A week after our encounter with the Hollow, everyone finally stopped bugging us to retell the story again. The storm had subsided in that time. It was no longer raining, but clouds still hung over the entirety of Soul Society. Mitaro and I had been put back on our normal duties. We patrolled both Soul Society and the human world, looking for Hollow incursions, lost souls needing the Konso, and looking for any other sign of what might have caused such a tremendous spiritual imbalance. On the morning of the eighth day after the battle, Kira-fukutaicho entered the assembly hall of the 3rd division barracks and called for order.

"Attention, 3rd division members. The captain has an announcement to make to you!"

Abarai-taicho entered the room. His white captain's haori billowing as he walked. Everyone knew instantly that it was important. The captain only wore his haori when meeting with other captains or when there was an extremely important matter. The entire division hushed immediately when he entered.

Turning toward us he began his announcement. "As many of you know, I chose to leave many of the officer's seats empty in this division. We lost many comrades during the war. Of the 20 seats, only 10 of them are currently filled. In light of recent events, I have the following announcement to make. For extraordinary valor in the face of the enemy and uncommon strength in a new recruit, I, as captain of the 3rd division, promote Hashibara Mitaro to the 11th seat officer position."

The entire division was shocked at this announcement and showed it on their faces, though none were most surprised than Mitaro himself.

"Hashibara Mitaro, please come forward," Abarai-taicho said.

Mitaro didn't move, still stuck on the fact that he was promoted. I gave him a small shove to snap him out of it. He shook his head and looked at me.

"You're supposed to go up to the front to Abarai-taicho."

He slowly looked around the room and noticed that everyone was staring at him, those close enough to hear us had grins on their faces. Mitaro's face turned red as he bowed his head and moved quickly to the front of the room.

"Hashibara Mitaro," Abarai-taicho stated formally. "Do you accept the position of the 11th seat officer of the 3rd division of the Gotei 13 with the responsibilities that come with it?"

Mitaro stared at the captain for a few moments, still not sure that this was really happening. He blinked rapidly and I noticed that he stepped lightly on his own foot, an old habit of his from the academy. When he accepted that this wasn't a dream, he finally responded.

"Yes, sir," Mitaro stammered over the words. "I accept the position."

The entire division let up a cheer of congratulations for Mitaro and Abarai-taicho gave Mitaro a small smile. Kira-fukutaicho, after the commotion had died down, led Mitaro out of the room to give him a thorough briefing of his new assignments as an officer. I could see that Mitaro visibly paled now that the fact he was an officer finally hit him. I laughed silently as he walked out of the room with Kira-fukutaicho and Abarai-taicho. The rest of the division returned to its normal activities, still chatting about the promotion and the possibility of there being more in the future. I chose to go to my bunk and relax.

I entered the sleeping area of the division barracks and saw that I wasn't the only one who had that idea. Sanosuke was already in his cot, or more likely still in his cot, sleeping the day away. I smirked deviously and crept up next to his bed. He did not stir as I got to the head of his bed and stopped mere inches from him. I waved my hand over his face to make sure he was really out. He did not respond. I grinned more and silently grabbed a jug of water. As I moved back toward his bed he snorted and shifted. I froze mid-step, turning so it seemed like I was going back to my cot in case he woke up. When he didn't rise, I continued sneaking over to him. I returned to my position at his head and giggled silently. I took a deep breath.

"Wake up, Sanosuke-kun!" I shouted as I overturned the jug. He awoke with a start just in time to get hit in the face with the water. I laughed as he struggled to get out of bed.

"Tsumiato!" he bellowed. "I'm gonna kill you. You know that right?"

He charged at me blindly, still wiping his face. I continued laughing at him as I easily dodged to the side. He stopped and turned, his face and chest still dripping. The enraged look on his face was enough to cause the bravest man to take a step back, but the water dripping from it made it comical in a way.

"Before you kill me, you might want to hear my news," I told him, still laughing. "While you were sleeping, Mitaro was promoted to the 11th seat officer position."

The look of rage changed to one of surprise as Sanosuke stopped trying to kill me.

"Really?" he asked. "Hashibara got promoted?"

"Yea, I thought you should know. Just in case you wanted to congratulate him or something."

"Well where did he go? We need to go out celebrating!" Sanosuke relished any opportunity to go out drinking, often making up reasons just so he could have a glass.

"He just left with the captain and lieutenant, though he should be back later."

At that moment the door opened and Mitaro walked through. Shutting the door behind him he sighed and sat down on his bed.

I jumped to attention. "11th seat, Hashibara Mitaro, sir! Hello!" I gave an exaggerated salute as I stood up perfectly straight.

Sanosuke followed along. "Sir! To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit, 11th seat, Hashibara Mitaro-San?"

Mitaro looked at us wearily. "Ahh, don't do that guys. Seriously, you can relax around me."

"No sir! We would never show that lack of respect to an officer of our division," Sanosuke responded, still standing straight at attention. The look on Mitaro's face was too much for me and I burst out laughing. Sanosuke followed in suit shortly after.

"Akage-san, Tsumiato-kun, why do you guys always make fun of me?" Mitaro asked, his voice sounded extremely tired.

I took a few deep breaths and calmed down my laughter. "Mitaro, you're one of us. We're your friends. What kind of friends would we be if we didn't give each other grief once in a while?"

Mitaro looked at me. I could tell he wanted to tell us to stop teasing him, but he grinned and laughed along with us at our antics. Sanosuke and I went over and gave him our congratulations. That's when Sanosuke said what both me and Mitaro knew was coming.

"There's only one way to celebrate…" he paused dramatically. "Let's go get drunk!" He let loose a laugh that suggested he may already have been halfway there.

"Akage-san, we can't get drunk yet. It's hardly midday," Mitaro told him. "We still have work to do."

"Mitaro is right, Sanosuke," I said. Sanosuke look crestfallen. I grinned at him and said, "Don't worry. We'll go tonight." Looking over at Mitaro I continued, "And we won't take no for an answer." Sanosuke grinned at Mitaro as well.

"Well alright," he agreed. "Let's get going before the lieutenant chews us out for being late."

Sanosuke and I started to leave when Mitaro started to speak. "Actually, that's why I came back here. Kira-fukutaicho told me to start my own squad in the division. Apparently every officer has to have one. I'll be giving out the assignments to my squad."

"So, what does that have to do with us?" Sanosuke asked, oblivious to the obvious.

"You dunce, it means that Mitaro chose us to be in his squad," I told him, slapping the back of his head. "That means that we have to report to him each day to find out our assignments."

"Yes, that's right," Mitaro said, looking at me. "And I have your assignments here." He pulled out a piece of paper from inside his shihakusho. "Karakura Town and the surrounding area have been seeing increased Hollow activity recently," he read. "The three of us are assigned to go there and stop these incursions."

"Karakura Town?" I asked. "That sounds familiar. Why does that sound familiar?"

"Probably because that's where Kurosaki Ichigo lives, or lived 10 years ago," Sanosuke told me. I felt something akin to a shudder pass through my body when the name Kurosaki Ichigo was mentioned. It almost felt like I was excited, anxious even, to get down there and see him. I didn't know why.

"Precisely," Mitaro said. "From reports he still lives there."

"If he still lives there, why do we have to go down and fight Hollows," I asked, trying to suppress the weird feeling. "Isn't he supposed to super powerful or something?"

"He is still living, Sai-kun," Mitaro answered. "His job takes up most of his time. His job and his family."

I nodded in understanding. "So when do we leave?"

"Immediately," Mitaro told me. Sanosuke and I both smiled and grabbed our Zanpakuto and the three of us ran out of the barracks and to the gate to the real world.