Hey everybody, Eradona here! Just wanted to say a few words before you go diving into the latest Chappie (no, not Chappy, Rukia! Don't get excited!). If you haven't been paying attention - the last few Chapters have been written by Arei-the Peridot Dragon, and she's been good enough to fill in a lot of the little holes, and take over the requests you all made! So, I thought I would let her say a few words to you here... (Sweat-drops) Um, Arei, why is Gin tied up and gagged in the corner, there? He's one of the good guys, remember?
(Arei is pointing her wand at Gin and muttering an incantation. When that fails, cursing and thwacking wand against hand. Head jerks up, realizing name was called and then jumps in front of the tied up Gin to hide him from sight)
Don't know what you're talking about! Gin? Haven't seen that lovable hunk! Have you? Ahem! (Coughing into hand and then waving at everyone) Hi everyone! Let me just say it has been an honor to work on these side stories! I hope everyone has enjoyed them so far! (Gin tries to peek out from behind my form, giving him a quick kick and hiding him under a large box Metal Gear Solid style) You saw nothing!
O-okay... (Eradona looks around nervously) Anyway, we've got a bunch of great stories lined up for you, so make sure you give Arei a big thank you for doing these! Especially since it's got my own creative juices working again! And of course if you want to go ahead and write something yourself, please do! (looks offstage) Um, is that Matsumoto?
Rangiku?! (looking around fearfully) Kuso! Kuso! Kuso! (flicks wand and the box flips over, Gin popping up and blinking comically at the audience for a moment before the box seals shut with duct-tape. Muffled shouting can be heard 'Ran-Chan! save me!' as the box is levitated and Arei runs off-stage with the it. Head pops back out for a moment)
If you guys like the shorts please check ou-ack!
(Arei dodges a blow from a growling Rangiku and ducks back out of sight. A flash of light later and the large-busted woman is sent back out, transfigured into a blue-footed Booby (the sea-bird folks!). Somehow she's able to pick up Haineko in her wings and rushes off-stage with a loud squall)
How the hell are you!? Quit it! Ack!
(Dead silence for several long moments before Gin comes out, Haineko in hand and booby-Rangiku on his shoulder preening the hair above his ear. He issues an evil-sly grin to the audience before turning to look at a shell-shocked Eradona)
You can turn her back to normal. Right~? Er~a~chan? (The last is said in a deadly singsong)
(Gapes at Gin for a moment, then vanishes offstage; comes back pushing Ichigo in front of her)
Wait, she did what? (Ichigo stares at Gin and the birdified Rangiku) Oh. Why don't you just turn her back?
(Muttering from where she is cowering from behind Ichigo, who sighs and rolls his eyes)
Next time, don't forget your wand, okay? (He pulls out his wand and turns Rangiku back into herself, and then leaves)
Ari~ga~tou, Er~a~chan! (Gin and Rangiku (back to normal) walk off-stage arm-in-arm)
(Trembling, Eradona waves after them) Enjoy the story, everyone.
Chapter 13
Cap'n, my Cap'n!
Ichigo was still hurting. Orihime had worked her normal 'magic' and had gotten him back up on his feet after the multiple spells that had sent him for a loop. His body still ached though, and of course Hichigo wasn't helping things... not one bit.
:Honestly King, next time we see that crazy bitch you need to let me out. I'll rip that smile right off her face! I'll-:
There came the sound of crashing in Ichigo's mind and he raised a brow.
:Enough already! How many times do you have to reiterate the same thing? You're giving ME a migraine and I don't even have a real body!: Zangetsu shouted at the inner-hollow.
Ichigo had to chuckle dryly at that as he looked back out the window to the bustling streets of the Seireitei.
A part of him was still in shock too. His Mother, they'd found his Mother! A part of him was very relieved at that. After fighting the Grand Fisher, and his subsequent escape, he'd honestly thought the chance to free his Mother from the Hollow had been lost. He'd only found out LATER that his Father had fought the Grand Fisher (altered by Aizen into an Arrancar) and defeated him while Ichigo had been busy. Isshin hadn't even realized until Ichigo was injured and he'd come to check in on his son.
The reunion had been joyful in one sense, annoying in the other. Mom was PISSED. And that was putting it mildly. She was in no way happy that her 'baby' had been dragged into not one, but two wars! She'd had Orihime heal him completely, which meant all of his scars were gone.
When she'd finally calmed down, Isshin was wrapped up like a mummy, Orihime and Chad had left to check on the others, Renji had said something about meeting up with the Old Man when he was up to it and Ichigo had been introduced to the Potter's, Lily and James. Oh, and Sirius had been found by literally being tripped over.
To say that he was experiencing an information overload would be a very apt expression right now.
And since he was back on his feet it was time to head to the First Division... one did not leave the Old Man waiting if one could walk.
He really hoped it would be something simple... but when he caught sight of Renji, Ikkaku, Matsumoto, Kisuke, Orihime, Isshin, his Mother and all of the Captains and the available lieutenants (minus the ones currently at Hogwarts)... and a tied up Gin... he felt a growing sense of dread.
Nothing was ever simple in his life. He really should have learned that by now.
Yamamoto called the meeting to attention and looked around the room.
"We are three Captains short. The Third, Fifth and Ninth Divisions are currently without leadership. We are going to change that... TODAY," he banged his walking stick against the ground. "Renji, Ikkaku, step forward."
Both men stepped forward. Renji looked nervous while Ikkaku looked like he was sulking.
"Renji Abarai, you have recently mastered Bankai. Ikkaku Madarame, you have long since mastered, and kept hidden," Yamamoto's eyes opened and he radiated his disapproval at Ikkaku's actions, "Your own Bankai abilities. This achievement allows you to qualify for the rank of Captain."
"With all due respect bossman," Ikkaku said in a tone that implied the words 'fuck off' quite strongly. "I'm NEVER going to become a Captain, got it?"
Yamamoto's brows rose a bit in surprise at that. He nodded several tense moments later and signaled for him to go stand by Kenpachi and Yumi.
"Renji, your own thoughts?"
"I... well... that is... I mean..." Renji bowed low at the waist suddenly, "It would be an honor sir!"
Most everyone laughed or cracked a smile at that. Yamamoto nodded his head and banged his staff down again.
"Renji Abarai, I herby instate you as Captain of the Ninth Division Squad. May you lead honorably."
Hisagi stepped forward with a faint smile on his lips and helped Renji slip on the white Captain's Haori with the symbol 'nine' on the back. He led his still stunned (and grinning) Captain to stand alongside the others.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, step forward!"
"Wait, what?" Ichigo yelped before taking a step forward. "You're not serious right? I'm still in school! And what about my family?!"
Ichigo was starting to get nervous. He knew he had been 'dead' in a true sense for a long while now, but he'd been hoping that with everything going on he would be able to stay in the living world or at least be able to traverse between the two worlds without a problem like he had been so far. Becoming a Captain would be a full time Career where he would have to LIVE in the barracks with the troops. Which would mean he would have to live in the Seireitei. Which meant he wouldn't be able to visit his friends and family. He went pale at the thought of not seeing his sisters any more.
"Kurosaki!" Yamamoto's shout brought Ichigo out of his panic as he stood at attention reflexively. "Calm yourself. You are in a unique situation and I have taken that into account. You will be taking over the Fifth squad on a temporary basis at this time in order to complete your schooling and your current mission. The other Vice Captains will oversee the day to day operations. Once your schooling is done you will take over in full but upon the normal vacation and weekend times allotted to a Captain you will be allowed to visit the Living world in order to visit your living friends and family members."
Ichigo's shoulders slumped in relief at that last part. He could work with that. As long as he wasn't forced to cut off ties with his loved ones, being made Captain wouldn't be too bad. He tilted his head and frowned, crossing his arms.
"Wouldn't I be considered a bit young for the post though? I mean I know that one of the qualifiers is having a Bankai but I would be the youngest Captain here even if I don't look it," Ichigo said questioningly.
"Part of your unique situation is how much you have already been through," Yamamoto's lieutenant, Chojiro Sasakibe, said as he stepped forward. "You have done much in the service of the Seireitei," he held up a hand to stop Ichigo from speaking, "even your actions in saving Rukia helped to reveal a long planned plot to harm the Seireitei as a whole. Though some of us may not wish to acknowledge this debt," Byakuya shifted uncomfortably at the sudden look he was flashed by the First Divisions lieutenant, "all of us owe you for your service and tenacity."
"You mean Bull-headed stubbornness," Ichigo said drily, knowing how stubborn he could be. Everyone chuckled or flashed a smile of some sort (except Kurotsuchi who just looked bored).
"Be that as it may, you are Captain-level, and for your actions deserve a Captain's post. Will you accept?" Yamamoto asked.
Ichigo looked down again. It was a serious request and even though he was nervous about it, he wanted to continue to protect everyone, from Hollows, from Dark Wizards. This... this he could do. He could, and would, continue to use his powers to protect. Ichigo bowed slowly at the waist.
"I would be honored," he said.
"Very well, I hereby instate you as Captain of the Fifth Squad. May you lead honorably."
Yamamoto cracked a rare smile and took the Fifth Squad Haori and stood from his seat to put the Haori on Ichigo personally. Ichigo's eyes widened at the honor and respect implied in that simple gesture and he issued another deep bow when the elderly Head-Captain backed away. He then took his place amongst the Captain's circle.
"Bring forth the prisoner," Yamamoto called suddenly, causing Ichigo to start in surprise. Wasn't there one more Captain's slot?
Gin was brought forward at this point and made to sit among the circle of people in the room. Yamamoto's expression turned grim.
"Gin Ichimaru, it has come to my attention that your actions upon joining Aizen are not so simply explained. You will tell us WHY you joined him."
"Really? I get to explain? Ah... yare yare*," Gin shrugged. "It's not a pretty story."
"Just get on with it will ya?" Kenpachi snapped, fidgety and in need of a fight.
"Eeto*..." Gin shifted a bit, getting more comfortable, "It actually all began when Ran-chan and I were children..."
Gin explained how he and Rangiku had met, with her passed out on the ground out of hunger and him sharing his dried persimmon with her. How they had decided to be friends and always hung out with each other (heck her 'birthday' was made to be the day that they met since she didn't actually remember when she appeared in the Seireitei). How one day, years later he'd been gathering firewood for their little camp and had found Rangiku on the ground out cold with three Shinigami surrounding her, holding a sphere of pink energy which had been forcibly taken from his Ran-chan.
He'd followed the group then and watched as they met up with Aizen, who had ordered the three Shinigami to take energy from 'weaklings' in order to power the Hogyoku he was making. Gin explained his vow to kill not only Aizen, but his followers as well before he went back to Rangiku and tended her until she was back on her feet. He'd begun his training to become a Shinigami himself at that point.
Later on, as he moved up the ranks, visiting Ran-chan who had just started her own training, he'd come across his Ran-chan crying over the still form of a child she'd been helping. A child with high enough reiatsu to get hungry. The kid's energy had been taken and had died before Rangiku or anyone could arrive to help and Gin had realized that Aizen and the others were still stealing energy from the 'weak'.
He'd followed and confronted the then Captain of the Third Division and had killed the man (later being recommended by Aizen himself to take over that Division). Ran-chan had followed him though and had seen the murder. Gin had told her that he wanted to 'make a world where she didn't have to cry anymore' and had then knocked her out cold and he had had a VERY long talk with her then- new Zanpakuto and had asked Haineko to bury the memory of the murder in order to protect his Ran-chan as he knew she'd try to help him in his quest.
Ichigo was... shocked. He hadn't known that Gin's history had been so dark. He knew that Gin was actually on their side, Gin hadn't fought him with his full power when they'd clashed and later on after Ichigo's training in the Dangai when he'd caught Gin's gaze he just KNEW that the older Former Captain was waiting for the right moment to strike Aizen from behind. But to admit that he'd managed to carefully arrange the deaths of the Shinigami who were stealing energy on Aizen's behalf, he was also admitting he was responsible for several deaths of high ranking individuals over the years. Ichigo was afraid he was digging a deeper hole for himself. Yamamoto might even ask Uryu to hit him with a Quincy arrow if he kept confessing to more murders! But the old man surprised him.
While the others talked about the situation (his mom knocking his father out cold for crying like a baby after hearing the story and then consoling Orihime who was also in tears), Yamamoto ordered Rangiku to hand over Haineko. He then took out his own sword and put them blade to blade before resting his head against the hilts of the swords. He went silent at that point as if in meditation but everyone knew he was talking to the two swords.
Soifon was all but trembling in rage at that point. "What is there to consider? Ichimaru has admitted to betrayal and outright murder! He should be put down!"
"The hell you say?" Ichigo said with a deadly calm, filling the sudden quiet that resulted from the Punishment Squad Captain's words. "You WERE paying attention, right? You heard the same story we did? Gin SAVED lives by stopping people who were ABUSING their posts!"
"He should have informed Central 46!" she snapped.
"Yeah, right!" Ichigo said as he rolled his eyes. He was a bit surprised that everyone else was watching the two without saying anything... in fact, did his Mother SERIOUSLY just conjure some popcorn for the people close to her? He turned away from the sight and focused on glaring at Soifon, who also seemed to have noticed the event and was doing her best to ignore it as well. "You know as well as I do that Central 46 was useless! Aizen was manipulating them even then! He would have fed them some cock-and-bull story and gotten his agents off the hook! Gin did what was RIGHT, he protected people."
"'Right'?! 'PROTECTED'?! There are rules for a reason Kurosaki!" Soifon said as she stalked a step toward the new Captain. "Without rules society collapses! He disobeyed the law on the highest level and committed MURDER!"
"Fuck your rules," Ichigo hissed, taking a step toward the smaller woman, causing the others to gasp. Even Kurotsuchi and his 'daughter' were looking interested at this point. "Your damned rules almost got Rukia killed. Your damned rules almost let Aizen take over the Seireitei FROM THE INSIDE. Your Damned RULES need to be reevaluated and altered because of shit like this!"
Ichigo flung his hand out to point at Gin who was looking at Ichigo with surprise. "If your IDIOTS in the Punishment Squad had ACTUALLY paid any ATTENTION to the deaths of innocent people Gin wouldn't have had to take the law into his own hands! Where was your investigation into the deaths of CHILDREN?!"
"How DARE you question my squad's methods!" Another step and a deadly clawed finger was raised. "Of COURSE we investigated their deaths when we knew about them! All signs simply pointed to starvation from lack of food as most people in the Seireitei don't need to eat! There was never a sign of large numbers of individuals affected all at the same time that could point to foul play! We did our DUTY!"
Ichigo took another step, now toe-to-toe with Soifon. He leaned in, nose-to-nose with the woman and hissed softly at her as his eyes flashed with contained rage. "It's pretty FUCKING obvious that you FAILED in your 'DUTY', now ISN'T it?"
A soft 'oooOOOhhh!' echoed through the room at that, the group all in awe that Ichigo actually 'went there.' Soifon simmered for a long moment before letting out a shout of rage and trying to slash at the taller man. Yoruichi was suddenly next to them with Soifon's wrist caught in her hand and a deadly expression on her face.
"LET ME GO! I'LL KILL HIM! HOW DARE YOU!?" Soifon was shouting.
The sound of a slap rang through the air and everything went quiet again.
Soifon held a hand up to her cheek, no longer struggling and staring at her beloved mentor with wide eyes. Yoruichi's face remained stern.
"You are in the wrong with this Soifon. When the system or government is corrupted one does what is right and not what is easy when it comes to finding justice. I agree with Ichigo in this," The Goddess of Flash said softly.
Soifon actually teared up for a moment. "But... but the Law."
"Was corrupted, you KNOW this. Come back over here, alright?" Yoruichi smiled softly to lessen the sting of the earlier blow and led the subdued Captain back to her place.
(Ichigo was fairly certain he caught the flash of scorecards out of the corner of his eye near his Mother and the group sitting by here, but when he turned to face them they were only holding their popcorn.)
After that it was almost a half an hour (people kept fidgeting and talking to each other softly about the situation) before Yamamoto lifted his head and handed Haineko back to Rangiku. She'd been worried at that point but once her zanpakuto was back in her hand she went dead white and had to be led off to the side to sit down. Ichigo realized that Haineko had to have released the block on the suppressed memories and she was trying to process them. When she started to tear up Gin had shifted to his knees in order to lean toward her.
"No, no Ran-chan! Don't cry!" He said in a soft croon that surprised everyone with its tenderness. "Hey now, I stopped them, right? No more kids died, right? I kept them safe for you, so that's a good thing, right?" his voice hit a panicking high note at the last 'right'. "Please stop crying Ran-chan! I hate it when you cry!"
"Y-you..." Rangiku sniffed a few times, trying to hold back her tears. Suddenly she stood and detached Haineko and its sheath from her belt and whacked Gin upside the head with the wooden sheath several times. "YOU BAKA! BAKAYARO! BAKABAKABAKA! Why didn't you let me help!? He could have killed you if he realized what you were doing! What would I have done then if you were DEAD?! BAKA! Baka!"
At the last 'baka' she fell to her knees and drew Gin into a tight hug, crying into the shoulder of his Haori. He shifted, trying to hold her as much as he could with his arms tied behind his back and whispered softly to her to try to calm her down, nuzzling his cheek against hers before gently bumping his nose to her own. She gave a watery laugh and snuggled close, whispering in response. Yamamoto cleared his throat, and still in Gin's lap, Rangiku turned her head to glare at the older man.
"Anything you do to him you do to me, you hear me?" she growled out, to the shock of everyone. Yamamoto's eyes opened wide in shock at her sudden disrespectful, outright hostile tone. "I'm not living without my Gin."
The old man's eyes narrowed on the couple and for several long moments Ichigo was actually afraid that the two of them would end up immolated. Finally the old man smiled gently.
"Gin Ichimaru, for your actions to halt a conspiracy against the Seireitei not merely in your tenure as a Shinigami, but since your very childhood, I hereby issue you a full pardon and reinstate you to your Captain-hood. May you continue to serve the Third Division with honor."
"WHAT?!" Came the shouts from everyone in the room (save for Yamamoto and Chojiro.)
"I... I can untie him?" Rangiku asked slowly. "Y-you're not going to hurt him?"
"No my dear, I am not. Untie him and give him back his Captain's Haori now, hmm?" Yamamoto said kindly.
Shell-shocked Rangiku untied Gin and took the Third Division Captain's Haori from Chojiro and put it back around Gin. After several long moments the two hugged and most of the females (and some of the men) in the room either cheered or cooed at the sight.
Ichigo was shocked by the outcome... but had to admit he was very happy for the couple.
#
Momo was... ecstatic, amazed. Extremely happy! They had a Captain again! Not just any Captain either, they had gotten ICHIGO! SQUEEE!
She stopped and blushed when she realized everyone was staring at her in confusion. The 'Squee' had not been internal like she'd thought. She broke into a run, darting for the Fifth Division to let everyone know. They had decided to let her come back and tell her squad, but she had to run right back over to the World of the Living. She had suspected for some time that this was the direction Yamamoto was heading, but to actually have it happen…YES!
It took some time to gather everyone in the main yard and even longer to quiet everyone down.
"Everyone! I have an announcement to make! It's from Head-Captain Yamamoto!" That shut everyone up right quick. Momo bounced on her toes, grinning widely. "We have a Captain again!"
And awed murmuring broke out for a few moments before someone shouted.
"Who is it?"
Momo bounced on her toes and clapped her hands happily. "Ichigo!"
"REALLY?!"
"Kurosaki-kun?!"
"YAY!"
"WE GOT ICHIGO! WE GOT ICHIGO!" came a pair of twin voices from the back.
Momo was lifted up a few moments later as the entire Division started to celebrate the good news. She laughed happily with everyone, eagerly telling them what she knew and enjoying the resultant night, through to the next day, party, forgetting she had to race back and take a test.
Everyone was just too happy for her to leave them.
Author's notes:
FYI the twin voices? That's Molly's dead bro's Fabian and Gideon ^.^ their namesakes are so very alike eh?
*yare (well...)
*eeto (as in 'well, let me see')
*baka (idiot)...
*bakayaro (equivalent to 'asshole').