Yeah; I'm uploading these really quickly. I don't know why or how, but I like it. And thanks to all my readers and reviewers for your comments, they are very encouraging. If anyone's got anything to say (mean, nice, or in between) I'd love to hear it.

Chapter Seven-Grim News

Two weeks later, Koji was positive that he was still out of his captain's favor. Komamura had not reverted entirely back to his former, warm personality that he had displayed at when Koji had started, yet at the same time, he was not as cold or distant. He seemed almost neutral, apathetic. In the very early hours of the morning, Koji would train with his zanpakuto (who had refused to train him at the same intensity as before) and from sunrise to sunset, Koji would do work around the barracks, in an effort to keep his position and to impress Komamura.

Komamura had learned of his very early training after that first, disastrous day and, from time to time, would supervise. He would watch and offer advice, but he would never accept Koji's offer to join the training. Koji had, at first, assumed that it was because Komamura was a captain and needed a different kind of training. Later, he was beginning to believe that it was simply because Komamura did not like him anymore.

It was during a routine check-up by Unohana that Iba had returned. Koji was sitting on a chair while Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu checked him when a messenger from the First Division had come into the barracks. Komamura, who had already finished his check up, heard his message and looked alarmed. Koji strained his ears to overhear, but he caught only a few words: "Iba" and "injured" and "meeting". Komamura thanked the messenger and turned back to his officers and Lieutenant Kotetsu.

"You two," he said, pointing to Koji and Isane, "come with me. We must go to the First's barracks."

"Has something happened?" Isane asked worriedly.

Komamura huffed. "The Head Captain wants to speak with the captains and lieutenants. Apparently, Tetsuzaemon has returned... injured."

While worry of Lieutenant Iba's condition did bother him, Koji found excitement in the idea of being invited to a captain's meeting to replace Iba... temporarily. Once Iba was healed, Koji's future would hang in the balance once more. But for now, Koji would simply go along with his captain's orders. Lieutenant Kotetsu seemed to feel differently. She walked with a solemn expression, her head downward and watching her feet, even as they arrived at the First's barracks.

Once inside, Komamura led the way to the captain's meeting room. His orders before they entered were clear and crisp. Lieutenants (and fill-ins) were not to speak. They were only to stand beside their captains and listen. It was rare for lieutenants (or fill-ins) to be allowed in one of these meetings; it was even rarer for them to keep their rank if they did something foolish during the meeting. Koji nodded and they entered. Komamura hurriedly took his spot between Captains Kuchiki and Kyoraku, and Koji stood slightly behind him, nearly leaning against the wall. Isane moved to be beside Unohana and they waited for Yamamoto's authoritative voice to wash over the distinguished officers. Lastly to arrive was Captain Zaraki, who had claimed to have not received the message until Yachiru-who was on his shoulder-had given it.

"Now that we have all arrived," Yamamoto said, "I must give you some very upsetting news."

"Does this have anything to do with Lieutenant Iba?" Captain Hitsugaya inquired.

"Yes, it does," Yamamoto responded. He tapped his cane on the wooden floor irritably and the message was clear. There were to be no more interruptions until questions were asked. "As you know, we had sent a few seated officers to the World of the Living to deal with the matter of a strangely high number of Hollows in a human city. They have come back, but Lieutenant Iba has been injured gravely and the other officers as well. They speak of a strange being with a presence similar to that of one of Aizen's Espada."

He paused to allow them to digest the influx of unwelcome news.

"All of the Espada were defeated, weren't they?" Shinji Hirako (the new captain of the Fifth Division) asked. "We even watched Aizen slash that third Espada."

"Yes, we did. And though she has survived, she has long since returned to Hueco Mundo," Yamamoto explained. "It is possible that this is another Arrancar that we have not seen or a new being entirely. The fact that this creature was able to defeat a lieutenant proves that this matter requires a captain to deal with it."

"I volunteer," Captain Hirako offered.

"No," Yamamoto said, so severely that they were all taken by surprise. "You may be in your second stint as a captain, but I would prefer you to spend a bit more time with your division before being deployed to the World of the Living." Then, he did something odd; he turned to Rukia Kuchiki. "Lieutenant Kuchiki, you have the most experience in the World of the Living. I would ask you to go, but to choose at least one captain to take with you. That captain will then choose three more officers of lieutenant or captain rank to join him on this mission."

Koji watched her countenance change from surprise to worry, and finally, confusion. "Sir, I don't know-"

"Choose wisely."

She surveyed the highest ranking Soul Reapers with apprehension. Captain Ukitake? She did not want to put too much stress on him. Kurotsuchi? Too creepy. Zaraki? Too crazy. Hitsugaya? Possibly: he had gone with her before. Captain Muguruma of the Ninth? No; Captain Hirako had been rejected, and she was sure that he would be too. Kyoraku? Too pervy. Komamura? Another possibility. Byakuya? She didn't know why, but found that she would prefer not to ask him to join her; possibly his new overprotective qualities. She skipped Captain Hirako and knew that Unohana was needed here in the Seireitei. She did not want to ask Soifon, but knew that Yamamoto would more than likely need to remain behind as well.

"May I choose two captains to join me, sir?"

"Yes," Yamamoto replied.

"Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Komamura would be good for this mission, I believe." Byakuya paled, and Rukia avoided looking at him.

Koji saw Komamura's scowl-which bared his teeth frighteningly. Briefly, he wondered what kind of Gigai Komamura would use, if he would not simply stay a Soul Reaper and invisible to ordinary humans. But Yamamoto's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he listened carefully.

"Very well. Captain Hitsugaya, do you accept this assignment?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who would you like to join you?"

"My own lieutenant will be sufficient," Hitsugaya answered and Rangiku smiled widely, her girlish giggling filling the room. She looked as if she had just won the lottery.

"Captain Komamura," Yamamoto said, and Komamura's scowl vanished. "Do you accept this assignment."

"I feel I must refuse," Komamura said, and Koji stared up in amazement. "With my own lieutenant currently incapacitated, I must remain behind to manage my division. I cannot simply leave right now."

"I can have Lieutenant Iba recovered by sundown," Unohana assured him. "I've already examined him and done first aid. His life is no longer in danger and he should be walking soon."

"Until then, I should stay behind."

"If he will be healed tonight, you may leave tomorrow morning," Yamamoto remarked. "Will he be joining you on this mission?"

Realizing that he had been defeated, he said, "No, I can't put him through more pain."

"Then perhaps your third seat."

Koji swallowed hard and waited for an answer; he expected to be turned down, but Komamura said, "Very well."

"Good. I will have the Senkaimon opened tomorrow at dawn. Be there and ready to depart. Dismissed."