"Captain Hitsugaya…what is the meaning of this? You called using the priority one emergency code on your transmission." Captain Ukitake asked concerned knowing that his peer wouldn't use that code without good reason.
"Early this morning Kasumi detected the reiatsu of an arrancar. She said it felt like the one that had kidnapped her and experimented on her…I had Urahara check and the reiatsu signature was a close but not exact match to the previously mentioned arrancar. I'm transmitting the data to you now for analysis as well as Kasumi's statement. I'm afraid that this arrancar she sensed is out for revenge. Please inform the captain-commander and other captains that it is my recommendation that we recall Kasumi to the soul society and move up the date of her promotion ceremony. I also recommend that substitute shinigami Raiden Nao be ordered to the soul society for training. I believe he might be more important than any of us realize yet." Captain Hitsugaya stated his expression telling Ukitake what he meant.
"Just glancing at the data I'm inclined to agree. I'll get in touch with Captain-commander Yamamoto and inform him of the situation…we'll get in touch with you when a decision is made…Toshiro please keep her safe. She's already seen and been through far more than anyone should in any number of lifetimes." Captain Ukitake said quietly.
"I plan to Jushiro…I plan to…" Captain Hitsugaya stated not correcting Ukitake for using his given name.
Raiden charged yet again with the point of his trident forward causing Kasumi to laugh at the similarities between his and Ikkaku's styles. She ducked to the right then swung out her left leg catching Raiden in the back of his left knee forcing him to one knee.
"Try not to be so predictable Raiden or I'll have to have you spar with your spirit a bit in your inner world…actually that sounds like a good idea I need to speak with Yoru for a bit so we'll both meditate for a bit." Kasumi stated ambling over to the nearest rock and settling down to meditate.
"Sure though I wouldn't mind a bite to eat after we get done meditating." Raiden stated wistfully joining Kasumi and slipping into a meditative state like it was as easy and automatic as breathing.
When Kasumi opened her eyes to see her inner world she felt something very off there was another presence on the far side of the glacier. Motioning for Yoru to follow she headed to investigate.
"What's the matter Toshiro?" Captain Ukitake asked noting the sudden change in his features.
"Kasumi's reiatsu has altered the same for Raiden's it's like their reiatsu is resonating and blending into one signature…" Captain Hitsugaya stated "Get the information to Captain-commander Yamamoto as soon as you can Jushiro I'll send along the data from this new occurrence as soon as Urahara has the chance to collect and analyze it."
"Understood Toshiro I'll take this matter to sensei immediately we'll be in touch as soon as possible…" Captain Ukitake stated summoning a hell butterfly to carry a message to the Captain-commander as he disconnected the call.
'I only hope I'm wrong and over reacting to this arrancar appearing…' Captain Hitsugaya thought as he went to see what the hell was going on with his fourth seat's reiatsu.
"Raiden what are you doing in my inner world?!" Kasumi yelled from the top of the glacier.
"Your inner world?! What are you talking about this is my inner world!" Raiden responded surprised by Kasumi's sudden appearance.
"Kasumi the reason you and Raiden are able to be in each other's inner world is because of us…" Yoru stated leaping from the top of the glacier to stand by Ara "We are twin spirits…"
"The worlds we reside in are in reality one world because of this…" Ara stated.
"Right now everyone is gathered around you because your reiatsu signatures are resonating and blending into one signature…when you are ready we will teach you to blend your unique reiatsu signatures into one to create a technique that will give you a nearly unbeatable edge in combat." Yoru stated "Now it is time for you to return there are important things that need to be discussed by you two and Kasumi's superiors…"
"KASUMI SNAP OUT OF IT ALREADY!" Matsumoto yelled in Kasumi's ear.
"Wahhh!" Kasumi yelled jumping and accidentally landing in Raiden's lap "Jeez lieutenant what the hell's with you I haven't been in my inner world that long and I'm not injured in any way!"
"Your reiatsu was doing some weird stuff…" Matsumoto replied.
"We know! We were just learning about the problem ourselves!" Kasumi snapped fighting back the blush that threatened to rise because of where she was currently seated before quickly relaying what Yoru and Ara related omitting the part about the mysterious technique as she scrambled to find a less embarrassing seat while Toshiro took a call on his soul pager.
"Anyway Kasumi you and Raiden are to report to the soul society in the morning. The date of your promotion ceremony has been moved up to tomorrow at sunrise Kasumi and Raiden you are to report for formalized training at the academy and continue your training with squad 5's new captain you will also be staying with said captain and their squad." Captain Hitsugaya stated "Go eat and get some rest."
"Yes sir, Captain Hitsugaya we understand." Kasumi stated standing to try and preserve what was left of her dignity she stalked off to head up stairs for dinner.
"Who's the new captain of squad 5 if you don't mind my asking?" Raiden asked curious to know.
"You'll see soon enough Raiden…Gin I trust you can handle things here while I attend the ceremonies." Urahara stated looking at his charge.
"O' course I can there's no need ta worry ya self…" Gin stated wearing his usual mocking grin.
"Hey Kasumi are you alright?" Yoruichi asked joining Kasumi on the roof of the shop.
"Yeah Yoruichi I'm fine…I'm just nervous I've only been a shinigami for not even the tiniest fraction of the time that…"
"You wouldn't be promoted if you hadn't earned it Kasumi. Besides you won't be doing much more paperwork than you already do and you'll have subordinates that actually do their share of the work…and I'm not helping am I?" Yoruichi asked watching Kasumi shake her head no "let me guess you're afraid of being the one in charge, giving the orders, possibly sending your men to their deaths, and holding the final word on any given subject in your jurisdiction…"
Kasumi nodded giving a small "Yes."
Yoruichi laughed at the usually rock solid shinigami sitting next to her acting like a child on their first day at a new school.
"A word of advice…be yourself…have faith in your people and they'll have faith in you." She stated placing a hand on Kasumi's shoulder "Now get some sleep you've got a long day tomorrow and that will be only the first of many to come."
"Yeah you're right I'll see you in the morning…night…" Kasumi said softly as she rose to go inside.
She walked to the room she and Raiden shared and collapsed on her futon once again not bothering to remove her zanpakuto or pull a blanket over her tired form. Raiden came in to their room and saw Kasumi once again sleeping without a blanket over her he draped one over her sleeping form before laying down and pulling the covers over himself. A couple of hours before dawn Raiden was rousted from sleep by his zanpakuto spirit's voice telling him if he didn't get a move on the others would leave without them.
"Everything should have already been set up for you Kasumi. Oh try to remember one thing for those of us that have trained you and watched you grow into your power…you've earned this promotion and the right to stand next to Captain Hitsugaya as his equal." Yoruichi stated as Raiden joined the group.
"Alright everyone's here…" Captain Hitsugaya said drawing his zanpakuto he turned it 90 degrees and opened a senkaimon "let's move out. Raiden you will need to use flash step to avoid being caught by the cleaner since you don't have a hell butterfly yet."
"I'll run with him captain the Dangai can be a little unsettling the first time you see it not that it's not still unsettling after the thousandth time." Kasumi volunteered smiling at her soon to be charge.
"As you wish just be quick about it we don't need you missing your promotion ceremony." Captain Hitsugaya stated as he summoned the necessary amount of hell butterflies.
Kasumi and Raiden ran ahead a little bit managing to avoid the cleaner and burst into the soul society skidding to a stop to avoid colliding with the welcoming party while the others calmly emerged from the gate like it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Lieutenant Matsumoto all lieutenants are to accompany their captains to the meeting." Karin stated "Congratulations Kasumi it's about damn time that old geezer gave you the rank and title you deserve…"
"Thanks Karin I'm a little nervous still I mean it's a lot more responsibility than being a 4th seat…"
"You'll be fine Kasumi just remember what I told you last night."
"Right Yoruichi…" Kasumi said taking a deep breath and letting out.
When Kasumi looked up towards the 1st squad barracks her eyes were filled with a fiery determination that no one close to Kasumi had seen in 14 long years. Kasumi and Raiden were waiting outside the meeting hall waiting to be called in when the doors opened.
"Kasumi please join the captains, lieutenants, and other notable persons of the soul society." 1st squad lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe said bowing.
"Thank you lieutenant." Kasumi said walking into the meeting hall but not before shooting a smile at the 1st squad lieutenant.
Kasumi gave a slight start when the doors slammed shut behind her but she moved forward and knelt in proper respect as all the lieutenants were behind their respective captains in the presence of the most powerful beings of the soul society. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Urahara and Yoruichi flash brief smiles in her direction before the ceremony began.
"4th seat Kasumi Reitoushin of squad 10…" Captain-commander Yamamoto boomed banging his walking stick that concealed the most powerful zanpakuto in the soul society on the floor "from today on you will kneel to no one. Rise Kasumi Reitoushin captain of squad 5 for you are among your equals. Captain Ukitake, Captain Hitsugaya since neither of you would step down in favor of the other please present Captain Reitoushin with her haori."
Captain Ukitake and Captain Hitsugaya moved forward taking the haori from Kasumi's lieutenant and holding it up for her to slip into. Lieutenant Hinamori moved forward to hold her captain's effects while she was helped into her haori. Once Kasumi had her new sleeveless haori on her Kasumi tied her scarf around her waist instead of wearing it around her neck and replaced her zanpakuto on her back before taking her rightful place in line with the other captains between Captain Kurosaki and Captain Komamura with her lieutenant kneeling just behind her.
"Captain Reitoushin you and the lieutenants are dismissed. Your squad eagerly awaits your arrival at your barracks. You will be informed of the goings on of the meeting regarding the young man you have been training by one of the other captains at your earliest convenience." Captain-commander Yamamoto boomed out.
"Thank you Captain-commander. I am eager to meet my squad and begin working with them to improve our squad." Kasumi stated bowing and exiting the meeting hall with her lieutenant in tow.
She was surrounded by the lieutenants as soon as she made it out the meeting hall congratulating her many expressing their feelings that this was far too long in coming.
"Raiden Nao please join the captains." Lieutenant Sasakibe stated gesturing for Raiden to enter the meeting hall before going to offer his own congratulations to the newly minted Captain Reitoushin.
Raiden caught a brief glimpse of a white haori in with the lieutenants but couldn't see who the owner was.
'I'll find out soon enough…' he thought.
"Captain Reitoushin…" Momo began.
"Stuff the Captain Reitoushin bull for now Momo we've known each other long enough to call each other by our given names. You only need to refer to me by title in formal settings…ok?" Kasumi stated.
"Ok…Kasumi I hope you'll be happy in our squad…" Momo stated wringing her hands nervously.
"I'm sure I will be Momo. It'll be different from the 10th but I'm looking forward to helping the squad grow strong and showing everyone that the past is just that the past. It's a new day and from now on our squad will move forward traitors be dammed." Kasumi stated placing her hand on her lieutenant's shoulder and giving Momo a fierce grin that showed off her long sharp fangs.
"Right!" Momo said with a small smile of her own and a fierce nod of her head "We're here Kasumi…Welcome to squad 5 Captain." Momo pushed open the gate to reveal the Kasumi's new home. "Attention everyone!" Momo called "The captain has arrived!"