I know a lot of people hate this, but this will be a bit of a filler chapter while I'm working through a small mental block. Chapter 8 will, however, help advance the story. So, enjoy, and thanks for reading.

Chapter 8-The Morning Before

Komamura walked through the Seireitei, too deep in thought to notice the greetings of inferior Soul Reapers that he passed. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard them, but he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to really care. This mission to the World of the Living... Somehow, it was not the mission itself that concerned him, but the thought of having Koji Shimizu with him was... unnerving.

Certainly, the third seat was trying hard to impress him. His work output had more than doubled and he trained daily (and sometimes nightly) with his zanpakuto. Third Seat Shimizu was not exactly up to snuff with the lieutenants, but he was progressing nicely. In a few more years, he may very well be ready to be promoted to lieutenant, if a lieutenant position became available.

Yet how would he react? He had never battled the Arrancars, and his experience with Hollows might have left him completely traumatized. Would he break down if they were fighting a Hollow or would he be completely useless against an Arrancar? Would he be able to fight someone with Espada-like powers? Even the captains had needed to use Bankai against those Espada... and Koji was just now mastering the use of his Shikai.

Komamura stopped and sighed, listening to the chirping crickets that played through the moonlit night. A chilly wind picked up, blowing gently through his fur and he considered returning to Yamamoto to have Koji removed from the mission, replacing him with, perhaps, Renji Abarai. Renji has a Bankai.

No, he thought. That'd crush him.

And the last thing he needed was to have him emotionally shattered. Komamura looked back in the direction of his barracks. He needed to talk to Koji... He needed to know, without a doubt, if Koji was ready.

Koji sat on his bed, staring up at his ceiling with a smile on his face, Hikari no Inu resting by his side.

What are you so excited about? the sword asked.

"Tomorrow's my first official mission as a seated officer," Koji replied. "This is my chance to show Captain Komamura that I'm good enough. Think about it. With you as my zanpakuto, we could make Seireitei history. Who knows; in a few more years, we may be promoted to lieutenant and then captain! And then-"

Calm down, Hikari no Inu said. First, you have to impress Sajin.

"Captain Komamura."

Why do you idolize him?

"I don't."

Then you wouldn't be so upset by me using his first name.

Koji wanted to retort, but stopped himself, knowing that his zanpakuto was right. He sighed. "It's because he's brave... Even looking the way he does, he isn't afraid to show his face. A lot of people would hide, but he doesn't. Meanwhile, I'm just a coward. For all the good I might do, I might as well stay behind."

We need to work on your confidence.

"Yeah..."

There was a knock on the door and Koji jerked. "Come in."

The door slid open and Koji jumped from his bed to stand at attention; Captain Komamura stepped in.

"Third Seat Shimizu, are you sure that you're ready for this? You could very well come back injured."

"Isn't that the risk with all Soul Reapers?" Koji replied weakly.

"Are you scared?"

"Not really."

"You're lying."

A pause.

"Just a bit, I guess. But I can make it, sir, I promise."

"Really?"

"I'm willing to bet my position on it."

You're an idiot, Hikari no Inu remarked. Koji ignored the comment, even though he felt it was right.

"Are you really or is this pointless bravado?" Komamura said gravely. Koji sucked in his breath and stood stock-still while Komamura looked him over again. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are you scared?"

"Yes, sir."

"Will you go anyway?"

"Yes, sir."

"Will you follow orders?"

"Yes, sir."

"Would you abandon your comrades?"

"No, sir."

"Even if I order it?"

He was going to say, "No, sir", but then thought back over it. He hesitated a moment before saying, "I won't just let other people die. I won't run away."

"But why die pointlessly?"

"I'd rather die a warrior than die a coward."

"Brave words. But do they really mean anything to you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I look forward to fighting alongside you when we pass through the Senkaimon."

Koji's heart lifted, a weight rising from his shoulders. "Thank you, Captain."

Komamura turned to leave but stopped at the door. "I am not as brave as you think. Before you were an officer, I did hide my face with heavy armor. It was only after the war with Sosuke Aizen that I stopped wearing it... I am not brave because I can be; I am brave because I must be. Third Seat Shimizu, I have faith that you will be brave when the time comes."

He walked out before Koji could reply, leaving Koji to digest his words.

The Senkaimon...

Somehow, it was more ominous that it seemed, looming over them like the gate to Hell itself, and Koji found himself walking strangely close to his captain. To his right was Lieutenant Kuchiki and to his left were Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto. They approached the Senkaimon. Many of the other captains had come, just to see them off.

"Open the Senakimon!" Captain Yamamoto ordered... and the large doors swung open. Koji inched slightly closer to Komamura, nearly holding onto him. "Your mission is clear; eliminate this threat and return."

"Yes, sir!" the five selected Soul Reapers replied in various bits of enthusiasm.

"Captain Komamura," Mayuri Kurotsuchi called, "before you leave, I've something special for you. A Gigai for your mission."

Komamura's ears flicked slightly. "What kind of Gigai?"

"Nemu! Bring it here!"

Nemu walked over, carrying what Koji thought was a dead body. With relief, he found that it was just an empty Gigai, but he quickly realized how small it looked... It was only six feet, two inches... Three feet shorter than Komamura already was. The hair was the same color as his fur, and the musculature was impressive. The eyes were strangely vacant, but Koji was sure they would alight with Komamura's eyes when he used it. It was handsome and Koji wondered if Komamura would like it...

"It's small..."

"Yes, but it's made specially for your size. It will shrink you a bit, and it may be a bit uncomfortable, but you'll be inconspicuous."

"He'll be a model," Rangiku said excitedly.

"Thank you, but I think I should stay in this form."

"Nonsense. You should enjoy the World of the Living," Rangiku said. "With you as my arm candy, I'd look even more fabulous."

"Rangiku!" Hitsugaya snapped.

"Sorry, Captain, but it's true," Rangiku said. "He should just take the Gigai." She looked at Komamura. "I think you'd look handsome."

Perhaps that was what did it. Komamura, though seemingly very grudgingly, took the Gigai and tossed it over his shoulders. He nodded at the head captain who did not smile, nor return the gesture.

"If you are all prepared, go on, and return victorious."