Chapter 30
A New General
By Demon-of-Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I own my OC's and OOC's
Warnings: This is AU and has some spoilers.
No Flames please, but constructive criticism is welcome.
Yamamoto was not happy. There were things that had to be done when he was leaving the Soul Society unguarded. Arthur was not allowing him the time to do such.
"I have another plan Yamamoto," Arthur said.
Yamamoto frowned and then glanced up as a portal to the world of the living opened in front of Lancelot, who was in the courtyard below.
He felt the spiritual pressure of those that came through and was quite surprised to note that each was the strength of a Captain. In total there were nine.
"What is your plan your majesty?"
"I have brought several from Europe. One is a general as well and the others will take care of the squads that will be missing Captains. Some of them are also from North America. Since we are going there I thought it only fair that they send some as well. The General there will greet us when we arrive;" Arthur said and looked at the people gathered there, "Who were your Captains that were coming?"
Yamamoto frowned and then glanced at the group himself, "Myself, Soi Fon, Kyôraku, Ukitake, Kuchiki, Urahara, Komamura and Tôsen. The Visored are also coming, at least a few members. They had sent a list to you not to me. The Lieutenants of those squads are also coming along with a few other members from those and other squads. Some who just want to see someplace new. I had the passports made up already for those coming."
Arthur nodded and then said, "You will have some extra people here then, but you seemed to be missing some Captains anyway."
"A story for the journey there," Yamamoto said and then thought, "How are we getting there anyway?"
Arthur smiled, "I have a private jet we will be using for everyone. Lancelot and Ichigo were gone for those few days because they had to get the jet. It's big enough to hold twice the number of people that we are going to be carrying with plenty of leg room," Arthur smiled then, "The modern age has its conveniences."
"Who's flying the jet," Yamamoto asked as Ichigo, Renji, Rukia, and Chad walked into the room.
Arthur smiled wider, "Lancelot has his pilot's license as do Ichigo and Chad."
Yamamoto nodded and then glanced at the group that had just entered the room. He read their spiritual pressure and wasn't surprised at how much harder each had become. Each could match a Captain if they so chose, or even beyond in Ichigo's case.
Ichigo had chosen each of these people as his personal guard. He trusted them each with his life.
Renji had a few more tattoos, marks of his new accomplishments.
Rukia's hair was a little longer.
Chad had bulked up a little bit and he had matured a little bit in his stature.
In each person's stance Yamamoto could see that they were ready to fight at a moment's notice. The way they stood gave the illusion of movement even as they stood still. They were more true warriors than they had been before.
Ichigo had changed the most in appearance though. He had grown a few inches and his normal soul reaper gi had been changed into something he preferred more. It was a slimmer fit than it had been before though it kept the look of a kimono. He also wore the intricate knotting at his shoulder that symbolized, to those who knew what it was, that he was the heir to the throne of all soul society.
"It is good to see you all again," Yamamoto said, "How have you fared?"
The four of them looked at each other and then said in unison, "King Arthur has put us through hell and back."
Arthur grinned and then said, "And there is still another fifty years of training left. Then you will all spend two years in each of the other five soul societies to learn techniques that each area specializes in."
All had known this so there were just nods.
"Who spilt that secret?" Arthur asked.
"Grandpa," Ichigo said, "Oh yeah, is Tôshirô coming?"
Yamamoto shook his head and then said, "When I asked him why he said he didn't want to go he said he had no intention of being in the same area as you."
Arthur glanced at Yamamoto and then turned to Ichigo and asked, "Why would that be?"
"He's dating my little sister."
Yamamoto's eyebrows rose as Arthur suddenly burst out laughing.
Ichigo then said, "The gigai are in the jet, for when we are ready to leave. Passports are in the right pocket of each gigai. Except for Byakuya's, his is in the left pocket for some reason."
"Lancelot?" Arthur said.
Ichigo was about to say something more when Lancelot appeared, "Yes?"
"Did you put the passport into Byakuya Kuchiki's pocket?"
"Yes."
"His right or your right?"
"My right . . . woops."
Everyone shook their heads and then the group headed to the Americas exited the building. They met up with the rest leaving there and then entered the portal to the world of the living.
"I've got a question for you Chad," Love said suddenly once they exited the portal, "How do you have a gigai? You're human right?"
Chad nodded.
Arthur then spoke, "The lady of the lake has many abilities and one of them is to grant a human soul the abilities of soul reapers. Once he swore loyalty to Ichigo in Camelot the lady of the lake gave him the ability to use a gigai."
Love nodded and then watched as Chad, Ichigo and Lancelot headed for the jet they were flying in and hopped in. A few seconds later Ichigo walked out of the jet in gigai and went to speak to someone that was running the terminal. He was dressed as a pilot and even had the hat. Chad walked out a few seconds later and descended the steps to prepare something else. Lancelot didn't disembark but he did stick his head out of the door to glance at what Ichigo and Chad were doing before returning to whatever task he had to do.
After everything was explained to the Captains they boarded the jet and checked for their passport. Byakuya noticed that his wasn't in his right pocket and checked quickly in his left. He simply shook his head when he found it.
After a half an hour the jet took off and headed for California.
During the trip Yamamoto told Arthur what had happened with Aizen and other things that Arthur asked to know.
Once the flight was done, along with several extra rolls of toilet paper (Matsumoto, who was with the group, had heard about toilets in jets. She proceeded then to stick one end of the toilet paper into the toilet and flush causing the entire roll to disappear into the great unknown in a matter of seconds. She then had to do this again to prove to Yumichika and Ikkaku that it worked. Then, Kyôraku asked what the ruckus was about and she showed him which caused him to have to try it himself to see if it was a gag), they landed in sunny California.
When they disembarked they met up with an obviously old woman, who looked to be of Native American decent. Beside her was a young woman who looked about five years older than Tôshirô. The two women greeted the group.
"Sacagawea!" Kyôraku said, "How have you been faring?"
The older woman glared at Kyôraku and then said, "I am fine and if you come near me I will add laxatives to your alcohol."
Kyôraku instantly straightened up and backed away from her.
Moria just smiled and said, "I like her," she then turned to Sajin and gave him a questioning look.
"I can feel that they are closer than they were but," here Sajin paused, "They are on the other side. I can't tell exactly."
Moria nodded and then glanced at the interchange taking place between the pair that had greeted the group the higher ups of their own group.
Yamamoto spoke first, "I take it that you achieved Captain Status Sacagawea."
"No. I am still the Lieutenant of Squad One."
"Then who is the Head General?"
It was then that the younger woman spoke, "That would be me."
Ukitake frowned and then said, "Aren't you a little young?"
The woman frowned and then said, "My name is Amanda J. Let. I'm the Captain of Squad One and the Head General of the American Soul Society."
Arthur then spoke, "She is also the youngest to become a General to date. She completely gained her seat about 40 years ago, after I finished training her. The previous Head General wished to retire and hand picked her. She was the Captain of Squad Two before becoming Head General."
Soi Fon and Yoruichi narrowed their eyes.
Yamamoto clenched his teeth.
Everyone else stared in disbelief.
End Chapter 30