There's no one I'd rather Be
Yamamoto sat in his office surrounded by silence. However that silence was broken by the sound of raised voices outside his room.
"No, no I'm not going in." said a man's voice
"You're going in." said a strict woman's.
"I can't go in there." Said another man's." They'll all look."
"Be happy no one ever looked before." Said the woman's. The door opened slightly and all anyone could see was Soifon's head and body. Her arms appeared to be behind her and she was pulling something." C'mon." she grunted in the door."Waah." she shrieked as she flew back out of the door, whatever she was pulling must have pulled her back.
"We can't go in there." Said the first man's voice." We're going home."
"No you don't!" Soifon shouted. Then a series of grunts and groans followed.
Then suddenly the doors flung open and there was Soifon on top of some giant man's head, or rather his helmet. She had her legs around his head and she had a free hand wrapped on a second man's coat, but there was so much nobody could make out who it was.
The trio stumbled into the room and began flailing around. But then suddenly the big man Soifon was on took a misstep and tripped and fell over. When he fell Soifon went with him and since she was holding onto the third man he fell on top of them both.
The three lay on the ground and groaned while everyone looked them over. The big man on his stomach on the floor, Soifon on his back and the third man face down on Soifon.
"Captain Soifon." Said Yamamoto talking to the only one he could recognize." What is the meaning of this?" At hearing her name she shot up and scrambled out of the pile. She kicked at the third man and elbowed the first to get then to move the way she wanted. When she was finally free she jumped up but her foot was still between the two and she stumbled out of the pile rather than walking out.
Then she stood before the Head-Captain." Head-Captain." She panted." Captain Kommamura." She said pointing to the bigger man. He was just rising to his feet and it was now seen clearly that he had Sajin's old helmet, taped up horrible where it had been cracked." Captain Hitsugaya." She said pointing to the second man who was still covered in his cloak.
The two strangers identified now as two people everyone knew now stood up. The bigger man could have been Sajin he was the same size but why would he wear the helmet. The other man however could not be Toshiro for he was much too tall.
The two strangers stood close together while every looked them over.
"What is this some kind of joke?" asked Yamamoto to Soifon." Explain yourself."
"Well-" But then the doors flung open again and there stood Kiganjo. Every turned over and looked at him somewhat shocked.
"Kiganjo, my arch nemesis." exclaimed Yamamoto as he jumped up and removed his shirt, prepared to fight.
"I'm not here to fight you old man." Said Kiganjo with his hands up." But when I am you'll know." Then he began walking across the hall to the two strangers identified as Captains." No, I've just come to check on our patients." Then he put his arms around the two.
"He knows what's happened." Said Soifon to Yamamoto.
"Of course." said Kiganjo." I was there."
"Well would you care to explain?" asked Yamamoto
"No." said Kiganjo." It doesn't matter what any of you think." Then he turned the two strangers around to face him, noticing how covered they were." Oh, no this ain't gonna do." Then he stepped back." So gentlemen this where my job gets fun." He said as he cracked his knuckles." You take those off or I take them off for you." Kiganjo was a giant man capable of great violence and he did it shamelessly.
The two labeled as Sajin and Toshiro looked to each other but then began to remove the clothing that his them. Kiganjo collected the helmet and the robes they had. Yamamoto stood shocked by what he saw.
The Sajin character was of course big but he wasn't a fox anymore. He had the features of a man with a long, thick, grizzly beard with pointed eyebrows with short hair that only connected to his long beard.
The Toshiro character look much different to Toshiro. He was much taller, standing almost as tall as Kenpachi would. His body was much older and any trace of his young face were now more defined and rugged. The clothing he wore was clearly not his usual attire but it still didn't really fit. His white hair was shorter but his piercing blue yes stayed. He had grown from a boy into a man.
"There." Said Kiganjo." Glad that's settled." Then he turned and prepared to be on their way.
"Wait!" called the two as they ran over and stood before him." How long's this going to last?" asked Sajin.
"We won't be like this forever will we?" asked Toshiro, his voice much deeper now as well.
"Who knows?" replied Kiganjo." It depends on long your boy takes to learn bankai. The sooner he does the sooner you get a cure." The two sulked down before him." I can't get too involved, you have a nice day." Then he moved past them and headed out the door.
Toshiro and Sajin let out a sigh before turning back and noticed everyone looking at them with jaws dropped.
"Heh." Said Toshiro nervously." Hello Head-Captain." But then stood back shocked after finally listening to his voice." Is that my voice? Is that my voice?" Sajin noticed everyone was starring and covered his face with his arms.
"Don't look." He said." I'm hideous."
"How…. How did this happen?" asked Yamamoto stepping up. "Somebody please explain."
"Well began Toshiro." As he stepped up, but wobbled as he did so still not use to walking on such tall legs." There was a catch for Lieutenant Hisagi to learn bankai. In exchange the three of us." He said pointing to himself, Sajin, and the unaffected Soifon." Had to undergo an experiment."
"Experiment? Is that what happened to you? Why haven't you changed?" he asked to Soifon.
"Don't know." She replied." Perhaps it takes more time to react."
"And how long will this last?" asked Yamamoto.
"Till Hisagi learns Bankai." Told Toshiro going off what Kiganjo told him.
"But that could take years. Hundreds even."
"WHAT?!" yelled Toshiro and Sajin together. In actuality Mayuri already had a cure for each of the, he just wouldn't give it to them until he decided to.
"I'm going to go take a few sick days, sir." Said Sajin. Yamamoto nodded.
"Me too." Added Toshiro as he turned and walked with him.
"I understand." Said Yamamoto. The two then began to walk out of the office.
"And me too, sir." She said." I think I've earned the-"
"You will return to your duties immediately." Yamamoto finished for her." And not a word of this." He added sternly with a pointed finger." Not one word."
"Oh yes, Head-Captain." Soifon replied with one hand over her heart but the other behind her back with her fingers crossed." Cross my heart, hope to die." She smirked.
Meanwhile with Shuhei's training.
"Let's get started." Said Mayuri signaling the two to begin. Hisagi pulled out his sword and prepared to fight. However Kiganjo just stood there slowly putting his pipe away.
"C'mon." Hisagi beckoned." Let's get started."
"Chill out homo." Kiganjo spat back. Then he took his pipe and put it into his pocket. Then with several quick snaps of his fingers he was ready.
"Aren't you going to draw your sword?"
"Pffh. I don't do that herb shit."
"Begin!" Mayuri's voice yelled. With that Hisagi lunged at Kiganjo who did not move. He came over head and swung his sword down. But Kiganjo easily side-stepped the slash and then brought his arm up and close lined Hisagi in the neck sending him to the ground.
Kiganjo looked to Mayuri as he stood over the body. Mayuri nodded to him and Kiganjo went to work. He reached down and grabbed Shuhei back the back of his robes and stood him up. Then he punched him in the face, then a second time. Shuhei fell back onto the ground feeling he'd been hit by a car.
Then Kiganjo leaned down and grabbed him by his hair and then tossed him across their battleground. Shuhei fell face first into the ground, getting a mouthful of dirt. Kiganjo went to move forward to attack but then Mayuri whistled getting his attention. This time Mayuri shook his head and Kiganjo did not attack. Instead he walked circles around Shuhei, who was now picking himself up from the dirt.
"So what's with that tattoo?" asked Kiganjo as he lightly stepped before Hisagi who was bent over on the ground before him." You into some freaky shit?"
"No." panted Hisagi." The man who saved my life had this tattoo on his chest." Kiganjo raised an eyebrow at this." He was Captain of the ninth division at that time."
"Oh you're talking about that herb." Said Kiganjo.
"What?"
"Yea." Nodded Kiganjo." I know who you are talking about, he was a Captain while I was."
"You were?" he asked shooting up." Did you know him, what was he like?"
"He was a herb." Replied Kiganjo quickly."He thought just cause he was Captain of the ninth division he could ride my ass." He said with great waves of his arms." He wrote me up for not shaving all the time yet Gandalf and his fuckin friend had hairy faces all day, every day."
"How can you say that?" asked Hisagi confused.
"Every Captain with the exception right now of the Hobbit is a herb." Told Kiganjo pointing his finger at the lieutenant as if relaying a fact.
"Don't you dare say that!" Hisagi yelled stopping him before he could say more. Kiganjo stood up to his full height now." I don't understand you!" Kiganjo stood back and pulled out his pipe and began to smoke it. Hisagi turned from Kiganjo enraged to Mayuri who was sitting nearby." Captain Kurotsuchi I cannot-"
"I'm no Captain anymore." Said Mayuri much to Hisagi's confusion."So don't address me as such."
"Well what should I call you?"
"Don't call me anything." Said Mayuri." We're not friends, acutance's, allies, I don't even like you."
Shuhei was now very confused between the logic of both his teacher's." I cannot work with that man right there." He pointed to Kiganjo who stood back casually puffing his pipe. Mayuri looked to the former Kenpachi to the Captain in training.
"I don't give a Fuck." Mayuri replied. Hisagi nearly fell over, these two hadn't really been good teachers. Mayuri would just sit back and Kiganjo just beat Hisagi down every time he stood up.
"Well what am I supposed to do?!" yelled Hisagi confused as he threw his arms into the air. Kiganjo puffed his pipe and Mayuri said nothing.
"It's not my fault you're a little bitch." Said Kiganjo, making Hisagi shot his head over to him." When I was a Captain I did whatever the fuck I wanted. The Head-Captain never did shit about it because he was afraid of my skill." Shuhei gritted his teeth in anger." Then I had all the bitches. Then every Captain like your herb hero I kicked their asses on a daily basis."
"THAT'S IT!" yelled Shuhei." I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" The man disgraced the organization he'd given his life to. Disgraced all the people who have fought and died for it, the Captains and Lieutenants, even the Head-Captain himself. A man like this didn't deserve to live. Then he lunged forward to attack Kiganjo.
But then just as easily as before Kiganjo struck him down. This time he shot his belly out and hit Shuhei, knocking him onto the ground again. Then he lay there on the ground feeling much more on pain then before. Kiganjo let out a chuckle.
Shuhei however stayed there the sun beating down on him, until a shadow covered him. He looked up to see Mayuri and behind him Kiganjo.
"So it's simple to say that this didn't go as you planned." Said Mayuri.
"This training sucks." The two seemed to ignore his comment." Wouldn't it be best to learn Bankai by fighting against a Bankai?"
"Possibly." Said Mayuri." But I don't have the time to waste with this nonsense." Somewhat ironic as Mayuri oversees the training.
"And I can't show you mine because it's confidential." Said Kiganjo. Shuhei looked at him confused." IF I show it to you, you'll tell Gandalf and then he'll think he'll have an edge on me when our final battle comes."
Meanwhile Sajin and Toshiro were walking along the street. The two walking by wasn't a strange sight but in their new forms it was. Everyone slowed their pace or turned their heads to get a look at the two.
"I don't like this." Said Sajin as his eyes darted around the place." Nobody ever stared before."
"But they can't recognize us." Said Toshiro. "But how are we supposed to explain ourselves to those we care about?"
"I'm sure they'll listen." Said Sajin behind a nervous face. Toshiro gulped." One day I'm sure we'll look back at this and laugh." But then Toshiro stopped and starred at something. Sajin looked over and saw a bar.
"I need a drink." He said and began to walk into the building. But then Sajin reached out and grabbed him.
"Wait, you can't go in there. You're not old enough."
"Not before." Toshiro said pointing a finger to him." But now." Toshiro looked himself up and down." C'mon we'll both need a lot to forget this mess. And I can see why Rangiku likes it so much."
Just like before their presence attracted a lot of attention as they walked in.
The two then sat at the bar, since no one could really recognize them it did them some good but many people were looking. The two always did look over their shoulder just in case, this was after all a hotspot for Soul Reaper officers. The two walked up and sat down at the bar.
"So." Said Toshiro sitting at the high chair." This is what it's like at the counter." Sajin chuckled and turned to the bartender, putting two fingers up. In no time at all two cold beers mugs were before the two. The two clicked them together and then drank. Toshiro took a small sip and then observed his mug." So." He said next." This is beer." Sajin chuckled again, his head turning so he could scan the room. The two sat there in comfort for some time but then Sajin's ear began to twitch, he could hear some voices. Voices he could recognize. He quickly turned to Toshiro in a huff, pointing over his shoulder at the door.
"Lieutenants." He said. Then two looked around frantically and then they saw them come in the door. The party was made of Renji, Ikkaku, Omeada, Iba, and Izuru. The group walked in talking amongst themselves taking no notice of Toshiro and Sajin who hid by the counter. Sajin with his head in his arms and Toshiro brought his coat to block his face. But no notice was taken of the two and they moved across the room, Toshiro and Sajin breathed easier. The officers who just entered seated themselves at a small table.
"Maybe this won't be too bad." Whispered Toshiro as he leaned over to Sajin." Nobody can recognize us, we-" Sajin looked over his shoulder and to the door.
At that time Momo and her new Captain Matsuri Kudo walked in and immediately the attention of every man in the place was on them. The Lieutenants next to them stopped what they were doing to oogle. With a quick wave to the staff a man came over and showed the Captain and her Lieutenant to a table. Since they were officers it was a very common thing.
Sajin tapped Toshiro and pointed him in their direction. However from where he was sitting Toshiro could only see Momo and make nothing out of her friend.
"Who is that?" asked Ikkaku over their shoulder.
"The new Captain." Told Renji. Toshiro and Sajin perked up at their conversation, since the two had been absent the past day they needed to be refreshed.
"New Captain?" asked Iba."When did we get a new Captain?"
"Earlier today." Told Renji." Squad Five."
"No shit." Said Toshiro turning his attention away from them and over to Momo and her new Captain. He took a sip of his drink as he watched the two, but still could not make out the Captain.
Over at their table.
"So Momo." Said Matsuri as they sat there." Tell me something about yourself."
"Well I've never seen her before." Said Iba.
"How do you think women get officers positions?" asked Omeada.
"Probably sucked and fucked her way to the top." Said Renji. His comment earned laughter amongst his comrades.
Over at Momo and Matsuri's table they could make out just what they said. And a sudden cold feeling came over Matsuri when she heard that. Momo looked at the look on her Captain's face and then looked at the group that had said it.
"Captain pay no attention to them, they-" But Matsuri held her hand up.
"Pay them no mind." She said." I'm used to it, and they can look but can't touch. Trust me." She added with a smile that made Momo feel better.
However that angered Toshiro, after years of being Rangiku's Captain he'd heard that often said about her. And that was something he couldn't stand.
Toshiro quickly rose up from his spot and stormed over to the group. Sajin sitting back knowing he couldn't stop what was coming.
Toshiro stormed over to the unsuspecting group. When he got close enough for them to notice he put his hand out and shoved the small table there were at. They all looked to him unaware of who he was and prepared to retaliate.
"Have a little respect boys." He said pointing over his shoulder and to the woman they were just talking about. His action however had caused some attention to be drawn to him, most people in the room along with Momo and Fiona were looking at them." If you had half the initiative as some officers here you'd find you wouldn't be in the shitty positions you're in now." This made sense form his angle however those he was lecturing didn't know who he was.
"Who the FUCK do you think you are?" asked Renji as he stood up with his boys around him, outnumbering the one Toshiro. But the now adult Toshiro stood his ground. Renji stepped forward and pressed his finger into Toshiro's chest." Coming in here and telling us how to-" but then he went silent as Sajin was there now standing over Toshiro. Whether he was in his normal appearance or as a human he was still very big. Sajin stood over Toshiro with his arms crossed intimidating the officers.
"Wow." Commented Iba to his friends." He looks as big as my Captain." Then the group stepped down from the two.
"That's what I thought." Said Toshiro as he turned and walked back to the counter. Then he pulled out his wallet and paid for their drinks adding extra for any damages, then he turned back to Sajin." Let's get out of here." Sajin nodded and the two headed out.
They made it to the door before they were intercepted. Toshiro and Sajin looked out and saw Rangiku walking their way. Toshiro immediately froze on the spot, unsure of how to react. He recognized her but she didn't recognize him. He stood in the doorway with Sajin right behind him and the two stood there until Rangiku was right before them. The two stood there and Toshiro smiled as she looked him up and down.
"Excuse me." She said and then moved past the two and into the bar. Toshiro was left their standing confused and hurt. Rangiku then walked in and made her way towards Renji and the gang.
"Hey guys." She said." Have you seen my Captain? I heard he was back in the Soul Society."
"Haven't seen him." Said Izuru as he and Iba set the table back up.
"What happened here?"
"That guy." Responded Renji pointing to Toshiro and Sajin as they walked out of the door.
"I don't understand." Said Toshiro as they walked out." She didn't recognize me." He put a hand over his heart." What'll I do, I..I don't know what to do." Sajin however looked on with a raised brow and his arms crossed.
"Toshiro." He said looking down. Toshiro looked down." What do you see?"
"My feet." He said looking back at Sajin.
"Right your feet, but not YOUR feet. Know what I'm saying."
"Oh yea." Said Toshiro as he suddenly remembered that his body had changed.
"Oh Toshiro." Called a voice." Sajin!" The two frantically shot up and began looking around. And making her way through the crowd was Soifon. Being the only person who could recognize the two other than the Head-Captain." You-who." She called out waving to them.
Inside the bar Rangiku could hear her calls and turned to listen. A smile came over her face as she realized was calling out and that her Captian must have been somewhere nearby.
"Soifon?" said Toshiro confused." What's she doing here?"
"C'mon." said Sajin grabbing Toshiro's arm." Let's get the hell out of here." Then the two ducked out of sight.
Right as they moved Rangiku came running out, panting as she did so. Then Soifon walked before her." Captain Soifon." She said grabbing the superior officer by the shoulders. Soifon only looked at her and blinked several times before being realized." Sorry." She let go." But have you seen my Captain, is he here with you?"
Then at that moment Iba and the others came out.
"Captain Soifon." He said." Have you seen my Captain as well?"
"Maybe." Said Soifon as she scratched her head. Right behind them however they didn't noticed the new Sajin and Toshiro against the wall. The two then snuck along the wall trying not to make any noise.
Soifon was now surrounded by the crowd and couldn't see the two. However one step from Rangiku moving out of her path and there they were clear as day to her." Oh there they are now." She said pointing in their direction. Sajin and Toshiro became afraid; they'd be the laughing stock of the Soul Society if seen like this. It was okay what they'd done so far but only because no one knew it was them. So the two did what any frightened people would do, they ran.
Had they not run they probably wouldn't have been noticed until Soifon got more specific. But seeing the two running away, Sajin being the much bigger of the two still it was easy to spot.
So Rangiku and Iba quickly ran after them with the other's help.
"Captain wait!" called Rangiku.
"Captain!" called Iba. Soifon was the left all alone still pointing in the direction of the two.
"Goodbye." She said with an evil smirk as they left.
Toshiro and Sajin ran as fast as they could. Then Sajin rounded a corner. Toshiro kept on running until Sajin grabbed him by his collar and pulled him next to him. Then the two pushed themselves against the wall and watched as the Lieutenants ran by.
"Phew." Toshiro breathed easier." I'm glad that's over." Then he turned to move on but when he did he saw the new Captain of Squad five Matsuri Kudo before him and behind her was Momo."BAH!" Toshiro yelled as he jumped back upon seeing her.
"Hello." She greeted them.
"Hello." They said back nervously. Although she didn't know who they were they didn't want to risk a confrontation.
"Do you know who I am?" Then two looked her over for a moment.
"No." replied Sajin. Toshiro shook his head. But if the two really looked they would have noticed her Captains cloak but they were too frantic and nervous to have noticed.
"Let's say I'm new here." Said Matsuri." But I know all the important people. But I haven't seen you two before."
"We're no one important." Replied Toshiro. Matsuri now turned her attention over to him, then she took a step closer to him. A little too close for Toshiro's comfort.
"I want to thank you for what you did back there." She said to him. Toshiro darted his eyes away for a second and realized he had unknowingly stood up for her in the bar.
"It was nothing actually."
"No." said Momo stepping up." That was really nice what you did." Toshiro looked to his childhood friend and like with Rangiku he recognized her but she didn't to him.
"What is your name?" asked Matsuri. Toshiro opened his mouth to reply but on the assumption he might say too much Sajin bent down and spoke.
"No one of consequence." He said." Just two travelers, on a journey."
"Huh." Said Matsuri in reply as she darted her eyes to the ground before looking at them." Well while you're in the Soul Society, stay as my guests in my barracks." Once again Toshiro opened his mouth to speak but Sajin stepped up.
"Alas no." he said." We must be on our way." Fiona was about to talk again but Sajin spoke." Look a birdie." He said pointing up to the sky. The two women turned around to look and while their backs were turned Sajin quickly threw Toshiro over the wall and then he himself jumped after him. When the Squad five officers turned around there was no one to be seen.
"Captain they've gone." Said Momo.
"So they have." Then she turned and began walking away." Come on Momo, let's get out of here."
Sajin and Toshiro lay on the ground on the other side of the wall. But then they collected themselves and continued on.
"So now what?" asked Toshiro.
"I'd imagine they'll be looking for us for several more hours." Said Sajin looking at the sky, thinking of the Lieutenants.
"Let's keep moving." Said Toshiro." We'll find some place to stay."
"No." said Sajin." I'm tired. I'm going to return to the barracks and find a place to sleep."
"You can't go back someone will see you and possible recognize you."
"It doesn't matter how I look." Said Sajin." I'm still me. Nothing will ever change that." Toshiro took a deep breath and nodded.
"Okay." He said." I guess I'll go back too." The two departed then and there and headed their own way back to their respective barracks.
Toshiro entered his barracks, not attracting too much attention since he didn't have Sajin with him but his presence was noted. Toshiro opened the door to the Captain's office and now began mentally prepping himself for this conversation with Rangiku.
But Rangiku had coincidentally returned to her barracks at the same time Toshiro had, entering from a door on the opposite side of the room. Toshiro was half-way in the door when Rangiku noticed him and froze on the spot, Toshiro looked up and saw her standing there and he himself stood still. They stood like that for several moments, not even blinking as they looked the other over.
Toshiro quickly began thinking of something to say, she didn't know who he was so he'd have to tell her. He thought it best to tell her lightly.
"Ranigku." He said rising to his full height." I-"
"How do you know my name?" she pressed as she began to circle around the room." I don't know you." The fact was he didn't identify her as Lieutenant, her friends were the only ones who called her by her name.
"But I know you, I'm-"
"STALKER!" shouted Rangiku suddenly causing Toshiro's eyes to widen. Then Rangiku grabbed the nearest thing at her disposal which happened to be a vase he had bought her and she tossed it at him. It would have made much more sense to use the sword she had but Toshiro couldn't complain.
The vase flew through the air and was coming towards him but Toshiro quickly slid out of the way causing the vase to hit the floor and shatter.
"Not the vase." Said Toshiro as he stood over its pieces with his hands in his hair. But his attention was called back to Rangiku as she let out a shriek and tossed a glass cup at him. Toshiro quickly jumped out of the way and stood before the couch, with Rangiku on the other side. She quickly moved to grab another object to throw." No wait!" Toshiro called with his hands up." It's me, It's Toshiro."
Rangiku faltered for a moment as she held the object over her head but then tossed shouting 'Liar!'. Toshiro ducked avoiding being hit and stood up again." If you knew who my Captain was you'd know you'd never pass for him."
"I think you'd be surprised." Toshiro responded with a smile to try and ease the situation. Rangiku made a move for her sword now. Feeling the situation suddenly escalated Toshiro reached for his own and held it up." See!" he said holding up the sword for her to see." I am Toshiro, I have his sword." Rangiku straightened herself and observed the blade in his hands, it was Hyorimaru no doubt about that.
"You do have it." She said softly turning to Toshiro. He smiled thinking this argument was done." WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM!" she shouted as she drew her blade.
"Oh, No." groaned Toshiro. Then Rangiku leaped over the couch and at him, Toshiro put up his blade to try and defend.
The next thing either of them knew they'd been propelled outside the door and onto the ground. Toshiro was on his back, dropping his sword as Rangiku came down on him pointing her sword at his throat.
"Now." She panted as she sat atop him." What have you done with my Captain?" She spoke the words and observed the stranger's face, then something caught her attention and she began thinking over the stranger's story. He said he was Toshiro and he had snow white hair like him but that wasn't what got her attention. She was attracted to his big piercing blue eyes. She started into his eyes and he stared back and Rangiku suddenly felt her blade falling to the ground." Captain?" she asked.
"Now you see it." Said Toshiro with a nod of his head. Rangiku looked him over strangely as she held onto his collar." Now if you wouldn't mind." He groaned." Could you get off me?!" Then he moved to try and get up but Rangiku put her hand on his chest and pushed him down.
"Not so fast." She said doing so." What's happened to you? Why do you look like this?"
"Funny story actually." Said Toshiro with a slight chuckle although Rangiku wasn't amused." We went to Mayuri and-"
"Mayuri" she spat in his face. "Does he have something to do with this? Of course he does. I'm going to have a word with him when-"
"Not so fast." He said getting her attention back to him." In order for him to teach Hisagi bankai he asked something of Sajin, Soifon, and myself."
"And what was it?"
"He wanted us to try his new drugs. This is the side-effect of the one I took."
"Well what about Sajin and Soifon?"
"Sajin is a human but nothing has happened to Soifon yet." Rangiku cocked her head off to the side as if considering something." Ahem, can you please get off me now." Rangiku slowly complied and got off him. Toshiro pushed himself off the ground and stood up, it now being realized by the two that he towered over her.
"So." She asked moving some hair behind her ear." How does it feel?"
"I dunno." He replied as he turned and walked away from her and back into the office." I haven't been like this for too long." But when he walked away Rangiku could see many different muscles Toshiro didn't have before. She suddenly felt the room become a little hotter and expected it to be much more. She walked in behind him and slowly closed the door, putting her hands behind her back and locking the door. She was going to have to tell Nanao she no longer had the 'cutest' Captain but the 'hottest'.
Toshiro however casually walked into the office and began looking around." You surely did make a mess of things." He said looking over the destruction of the things she threw at him. Then he turned back and noticed her standing by the door with an odd look in her eyes." What are you looking at?" Then Rangiku took a step away from the door and her intentions were completely realized." Now wait a minute." He said with his hands up, Rangiku took a step forward." I've only just gotten this body, I don't want it to be broken."
"I don't care." She said." I want your new body, I want to you!" Then she lunged at him. Toshiro turned to run away but was quickly taken to the ground.
Meanwhile at Squad Seven. Iba had also returned from having looked for his captain. It was ready to dismiss the idea that his captain had returned until he heard something coming from the Captain's office.
So he put his hand on the knob and opened the door. There he suddenly saw his Captain's chair turned violently around towards the wall.
"Captain?" asked Iba as he entered.
"Yes Lieutenant." Said his Captain's voice from his chair.
"Oh, Captain your back. Where have you been?"
"Not important." Said Sajin trying to hide his human face." Tell me, what news is there of the Squad?"
"The Squad is performing as per usual, sir."
"Excellent. All of you go and celebrate. Help yourself to some of my drinks." Sajin said trying to get his whole squad away so he could have some peace to himself. But his words shocked his Lieutenant, never had something like that ever been offered before.
"Captain, are you alright?" he asked as he walked up next to Sajin's hulking figure and touched his shoulder. Sajin didn't notice him until he was touched and turned to face him screaming. Iba then got a look at his human face and yelled in reply causing Sajin to yell again. Iba stumbled back confused into the wall." C-Captain, what's happened to you?" Sajin turned and his himself from him.
"Don't look." He said." I'm hideous."
"N-No, No Captain." Iba said as he walked towards him." You look normal." Sajin picked himself up and looked in the mirror.
"Normal?" he asked.
Meanwhile at Squad Ten Rangiku was busy enjoying her Captain's new body for the fifth time that day. She rolled off of him and lay down next to him in bed, the two of them still relatively clothed.
"I'm starting to like your new body Captain." She chuckled. Toshiro only chuckled nervously as he rose up and stood before the mirror. Rangiku looked him over and noticed a small blue line poking out of his back." Oh Captain you've got something on you." She said. Toshiro turned and looked for it." On your back." Toshiro turned and flailed his arms wildly as he tried to grabbed at whatever she pointed out." I'll get it." Said Rangiku getting up.
Then she stood behind him and reached for the blue object, only to find it to be skin. Confused but intrigued she quickly lifted up her Captain's shirt, stuffing it into his face.
"What are you-"
"Shh." Then she began to look." Oh my god, Captain. You have a tattoo!"
"What?" Toshiro then turned over and looked in the mirror seeing a long ice dragon tattooed down his back." Oh yea, so I do."
"That's really sexy Captain." Said Rangiku." I wonder if you have any other tattoo's?" Her eyes looked over him and saw some ink jolting out above his pants on his right hip." I see one." She said reaching for it. Then she pulled it down and looked at the tattoo and her enthusiasm vanished into something grim some. On his hip was a tattoo of a heart and the name inside it was 'Senna'. Then Rangiku scowled and looked up at Tosihro.
"What is it?" he asked her. Then she stood up and looked at him.
"What the hell is this?!" she yelled pointing to his hip. Toshiro then turned and look himself over in the mirror and then noticed the tattoo.
"I um." He stammered as he looked from the ink to Rangiku's scowling face." I don't know." He finally let out.
The next thing he knew Toshiro was tossed outside the room and onto the floor. Toshiro looked up and saw Rangiku's scowling face disappear behind the door as she shut it.
"Rangiku." He pleaded as he stood on the other end."Rangiku!" But there was no reply, she would not open the door. Toshiro turned his head away and then walked off heading to the only other place he could while Rangiku was sitting against the wall with her head in her hands.
When Toshiro arrived at Squad Seven he found it to be a mess. Most if not everybody was drunk and were all scattered about sleeping in the barracks. Toshiro made his way to Sajin's office and knocked as he stood on the other side.
"Come in." said Sajin's voice and Toshiro did so. When he entered he saw Iba and Sajin sitting on the floor with two drinks before them.
"You!" said Iba recognizing him from the bar before." What are you-"
"It's alright Iba." Said Sajin with a wave of his hand." It's only Captain Hitsuguya."
"Captain Hitsugay?" he asked confused as Toshiro made his way over and sat amongst them." Then you were that man in the bar, you both were."
"Yes." Said Toshiro sounding glum.
"Sir." Said Iba." I'm so sorry about that, Forgive us, we-"
"It's alright." Said Toshiro as he rested his hand in his chin. Sajin noticed the look on his face and knew he'd rather not be bothered.
"Iba." He said turning to his Lieutenant." Leave us." The Lieutenant looked to the two Captains confused but did not argue.
"Yes, sir." He said as he stood up and left. After he exited Sajin turned to Toshiro.
"So what happened?" Toshiro did not reply." Did she not recognize you?"
"No she did. And up until a few minutes ago everything was as it usually is."
"Until?"
"She saw this." Said Toshiro and he stood up and revealed his tattoo to Sajin.
"Oh my." Said Sajin as he looked it over." When did you get this?"
"I don't know." Said Toshiro." Mayuri's experiment must have changed to what I'll be when I'm older."
"If that's the case." Said Sajin." Who is this? And who is she to you?"
"I do not know." Replied Toshiro. Just then there came a knock at the door.
"Come in." said Sajin while Toshiro sat back down. The door opened and Iba stood there.
"Sorry to intrude Captains." He said." But I've been ordered to tell you there will be a Captain and Lieutenant's meeting tomorrow morning at nine." Sajin looked to Toshiro before turning back to Iba.
"Thank you." He said. Iba nodded and then walked out." So are you going?" he asked turning to Toshiro.
"I don't have a choice. We don't know how long we'll be in these bodies, so we might as well get used to them."
"Yea." Said Sajin and then he stood up." Well I'd best be getting to sleep. Your more than welcome to make yourself at home here."
"Thank you." Said Toshiro. And soon the two settled down for the night.
But the morning came quickly and the officers all began to arrive in pairs at the Squad One barracks, filling the hallway. Those not present yet where Squad's 1,5,7, and Rangiku was the only one who arrived alone.
At the sight of her loneliness she was quickly surrounded by her friends and fellow Lieutenants.
"Rangiku." Said Nanao." You're here all alone? Has your Captain not returned yet?"
"Hmph." Pouted Rangiku as she crossed her arms." Who knows." Then right on cue three new characters were walking down the hall.
The first was Iba but following him were two new figures whom the other Soul Reapers did not recognize it was Toshiro and Sajin.
"Who are they?" asked Shunsui thus getting the attention of every officer in the room to look at them.
"Hey it's the guys from the bar." Said Renji as he spoke with Izuru and Omeada." But what are they doing with Iba."
"Oh No." groaned Rangiku as she put her ran her hand over her face.
The trio walked into the center of the room and once again everyone was looking at them.
"They're all looking." Whispered Iba as he leaned back towards the two.
"Don't worry." Assured Sajin." Everything will be fine." Toshiro said nothing but looked around for Rangiku. Silence filled the room as everyone looked them over.
"Gentlemen." Said Bansui stepping up." Can we help you?" Iba moved forward ready to speak but Sajin put his hand out stopping him, and then he himself stepped up.
"It is understandable that you wouldn't recognize us." Said Sajin." Being the New Captain and all." Toshiro had finally found Rangiku amongst the crowd and the two made eye contact. But immediately Rangiku broke it and pouted in another direction.
"Toshiro, Sajin." Said a voice and everyone turned to see who it was. And then Soifon stepped up." So you two have come out of hiding?" she asked casually, much to everyone else's surprise.
"Yes." Replied Sajin to her as he clapped his hands together. Iba looked around and noticed everyone was looking at them with their jaws dropped. Toshiro snapped his fingers trying to get Rangiku to look at him.
"How did this-" began Byakuya as he stepped up.
"It doesn't matter." Soifon said cutting him off. Toshiro kept trying to get Rangiku to look at him but to no avail.
"What's all the commotion?" asked Yamamoto as he stepped into the room with Sasakibe standing right behind him." Why are you all crowded around like this?"
"Head-Captain." Said Ukitake." Take a look at this." Then he pointed Yamamoto to Toshiro and Sajin. He looked at them for only a second before speaking again.
"So you two have decided to show up today." Said Yamamoto." Very good."
"But Head-Captain don't you-"
"It doesn't matter." Said Yamamoto as he walked past Ukitake."If we can all proceeded into the meeting room." Said Yamamoto.
The Soul Reapers all began to walk towards the door still all looking at Toshiro and Sajin. In the crowd Toshiro tried to get to Rangiku.
"Rangiku!" he called out but she ignored him." Rangiku!" Still she continued to walk on. Yamamoto turned and pushed open the door but then to everyone's surprise it wasn't empty.
Sitting with his legs on one armrest and his elbowed propped up and his face resting In it. Mayuri was in the chair and Kiganjo was leaning on the chair pipe in his mouth.
"Ah." Groaned Yamamoto as he ran his hand across his face. Mayuri jerked his head slightly and could see both Toshiro and Sajin standing amongst the crowd.
"Ha." He said jumping out of the chair and to his feet. Then he began walking towards them." There you are." Kiganjo followed after him puffing on his pipe. Mayuri made his way through the crowd of Soul Reaper officer, pushing most of them out of his way until he came to Toshiro and Sajin. Soifon having been a part of this stepped up as well." Well here we are." Said Mayuri as he looked the group over as if nothing had changed." My old friends, together again." The trio all shivered.
"Is there a reason for your being here?" asked Yamamoto to him. Kiganjo now stood next to the old man and blew smoke down at him.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Hissed Mayuri. Then he began walking around the trio." At great risk of my own life I have tried your Lieutenant time and time again, and have come here to tell you that we have completed our end of the deal."
"Does that mean you've taught him Bankai?" asked Sajin.
"Yes." Replied Mayuri." And since the three of you have held up your end of the deal, as I can see I shall now do mine." Then he reached into his pocket and once again pulled out three vials." Each of these are the antidote to your individual poison."
"Poison?!" the three shrieked.
"Figure of speech, figure of speech." Mayuri assured waving his hands. The three moved towards him but he stepped back." However there is a catch."
"Oh perfect." Groaned Soifon.
"But this is where it gets interesting." Mayuri said, attracting everyone's attention."I'll give you a choice. You can either take the vials and return to your former selves or stay as you are now. Human." He said looking to Sajin." Older." He said to Toshiro. Then lastly he turned to Soifon, who had not changed at all."And…well you get the deal." Then he turned and looked at all three of them." So decide."
"I'll take it." Said Sajin stepping up.
"Are you sure? This could be your only chance to be normal."
"I've always been normal." Replied Sajin." Nobody ever really starred at me until I looked like this. There's no one I'd rather be than me." The Mayuri handed him one of the bottles. Then he turned to Soifon. He looked at her and smiled and she scowled at him with her arms crossed.
The stare off went down for several more seconds until Soifon gave up and marched over to him.
"I don't know what this did to me, but on the chance it is and poison which it most likely is." She said pointing a finger into Mayuri's face." I'll take it." He presented her with a bottle and she snatched it away from him.
"And you?" he asked to Toshiro. Toshiro stood over him but his eyes turned over and looked at Rangiku, Mayuri followed his vision and then the two turned their eyes back to the other.
"I've got a bone to pick with you."
"Oh?"
"I have a tattoo." Told Toshiro."That puzzles me."
"How am I supposed to know what you do with your own body?" Toshiro stood nervous for a moment but then swallowed his pride and lowered his pants slightly to reveal the ink he'd referred to.
"What is this?" he asked. Mayuri looked at the tattoo, and all the others crowded around and looked as well. Then to Toshiro's surprise Mayuri broke into a chuckle."What's so funny?!" he asked violently.
"By research of my own design I came up with each of the vials you would take." Then he turned to Sajin." Yours would turn you human. Yours." He said turning to Toshiro." Was designed to set your body into full maturity."
"That doesn't explain this tattoo!"
"Let me finish. Your body is now in its most matured state, about 400 years by my count. It will be around this time that you have your first child." Rangiku jolted her head up. And the room went silent and you could hear a pin drop.
"Child?" asked Toshiro.
"A girl, I believe." Said Mayuri." That name you have there is her's." Toshiro looked back to Rangiku.
"And who's the mother?" he asked looking back to him.
"Don't ask stupid questions." Said Mayuri quickly." You want this or not." He shook the bottle before him.
"I've got time to spare." Said Toshiro as he reached out and took the bottle. Then he turned to Soifon and Sajin." Cheers." He said raising his up. Then the three clicked the bottles together and drank from them.
Like before Toshiro and Sajin were the only ones to feel something, but the process was much less violent this time. The two squirmed and jiggled but with a blinding flash of light they returned to their normal selves.
It was at this moment that Matsuri and Momo had arrived.
"What do you make of all that?" asked Matsuri confused as they approached the crowd.
"Hey Captain." Said Momo tugging on her coat." That's the guy from the bar the other day." Matsuri looked over and noticed Toshiro.
"It is. But what is he doing here?" But then there was a flash of light blinding everyone. When it settled Toshiro and Sajin stood as they were, only looking like their normal selves.
"Good." Said Sajin as he patted himself down." Back to the way things were."
"If you're just about finished." Said Yamamoto getting Mayuri's attention." Be on your way, we have other matters to discuss here."
"Hmph." Responded Mayuri and he began to walk away, Kiganjo right behind him blowing smoke into the air.
"I understand now." Said Toshiro loud enough only for Mayuri to hear, making him stop as the two were shoulder to shoulder." You personally made these viles which transformed Sajin and Myself into what's viewed as attractive. And yet Soifon remained the same all the time."He turned at Mayuri and smirked. But Mayuri's face showed no signs of surprise or happiness or anything and silence overtook them for the longest time.
"I don't what you are talking about." he replied. Then with that he walked off, Kiganjo following behind. They passed the Squad Five officers on their way out but the pairs paid each other no mind. Matsuri and Momo entered the room and tried to access what just happened.
"Shiro?" asked Momo confused.
"Who?" asked her Captain looking at her.
"That's Toshiro." She said pointing to him." He's my friend, he's also the Captain of Squad Ten."
"Is he now?"
"Captain he was the man at the bar yesterday." Matsuri's eyes suddenly burst open in shock. The officers meanwhile began walking to their respective spots.
"Captain." Said Rangiku as she approached him. He turned and faced her." I'm sorry." She said."I-" but he held up his hand stopping her.
"Let's not dwell on that." He said." We've so much time ahead of us to think about it." Rangiku only smiled and took her position behind him in the meeting.