here we go, chapter 4!

"Chapter Four;
Oh Captains, My Captains"

- Kai's POV

What did I feel about meeting the captains? Well, before they even showed up, the only thing I was hoping for was that this meeting would end, quickly. The only people I felt happy about seeing were Ukitake and Toshiro. Sure, at the time I didn't trust the shorty as much, but I had more trust for him than I ever would with the others. I had a bit more of a calm mind because of him, so I assumed it was the reason I was so anxious, but I also somehow knew it was something else, too...

Now, I was just outside the house, training with my zanpakuto near the brook in the backyard. At the time, it was calm and peaceful. Everything just felt right where it was supposed to be, and I had almost completely forgotten about the captains, lieutenants, and the so called commander coming to my home. It stayed like that until I felt their presence; their heat waves coming in at a vibrant pace (except for Toshiro's, his was a freeze wave).

I shunpo-ed back to the house, and turned on the tea that was waiting before shaking my head, and dusting myself off. When I heard the kettle whistle, I turned off the stove, and made twenty-five glasses (there were several kettles in the house, and I had to use the largest one). I set the cups down at the large table within the living room; the one we had to bring in to assure their was room for all of us to sit down. After going to the bathroom and getting all the grass, leaves, and sticks out of my hair, I came downstairs to open the door.

I caught Ukitake before he could even get his hand to the door. We stared at each other; he looking dumbfounded, while I just waited for him to calm. After a few moments, his features relaxed, and I stood aside to let the others inside. I was barely able to stop staring at the strange look on the twelfth captain's face, or ignore the strange reiatsu that inched off that guy Zaraki that my new step-father introduced me to, however, I wasn't able to keep up with the faces, but I made it clear to pay attention to divisions and names, which meant I only had to pay attention to seating.

I led them to the living room, where they had all sat down. Captains with their lieutenants, except for the sixth division captain and Jushiro, which allowed me to have the distinct honor to sit next to him, but also in between the two whom I couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. After they all took a sip of tea, the Commander spoke. "Are you not going to introduce yourself, or welcome us to your home, Hiwatari?" He questioned.

I could see Toshiro's face, and it had clearly read that he saw disaster coming in the future. Couldn't blame him; I wouldn't care if this guy was a god, I wouldn't be hospitable unless he was gonna give me some proper respect; in which he wasn't. "Why would I, Commander? You all already know my name, therefore an introduction isn't needed. As for welcoming you, I was considering it until you turned it into an expectant remark a few moments ago." I replied, sipping my tea.

I felt Ukitake's along with several of other faces within the room widen in shock, while I felt a short few smirk in amusement. I smirked more so as I felt the Commander glare at me, and when I faced him again, I had done the same with just as much intensity. I could feel the intensity around us increase, as if the room were burning; pretty obvious that he had a fire zanpakuto, like myself.

My smirk returned as I relaxed back in my seat. "You can glare all you want; your rank in Soul Society doesn't matter to me, and I don't really care if what you do is highly respected by the royal family; it's not respected by me if you plan to be rude; in my home, no less." I told him, seriously and somewhat pleasurably. Old men like him need to have proper manners, really. To think I had enough problems with them while I was alive; whether it be my grandfather or Mr. Dickenson, it was a pain, and I had enough of it.

Through the awkward silence, Captain Kuchiki decided to speak up. "I suppose you already know why we're here, then." It wasn't a question, but I still nodded at his statement. The ebony had taken a sip of tea, himself, before speaking, again. "Then you know we will be evaluating your powers, and seeing if you should enter the Gotai 13, or not. However, we have questions for you first." He assured me.

"Like?" I inquired, looking directly at his slate colored eyes that were filled with nothing but a strict monotone that stood out in his voice.

He placed his cup down to speak, but the second division lieutenant beat him to it. "Here's one: how the hell did you suddenly appear at the door when you were meant to be in the forest, according to Captain Ukitake? Same with this tea?" He interrogated, pointing at his cup with his overgrown fingers. He received a slap from his captain in response, and letting him know that he stepped out of line.

I sighed. How people in higher places could be so stupid, I would never understand. But, I shrugged it off, before looking at the man. "To answer your question, lieutenant, is simple enough on its own." I began, taking another small sip. I received several stares; not even Ukitake knew the reason I could always get to the door before he got home; only time I wasn't was when Captain Hitsugaya came to visit, since I wasn't a big fan of visitors...

"The way I sense reiatsu isn't used with the spiritual pressure around me, but with heat waves." I told him. They all seemed a bit caught off guard. "Heat waves, like reiatsu, can be very different, and can come in at different amounts, pressure, as well as temperature. Because of these things, I'm able to differentiate animals from people, and the people I know from the ones I don't. Today, for example, I sensed you coming, and I could tell because of the intensity of the heat waves and with the subtle fact that Ukitake-sama was leading you here; with that, I shunpo-ed back here, and prepared tea before you could all arrive." I told them, truthfully.

They seemed to have understood, so they moved on. "How did you gain a zanpakuto?" Captain Ichimaru brought up, pointing at my sword.

I didn't like the smile on his face; it reminded me of way too many people from my past, and none of these people were my friends, nor remotely close. Even still, I shrugged, and answered honestly. "Got it the morning of my second day, here; don't know how or why it ended up there." I told him, truthfully. I really didn't understand that, at all, and I was still contemplating the idea of it.

"Do you know its name?" Toshiro questioned, pointing a finger at my blade. I only nodded in response. "What is it, then?" He asked me, keeping up his serious act, but eyes slightly softened to show that he was trying to be polite.

I had to repress a smile, but I answered his question, truthfully. "Her name is Netsu No Hokobi-Shu." I answered him, looking him dead on in the eyes. At the time, we weren't really on the best of terms with each other, so I had to make sure that he didn't start getting suspicious.

"Heat Bringer; an interesting name!" Captain Tousen commented. I only nodded my head as a thank you.

I heard an annoyed groan from Captain Zaraki, which I couldn't help but question until his pink-headed lieutenant popped her head into the discussion. "Soutaicho! Do we have anymore questions or can we get to fighting? Ken-chan's bored!" She proclaimed, happily.

If not for my self composure and the fact I knew that the eleventh division's captain could kill me, I would have been chuckling at the little girl and her captain; this was just so funny. I was able to repress the laughter, but that didn't stop me from smirking out of utter amusement.

"Anymore questions?" The Commander asked the other captains. A few mumbles came around, but no one seemed to have anymore questions to ask. "Very well! Then we will proceed to evaluating Hiwatari's powers." With that, I began to lead the captains and lieutenants down to my usual training spot. "Who will be versing him?" He asked the lieutenants.

Some of the captains had found some rocks for seating, while others were kept standing, as the lieutenants contemplated which one of them would be versing me. I just stood up against a tree, my arms crossed, as I observed the present eleven mumbling (A/N: keep in mind, this is months before Renji's promotion), and taking in the pressure of heat they were giving off.

Though they all were strong, I really didn't feel worried by it, and it's not because they appeared strange, or the fact I thought they were weaker than a captain; it was to the fact that comparing all of them to my own pressure, they all seemed much weaker. True, this fact gave me some confidence, but I've got six days of experience on me, and they've got years upon years of it; not the time to be prejudging your opponents.

A female with black hair in a bun stepped forward. I knew that she was part of the fifth division, simply because of the badge around her arm, and the fact that she was sitting with Captain Aizen. Hinamori Momo, I recall. "I'll do it!" She told the Commander, her voice courageous and strong enough to be believing.

With a nod from the Commander, she took her place on one end of the field, while I moved to face opposite of her. Truthfully, while I had done so, I felt more relaxed about her than I did about the other lieutenants. Something about her gave me the instinct that I had less to worry over; less to actually look out for. I knew from her pressure that she was skilled, however, something else about it told me it'd be rather easy to handle.

- Regular POV

The two took their places while the other shinigami stared, intently, awaiting to witness the teenager's skill against the elder female. They all could tell from the interview they had with him that, more than likely, he had a fire zanpakuto, and the name of his zanpakuto only added to their suspicions. However, they also needed to see what other skills he had in his arsenal, simply out of the sheer fact that, not only did his reiatsu spike concern, but to the fact he had been training himself, they needed to know how strong he was.

They both drew their blades, Momo gripping hers with both hands, firmly, with the blade in front of her face, while Kai held his with one hand, standing straight, and positioning the blade next to his left shoulder. The female glared at her opponent, however, this showed no affect, whatsoever, for the crimson-eyed teen remained stoic; his eyes giving off a cold front, despite its color.

Both stood still, both prepared to strike, however, took their time analyzing their opponent. It was clear the Kai hadn't even allowed his to flare up, in fact, he was repressing it rather well; here, there was no sign of tension, nor disturbance, for the boy didn't feel the need to be so. Hinamori was different, for she was tense, acting cautious, and with this, her reiatsu was already beginning to flare, and begin edging off her body.

After long, insufferable moments of waiting, and staring, finally, a move was made. "Snap, Tobiume!"