Chapter 8 Meeting Time

The same evening when Tashi took her exam the group had a small party, just the four of them. Tashi took the next day to recover and Monday found the other students took note of who she was to congratulate her. Tashi was embarrassed as she did not receive the results of her exam yet. They would tell her "Hey, we heard you kicked ass on your practical!"

She responded with "I'm sorry, but I can't say I did for sure. Thanks though!" That Friday the professor announced to the class that Tashi was moving out of their section to the advanced classes. Her cheeks burned bright red from embarrassment, but her teacher none the less called her down to the front of the room to take back her written exam. The class applauded her as she went back receive the documents and Tetsuo hollered "Yea Ta-Shiii!" When she accepted them she bowed very quickly to the class and ran swiftly back to her seat.

During the midday break she went outside with Eri and ate quietly in the shade of a nearby tree. There were some murmurs among the others students and Tashi tried to ignore it. Eri and she both assumed it was about Tashi's recent advancement. Not all the things said about her were good and Tashi was trying to ignore the negative comments.

Eri noticed what the murmuring was about first. Tashi looked up from her fruit salad at Eri who had stopped mid-chew. Tashi then heard "Excuse me, Ms Touichi?"

Tashi turned around and saw the blue-green eyes of the young Captain who had approached her on the kidou field. "Captain Hitstugaya?"

"Yes, Ms Touichi I've come to tell you something."

Tashi stood and bowed to the young Captain and to the voluptuous fair haired woman who accompanied him. Tashi stood up staring and asked "Sir? Yes, sir?"

"I wanted to tell you that you scored very high on the kidou practical and will be moved to a smaller, more advanced class."

"Captain!" exclaimed Tashi. She bowed again and said "Thank you sir! You shouldn't have bothered to waste your words on me!"

"On the contrary, it seems you were worth the effort" said the Captain seriously. "For a student who was so blatantly overlooked we should apologize."

Tashi still bowing said "Please, sir, don't." She stood up and said "I'm not the same person I was when I got here. I think if you tested other students you'd see they're more advanced too."

"True" he said "but not by so much. Whatever it was, something was released inside of you since you came here There is not just a bit of improvement due to the normal rigors of being a student, but a vast difference between you and your peers. Considering you have now only been here two weeks, this can only be explained as an oversight on the part of the academy."

Tashi didn't know what to say "Uhh…"

Hitsugaya said "Sorry to have interrupted your lunch Good day."

"Good day Captain" said both Eri and Tashi.

The fair haired woman stayed behind a moment and winked at Tashi. She said "I think you remind him of someone and that's why—"

"Matsumoto!" yelled the captain form a few feet away.

"Yes sir" she said. She turned around and followed after the captain "I don't see why we couldn't stay longer. You're no fun sometimes…"

As the captain and the woman's conversation trailed off Eri said "You don't think that woman was-"

"Vice Captain, Rangiku Matsumoto? Yes I do actually."

"There's no way! Did you see those boobs? They were huge! And she didn't even try to cover them up!"

"Who else could get away with a display like that? Plus, what else do you do with boobs that big? They'd look ridiculous in a sweater."

"I didn't even know they could get that big" muttered Eri.

"I've never seen it before myself, but—"

"Excuse me" said a young man.

Tashi and Eri stopped their conversation and greeted the young man, Yukimaru.

'Holy hell' thought Tashi 'I hope he didn't hear us!' "Yukimaru-sama" she bowed "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, thanks Tashi. I actually just wanted to congratulate you."

"Me? Oh no" denied Tashi "I don't think all this is such a big deal." She was embarrassed by all the extra attention and afraid it might upset her mother.

"Don't be embarrassed Tashi. I should be the one who is embarrassed. I didn't get a chance to say it, after everything that happened, but for that being the first time you picked up a sword you did amazingly well."

Tashi turned bright red at remembering the incident and what she did to Yukimaru and subsequently Abarai Renji. Tashi rubbed the back of her head and just laughed nervously.

"No, really Tashi, I was curios if um…well…"

Eri sensed she was not needed there anymore and ran off to great another friend near by. "Good to see you Yukimaru!" said Eri.

He waved and focused on Tashi who felt Eri had just abandoned her. Yukimaru said "Well, do you want to practice with me this afternoon? You seem awfully powerful, but there are still things you need to learn about concerning stance and technique."

Tashi thought it odd that Yukimaru-sama would take this kind of interest in her. She knew the two of them would someday be married. Their families arranged for it years ago. The two of them came from powerful families and the marriage between Tashi and Yukimaru would be beneficial on both sides. "I…" mother said men didn't like women who are strong… "I don't think that would be a good idea. It was really just a fluke what happened that day. You'd beat me senseless Yukimaru-sama." She smiled and looked away nervously.

He took a step forward and said more quietly "Why must you always be so formal with me? Feel free to call me Yuki, like all my friends."

Tashi looked up at Yukimaru and said "Okay, Yuki-sama."

Yuki laughed at her usage of the 'sama' honorific and said "Close enough." Tashi didn't laugh and he continued "Listen, Tashi, if you won't…Come on. Don't doubt yourself."

Tashi looked up at him and thought 'Why is he pushing to spend time with me now? When we were younger he used to say 'I'll see enough of you while I'm married. Leave alone now and let me have some fun!' He's an attractive guy. Strong, good looking, light brown hair and green eyes. Interesting combination. There are plenty of girls here who are trying to get his attention.'

Just as Tashi thought that a young woman in the red and white uniform of the Academy called his name and waved at him. Tashi said "Well, she seems to want to talk to you."

Yuki said "Is that what this is about? All these girls?"

Tashi was a little taken aback by the implication she had an interest in his private life. "No…"

"Look Tashi, I know I've said some um…insensitive things before…"

"Try hurtful and cold" she said.

"Well, I uh" Yuki was surprised at Tashi coming right out and saying that. The Tashi he knew would not have opened her mouth once. He liked it and he smiled "You're right. I'm sorry. Away from the estates it seems you're a different person."

Tashi was horrified. 'Oh my gods! I have to take control of myself! I can't return to my parent's home blurting out everything that comes to mind!'

"I'd like to get this version of you…the real you. The one who could crack a joke in front of the deadly Captain Zaraki. The one who cracked Renji Abarai in the nuts."

"Oh my gods, Yuki" she said covering her face in shame at remembrance of the incident.

"The one who isn't afraid to say what she's thinking" he said this as he gently took hold of her wrists and pulled her hands away from her face. He whispered "Who are you, Tashi Touichi?"

She looked up at him and realized she didn't think Yukimaru was really all that impressive. "I'm sorry, Yuki-sama." Tashi couldn't think of a way to get out of it and thankfully the bell rang to alert the students that midday break was over and classes were about to begin.

He said "Here, let me help you with your books."

"No, it's okay."

"Really, it's no inconvenience. We share the next class" he said smiling.

Tashi sighed and reluctantly said "Alright."

"Gee Tashi, don't be so down about it" he laughed. 'I prefer my women to be a challenge. Maybe pursuing her might actually get interesting.'

Interesting or not, the two young people walked off. Tashi, completely unaware that she was being watched the entire time by Renji Abarai, and Yukimaru was equally oblivious. It was totally coincidental; Tashi picked the tree he was sitting in to eat under.

Renji's captain was very curious about this girl and Renji was asked to keep an eye on her. It was a lot easier than he thought it would be since they naturally kept crossing paths. 'But why is the Captain so curious about her? Maybe he'll ask her to be in our squad. I think after the academy she could definitely handle it.'

Tashi made it to class with Yukimaru and thankfully separated from him due to their assigned seats. After class she made a quick exit and Yuki was held up by a group of girls who wanted to schedule personal study sessions with him.

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The next day a large meeting was held for both the captains and the vice captains of the Gotei 13. It was a regular meeting held every other month. This month the meeting was held on the campus of the Shinigami Academy.

Vice Captain Yachiru Kusajishi quickly became bored with a meeting she was asked to attend with her captain, the 11ths squad captain, Zaraki Kenpachi.. Her mind wandered and since she was so small she was able to sneak out of the room unnoticed. She walked down the halls of the academy wondering what it would be like to attend such a school. She planned to do so when she was older, but her skill level was high enough that it wasn't necessary. She thought she would go just for social reasons. Zaraku thought she should attend school as well.

The door of one of the classrooms was cracked open enough for her to peer through. Yachiru was excited to see a familiar face.

Tashi sat in class trying hard to keep her notes detailed. Her watch said she had only a few more minutes before the class was over. 'Then it's midday break with the girls and—'Tashi looked up into a pair of large inquisitive eyes and a short pink bob-hairdo. Tashi looked around and it was as if no one else noticed the small girl perched on the table in front of Tashi. "Nutcracker!" she squealed, happy to see Tashi.

"Excuse me?" 'Who is this girl?' Then Tashi remembered. "Vice Captain" she said calmly, "I'm in class right now and I have to take notes. Would you kindly let me—"

"Nutcracker, Ken-chan is in a meeting. It was so dull. They didn't even have snacks!"

"Well, after class I'm sure I can get you some snacks, but right now—"

"Touichi-san?" asked the professor.

"Yes, sir?" responded Tashi.

"If you're going to talk to yourself, please keep it down. The rest of the class would like to listen to what I'm saying" said the professor.

Tashi was about to protest, but thought the better of it. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir." Tashi noted Yachiru was now under the table and out of view. 'Are we playing these games, Vice-Captain?'

Yachiru peered over the top of the desk at Tashi, who decided to ignore the Vice Captain. "Nutcracker? Nutcracker?" Yachiru realized Tashi was ignoring her and decided to get even. She went under the desk and grabbed onto Tashi's leg with her teeth.

"OOOOOOOWE!" shouted Tashi, just as the bell rang. The young man that Tashi sat next to gave her a funny look, gathered his books and left. Tashi looked under the table to where Yachiru was attached to her leg. "Gaaaah! Vice Captain!" she cried as she dragged her leg and the little pink haired girl attached to it into the hallway. "Ow ow ow ow o wo! Vice Captain, if you let go I can get us snacks at the cafeteria!"

Yachiru relented and happily went with Tashi to the cafeteria. Tashi tried to entertain the Vice Captain until someone realized she was missing from the meeting. Captain Zaraki eventually noticed his vice captain had left and went to go find her. He found her sitting with three sullen Shinigami students and a large bowl of ice cream. Yachiru greeted the hulk of a captain "Ken-chan! Nutcracker bought me ice cream!"

Zaraki recognized Tashi and remembered her from the day she fought Abarai. "Nutcracker, eh?"

Tashi blushed deeply at the sound of her nickname. "Captain, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"Heh. You've grown even more powerful" he said in response. Tashi reacted by trying to hide her reiatsu. She didn't want have any reason to draw any attention to the Captain. He leaned in closer, knowing what she just did, putting his face very close to hers as a challenge. Tashi slouched down wishing she could be invisible.

"Maybe you're ready to fight me?" he said, more of a statement than a question.

"I-uh-uh…I don't think so, Captain. You're still out of my league" answered Tashi. Eri was feeling dizzy in the presence of such powerful reiatsu and was bobbing from side to side.

The vice captain noticed this and said to Atsumi "Sake-stinker, Pigtails is being affected by Ken-chan's power."

Atsumi was not amused by the nick name given to her "Sake-stinker?"

"Yes!" laughed Yachiru, with an oversized spoon in her hand. "You stink like sake! Hahahahahaha!"

Zaraki felt the power rushing behind Tashi's eyes and was entranced with the idea of fighting her. He felt it, he knew, she was someday going to reach Bankai.

She tried to ignore him and continued to chew on her crust-less sandwich. She tried and tried to ignore him, but it was getting tougher as he was putting his face closer and closer to hers. Yahciru continued to cram ice-cream into her mouth, Eri shrunk in her seat with her eyes wide with fear, and Atsumi became more and more agitated as she watched Zaraki get in Tashi's face.

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Back at the officer's meeting, they decided to take a short break while Zaraki found Yachiru. Vice Captain Kira was talking to another Vice Captain about a recent duel he had. Renji walked up from behind Kira to hear the story too and Kira flung his arms wide to describe the event and in the process dropped his foamy café latte onto Renji's clothing.

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Tashi finished her sandwich and was afraid that Atsumi was going to pick a fight she couldn't win. Tashi was about to excuse herself when Atsumi blurted out "Yo! Captain!"

Tashi closed her eyes and sighed. "Oh, Atsumi."

The captain's attention turned to Atsumi "eh? Who're you?"

Atsumi boiled "I'm Tashi's friend. If you're gonna pick a fight with her you've gotta go through me first!"

Eri was on the floor drooling, along with a host of other students in the cafeteria and Tashi was aghast at what Atsumi was doing. "Atsumi, that's not really necessary. I-uh, umm –Just—"

Captain Zaraki focused on Atsumi. He could clearly see she was no match for him, but for some reason something screamed to him that she would be more fun to fight. "You like fighting girl?"

Atsumi smirked. "I like it when I get to kick the ass of jerks who pick on my friends."

Tashi couldn't believe what she was hearing and dropped her head in her hands knowing she couldn't stop what was happening. "Dear Gods Atsumi" she said to herself.

Kenpachi laughed and Yachiru finished her ice cream. Kenpachi said "Well then, you come find me when your reiatsu grows up." Zaraki looked back at Tashi and found another Captain between Tashi and himself. "Eh?"

Captain Kuchiki stood in front of Tashi and told Zaraki "It is time to resume the meeting Captain. Collect your vice captain and let us return."

Zaraki knew he wasn't going to get a good fight out of these girls…today…but would have another chance at another time. He made a mental note of Tashi's fiery friend and returned to the meeting with Yachiru.

As Captain Kuchiki walked away Tashi said "Thank you, Captain."

He barely turned and said "I have more important things to attend to today after this meeting. I did not want to waste anymore time waiting for the undisciplined officers." He then continued on his way.

Captain Kuchiki and the 11th squad officers returned just in time to see Kira splash Renji with his foamy café latte.

Before the Shinigami officer meeting let out Captain Kuchiki suggested Renji use his cleaners and handed him the address. Kuchiki said "I cannot have my vice captain looking at all shabby. They are the best cleaners around." Renji gratefully accepted the address.

After the meeting let out Renji went back to the office quickly to drop off a folder and pick up another one. 'This paperwork is endless!' Renji then returned to his quarters and changed into plain clothes.

He was going to put on kimono, but instead decided on something a little different. He pulled on a pair of slightly baggy jeans, a tee shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt. He liked a lot of the clothes he found in the living world and made sure he had found similar items back in Soul Society to wear on occasions like this. He put on a beat up denim jacket over his sweatshirt. He adjusted the bandanna tied around his head, picked up his soiled uniform, and left for the dry cleaners.

Renji stopped at one corner and pulled out the slip of paper Kuchiki had given him. He looked at the name on the slip and saw a building he thought fit the description. He took a few steps towards it and heard "Hey! Vice-Captain!"

Renji turned around and saw a young kid he thought was vaguely familiar, but couldn't place. Renji's hesitation showed a bit on his face. The kid was in an Academy uniform. "Vice Captain, hello! I'm Tetsuo, remember? You threatened to make my insides my outs if I ever insulted your Captain again?"

Renji shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. He just didn't remember. 'I say that to a lot of my subordinates. When did I say that to a student…?'

"At Tashi Toucihi's house?"

Then Renji recalled the boy and realized Tetsuo wasn't so bad a kid. They had gotten to talking and he remembered leaving feeling fondly of Tetsuo. "Oye! Ah! Sorry. I…uh.."

"Are pretty famous and more people know you than you know yourself? It's okay. What are you doing in this neck of the woods?"

"I need to drop his off at the cleaners. Someone spilled something on it."

Tetsuo nodded saying "I see. That place there, right? It's where all the Captain's get their cloaks done. Makes sense."

Renji realized how close to captaincy he was and looked at the cleaners. "Hmf. Yeah."

Tetsuo said "Hey, Vice Captain, you know I heard you used to live in the house I'm staying in these days."

"Your house? You have one too?" 'I guess all these damn noble's kids have whatever they want…wait…I lived in the party house when I was an upperclassman…' "You mean the one on the back of the woods?"

"Yes, sir! There's been some changes since then, but I'm sure you'd recognize it."

The sun was setting and Renji wanted to get his gi into the cleaners before they closed. He looked back at the store and said "Hey, I gotta drop this off."

"Sure" said Tetsuo "How about you drop it off and then you can take a look at the house?"

"Eh. I think I'll pass" said Renji.

"Oh come on Vice Captain. You know they had to knock some walls down recently and do some rebuilding."

Renji looked alarmed but didn't say anything. "Oh?" They both strolled into the cleaners and the attendant told Renji he could pick up his gi the next day. Tetsuo talked with
Renji about the things the construction crew found and how in awe the current residents were of what he left behind.

Tetsuo continued the conversation they were leaving. "Then when the wall came down they all poured out!" They walked back out on to the street and Tetsuo asked "Dude. How did you do it? I mean, there were A LOT in there. We thought maybe it was a bunch of you, but the messages in there said it was all you."

Renji tried to hide his smile thinking of wilder days, but he couldn't and a broad smile made it across his face. "I don't know, man. I don't know how I did it."

"I mean…shit…there were just so many!"

"Yeah, well."

"You've got to teach me how!"

Renji looked a little alarmed and said "huh?"

"I mean how to make it up to that point…not…" Tetsuo shook his hand in the air in front of them and said "…you know…I know that, but how to get them to do that is, well…"

"Tough." Renji sighed and looked at the road leading to his old home and then down at the folder in his hand. He opened it up and flipped through a few pages. He realized he had the wrong folder and told Tetsuo that he had to go back ot the offices to swap it for the right one. "I'll drop by later."

"Yeah? Well…you won't bring friends will you? I mean…if there's something happening at the house…"

"If you're having a party, no, I wont' bust it. Dude! It used to be my house too!" Renji thought a moment and said "You know what, I'll be right back." Renji flash stepped to the office swapped the folders, pulled a pen out of his pocket and wrote Kuchiki a note about a memo and flash stepped back to Tetuso's side.