A/N: Juushiro Ukitake and Kaien Shiba show up this chapter. And Aizen shows up in the next chapter. Finally. :)
22: Rumors
"Have you heard?" Juushiro asked the dark-haired young man sitting across from him.
"Heard what, Ukitake-taichou?" Kaien Shiba asked, picking up the freshly poured mug of tea and taking a sip. He met his superior's brown eyes over the rim, raising a questioning brow.
"About the new graduate from Shino Academy. Apparently he's a real prodigy; he graduated in only a year." The white-haired captain picked up his own mug of tea, blowing on the surface to cool the steaming liquid.
"Wow," Kaien whistled under his breath, impressed. "He's got me beat. It took me two years." He gazed out across the wide expanse of gardens in the Thirteenth Division, admiring the koi lazily drifting around the pond. "So how old is this kid?"
"Hmm," Juushiro contemplated the question for a moment, then answered, "I'd say he's about the Kuchiki twins' age. Maybe even a little bit younger."
"Oh yeah?" Kaien looked back at Juushiro, sipping from his mug. "That's pretty incredible. So what's his name?"
Juushiro tucked a lock of white hair behind his ear and gazed up at the sky, wrinkling his brow in concentration. "I believe it was…something odd. Gin…Gin Ichimaru. That's it."
The words had barely left his lips when they heard a soft gasp from the around the corner of the building. Kaien and Juushiro turned around, surprised.
Sakura Kuchiki walked sheepishly around the corner, face flushed with embarrassment. "Ah…Ukitake-taichou…Shiba-san, I'm so sorry for sneaking up like this." She fiddled with the edge of her violet yukata nervously as she tried to explain herself. "I was coming by to visit you, but I heard Shiba-san's voice and knew you had a guest, so I figured I probably shouldn't disturb your conversation. But then I heard you mention Ichimaru-san's name, and I was really surprised, and…yeah." She trailed off awkwardly, lowering her gaze.
Juushiro laughed. "You know you're welcome to join our conversation any time you wish, Kuchiki-chan. Come now, sit with us. Would you like some tea?" He indicated the teapot sitting on the table between them.
"Sure, Ukitake-taichou. Thank you." Sakura watched as he filled up her mug, then picked it up, taking a careful sip.
"So have you met Ichimaru-san, Kuchiki-san?" Kaien asked the noble girl.
She put down her cup and nodded. "Yes. I met him the other day."
"I would love to meet that kid," Kaien sighed. "I mean, graduating in only a year? That's impressive. Anyone know what division he's in?"
Juushiro nodded slowly. "I believe he's in the Fifth."