CHAPTER 2h:

The 10th Division: Combat Operations

Standing outside the 1st Division Barracks entrance, the tall and handsome 10th Division Captain, Kyo Saemonsaburou, stood arms crossed facing his Lt., who was leaning up against the building's wall.

The Captain's long dark hair was tied back in a long pony tail that draped down his back and swayed slightly in the light breeze. His long white captain's coat hung loosely over his standard black Shinigami robes, his zanpakatuo was tucked into his white obi belt, and a blue tassel hung from it's hilt. His voice was stern yet succinct, as if it was a discussion they had discussed many times before.

"Look…Your skills are undeniable Karasu-san, but as you have only JUST learned your Bankai...and even 'I' haven't seen it by the way... How could I even begin to give a recommendation for you to be a Captain?...Especially when you and I both know you have MUCH more to learn."

The Lieutenant of the 10th Division, Karasu Yakushikawa, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as his Captain spoke, as he then shifted his weight, lazily leaning against the 1st Division Barracks, his arms also crossed. His long black untied-up hair hung across his brow, which he had to push out of his eyes from time to time as he listened and talked with his Captain.

"Look…"

He repeated his Captain's last statement on purpose.

"...I don't understand why knowing and being good at one's Bankai has anything to do with being a Captain...more than three quarters of what you teach me every day has NOTHING to do with my Bankai…"

"That is very true."

Kyo cut him off.

"...What makes a Captain is not ONLY their power…BUT, another great and important part of being a Captain is being a model of success for connecting with one's own soul, and thus power and control of one's zanpakatuo abilities do come in to pl…"

He was cut off by Karasu.

"But what does that have to do with LEADING other Shinigami?"

Captain Kyo shook his head a bit at his Lt.'s words, taking a deep breath in.

He paused and closed his eyes for a few moments before opening them once more, looking on to his Lt., who was looking away, shaking his head slightly back and forth in frustration as he leaned against the building.

"…Are you so eager to move on from my teachings Karasu-san?"

Kyo said bluntly yet looked somberly on to his talented young Lt.

Karasu looked back to him, unfolding his arms and sighed as he spoke. His eyes were full of determination and confidence, not pride.

"Of course not Captain…I only meant that I CAN do this…and I just thought that you believed in me too…"

Kyo looked into his Lt.'s eyes, and then smiled very lightly.

"...Indeed...I DO know you could do it…But having the ability to do something and being the best person for it are two different things…"

The Captain stepped forward to his Lt., and put his hand firmly on his Lt.'s shoulder.

"I need you with me and the 10th, the Gotei needs you in the 10th Karasu…"

He squeezed his shoulder, released, and stepped back not losing eye contact with his Lt. the whole time.

"You and I both know the 3rd Seat isn't ready to take over for you if you left…And we both know there is no one better in any other division for being my Lt., second in command of the Combat Operations Division (10th Div.) Sure, those 11th Division shini have the power but they don't have the smarts or the fortitude to LEAD anyone into battle…and the 1st Division has all the smarts in the world, but lack the strength. It takes a perfect combination of fighting skill and intellect to just be IN the 10th Division...let alone run it and lead it in the field effectively. The Gotei needs field generals in the 10th Division…and you have that in you…"

He paused to take a breath and briefly grin to his Lt.

"And well…Even if we could've changed the rules of eligibility this one time, for the 8th Division Captaincy, I still wouldn't have wanted you there. It quite simply would be a waste of your talents, sitting behind a desk waiting for others to call on your division to help support them…pshh! Trust me, you would go crazy, Karasu-san. When I first picked you for MY Lt., it was because you were a man of action, not a man of reaction…"

The Lieutenant looked at his Captain as he spoke to him, dumbstruck that the Captain would speak so thoroughly about his decision and thoughts on the matter. Karasu knew very well that he had no right to be so upset, as the rules for Captaincy eligibility were clear and had been followed for millenia. He then, despite knowing he shouldn't have, he blurted out, though not quite jokingly enough for the words to not be honest.

"Well...I can't be your Lieutenant forever Captain. Everyone has to move on…"

Kyo nodded back to him, almost expecting that response from Karasu.

"That is true Karasu-san…There will come a time when you will be required to work outside your talents for the greater good. But it's not that time right now. Take pride in knowing you have much more to learn…much more to experience... and many more battles to win. Your time WILL come, I have no doubt about that."

Karasu pushed himself off the wall. He knew his Captain was right, and he knew he still had much to learn. He supposed his Captain's confidence in him would have to be enough for him now.

Cpt. Kyo looked down the road to see the 4th Division Cpt. and 5th Division Lt. approaching together in the distance. Sighing lightly, he spoke to his Lt. but did not turn his face to him, looking towards the forthcoming officers, his voice slightly somber.

"We all have to abide by the will of lady time…even though she is rarely fair…"