In the underground training facility, Tessai and Kisuke were working hard at getting the Reishihenkanki ready. The rest of the Soul Reapers and the Substitute team were scattered around somewhat aimlessly but Kaichou was silently sitting to herself at the foot of a nearby rock formation. Tatsuki then approached with a worried look.

"Sensei, you've been really quiet lately. Is something on your mind?" Tatsuki asked as Kaichou glanced down at the young karate master.

"This whole situation is just making me recall some old memories." Kaichou replied.

"Anything you want to talk about? You never did finish telling me some of your stories. Like what happened after the academy? I know you eventually became Captain of Squad Ten and took on the title of The Black Wrangler but I want to know what happened after that." Tatsuki said as Kaichou smiled.

"Well I suppose a little historical rehashing couldn't hurt." Kaichou said as she leapt off the rock formation and landed next to Tatsuki. The others then started gathering around.

"I've been curious myself actually. You mind if we listen in?" Ichigo asked as Kaichou nodded.

"The more the merrier." Kaichou replied.

"Dad mentioned someone by the name of Old Grim back when we were in the Soul Society last time. Who was he?" Karin asked.

"I guess I'll start there. Captain Ikatsui Karite. He was the former Captain of Squad Eleven and one of the most famous. Back before Isshin and I joined the Academy, I practically idolized him. He was my hero. When I first saw Chuushuunomeigetsu's Shikai I was kinda jealous that he had a Zanpakuto that looked similar to Captain Karite's. The only real difference was that Old Grim's was solid black. Well Old Grim was still Captain when I became the Captain of Squad Ten; in fact he was one of the Captains that gave their approval of me. But he was generally careless when it came to commanding his squad. Under his command, Eleventh Squad racked up the highest casualty rate than any of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. He was like Zaraki only he didn't hold back no matter what. For a brief time he had disappeared, allowing his Lieutenant, Kenpachi Adachi, to lead the squad but when he came back he killed him and retook command." Kaichou explained.

"When I became Captain of Squad Ten, I realized how detrimental his actions were and that he needed to be told what his problem was. I told Isshin, who had managed to become Lieutenant by that time, that something needed to be done. It wasn't until at least one hundred and five years before the Vizard incident that we finally met on Sokyoku Hill to speak. I wasn't alone thought, some of the Captains were present. Retsu, Shunsui, Jushiro, even Byakuya's grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki was there. We had our Lieutenants with us at the time; my Lieutenant at the time was the Vizard, Kensei Muguruma. Kukaku wouldn't become my Lieutenant until three years before the Vizard incident. We were hesitant at calling the meeting at first but then we received the most unexpected of orders…"



Flashback…
215 years ago…
Sokyoku Hill…

On the top of Sokyoku Hill, stood the five Captains and their respective Lieutenants as they waited for the arrival of Captain Karite. Finally they saw Karite and, Lieutenant Isshin Kurosaki approaching through the mist. Karite appeared to be a withered old man with pale white skin, reminiscent of a skeleton and he always wore a large black robe with the hood always up and the Squad Eleven insignia on the back. His Zanpakuto, in its sealed state, looked like a thin, straight cane with a metal skull design on the top of the cane.

"So what do you younglings want? I was about to go Hollow hunting when my Lieutenant got your message." Karite said with a raspy voice that sent chills down your spine when he spoke.

"Kenpachi Karite, we need to talk." Kaichou said.

"Oh? And what about, Wrangler? Made anymore discoveries about yourself hmm?" Karite taunted.

"Discoveries yes, but not about me." Kaichou replied.

"Your leadership skills have been called into question Captain Karite. You had no right to murder your former Lieutenant in cold blood just to retake your post as Captain." Ukitake said calmly.

"Your casualty rate is staggering. It's getting harder and harder to find willing recruits for your Squad." Retsu said with her usually calm demeanor.

"That and your method of command is careless. We all stand in agreement that you should step down as Captain of Squad Eleven." Ginrei said as the others nodded.

"Bah, five Captains against one. What a joke. I am Kenpachi, the greatest swordsman in the Soul Society! Do you not think that I cannot defeat each of you?" Karite said as he reached for his Zanpakuto.

"We're not acting of our own accord. We were a little hesitant in calling this meeting because it could be construed as treason…however…we then received summons from Central 46 and they have made a ruling that your time as Captain is up. They give you an ultimatum, either step down and leave the Seireitei peacefully, or be removed by force." Ginrei said as he, Shunsui, Ukitake, and each of their Lieutenants plus Kensei reached for their Zanpakutos.

Karite glared at them in disbelief for a moment before he started to chuckle. His chuckling evolved into laughter which then evolved into insane cackling.

"So this is why you call me to Sokyoku Hill, a place of execution and death. How appropriate. A pity it won't be me who DIES!" Karite shouted as he drew his Zanpakuto but suddenly felt five consecutive cuts dealt along his back. Isshin was quick on the draw and quickly flash stepped over to where Kaichou and the other Soul Reapers were.

"NYAH! KUROSAKI!!! YOU DIRTY LITTLE TRAITOR!!!" Karite roared as he lunged at Isshin.

"Bakudo Sixty One: Rikujokoro!!!" Ginrei shouted as six large wedges of light appeared and grappled to Karite's midsection in midair.

"Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be Captain." Isshin said as he raised his Zanpakuto, "Reap Chuushuunomeigetsu."

"After that he continued to struggle and fight. Finally we were forced to kill him because he kept trying to cut us down. Isshin surprised us all though by only using his Shikai to deal the killing blow, thus gaining the title of Kenpachi and the position of the Squad Eleven Captain. To me, Karite's death was sort of like what happened to Momo when Aizen betrayed her. I had witnessed the fall of an idol and from that day forward, my disdain for him grew. Isshin was made Captain shortly after that and he repaired Squad Eleven. Years rolled by until one hundred and thirteen years ago, things started to change into a more familiar time.

113 years ago…

Kaichou was walking down the hall of the Squad Ten Barracks with a book in hand. She then heard a loud ruckus coming from outside the barracks. She threw open the door to see men go flying in all directions from a massive Kido explosion. The smoke cleared and she saw a young teenaged woman with frayed black hair and with a comparatively large bust that would equal or even rival future Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto's.

"Heh, you guys are pathetic! You're easier than the weaklings in the Academy!" the woman shouted with a challenging grin on her face. Her back was turned to the door so she didn't even see Kaichou appear. Kaichou stealthily hid her Captain's Haori behind the door and approached the woman.

"So you fancy yourself a Kido practitioner eh? Well do you think you can best me?" Kaichou asked as the woman grinned.

"Easily!" the woman replied as she raised her left arm, which started to glow with red spirit energy.

"This is a special little variation on Shakkaho that I invented. I call it the Shiba Bomb!" the woman shouted as she punched her fist into the ground, causing a massive explosion.

"Bakudo thirty nine: Enkosen." Kaichou said calmly, creating a round shield of hardened Reishi that completely protected her from the blast. But when the woman looked back up to face her opponent she saw nothing.

"Huh?" she asked confused.

"Ahem." A voice said from behind her.

"Strengthen, Hensen Tatsujin. SHINIGAMI CHOP!" Kaichou said as she swung the chop hand around and whacked the woman upside the jaw. Kaichou then sheathed her Zanpakuto.

"Bakudo number four: Hainawa." Kaichou said as the woman was suddenly bound in a glowing yellow Reishi rope.

"Alright you got me. Big deal." The woman grunted as Kaichou smirked. She then snapped her fingers. Instantly two muscular and identical twin men appeared on their hands and knees in a bow.

"Koganehiko! Shiroganehiko! My haori please." Kaichou said as the twins instantly disappeared and returned with the white haori, neatly folded up.

"So who are you? The Lieutenant or something?" the woman asked as Kaichou smirked and turned towards the twins. The rest of the squad, who had now regained consciousness, was murmuring amongst themselves. The woman's somewhat moody expression turned to shock the second she saw the Squad Ten insignia on the back of the Haori as Kaichou put it on.

"I am Captain Wrangler. Tenth Division. You may refer to me as the "Black Wrangler." Any particular reason why you were beating up on my men?" Kaichou asked as the woman shuddered.

"You're the Captain?!" the woman asked. Kaichou opened her mouth to say something when the twins leapt in.

"FOOL! YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN WRANGLER!!!" the twins exclaimed in unison before being shoved out of the way.

"I can toot my own horn thank you very much!" Kaichou said. She immediately heard snickering coming from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder at the snickering squad behind her. They instantly fell silent.

"So then…what's your name?" Kaichou asked as she turned back to the woman and undid the Kido bindings.

"Shiba, Kukaku Shiba." The woman replied as she climbed up onto her feet.

"Ah one of the four noble clans. Right up there with the Kuchiki's, the Shihoin's, and the Kurosaki's eh?" Kaichou asked as Kukaku nodded.

"My brother Kaien is one of the seated officers in Squad Thirteen. I couldn't let him have all the fun." Kukaku replied as Kaichou chuckled.

"Oh I know the feeling. Male siblings can be difficult to deal with. Trust me I've got one." Kaichou replied as Kukaku groaned.

"I've got two. Kaien and Ganju…between you and me, Ganju isn't the brightest candle in the box." Kukaku whispered as Kaichou shrugged.

"Well men will be men. Anyways you're in my squad, right?" Kaichou asked as Kukaku nodded.

"Good…only problem is that the only position that's available is the Lieutenant's position. Interested?" Kaichou asked as everyone's jaw dropped.

"You've got to be funning me." Kukaku scoffed.

"I assure you I'm not. You've got character and your skill at inventing a new style of Kido attack is impressive. Besides you don't seem like the type that takes anyone's guff. I need someone with the chutzpa to keep the men in line as well as the power to do so. And you're the perfect candidate for the job. Interested?" Kaichou asked as Kukaku grinned and saluted.

"I'm honored." She replied as they shook hands.

"After that, Kukaku was my Lieutenant for a full two years. Then I get called into a Captains meeting one day to discuss the formation of a new Squad. This is where Squad Fourteen was formed. The order had been handed down directly from Central 46. I was chosen to command this squad and I asked that my Lieutenant and the third seats be transferred along with me. At the same time, Kisuke Urahara was chosen to be the new Captain of Squad Twelve and I figured that I should at least introduce myself to the "Boy Wonder." The reason for this was because both Isshin and I were absent at the meeting where he was promoted. Isshin was leading a task force in the World of the Living and I was working to build Squad Fourteen up."

110 Years ago…
Outside of the Soul Reaper Institute's construction site…

Kisuke Urahara was busily overseeing the creation of the "Soul Reaper Institute of Research and Development" while his Lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki, stood…or rather…sulked nearby. The third seat, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was working closer on the scene and was out of sight. Kisuke didn't notice a trio of shadows approaching from behind.

"Captain Urahara." A female voice said from behind. Kisuke turned curiously around and saw Kaichou, Kukaku, and Isshin standing behind him. Isshin was wearing a sleeveless white Haori with tattered ends like Kenpachi Zaraki would wear it years later.

"I must apologize for our absence at your promotion ceremony. Allow me to make introductions; I am the Captain of Squad Fourteen, The Black Wrangler. This is my Lieutenant, Kukaku Shiba." Kaichou introduced.

"Captain Kenpachi Isshin Kurosaki, Squad Eleven." Isshin introduced.

"Ah yes I was told that you weren't going to be there. It's okay; I'm slowly learning the troubles of building up a Squad and leading it." Kisuke said as Kaichou sighed with a smile.

"Don't I know it? Actually I've got a special project to propose to you." Kaichou said as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a rolled up scroll.

"Really? Now I'm curious what this idea is." Kisuke said as he approached on his wooden clogs. Suddenly he was kicked in the side of the face by an irate young Lieutenant. Before Hiyori could say anything however she heard someone shout…

"Must kill technique: ISSHIN'S SLIDING!!!" Isshin shouted as he slid up to Hiyori and grabbed her by the back of the head before slamming her face first into the ground a few meters before skidding to a stop.

"Lieutenant Sarugaki…you never learn do you?" Isshin asked.

"Oh come on Kurosaki! Picking on girls a third your height! Now that's just pathetic!" Kukaku shouted as Kaichou sighed and put a hand to the side of her face.

"Here we go again." She moaned softly.

"Hey! I don't recall asking you Shiba! Or would you like to go a couple of rounds and see who survives?!" Isshin challenged.

"Oh you are so ON!" Kukaku growled as her fists started glowing and Isshin raised his fists. Immediately they lunged at each other and started brawling with each other. Kaichou just sighed and shook her head.

"Are those two together?" Kisuke asked curiously.

"Shockingly, no." Captain Shinji Hirako said as he sat on top of a nearby wall.

"Ah Shinji, long time no see. How's that cute Lieutenant of yours? Sosuke Aizen's his name right?" Kaichou asked as Shinji rolled his eyes. Almost immediately, Aizen flash stepped in next to his captain while blushing slightly through his glasses.

"You're interested in him?! DUMBASS! HE'S NOT EVEN HALF YOUR AGE!!!" Hiyori screeched as she kicked Kaichou in the face.

"Certainly a lot of violence out today." Kisuke said with one of his kooky smiles.

"The project we worked on after that was the very Flower Crane Cannon that propelled Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, Yoruichi, and Ganju, into the Soul Society." Kaichou said as Ichigo and the others blinked.

"Wait, you mean you were the mastermind behind it?!" Ichigo asked in surprise.

"It was actually Kukaku's idea and she got full credit for it. Only problem was, that when we test fired it, we used too much Kido and as a result Kukaku got her entire right arm blown off, which is why she wears that prothstetic." Kaichou replied.

"So did you really have a crush on Aizen?" Momo asked curiously.

"At one time I did. Despite Shinji's warnings I maintained a small twinkle of affection towards him. Shinji would later rub my nose in it of course but that's a different story." Kaichou replied.

"Hey Wrangler, perhaps you should tell them how we first met." Kenpachi said with his usual grin. Kaichou chuckled and nodded.

"Ah that was a painful experience. Well as you know, Squad Fourteen was a historical research division, and I learned that some of the rarer historical documents could be found in the Rukongai districts. I didn't like attracting attention so Kukaku and I would go in disguise to collect some of the knowledge. It just so happened that one of our historical ventures took us straight into the Zaraki district. I was going under a false name at the time, since my title was well known, but that particular venture turned out to be a bust and there wasn't anything useful there."

110 Years Ago…
Zaraki District…

Kaichou and Kukaku were emerging from an abandoned hut in the Zaraki district. Both were in civilian robes with conical straw hats on their heads. Kukaku's right sleeve was drooping down to the side now since her arm had been destroyed.

"It's a bit quiet around here don't you think?" Kukaku asked as Kaichou nodded. There was no one around and there were only empty huts and shacks.

"Something has them scared off and I don't think it's us." Kaichou replied.

"Do you think we should get out of here?" Kukaku asked as Kaichou nodded.

"It would make sense. Let's g-UHHH!" Kaichou grunted as she and Kukaku froze from a suffocating amount of Spiritual Pressure.

"What…is…that?" Kukaku grunted.

"I don't know but it's massive!" Kaichou replied as she raised her arm where her Zanpakuto rested in its bracelet form.

"Kae." She said as Hensen Tatsujin morphed into its sealed form. She looked around and saw a tall man standing nearby with a bloodied and horribly damaged sword in his right hand and a long scar down his face. She could tell immediately that he was the source of the Spiritual Pressure.

"Who are you?!" Kaichou asked as the man grinned.

"Dunno, they all call me Zaraki." The man replied as he approached.

"What do you want with us?" Kaichou asked semi-nervously.

"I'm just looking for some fun, and by fun I mean a good fight. You've got a sword so you might or might not be worth my time. How about it?" Zaraki asked as Kaichou raised Hensen Tatsujin.

"Strengthen, Hensen Tatsujin." She said as her Zanpakuto entered its Shikai form.

"I am the Black Wrangler. Captain of Squad Fourteen of the Fourteen Court Guard Squads." Kaichou introduced.

"A title instead of a name huh? You must have some fear about telling someone your name. Either that or you would prefer dying in anonymity. But seriously, you aren't going to be any fun if you don't tell me your name." Zaraki said as Kaichou remained silent and instead had Hensen Tatsujin create a copy of its Shikai in her other hand.

"I'll make you a deal, I'll tell you my alias out here instead. If I feel like it after the battle, I'll tell you my real name." Kaichou said as Zaraki grinned again and nodded.

"Sounds interesting. Alright you're on." Kenpachi said as Kaichou smirked.

"My Alias is…"

"…Yachiru."



End Chapter 48.

Shocking, no? I bet many of you were wondering how I was going to connect Kaichou with Yachiru. Well here you are.

The Black Wrangler: Behind the Scenes…

Renji is walking down the hall of the "Mysterious Theater of the Author's Mind," with a camera in hand.

"Hello I am Lieutenant Renji Abarai, and I am taking you all on a brief tour of the facilities." Renji said as he walked onto the set where Kaichou and Kenpachi were doing a brief run-though of the choreography for the next chapter as the rest of the crew (all the Espada and Arrancar who are not featured in the story), worked at getting everything ready for the next shooting.

Nnoitra was working at fixing a broken boom mike (actually a microphone tied to his Zanpakuto), Barragan was at the soundboard with a pair of headphones on checking the volume levels, Szayel Aporro Granz and Luppi were working on fixing a torn costume for the Executioner, Zommari was observing the practicing duo, Aaroniero was having a rock-paper-scissors tournament with himself and Yammy and Ulquiorra were arguing over a damaged prop.

"It's trash, Yammy." Ulquiorra said calmly as he tossed a broken plastic sheath into the trash but Yammy quickly pulled it back out.

"It is not trash! It's still good!" Yammy argued. Ulquiorra snatched the sheath from his hand, tossed it back into the garbage can and fired a Bala into it.

"Now it is trash." Ulquiorra said as he walked off, leaving an annoyed Yammy behind.

"Damn Ulquiorra…HEY whaddya lookin' at with the camera ya damn red pineapple?!" Yammy roared at the camera.

"Oh just watching the animals." Renji chuckled as he backed away quickly, leaving a very confused Yammy behind.

"Animals? Did my dog get out or something?" Yammy asked confused.

End