with Ryu, "Where's yours, Kusanagi?"
"...Doesn't matter", Idaten answered distractedly.
"What? How come you don't have it?" Akira asked incredulously, "You're, like, the best student of the class!"
"...I won't need it anyway", Idaten mumbled, a little above whisper.
"What do you mean you won't need it?" Ryu said impatiently as he thought that his theory of her craziness was finally proven. "Isn't that why you're in this school all along? To become a shinigami?"
Idaten exhaled. "That is the bonus. I just want to know who I am."
"And staying here would give any clue about that?" Murasaki arched an eyebrow.
"How would it happen?" Idaten echoed. "No, that's not what I meant."
"Then what?" Ryu yelled exasperatedly, causing a few passerbies to stare, and later whispered while pointing at him.
"It's something radical and unbelievable", Idaten clued, "I will tell you once I'm done with it." She was sincere. Ryu rolled his eyes dejectedly.
"Whatever. You're a real weirdo, you know?"
"I know."
Akira pushed his glasses back. "You're trying to be a captain", he said casually.
The effect was not so casual.
"Say what!"
"This is one of the reason I didn't tell you", Idaten mumbled.
"Are you crazy?"
"Even you can't be that strong!"
"Idaten-san, what have they threatened you with?"
Idaten raised one eyebrow. "What's so bad with trying?"
"No shinigami could do that! You have only studied for two years!" Ryu reasoned.
"Once you're a captain, your life is reduced to your office and the pile of papers!" Murasaki supplied.
"Being a captain is dangerous!" Mika said.
"Overreacting", Akira scoffed. He turned to Idaten. "How do you plan on doing so?"
"Soi Fong-taichou asked me to come to the Fourth Division this Saturday", she informed them, and "I think there will be a test."
"But still...this is just too crazy!" Ryu exclaimed in disbelief.
"Or you're just jealous", Murasaki retorted.
"Who won't be? What kind of rookie would get a position that high and that soon anyway?" Ryu shot back.
"That's enough. This is my choice. None of you shall say anything about it", Idaten said with an authoritative air. And it was enough for everyone to obey her.
Idaten sighed. They were nice friends, she appreciated that, but sometimes they were just too loud for their own good.
--------------
She had spent every single minute when her mind wasn't needed much to think about their midnight meeting, and especially about the deal she was about to cut.
And she decided to try it out, without knowing exactly why she took it.
The Fourth Division main office had suddenly had a distinct aura of ominousity.
