Okay! So what do you guys think of the rewrite and new chappies?
DISCLAIMER: Yes, I totally own Bleach. I'm secretly Tite Kubo. That's why I'm writing my stories in a fanfiction and not actually in Bleach. *SARCASM*
I opened my eyes and pulled my hands off of the crystal ball. No one said anything for several very long minutes. Many of the captains seemed like they wanted to say something but were waiting for the commander to break the silence. Finally, he did.
"You seem to be a truly unique being, Hanashi Jessica."
"Yamamoto-sotaicho," Soifon nearly growled. "This creature is a danger to Soul Society. She should be done away with."
"Oh, come now, Soifon-taicho," Freakenstein smirked. They way Kurotsuchi practically purred gave me chills. "Surely you can see that she would be a far greater asset. If what Aizen told her is true, then she will be very important when this new threat arises."
"I agree with Kurotsuchi-taicho," Byakuya said. I was kind of shocked to hear him speak at all, much less in my defense. "I believe that research on such a threat should be done before we decide what to do with her."
"But is it safe?" I listened to the deep rumbling voice of Komamura, the fox-headed captain. I could hear the warring emotions in his voice. He didn't want to condemn me if I was innocent, but he wouldn't let me hurt anyone if I was guilty. "How can we know that Aizen didn't lie to her so that we would believe his tale? How can we know that she is not being controlled by the parasite connected to her?"
"We can't know anything for sure as of yet," Unohana's voice was gentle, but still commanded attention.
"Unohana-taicho is correct. We should do more research as Kuchiki-taicho suggested before we make a final decision as to her fate."
"And what are we to do with her during this time, Hitsugaya-taicho? If she is not innocent then we can't just let her run free around the Seireitei."
"Oh, don't worry, Ukitake-taicho. I have a perfect cell for her that I can have ready in less than an hour." My stomach dropped like a lead weight. Were they going to hand me over to Kurotsuchi?
"Are you sure you can hold her this time?" spat Soifon. "You obviously couldn't before. What's to say she won't break out again?"
"I am much more prepared this time." The venom dripping from Kurotsuchi's words nearly melted a hole in the floor. "I was not properly informed before. I will be able to make the necessary adjustments easily."
"Then she will be held in the Shinigami Research and Development Institute." Any arguing or speculation was stopped dead when Yamamoto spoke. "Understand, Kurotsuchi-taicho, that you are not to run any tests or perform any experiments on her unless and until I grant you permission. I will call for another meeting when adequate research and investigation has been done." He slammed his staff against the floor once as a judge would bang a gavel to dismiss court. Everyone began to file out, save for Kurotsuchi, Yamamoto, Sasakibe, Kotetsu, and Unohana. Nemu darted past everyone once her father had given her her orders.
"Well, shall we?" Freakenstein grinned at me in a way that made my skin crawl.
"Please wait a moment, Kurotsuchi-taicho." His grin quickly dropped to a frown at Unohana's interjection.
"What do you want?"
"Since you said that the cell will not be ready for some time, perhaps I could take her to back to the Fourth Division Barracks so that I can finish treating her wounds."
"I don't see why that is necessary. She is a prisoner, not a guest."
"That is true, but if the Commander decides to let you have your tests and experiments, won't you want her in full health?"
"Yes, I suppose I would, but she was healthy and strong enough to last through the primary hearing, so I'm sure that she will be just fine for testing by the time the next meeting is called."
"Kurotsuchi-taicho, you will release custody of the girl to Unohana-taicho until the new holding cell is ready. The hollow parasite nearly took control of her once already due to her wounds and fatigue, and I do not wish for that to happen again. Unohana-taicho, please see to it that she is healthy and strong so that we do not have a repeat occurrence."
"Understood, Yamamoto-sotaicho." Unohana bowed and gently led me out of the meeting hall, Kurotsuchi storming away in front of us. I let her lead me, but I shot a desperate glance back at Bishamonten. After everything that happened in Soul Society, and then reliving my new life and after-life, I didn't know if I could handle being away from him for much longer. Unohana noticed this and stopped.
"I think, Unohana-taicho, that the girl's zanpakutō would be safest in your possession for now. I do not believe that she would be foolish enough to try anything with you right there." My eyes snapped to the old man. He saw what the separation was doing to me and he took pity on me.
"Of course, Commander." Sasakibe handed the blade over to Kotetsu before returning to his spot next to the commander. I sent him a grateful look before bowing and following Unohana out the door. I nearly stopped dead in my tracks when a bubbly voice sounded from inside the meeting hall.
"Hey, Gramps! Can I go with Re-chan and Kitty-chan?"
"Kusajishi-fukotaicho? What interest do you have in the girl?"
"Kitty-chan's my new friend!"
"Very well. As long as Unohana-taicho allows it, then yes."
"YAY!" A split second later, I was tackled to the ground by the raging ball of pink joy.
"Y-Yachi-"
"Guess what! Guess what! I get to stay with you, Kitty-chan! Well, if Re-chan says it's okay." She looked up at the master healer with the biggest puppy dog eyes I had ever seen.
"That's alright with me. Please just remember that she needs to heal and rest."
"Okay!"
To say I was relaxed and calm would be an understatement. Unohana seemed to be on my side and treated me kindly the whole time I was there. That may just have been because she knew I was going to be turned over to the King of Freaks in less than an hour and she took pity on me, but I was happy to accept any kind treatment that was given to me. Regardless, I didn't let my impending imprisonment dampen my mood. At first, I thought that Yachiru would get bored of just sitting there, but that wasn't quite the case. She sat in her chair jumping up and down in excitement. She told me stories about Ben and Nick and their squads. I laughed for five solid minutes when she told me that Ben was on Squad Six. If there was one thing that Ben hated, it was Kuchiki Byakuya. He would always talk about how he wished that the raven haired man was real so he could kill him. Now, not only was he in a world where he was currently incapable and not allowed to kill the Kuchiki, but he was the noble's SUBORDINATE! The funniest part is that Ben is kind of crazy and head strong when he's not being lazy while the Sixth Division focuses on discipline and adherence to the rules. Nick didn't have such a dramatic tale. He was placed on the Seventh Division. I briefly wondered if Komamura's opinion of me had anything to do with Nick being in his squad. I didn't get much time to reflect on those two, however. Yachiru quickly began firing questions at me, asking questions about my story and my zanpakutō and such.
"Kitty-chan! Kitty-chan! Do you really want to be in my Squad?"
"Yeah," I chuckled.
"Yay! I hope they put you there! Then we'll get to play together all the time!" I just smiled at her, not bothering to mention the fact that I might not be put in the Gotei 13 at all. She was a child with the mind of a child and the logic of a child. If I said anything, she would simply explain it away with her own reasoning, not the slightest bit daunted, so I didn't bother.
"Kusajishi-fukotaicho, I seem to have left a vile of medicine that I need in a my office. Do you think you could run and get it for me?"
"Sure, Re-chan!" Unohana watched her bound out of the room and down the hall. When she turned to face me, she had grown more serious.
"I would like to warn you, Hanashi-san. I will not tell you to not join the Eleventh Division should you be allowed into the Gotei 13, but I would advise against it. Yachiru is the only female in the entire division and she is not only the Lieutenant, but she is a child and is like a daughter to Zaraki-taicho. If you join that Squad, things will be very difficult for you."
"I understand, Unohana-taicho. I know that they won't readily accept me and they'll probably try to either scare me off or take advantage of me or both. Joining Squad Eleven has been my dream since the hollow attack, but this is the first time I've actually put any thought into such a decision."
"Well, I wish you the best of luck, whatever happens." Yachiru's energetic entrance signaled the end of the conversation.
Not much happened in the next few hours. Well, nothing exciting, at least. Unohana treated me, Yachiru chatted away at me, and Kurotsuchi finished his special cell and transfered me. It was easier to stay calm about being in his custody now that I at least had Bishamonten by my side. The mad scientist kept muttering away to himself and his underlings about all of the experiments he would conduct on me. It didn't bother me, though. I trusted that B wasn't lying to me so I knew that Aizen had to be telling the truth too. I didn't know whether or not I would be allowed to join the Gotei 13, but I doubted the Commander would just surrender me over to Kurotsuchi.
'What do we do if we are to be subjected to him?'
'Relax, Yamamoto isn't heartless. When he sees the truth, he'll be on our side. We might have to go through some experiments, but I'm sure they'll just be tests. No dissections. We just need to be on our best behavior while they do their research. We have nothing to hide, right?'
'Not exactly. There are things that were never put into the records that I have not told you.'
'What kind of things?'
'Things that are better kept secret.'
'Quit messing around, Bishamonten! Will we get in trouble? I'm not going to be an enemy of Soul Society!'
'No. They will simply see the holes in their own history that have always been there. All you need do is be honest and tell them that you do not know all of the details yourself.'
'If this doesn't work out, I'm gunna go in there and kick your shiny metal ass!'
'I will be the first to admit that the things which I have asked you to do seemed insane, dangerous, and highly counterproductive, but you have always followed my instructions and we have managed to survive in one piece thus far.'
'Whatever. This whole thing has been one crazy trip down the rabbit hole.'
Time drug on and I was beginning to die of boredom when Kurotsuchi himself walked into the room my cell was in, Nemu trailing behind him as always.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri-taicho. To what do I owe this pleasure?" I was starting to get a little nervous by this point because I hadn't heard any news and I was starting to worry that the Captains had already had their second meeting and decided in Freakenstein's favor.
"I have come to check up on the newest edition to my collection. You are a one of a kind specimen. I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."
"Well, I'm afraid there's really nothing you can do for me, Captain. You see, I would be much more comfortable if I were allowed outside of my cell, but-"
"I have no intention of doing so. Aside from my own interest in keeping you here, Yamamoto-sotaicho has ordered you to be kept here until further notice."
"Of course. So, we seem to have a conflict of interests. I'll just have to stay uncomfortable for the time being. Was there something else you wanted?" He grimaced at me, clearly not liking my attitude. Even though he was totally unnerving me just by being in the same room, I kept my aloof demeanor in hopes that he would get annoyed and storm out, leaving me in peace.
"Yes, there was one other thing."
"And what would that be, Captain?"
"You have some visitors. The Commander has approved them to visit you, but Nemu will be staying to personally monitor you."
"Visitors? Who is it?" He didn't answer me as he turned and walked out. Nemu stayed where she was, eyes locked on me, totally unmoving. "Hey!" I called. I darted over to the bars of my cell, poking my face through the space between them and continued yelling. "Hey Freakenstein! Who is it?" I'm not sure why, but the fact that he wouldn't tell me who these mysterious visitors were scared me. Who would bother to come visit me? Was it Yachiru again? Was it Kenpachi coming to size me up after finding out I wanted to be on his squad? Who was it? I stared at the doorway as two tall, muscular forms entered it. Nemu walked over to stand beside the back wall as the two figures approached.
"Oh," I sighed, "And here I was worried it was someone important coming to visit me!"
"Thanks, Jess, love you too." We both spoke with sarcasm, but I was glad I got to see them again.
"How you holding up in here?" Nick asked. If Ben or I got hurt, Nick was the one to ask if we were okay. We would only crack jokes about the other, so he took it upon himself to see about our health. If he was hurt, we'd both check up on him and worry about him, but he was just more of a caretaker than either of us. He took a step closer to the bars, but didn't touch them.
"Meh, I've been better. But, on the bright side, I'm not being kept in a great big block of Sekki stone like I was last time. By the way, those bars aren't electrified or anything. I've already touched them."
"Yeeeaaaah, I still don't think I'll take any chances," he said while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Kurotsuchi would be the one to make it only electrify people on the outside."
"True. So what brings you guys here? I didn't think I'd be allowed to see you guys again. At least not until after everything got cleared up."
"Well, it took a crap load of begging, but we finally got Yamamoto-sotaicho to agree."
"I think the research was taking longer than he thought it would and we were really starting to annoy him."
"Yeah, and I think Kuchiki-taicho had something to do with it too." Ben groused at Nick's comment.
"Why? What did he do?"
"He spoke to the Commander right before we got permission to see you. I think he gave him an excuse to let us in." My eyes darted over to Nemu who still stood stock still in the corner, eyes watching our every move.
"They want to see what I tell you guys and how I interact with you."
"Right."
"So, let's give them something to help prove you're innocent. What did you tell them?"
"Technically I didn't tell them anything. They had me use this crystal ball to show them what happened. They said it was so I couldn't lie."
"They did that for us too, but it's not perfect. It plays memories. So, if I remember that a specific building was red, but you remember it being blue-"
"There'll be differences in our stories even if we both saw the building together."
"Exactly."
"How did you find that out?"
"Nick remembered things a little differently than I did."
"So, what did you tell them? What memories did you show?"
"Everything, I guess. I started back when we first woke up in the street and just went from there."
"You told them everything? How we got our zanpakutōs? How we got split up? Everything?"
"Yes, I told them everything. Would you just chill?"
"Did you tell them about that weird voice you used to hear?"
"Oh, yeah I did. Actually, I found out what that was."
"Really?"
"What?"
"My zanpakutō." They both just stood there staring at me for a few seconds.
"What do you mean your zanpakutō? You said you heard it way back in the beginning, back when we were alive."
"Yup. Apparently I could hear him because of my super hearing. He said that we all had to somehow sense our zanpakutōs before we could become shinigami."
"Wait, your zanpakutō told you about our zanpakutōs?"
"Jess, that's not possible."
"I know, I know. Look, there's a lot that I found out that I'll have to tell you guys, but later. It's a really long story and I don't feel like going through it again."
"So how did we have to sense our zanpakutōs?"
"You had to somehow see his reiatsu. Probably by seeing your own for a split second when you first changed. Ben, you had to smell yours."
"Really?" It wasn't an intrigued 'really' or a surprised 'really' or even a 'no duh' 'really'. It was a 'you can NOT be serious' 'really'.
"Yes, really. He said you had to learn to identify his scent, and you probably just brushed it off as finally recognizing your own scent."
"Jess, I'm not sure how much I'm going to believe what someone else's zanpakutō says about my zanpakutō."
"I understand that, and I'm not going to try to change your mind right now because it would be pointless. You'll both understand when I tell you what happened after we got split up."
"Why don't you tell us now?"
"Yeah, just leave out the details for now."
"Fine..."
So, we all sat down on the floor and I gave them the super condensed version of my story.
"So that's how you got that mask, huh? I was wondering about that," Ben mused.
"Me too. I can't tell you how freaked out I was to see you like that. We thought you were an arrancar."
"So it's different from being a Vizard?"
"Yeah, but it also has it's similarities. It's connected to my zanpakutō like a Vizard's, but it's not a sentient entity that will submit if I beat it. It's more like an animal with base instincts and feelings."
"If you can hear you zanpakutō all the time, can you hear it too?"
"No, we keep it locked up. It's constantly fighting for power, so Bishamonten usually keeps it subdued. We fought it once together and managed to lock it away. I think it was a kind of kidō barrier, but I'm not sure. If they let me join the Gotei 13, I want to study kidō so I can learn better seals to lock it up. Every time I use the mask, even a little bit, the damn parasite fights to take over."
"Is that why it was stuck on your face before?"
"Yeah. They found me right after a fight where it almost took over. I didn't have enough strength to remove the mask. By the time I woke up, it had been on my face for a while, so it had a good foot hold. I couldn't remove any of it without Bishamonten's help."
"Which is why you broke out and stole him back."
"Partially. Even if I had been able to remove it all on my own, I would have broken out and hunted him down. He's not like other zanpakutōs and not even like yours. He's constantly in my head, so our bond is really strong. It didn't take long for me to learn his name and we always fight side by side even when I'm not using my shikai. Waking up alone with him no where in sight terrified me."
"Wow. She said you had a strong bond, but I didn't think it was that extreme," Nick marveled.
"'She'?"
"Unohana-taicho," Ben responded. "We talked with her to see how you were doing. We talked right after you'd been moved here. She said that you had an unnaturally strong bond."
"I guess it is unnatural..." I had just accepted it after a while, so I guess I never realized how weird we were. "Have you guys spoken with your zanpakutō?"
"I have. Nick's getting there."
"Yeah, 'getting there'. That's fancy talk for 'still swinging a useless sword around'."
"F.Y.I. You're never going to get anywhere if you keep calling him a 'useless sword'. Nothing's more painful for a zanpakutō than to not be recognized by their shinigami. It's harder for us to understand because we can interact with those around us and we have friends and family. To a zanpakutō, nothing exists outside of themselves and their shinigami."
"Huh, never thought of it like that before. It's just weird to think that an inanimate object has a mind and a soul."
"Especially when they don't make it easy to interact with them," Ben muttered angrily.
"Did you have trouble with yours?"
"It hates me. I can summon my shikai, but it's never as strong as it could be. It's holding back and it even tries to fight me. I'm just better off not using my shikai at all."
"Again, try being nice. A zanpakutō acts as the final piece to a shinigami. They complete us. Sometimes they're copies of us, sometimes they're our exact opposites, and sometimes they're just something different. But, whatever they are, they are our missing piece. Think about it. For people like Matsumoto, they need a doppelganger counterpart. Haineko looks and acts just like her. Other people need opposites, like Hisagi. He is a gentle person who believes in justice. Kazeshini just likes to kill things. Then there are people like Hitsugaya and Renji whose zanpakutōs are simply the counterparts they need to be."
"I guess that makes sense."
"So which one is yours?"
"Mine? Hmm... I guess B is one of the third group. We're not the same, but we're not opposites. Oh! Wait."
"What?"
"Well, we kind of are opposites."
"How can you be kind of opposites?"
"Well, he said we're like Yin and Yang. Two opposite yet equal parts. But the thing about Yin and Yang is that each has a piece of the other. I guess that's why were close and not like Hisagi and Kazeshini."
"Whatever."
We spent the rest of our time together just joking around and remembering the good ol' days. They each told me a little about what happened after we got split up and how they ended up getting to Soul Society. Nick even met Ichigo and the gang because he had arrived just a little before the whole "Rescuing Rukia" fiasco.
"OK, I have to ask."
"Ask what?"
"Who told?"
"Told what?"
"About Bleach! Who told them?"
"Well..."
"It was Nick's fault."
"Ben!"
"He told them flat out."
"I did not! I didn't say a word the whole time I was here and then you showed up when the whole place is in an uproar over Ichigo and Rukia. I was trying to help you and then you go yammering on about all the Captains! I had to tell them!"
"You could've made up some kind of excuse."
"After everything I went through to gain their trust? I don't think so!"
"So you're both to blame."
"No, it's his fault!" they shouted in unison. I laughed and teased them for a little while longer before we were interrupted. Kurotsuchi came back but this time Byakuya and Komamura were with him. Immediately, Ben and Nick shot to their feet and bowed to the captains. Kurotsuchi waved them away in annoyance and turned to me.
"Yamamoto-sotaicho has called the second meeting. You are to come with me."
"Nick-san,"
"Yes, Komamura-taicho?"
"You and your brother are to come as well. Kuchiki-taicho and I have come to escort you."
'Is it really necessary for three Captains to escort three unseated shinigami? Nick has not even achieved shikai yet and, even at our absolute best, we could not hope to defeat a captain even with the help from your brothers.'
'Oh shut up. They get to come along so I'm not complaining. Besides, why do you care?'
'If they feel the need to assign three captains to escort you, then they may still see you as a threat. I am simply being cautious.'
'You're simply being a pain in the ass. Maybe Byakuya and Komamura wanted to come. Maybe they wanted to keep an eye on their subordinates.'
'That is a possibility, but I would rather be cautious and safe then foolish and dead.'
'Whatever. Let's just get this over with.'
Through the whole conversation, I kept my demeanor calm and relaxed, not betraying the slightly heated discussion going on inside my head. In no time at all, I was back in the Captains' Meeting Hall. It wasn't as daunting as last time thanks to the new company. Ben and Nick each stood behind their respective captains, but I didn't doubt for one second that they would jump to my aid should the need arise. Then there was B. When my sword was in my hand or strapped to my hip, I felt like I could do anything.
I stood in the middle just like I had last time, and the Captains all stood in their same spots. Ben stood just behind Renji and Byakuya and Nick stood behind Tetsuzaemon and Komamura. We all stood in silence for a few moments, waiting for Yamamoto to speak. The longer he waited, the more nervous I became.
"Hanashi Jessica," he finally said. "You stand before us now for your final trial. Your fate will be decided here and now." He paused to let the significance of this meeting sink in before continuing. "Hitsugaya-taicho, what did your research uncover?"
"There are ancient records of the Four Generals. They were created by the Soul King and served and protected him, just as Aizen said."
"Was that all you could find?"
"Yes, sir. There is no record of what happened to them, only that they and the monsters they were created to fight disappeared at around the same time. There is a gap in the records where this happens, but it's been over looked for centuries and there are many gaps in the records that are that old."
"I see. Kuchiki-taicho, I believe you did your own research as well. What did you find?"
"I found the names of the Four Generals, Commander. Apparently, each general had a connection to one of the Four Great Noble Houses. Komokuten-sama, the General of the West was associated with the Kuchiki family. The others were Bishamonten, the General of the North and the leader, Jikokuten, the General of the East, and Zochoten, the General of the South. I do not know which clans the other Generals affiliated with."
"Soifon-taicho, are you capable of accessing the Shihoin family records?"
"Not the ones we would need, Sir. Only the head of the family can access the old records."
"Then contact Shihoin Yoruichi in the human world. The more we know about the Generals, the better. We must assume that Aizen knows more than we do. Kurotsuchi-taicho, what have you found by observing the three shinigami in question?" I heard the jolt of surprise ripple through my brothers' reiatsus. I guess they didn't know that they had been under observation too.
"Not much, unfortunately. They interact with one another as they would with any shinigami, save for one exception."
"And that would be?"
"They interact subconsciously as well. Each has a unique sense that they use to read the others. The girl's hearing, for example. When the other two entered the room, the flow of her reiatsu changed. She began listening to their reiatsus on a subconscious level. If asked she would most likely say that she couldn't hear anything, but she was reading their reiatsus. My equipment picked up similar fluctuations from both of the males, so I assume that they each acted the same with their own senses. Such interaction can be seen in animal packs. When they approach one another, they check to ensure that the other or others are not scared, hurt, or upset in some way. They are not biological siblings, but they treat each other as such. I'm sure I can find much more if I am allowed to conduct my experiments."
"We will address that topic later, Kurotsuchi-taicho. If no one else has any information to present, then we will commence with the secondary questioning. Hanashi Ben, Hanashi Nick, both of you step forward and join your sister." They both did as they were told, Nick standing on my left and Ben on my right. "What do you know about the Four Generals?" He turned his head to Ben first.
"Nothing, Yamamoto-sotaicho. I hadn't even heard of them before today." He didn't nod or show any sign that he heard Ben at all. He only turned his head to face Nick.
"I heard of them once or twice in the living world, but that was only in passing." I expected him to start his next question, but instead he faced me. I blinked in surprise.
"Oh, uh, I've told you, or rather shown you all I know. I'd never heard of them before Aizen found me." The old man just kept staring at me, totally unfazed. "I know that the Four Generals were created by the Soul King to fight the mysterious force that nearly destroyed all of Soul Society a millennia ago. What no one knew was that there was a man behind the scenes, controlling the creatures. When the Generals nearly destroyed the creatures, he sealed them away so that they could once again wreak havoc long after the Generals were dead and gone. To counter this, the Generals sacrificed themselves so that they could be reborn as zanpakutō when they were needed again. The North, West, and East Generals went to our world to be reborn and, supposedly, they chose us. The fourth General was to stay here to be reborn and then travel to our world when it was time to summon us here. Aizen said he wanted me because I'm supposed to be the leader."
"Do you know the identities of the other three generals?"
"I don't have the slightest idea who the South General is, but Bishamonten said something when each of my brothers became shinigami. He muttered the 'West' when Nick changed, and 'East' when Ben changed."
"So you believe Ben is the reincarnation of Jikokuten, the General of the East, and Nick is the reincarnation of Komokuten, the General of the West?"
"If Bishamonten was correct, then yes. I don't have any other evidence to support this, but then I don't know very much about Jikokuten or Komokuten. I do know that what Aizen said about the Shitenno is true. If the information about the Generals is limited in your records, then you may find some helpful information in the human world."
"Hanashi Ben, you have achieved Shikai, yes?"
"Yes, Commander."
"What is the name of your zanpakutō?"
"Jikokuten." He nodded then turned his attention back to me.
"And what of the South General? You claim that he was the mysterious man who brought you to this world?"
"In all honesty, I can't remember much of anything of him. I saw him once briefly when we were all out together and then again in my dream that night, but I don't remember what he looked or sounded like."
"And you two?" I saw Nick and Ben both shake their heads 'no' out of the corner of my eye. "Do any of the Captains have any questions?" Silence. "Very well then. For the sake of Knowledge, Kurotsuchi-taicho will be permitted to run tests on all three shinigami in question. However, every test must be overseen by Unohana-taicho, Kuchiki-taicho, and Komamura-taicho. If any or all of the overseers deem the test too dangerous or inhumane, then the test will not be performed. Hanashi Nick, Hanashi Ben, you may return to your places." They bowed to the Commander and both went back to stand behind their captains and lieutenants. "Now to the matter of what to do with you." I shifted uncomfortably under everyone's gaze. "You are a fully realized shinigami and you have even achieved Shikai. You have expressed interest in joining the Eleventh Division. However, your talent for kidō would not only be wasted in such a placement, but it would hold you back. Instead, you will be placed in the Fourth Division." I had mixed feelings about my placement, but I was just glad that I was allowed in the Gotei 13 and I had a Captain who seemed to like me. I had to take a deep breath to clear my head at all of the sudden emotions in the room. Everyone's reiatsu rippled accordingly, causing a jumbled mess of sounds. A number of the Captains and Lieutenants seem intrigued or surprised at the old man's decision. Most of the Lieutenants, including Nemu, seemed indifferent about the whole thing, not really caring one way or the other. I didn't miss the utter shock coming from Nick and Ben. Then there was the little bit of disappointment I heard coming from Yachiru and Kurotsuchi. He probably wanted me all to himself. What confused me was Kenpachi's reaction. There were a bunch of feelings humming around each other. I heard shock, disappointment, and what sounded like a scoff. He probably wanted to see me in action, but didn't want to bother with a kidō user.
"Thank you, Yamamoto-sotaicho," I said with a deep bow. The meeting was dismissed and everyone began to leave. I moved over to Unohana who stood waiting by the door with Isane standing beside her.
"Hello, Hanashi-san," Isane beamed down at me. "It's a pleasure to have you in our Division."
"Thank you, Kotetsu-fukotaicho. I hope to learn a lot about kidō."
"I'm sure you will pick things up quickly, Hanashi-san," Unohana said, "but do not expect things to be easy. I will expect more of you because of your talent, and I will not accept failure."
"Of course, Captain," I said seriously. I followed them both out of the meeting hall and to my new home in the Squad Four barracks.
I'm running out of
things for my little haikus.
How was this chapter?