I was in pain, but I knew that meant that I was still alive. I wanted to open my eyes, and I wanted to scream, but I couldn't move. Something wasn't right. Someone was sobbing. It sounded like Matsumoto-san. And I heard Lieutenant Ise trying to comfort her. I also felt the presence of Captain Hitsugaya. Why is Matsumoto-san crying? I'm not dead, so what's the big deal? Maybe Hinamori-san died. It would have been better if I had died instead. I was jolted out of my thoughts when I heard a huge sob.
"But she can't be! Itami-chan would never die like that! There has to be a mistake!" Matsumoto-san continued crying. For a couple more minutes, all that I could hear were the heaving sobs of my friend.
"Matsumoto, that's enough!" It was the captain this time. "There's absolutely no trace of her Spiritual Pressure, and all of her vitals have stopped, so the only conclusion that we can come to is that she's dead!" He snapped at his lieutenant.
"Rangiku, I think that you should go get some rest." I could hear Lieutenant Ise escorting Matsumoto-san out of the room, and quietly closing the door. Then I heard Captain Hitsugaya walk closer.
"Why did you do something so reckless, idiot. You charged in without a plan, and now look at what's happened. Your dead." He choked on a sob, trying to keep his composure, but failed, and ended up kneeling next to my bed, crying softly with his head in his arms.
After a while, my captain stopped crying, so I assumed he was asleep. This soothed me a little, knowing that he stopped crying, and the pain eased a little, and I was able to crack open my eyes. I heard the machine that was connected to me start quietly beeping to represent my heartbeat. I finally managed to open my eyes all the way, and sat up slightly. I looked down and saw my captain, his tear streaked face showing signs of sadness and despair. I smiled slightly at the side that I got to see for the first time ever. I gently shook him to wake him up. Captain Hitsugaya's eyes snapped open as he stared into mine.
"Hello, Captain." I said quietly, and smiled. Then footsteps quickly came towards my room as Matsumoto-san burst in.
"Itami-chan!" She ran over and squeezed me tightly, ignoring my sounds of pain. "I knew it! I knew that you wouldn't die on me!" I looked up as best as I could, and saw the tears in her eyes.
"Nani?" I was confused. I didn't understand why they thought that I had died.
"Your Spiritual Pressure completely disappeared, and your vitals stopped, so everyone thought that you were dead." My captain's voice wavered almost unnoticeable.
"That's happened before." I shrugged. "It seems to happen when I almost die. Like when I did that mission in the Academy, the one with the fake Hollows, and real ones attacked. I suppose that my body just drains my Spiritual Pressure to heal me."
"Excuse me, but I need to speak to Itami-san alone." I heard Captain Unohana say to Matsumoto-san and Captain Hitsugaya. I felt Matsumoto-san nodded, and imagined that the captain did as well. She let go of me, and waved, promising to visit again soon.
"Yes, Captain Unohana?" I looked at her quizzically as she opened a scroll.
"By the order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, 3rd Seat Itami Ichinose is hereby promoted to the position of Captain of Squad 5." She rolled the paper back up. "Congratulations, Itami-san. Here is the haori." She held out a package, which I took and opened. "As soon as you are able to, Captain-Commander Yamamoto would like you to go and meet your new Squad. Also, we have made preparations to transport your belongings to the 5th Squad barracks and for your transfer to Squad 5." I just nodded, unable to say anything. Then I came back to my senses.
"But, Captain Unohana, am I really qualified for this position?"
"Of course. After all, you have mastered Bankai, and Captain Kyoraku judged that you have probably had more experience with yours than Lieutenant Abarai. Also, since Squad 5's Lieutenant is currently out of commission, the squad desperately needs a leader, and you have shown plenty of leadership skills." The captain of Squad 4 smiled gently at me. I suggest that you accept the position. You might never get this chance again, Itami-san."
"H-hai, Captain Unohana. Domo arigatogozaimashita." I shivered at the now semi-threatening smile.
"Good, I will inform the Captain-Commander of your decision immediately." She left the room.
I sighed. "Well, I don't have anything to lose, so I may as well just go meet my new comrades." I pulled on my Shihakusho and grabbed the haori, marveling at the beautiful light green lining. "Heh, it's kind of like Captain Hitsugaya's haori." I blushed deep red at the memory. "No! I must appear calm and collected, not like a little girl with a crush!" I shook my head violently as I slipped the haori on and walked out of the room.
The walk to the 5th Squad barracks wasn't very far, and before I knew it, I was standing before the gates to the 5th Squad. I walked over to the two Soul Reapers who were guarding the entrance.
"Excuse me, but can I please enter? I wanted to introduce myself to the rest of my squad." I had to crane my neck.
"H-hai, Captain." One of them bowed.
"Hey, how do we know that you're not lying?" The other one was suspicious. I just smiled slightly.
"I guess that Squad 5 really does deserve it's reputation of training the strongest Soul Reapers." I turned to the one who was going to let me in. "The fact that you are so trusting can be a good quality, but in matters like these, it is best to be at least a little suspicious. After all, I could have been an enemy." I turned back to the one who questioned me. "But, I really am the new captain. I believe that there were preparations for my transfer to Squad 5."
"Then you must be Captain Ichinose! Gomen'nasai, I didn't expect you to come back so soon. After all, we heard that you were recuperating."
"Its okay, don't worry about it." I smiled as they let me in. "Both of you have a lot of potential, and I can't wait to work with you." I bowed and murmured my thanks. I was already looking forward to my position as Captain of Squad 5.