◊ (The Solidity of Promises) ◊
∆(Park Late Night-Soon to be Soul Society)∆ Kuchiki Rukia
"You two ready?" Ichigo asked Hinamori and I.
"Yes Ichigo, we are." I said.
"Um, you are aware I can't open the gate right?" I sighed.
"Sorry," I said and walked in front of him and focused my energy into my Zapakuto and unlocked the gate to Soul Society. All I saw was black, and red… of course, red.
I screamed and fell to me knees. Something was fast approaching and it was coming. "Rukia," I heard Ichigo say in the background. I felt my feet leave the ground.
"Ichigo, why didn't you stay in front to protect them? That would have been the smarter thing to do." Hitsuguya said contradicting Ichigo's ideas.
"It's not my fault Rukia never taught me how to open the gate." Ichigo said pouting. Ichigo set Hinamori on the ground and Hitsuguya handed me to Ichigo. Hitsuguya then picked up Hinamori.
"It's not safe for anyone here." Ichigo looked around and nodded.
I couldn't move, it was all dark, with red and all besides that that I could make out was voice and Ichigo as well as the other two Shinigami that were near me. "Where is everyone?" I asked.
"Gone," He said seriously.
"You mean dead?" Ichigo asked.
"Many a sum, but most survived, all of the outer districts were saved since Ukitake warned them not to come back and I saved many here but many were still lost. There wasn't time." He said with much regret.
"Why can't she move?" Ichigo asked.
"There's so much reiatsu lingering her from the dead souls that Soul Society has a heavy layer of it, and only few can take it." I started coughing.
"You might not want to hold her that tight," He warned.
"Sorry Rukia," I faintly nodded as he sat down with me in his lap and Hitsuguya sat down with Hinamori still in shock on his lap laying down holding her like a baby. I wasn't exactly fond of this but it was all right.
"Ukitake-taichou is…" I struggled to say.
Hitsuguya looked down and shook his head. "He used the last of his remaining energy to flash step many of the people out of the village, he died moments after we finished taking everyone out. Sorry," I could feel tears streaming down my face. "There is a chance he's alive, because he was sent with Unohano, possible she replenished his energy but only today." He answered. "He would die today anyway, I don't know if she'd allow him to suffer."
More tears went down my face like water droplets on a window. "Rukia," Ichigo said.
"Yes?" I replied faintly through my tears.
"Hold on," He warned me as he stood up. "Where?" He asked.
"13 Division Training Grounds, he said he wanted to be there when he died no matter what. It's that way." He said pointing off toward its direction.
"Thanks," Ichigo said as he flash stepped into the distance.
I could feel the air releasing the air at a considerably fast pace. "Thanks, Ichigo." I said bringing myself closer into his chest. I could hear his heart beating faster. I guess I did have an effect on him, especially when I was so close to him.
He smiled and took his other hand and put it on my cheek causing me to blush and turn toward his hand but he forcibly made me look toward him. "Rukia, can you please not cry?" He asked with the most, almost humorous honesty and pleading he could muster.
"Ichigo, I can't help it." He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"I know, but it made you calmer didn't it?" He said smiling at his achievement.
We finally made it to the grounds and Ichigo walked into the training grounds. "Ah, my little student has returned." He said happily with a smiling face. I didn't like it when dying people smiled before they died; it was so weird.
"Ichigo," I said and he nodded and set me on my knees next to Ukitake-taichou. "Ukitake-taichou, I'm sorry I couldn't have helped." I said bowing in apology. He laughed.
"Sorry but I'm sure there's a ton of people who would want it like that my dear. You not helping me, all the captains, Ichigo, Hitsuguya-taichou, Hinamori-fukitaichou, and myself." He said to me.
"But why?" I asked him.
"Because you are the only one that can save us all now," He said.
"But how?"
"You always do question my explanations." He said smiling. "The power, you have to take it back."
"What, it would kill her." Ichigo said jumping to his feet.
"Her body is the only one that is stable enough to hold it. Her body knows the power and is able to contain it. It wouldn't kill her, just her weaken much." He said.
"I understand what must be done." He smiled.
"Good girl, but that's not what I want, by no means do I want you to do. I want you to destroy the power." He said. "Only you can destroy it because it is part of you and will obey you, and destroy itself."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes, and thank you for taking care of yourself and taking over the responsibilities of all those who had died, both above and below you. That's why I want you to take over as captain for me."
"Huh, me?" I said surprised.
"Yes, from the look on Ichigo's face he knew from the letter what I needed to do. You are by far the strongest one we've met and if you will clean up your Bankai then you will be officially captain when the day comes but I hand over to you Kuchiki Rukia, the title of captain. Kuchiki-taichou. Ichigo, would you help me up?" Ichigo came over and helped him up. He then bowed to me and took off the robe and putting it on me. "Do well with it, understood." I was crying now, and he hugged me. "Don't cry this is a happy time Ruk… Kuchiki-taichou. Remember what I've told you. Also, Ichigo if anything happens to her it will be forever be your responsibility, I leave you in her hands, take care of her, love her and cherish her. Bye." He said as he sat himself to the ground.
"I will, I promise it." Ichigo said.
"Captain?" I called. "Captain?" I said again.
"Good-bye Ichigo, good-bye Kuchiki-taichou." He said and his chest went down and didn't come up. I cried into Ichigo's chest and he nodded saying it was okay to cry, it was.
"Kuchiki-taichou, it has a nice sound doesn't it?" He asked. I really wanted to smack him at him makes jokes while I was so depressed but I couldn't for he was all I had to hold myself up with.
"Ichigo, why didn't you tell me?" I asked.
"Because I felt that it was something he would want to surprise you with himself, that's why Hitsuguya took me aside to talk about it." He answered.
"Alright," I responded. I was still crying, tears still ran down my face in a crazy, improper way but it was alright, I'd be alright, I knew it.
"He's going to kill me if anything happens to you so you're not ever leaving my side got that, I'm doing exactly what I promised. But in all honesty for a while I've been doing it without truly even knowing I was." He answered me.
"Yeah, and thanks," I said shyly.
"You say thanks too much but, you're welcome. Kuchiki-taichou." He added. I wanted to smack him again but I rested my head on his shoulders.
Ichigo bend down and picked me up from underneath my knees and flash stepped to the 4th division headquarters. When we arrived outside the door he set me down to walk on my own feet.
He walked in. "Greetings Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san," She looked further at me. "Excuse my improper greeting Kuchiki-taichou-san." She said.
"Did you know?" I asked. She smiled and nodded. "Did everyone?" I asked.
"Most did, except some of the vice captains and captains who weren't involved in it." She said.
"You need to take care of his body." I said blankly and sadly.
"You forgot again Kuchiki-taichou-san, the body isn't a body, it's a soul, it returns to earth to create new life again." I sighed and nodded.
"Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-taichou, we are having a meeting in two days time for everyone, feel free to sleep here or in the 13th quartering grounds until then." I nodded, bowed and walked out with Ichigo following me.
VP: Kuchiki Rukia ∆(Captain Lodge)∆ • ¤(2 Days Later)¤
We had arrived at the Captain's Lodge and we had taken a seat on the back on Ichigo's command being new and everything, he wanted to stay out of the spotlight. A form was handed out listing the new Captains and Lt. Changes
Division 3: Captain-Kurosaki Ichigo
Division 5: Captain-Hinamori Momo and Lieutenant-Kotsubaki Sentaru
Division 6: Lieutenant-Shiba Kukaku
Division 9: Captain-Abarai Renji
Division 13: Captain-Kuchiki Rukia and Lieutenant- Kotetsu Kiyono
"What these are all newly appointed members of each squad. There is a major trade in power." A member said.
"This is not to be questioned." Yamamoto said. "Kurosaki Ichigo has achieved Bankai and is an appointed member of Soul Society under my direct order. Hinamori is in a three-day program along with Rukia and Renji to achieve strong Bankai since they've achieved materialization. Shiba Kukaku is the younger sister of Kaien and is very strong and essential to our organization. Abarai Renji has succeeded Bankai and recommendation. Rukia was promoted by her captain before his death and has achieved materialization. And Lieutenants Kiyono and Sentaru have been working as captains of the thirteenth squad and achieved shikai a while ago since their captain was gone." He explained. "Any more questions?" He asked.
"No sir," He answered.
"Good, I thought that we'd be lost without anyone to fill in but we have found people just as strong to fill in these positions and make improvements so we will go on after we hear the announcements." He said.
Unohana stepped to the stage. "We have 4 new members into the Gotei 13. Ishida Uryuu, Chad Yasutora, Inoue Orihime and finally Shiba Ganji." She announced.
"You can't just allow these ryoku into the Gotei 13." The man from before yelled.
"Yes we can, they have met and surpassed our skills requirements and their skills are extremely strong and useful." He said.
The meeting was extremely boring and then I wondered, I thought that Ishida had lost his powers and that would make him useless here, wouldn't it? Unless someone trained him how to center his energy into a small ball, as a Shinigami does into a sword and releases it into a bow form.
Then we were let out, but I realized I couldn't move. I looked had fallen asleep with his arms held tightly around my waist and he was sleeping on me which was why I couldn't get up. "Oi, Rukia, why aren't you leaving?" I pointed to Ichigo sleeping. "Wake him up, stupid." He smirked and I sighed. "Hey Kurosaki, let go of Rukia." He woke up gently.
"Nope, mine." He said and fell back to a restful sleep.
"Possessive of you isn't he?" Renji asked me
"For a while now, I guess since I left him." I looked down at my feet and thought about how much a little word four - letter word like 'left' could upset someone like Ichigo or me for that matter.
"That bothered him huh? More or less than you, in your opinion?" Renji asked.
"Probably me, since I was in a world that I hadn't been to in a while. I had adjusted myself to earth style and I had to change everything that I enjoyed back so it probably bothered me more but in the matter of who missed who more, that is like dividing 0 by 0 there is no answer, it's impossible to know." I said.
"Um excuse me, Kuchiki-taichou, can I ask you to the side?" Yamamoto said.
"Um, sorry you can't, because Kurosaki-taichou won't allow me to get up." I explained without thinking about it much.
"And why not?" He asked.
"Because he happens to be sleeping and holding me down and he is quite strong." I heard Renji laughing again.
"Can't we just talk here because we had tried to wake him up before but it didn't exactly work?" I answered.
"Fine with me," He said.
"What do you need to talk about?" I asked.
"The placement of the new members." He said.
"That's easy; I'd recommend Inoue Orihime to join Division 4 with Unohana.
"We can arrange that." He said
"I'd have Ishida join Ichigo for training him in basic combat."
"That seems fine as well." He said.
" Chad should probably be placed in the 11th Division because that's his specialty is such." I answered.
"I'll have to inspect his level and specialty but that seems fine as well." He said. "What about Ganji?" He asked again.
"I'm not sure; I'd recommend asking his sister." I responded.
"Alright, thanks for your help Captain Kuchiki." He said walking off but he paused. "Also, tell
Captain Kurosaki to pay attention at meetings and stop ignoring me. And tell him that he shouldn't invade your space like that." He said.
"Its fine, he's allowed. My previous Captain left him in charge of my health, well-being and protection. He's not going to let my captain down." I explained.
"Alright, since it is a mission from your captain after all." He said. I nodded and smiled. He had given me the exception that I only needed from a few others.
I woke up Ichigo and we walked out of the meeting hall and ran into my friend and the 6th captain, my brother, Byakuya.
"Morning Captain Kuchiki," He greeted me. "Hello Captain Kurosaki, would you like to remove your arms from my sister's waist?" He asked.
"Nah, I don't feel like it." Ichigo said; And Byakuya stared. "I'm serious, she's mine." Wrong move Ichigo, very bad, watch out for you being hit. He grabbed Ichigo by his uniform and forcibly removed him from my side.
"Excuse by It's highly improper to treat another fellow captain like that." Hitsuguya said from behind me.
"Yeah you should be nicer to Ichigo." Hinamori added.
"Excuse me but he touched her first," Byakuya stated.
"Is that against the law or something?" He asked. Hitsuguya smacked himself.
"It possibly could be," Hitsuguya said.
"Rukia, is Ichigo allowed to touch you?" Hinamori asked.
"A weird question but seeing as we're dating, of course. I trust him with my life, my soul and body is no different." I said bothered by their weird questions but that's how it would be decided.
"Ha, see, mine." I was surprised at Ichigo's… possessiveness of me. It was weird. I wonder what changed him when I left.
"Fine but if you hurt her Ichigo, you're going to be dead." He said glaring.
"Heh, I wouldn't hurt Rukia in a million years, actually ever since souls live a very long time." He yelled.
"Just be quiet Ichigo," I said sighing as we walked around.
"I can't find my division. Can I stay in yours because I don't know them." I sighed, Ichigo you need to know them.
"No because here's your Lieutenant, Kira come here please." I called.
"Yes Kuchiki-taichou," I sighed and ignored it. I hate formalities directed at me.
"Kira, I need you to take your captain, Ichigo to your headquarters, understood?" I said.
"Alright, Kuchiki-taichou." I smiled and waved as a very aggravated Ichigo walked behind his lieutenant.
"I'll get you for this Rukia," He said.
"No you won't because I'm helping you with your duties." He sighed.
"Thanks," He said sarcastically.
∆(13th Division Headquarters)∆
"Wow, it's our Taichou!" A lot of people yelled. I jumped and prepared myself to attack when I realized that they were all new recruits, about 20 or so.
"Hello," I said very formally to them.
"Hi," Many of them yelled.
"How many of you have paperwork?" I asked. They all raised their hands. I sighed and collected it all and went into the office and sat down.
One after one they came in, I filled out paperwork on them and they left for their dorms and then a male Shinigami walked in and sat down. "Name?" I asked.
"You need it?" He asked, I nodded. "Okay, it's Dinije Juain."
"Alright, level?"
"You're supposed to test me, but I'll find another ground if the girl doesn't want to take my challenge." I smiled.
"Since you're the last of the day, sure. Why not?" I said smiling.
"Good, I need a warm-up." He's very smug, and un centered, like Renji and Ichigo. This will be good.
"Come at me with everything you've got." I said smiling. He ran at me at took his wooden staff and slammed it as hard as he could down at me but I stepped back and he fell flat on his face and I jumped on his back flipping behind him, kicked him up and across the field.
"Hey that was unfair."
"No, it is, it's extremely fair, trust me." I said smiling.
"No it isn't, you're dodging and then hitting me back."
"So you want me to just stand her and get beat up?" I asked spectrally.
"Now you get it, you're a girl and I beat you." I shrugged.
"Okay, come at me and I will stand her and only use my arm to take you down." He smiled.
"Good," He said and he came and attacked me. I grabbed his arm and took down the main nerve that made him paralyzed in his arm and fall to his knees. "You're mean." He said holding his arm.
"I'm teaching you a lesson, don't underestimate anyone, not a girl, and especially not a captain." I said sighing. "I knew that before I enrolled, you're behind."
"Who are you anyway?" He asked.
"Kuchiki Rukia," I answered.
"Of course, one of noble blood." He said.
"You'd be wrong about that, I'm from Rukongai the 78th District." I said smiling.
"No way, how'd you get into the Kuchiki Clan?" I asked.
"My sister married their current head." I said. "He adopted me as his sister because his wife, my sister died."
"So you're not a high archy?" He asked.
"Not in the least, I had to train like everyone else, even harder because of my low start and high end, but trust me; it's not the easy road." I said as I walked off.
"15th Chair." I said.
"What, now way?"
"Your skill limit is weak; you wouldn't have a chair if it was any other division." I said walking off.
I arrived at the 3rd division to find Kira falling on the ground. "What's wrong with you Kira?" I asked.
"My captain is a maniac; he's going on a rampage about something that he misplaced." I sighed.
"Thanks, you're excused." He bowed and ran off. "Ichigo, what's going on!" I yelled.
"I can't find it!" He yelled.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing." He said sitting down annoyed.
"Okay, so how is everything going here?" I asked.
"Well I guess, except for that kid who you brought me here." I smacked Ichigo on top of his head.
"That's your lieutenant, respected partner and loyal friend, Ichigo. He's going to be by your side for many years and he's much older then you are so show so respect." I yelled then sat down next to him.
"Sorry but he's annoying."
"Why is he?"
"Cause he wants me to do paperwork," Ichigo said. I smacked him.
"I've doing paperwork all day and so will you so deal with it, and go to sleep when you're done."
"I don't know how to do this, help me." He said annoyed.
"Fine," I sat down at his desk and filled out as much as I could, but I didn't know the new shinigami's names and levels so he'd have to ask them to find out. I said after finishing it, I joined him on the couch.
"Thanks," I nodded.
"You're welcome Ichigo, sorry." I said.
"What for?"
"For all the trouble," He smiled and kissed the top of my head.
"It's no trouble at all." I said smiling.
"Really, thanks." He said pulling me close to him.
"I'm always here for you."
"I know." He said and held me in his arms until we had fallen asleep together. I was stretched out on the couch and my head was lain on his lap while he had his arms around my waist securing me to him.
¤(Morning)¤
"Captain!" Kira yelled knocking on the door.
"Come in," I said quietly.
"Kuchiki-taichou?" He questioned.
"What is the news?" I asked.
"I wanted to make sure that he did his paperwork."
"It's done." I said smiling and pointing to the desk. At this moment, I was curled up next to a quietly sleeping Ichigo.
"Thanks but can I ask you a question?" I sighed, as expected. Guys are so predictable.
"Yes unless it's inappropriate, then no." I said.
"Do you planning on doing this every night?" I shrugged.
"Possibly, I mean Ichigo does 'own me' as far as everyone else says, my captain, family, friends, him; he owns me so whatever."
"That's not polite," He said crossing his arms.
"I don't mind, at least I'm not being forced into dating him, it's by my own free will." I answered.
"Ah, did you do all your work?" He asked.
"This whole week's before I came, guys are so predictable. I knew he wouldn't do it and I know I'd be helping him and staying with him so it was best to get it done before I came."
"You're Ichigo's complete opposite." Kira said.
"I know but it's a good thing, it makes things interesting.
"Plus, he is worried that something will happen to me so he wants me never to leave him so he can protect me. This is the Purity of his Promise with my former captain." I said sadly.
"That he can rest knowing everything's in order?" I nodded.
"Exactly, that's how I sleep because I know all things are done. If they wouldn't, I won't sleep." I said smiling.
"Thanks and tell him that he shouldn't beat up people for suggestions to do their work." Kira said.
"I've scolded him for that so many times, another won't make a difference, I'm sure." I said as Kira left and I watched Ichigo as he slept.