Yo, wasup guys? It's garganta again. I hope you didn't have to wait too long for chapter 3 ;)
I was really happy to see, that there are now more reviews but there's still room for improvement ;)
I really enjoyed reading your reviews though, thanks a bunch! Now have fun with part 3!
The meeting was finished and the representatives of the 13 divisions where finally released. Ichigo, the new taicho of division 5, just got outside the 1st division headquarters where the meeting was held, when he was suddenly stopped by someone calling his name.
"Ichigo, wait!" Rukia caught up with him. She pondered for a moment then said "Actually I should call you Kurosaki-taicho from now on, shouldn't I?" She said with a smirk.
"What do you want, Kuchiki-fukutaicho?" Ichigo looked down at her with a not so bad imitation of the infamous and emotionless Kuchiki glaze, but this playful banter came to a sudden halt as Ichigo saw how serious Rukia suddenly got as she looked at him. He backed away a step, the fury in her eyes visible.
"Why did you do that, Ichigo? Why did you push me becoming a fukutaicho so suddenly? Why did you care? It was nothing of your business if or when I become a fukutaicho or not! You should've just left it alone!" She said in a low but threatening voice.
"What the hell is your problem? I mean, I know you are not one to appreciate something like what I did there, but you deserved it. And even Byakuya didn't interfere this time. No taicho or fukutaicho vetoed this decision. Get this inside your stubborn little head. You-deserved-this." He punctuated the words with a knock of his knuckles against her head. And earned a punch in his stomach.
Rukia sighed. He should've just let it alone but she couldn't be too angry with him. He was right, she hated it when people from outside of the division tried to push something for her sake, it felt like pity to her, yet she couldn't deny that she was proud how no one seemed to question her promotion. But then again, Yamamoto-sotaicho said that Ukitake-taicho tried earlier to promote her to become his fukutaicho. It was her brother who always vetoed and that hurt. What reasons had Byakuya nii-sama to do that? Did he think she wasn't qualified enough for a ambitious position like fukutaicho of a division of gotei 13? Why didn't he veto it this time?
She was startled out of her line of thought when Ichigo cupped her chin and raised her head to look directly in his eyes. She stared at him wide eyed, her face turning crimson as he touched her like that.
"Hey," he said softly. "You better not think too much about today and your brother, alright? Go, get some sleep, and whatever it is think about it tomorrow. Let's get going, it's late and we've got a hell load of business to do tomorrow, don't we, Kuchiki-fukutaicho?" He smirked at her and was glad that it was dark already or she could see how red his face suddenly became.
What the hell is wrong with me today? I act like a moron around her today…
"Ugh!" was all he could get out after he earned another punch in his stomach.
"Don't call me fukutaicho like it is some serious disease you fool! And I still prefer you calling me by my first name, Ichigo." She added with a sly smile.
"I'll remember that," Ichigo said as he shakily got up.
Their conversation was suddenly over as Hinamori come over to them.
"Kurosaki-taicho, we need to go now. I'll show you your room and we need to discuss when and how to introduce you to the division."
"Yeah, you are right, Hinamori. Rukia, we've got to go. See you around midget," He said as he looked down at Rukia who swung another fist at his stomach but he dodged it successfully. He smirked at her and was off with Hinamori.
"I'll show you who is a midget, Ichigo…" She growled into the night with a raised fist threateningly in front of her.
"Rukia, we need to go too, when you are ready." Ukitake startled her, smiling kindly at her.
"Uh, yes, Ukitake-taicho. I'm ready to go."
Ichigo and Hinamori were walking unhurried, both lost in their own thoughts when Hinamori suddenly spoke up.
"Kurosaki-taicho, I just wanted to thank you that you asked for my consent of you becoming my taicho. I didn't expect it at all to be honest." She said as she smiled up at him.
Ichigo waved his hand dismissively. "No big deal, I just didn't want to force you into a new taicho without knowing that you are ok with that is all." He said, blushing ever so slightly.
"Hinamori, how is the atmosphere in the division, by the way? I mean after Aizen and all."
Hinamori was a bit surprised by that question but she gave it serious thought nonetheless. She looked up at Ichigo with a serious look.
"Everyone of the division, who was already a member at the time of Aizens betrayal, is mistrusting of outside interferences of the division. We grew closer inside the division, but outsiders with a high rank who join the squad, high seated officers for example, are mistrusted. You will have a hard time, even though everyone knows of you."
"That was to be expected, but I'll do my best to win their trust." Ichigo said seriously.
Hinamori could just smile at that. She hoped with all she had, that this time her taicho would be really trustworthy and wouldn't betray her like Aizen did. But she wouldn't open up to him. Not that early. She would help him to get settled and to get used to his new responsibilities but that would be all. For now.
"Here we are." Hinamori said. "In which floor do you want to have you room, Kurosaki-taicho?"
"I can choose?" Ichigo asked a bit surprised.
"Yes, it's not like every taicho has to use the same room over and over again. Aizens room was in the second floor and I heard that the taicho before him, Hirako Shinji, had his room in the first floor."
"Shinji was taicho of the 5th division? I never knew. Uh, Hinamori, are there any rooms which are not used? If it's second or first floor doesn't really matter."
Hinamori thought for a second and tapped her finger on her chin and suddenly her face lightened up and she asked him to follow him.
"There." She said finally. "But it's pretty small, so I could look for bigger ones."
Ichigo just shook his head. "Not necessary, this is just fine. I don't need that much space."
Ichigo looked around the room. There was a small table with a candle for light, a few pillows to sit on and a folded futon with a blanket. Other than that, there was nothing. He had to add a few things, like pictures or something, to give the room some kind of personality. He went inside and took one of the pillows to sit and motioned for Hinamori to do the same.
"You said something about greeting the division members?" He asked Hinamori.
They discussed the best way to approach the sensitive topic of a new taicho to the division members until deep into the night.
Rukia walked home to the Kuchiki manor and wondered if she should confront her brother with what Yamamoto-sotaicho and Ukitake-taicho said about him interfering and preventing her promotion to fukutaicho of 13th division. She didn't know what to think about it. She didn't even know since when Ukitake-taicho wanted her to become his new fukutaicho. Since the death of her mentor Shiba Kaien? Or just before she met Ichigo? Or before she was sent back to the living world with Renji, Hitsugaya and the rest? She didn't know. Over all these years she just heard today, that her own brother didn't want her to become a fukutaicho. To say, that she was disappointed and hurt was an understatement.
She reached the gate, which led into the manor and passed it, still deep in thought. Every one of the staff was asleep already but she could see in the distance the candle light flicker in the room of her brother. She didn't want to talk to him right now and made her way through the different rooms to her own. She was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Tomorrow she would begin her new job in division 13, thanks to a certain permanently scowling carrot-top who just couldn't stop himself from pushing her promotion. She hated him for that and was still angry, even if not that angry anymore but then again she couldn't thank him more speaking out what he had in his mind. Without him suggesting her for that vacant position she would have never known about her brother preventing her position. And even if that knowledge broke her heart she couldn't thank Ichigo enough for what he did, even if he did unconsciously. She still wondered though, why her brother would now not prevent her promotion and would just say that if the promotion was what she wanted, he would not interfere this time. It was all just too confusing. After she changed into her sleeping garment and laid down on her futon, she pulled her blanket up to her chin. Her chin still tingled after Ichigos soft touch and she wondered since when he became so…the way he acted today. She couldn't find a word for the way he acted; it was so different from what she remembered. Two years ago he would yell at her and insult her drawings and he fondness of Chappy the rabbit. And now he would help her to her promotion and touch her chin like a person would touch his beloved one. It was just plain weird. She even had for a split second thought he would…no, she was just confused after the events in the meeting, that was all there was to it.
As she turned to her side, she touched her chin unconsciously and had the faintest smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.
The training hall of division 5 was full and it was loud. The members wondered what could be so urgent, that their admired fukutaicho would call them in the wee hours of the morning into the training hall for a meeting. Some would think she would announce to them that she was finally promoted to become taicho of 5th squad, others thought that she would finally admit to them that she and Hitsugaya-taicho were a couple, it was an open secret after all. There were also some members, who guessed that she achieved bankai and wanted to show them.
But no one expected the orange haired and permanently scowling boy walking next to their fukutaicho. Wearing a taicho's haori. With the emblem of the 5th division on its back. As they both walked past the now silent crowd of 5th division members Ichigo felt suddenly uneasy. He felt every single eye on him and wouldn't complain if the ground below him would suddenly open up and swallow him down. At least he wouldn't feel those piercing gazes on him anymore. As they reached the platform, where the taicho and fukutaicho could hold their speeches, Hinamori spoke up.
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad you could make it, because this is a very important moment for our 5th division. Yesterday, at late evening, the taichos and fukutaichos of gotei 13 were called to a meeting by Yamamoto Genryuusai-sotaicho. The reason for this meeting was, that Kurosaki Ichigo," she looked at him, "died yesterday in the real world. You all know that the divisions, which were also for some amount of time without a taicho, had their vacant positions since a few weeks seated again. The only divisions with vacant positions were now our and the 13th division, which, by the way is no more vacant- Kuchiki Rukia is since yesterday fukutaicho of division 13. But now, back to why you all were called here. Kurosaki Ichigo was escorted by Kuchiki Rukia to Soul Society and to the headquarters of division 1, where the meeting was held. In that meeting, Kurosaki Ichigo was appointed to the position of 5th division taicho."
With that Hinamori ended her introduction speech. One would expect that the audience would now applaud or something, but there was no such thing. Ichigo could hear a grumble there and mumble here but not really something that sounded kind at all. Ichigo looked at Hinamori, who nodded reassuringly.
Ichigo took a step forward and the division members fell silent again. He looked around and saw faces who all seemed to have the same look on them: distrust. He didn't know how to begin and decided to do the easiest thing, to just talk.
Taking one last deep breath he began.
"Good Morning, division 5 members. My name is Kurosaki Ichigo, as Hinamori-fukutaicho already said. I was appointed to become your new taicho." He looked around again and saw some faces darken some more. It seemed like they took it really hard that they were betrayed by the taicho, whom they all trusted so blindly.
This won't be an easy job. Ichigo thought. No, this won't be easy at all.
"I know," he went on, "that you all were disappointed and betrayed by someone whom you all looked up to. I can't say that I understand your feelings right now and I would lie if I said I do. All I can say is, that I'll do my best to let you see, that I won't ever betray you and I won't ever let you down. And all I can ask of you is just to give me that chance to prove myself to you. Thank you."
He was relieved, that his little speech at least earned a few stray clapping hands.
"Alright everyone, you can get back to your training and to your work. I will introduce Kurosaki-taicho to his new assignment and to the barracks of 5th division. If you have any questions you are free to ask both of us." Ichigo didn't miss how she stressed the last three words.
With that the black crowd of division members cleared up and Hinamori and Ichigo were left alone. Ichigo let out a deep sigh.
"Man, they really took it hard, didn't they?" Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head, his scowl deep.
"Can you blame them, Kurosaki-taicho? How would you react, if the person you admired most and idolized suddenly turns out to be the leader of the enemy?" Hinamori asked with a very serious look on her face.
"I know, I know, don't take it the wrong way. It's just, it wasn't like I didn't expect it to be hard to win their trust but I didn't expect it to be that hard…"
Ichigo looked back down at her and so her eyes just soften a little bit.
"Give them time, Kurosaki-taicho. I needed it too, probably more than anyone. But finally I managed to move on. But it will not only take you time to gain their trust, it will take you time to gain my trust too. Don't take that personally, I just grew more…careful…with these kinds of things. If you would now follow me, we've got work to do."
Great, she doesn't trust me either. This sucks, but well. It was to be expected. Ichigo thought as he followed her.
After a long day of introductions and paperwork Ichigo stood at the cliff of Sokyoku Hill and stared at the horizon. He thought about today's events and how his life took a total turnaround. He wanted to become a doctor, but was now dead and was taicho of a division whose members were told, that they were free to ask both their taicho and fukutaicho but every single one of those who actually had questions ignored him. Hinamori wanted to pass one of those questions to him, but he just shook his head and told her later, that he didn't want them to be forced to ask him or at least to speak with him. He wanted them to come to him on their own free will. He laid down on his back and folded his hands under his head. A few minutes after he closed his eyes he felt an all too familiar reiatsu approaching him.
"I knew you would be here." Rukia stated.
"You are so smart. How was your day, Kuchiki-fukutaicho?" Ichigo asked with a smirk.
"Quite stressful, Kurosaki-taicho. What about yours, Kurosaki-taicho? Did everything went well, Kurosaki-taicho? I surely hope so, Kurosaki-taicho!" She answered with a voice so sweet, Ichigo thought he was about to get cavities.
"Alright, I got it, Rukia. Did you talk to your brother already?"
"No," she sighed, as she laid down next to him. "I didn't get the chance yet."
Ichigo knew instantly, that she lied. She was bad at that. At least to him.
"You know that I question about everything of Byakuya, but not- or at least no more that he cares about you. I don't know what reasons he had, to do what he did, but if you should get the chance to finally speak to him, you should. Even if you don't want to."
She glanced sideways at him and could just smile. He still had his eyes closed. She often saw him asleep back I the world of the living and recognized that his scowl softened quite a bit when he slept. It gave him a more peaceful look. But right now his scowl was in full force and it looked a bit funny with closed eyes.
"If you say so, strawberry." She answered finally.
Ichigos frown deepened at that but he didn't say anything. They laid like that for quite some time, comfortably, enjoying the silence and the simple knowledge that they were next to each other. They both missed each other's company way more than they would let on, so they enjoyed this time of silence and peace.
After what seemed like hours of just laying at the cliff of Sokyoku Hill Ichigo suddenly spoke up again.
"Rukia, how did Byakuya find you?"
Rukia got up and looked at him, wonder clearly on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Well, back when you lived in Rukongai, how did he find you there?"
Rukia grew now seriously curious about his questions. "Why would you ask?"
Ichigo sat up and looked her deeply in the eyes.
"I need to find Aiko as fast as possible."
Well yeah, what to think about it? It's shorter than chapter 2 but not much shorter and it's kinda slow, isn't it? But I liked it, more than the first both parts. What about you? Did the story improve in your eyes? Or the opposite? And what about the serious cliffhanger? You can't wait for the next part, can you? I miss Aiko actually, I want her back in the story but I do my best to make it as realistic as possible. And one more question? Did you ever laugh about something in the story? I never laughed once as I wrote it, not in one single part in one single chapter :D But I chose the genres to be romance AND humor :D
Ah, and before I forget: !