"Shunsui! Shunsui! SHUNSUI!" Jerking awake Shunsui looked around confusedly for a few seconds before his eyes settled on the form of Juushiro Ukitake bending over him and giving him a strict glare. "Get up already! We have a meeting in a few minutes and the new captain is being introduced." Shunsui gave a jaw breaking yawn while stretching his arms over his head. "Yare, yare is it time already?" He asked. "Yes, it is time. And what do you mean 'already'? We have known the date for weeks now." "Yeah yeah come on let's go. I don't want Yama-jii being mad at us." Shunsui shuddered a little at the memories of some of the Soutaichous punishments for his tardiness.
Juushiro only gave a shake of his head at his friend's typical behavior. Still, pissing of the Soutaichou was a very bad idea, his punishments over the centuries had gained in creativity but luckily, they didn't get into trouble quite as often as they did when they were younger. They quickly rushed to the first division barracks, the huge double doors were already open and most of the captains stood ready in their spots, the Soutaichou was already present and greeted them with a one-eyed glare, which made them glad they had rushed here.
When the last of the captains had arrived, only leaving the place their new captain would take open the Soutaichou banged his Cane on the floor. "Silence!" The room had been silent to begin with…. Juushiro and Shunsui shared a suffering look at their unreasonable captain commander. "With this the meeting to introduce our new captain begins! As you all know, former Captain of Division 5, Nishi Hikamoto has fallen during duty. He was an honorable man, he and his deeds for the good of Soul Society will not be forgotten. Still we need to move on. As such I have requested of you to recommend any members of your division who you deemed fit to become the next Captain of division 5. Ginrei Kuchiki's former Vice Lieutenant was approved of by myself and three other members of the current captains of the Gotei Thirteen. As of now Hirako Shinji, former Vice Lieutenant of Squad six, will be the new Captain of Squad 5. Hirako Shinji, enter and take your place among us." The Soutaichou proclaimed loudly and firmly.
The double doors opened and a man, wearing the typical Captain Haori stepped inside. His hair was long and looked like molten gold, he had a straight cut fringe and an easy going, but at the same time unnaturally sharp, smile was gracing his features. His face looked young, younger than any other captain present, but looks could be deceiving, especially in Sereitei were one aged quite differently from a normal human.
A Katana was bound to his hip, it's hilt covered in blue cloth. He stepped inside swiftly and walked to his assigned spot with his head held high, still managing to look poised but at the same time as if he couldn't care less about being here. He took his place and met the curious glances of his fellow captains with his sharp smile. His eyes held a shrewdness and intelligence that betrayed his wide grin. "Hirako Shinji." The Soutaichou told him gravely. "You have hereby sworn to protect and stand among the Gotei Thirteen for the rest of your life. Your Division will be yours to command as you see fit, but be aware that any misgivings will be severely punished. The Gotei Thirteen has to be seen as a front, we are one unity and I expect you to welcome our new member as such." He told the entire assembly of Captains, his sharp eyes eying them up as he said the last part.
"Dismissed, you will be informed of the time for our next meeting." With that he banged his Cane on the Floor and the Captains slowly left. Juushiro and Shunsui looked at one another before walking over to their newest member. "Welcome, Hirako-taichou." Juushiro said with his kind smile. "Please feel free to ask us if you have any questions. Taking over a division can be quite stressful, so please feel free to come to us." He added. Shunsui smiled at his lover's kind word. "Thanks." Hirako said his smile widening a little. "It's Shinji, I can't really get used to the whole 'Hirako-taichou' business." He told them waving his hand a little and frowning at the prospect of being called Captain.
Shunsui laughed boomingly. "You better get used to it, Divisions can be quite adamant about being respectful." He said with his easy-going smile. Shinji sighted deeply. "Well guess I can't help it…" Juushiro suddenly spoke up. "Where are our manners! I am Juushiro, Juushiro Ukitake and that is Shunsui Kyoraku. But please call me Juushiro." He said with a smile. "Or Juu-chan!" Kyoraku suddenly piped up a teasing grin on his face. Shinji snickered as Juushiro gave him a death glare. "Wanna join us for drinking later?" Shunsui asked suddenly. "Ahh, sure why not." Shinji said, giving a one shouldered shrug. "Wonderful!" Shunsui proclaimed loudly. "Well, we better let you be on your way to get to know your Division. See you later!" Shunsui said before wandering off, with Juushiro a few steps behind him, waving at Shinji in goodbye. "First day among the Captains and I manage to attract the attention of two of the most liked and most feared among them…just my luck…" Shinji muttered before turning on his heel and making his way over to his division.
He hated it. He reeeaallyy hated this dreadful paperwork, whoever thought paperwork was a good idea obviously had no clue what fun and excitement were or how they were spelled. Shinji groaned loudly as he filled in yet another paper before smacking it down on the scarily huge pile that was already cluttering his desk. "Yare, yare…" He heard a lazy drawl from the door, turning towards it he was met with the form of a smirking Kyoraku and the pitiful gaze of one Juushiro Ukitake.
He let his head fall forward onto his desk with a loud bang and groaned again. This time Kyoraku couldn't hold in his snickers. "Come on New Captain-san. We'll get you out of this dreadful place for a few hours." Shinji really had no energy left to put up a fuss as Kyoraku grabbed his arm and dragged him along, all the while humming an unfamiliar and slightly off sounding tune. Juushiro trailed behind them keeping an eye on Shinjis lethargic form. They arrived in front of Kyorakus home quickly due to a few well-placed Shunpos. Shinji let himself fall into the seat opposite from Shunsui and Juushiro at the small table. "I hate paperwork…" he muttered.
Kyoraku grinned "Don't we all, handsome." He said. Shinji felt a flush creep across his face at Shunsuis compliment. "How about we forget about paperwork for a few hours." He then suggested, grinning widely and pulling out a sake bottle from god knows where. Shinji grinned his wide Cheshire cat smile at his antics. "Sure, I could use it. You really weren't kidding about the floods of work a new captain has to do." Juushiro looked at him pityingly. "I wish I was. But it gets better, after a few weeks things start to settle down…Most of the things you have to fill out now are agreements and so forth. On to a more interesting topic how to do like your Division so far?" He asked. Shinji shrugged. "Hadn't had much contact with them yet, I mean it is my first day. But my Fukutaichou seems good enough, took away some of my paperwork. Quite the nice guy." Shinji said tapping his chin in thought. "If it gets too much just say the word, we can take over some of the paperwork." Juushiro told him while Kyoraku made an indignant sound in the back of his throat that let Juushiro know just how much he liked that idea.
"Ohh hush." Juushiro said swatting at him. "He can use the help and we were also offered help from some of the Captains when we first started." That seemed to make Kyoraku go quiet, but he still pouted a little. "Maahh, it's fine I guess. If I can't battle my way through some paperwork I am hardly fit to be captain." Shinji told them grinning. Kyoraku snorted and Juushiros grin widened a little. "What is it?" He asked them. "Ahh, it's just we said the exact same thing." Juushiro told him smile turning into a grin that made him look slightly boyish.
The evening progressed in a similar matter. Shinji found that he got along well with these two, sure they were scarily strong but some of the rumors surrounding them were downright ridiculous when you got to know them a little better. "We should do this again!" Kyoraku said loudly at the end of their evening, his face was a little flushed from the sake, which was no surprise since he had taken in double the amount of Juushiro and Shinji. "Yes, yes." Juushiro told him patiently while dragging him off in the direction of his bed. "You can stay the night if you want to Shinji-kun." Juushiro told him after he had disposed of Shunsui in their shared bedroom. "Nahh, I am fine. Some other time maybe but I have to get up early tomorrow." He told him, getting up and starting to leave. "Thanks for tonight!" He yelled over his shoulder, it had been a while since he had last held such good and intelligent conversation with anyone while at the same time having fun and cracking jokes. He would enjoy his time as captain if it meant spending more time with Juushiro and Shunsui, Shinji couldn't help but think.
A/N: I hope you enjoy the Story so far. Attention please, I had to change the timeline a little. Simply imagine that Aizen becomes Shinjis Vice Captain a few years later. He is not yet his Vice Captain! He hasn't even joined the Shinigami yet for all I know ^^
Alright just wanted to clear that up before there could be any misunderstandings :)
Thanks for reading and thank you for your Support and Reviews (they are always great to read and keep me wanting to do my best)
Sal
