CHAPTER 5 : Jonouchi Uchiki, New 3rd Squad Captain

Jonouchi sat up in bed, yawinging as the bright sun shone through his window. He looked around and noticed a familiar surrounding. He was back in his own house. He quickly grasped his shoulder, but he felt no pain whatsoever. He checked it, only to notice that the wound was completely gone. His side as well, showed no signs of injury. Not even a small scar. Was it all just a dream? Did he not fight with his Captain? It seemed to good to be true. To not have any wounds after such a fight. It was impossible. Where were the scars to prove it was all real?

He got up and walked over to his closet to find a shirt. He jerked the closet doors open, rubbing his eyes to wake himself up. When he looked into his closet he nearly fainted. There, all hung up nice and neat, were two sets of Captains Robes. The white robes almost touched the floor they were so long. One the back, the 3rd Squad ensignia was imprinted, and a diamond pattern bordered the bottom edge of the robes. He excitedly pulled one out and threw it on. It was a perfect fit. He was like a little kid at christmas time, very excited and very happy. He looked in a nearby mirror and smiled. He had actually made it. He was now the 3rd Squad Captain.

He began to make his way over to his bedroom door to exit, lost deep in thought of his accomplishments. There was a loud crash coming from downstairs, which quickly woke him up from his daydreams. He grabbed O'kamitoku and silently made his way downstairs. There was a small shadow coming from his kitchen. He drew his sword as silently as possible. Before looking to see what it was, he charged. The intruder turned, eyes wide with fear. There was a loud, high - pitched scream as they threw up their hands, defending with a large frying pan. Jonouchi froze when he noticed who it was he attacked. Immediately he knew, the lavender colored hair was a dead give away. "What are you doing here!?" Jonouchi shouted.

Kalinda opened one eye and sighed. " I have been taking care of YOU!" she shouted back. "Some thanks I get, huh? You try to KILL me!?"

Jonouchi laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Um... Sorry... I didn't know it was you..." he apologized. She just sighed and shook her head.

"What's done is done..." she said. "Anyway, you hungy?" she smiled, holding up the frying pan.

Jonouchi sat quietly at the table while Kalinda moved around the kitchen. It seemed kind of awkward having somebody cook for him. She moved around very fast, like she already knew where everything was. "How long have you been here?" he asked, sounding rude but not meaning to.

"About two days now." she laughed. "You're one heavy sleeper. Carried you all the way home, and put you to bed. Captain Unohana stopped by to tend to your wounds. And Captain Zaraki stopped by yesterday to check up on you..." she said, working at the stove.

"And I thank you for that." Jonouchi said, sounding kind of shy.

Both sat down together and ate breakfast, neither speaking a single word. There was an awkward silence filling the room. After a half hour or better, the two finished their meals. "So, how was your meal, Captain?" she asked with a huge smirk.

"Excellent!" Jonouchi replied, giving her a thumbs up. Kalinda blushed and took the dishes to be washed. Jonouchi saw, and knew she was trying to hide it, as she ddn't turn around for quite some time.

"I saw your match..." she said "You did very well..."

"Oh... Heh... Um... Thanks..." was all he could say. Even though he won, he wasn't happy about it. It didn't seem like Ichimaru was even trying.

Kalinda looked up at the clock and gasped, nearly falling out of her chair. "Shoot! I have to get moving! Captain Ukitaki has called a squad meeting!"

"Oh, ok... Thanks for the -" he started, but it was too late. She was already gone. He sat for a while longer. He continued to ponder about his fight before. He had seen Ichimaru fight before, and knew he wasn't giving it his all. He would have demolished Jonouchi if he had wanted. He had decided not to think about it, and moved to an open window for some fresh air.

"Finally!" came a booming voice. Jonouchi looked around, and the wall opposite him suddenly caved in, dust and rock scattering everywhere. Jonouchi quickly drew his Zanpakuto,and prepared to defend. He could see a tall figure in the cloud of dust. "What are you doing here?" the voice laughed. Jonouchi Quickly recognized the voice as 11th Squad Captain Zaraki Kenpachi.

" I LIVE here..." Jonouchi said, staring at the shattered debris left in Zaraki's wake. He sheathed his sword as Zaraki began to step from the rubble.

"Sorry 'bout the wall." he frowned, pointing to the piles of smashed rock and glass.

"Don't worry about it... It's fixable..." he sighed, taking a seat. A smashed wall to his house. Just more trouble for later.

"I came to check up on ya." he said, looking around. "Hey kid, where did your girlfriend go?"

"She has a meeting with Captain Ukitaki." he replied. He sat there staring into space. About a minute later of silence, he flew out of his seat, his face a bright red. "Wait!" he shouted. "She is NOT my girlfriend!"

Zaraki just laughed. About 5 minutes of silence passed, and Zaraki stood up. "You're all better then?" he asked.

"Yup! 100!" Jonouchi said. Just then, Zaraki's hand came down where Jonouchi was sitting, cluttching his Zanpakuto. Jonouchi jumped out of the way just as the sword made contact with the chair. "What the hell are you doing!?" Jonouchi shouted, getting to his feat.

"If you're all better, then you can fight me." Zaraki said with a serious grin.

"No way!" Jonouchi said as he dodged another one of Zaraki's attacks. "I just got better!"

"You're not going to get any stronger just sitting there." Zaraki scowled, raising his blade. As he brought it down, Jonouchi ran through the hole that Zaraki created upon entering Jonouchi's home. He ran down the street, the other 3rd Squad members obviously confused by all the noise.

About an hour passed when he finally stopped. He looked around for his spikey - haired stalker. He sighed and took a seat on a nearby crate. He looked down the old, worn alleyway. Garbage littered the ground, and the walls of the accomodations were all cracked and beaten down. He recognized this place. It was the highest numbered district of Rukongai, the Wandering Soul Town. Rukongai is the name of the great village that lies just outside the gates of Soul Society. It's Divided into 320 districts. 80 in the north, south, east, and west. The higher numbered districts had the worst living conditions and crimes were common. This was obviously district 80. Although he wasn't sure if it was north, south, east, or west. He had no idea who would want to live like this. Or even why Soul Society wouldn't do anything about it.

Jonouchi was lost in thought. when he heard footsteps. He bolted upright, searching the premises. The footsteps seemed to have stopped, as it got oddly quiet. The sound of a glass bottle shattering startled him. He soon realized that it was coming from one of the nearb houses, probably a bar. He looked up and noticed a figure on the roof top. The sun shone brightly, making it difficult to make out what it was. The figure suddely moved, and Jonouchi froze. It jumped from the roof top, quickly falling to where Jonouchi was positioned. He broke into a run and turned as the figure made contact, sending a wave of dust everywhere. People rushed out of their houses, wondering what was going on. They quickly recognized Jonouchi's Captain robes. "What's a Shinigami, let alone a Captain, doing here!?" an old man asked angrily.

"Looks like I found you." a laugh came from the cloud of dust as the figure appeared. It jumped from the rubble, revealing the giant Kenpachi.

"I'm not going to fight you!" Jonouchi shouted as he ran away yet again.

"Hey, wait kid!" he shouted to Jonouchi, who chose not to listen. "I have some info you should know!" he shouted as he gave chase. He kept on him for quite some time, but eventually Jonouchi outsmarted Zaraki. "Damn kid..." he cursed, resuming his search.

Jonouchi continued running through Soul Society, trying to escape the already lost Zaraki Kenpachi. He kept bolting ahead, left, right, another right. He just wouldn't quit. He'd be damned if he'd get caught by that blood-thirsty fool. He turned a corner, and smashed into something, throwing him backwards. He rubbed his neck and stood up, noticing another Shinigami sitting on the ground, clenching their behind tightly.

"I'm so sorry!" Jonouchi exclaimed, trying to help the fallen Shinigami stand.

"Ow!" she shouted, and painful smile spread across her face. She took Jonouchi's hand and stood, dusting herself off. He noticed her long, silky black hair. It blended in well with her robes. "Don't worry about it." she laughed. "What's the 3rd Squad Captain doing running around the 5th Squad Headquarter anyway?" she asked with a smirk.

"Oh yeah... Well, I'm trying to get away from that battle crazy 11th Squad Captain. He's been chasing me around all day." he sighed as he noticed the sun was starting to set.

"Zaraki Kenpachi? Ha. Poor thing." she laughed. "Well, you better get moving. Zaraki gets lost VERY easily, but I bet it won't take him long to find you... Wait... That's not much of a confidence booster, is it?" she started to walk away, but turned back. "Oh yeah. My name's Anna Sakkidatta. 1st Seat of Squad 5. "

"Nice to meet you." Jonouchi replied. "I'm -"

"Jonouchi Uchiki, 3rd Squad Captain." she answered for him. "I already know YOU. I mean, come on. EVERYONE is talking about you. the rookie who flew through the ranks and defeated the fearsome 3rd Squad former Captain, Ichimaru Gin. You've become quite popular, you know." she smiled sweetly. Jonouchi just blushed.

"Um... No... I didn't..." he replied very nervously. She walked over to him and smiled. She leaned over, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Maybe... I'll see you around sometime?" she asked, grinning at his startled reaction.

"Maybe..." he replied. He smiled, and she began to walk away.

"We'll see each other soon" she thought to herself, smirking as she left.

Jonouchi sighed as he began to walk away. He didn't expect to become attracted to someone so easily. He walked on as he thought about her, smiling with every step.

"Yellow!" came a shout from overhead. Jonouchi, being easily stratled, almost fell. He looked up, and noticed someone falling in the blackness of the night. Before he had time to move, the person swung around his neck and perched herself on his shoulder. From what he could see, it was a little pink - haired girl dressed in Shinigami robes. She looked like a pink - haired grade schooler. "Hi! My Captain needs to speak with you!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"What's your rank?" Jonouchi asked, doubting her.

"I'm Vice - Captain Yachiru Kusajishi!" she shouted. My Captain would like to have a word with you!"

"My name is -"

"I know! Yellow!" she giggled, grabbing his arm. "Come ON! We need to hurry!" she pulled his arm and went into a Flash Step. Jonouchi felt as if his arm was being ripped off. She was a powerful grade schooler. After a few minutes, they reached their destination. "My Captain is right inside there!" she pointed to a pair of doors and Flash Stepped away. Jonouchi knocked and entered. Fear filled him as he saw who was sitting there. He had fallen into a trap.

"I TOLD you not to run, kid." he growled. There sat Zaraki Kenpachi, Jonouchi's pursuer. Jonouchi turned to run, but was knocked over as he ran into what felt like a brick wall. He looked up to see Zaraki now standing in the doorway. "Flash Step is an easy technique, as you know." he told Jonouchi. "No more running."

"I don't WANT to fight you!" Jonouchi shouted.

"I gave up on that around noon." Zaraki laughed. "I have information for you. Yamamoto wants to speak with you. You MIGHT want to hurry. He's been waiting for hours." he scowled, leaving the room. Jonouchi Flashed away, dreading the worst. Yamamoto had been waiting since about noon for him? It was almost 10:00 at night! He hurried to the Captains meeting room and knocked.

"Come in." came a voice, whom he recognized as Yamamoto, 1st Squad Captain and Shinigami Commander. Jonouchi entered to see Yamamoto and another person standing next to him. "You're late. Very late." he started.

"I'm sorry, Captain." Jonouchi replied, bowing his head.

"Just don't let it happen again." he replied with a laugh. "I'm not angry, just a little tired. Now down to business..." he paused. "Your former Vice - Captain, Kira Izuru, went missing earlier this morning. We haven't a clue where he is, we just want you to be careful. And also..." he started, clearing his throat. "That leaves you without a Vice - Captain. So, I'd like you to meet Kaze Akurei. He will be filling the position."

The kid was dressed in orange Shinigami robes. And kid was right. He was just a little taller than Zaraki's Vice - Captain, Yachiru. He had medium length brown hair, and the appearance of a ten year old. "This is my Captain?" he questioned. "He doesn't look like much..."

Jonouchi was angry, but kept his remarks to himself. "He has a bad mouth, but he'll be a good Vice - Captain. His skills are tremendous. In the mean time, apprehend Kira if you see him. You both are dismissed." Yamamoto said, and they both Flashed off. "What have you gotten yourself into, Kira?" he asked himself, as he flashed off into the night.

"What a day..." Jonouchi laughed. "Wake up to find Kalinda taking care of me, chased by a blood - thirsty Captain, met Anna, tricked by a pink haired preschooler, and was assigned a Vice - Captain child with a badass attitude..." he smiled as he entered his ruined home. "What a day..." he smiled, drifting off to sleep.