This is my first time writing fanfiction, I love bleach and just wanted to write something about it. I don't own or take any credit for Bleach or its characters except the ones of my own creation, all rights go to Tite Kubo. This is set after the Fullbring Arc. Hope you enjoy!

3 reapers entered the meeting hall, striding purposely down the middle of the two files of Captains and lieutenants. These were the best of the best, the leaders of the 13 Court Guard Squads, the most powerful.

The three didn't falter, to do so would be like showing a circling pack of wolves a weakness, they would be pounced upon. Devoured. It would all be over in an instant.

The Soul Reaper on the left of the three was Renji Abarai, his red hair was held back as normal, the lieutenants badge on his arm was secure, the band neatly tied and tucked away so that no tassels were hanging down.

The one in the middle was Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, his eyes darted around the room, landing on Rukia, whom was knelt at the side of her captain. She flashed him a supporting smile, comforting Ichigo. He smiled back and returned his gaze back to the front of the room. He found himself being studied by the Head-Captain, he felt like his very soul was being looked at, which technically, it was.

The final shinigami was Alex Gabriel, Ichigo knew very little about him except that he had taken his side on numerous times and so Ichigo trusted him. He knew that he had left the soul society for some reason unbeknown to him. He hadn't talked about his past to Ichigo and Ichigo saw no reason to ask. Alex didn't look like anything special. He had short blond hair that was messy and all over the place, a thick strand of it fell over his left eye, just covering a thing scar that ran from his forehead straight down to the middle of his cheek. He looked about 5'8, the most recognisable thing about him was his deep grey eyes that seemed to bore straight through anyone.

The party of three stopped halfway into the hall and knelt respectfully, bowing their heads in difference to the Head-Captain

"As you all know" the Head-Captains voice rang out through the hall "We have three vacant captaincies, three squads that are without captains. This changes now!" Yamamotos cane thudded against the floor.

"Renji Abarai! Step Forward" Renji rose and calmly stepped forwards towards the Head-Captain, kneeling once again two strides away from the leader of the entire Court Guard Squads. He looked at Renji through his old, wise eyes. He nodded slowly in approval. The lieutenant of squad 1 stepped forward and handed his captain a neatly folded white captains haori which bore the number three on it.

"Let it be known that Renji Abari, former lieutenant of Squad 6, is now appointed to the position of captain of squad three!" Yamamoto held out the coat, number facing up "Remember, your men have a duty to you, but you have a greater duty to them, their trust is hard to gain, and easy to lose." The newly appointed captain nodded, taking his haori and throwing it around his shoulders "now take your place captain" Renji smiled at the address of captain and took his place within the line of Captains and lieutenants, wearing his coat with obvious pride.

"Step forward former Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki!" the blond haired Shinigami followed the same procedure as Renji, kneeling near the feat of Genryusai Yamamoto.

"You first came to us as an enemy of the soul society, a ryoka!" the Head-Captain allowed silence to reign for a couple of seconds then continued "since then however you have fought with us, and occasionally against us, and you have instrumented changes to a system that was stuck in the past, unwilling to move. You have saved this society multiple times and taken on more than what was needed from you, for that we will be forever in your debt." Yamamoto gazed at all the captains arranged in the hall, all were nodded, accepting his words "In spite of all you have done, I want more from you. The soul society needs more. The Court Guard Squads needs more." Ichigo felt Yamamotos eyes fall upon him "Take up the place of captain of squad nine, and take the soul society to a better place" the squad nine captains haori was placed in Ichigos hands. He put it on and replaced Zangetsu on his back, noting how his coat was sleeveless.

Rukia beamed at Ichigo, tears in her eyes. 'Who would have thought, Ichigo a captain, he's come a long way' she thought. Ichigo smiled at her then took his place, nodding at Shuhei, now his lieutenant.

"Now, Alex Gabriel! Step up!" Shunsui, Retsu and Jushiro looked apprehensive, Shunsui's normally composed, relaxed face was tight with tension. A look passed between all three of them. This was going to be a tense couple of minutes, even if it went to plan. But if it didn't, things could get bad, very bad. Alex followed the same procedure as the two before him. Yamamoto showed an unusual smile, one laced with sadness. The other captains looked on in surprise, it was very strange to see any emotion on the Head-Captains face.

"You are without a doubt powerful enough to take this position, no aptitude or captains exam is needed to prove that." Some of the captains' eyes narrowed in suspicion at this remark "and your leadership is unquestionable, it has been proven time and time again in front of my very eyes, however, this decision is up to you" now there were confused murmurings scattering amongst the captains and lieutenants. Nobody knew this soul reaper, nobody except the four most senior captains in the entire soul society.

"Head-Captain" Toshiro Hitsugaya stepped forward "forgive me but isn't everyone required to take these tests before becoming a captain, even Ichigo took them"

"That's Captain Kurosaki" Ichigo piped up, using what Toshiro always used to say against him. Toshiro ignored him.

"We don't even know any of his powers, he came out of nowhere and started to fight against us. Admittedly he has helped in past situations but surely he should go through all the tests, from your comments it sounds like he is exempt and allowed special measures. " the Head-Captain turned his gaze to the tenth division leader and nodded.

"You misunderstand me Captain Hitsugaya, he has no need to go through the current tests as he has already done other tests, more rigorous ones. You may not know him but there are three that do." He nodded to Retsu Unohana, whom stepped forward

"I can vouch for his skill, he is a first rate captain" the way she said it, it sounded like Alex was already a captain and had been for a while. This was not lost on the others in the room. Toshiro nodded and stepped back into the line, he didn't looked happy, a looked that was shared by many of the other captains but held his tongue and accepted the head-captain's decision.

"Now then, with that settled, will you take the position of captain of squad 5?" this was the crucial moment. Alex simply nodded, that's all that was required "You will also have your previous command" added Yamamoto, another nod from Alex sealed it. The three most senior captains let out a breath, on that they realised they had been holding in, relief flooded through them.

Alex took the coat offered to him and put it on with swift and graceful movements, replacing his zanpakuto on his back with ease, it looked like he had done it before, many times. All the captains had their eyes on him, trying to see what was so special about him, trying to comprehend what had just happened. He took his place, standing confidently, a calm, composed look on his face even though many of the captains were staring at him.

"Now! That concludes this meeting. Dismissed!" Head-Captain Genryusai Yamamoto voice brought the meeting to an end. Many thoughts were going around all the captain's heads, confusion mainly.

Things were changing, and they were changing very quickly.

Well that's Chapter 1, hope it was okay, and please review. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon!