Chapter 6: An unusual meeting

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Shortly after Aizen had ended his speech, he proceeded to leave the dumbfounded hall. No one said anything. Not the Captains, not the Vice-Captains, not the Central 46, not Hinamori. Everyone was dumbfounded.

Shunsui covered his eyes with his large Chinese straw hat to cover his embarrassment. This was the one chance to get a suitable leader to take over and bring order into the chaos that Soul Society plunged into. One tiny, hopeful part in him wished that the Central 46 would accept Aizen's proposal. It was crazy to think that Shunsui handed his nomination over to Aizen, Aizen of all people. He shook his head slightly.

Hinamori had similar thoughts. Her face was tilted in the direction that Aizen was leaving the hall. She raised her hand a little and clenched her fist, wanting to tell Aizen to stay in the room and await the Central 46's decision. Where was the strength she had while freeing Aizen when she needed it? Where was the courage she convinced her Third Seat Akiyama to aid her in her cause to free Aizen and save Soul Society? Was all of it in shambles as of now?

"Wait!"

The voice of Councilman Shiron echoed throughout the high, hollow and morbid halls of the Central 46 chambers. And as if it was a command, Aizen stood still, just when he was about to step out the large port. The roar sent goose bumps down everyone's spines.

"Aizen Sousuke", Shiron cringed, a small hint of anger being in his voice, "We, the Central 46… have decided to accept your proposal."

Hinamori gasped. They accepted Aizen's proposal that fast? She slowly made a few steps forward and attempted to approach him, but stopped halfway through. Akiyama watched the scene critically, but had to admit that he himself was equally tense as his superior.

"Captain", Akiyama heard Hinamori's quiet and unstable voice, ridded with anxiety. "Captain… Aizen…" she murmured again. The most wanted criminal of the Gotei 13 did not regard her. Not yet.

Everyone in the hall awaited the councilmen's' next actions patiently, albeit with growing anticipation. It felt as if the scene stopped right there.

"We shall withdraw to decide on further actions." Shiron suddenly stated, to everyone's surprise.

As if right on cue, all councilmen arose and left the hall.

Meanwhile in the Rukongai, Ginjou and Tsukishima were fending off Oleg Van Linkin, a soldier of the Vandenreich's Totenkopf Armee. The army, whose title translated roughly into skull army, was – to the dismay of the Fullbringers – not an army of pushovers at all. Quite the contrary was true.

Ginjou's and Tsukishima's Fullbrings Book of the End and Cross of Scaffold were countered for the most part by this unique specimen of a Quincy army. Ginjou retained deep injuries from this fight – injuries that would have killed him were he still a human being and not a soul in Rukongai. Deep, bloody cuts were shown on his body, he himself felt seemingly exhausted, panting and desperately trying to counter Oleg's and the other henchmen's' attacks.

Tsukishima was worse off. Oleg chopped off his arm in an effort to protect himself, the unconscious Giriko and Ginjou, who would have been stabbed. Other than that, he was coughing blood and was on the verge of falling unconscious himself. It could be considered a miracle that Tsukishima was still standing. Perhaps his admiration for Ginjou inspired him to persevere. Tsukishima, however, did not know what made him stand.

"Don't drop now, Tsukishima", Ginjou panted, concentrating on devising a strategy to get out of this fight and into safety. Tsukishima gulped, not saying anything but quietly agreeing with his comrade. He put all of his power into carrying Giriko and not losing his strength to do so.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Oleg suddenly laughed maniacally. "You are nothing short of pathetic."

Ginjou hissed hatefully at Oleg's remark, but didn't comment. "Look at yourselves" Oleg said derogating whilst pointing a finger at the miserable stature of the Fullbringers, "You can barely stand. I could knock you off with my pinky finger." He erratically moved his pinky finger, mocking his opponents. "Heh. You see that? This is enough to knock you guys off and kill you."

"Shit…!" Ginjou hissed again. This can't be the end. This can't be the end! he thought as Oleg rose his sword.

"GINJOU!" Tsukishima screamed, but coughed blood once more, being too weak to rush in his comrade's defence. Images of Ginjou's death by Kurosaki Ichigo's hands rushed in his mind. Those painful, disgusting memories from the human world. He shut his eyes, not wanting to witness the horrifying spectacle repeating again, claiming Ginjou for good.

Blood was spilling all over Ginjou and Tsukishima. There was one strange thing to this, however. The blood was not Ginjou's. Nor was it Tsukishima's. Carefully, Tsukishima shut his eyes open again and witnessed a tall, humongous figure standing in front of Oleg who was cut in half. Ginjou lay on the ground. Unconscious.

Tsukishima's vision became blurry; he was not able to identify who the humongous figure was that saved him and his comrade from guaranteed demise. Soon, he too joined his comrade Ginjou and fell unconscious like a sac of potatoes. Giriko's body fell harshly on him.

"In the Name of Soul Society and The Gotei 13, we hereby issue the following decree: Aizen Sousuke, former criminal of Muken in the Avici prison, is to be made Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Leader of the Seiretei and Captain of Division One – by this decree, he succeeds the late Captain-Commander Shigekuni Genryuusai Yamamoto."

Aizen was pleased. The newly appointed Captain-Commander approached the Councilman Shiron who handed over two things to him: The haori as Captain of the first division and, to Hinamori's surprise, the badge of the first division, belonging its Vice-Captain.

"Lieutenant" Akiyama quickly approached Hinamori and looked at her. "So, who do you think Captain Aizen will choose as his…. Vice-Captain?" This is where Hinamori became insecure and shook a little. She shook her head as she sensed what Akiyama was going to ask. Yes, she hoped that Aizen would choose her. The one who freed him from the prison.

"Ah.. You're hoping that you will be by his side once again, hm?" Akiyama asked quite cheerfully. Hinamori nodded hesitatingly. "It is not that easy… the first division is quite specialised – it is the Commodore after all, that gives out the central orders to the rest of the Gotei." She turned to look at Akiyama seriously. "More important than the Captain-Commander himself is the Vice-Captain of the first division. He or she is the Captain-Commander's right hand and usually in charge not only of his or her own division, but the entire Gotei 13."

Akiyama scratched his head. "So… whoever Captain Aizen chooses as his Vice-Captain will be one of the most important figures in Soul Society, correct?" Hinamori nodded.

"Captain Aizen is smart. Whoever he will choose is worthy."

After Aizen clothed himself with the haori of the first division, he once again went to the center of the hall, surrounded by all Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13.

"My first order as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 shall be the following", Aizen began, sounding in a solemn voice. Not like the leader of Hueco Mundo or leader of the fifth division, but an actual leader of importance. "The following positions for Captaincy are made vacant: Division Six, Division Four, Division 11 and the Kidoshu."

"Wait… the 11th division? Does that mean that Captain Zaraki-"

"Captain Zaraki passed away a few hours ago, Captain Kyoraku." Aizen turned to Shunsui. "He died an honourable death against Juha Bach. His grave will be next to that of the deceased Captain-Commander Yamamoto." Aizen walked around the center, eyeing each of the Captains and Vice-Captains.

"Captain Kuchiki of Division Six is alive, but in a state of coma right now. The same is true for Vice-Captain Abarai." Everyone sighed in relief. "However, a temporary replacement for Captain Kuchiki must be found." Aizen suddenly stopped before Hinamori.

"Vice-Captain Hinamori of Division Five is known for her superb Kido proficiency. However, another trait is prevalent: Bravery. Bravery to save Soul Society from the Quincy. Those are traits of a Captain, not a mere Lieutenant."

Hinamori blushed. "Captain… Aizen.." No one dared to object. "Because of Vice-Captain Hinamori's superb traits, I have decided to award her the position of Captain of the Kidoshu – the Kido squad." Everyone gasped. Hinamori? Captain!? Already? Everyone knew of her abilities in Kido, but making her a Captain?

"Captain-Commander Aizen", Captain Unohana's stern voice sounded. "Vice-Captain Hinamori does not fulfil the central requirement for Captaincy: Bankai."

"You are correct, Captain Unohana. However, the Captain-class abilities of Hinamori-kun deserve a promotion. Let me remind you that the predecessor, Tsukabishi Tessai, also had no Bankai." Unohana said nothing. "Being Captain of the Kidoshu is the perfect position for someone like Hinamori-kun who has superb abilities, but no Bankai to be a regular Captain; otherwise I would have awarded her the Captaincy for Division Six."

Aizen then turned back to Hinamori who was struggling not to faint from embarrassment. "Hinamori-kun", Aizen spoke gently. "This is your reward. You have shown great courage when you freed me; an act that would normally be considered treason."

"Captain Aizen", she whispered. "Thank you… but… I hoped…" Her voice broke.

"What did you hope for, Hinamori-kun?" he asked gently once more.

"I hoped…" she took a deep breath. "I hoped… to become your Vice-Captain. Your right hand." Aizen smiled. Just what he expected Hinamori would say. He was kinky. He knew what Hinamori craved – this is why he asked Shiron to give him the Division One Lieutenant badge as well. So that Hinamori would see it and desire to be his right hand once more; like she was – back when he was Captain of Division Five.

"Just as planned…" Aizen mused. "Hinamori-kun… do you understand the implication of such a statement?"

Hinamori nodded ferociously. She was determined to follow each and every rule Aizen, her direct superior, would set for her.

"Swear." he spoke. "Swear allegiance to the first division and your Captain-Commander."

She took a sharp breath. This was the moment of her life. Back when Aizen didn't betray the Seiretei, she had always sought for a way to make it clear to him that her allegiance lied with him. Her heart was pounding fast. Now was the time.

Just like Sasakibe before her, Hinamori slowly knelt down before the Captain-Commander with her head facing the ground. "I… I, Hinamori Momo, swear allegiance to Division One of the Gotei 13 and its Captain, Aizen Sousuke. " She paused, taking another deep breath. "I shall always be obedient to the Captain and swear not to abandon or betray the Division One under any circumstances. I will forever remain Vice-Captain of Division One." Aizen clapped his hands.

"Splendid, Hinamori-kun." he commented. "Now rise." Right on cue, Hinamori obeyed the order. Aizen took off the badge of the fifth division and handed it over to Hirako Shinji, the Captain of the fifth division. Aizen returned to Hinamori and carefully placed the badge of the first division on her right arm. The others watched and did not comment.

"Hinamori-kun" Aizen spoke again after his new Vice-Captain looked over to the Captain's' looks. Captain Hitsugaya was regarding her with glares of resentment. But once she heard her beloved Captain's voice, she quickly turned her attention back to him. "When I said you will be Captain of the Kidoshu, I meant it." Hinamori's eyes widened.

"She can't be Captain and Vice-Captain at the same time, Aizen!" Captain Hitsugaya yelled. "You can't favour one person over the entire Gotei!"

"Yes, she can. Hinamori-kun will be my Vice-Captain and thus under my command, but she will operate the Kidoshu independently – as it will be part of Division One."

Everyone gasped once again. "You… you're planning to merge the Kidoshu with the first division?" Hitsugaya asked critically. Aizen nodded. "Akiyama-kun."

Third Seat Akiyama was caught in surprise and looked at Aizen. "Y-Yes, Captain Aizen?"

"You will be moved to the first division as well. Your abilities progressed very nicely over the coming years; you managed to effectively hide your reiatsu from the Vandenreich."

"Yes, sir!" Akiyama shouted with determination and bowed swiftly.

"Now… I will announce the replacement for Captain Zaraki." Aizen resumed his order. Handclaps echoed throughout the hall. Captains and Vice-Captains looked around, shouting "Who's there?" or "Show yourself!". Others wondered how an intruder could have sneaked inside when everyone was assembled.

"Splendid, truly splendid, Cap'n Aizen." the rather high-pitched male voice said and looked over to the dark-haired female Captain of the fourth division.

"Congratulations, Re-chan."

to be continued

That is the chapter :D Again, sorry for the delays… I have so much going on that impaired my writing skills. Sadly ;( Guess who the person is that sneaked into the hall ^_^

kamji: The Fullbringers will have a deeper role in the story. Aizen is certainly interested in them for their… uniqueness. And whether he betrays the Gotei again or not remains to be seen ^_^ Momo will have a deep role – she's his second-in-command after all.

sangokitty: Momo will certainly be under Sousuke's protection, especially from Toushiro's resentments. The relationship of Momo and Sousuke will be developed gradually as the story progresses. The AiHina flavours are strong in this one :)

HubrisP: Whether Ichi will be seduced into the Vandenreich's side remains to be seen. Right now, his current situation is unknown.

Okay, this is Reiuji, signing out. See you guys next chapter ^_^