A/N as of 2/27/13: This chapter has also been rewritten to a certain extent. Hope you enjoy the changes! Please let me know if there is anything grammatically wrong with the piece.

Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me.

Chapter 5

The Soul Society Part 2

Three hours have passed in the World of the Living, but our heroes have traveled to a different dimension seperate from that world. They have come to a place reserved for souls after death.

Kiki Uzumaki had no clue of any of this as she stepped in through the gate with Ichigo, Toshiro, and the others, her violet eyes widening behind her glasses as she glanced around. She glanced up at the clear blue sky, smiling slightly as a cool wind blew through her auburn hair. Her eyes continued to take in the array of buildings reflecting old Japanese architecture, each one resembling a shrine. This world seemed like a heavenly place, but Kiki knew that it was not so. The world of the shikigami's was a dangerous world to be in, especially for someone from the living world.

Even so, the young woman felt no fear for this mysterious world. She actually felt a familiar connection to it, almost like it was a home away from home. Unfortunately, she had no clue as to why she felt that way.

"So this is the Soul Society?" Kiki asked, her gaze locking on Ichigo as he came to stand next to her.

He nodded. "Yeah, this is the place."

Kiki focused her attention back on the buildings in front of her. "This reminds me of that palace my mother took me to when I was a child." She narrowed her gaze. "Yes, the palace of Kyushu."

"Captain Hitsuguya!"

Kiki glanced down at the captain standing in front. She still couldn't wrap her head around the idea of a kid being in charge of an elite squad meant to protect people from being eaten by Hollows. As far as Kiki was concerned, the boy should have been in grade school instead.

The man who had called out to Toshiro stopped in front of him, panting as he tried to catch his breath. He wore a black kimono just like Rangiku, Ichigo, and Rukia. His eyes were green, his hair was a dirty blonde color, and he actually had some nice features.

"The head captain…has…called…for a captains meeting!" the man stated, forcing the words out his throat as he tried to catch his breath. "He…wants you to bring…the soul reaper...from the world of the living. He…also wants to see…Kurosaki."

Kiki watched as Ichigo's expression changed from neutral to bewilderment. "Why would the old man want to see me?"

"Kurosaki, you don't refer to the head captain as 'old man'," Toshiro stated irritably, glaring back him. "You refer to him as head captain!"

Ichigo didn't seem to care about what Toshiro was saying, but he nodded anyway. As for the young man before them, he glanced over at Kiki.

"Is she the one?" he questioned, pointing at her with his index finger while looking particularly perplexed.

"Yeah, not sure how, but this is definitely her," Toshiro answered, glancing back behind him to stare at Kiki as well.

Kiki groaned, annoyed with all the staring and the crazy talk coming from the lunatics around her. "Can you not talk about me like I'm not right behind you pipsqueak? Just take me to the guy already!"

Toshiro shook his head, sighing as he did. "And I thought Kurosaki was the annoying one in the bunch." He shifted his azure gaze to his subordinate. "Rangiku, take the others to squad ten headquarters. Wait there until we return."

"Yes captain," Rangiku answered, gesturing for Orihime and the others to follow her. Toshiro waited until she was gone before gesturing with a sway of his head for the two teens to follow him inside. Kiki watched as Ichigo passed her, following behind Toshiro without any hesitation whatsoever. She really wasn't sure about any of this, but her options were limited at this point. That aside, she needed some concrete answers about the madness circulating her already complicated life. With this resolve, she reluctantly fell in step behind Ichigo as the captain of squad ten led them to the main hall of the head captain's lair.

After a few minutes of walking and turning through a maze of halls, Toshiro opened a door leading into a dark, circular room. On the throne toward the end of the long room was the head captain himself. Kiki's jaw nearly dropped at his appearance. He was bald, with a long white beard trailing the floor. He had plenty of wrinkles, which simply made him look feeble, intensified by the walking stick he held in his hands. If Kiki weren't a keen observer, she would've been fooled by his seemingly weak demeanor. Thankfully, she noted his tall and imposing silhouette as he rose from the throne, the frown on his face intimidating to say the least. The young woman could conclude without any tests that this man was far more powerful than anyone in the room, including herself.

As the three entered, Toshiro left Ichigo and Kiki to stand in his spot between the captains of squads eight and eleven. He sighed upon remembering the betrayal of the squad nine captain, along with the squad three and squad five captains. The soul society has been in a disarray ever since.

As for Kiki, she was still confused by what surrounded her. Nine captains stood in the room in two single file lines on the either of the room while the middle was left open so she and Ichigo could walk directly to the end of the room where the head captain stood.

"Have you ever been in here before?" she whispered

Ichigo shook his head, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "I'm only a substitute soul reaper, so I'm not allowed."

Kiki smirked, her violet eyes glinting dangerously behind her glasses. "Doesn't look to me like you'd be one to follow rules Kurosaki."

"Whatever, just let me do the talking."

She frowned at this, not liking the idea of letting the hot tempered teen do all the talking, but she made no attempt to stop him as they halted before Head Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.

He narrowed his gaze on Kiki before addressing the captain of squad ten. "Is this the one?"

"Yes, head captain, it is."

His gaze narrowed further, watching her closely. Kiki was aware of this, but she was more concerned with taking note on how the others behaved. It was obvious to her that everyone there regarded Captain Yammamoto in an almost regal way. She decided she would do the same.

"So what is all this about old man?" Ichigo questioned bluntly, a stoic expression of boredom plastered on his face.

There was a collective sigh from around the room. Even Kiki sighed, though she wasn't sure why.

"Ichigo, be quiet," she whispered forcefully, resisting the urge to smack him in the back of the head.

"I said that you should let me do the talking," he fired back, barely whispering. "You be quiet!"

"Enough squabbling!"

Ichigo and Kiki immediately stopped, hunching their shoulders in response to the booming voice of the head captain.

Satisfied, Captain Yamamoto again turned his attention to Kiki. "State your name."

"Kiki Uzumaki."

"Age."

"Seventeen."

"Ethnic background."

"Japanese, I think."

Yamamoto raised his eyebrow at her last answer. "You think?"

Kiki shrugged, her gaze slipping away from his as her mind took her to other places. "I don't remember much about my childhood."

"I see," he answered, "tell me Ms. Uzumaki. Do you remember your mother or father?"

Violet eyes glared up at him, her emotions taking over. "What makes you think you have a right to know about that? I'm not asking you about your personal life!"

Soi Fan, captain of squad two, intervened. "How dare you speak to the head captain in that manner! That is a direct violation of the soul reaper code!"

"What makes you think I know anything about these codes?" Kiki questioned, her glare now fixed on her as she took in Soi Fan's appearance. She wore a black hakama and a matching tank-top that was relatively sleeveless, she wore elbow length fingerless gloves that acted as sleeves for the ensemble. Over this she wore a white coat that resembled a kimono top. Soi Fan's short hair was a dark bluish black color and her coal-like eyes were filled with intense rage.

"You're an insolent fool," Soi Fan commented curtly. "Furthermore, you are unworthy to be in the presence of the head captain…"

"Enough, Soi Fan," Captain Yamamoto interrupted. "It is not your place to defend my honor."

She sighed, bowing her head. "Yes, forgive me sir."

He gazed at Kiki. "As for your question, it is my business for vital reasons. You will answer them as I see fit."

"And if I refuse?" Kiki wondered aloud, facing the head captain once more. "What will you do to me?"

The old man did not answer her question as he responded. "Is it true that Kurosaki here saw you kill Hollows?"

The fact that he did not answer Kiki's question didn't escape her notice, but she saw no reason to fight with the head captain on the issue. He knew she would end up answering his questions in the end. Her own desire to find the truth overpowered her reason.

Even so, it was still a good minute before she answered him. "He may have, but I myself do not remember anything about it." She let out a soft sigh. "Up until now I didn't even know what Hollows were. Hitsuguya and Kurosaki keep telling me that I'm a soul reaper like all of you, but I…" she trialed off.

Yamamoto raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Kiki trembled slightly. "I just…I just don't know sir."

"And you Kurosaki?" Yamamoto questioned, finally turning his gaze on the substitute. "What is your view on this situation?"

Ichigo eyed him warily. "I saw Kiki with my own eyes, but I believe what she says. She doesn't remember her fight with the Hollows. She didn't even know what a zanpakuto was."

"I understand." Yamamoto began to approach the two teens, using his walking stick as a crutch as he moved. In the seconds that followed, the older man placed his hand on the top of Kiki's head.

"Hey! What are you doing!?" Ichigo exclaimed.

"Calm yourself Ichigo Kurosaki." Yamamoto ordered, closing his eyes. "I've seen this sort of thing before."

"I don't like this." Kiki muttered. "I'd like to know what you're doing also."

A ghost of a smirk came across the face of the wise old man. "Do not worry Kiki Uzumaki, I'm just going to rid you of your problem."

"Problem?" Kiki wondered, the urge to move away intesifying inside of her. "What is he talking about?"

Before she could begin to rationalize, a burning sensation exploded on her forehead where the scar resided. She gasped, blinking as a bright red light began to cloud her vision of the room. Upon blinking her eyes, images began to flash past her like a mighty wind.

"What is this?" she asked aloud.

"Do not try to fight the images," Yamamoto replied, his voice sounding distant. "Close your eyes and accept your memories."

"Memories?"

"Trust me Ms. Uzumaki," he told her. "You'll understand then."

Kiki nodded slowly, taking a deep breath before closing her eyes. At first, she saw only darkness, but after a few seconds a few images started to fade into her vision. The visions are blurry when they first appear, but after a moment the visions began to play out crystal clear. It was like she was watching HD telivision or something.

"These are…"

Kiki opened her eyes, gasping when she realized that she wasn't in the soul society anymore. Instead she stood in a moonlit desert in the middle of nowhere.

"Where am I now?" She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as the cold wind whipped about. "Hello?" She turned, blinking at the dome shaped fortress that stood a great distance behind her. Kiki had no idea what it was or why it was in the middle of this desert, but she felt drawn to it. There was something familiar about it...something she couldn't place.

"Why must you go?"

Kiki turned around upon hearing the two voices. Another gasp fell from her lips as she caught sight of two people standing before her. The first was a woman with short blonde hair and violet eyes that matched hers. Half of the woman's face was covered in a mask while the other half was left exposed. She was petite, but somehow regal in appearance. She wore a pure white thigh-length dress with white Capri pants underneath. In her hand she held a sharp sword that glinted in the light of the crescent moon.

The second figure was man wearing a black kimono…like the shikigami. His light brown hair framed his handsome face, his eyes hidden behind wide frame glasses.

"These people..." Kiki couldn't complete the thought.

"We should have never been together in the first place," the woman stated. "You are a soul reaper and I am an Espada."

The man smirked. "That does not matter. After everything we've been through, you know that we belong together. " He held out his hand to her, taking a slow step forward. "Please…"

"No!" she screamed angrily. "We are…I am pregnant!"

Kiki's knees shook. "This is..."

"So then…your trying to leave me out of our child's life?"

"It isn't like that," the woman answered. "I am the number one Espada. Having a child with a soul reaper is strictly forbidden in this place. It shouldn't have happened at all." She sighed, her gaze falling to the ground. "If I don't leave…our child will be killed the second he or she is born."

"Where can you go?" the man asked. "The world of the living? The other soul reapers will seek you out. They'll kill you and our child."

The woman's violet eyes reflected her sadness. "There's no other choice for me. I'll find a way to keep myself alive until our child is born."

"You can't go alone…"

"I must," the woman told him, leaving no room for argument as she turned away. "Going to the world of the living is my only chance. I must leave this place. I must leave you so that the other soul reapers won't find out about our relationship."

The man's eyes narrowed as he stared down at the Arrancar. He gently grasped her shoulders before pulling her into an embrace.

"Nothing will stop me from being with you and our child," he said soothingly as he stroked her hair. "I love you Himmiko."

"And I you…"

The vision abruptly changed to when Kiki was a child, living in a small cottage in the middle of a forest. The young woman took a step backwards, watching helplessly as her mother worked hard in the kitchen.

"This is the day...the day that they came!"

Memories of that night began to flash right in front of her, forcing her to relive it all.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Hilary!" the young Kiki shouted only to come face to face with…

"Father!?"

The visions of her other memories came at full force from there. How she ran away from home as the monsters attacked, Hilary dying right in front of her, her mother's disapearance, and how it became her mission from that day forward to destroy Hollows with her zanpakuto Ryumaru.

Kiki nearly fell to her knees when Yamamoto lifted his hand from her head. The visions stopped.

"Restate your name." Yamamoto commanded after she had opened her eyes.

Kiki, mentally exhausted, let out a long sigh before answering. "I am Kikelia Amelda Uzumaki, daughter of former Espada Himmiko Uzumaki of Hueco Mundo. I am the holder of Ryumaru, zanpakuto of the dragon ring. I am half shikigami and half Arrancar, born and raised in the world of the living."

Yamamoto nodded once before addressing the entire room. "As of this moment, Kikelia Amelda Uzumaki is the new captain of squad five."

Kiki P.O.V.

"WHAT!"

That was the first thing that entered my mind. I thought this man was wise and such, but after hearing him state that I was to be the next captain of the fifth squad...the only conclusion I can come to is that Yamamoto has lost his marbles. I mean come on! Obviously there are some problems with this.

One: I just stated that my mother was from Hueco Mundo. She wasn't just an Arrancar or just one of the Espada either. No, she was THE Espada! The top one of the bunch, but I wasn't inclined to say that aloud. After becoming pregnant with me, she fled to the world of the living and raised me. A few years later she became pregnant again, resulting in my younger sister's birth. A few years later, when I was seven and my sister four, the Arrancars attacked our home. I was seven and my sister was four. They tore through our house without mercy and they...killed Hilary. All this time I'd been looking for her, thinking she disappeared like my mother, but now I know the truth. I remember seeing one of the Arrancars...possibly an Espada, stab her clean through the heart.

My mother disappeared without a trace and that night I saw my father for the first time.

To this day, I do not know what his name is. My mother was a Hollow in human form and my father was a soul reaper. That's basically all I know about any of this.

As for my soul reaper status, that is something I'm not sure of. My memories of my double life have returned to me, so I know of what I've been doing now. I've been killing Hollows while searching for my mother and the sister I didn't realize was already dead.

"Was it the scar?" I wondered, touching it gingerly. It was still there, but the burning sensation from earlier was gone. The scar could have been clouding my memories, but I'm not sure how that could be possible.

"Head Captain?" I questioned, more than confused. "You aren't serious are you?"

"I second that question." I groaned. I forgot that the idiot was still standing next to me.

"Kurosaki will be your lieutenant since Hinamori is still in critical condition from her last battle." Yamamoto told him.

I'm sure that everyone in there wanted to state how the head captain was out of his mind, but Soi Fan, the captain of squad two, was the only one bold enough to do so.

"Captain, this is not a good idea!"

"I agree," I told him. "I have no experience in this. Aren't there procedures for this sort of thing?"

He turned away. "You are perfectly capable for this job Kikelia. You have the mark of your father."

"My father?"

"You will understand in time."

He departed then, leaving me with a million more questions. Did he know my father? Was he a good soul reaper? Did he exploit his teammates? Was he here? Did the head captain have something to do with the attack my father waged on us? Did my father even wage the attack or was he trying to protect us?

The endless flow of questions will have to wait until a better time seeing that Ichigo and I have a huge job on our hands. I was to be squad captain and Ichigo has to be my second in command. Why would the head captain pick this guy of all people to help is beyond me. He doesn't have a shred of experience in this either. In fact, this whole setup wreaks of a cover up.

I glanced over at my new subordiante. "Does any of this seem fishy to you, Kurosaki?"

He nodded. "To make someone as inexperienced as you captain is definitely a cause for suspicion..."

A sharp glare and a growl from me stopped him from saying more. Still, I should have known that such an action wouldn't keep him quiet for very long. This guy was persistent.

"I was just stating a fact Kiki." He rolled his eyes, acting as if I were the most impossible person alive. Yeah, he sure is one to talk.

"Enough," I scolded. "This is not the time for arguments."

"I'm not the one arguing."

"Kurosak!"

"Excuse me."

Ichigo and I turned our glares toward the new voice. Toshiro rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he approached. He was trying to be calm, but it was obvious that the whole matter was upsetting him. He didn't like the idea any more than we did.

"I shall lead you to the 5th division base," he stated coldly. "Since I'm the one that brought you here, I am hereby responsible for making sure you know where to go and what to do around here."

My only response was to nod. There was nothing else that could be said regarding the subject. Although, there were still many questions that needed answers. I suppose this place will have to suffice in providing those answers. After all, as captain, I can gain access to all kinds of information. That's one perk I'll be happy with.

"This way," Toshiro ordered, taking the lead. Ichigo and I followed without hesitation, but it became clear to me that my hands were shaking uncontrollably. In a vain attempt to keep my sudden fear hidden, I clasped my hands together and held my head up high. Direct eye contact with the other captains wasn't necessary at this point, so I didn't look at them.

"Wait!"

Toshiro stopped, so Ichigo and I came to a stop as well. Unfortunately, Toshiro wasn't the one being addressed.

It was me.

"Your name is Kikelia right?" Soi Fan asked. I barely glanced over my shoulder at the woman. Like before, her eyes were filled with an intense rage I didn't understand. Something about me ticked her off, probably the fact that I yelled at the head captain, but that was over and done with. She needs to let that go.

"Well? It is your name right?"

"It is, but I prefer to be called Kiki if you don't mind," I replied simply.

"You don't belong here Kikelia." Soi Fan muttered. "You are an outsider that does not know or understand the ways of the Soul Society. The head captain may have restored some of your memories, but that doesn't mean you are qualified to be captain…"

"What makes you believe that I wanted to be a squad captain in the first place?" I asked, cutting her off in an abrupt manner. "Do you not understand that I was brought here?"

Soi Fan didn't respond immediately. I took it as an opportunity.

"Your name is Soi Fan, correct?" I asked, fully facing her now. "Captain of squad two?"

She nodded, taken off guard as I walked toward her. The other captains had stiffened in their places, but Soi Fan stood tall even though she was unsure of what I was doing.

Her surprise grew as I kneeled by her feet and gazed toward the floor. Hitsuguya was a captain, but I believed he'd be better suited to help Ichigo with being a lieutenant. As for me, I needed to know what this job was like from a woman's perspective.

With my gaze locked on the floor I spoke. "You are right, I am not qualified to be captain of any squad, but…I trust the head captain." That part was load of crap, but the point in saying all this is neccessary for what I aim to achieve." For that reason I humbly ask for your assistance Soi Fan. Please…"

"Pathetic."

I didn't look up, but astonishment was probably clear in my expression. She had definitely surprised me with that response.

"You plead for my help? Why not find your own way like the rest of us did?"

My gaze shifted from the floor to her face. Her eyes were still bitter, but I felt no fear as I rose fully to my feet, meeting her gaze.

"Because…no one gets to a position like this without some help, whether from a teacher, or a friend, or someone that matters. My job is to help squad five, but there's no way I can do that if I can't help myself. Therefore, as pathetic as my pleading might be, I'll do so because it's necessary to get the help I need. It's up to me to get squad five back where it needs to be. To do that, I need to be an effective leader and be able to stand up for myself against all odds. I have to be able to protect my squad. The reason I've lived until now has been for myself. I suppose now…its time for me to live for someone else. All I need to know is whether you'll help me. If not, I'll find someone else. You just seemed like the best pick."

The room was utterly silent as I finished my speech. Truth be told, I felt embarrassed by my emotional rampage. Still, if it gets the point across…

"Very well then," Soi Fan stated, interrupting my thoughts. "I will pack in years of training and preparations into a week course for you. I'll expect you to learn it fast and effortlessly. Mediocrity will not be tolerated and until you earn my respect you won't have it. Is that understood?"

"Yes."

A/N as of 2/27/13: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know if there are any errors within the story.