New Captain of Squad Five
In the Soul Society, some of the male officers left had gathered at the bar to discuss anything they'd heard recently. There was Renji, Izuru, Omeada, Iba, and Ikkaku.
"So did you hear the news?" asked Renji as he sat around with all his buddies, expect Hisagi who obviously wasn't there due to his training." Shuhei's off training to become a Captain."
"I heard about that." Said Ikkaku." He's being trained by Captain Hitsugaya, Kommamura, and Soifon."
"Wait." Said Omeada raising his arm." They went to the World of the Living World two days ago."
"Why would they go there?" asked Izuru.
"To train of course." Said Iba." Why else."
"Then why wouldn't they just do it here?" asked Ikkaku." What was so bothersome here?"
"Maybe they didn't like the constant bitching from you guys." Said Renji to Iba. Iba moved to reply angrily but then Omeada spoke up.
"Well I like them being away." He said." It leaves me to be in charge, I'm practically like a Captain myself right now."
"You'd better enjoy it while you can." Said Iba." Before your Captain comes and beats your ass back into your place."
"Speaking of Captains." Said Renji turning to Izuru." How's your new Captain?" Izuru suddenly went red in the face as everyone turned and looked at him.
"Well …I..um."
"Simple question, do you like him or not?" said Omeada.
"Captain Amatsuki is a good man." Told Izuru." He seems to know what he's talking about, and always see's the bigger picture in things." Amatsuki was a very lively man and his Squad had grown to like him very much. He was much friendlier and open than Izuru was used to and that still took some getting used to.
"You know I've often considered being a Captain." Said Ikkaku.
"No you haven't." Renji said cutting him off." What would we need you for, to give the Head-Captain a run for chromest dome." The group stopped and let out a laugh at Ikkaku's expense.
"Well what about you?" Ikkaku blurted out at Renji." Why don't you become a Captain?"
"Me?" said Renji confused suddenly after being asked." Well I…I don't know if I-" then he began to ramble." You think I could?"
"Yea." Said Ikkaku in a mock flattering voice." Your one of the best Lieutenants there are."
"Yes." Added Iba." You've already got bankai, that's one requirement." Renji darted his head from one person to the next as they spoke.
"And if you wanted, you could defiantly get three Captains to vote for you. " added Omeada. Renji was full of excitement, the idea of being at the top was eye-opening to him. He could do it, get three Captain's votes starting with his own.
"Your Right!" he said as he stood up." I'll go do that now!" Then he began to run to the door." Goodbye you guys, next time you see me I'll have a Captain's coat." He yelled from the door as he left.
"Yes, yes you go." They called to him waving goodbye. But then he was gone.
"He's fucked." Said Ikkaku turning back to the group."
"No doubt." Said Omeada.
Meanwhile Renji ran back to his division. He stood before the doors to his Captain's office, panting after running to get there. He panted several breaths before straightening out his uniform and running his hand threw his hair.
"You can do this." He said softly to himself." You can do this." Then he put his hands on the doorknob." Oh yea." Boosting with confidence he pushed open the doors and walked into his Captain's office.
Byakuya was sitting behind his desk, a cup of tea resting on his desk and papers before him he signed with so much elegance and grace. Renji suddenly felt his confidence die with each step he took closer to his Captain, and before he realized it he stood before Byakuya's desk. However he hadn't seemed to have noticed Renji and continued on signing the papers.
Renji licked his lips nervously and tried to speak but found his throat suddenly dry. His fingers fidgeted wildly by his side and he began to sweat uncontrollably. He suddenly didn't feel confident in this at all and slowly began to back up. He brought his right foot back but the second his foot hit the ground Byakuya cocked his head up and looked at his Lieutenant. It was silent as Byakuya's cold eyes looked Renji up and down.
"Do you want something?" he asked turning back down to his papers. Renji licked his lips nervously once again. Byakuya sighed off on another document and then with his other hand he reached over for his cup of tea.
"Captain." Renji managed to say." There's something I'd like to ask you."
"Hmm." Byakuya muttered as he sipped on his tea.
"Yes, I.." but Renji couldn't bother to get his point out as Byakuya casually returned his tea cup to its coaster." Captain I.." Byakuya signed off on another document and put the sheet into its rightful pile."I…I…" Byakuya signed another paper, still not looking at Renji as he worked.
Then he'd had enough Renji would get his message out one way or another. He leaned forward swung his arms down and slammed them onto Byakuya's desk, sending the papers into the air." I WANT A CAPTAIN'S RECOMMENDATION!" There he said it or rather screamed it into his Captain's face.
Byakuya looked surprised or as surprised as someone like him can get. The papers that shot up into the sky now floated down to the ground like snowflakes, scattered all over the floor. Byakuya sat back and ran his hand across his face and then looked Renji in the eye. And Renji suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Tell me Lieutenant." Said Byakuya." Are you a man of scientist?" The question confused Renji and his face said so." I'll ask again." Said Byakuya because there was since." Are you a good scientist?"
"No, no sir." Replied Renji standing up to his full height and clearing his throat.
"Shame." Said Byakuya as he stood up and moved to the window, looking out it as he spoke." Because that's the only Captain's position left." Renji was confused, both Squad's nine and five were Captain less as of now.
"But Captain Kuchiki Squad's-"
"Wrong." Byakuya said disrupting him." Not anymore." Renji stood back surprised." Captain Kommamura, Hitsugaya, and Soifon have all vouched for Shuhei Hisagi's promotion to Captain. Assuming he can learn Bankai he will receive that promotion. Since the Head-Captain is fond of those three, they will have all the time in the world for it."
"B-But Squad five." Renji blurted out." Momo's squad is still without a Captain."
"No. Not anymore." Renji stood back confused. Byakuya turned to him." By three this afternoon Squad Five will have a new Captain."
"I-I-I had no idea." Renji stammered." I hadn't heard anything. Who is it?"
"I don't know I haven't met him." Replied Byakuya." Straight out of the Academy."
Renji stood back." I-I-I." he stammered, Byakuya said nothing." I've got to go tell everyone, this is news people will love to hear." Then he turned and was about to go until his Captain stopped him.
"Lieutenant." Said Byakuya. Renji slowly turned to his captain and Byakuya motioned to the scattered papers all over the floor.
" Hehe." Renji laughed nervously as he walked over and began picking the papers off the ground. Byakuya turned his head around and looked out the window.
Meanwhile at Squad five.
"So Momo." Said Rangiku as she stood over the smaller woman." How's it feel to be getting a new Captain?"
"Well it's fine." She replied as she rubbed her hands together nervously.
"Really? I thought you might be fretting over this whole thing." Rangiku said matter of factly. Momo continued to rub her hands together.
"No, no." said Momo trying to give a reassuring smile." I'm okay." Then she moved several inches away
"Are you sure?" Rangiku asked she moved over and leaned down next to Momo.
"Yep." She reassured.
"Whatever you say." Said Rangiku as she stretched her arms." Oh well, I'd best get back to my barracks. There's been so much to do since Captain left." She walked on talking to herself more than Momo." He'd be so happy to see how far I've come." Momo turned her head and saw Rangiku leaving and then clutched her hands close to her chest.
"I really do wish Toshiro were here." Said Momo aloud to no one. But Rangiku had heard and stopped at the doors when she did. She understood their relationship, her Captain saw Momo as a sister and they'd known each other for a long time. However Rangiku never liked the ton she always used his name. Then Rangiku exited the barracks.
Meanwhile the Captains all gathered in the meeting room. It really was an odd sight however, with Toshiro, Sajin and Soifon all missing they were down to seven Captains right now and it made the whole organization look worse. But those three had work to do.
As they entered Sasakibe greeted them as he stood by the door.
The Head-Captain was already in his chair. Shunsui and Ukitake walked in and stood next to Unohana. Byakuya and Kenpachi stood on the other side. Izumi was the last to enter, the door closing behind him.
The new Squad three Captain however couldn't shake a feeling he had. Looking around only six other Captains were here, with three of them gone having this meeting made him feel the Gotei 13 to be lacking. He silently moved over and stood next to Ukitake.
"Good." Said Yamamoto." We're all here, now let us begin." He opened his mouth to speak but stopped as Bansui stepped up.
"Excuse me sir." He said raising up his arm I better hopes of being seen." May I say something?"
"What is it Captain Amatsuki?" asked Yamamoto.
"Pardon my intrusion Head-Captain." Said the new Captain with a bow."I know I may be speaking out of turn but I wish to say something."
"Speak." Beckoned Yamamoto with a wave of his hand.
"Sir, is it really necessary to have this meeting when some of us are missing?"
"Nobody is missing." Spoke up Ukitake." Three Captains are dismissed on business, trying to fill another Captain's position."
"That may be true." Said Bansui with a nod to his former Captain but then he turned back to Head-Captain." But sir should we introduce a new Captain when three are absent? Shouldn't we wait for them?"
"Your opinion is noted." Said Yamamoto." But we must carry on with or without full attendance. This meeting would only cease if I could not be in attendance."
"But sir-"
"Enough." Yamamoto said with a strict tone in his voice and a bang of his cane, sending chills down Bansui's spine.
"Yes, sir." He said with a nod of his head and stepping back into line." Thank you for the time, sir."
"Now then." Said Yamamoto turning back to all the Captains." Let us continue. Recently I sent my Lieutenant on a mission to the Soul Reaper Academy to find any students who might fill our Captains positions. When he returned he had a whole folder worth of names, but he strongly recommended one in particular. A student he met personally and said possess all the qualities we need. After meeting with this student personally it was clear he was right." At that moment Sasakibe stood outside the door. He stood there silently but turned his head over when he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. He turned and saw a new face in a white Captain's coat.
When the person got closer he put out his hand and stopped them." Just a moment." He said. Then he turned and opened the door.
The door opened and all the Captains turned to see Sasakibe stick his head in and give a nod. Yamamoto replied with his own and Sasakibe disappeared. Then the door opened up and a new figure appeared.
"Without further ado." Continued Yamamoto." I'd like to introduce the new Captain of Squad Five Matsuri Kudo."
A woman stood there in the doorway. A short little thing with bright blue eyes, bright blonde hair tied into a ponytail, the band holding it in place was red with a white flower on it. Her zanpaktou was on her left hip.
As she walked in the reactions were as Yamamoto expected. Byakuya and Kenpachi having never seen this woman before watched her with their eyes bugged open. At one point Kenpachi's jaw dropped but Byakuya put up his hand and put his jaw back in place. Bansui was an older gentleman and could conduct himself better, but was still looking the young lady up and down.
Yamamoto remembered the other day when he and the other Captains had examined her qualities. However some of her movements caused her to flash some skin. While Yamamoto, Unohana, and Ukitake could handle this Shunsui could not, and was sitting there panting like a dog. And when Yamamoto ordered a coat for her he demanded it be an extra-large so that she was covered up. And today the coat was doing its job, as it was buttoned up however everyone was still staring.
Matsuri walked into the center of the room and noticed that there were very few people in this room.
"Hello." She greeted with a smile and a cheerful voice. Kenpachi and Byakuya leaned in to get a closer look at the woman. Bansui looked over at the two and noticed the way they were acting and he wondered if this new girl would get the same treatment from Kenpachi that he got." My name is Matsuri Kudo and I will be the new Captain. It's a pleasure meeting all of you."
"Welcome." Said Yamamoto. "We are happy to have you. I'm sure the other Captains will treat you well." He flashed a glance around the room.
"I'm happy to meet you all." Matsuri said." I-" but then she was bumped from behind and turned around to see Kenpachi standing over her.
"Hello." He said as he took her hand roughly." Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of Squad Eleven, I killed fifty men." Kenpachi's style of flirting however fell on deaf ears but Matsuri smiled all the same.
"Pleasure to meet you." She said, oblivious to his intentions.
"Ahem." Coughed a voice behind Kenpachi. He looked over to see Byakuya standing there. Then he moved forward pushing Kenpachi out of the way. Then he took Matsuri's hand only much softer than his predecessor had." Byakuya Kuchiki, Heir to the Kuchiki Dynasty, Captain of Squad Six." Then he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. But he kissed it long and hard much to the odd looks of those around him.
"Now wait a minute." Said Kenpachi grabbing Byakuya and turning him around to face him." What you doing man." He whispered in a hostile manner to Byakuya." You're fuckin up my game."
"I'll put this in terms up can understand." Replied Byakuya." Think of us as dogs, I just marked my territory back off!" Kenpachi was silent and had a dumbfounded look on his face. But then he swung down and grabbed onto Byakuya's collar.
"You just call me a dog?"
"Gentlemen." Said a soft voice getting their attention. The two turned over to see Unohana looking up at them." Let's try to control ourselves shall we. We don't want to frighten the new Captain." Byakuya and Kenpachi quickly became frightened and clung to each other.
"Yes, ma'am." They said together.
"Don't be afraid boys." She said to them with a smile." You've got other things to worry about." Then she raised her hand and pointed behind the two. Kenpachi and Byakuya slowly turned around and saw Yamamoto standing there with a fiery glare in his eyes.
Matsuri had stood by and watched in confusion until Unohana turned to her." Don't mind them." She said.
"Are they always like this?" asked Matsuri pointing to them. Looking over she could see Yamamoto red in the face as he yelled something that only the two Captains before him could hear, and the two shivered every time he yelled.
"AND IF YOU EVERY DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN!" yelled Yamamoto." I WILL KICK YOUR ASS SO HARD, YOUR NOSE WILL BLEED!"
"Sometimes." Said Unohana turning back to the New Captain."But don't mind them."
"Yes my dear." Said Shunsui as he stood next to her." Don't worry about them." He now moved his hand to put around her." You just worry about-"
"SHUNSUI!" yelled Yamamoto. Then the old man stormed over and grabbed Shunsui and pushed him off to the side. Then he turned to the new Captain.
"Ms. Kudo." He said to her politely." I'm sure you would like to go and see your new barracks."
"Yes Head-Captain." She replied." That would be a good idea." Then Matsuri turned and walked off. When she walked by Kenphaci, Byakuya, and Shunsui all adjusted themselves as such to get a better view of her walking." Goodbye everyone." She said turning back and waving, forcing the three to stand back up." Nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you to." Said Ukitake as he waved back. Once Matsuri's back was turned her three watchers bent over and watcher her walk away.
"Goddamn." Groaned Kenpachi." I like this new girl."
"Let me get some fries with that shake." Added Shunsui. The three chuckled but then Shunsui let out a yelp. Then he turned around to see Yamamoto standing there with a scowl on his face.
Ukitake, Unohana, and Bansui watched on.
"Oh let's get out of here everyone." said Unohanna to the other two as he hurried them out the door, and she followed right after shutting the door." It's about to get really hot in there."
"Now Yama." Pleaded Shunsui with his hands up." It was all in good fun." Yamamoto slowly removed his shirt.
"Just calm down Head-Captain." Added Byakuya." No need to get angry." Yamamoto slowly reached for his sword.
"Oh shit." Groaned Kenpachi when Yamamoto flashed only an inch of steel from his blade. From outside one could see the entire meeting room suddenly engulfed in flames along with three familiar voices yelling out.
Meanwhile Matsuri headed over to her new barracks. The Squad had all gathered in numbers to meet the new Captain, Momo standing at the front of the group.
The gates opened up and their new Captain walked in, only there were no doubts she would be met with applause. She walked in and every man in the room's jaw dropped. She walked in unbuttoning her Captain's coat, something she would only do now when Yamamoto was around. She walked up and stood before her new Squad.
"Hello." She greeted." My name is Matsuri Kudo and I will be your new Captain." And as expected, the squad responded with cheers and whistles. Then they quickly surrounded the new Captain and hounded her with questions. She of course stood back and smiled, obviously used to the attention." Wait, wait." She said as she waved her hands up and down." Which one of you will be my Lieutenant?" And needless to say all the men flung their arms up, whether it was a lie or not.
"I am ma'am." Called Momo from the back of the crowd. Matsuri began making her way through the crowd until she stood before Momo. Since Momo had not moved Matsuri immidetly assumed she had said it.
"You are?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am. Lieutenant Momo Hinamori." Matsuri took a moment and looked her over." Welcome to Squad Five." The New Captain nodded and then turned to the rest of the Squad.
"This has been a most gracious welcome." She said." I'm sure in the coming days you will all make me feel welcome. As you were." Then she turned and walked past Momo." Lieutenant, can I see you in my office?" Momo nodded and the followed her new Captain.
The two made their way to the Captain's office and as Momo stepped in she was suddenly reminded of her previous Captain. She'd come in here often with him, when she thought he was a different person. But then he turned heel and betrayed not only here but everyone, using her as a means to an end.
"Lieutenant." Said Matsuri breaking her from her thoughts. Momo turned and faced her Captains who was leaning on her desk." I understand this might be a hard topic for you." Momo stood back and said nothing." But If it's not too much trouble I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter."
"Captain I-"
"You don't have to call me Captain." Matsuri said cutting her off." You can call me Matsuri." Her Lieutenant nodded. "Do you mind if I call you Momo?" She shook her head in reply." Very well, speak."
"Matsuri." Said Momo with a frog in her throat as he looked at the ground while she spoke." It's not very easy for me to talk about."
"I understand." Said Matsuri standing up." This establishment has had trouble because of my predecessor, you most of all." Momo kept her head lowered to the ground." But all of that is about to change." Matsuri now stood before Momo and turned her face to her, showing her eyes were getting watery." You've held this squad together well." Then she wiped Momo's eyes." And I'm here to help you, that is my duty. You can trust me Momo." Momo nodded feeling comforted by her Captain's warmth and openness.
Matsuri stood back and nodded." What's say you and me go out for lunch and get to know each other better."
"I would like that very much." Said Momo now sporting a new smile.