DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH OR ITS CHARACTERS! I DO OWN TAKESHI HIKARI THOUGH(:
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"Sou-taicho…" Chōjirō began, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
He just did not have the heart to continue. But he knew that he would have to tell them, so he tried again.
"Sou-taicho is…"
"He is dead" Chōjirō said quietly.
Several gasps echoed in the meeting room. They knew that Yamamoto-taicho was very strong indeed. Who could have killed him?
"Sou-taicho fought Aizen & was defeated. Before he breathed his last, Sou-taicho told me to appoint a Taicho for the 1st Division, who will also be the leader of Gotei 13, & he is…Ukitake-taicho of the 13th Division. As for the 13th Division, Kuchiki Rukia will be your Taicho" Chōjirō continued, but stopped when he heard several gasps echoing around the room.
"But, but i thought i said…" Byakuya said.
"Sorry, Byakuya-taicho. But these were Sou-taicho's orders. He also wants to inform you that your sister is fully capable of being a Taicho. As for the other divisions, there are no changes" Chōjirō interrupted.
"So from now on, everyone will be in their new divisions, & also, Ukitake-taicho will be heading the meetings."
Soon, the news reached the other shinigami. Most were sympathetic towards Chōjirō-fukutaicho & the rest of the 1st Division, though at the same time, they were all secretly pleased that Ukitake-taicho is now the head.
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"I am so glad for Ukitake-taicho! I think Sou-taicho totally deserved to die. He went to fight Aizen-taicho…" Renji exclaimed, when he was in the 5th Division with Byakuya.
"HE IS NOT A TAICHO! DON'T LET ME EVER HEAR YOU CALLING HIM THAT!" Byakuya said icily, after hearing Aizen's name.
"Fine, Aizen then! Sou-taicho fought Aizen because he was very arrogant. Serves him right!"
Just as he said that, a hell butterfly flew in through the window & landed in front of Renji.
"Abarai-fukutaicho, Ukitake-taicho requests your presence."
Renji excused himself & went on his way.
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In Ukitake-taicho's room, a knock resounded on the door.
"Come in" Ukitake-taicho said.
"Ukitake-taicho" Renji greeted, as he bowed.
"Renji, I am sure that you are aware that ever since Aizen's betrayal, hollows have been sighted in Rukongai. If I am not mistaken, there are over hundreds of them. I would like to send you on a mission, together with Rukia, to Rukongai for a month. Ichigo will assist you in this mission. You will be leaving right away. Please do inform Rukia that this is a test to see if she deserves to be a Taicho. Now go! "
"Hai, Ukitake-taicho. I'll get to it right away" replied Renji.
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In the 13th Division…
Rukia was busy with her paperwork, when Renji arrived.
"Hey Rukia! You might want to stop your paperwork."
"Renji, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the 5th Division? What do you mean by that?"
"We have a mission. Strawberry will be helping us. This is a test to see if you deserve your current position. We have to go to Rukongai now. Apparently there are over hundred hollows" Renji said, rolling his eyes, earning him a nudge from Rukia.
Rukia grabbed her zanpakutō & said to Renji "Let's go!"
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When they reached Rukongai, they went straight to District 1. They saw the once quiet & peaceful district had become a war-wrecked place. When Renji, ahead of Rukia, entered, he was immediately greeted with a punch from Ichigo, who was waiting for them.
"Why are you so late, Freeloader? Where is Rukia?" Ichigo said.
"You're so evil, Strawberry! We aren't that late. Rukia is somewhere behind. She has short legs, ya'know?" replied Renji, when he had recovered from the shock of the punch.
"Renji, my legs aren't that short! & I'm here already. So let's just go about our mission, ok?" Rukia said, when she had finally reached.
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They started patrolling District 1, each taking turns, as the hollows were sighted there. At around 10pm that night, when it was Ichigo's turn, he sensed a strong spiritual reiatsu coming from afar. It seemed to be wavering. He decided to check it out. With Zangetsu on his back, Ichigo used shunpo to get to the source of the reiatsu. He traced it to the back of a small hut. There, many hollows were trying to attack a young girl. Although she seemed to be able to fend off some of the hollows, Ichigo could see that she was no match for the many hollows. He ran in front of the girl, protecting her.
"Ha! A shinigami, I see. He'll make a nice meal! The girl smells tasty too! Hmmm, I think I shall have both of them" one of the bigger hollows said.
Irritated, Ichigo shouted "Dream on! We are never going to be your meal & you are definitely no match for us! Getsuga Tenshō!"
After unsheathing his zanpakutō & holding it out infront of himself, he quietly said "Bankai."
His strong reiatsu quickly alerted Renji & Rukia, who immediately ran towards him.
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouted.
Concerned, Rukia ran carelessly towards Ichigo. She didn't see the hollow which was heading for her. The hollow intercepted her & cut her on her shoulder down to her arm. Renji quickly slashed at that hollow. Seeing as Rukia was bleeding profusely, Renji carried her to the side & after sternly warning Rukia not to fight, he continued to help Ichigo with the hollows.
"Howl Zabimaru!" Renji shouted.
"Bankai."
With Ichigo there, Renji found it much easier. Thus, they easily defeated the hollows, saving the girl. When they were done with the last of the hollows, they turned behind & found the girl bandaging Rukia's arm.
As if she felt their gaze upon her, the young girl turned towards them & softly said "Thank you."
Ichigo slowly walked towards her & asked "What's your name?"
The young girl replied "I…I am…"
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yay! 2nd chap done! keep the reviews coming in, ppl! love you all! thanks jounouchi-sama, laughing bandit d royale, emm-chan & jiraya junior for the reviews!