Also, one quick question: Should Ulquiorra die in this story, or would you guys prefer to have him live? Please review or PM me your answer. If you have done so already, thank you for your opinion! :)

So far, the results are:
Live - 1
Die - 1

Chapter 13: The Challenge for Captaincy

Amina stalked through the streets of Seireitei, searching for Saki. When I find her, I'm gonna chew her out. I don't care how annoyed she gets or if she fast forwards my person clock and turns me into an old lady. How dare she just abandon me like that! Amina thought angrily. She thought she heard her zanpakuto spirit snicker in the back of her mind, but chose to ignore it for more pressing matters: finding Saki.

Kyouraku and Ukitake followed Amina: Kyouraku was amused by the girl's anger, and wanted to see how this plays out. Ukitake was merely dragged along by his friend, although he did want to see Saki as well. The white-haired captain could tell that the Third Division's captain was lonely, and he wanted to be her friend. But first, he had to find a chance to talk to her. Ukitake hoped that he would be able to break those barriers that Saki placed around herself and get her to open up a bit more.

The group of three was just walking past the Fourth Division when Hanako came out. Her face brightened as she saw them and she came running in their direction, calling, "Amina-chan! Kyouraku-san! Ukitake-san!"

"Hey, Hanako," Amina waved, "What were you doing at the Fourth?"

"I was visiting Hinamori," Hanako explained, falling into step with her sister.

"How is she doing?" Ukitake asked.

"Physically, she's healing quickly," Hanako hesitated, "But she still thinks that Aizen is a good guy and that there's someone manipulating him."

"Oh, boy," Kyouraku muttered.

"Anyway, why are you guys at the Fourth Division?" Hanako changed the subject.

"We're actually just passing by," Amina explained, "Have you seen Saki?"

"I haven't seen her, but I can tell that she's somewhere in that direction!" Hanako pointed back the way Amina came. Amina grumbled lightly under her breath.

"Alright then, I'll just..." she began but was interrupted by a voice.

"Captain Kuroichi!" Hisagi skidded around the corner, looking very worried. He ran up to Amina and fell to one knee, keeping his head bowed.

"Hisagi? What's going on?" Amina asked, looking confused and worried.

"Captain, there is a group of Shinigami from the Eleventh Division in front of the Ninth Division's barracks. They are demanding to speak with you and refuse to leave until their request is fulfilled," Hisagi said very quickly.

Amina stared at her lieutenant for a moment longer before sighing, "Alright. Let's go." She turned to the other three captains. "Sorry, but I have to take care of this issue."

"That's perfectly fine, Amina-chan," Kyouraku grinned, "We'll keep an eye out for Saki while you settle things with the Eleventh Division. Be careful though; they live for fighting."

"Got it," Amina turned back to Hisagi, "Let's go."

"Yes." The two vanished using Shunpo.

A few seconds after the pair left, Hanako gave a small start. "Oh? There seems to be some kind of disturbance at my division's barracks..."

"You too?" Ukitake inquired.

"Y-Yeah. Sorry, but I should go check it out. It may be serious." With that, Hanako vanished as well, undoubtedly heading for the barracks of the Fifth Squad.

The moment she left, the remaining two captains felt a spike of reiatsu in the direction of the Third Squad's barracks. Kyouraku and Ukitake cast a glance at each other before making up their minds and heading for the Third's.

"Hey! What's going on here?" Amina shouted as she approached the front door of the Ninth with Hisagi on her heels. There were two groups of Shinigami facing each other. One group was obviously from Amina's squad while the other must be comprised of Eleventh Squad Shinigami. Both groups fell silent as Amina approached, heads turning to stare at the captain of the Ninth Division.

The Shinigami from the Ninth immediately bowed. "Captain Kuroichi, these Shinigami from the Eleventh Division insist on seeing you, and they refused to leave when we told them that you were absent."

"I see." Amina turned to the members of the Eleventh Squad. The first thing she immediately noticed was that many of them were glaring at her with hate and hostility in their eyes. She dismissed it for now, focusing instead on the matter at hand. "What do you want?"

"You don't deserve to be a captain of the Gotei 13!" Someone shouted.

"Yeah, you haven't even been to Seireitei before now. How do we know that you and your sisters won't end up as a traitor like Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tosen?"

"How dare you!" A member from the Ninth Squad retorted, "Head Captain Yamamoto chose the Kuroichis himself! You are going against his judgement!"

"Shut up, weakling!" A Shinigami with a mohawk sneered, "Or is your captain also so weak that she needs her squad to defend her?"

"Why, you...!"

"Enough!" Amina shouted, stamping her heel on the ground. The earth trembled slightly at her anger, forcing both sides to back off. Once the ground stopped shaking, she continued to speak in a calmer voice, "I was in Seireitei one hundred years ago, even if it was for only one day. As for the insult you just threw at my subordinate, I will not tolerate such disrespect. Please leave."

"We're not done yet, Captain Kuroichi," the mohawk guy sneered, purposefully emphasizing the word 'captain', "We want to challenge you and your sisters to a battle. If you win, we won't bother you again. If you lose, you have to give up being a captain."

Amina raised an eyebrow as the guy went on, "It will be tomorrow morning at 10:30. Eleventh Squad's outdoor training grounds. We'll be waiting." The Eleventh Squad didn't even bother to wait for a reply before leaving.

Well, that was annoying, Amina muttered to herself. She didn't think that Hanako had connected their thoughts, so she nearly let out a yelp when the blonde's voice sounded in her mind.

Eleventh Squad challenged you, too, Amina-chan?

Holy Soul King, Hanako. Don't scare me like that. But yes, they challenged me as well.

Saki-chan and I also received a challenge. I heard that she had to actually stop a fight that had broken out at her barracks. Aside from that, are you going to take on the challenge?

Definitely. Nobody insults the Ninth Squad and gets away with it.

That's what Saki-chan said.

What are you gonna do?

...I'm gonna fight, too.

Really?

I can't have you and Saki-chan defend me for the rest of my life. I-I have to start standing up for myself.

Amina couldn't help but grin. That's great, Hanako. I guess I'll be seeing you and Saki tomorrow.

Yeah.

Kuroichi Saki's Battle Data
Offense: 90
Defense: 90
Intelligence: 100
Kido/Reiatsu: 100
Physical Strength: 60
Mobility: 100
Total: 540/600

Next chapter: Karakura Town