Party at Squad 5
Yamamoto was in a strange mood. It had been a few days since he meet with the Soul King and while he was greatly happy to be out of his company he couldn't help but think of what he said.
Yamamoto didn't need to take up a successor. There was nobody now who was faster, stronger or smarter than he was. If he dropped dead then this whole Organization would die with him. And that's the thought that scared him the most.
While most couldn't think of the Gotei 13 without him, someday Genryusai Yamamoto was going to die. And on that day someone was going to have to step up and take his place. And as Yamamoto thought it over, no Captain at this present time could do it. He could see none of them doing his job. It took a great amount of skill, cunning, and strength which the current Captains lacked.
It pained him to admit it but the Soul King was right. He would have to take a Soul Reaper under his wing and teach him the responsibilities of being Head-Captain. But who could he pick?
There was Shunsui and Ukitake whim he had trained personally, or Sasakibe who had served him loyally for many years. But another name kept popping into his head, one that beat out all the others. And Yamamoto wouldn't consider something like this, unless he was willing to do it.
"Lieutenant!" his voice roared. Within a moment Sasakibe opened the door and stood before him.
"Yes, sir. You called?"
"Lieutenant, I have a mission for you."
Meanwhile at Squad Five.
Matsuri sat behind her desk diligently working. But she wasn't all there today, not a good start to her career as a Captain but her mind was occupied by other thoughts. She turned her eyes to the window and remembered how only a few days Toshiro Captain of Squad Ten had stood up for her in a bar against some hoodlums. Nobody had ever stuck up for her before so it was a welcomed action. Fiona now saw it fit to repay Toshiro in whatever way she could. They'd both been at the meeting yesterday and while she would occasionally look at him, he didn't notice her.
Then at that moment Momo walked in, who as Matsuri recently learned was very good friends with Toshiro.
"Say Momo." Said Matsuri getting her attention." What Squad was that friend of yours in?" she asked just trying to find a way to lead into the conversation.
"Toshiro? He's the Captain of Squad Ten."
"Tell me what kind of man is he?"
"Well he'd not so much a man. He's more of a little boy."
Matsuri nodded her head." But what's he like?"
"Well he's very strict and adheres to the rules a lot. Very orderly and by the book, I think he needs to unwind a little." Matsuri nodded her head listening intently." But he's very kind, every day while I was in the hospital he came and visited me."
"What kind of things does he like?" she asked leaning in more.
"Why are you so curious Captain?" asked Momo as she looked over her Captain's features." Oh my God!" she exclaimed getting up." Do you like little Shiro?!"
"No, no." said Matsuri with a nervous look and a wave her arms around." I just want to thank him for what he did at the bar."
"Oh." Said Momo sitting back." Well his favorite food is watermelons, you should get him something like that. And Captain Ukitake says he likes candy." Matsuri nodded her head.
"Very well then." She said getting up." I'll go get him something then."
Meanwhile at Squad Ten.
"So much to do, so much to do." Said Toshiro as he ran between rooms to file paperwork after paperwork. Given the events that had happened recently, he was a little behind on his work." RANGIKU!" he called into the other room for her." What have I missed?"
"Well, nothing special." Said Rangiku as she filed her nails, not looking at her Captain passing between rooms. Toshiro now had a big pile of papers and was trying to manage getting back to his office without spilling them." Oh Momo's got a new Captain."
"Good ,Good." Said Toshiro as he entered his office, most likely not really listening. But then he did hear it and he jumped back out into the hallway."WHAT!" The echo of his voice caused Rangiku to shutter." When did this happen, who is it?" he asked as he jumped down next to Rangiku.
"I don't know." She said. Once again given everything that had happened recently, they'd overlook a couple of new details." I haven't met him yet." Toshiro turned and looked at the door. Then in another spilt second he ran out the door."Captain, where are you going?!"
But Toshiro did not answer as he ran out the door. Then he turned and ran towards the Fifth Squad's barracks. He didn't know who the Captain was and he didn't care, He was going to have a talk with him about Momo. He had no idea what he was in for.
Toshiro was now making his way around the Squad five. He imagined the Captain would be someone easy to find, however he was having some trouble. The barracks were unknown to him so he had no idea where to go.
Matsuri at that time just made it back to the barracks and was walking into her office." So." She said with some giddiness in her voice as she walked in to find Momo at work." I got him something."
"Oh really?" asked Momo as she got up." What is it?" Matsuri showed a small box in her hands and showed it to Momo. In the box were little candy watermelon pieces sprinkled with sugar. "Oh that's great." Said Momo." He'll love it. You should go give it to him now."
"Would now be appropriate?" asked Matsuri.
"Of course it would." Responded Momo with a wave of her arms and a smile." You can just walk right in, I do it all the time."
"Okay." Said Matsuri sounding unsure.
"Go, go." Said Momo pushing her out the door." You'll want to give it to him in person." Matsuri was out the door and felt determined to go and quickly set out on her way.
Toshiro meanwhile was still having trouble making his way around the barracks. But then he turned and bumped into someone. He stepped back and looked up noticing he'd stood before Matsuri Kudo. Now she knew who he was but he didn't know who she was. Matsuri quickly lit up and smiled as he stood there looking up at her.
"Pardon me ma'am." He said to her." But where is your Captain? I need to have a word with him."
"I know where the Captain is." Matsuri replied." The Captain is me." Toshiro's eyes bugged open and he looked her up and down noticing now the white Captain's cloak she had. He'd originally come here with the plan to tell the Captain he'd kick 'his' ass if anything happened to Momo. However as it turned out the Captain was a woman and that changed things.
"Oh, Oh!" Toshiro groaned as he looked her up and down.
"That's not a problem is it?" she asked with a smile noticing his reaction.
"To some degree, yes." Said Toshiro, Matsuri leaned in." It's just I… I was expecting a man."
"How's that?" The little Captain turned his head away and ran his hand threw his white hair.
"I was expecting a man. And I was coming over to tell him if he'd hurt Momo I'd…" He looked back to her a not wanting to seem rude would have to change his word choice." Have a word with him." He finished.
"And what will you say to me now that I'm a woman?"
"My words still stand." He said, turning his feet slightly preparing to leave." You have a nice day ma'am." Then he turned and began walking away.
"You don't remember me do you?" she asked suddenly. Toshiro stopped and turned back to look at her.
"Yea, I remember you." He said. Then he moved to turn and walk away.
"Wait." She said. Toshiro turned around but then found that Fiona ran over and stood in his way." I wanted to thank you for what you did." She said as she pawed her hands nervously.
"Oh it was nothing actually." He replied.
"But I wanted to thank you." She said avoiding his comment." So I got you this." Then she shoved her arms out and presented the box to him. Toshiro looked at the encouraging smile on her face and not wanting to seem rude accepted it.
"Thank you." He said softly. Then he took the box and examined it, looking right through the plastic container to see sugar coated watermelons.
"Do you like it?" Matsuri asked suddenly, nervously playing with her hair." I mean I didn't know what to get you, so I had to ask around." In Toshiro's opinion she'd asked the wrong people, and in his mind he knew who it was. He turned back to her with a slight scowl on his face only to meet her smiling blushing one. So he made the effort to seem happy, after all it would have been rude to not accept them.
"Thank you, very much." He said to her with a fake smile and gritted teeth. Then he turned on his heal and prepared to leave.
"Uh Wait!" said Matsuri reaching her arm out. Toshiro stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around and faced her, putting on his fake smile again. Matsuri then had only a second to react and to think of something. She really had nothing in mind to say, she just wanted him to stay but now she had to say something.
"A party?" asked Momo as she addressed her Captain.
"Yep." Replied Matsuri.
"Here?" Matsuri nodded once more." That's perfect!" exclaimed Momo jumping up." We'll invite all the other divisions and we'll get all the party favors together, oh it'll be fun!"
"I'm glad you agree." Said Matsuri smiling." If that's the case we might want to get everything ready." Everything that followed after was quick mesh of words flying faster out of the others mouth whenever they spoke.
"Oh of course." Said Momo."What'll we need?"
"Well we'll need food."
"Plenty of food." Agreed Momo." We can make it a barbeque."
"Great Idea. A pool party."
"It's the perfect weather."
"We should get to work, right away." Said Matsuroi." I'll begin writing invitation immediately." And that's exactly what she did and in no time the letters were sent out to every division and soon in the hands of the Captains and Lieutenants.
"You are personally invited -" read Ukitake.
"To the first annual fifth division party-" read Sajin.
"There will be burgers, refreshing drinks-" read Bansui.
"Alcoholic and non-alcoholic." Read Shunsui.
"And remember-" read Kenpachi as he stood there with Soifon and Byakuya.
"Bring your swim trunks." Toshiro said as he finished reading the letter with Rangiku nearby. He was silent and looked up at his Lieutenant." Hell with that." He crumpled the paper up and tossed it over his shoulder." I'm not going." Then he walked off.
"Captain you can't be serious." Whined Rangiku as she picked up the paper he just crumpled up." It's a party, it'll be fun."
"I don't do fun." Replied Toshiro jumping into his Captain's chair and preparing to continue his work. Just then there came a knocking at the door." Come in!" he called. Then suddenly Momo burst in.
"SHIRO! SHIRO!" she yelled running through the office and over to his desk. She slammed her hands onto his desk, startling him." Did you get the letter to our party?"
"Um." Stammered Toshiro. He looked past Momo and to Rangiku who held the paper in her hands." No." he finally answered." I haven't." He hoped that this would have Momo leave quickly and drop the subject where it was.
"Oh." Said Momo." Well that's okay because I have a personalized letter for you right here." Then to Toshiro's annoyance she pulled a letter from her pocket and extended it to him. He took it and then a great scowl came to his face as he looked the letter over. It was covered with colorful stickers of watermelons and stars.
Then he began reading through it.
'Captain Hitsuguya,
You are invited to the celebration to Squad Five on Tomorrow at Five, as the personal guest of the new Captain Matsuri Kudo. ' It read. And at the very bottom was the personal signature of the Captain, something that was lacking in the other letter.
"Well." Said Momo getting his attention." Are you going to come?"
"Well I um." Stammered Toshiro." Work.. and um I'm very busy-"
"Yes." Said Rangiku walking over to the two." He'll be there. We'll BOTH be there. "She said putting her arm around her Captain and pulling him close.
"Oh good." Said Momo with a smile." See you then." Then she turned and left. In the aftermath of her leaving Rangiku turned her Captain's head and made eye contact with him.
"We're going to that party." She told.
The day past and went and despite Toshiro's protest he was dragged around all the stores in Soul Society and was forced to find something to wear. And when he refused to pick something Rangiku picked something for him. And soon the time for the party came.
There they stood before the gates of Squad five Rangiku in her swimsuit and a towel in her arms while Toshiro was in a blue bathing suit and tang top, his arms crossed with a pout on his face.
"Don't look so glum Captain." Said Rangiku. "This'll be fun." He still pouted his annoyance. The door then opened and there stood Momo wearing a one piece swimsuit. And at the sight of her Toshiro jolted.
"SHIRO!" she exclaimed and grabbed him.
"Momo!" he yelled. She quickly let go of him and grabbed his hand then led him inside.
"C'mon." she said." I've got to tell the Captain you're here!" Toshiro was dragged behind Momo and Rangiku tried to follow after them. Toshiro nearly tripped over himself as Momo dragged him left and right." Captain!" Momo called out.
Matsuri turned around wearing nothing but a two piece bathing suit to see Momo dragging Toshiro towards him.
"Shiro, my friend is here." Said the Lieutenant stopping before her Captain.
"Toshiro." Said Matsuri." I'm glad you could make it." She bent over to hug him but when she did her chest stuck out enough for him to look down it.
So he quickly took a step back, creating distance between them. Then when speaking to her he looked off to the side.
"Thank you." He said." Pleasure to be here." Though he said it half-heartedly.
"Really!" said Matsuri." That's good, I'm very glad you showed up. It's my way of thanking you for what you did."
"Did?" he asked turning back to her." I thought those silly treats you gave me was 'thank you' enough."
"Well I thought I'd do more." She smiled. Toshiro covered his eyes with his hand and groaned." What was so silly about my gift?" she asked getting his attention." Didn't you enjoy them?"
Toshiro now realized what he had said and was now caught in a pickle, so he'd have to be careful how he answered." No, no. I did, I did enjoy them." He lied. In truth he had given them to Rangiku as a gift to her which she generously accepted.
"Good, good." She smiled." Well you may help yourself to anything you'd like." She held her arms out and motioned to everything around.
"Captain!" called Rangiku suddenly coming up from behind him." Why'd you hurry off so fast I-" She walked through the crowd and stopped as she noticed for the first time Matsuri. And looking at the other woman it shocked her, she didn't see a woman that looked anything like herself all that often.
"Oh Hello." Said Matsuri.
"Hello." Greeted Rangiku but in a curious manner as she walked over. Toshiro now stood between the two and noticed their similar posture, body types, and swim wear.
"Oh Good God!" groaned Toshiro in fright.
" Rangiku Matsumoto." She held her hand out." Lieutenant of Squad Ten."
"Matsuri Kudo, Captain of Squad Five." She shook. And Toshiro could tell watching this go down there could be no good outcome. But then Toshiro's attention was called to someone else.
"Toshiro!" called Sajin." We're starting a game of volleyball, join a team!" The Dog Captain stood with Kenpachi, Soifon, Byakuya, and Bansui on a volleyball court they'd made.
And there Toshiro was at the party he didn't want to be at. Though he was surprised at the turnout, it seemed like the whole Gotei 13 was there. But shockingly enough Captains Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Unohana were not in attendance.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Sasakibe stood outside the gates. He slowly opened the door and saw the festivities the Soul Reapers were taking part in. Then he began making his way through the crowd looking for someone in particular. And after some looking around he finally found him.
"Captain Hitsuguya!" he called out as he saw the Tenth Squad Captain with his own Lieutenant and the Captain of Squad Five.
"Lieutenant Saskibe." Said Matsuri." Have you come to join the party?"
"Afraid not ma'am." He replied." I've been sent here to retrieve Captain Hitsuguya." The little Capain raised an eyebrow."The Head-Captain would like to see you."
"The Head-Captain, why?" Sasakibe looked around and saw the large crowd of prying eyes all around.
"It's not my place to say. My orders are to bring you back to him." Toshiro nodded his head and agreed to follow him. But as he left Matsuri grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"You're coming back right?" she asked.
"Yes." Toshiro answered with a sigh knowing if he'd said 'No' it would only upset her. She smiled and let him go and Toshiro walked off with Sasakibe leading the way." I take it we're stopping back at my barracks so I can get changed?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
So they made their short spot at the 10th squad so Toshiro could wear his proper uniform when seeing his superior. Then they made their way to the Squad One barracks. And Toshiro couldn't help but feel uneasy about the whole thing. The way this all suddenly came up and the lack of information Sasakibe gave put Toshiro on edge. Something strange was happening he could feel it in his bones.
They soon arrived before the doors to the office of Head-Captain Yamamoto.
"Follow me." Said Sasakibe. He pushed open the door and the two walked in. Toshiro looked past the Lieutenant to see Head-Captain Yamamoto sitting at his desk. But that wasn't all, behind him was Unohanna along with both Shunsui and Ukitake." I have brought him." Said Sasakibe, before stepping off to the side.
Toshiro now stood before the four oldest Captains and he could tell something was wrong. There was a strange feeling the air, and it was given off by all of them. Not only that, but all of them with the exception of Yamamoto looked at him strangely. As if they were both worried and nervous.
"Captain Hitsuguya." Began Yamamoto getting his attention." Do you know why you are here?"
"No, sir." He answered honestly. Yamamoto nodded.
"I assumed you wouldn't. Do you understand the hierarchy of the Soul Society, Captain Hitsuguya?"
Toshiro scrunched up his face confused, but he did answer." There's the citizens, then the military of the Gotei 13. The lower ranks are at the bottom with the Captains at the top, and you yourself sir above all of them."
"Very good." Yamamoto nodded." And what do you know of the Soul King?"
"Very little if anything. All I know is he rules over all the Soul Society, and the Zero Division Guards him."
"And thought it pains me to say it." Said Yamamoto." He is my superior, thought he usually knows when to stay out of my business."
"If I may speak so boldly, sir?" Yamamoto nodded." I fail to see what this has to do with anything."
"I meet with the Soul King only a few days ago." Told Yamamoto. "When the Royal Guard temporarily filled in for me. Do you remember?"
"Yes, I remember."
"He proposed to me last time I saw him that I begin looking for a replacement to take over the position of Head-Captain of the Gotei 13." Toshiro was silent at first but then the realism of the situation came to him.
"Me?" asked Toshiro." You want me to-"
"I'm asking if you are interested." Replied Yamamoto.
"Sir I'm not suitable to be Head-Captain. I'm too young, I don't have the experience necessary. I-"
"I'm not saying you take over now. I still have a few hundred years left in me, I'm asking you if you'd like to take over the position after I am gone?"
"I-I-I-"
"We would also train you. The officers in this room and myself. To make sure you are ready when the time comes." Toshiro said nothing but breathed heavy and held his head. This was all happening so fast he could hardly keep up with it. "I understand this is all very sudden." Yamamoto acknowledged." So I assume you don't have an answer just yet. Go back to your barracks and think long and hard about this. When you are ready come back and give your answer." Toshiro was still very confused over all this. But Yamamoto had dismissed him.
"Y-Yes, sir." He answered. He turned around and left.
"Captain Hitsuguya" came Yamamoto's voice getting his attention and forcing him to turn around.
"Yes, sir?"
"Mention this to no one." He told." The only people who can know are those in this room."
"Yes, sir." Toshiro nodded. Then he turned and continued on his way, closing the door behind him.
"Do you think he'll be interested?" asked Ukitake to those left.
"Heaven only knows." Said Shunsui taking off his hat and wiping his head.
Toshiro meanwhile exited the Squad One barracks, his mind swimming with questions. 'What had just happened?', 'Why had this happened', and most importantly 'Why me?'.
He looked to see that the sun was setting. It was going to be a long night as Toshiro thought all this over.