A/N: Hey, people. This story will not die! Not till I've completed it anyways. I do apologize for the time between the last update and this one, though. I've been busy with exams, overseas holidays, and the restarting of school. I know it's not much excuse, but I'll just use it anyway! :P

Shoutout Time!

Heir of Schiffer: I see your point on him winning too easily, but remember that even Chad took down a 3rd seat with a single punch. It's already been portrayed in the story that a majority of shinigami below Lieutenant level are really weak. I apologize for the long wait, and it's good if you're able to envision the fights, because I have to polish up on fight scenes myself. For some reason, whenever I read it, it seems messy.

randomguy24: Hey! Thanks for the compliments. As I said to Heir of Schiffer earlier, I still have a long way to go with fight scenes. Glad you're enjoying it for the moment though. Also, I get your point in Shuhei trying to get Shiro in his own squad, but the squad listings are subject to change, and quite frankly, I have no idea on how to write Captain Tousen (crap, secret's out!). And thus, I went with Rangiku, since it was the other lieutenant that Shiro knew.

Furionknight: You haz moar.

Demiser of D: Thank you for reviewing this. Yes, I see the point in your message, and it's going to be a tough mental workout trying to limit Shiro. The only problem with actually limiting Shiro is that if it appears forced, the story will get very choppy. So instead of limiting him, I'm going to go for the other route. There are others more powerful than him, and these aren't OCs. I am actually very ashamed of my uploading speed, but that's just my busy side coming out.

Opening Song: Karma - Bump of Chicken

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Tite Kubo does. I do, however, own the OC's thus far.

Chapter 15

According to Shuhei, the strawberry-blonde lieutenant had a tendency to overcook food in more than one way. There would always be twice the amount of food for the intended amount of people.

As such, we invited Toshiro to join in as well during our search for the other captains. The boy-captain had refused straight out when he heard Rangiku was the one preparing the food, but after he found out that Tomoyo was helping out as well, he grudgingly agreed and tagged along with us on another trip to collect his friend Momo from the Fifth Division Headquarters.

Momo had also asked her captain, who was none other than the infamous Captain Aizen who taught the calligraphy classes at the academy, to join us. He replied to her invitation with a kind smile, and nodded his answer. Somehow, things only got more confusing from there.

After retrieving Captain Kyoraku, he had opted to invite his lieutenant, whom he called his 'precious Na-na-o'. The stern-faced lieutenant simply rolled her eyes at her captain and reluctantly gave in to his pleading.

As if that wasn't enough, Captain Kyoraku brought all of us along to the Thirteenth Division Headquarters after, where he invited Captain Ukitake, the captain of the 13th. Two 3rd seats from the same squad trailed behind their captain, needlessly declaring their respect and admiration for him. I mentally facepalmed; this was getting out of hand. The number of people had jumped from six to thirteen.

After collecting Izuru Kira, the Lieutenant of the Squad 3, we had to turn back to the Eighth Division Headquarters to just because Captain Kyoraku forgot to collect the 'drinks', which smelled suspiciously of alcohol. Then again, seeing as Rangiku hinted earlier that the captain himself got drunk on a regular basis I shouldn't have been so surprised.

It had been about an hour or so since we left the Tenth Division Headquarters, and dinner would've been ready by now. We walked back as a group, drawing many stares from onlookers who managed to catch a glimpse of the four captains. I was fervently hoping that we got back to Headquarters quickly. The endless proclamations of devotion by the pair of 3rd seats, who were introduced as Sentarou and Kiyone, were beginning to grate on my nerves.

After about fifteen minutes, we got back to the Headquarters to find another surprise. There was a fox-faced man in a captain's haori sitting on the dining table. There was the kanji for '3' on the back of the white piece of clothing.

"Why, hello." The captain of the Third Division greeted us with a fox-like smile. I groaned inwardly. Just what we needed, Captain Ichimaru of the Third Division.

Make that fourteen people.

"Dinner is served!" Rangiku called, laying the final dish on the table with a rather grand flourish.

I peered into the bowl that she had just set. It was supposed to be soup…I think. Maybe stew? It's a little hard to tell when it's purple with chunks of…meat(?) floating around.

Whatever it was, I was avoiding that dish. Something told me that it spelt danger. The others seemed to recognize its inedibility as well, seeing as they backed away from it after looking at the contents.

"Well, everyone, dig in!" Rangiku said, helping herself to some of the purple stew. Everyone just stared at her while she inserted the Mystery Food X into her mouth, smiling as she did so.

"Mmm, delish! I put in enough eyeballs after all!" The rest of us, including myself, turned a little green after her self-congratulatory comment. Well, nearly all of us, the exception being Captain Ichimaru who managed to mask whatever was on his mind under that fox-like smile of his.

Tomoyo, who was sitting next to me, nudged me lightly with her elbow.

"Whatever you do, don't eat it. She wouldn't let me touch that dish, claiming that it was her specialty." She said in a low voice.

"Specialty or not, I wasn't planning to eat anything you didn't have a hand in." I replied.

She raised an eyebrow at this.

"Shuhei compared Rangiku's kitchen skills with yours earlier." I clarified.

"Ah. Well, then the only dish which you shouldn't eat is that purple stew thing. Oh, and because Rangiku wanted to do a dish all on her own, I did the same. The sausages were something I did on my own." She looked towards Shuhei. "They're Shuhei's favourite."

I made a mental note to tease him about 'sausages' later at some point of time. Those sausages did look and smell good though…

"Well, what're you waiting for, everyone? Dig in!" Rangiku seemed rather excited about the dinner.

Almost instantly, everyone else reached for the Vienna sausages that was set right in the middle. I sweatdropped somewhat.

I guess Shuhei isn't the only person that Tomoyo has cooked for.

Apparently so.

Within seconds, the entire plate of sausages pretty much vanished into thin air, leaving me without any the heavenly-smelling sausages.

Stunned, I looked around. Everyone had one or two already, and to top off the whole thing, Shuhei had four of them heaped on his plate.

"Here, have mine." Tomoyo passed her handiwork from her plate to mine.

"You sure?" I asked, just to check. "You only have one."

"Yeah, but I can make them anytime, so it's alright." She smiled warmly at me.

"Thanks." I replied.

We were both silent for abit after that, so I paid heed to the other conversations taking place around the table.

"Shuhei, stop stuffing your face with those sausages! You look quite ungentlemanly." Rangiku was chastising the Squad 9 Lietenant.

"But I can't help it! It's so good!"

"That's no excuse! Learn to eat properly!"

I chuckled as I bit into the sausage that Tomoyo very generously donated to me. Instantly I understood why Shuhei was gobbling down the damn things like there was no tomorrow. These sausages were divine.

The only problem was that I couldn't. I only had that one measly sausage, and I had to savour every last bit of it. Before the other foods disappeared, I hastily grabbed a small portion of each, minus the stew. Maybe…

I turned my head to another conversation, namely the bumbling duo of the 13th squad.

"Captain, you can have my sausage, sir!" Sentarou declared. I did a spit take. Did he notice the innuendo contained in that sentence?

"What are you saying, you bumblehead!" Kiyone pushed Sentarou aside, "Captain, have my sausage instead!"

I couldn't bear to watch the whole affair anymore; I was at my limit trying to contain my laughter. Instead, I decided to work out my grand master plan looking elsewhere.

I took another bite of my sausage, leaving only about half left. This plan had better work…

"Shiro-chan, how's work?" A voice asked. I turned at the mention of the name, only to find that Momo was addressing the captain of Squad 10.

"Haven't I told you to stop calling me that?" Toshiro protested, though his normally cold eyes were soft when he looked towards her. I chuckled inwardly. Even the icy Captain could melt before another.

"Sorry, I forgot. It's a habit now." Momo apologized, looking down and depressed, but I caught the faintest ghost of a triumphant smile on her face. I smiled. Regardless of how she appeared, Momo Hinamori was a girl knew exactly what she could do to Toshiro.

"Those two really are obvious, aren't they?" Tomoyo commented, surprising me a little.

I recovered. "Yeah, they are. How long have they been going at it?"

"Since the beginning. I knew them even before they entered the academy, seeing as my grandmother was close friends with their adopted grandmother." She looked at them fondly, but there was a twinge of sadness in her expression. "To me, they've always been like the siblings I've never had."

"… I see." I didn't really know what to say. I took another nibble at the sausage.

"Your cooking is excellent, by the way." I complimented her.

"Thank you." There was another bout of uncomfortable silence.

I looked around again. Captain Ichimaru and Captain Aizen were the only ones having a sane conversation, so I decided to listen in.

"It's been a while since things were this merry. Isn't that right, Captain Aizen?" The silver-haired captain was saying, taking a sip of his tea.

"I believe that you of all people would know the answer that question of yours, Captain Ichimaru." Aizen replied.

"So when do you think the next big trouble will arrive?"

"Somewhere in the next three months or so. A peaceful time like this doesn't normally last very long."

"My, my, so soon?" Captain Ichimaru lamented, yet in his smooth voice, it didn't sound very sincere. "Well, I'm sure we'll be very busy trying to put it out."

I bit on my fork. Damn it, I'm out of sausage!

Time to execute the plan. I reached over to Shuhei's plate and speared the last remaining sausage that I knew he was saving as the grand finalé of the dinner with my fork.

"Hey, that's MY sausage!" Shuhei spluttered immediately after he realized that he'd been robbed in broad nightlight. I lept back and was immediately on my feet, and shunpo-ed away from the table.

"In case I don't make it back alive, thanks for the meal!" I took a bite of the sausage and shunpo-ed off into the outdoors, with Shuhei hot on my heels.

"GIVE ME BACK MY SAUSAGE, ARAGAKI!" Shuhei yelled, also using shunpo in an attempt to catch up.

"No can do, Lieutenant! You've got to earn it like a man!" I took another bite of the delicious meat, and shunpo-ed upwards toward the roof and landed nicely on one foot before taking off with another shunpo.

Shiro, on your left!

I turned, only to see a speeding fist aimed for my head. I spun and ducked to my right, letting the arm fly over my shoulder while switching the fork from my left hand to my right, quickly working with the sleight of hand. In the nick of time, my free arm managed block the inevitable kick that came.

"That sausage is mine." He was pretty pissed, alright.

"Fine. You don't have to get so angry." I tossed the fork with the remains of the sausage speared on it to him. He caught it effortlessly and shot me a suspicious look before biting into one end. Almost immediately, his face was flushed red and his eyes began to water.

"W-water!" He gasped.

I couldn't help it. I broke into laughter. Shuhei couldn't take the pain anymore and shunpo-ed off to find some liquid that could relieve the pain, shouting vulgarities at me along the way.

"Very slick of you, Shiro." Tomoyo said, also laughing merrily. She had sneaked up here behind us, seeing as she had a crucial part in the plan.

"It was mostly you; that chilli roll of yours was perfectly identical to the sausage!" I said inbetween convulses of laughter. After the both of us calmed down, I produced the rest of the real sausage from the spaces between my fingers and popped one into my mouth. "You want some? It's still hot."

She took a piece of the sausage and observed it, frowning rather quizzically. "How'd you even slice it up so neatly without a knife?"

I shrugged. "Hado Number 4. Byakurai."

Her expression shifted from a confused one to an incredulous one. She couldn't help but laugh helplessly once again.

"I'll get the both of you next time. You'd better watch out." Shuhei threatened Tomoyo and I darkly.

Everyone at the table had had a good laugh when they saw Lieutenant Hisagi, who was normally stoic and serious, bursting in and begging for water. To top it all off, all of the teacups were already empty, and the only liquid in the room was saké. In the midst of desperation, Shuhei had forgotten that alcohol was bad for spicy foods. Really bad.

I don't think I need to continue.

"Whatever, Lieutenant, I doubt you'd be able to pull a fast one on either of us." I teased him rather unmercifully.

"He's got a point there." Aizen chuckled. Now I could see why he was so popular with everyone. He was soft-spoken and polite, and seemed to be prepared with an encouraging phrase for every situation. His visage was of a kind, bespectacled man who would always be willing to lend a helping hand.

"I think Lieutenant Hisagi might stand a chance. He just has to recruit the proper accomplices." Gin supplied, siding with Shuhei. "Maybe Yachiru or myself, if you want a sure-fire success, Shuhei."

"Or maybe Captain Ukitake! Whatever the captain does, it's done well!" Sentarou suggested from over the table. Of course, this led to another argument with Kiyone which I promptly decided to tune out from.

"Perhaps you'll need someone like me to distract him first!" Rangiku added.

I shook my head. "Rangiku, I already told you, you're not my type."

Shuhei's expression was beginning to sour. "When did he tell you that you weren't his type?"

"Not important." Rangiku waved the question away. "On the matter at hand, why don't you ask Izuru to help you?" She turned to said lieutenant and pulled him closer with one arm. "I'm sure he'd be happy to help you. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, I would. Can you let go of me now, Rangiku? You're beginning to hurt my neck." He was promptly released and proceeded to massage himself on the affected areas.

"Maybe you can get Yosuke to help you." I decided to add oil over troubled waters, grinning at him.

Shuhei's face soured even further. "You think I can't do this by myself?"

Gin answered this question with his trademark grin. "Quite frankly, yes. Good luck trying though."

After the somewhat eventful dinner, I returned to the academy with a full stomach. Or rather, attempted to return to the academy. Simply put, I got lost.

I wandered around the Seireitei grounds for a while, once in a while asking from directions from the guards that were stationed every post.

Shiro, do you need my help?

That would be nice.

Turn left.

I did as she instructed and discovered that I was in front of the 5th Division headquarters.

The academy isn't too far from here. I assume you remember more or less where you are now?

You're in my mind, do you even have to ask?

Fair point.

I walked past the 5th Division headquarters, heading southward. If my memory served me right, the 5th Division was due north of the Academy.

"I thought you were going to the 10th, not the 5th." A voice sounded from behind me. I allowed myself a smile and turned around.

"Nice to see you too, Ayame." I replied as she walked into the light of the nearby torch.

"Spill it, what're you doing here?" She frowned.

"I got lost on the way back."

"I see. Well, continue in the direction you were walking earlier and make a right." She instructed before walking off in the opposite direction of what she indicated.

"You're not going back to the Academy?" I asked.

"I have some things to do. I'll see you tomorrow or something." She replied.

"Want me to come along?" I asked.

She froze, as if she was considering whether to allow me to follow or not.

"No, it's a private matter. I'll see you tomorrow." She replied after a while with a tone of finality before beginning to move again.

"Alright then." Regardless of the curiosity that nagged my mind, I had to allow her her secrets, just as I have mine.

I walked off in solitude towards the academy.

I was about five minutes from the academy when I realized that something about the eerie silence of the night was off.

Instantly I spun and drew the asauchi that I was now allowed to keep with me. There was no one there, but my soul knew otherwise.

"Impressive senses, especially from one so new." I turned, only to look straight into the eyes of Captain Aizen.

"Captain Aizen. It's an honour meeting you out here." I sheathed my blade, and gave a slight bow.

"Hm." He nodded. "Did you hear anything suspicious before our encounter?"

"That depends on what you mean by suspicious, Captain." I replied.

"Anything at all, really. I believe there may be a traitor in the midst of the Soul Society, so I came out looking for him today." He enlightened me. "Of course, whatever I say to you now must be kept between us. We can't afford the risk of the traitor knowing that there are people searching for him."

"Of course, Captain Aizen." I nodded.

A traitor in the Soul Society?

It has happened before. And each time, the consequences were terrible. It led to multiple rebellions that spilled the blood of millions.

"I say this to you only because I know that you are not guilty of the crime and I require an extra eye. The evidence that the traitor even existed was detected about two months prior to your arrival. However, he is a slippery one, and still hasn't been found." The bespectacled Captain shook his head somewhat regretfully.

"I see." I replied. "So that's what you were discussing with Captain Ichimaru earlier?" I continued on to guess.

"You are a perceptive one. However, before I continue any further, I do need to ask this. Are you willing to help me, Shiro?" He asked, with an urgent tone of voice.

"Of course, Captain."

He sighed with relief. "That's good to hear." He looked seriously at me.

"Be aware that you should refrain from speaking of this to anyone." Captain Aizen warned. The look on the captain's face was a deadly one, as if the earlier kindness was just a mask for this expression. The flickering flames from the nearby torch lighted up his face, and in that particular moment of time, the Captain of the 5th Division looked simply awe-inspiring.

"I believe that…"

"Either Captain Ichimaru or Captain Hitsugaya is the traitor." The revelation stunned me completely.

How...?

Closing Song: Saikou no Kataomoi - Tainaka Sachi

A/N: So how many of you saw that coming? I know I didn't since it wasn't exactly planned. I'm going with the flow, but I'm checking frequently to make sure I don't contradict myself or Bleach in general. As usual, I find this chapter rather messy as well, so tell me if certain parts ARE messy and I'll rewrite them.

Reviews would be extremely appreciated. Yes, this is my 'killer sign-out phrase.' Do you like it? :P