The New Soul Society
The fire was red, cracking and burning against the walls of the muken. But also there was a great cold that blew a blizzard on the other side.
The opposite powers met in the middle where they seemed to cancel the other out. But the wielders of these powers flung themselves at eachother with neither gaining a real edge.
They'd been fighting for several hours now. Toshiro vs Yamamoto, the Ice Dragon vs The Guardian of Hell. Combat like this had never been seen before & most likely never again.
Yamamoto raised his arm and swung his sword at Toshiro who blocked. There was friction as they clashed & the walls of fire and ice shook behind them.
Yamamoto raised his sword and swung it again only for Toshiro to block. The Captain of Squad 10 looked at the Head-Captain. Behind his wrinkled face and his long brows were his eyes. His stern, old eyes. Never faltering never blinking. Toshiro looked into them and saw ferociousness. The ferociousness of a warrior, the experience of a fighter from days long passed. Yamamoto had a whole life-time of experience against Toshiro, there was no way he could lose.
And now in this moment when the future of the Soul Society was at stake Yamamoto was fighting with all that furiosity & rage.
So for Toshiro instinct took in, for if he didn't act he'd surely die.
He took one step forward & dodged Yamamoto's sword. Then he pointed his forward & jabbed it. The blade made contact & it pierced a hole right through Yamamoto's chest. The flames suddenly died away.
The old man froze up as he stood there squired on Toshiro's blade. He slowly arched his head forward & saw the young man standing before him. He bore a stern face with his shining blue eyes while Yamamoto's own blood dripped down his face.
But the old man managed a smile.
"Well done my son." he said in a gasping voice. With that act the challenge was done and Toshiro completed his final task, finally he was the man Yamamoto wanted him to be. The old man's hand weakened & he dropped his sword to the ground. It fell and hit the ground making a loud 'clang' sound that echoed all around.
And that sound brought Toshiro back to life & he looked forward at a gruesome sight. There was the Head-Captain his mentor squired on the end of his sword.
"NO!" yelled Toshiro.
Upstairs Unohana, Shunsui, Ukitake & Sasakibe came running. They opened the doors to see ice forming around the walls. In the center of the room was Toshiro on his knees cradling Yamamoto in his arms. The four began to make their way towards them. Their feet crunched against the ice on the ground, it was so cold they could see their breath.
Unohanna was the first to approach & saw Toshiro craddiling Yamamoto, there was blood everywhere & Toshiro's sword still stuck in the old man. He heard them approach & Toshiro turned to them. They all looked on him in surprise as tears rolled down his face.
"I-I-I killed him." Toshiro finally said."I-I did this." Unohanna walked over and cradled Toshiro's head in her arms. "I didn't mean to." he cried."I didn't want to."
Shunsui, Ukitake, and Sasakibe walked over to the Head-Captain. He still had a sword in him & he was bleeding out but there was still life in him.
He had very little strength to speak but had much to say. He raised his arm up and pointed to Toshiro. The young man's attention was drawn to Yamamoto & he quickly went to the Head-Captain's side.
"Head-Captain." he said tears in his eyes."I'm sorry-" but he was cut off as Yamamoto spoke.
"Do not waste your time Toshiro." he said in so strained & quiet a voice it sounded like a whisper."This portion of my journey has come to an end. It is your time now."
"But-" said Toshiro leaning forward but suddenly found he had nothing else to say. That's what all this was for, for him to be next Head-Captain. All the training & preparation but he didn't mean for this to happen, not like this.
Yamamoto rolled his head back now looking at everyone else in the room.
Shunsui & Ukitake his students whom he loved like sons.
Unohanna a Captain who was with him since the beginning.
Sasakibe his loyal Lieutenant who vowed to serve him all his life.
And lastly Toshiro. His prized pupil, his predecessor.
"We will meet again." said Yamamoto. Then his eyes closed and his head fell back. Head-Captain Yamamoto founder of the Gotei 13, Leader for over 1,000 years was gone. It was a sad moment as all in the room bowed their heads a shed a tear for their loss.
And Toshiro realized it now for the first time. The Grim Reaper that Yamamoto saw in the night that haunted his dreams, was Toshiro himself.
But Ukitake was the first to realize what this was for. He reached down and pulled the Cloak of the first division off Yamamoto and showed it to Toshiro.
The room fell silent as Toshiro looked at him.
"Don't forget what this was for." said Ukitake."This is what he wanted." Toshiro looked at the Head-Captain's cloak stained with blood & cuts from his last battle. He took it in his hands & began to tremble. Then he looked around and saw everyone looking at him. He was to be their commander, their leader now. But Toshiro didn't want it to be this way, so in one quick motion he turned and ran away.
"Toshiro!" called Ukitake after him."Toshiro!" but he did not stop. He moved himself to go after him but was stopped by Shunsui.
"Let him go Jyuu." he said."Let him be."
"Yes." said Unohanna from behind the both of them."We have other things to take care of." She turned and looked at Yamamoto's body. Lieutenant Sasakibe took Toshiro's sword out of his body and with the new Head-Captain gone he kept the sword.
The next day a ceremony was held for the passing of Genyrusai Yamamoto.
All the Captains & Lieutenants with all their divisions were present, that is all except one. Toshiro was nowhere to be found. He had not been seen since yesterday. Unohanna. Shunsui, Ukitake & Sasakibe didn't speak of what happened.
Yamamoto's body was raised up on a pillar and then burned. The officers all had a moment of silence for his passing. It was a heavy loss one they all bore in a different way.
Rangiku stood alone while all the other Captains and Lieutenants stood together. And as she did she couldn't help but wonder where her Captain was. She hadn't seen him for two days, and for the life of her she could not think of where he could be at a time like this. Then suddenly a slight rain shower began to drizzle down which distracted her from her thoughts.
But then she thought she saw something in the distance. She looked over and starred at the Squad One Barracks. On the roof there appeared to be a person, someone tall and in his hands was a long white rag flowing in the wind.
The next day all the Captains & Lieutenants gathered for a meeting. This would be the most important to date. Who would be the next Head-Captain? It should be Toshiro as Yamamoto wished but he was nowhere to be seen & those witnesses didn't speak of it.
It was cold outside much colder than usual. It was very quiet, nobody was around.
But one lone figure made his way up & towards the grave of Yamamoto. A tombstone was laid there with his name on it & his sword alongside it. The approaching man walked up, his feet crackiling against the ground. Then he stopped before the grave & dropped to one knee before it. It was Toshiro. He was quiet at first, like he was trying to find the right words but forgot them.
"I didn't want it to be this way." he said in a weak voice talking to the grave as if it was Yamamoto himself."I didn't want to kill you." he fell silent again. He thought it all over now. Yamamoto had been fighting all his life The Quincies, founding the Gotei 13, rebellions here and there. He was a man trying to create order out of choas. And in his last battle with Toshiro he showed him how tough it can be."But everything you did was to prepare me for this." As he spoke his voice kept getting stronger."I only hope I can make you proud." He was silent for a moment but then Toshiro kissed his hand & touched the tombstone."We will meet again." Then Toshiro turned and got to his feet. Now with a new determination he made his way towards the Squad One Barracks, to the Captain's meeting.
But it wasn't just a Captain's meeting, all Captains and Lieutenants were there with of course several exceptions.
Bansui had retired many years ago, Genshiro Okikiba had passed away, and of course Toshiro was not present.
The Captains argued back and forth on what was to become of the Gotei 13. The most pressing matter at hand was who would become the next Captain of Squad One and General of all the Gotei 13. And of course none of them could agree on what to do.
"I think it should be the strongest!" yelled Kenpachi.
"You wouldn't know how to handle the great leadership that comes from that position." replied Byakuya.
"I volunteer." spoke up Renji.
"You are not even a Captain." said Soifon." How could you just become the Head-Captain?"
"The hell with that." replied Renji." I just want to be a Captain. I'll take over Squad Three."
"I notice." said Seigen stepping up and walking into the middle of the room." That we are short one Captain who is usually here." He turned and looked at Rangiku who stood by herself and without her Captain." Where is Captain Hitsuguya I wonder?"
"I-I don't know." she answered. Seigen nodded.
"So not only are we without a Leader but there are deserters among us."
"Hold your tongue." said Sajin stepping into the middle of the room with Seigen." I know not where Captain Hitsuguya is but his absence is not the greatest manner at hand." He turned and looked to his fellow Captains." The first thing we must do is find the next Head-Captain."
"But how?" asked Matsuri." The Head-Captain is normally promoted by the previous. And I do not think General Yamamoto promoted anyone."
"Then we must handle this in a civilized manner." spoke up Shuhei." A vote?"
"Agreed." said all the other Captains. Toshiro's instructors remained silent the entire time.
"I think." Sajin spoke up." I think it should either be Captains Kyoraku or Captain Ukitake." Everyone turned and looked at the two Captains stated." The Head-Captain was very fond of them and taught them himself." Sajin turned and looked at the two men." What say you?" He asked. The two men were put on the spot, looking to each other nervously and then to their peers.
"Well." began Ukitake." We-" But he was cut off as the doors suddenly opened up and a familiar figure stood there.
Toshiro stood in the doorway looking around in silence as everyone looked to him. Everyone looked at him curiously in the silence as Toshiro stepped into the room.
"Captain Hitsuguya." said Seigen stepping up." So you finally decided to join us." But Toshiro ignored him and continued to walk forward." You could have come at a better time. Or have you not heard?" Toshiro kept walking." The Head-Captain is dead." Toshiro stopped walking and stood in the center of the room. Shunsui, Ukitake, and Unohana watched on in great speculation.
"I am aware." Toshiro responded as he turned and faced his long time rival." That is why I am here."
"Then take your place and help us discuss the matter at hand." Toshiro turned and looked at the vacant space with Rangiku, the place where the Captain of Squad Ten should stand. But then he turned his head over his shoulder and saw the empty chair of the Head-Captain.
"I think I shall." He said. Then he walked over and stood before Rangiku. He stood before her the two looking into each other's eyes." My heart will always belong with you." He said. Then he put her head in his hands and kissed her on the head. Then he turned and began walking down the rows of the Captains. As he did he looked to Unohana, Shunsui, and Ukitake the three watching with great admiration as smiles began to form on their faces.
Toshiro slowly rolled back his shoulders and let his Captain's cloak fall off his back. He reached around and grabbed it, tearing it from his body as he marched towards the chair where Lieutenant Sasakibe was standing. The Lieutenant was about to bow but Toshiro stopped him as he put the cloak into his hands.
"Get me mine." he said. Sasakibe nodded and marched off into the back room. Toshiro now stood before the Head-Captains chair, the center of the entire military force of the Gotei 13. He reached his hand out and touched the arm of the chair, remembering. The last time he sat in this chair it was all preparation but now it was going to be the real thing.
Sasakibe returned then with a white Captain's cloak.
"Sir." He addressed Toshiro. He looked over and took the coat from the Lieutenant. He swung it up and over his shoulders, sliding his arms into the sleeves. And on the back for all the other Captains and Lieutenants to see was the symbol of the First Division.
Toshiro then turned and faced all of them. Most of looks of shock on their faces but for those how knew they only smiled.
"Your sword, sir." said Sasakibe getting Toshiro's attention again.. Toshiro turned to him and the Lieutenant bent down to his knees and produced Hyorinmaru in his hands. Toshiro's own sword a part of his soul, the blade that killed his master and predecessor. Toshiro reached out and ran his fingers along the hilt then he slowly gripped the sword with his entire hand. He put it in his belt and turned once more to his fellow officers.
"Let us begin." he said. Silence followed afterwards.
"What is this?" questioned Seigen.
"Captain what's going on?" asked Rangiku.
"From here on Lieutenant Matsumoto." said Lieutenant Sasakibe." You must address him by his proper rank."
"How did this happen?" question Soifon." When did this happen?"
"The past few hundred years." replied Toshiro." All a secret."
"I don't understand." said Byakuya." How."
"Why?" asked Matsuri.
"Is this really that big a surprise?" asked Toshiro as he began walking down the ranks." Captain Soifon who taught me to become a master at hand to hand combat?"
"I did." she replied.
"Captain Kuchiki." Toshiro continued." Who taught me how to become a master at shunpo and kido."
"I did." he answered.
"Captains Kommamura and Kudo. Who taught me in swordsmanship?" The two Captains looked to each other and then answered.
"I did." They said.
"Captain Zaraki, who taught me how to use my brute strength in a battle."
"I did." He chuckled. Toshiro smiled and turned back to his chair.
"So you see." he continued." You have all helped me along the way, each giving me the skills I would need for this day. Skills that were later mastered under the guidance of my predecessor." He turned and began walking back towards hi chair."Should you need further information Captains Unohana, Kyoraku, Ukitake and Lieutenant Sasakibe will vouch for me." He made his way for his chair seeing the matter closed and all seemed to agree with it. All but one.
"No!" shouted Seigen as he stepped up." I do not believe this! I will not!" Toshiro slowly turned and faced him. Seigen marched up and stood before Toshiro." Why you, why you out of all of us? The little Captain." Toshiro said nothing and only continued to look at him plainly."You have no right!" said Seigen." No right to sit in that chair!" Toshiro slowly leaned over to Seigen and replied.
"I have the only right." He said. Then he turned and walked back to it. "Should any of you have a problem with the final decision of Genryūsai Yamamoto speak now!" And to everyone's surprise there was silence that followed, not even Seigen replied as he went back to his place." Now then." Toshiro continued calmer as he sat back down in his chair." My first order of business is as follows. Lieutenant Matsumoto." She stepped out and into the middle of the room.
"Yes, General." she said to him.
"Come and stand on my right." He pointed to the vacant spot next to him. On his left stood Sasakibe." You are hereby promoted to Lieutenant of Squad One." And this word confused everyone, even his proctors.
"But Tosh- Head-Captain." said Sajin stepping up." Squad One, You already have a Lieutenant."
"Yes and now I have two." Toshiro said.
"If I may be so bold sir." Spoke up Byakuya." A Captain has never had more than one Lieutenant. And the law states-"
"I am the law Captain Kuchiki. The rules are what I say they are." Byakuya stepped down and nodded his acceptance." Lieutenant Matsumoto has served me long and well, I see no reason for that too stop now." He turned to Sasakibe, the only person who's opinion he would hear on the matter." Do you see a problem Lieutenant?"
"Only one, sir." He answered. He turned back and faced his Captain." Squad Ten is without a Captain or Lieutenant." Of course Sasakibe was not disturbed by the news in fact he expected it.
"And we will deal with that in due time I assure you." Sasakibe nodded and turned back forward. At this time Rangiku walked up and stood next to Toshiro. She turned to see him smirking at her and she couldn't help but smile back.
There he sat Toshiro Histsguya, the Captain of Squad One and General of all the Gotei 13. He used to be the smallest and most doubted him because of that. But it was the love and friendship he from those like Rangiku and Sajin as well as the knowledge and the hope from those like Genryūsai Yamamoto that allowed him to overcome such hardships. He stood now above them all at the Head of the Greatest Military Order and there were going to be some changes.
"Now then." said Toshiro with a smile as he turned to the Captains." Let us continue."
The End
Note: I would like to thank everyone for following along and reading this story, especially Sarge1130 who not only read and commented not only on this story but on most of my other Bleach Stories. Head-Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya and the Gotei 13 will appear in my future stories.
Lastly have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Happy Holidays Everyone.