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Chapter 8: The New Captain

"Honestly Kirara," Yoruichi was laughing at her Lieutenant as the pair walked towards the Squad 1 Barracks. "Why don't you ever have just have one drink?" she asked. Kirara groaned, looking exhausted as she followed her Captain.

"Please stop yelling," she whined. "Oh god, even my hair hurts. The Head Captain is gonna talk so damn much, isn't he?" Kirara complained, which only made Yoruichi laugh even more.

"You remember Rose's induction two years ago," she said, making Kirara groan. That meant it was going to take a while.

"Come on, why do they have to host the new Captain Ceremony so damn early," Kirara grumbled. Yoruichi grinned as the massive doors to the Squad 1 barracks opened, and they were greeted by the Captain of Squad 6.

"Good morning, Captain Kuchiki," Yoruichi bowed to the elderly man, and Kirara did the same. "Oh? Is Lieutenant Kuchiki not joining us this morning?" she noted that the Lieutenant of Squad 6, Ginrei's son, was missing.

"Good morning to you too, Lady Shihoin, Lieutenant Yamada," Ginrei greeted the pair. "I'm afraid he has fallen ill, and will be unable to attend this morning's meeting," he informed the young woman who was close to his clan.

"That's unfortunate. Tell him to get well soon," Yoruichi told the man, who nodded.

"I'll be sure to tell him," Ginrei told her, and the two Captains began walking. Kirara sighed, wishing she'd been able to dodge it, but unfortunately for her, Yoruichi always knew when she was sick, and when she was hungover. She followed them down the corridor, before they came to a small crowd that blocked the hallway. "What's this?" everyone looked around at the three. "Why are you all blocking the corridor?" Ginrei complained, and Lisa, Aizen and Hiyori moved out of the way.

"Pardon me, I didn't realise," Aizen apologised to him. Neither Ginrei nor Yoruichi spoke as they passed, and Kirara smiled slightly to the three Lieutenants.

"Tell him congratulations," Captain Unohana told Yoruichi as the Squad 2 Captain passed her.

"If you have a congratulatory message, tell him in person, Captain Unohana," Yoruichi smiled back at her. Kirara's smile returned as the other Lieutenants frowned, not knowing who had been appointed to Captain.

"You look as tired as I feel," Lisa told her.

"Oh god you have no idea," Kirara groaned. "I'm begging for either a short ceremony, or a quick death. The death seems more likely at this point," she sighed.

"That's what you two idiots get for drinking all night," Hiyori told them with a roll of her eyes.

"I thought you guys were leaving right after me," Love commented as he looked at the two hungover Lieutenants.

"What time did you leave?" Kirara asked weakly.

"About 2am," Love frowned.

"Oh, yeah we definitely did not leave right after you," Kirara shook her head. "The sun was starting to rise when we finally left," she admitted with a guilty smile. Love gave a small laugh, not surprised in the least.

"I think you two managed to out-drink Shunsui," Ukitake commented with an amused smile.

"Not likely," Lisa scoffed, earning an exasperated frown from her Captain.

"Will you quit whining? The ceremony hasn't even started and I'm getting a headache," Shinji rolled his eyes.

"Oh good god, I do not have the mental capacity to deal with this ceremony today, let alone you Hirako, so just shut up and leave me alone," Kirara groaned, putting her hands to her head as Yoruichi glanced around and grinned, hearing the entire conversation. The blond Captain frowned, ready to retort, when he noticed Yoruichi's smirk turn on him, and stopped, bristling as something about it rubbed him the wrong way.

"Kirara!" the black haired Lieutenant looked around sharply as soon as she entered the hall, and was almost tackled off her feet by a green blur. "It's been forever! I missed you!" Kirara groaned as she was hugged tightly.

"Mashiro...you saw me last week at the Lieutenant's meeting," Kirara reminded the green-haired Lieutenant.

"That was forever ago!" Mashrio whined, before a fist slammed down on her head.

"Would you get off her? You're making a damn scene," Kensei growled. Mashiro wailed, and released Kirara to start shouted at her Captain. Kirara moved away quickly to spare her head the abuse, and found that in the attack, Mashiro had knocked her hair out of its tie, which had already been badly done in a rush job when Kirara realised she had slept in.

"Oh, wow, you really aren't looking well at all," Natsuki giggled as she approached Kirara, who was trying to gather her long hair in one hand.

"Please Natsuki, please, just kill me now," Kirara pleaded of her best friend.

"Hey, I warned you what would happen if you stayed out last night," Natsuki teased her with a smile that wasn't sympathetic in the slightest.

"I hate you," Kirara determined, and Natsuki flung her arms around Kirara in a hug.

"No you don't," she sang brightly.

"Where's your Captain anyway?" Kirara managed to push her away, now having to try and retie her hair again. Most of it fell over her face and down past her waist, making it difficult to gather up.

"Couldn't be bothered again," Natsuki rolled her eyes.

"Really, I could have ditched this and nobody would have cared. The Squad Captains from 10 and 11, plus Lieutenant Kuchiki didn't show. And Captain Hikifune was out of here the same day she was promoted," Kirara complained. "And why do I have so much damn hair?" she whined, making Natsuki giggle and finally take pity on her.

"Turn around. Honestly, you're so helpless sometimes," the blonde teased as she gathered up Kirara's hair and took the tie from the young woman. "You really do have a lot of hair," Natsuki commented, fixing it back up into its normal ponytail.

"The newbie is here," they looked around as Kensei walked in. "Line up. The old man says to wait for him," the Captain of Squad 9 told everyone.

"I hope you know, you had a chance to put me out of my misery," Kirara told Natsuki, who just smiled back and swatted her ponytail, going to take her place between Kyoraku and Hiyori, in place of her Captain. Kirara walked over to stand behind Yoruichi, hearing rapid footsteps as someone ran towards the main chamber. As everyone fell silent, the doors opened to reveal Urahara, who looked alarmed.

"Huh?" he took a step back. "Please tell me that I'm not the last one to get here," he groaned. Kirara bit her lip and looked away to stop her laughter. She had to admit, she could see why Soi Fon was so adamant that Yoruichi didn't recommend him. After a second, Urahara composed himself and bowed. "I'm truly sorry I'm late. Let me just say, it's nice to meet you all," he greeted with his goofy smile.

"That's the guy? They chose him?" Shinji raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "He looks too easy going to be a Captain," he muttered.

"It's not like you've got room to talk," Rose retorted, and earned a glare. Kirara glanced to Hiyori, who looked less than impressed, and her smile widened in amusement.

"So may I, uh, please have permission to enter?" he asked.

"Don't be a wimp," Yoruichi scolded with a roll of her eyes. "You are now a Captain of a Squad. Stand tall and enter, Kisuke," she told him firmly. Urahara looked alarmed, but nodded.

"Yes, enter, and be quick about it!" he was knocked aside by the Head Captain, letting out a yelp as the much older man hit him with his staff that he then slammed to the ground, creating an echo around the room. "Let us begin," he ordered as Urahara stepped in. "The installation ceremony shall now proceed," he announced, walking to the front of the room. Urahara glanced around, and Kirara grinned at him, making him smile back. A shiver then ran down her spine, and Kirara looked around for who was watching her. When she met Shinji's gaze, she quirked an eyebrow, then pulled a face, taking him by surprise and making him yelp. "Is something the matter, Captain Hirako?" Yamamoto looked at him, sounding impatient.

"No. Sorry sir," Shinji apologised, shooting Kirara a glare as she smirked. Beside him, Rose was trying not to laugh; very aware of who was to blame.

"Then perhaps you can keep your strange noises to yourself," Yamamoto scolded. Shinji felt himself going red as the other Captains snickered.

"Yes sir..." he muttered, shooting Kirara another glare. Yoruichi glanced over her shoulder, and Kirara blinked, looking innocently back at her Captain. The Squad 2 Captain smirked, and turned her attention forward again. Realising that Captain Ukitake was also watching her, Kirara couldn't hide her mischievous grin. He shook his head and tried to look disapproving, but couldn't stop his own smile showing. Kirara's smile could be infectious, especially at the most serious of times.

"I'm sure the rest of you Captains have heard by now what has happened. Seven days ago, Squad 12 Captain, Kirio Hikifune, relinquished her position as Captain, because she was promoted to the Royal Guard. So, as a result of this, a search began for a new Squad Captain to fill her vacant position. I sent out a formal notice to the other Captains," Yamamoto continued on. "The following day, I received a recommendation from Squad 2 Captain, Yoruichi Shihoin, and subsequently, the third seat from her Squad was summoned. And so, yesterday I, Genryusai Yamamoto, along with the three other Captains who were present, conducted an examination to thoroughly evaluate this man's qualification to become Captain, and after a complete inquiry, we found no short-comings in his abilities, nor his character. Therefore I announce that the former third seat of Squad 2, Kisuke Urahara, is hereby promoted to the rank of Captain of Squad 12," Yamamoto announced. Urahara gave a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head.

"I thought that would never end," Kirara lay in the grass outside of Squad 11's barracks with Natsuki. After a nap, she felt a lot better, but was still not completely recovered.

"I was pretty sure you were going to throw up at one point," Natsuki grinned.

"Me too," Kirara groaned. "That man can talk," she complained. Natsuki nodded in agreement, giggling.

"So, Captain Urahara, huh?" Natsuki glanced to the young woman lying beside her.

"Captain Urahara," Kirara grinned. "It's weird hearing that title. He's been the third seat for pretty much as long as Yoruichi has been Captain. I was promoted to her Lieutenant a few years after," Kirara told her.

"Weird that he wasn't," Natsuki mused. Kirara nodded. She always wondered why Urahara hadn't been Yoruichi's Lieutenant, considering how close they were, and considering his speciality had always been research, he would have fit the Patrol Corps, at least in Kirara's opinion. "Hey, Kirara?" the black haired Lieutenant hummed to show she was listening to Natsuki. "Do you think everything is going to be alright?" furrowing her brow in confusion, Kirara rolled over to look up at the Squad 11 Lieutenant, who was now sitting up.

"What are you talking about?" Kirara asked curiously, not understanding.

"It's just..." Natsuki hesitated, and Kirara sat up, raising an eyebrow. "Well, a lot's been changing around here. Captain Otoribashi becoming Captain only a few years ago, Captain Hikifune's promotion happened a week ago and now there's a new Captain for Squad 12. Plus the Captain of my Squad was...replaced a few years ago as well...and I only became Lieutenant 13 years ago..." Natsuki shook her head, shifting nervously. "I just feel like something is going to happen," she admitted in a quiet voice.

"Well..." Kirara sighed, and smiled. "We can't have peace forever, can we? We'd all be out of jobs," she put her hand on Natsuki's shoulder. "Things do change now and again; it doesn't mean that something bad is going to happen. It could even mean something good is going to happen. But whatever does happen, we'll be okay," Kirara told her confidently, and Natsuki smiled back, soothed by Kirara's confidence.

"As long as we stick together," Natsuki told her, and Kirara nodded. "Hey, so, changing the subject," Natsuki's smile turned mischievous. Kirara raised an eyebrow, recognising the look. It was never good. "You've been flirting with Captain Otoribashi a lot. Is something going on there?" Natsuki giggled.

"Oh, god no," Kirara laughed. "I flirt with a lot of people Natsuki. It doesn't mean there's something going on," she pointed out.

"But there could be. If he made the first move," Natsuki poked her, and Kirara swatted her away. "What? That is your rule," she laughed. Kirara rolled her eyes.

"Not Rose. He's a little too...long winded for anything other than a good conversation," Kirara chuckled. Natsuki pouted, disappointed.

"Okay, so is there anyone you're interested in?" Natsuki asked. Kirara paused for a moment, before closing her eyes and lying back down.

"Nope," she answered with a smile.

"You suck," Natsuki determined with a huff.

"How you're the Lieutenant of the barbarian Division is beyond me," Kirara shook her head.

"Hey, that's rude," Natsuki pouted, offended by the title.

"Well, what about you?" Kirara opened one eye to survey her best friend. "Has anyone caught your eye?" she asked.

"There's always Captain Ukitake," Natsuki sighed dreamily, resting her head in her hand. Kirara started to laugh.

"Natsuki, that man has caught the eye of every woman in the Seireitei. Probably even some of the men. I don't judge," she chuckled. "Keep dreaming my friend," Kirara smirked, and Natsuki sighed, lying back down. Hearing someone approach, they opened their eyes and looked over to see Hiyori approaching with a dark expression.

"Lieutenant Sarugaki?" Natsuki tilted her head curiously.

"Hey Hiyori, what's up?" Kirara smiled at her.

"Take him back," Hiyori growled, making Kirara's smile fall.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Take your stupid third seat back!" Hiyori shrieked, leaping at Kirara. The 2nd Division Lieutenant was on her feet in an instant, jumping away from the furious girl.

"What...you mean Kisuke?" Kirara blinked rapidly, and Hiyori let out another furious shriek.

"Take him back! I don't want him as my Captain!" she shrieked angrily, and rushed at Kirara again.

"Hiyori, I am too hungover to fight you today!" Kirara groaned, sprinting off. Natsuki just watched, blinking rapidly as Hiyori chased Kirara off.

"Get back here dammit!" Hiyori yelled as they ran through the Seireitei.

"Hiyori come on!" Kirara wailed, using Shunpo to dodge Hiyori's attack, but the blonde was still fast and kept up with her. "Can we do this tomorrow?" she pleaded.

"No! I am not spending a night having him as my Captain!" Hiyori yelled, worked up into a furious frenzy. "I don't care what you have to do! Take back your damn third seat!" she ordered Kirara, who let out a cry.

"But that's not my call! I'm the same rank as you dammit!" she cried over her shoulder.

"I don't care!" Hiyori leapt into the air and aimed a kick at Kirara, who turned the corner at the last minute, managing to avoid the kick.

"Whoa, watch it!" Love called as the two narrowly avoided him.

"Tell that to her!" Kirara yelled back at him, and Love raised an eyebrow as he watched the two disappear, with Kirara occasionally crying out in alarm. The Captain sighed, shaking his head as he continued on, hoping they didn't cause any damage. "Hiyori, come on! This isn't my fault! Yoruichi is the one who recommended him!" she explained.

"You knew she was recommending him! Tell your Captain to reinstate him as your third seat!" Hiyori yelled as she sped up. "I am not having that bumbling idiot as my Captain!" she all but roared. Kirara groaned, wondering how long she was going to have to run before Hiyori tired out. She had a feeling it wasn't going to be any time soon. She turned another corner, and slammed into someone with enough force to shove them down, and as Kirara stumbled backwards, a hand grabbed the front of her kosode and pulled her down with them.

"What the hell..." Shinji groaned from the ground, pushing himself into a sitting position. After he'd finally managed to get his nose to stop bleeding after Hiyori had kicked him, he'd been on his way back to his barracks when he'd heard yelling. Someone had then run into him with enough force to wind him, and he'd pulled them down with him.

"Ow..." his eyes opened in surprise at Kirara's whimper, and she looked down at the Captain she was currently straddling as she managed to push herself up. Her eyes widened. "You..." she started, and looked down to where his fingers were still wrapped around her kosode, pulling it open and revealing all.

"Shit!" Shinji pulled his hand back as if it had been burned, and Kirara's arms went around her chest as her face went bright red. "What the hell are you doing? Why'd you run into-"

"Kirara!" they both froze at Hiyori's angry shriek. Shinji found himself being shoved down as Kirara sprinted away. Within moments, Hiyori shot past him, not even acknowledging the dazed Captain.

"This place makes less and less sense everyday," he sighed, not moving as he held up his hand, looking at it with a frown.

Night had fallen by the time Kirara managed to escape Hiyori. She staggered into her quarters, dropping Kokoro no Kage into his usual spot beside her bed before falling face first into it.

"I get she was mad about Kisuke...but did she have to take it out on me?" Kirara groaned as she rolled over, exhausted. "I think she chased me around the entire Seireitei, twice!" she moaned.

'In hindsight, it may have been simpler to face her,' Kokoro no Kage spoke up.

"You're probably right there old man," Kirara sighed. "Oh man, I really could have done with just sleeping in today," she complained. "I would have avoided having to put up with that boring ceremony, without Hiyori chasing me around the entire damn Soul Society, without..." Kirara stopped as she remembered crashing into Shinji.

'Without that encounter with Captain Hirako?' Kokoro no Kage asked.

"I swear to god that better not be amusement I hear, or you will go in the koi pond," Kirara scowled as her face went red. "I should have hit him, after he-" Kirara put her arms back around her chest as she thought back to her robes almost coming open completely, and her face burned.

'Then why didn't you?' the Zanpakuto Spirit asked softly. This time, there wasn't amusement, only curiosity. Kirara rolled onto her side, feeling her heart hammering against her chest.

"I don't know," she whispered.

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