Career Day

Today was Career day. More specifically it was the day that graduates and students of the Academy got to journey to the Gotei 13 and observe what daily life was like. This was the chance for the Division to show off and get new members.

Squad Five had a lemonade stand, Squad Eleven had a fight demonstration. And standing outside the Mighty Squad One barracks was it's co-Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto. The simple fact that a woman like herself was out there was more than enough reason for any man to approach her. She greeted them with a cheerful smile and a pamphlet.

"Join Squad One." She said to them. "The best Squad around." And dozens of men came and went already deciding that Squad One was the Squad for them, without truly understanding the division itself." Bye bye!" Rangiku waved to another man." Hope to see you soon."

"Lieutenant Matsumoto!" a frantic voice called behind her. She turned around with a smile as Sasakibe marched over to her. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm getting new recruits. Join Squad One." She handed the pamphlet to a man walking by. "I'll be your best friend if you do!" Sasakibe reached out his hand and snatched one of the pamphlets from her.

The pamphlet had the Division's symbol on it but that was the only official thing on it. Everything else was written by Rangiku talking about how fun the division was. How every month they had a big party, there was a bowling alley and bar built into the luxurious lounge.

"We have none of the things you mention here." Sasakibe said to Rangiku.

"Not yet we don't." She said matter of factly." But we will soon enough. Once I talk to Toshiro and-"

"The General? I think he'll be a bit upset if he sees you out here doing this."

"Doing what?" She asked innocently. Rangiku turned around and waved to a group of men passing by. And the way she moved it wasn't her dazzling smile that caught their attention. The three quickly changed their direction and walked towards her.

"Keep walking!" Sasakibe commanded as he made himself the wall between her and them. With a solid stare from him coupled with his hand on his sword they quickly turned the other way.

"Now why did you do that?" Rangiku pouted as she walked out to his left." JOIN SQUAD ONE!" she yelled at the retreating men.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto." Sasakibe said to her." If the General knew what-" His face suddenly went pale as he looked behind her.

"If he knew what?" Rangiku asked. She turned and followed his gaze and there was Toshiro himself, but he wasn't alone. There was a young woman next to him, with brown hair tied back in a hair pin with yellow rimmed glasses.

"And this is my division." Toshiro pointed up to the tall buildings of Squad One.

"Oh my." The girl remarked. Toshiro turned his attention over and saw his two Lieutenants.

"Good Morning, sir." Sasakibe said.

"And these are my two Lieutenants." The girl turned and looked at them." Chojiro Sasakibe."

"Charmed." He bowed.

"And Rangiku Matsumoto." Rangiku however said nothing and only starred at the girl when she looked at her.

"Who is this?" She asked Toshiro but kept looking at the girl with squinted eyes.

"Ran'Tao here is a future member of the Gotei 13, and a potential member of Squad One." Toshiro told.

"General you have too much to do than worry yourselves with such matters. If there's anything she'd like to know she can consult our pamphlet." Sasakibe told.

"Pamphlets! Rangiku suddenly let out." No, we don't have any more of those!" She hid her hands behind her back." Nope we gave them all away, sorry better luck next time."

"Well that's alright." Said Toshiro." Perhaps one of you could fill her in-" Suddenly Rangiku pulled a pamphlet out from behind her back.

"Here you go!" she let out shoving it into Ran'Tao's hands." Everything you need to know is in here, if you have any questions call our 1-800 number." She turned the girl around and began pushing her away.

"Oh cool a bowling alley." Ran'Tao said looking at the paper. Rangiku reached her hand out and snatched it from her hands.

"That pamphlet's a lie!" she said tearing it up. Ran'Tao looked at Rangiku strangely so to distract her Lieutenant Sasakibe spoke.

"Perhaps we could help you better if we knew your skills." He spoke up.

"Skills?" Ran'Tao answered." Well I had some of the highest grades in my class. Excelling Kido classes, Science classes-"

"Oh Science!" Rangiku piped back. She pushed Sasakibe out of the way." Hey that's great you know we have one of those." She grabbed Ran'Tao by her arm and pulled her away." The Division's about 1,000 miles that way!" And then she pushed the girl away.

Ran'Tao nearly fell over, her hair almost coming undone and her glasses falling off her face. As she reached down to retrieve them Toshiro beat her to it and handed them back to her.

"Thank you." She said returning them to her face.

"You know Squad 12 might be good for you." He said. He looked over his shoulder in the direction of the division. He strummed his chin as he mused the possibility of a sensible person in that division." Yes I think that would be good." He said looking at the girl.

"Well I think I'll go and give it a shot." Ran'Tao said.

"Wonderful." Toshiro said." Ask for Captain Seigen Suzunami personally, tell him I sent you."

"Okay, thank you." She said with a wave as she headed off to do just that. The trio of the First Division watched her go.

"Alright now that she's gone." Said Rangiku between her superior and co-worker." What do you think about a movie theater in the barracks?" Toshiro raised an eyebrow at her while Chojiro sighed.

Meanwhile at the Squad Five Barracks.

Squad Eleven was too hard, Squad One was too strict, Squad Four too soft, but the fifth Division was just right. Even before the days of Sosuke Aizen the Division was known for its gentle atmosphere and talented staff. Two current Lieutenants and one current Captain had begun their careers in Squad Five.

And now with Matsuri Kudo as Captain the Division was just as popular as ever, though some could just be distracted by a pretty face. But right now that pretty face seemed distraught. She paced back and forth at the outer gates of the barracks greeting anyone who happened to be stopping by, walking in or just walking by. But despite all the faces' she greeted there was still one in particular she hadn't seen yet.

"Is something the matter Captain?" asked Momo as she came to her superior's side.

"My brother still isn't here yet." She told." He just graduated so he should be here. But I don't know what's keeping him." Momo had met her Captain's younger brother several years ago while he was still a student. And both Matsuri and Momo had told him about the glory of Squad 5. And needless to say both expected him to join as soon as he graduated.

But here they were on his graduation day and yet he wasn't here.

"I'm sure he's just running late." Momo told." There are a lot of people here today, he's probably caught up in the crowd." Captain Kudo's face softened signaling she'd agreed with momo's idea. But her younger brother had other plans.

Every boy from their first day in the Academy to their last dreams of joining the Eleventh Division. They were the combat division, made of the best fighters of the entire Gotei 13 and headed by the most powerful Captain around. Who else would call themselves Kenpachi let alone name himself after the most dangerous district of the soul Society.

And when Fujimaru Kudo stepped into the barracks he was not disappointed. There was a fight already on display in the yard with hundreds of on-lookers. A bald headed man had his sword drawn and dared any man to try their luck against him, so far none had been lucky.

"Who's next?!" he hollered to the crowd." Step right up and try your luck!" But the takers were few, not after he just flattened the last guy in two seconds flat. Fujimaru saw this as his chance.

"I'll fight you!" He called out. His hand shot up extending over the heads of the men towering over him. They quickly stepped aside allowing him to pass. But Ikkaku's smiled shortened when he saw a boy stepped forward instead of a man.

"And who are you boy? Move along you're not worth my time. Go try Squad Seven or Squad Ten, I hear their always looking for new recruits. Come back when you're old enough." He laughed. And some of the others laughed with him but Fujimaru would not be turned away.

"I'm not afraid of you." He protested. In a word he drew his sword and the threat was real.

"Alright." Ikkaku agreed." If that's what you want. But don't go crying to your mommy when I beat you down." Fujimaru gripped his sword and prepared to jump forward." And know that you fight Ikkaku Madarame Third Seat of Squad Eleven."

With both hands on the hilt of his sword Fujimaru raised it above his head to swing down. But Ikkaku raised up his scabbard and blocked. Then with his other hand he swung his sword forward, cutting Fujimaru across the cheek. The sensation was new to him. In the academy they'd have sparring matches but with wooden swords. But these were no practice swords but metal and steel as he had expected.

And then in one swift motion Ikkaku took his scabbard and hit Fujimaru in his leg, knocking him to the ground. When he looked back up he saw Ikkaku over him with his blade at his throat.

"Submit." He demanded. And with his cheek bleeding and the fear of death in his belly Fujimaru dropped his swords and put up his hands. Ikkaku stepped back giving his opponent some space

"Get out of here kid." Ikkaku said when Fujimaru got back to his feet." You're not meant for Squad Eleven." Fujimaru picked up his sword and looked the third seat in the eye." Go on, GET OUT OF HERE!" He yelled pointing his sword at him. And his voice alone was enough to send the boy running for the hills. The Division members stepped aside as he ran through them laughing as he did." Alright!" Ikkaku called to the crowd." Who's next?!"

But Fujimaru was not the only one having bad luck with the Squad of his Dreams.

Yushiro Shihouin was the 23rd Head of the Shiouin Clan and the younger brother of Yoruichi Shihouin, former Captain of Squad Two. But instead of being welcomed with open arms into his family's division he found himself wrist deep in the dirt.

"Get out of here Kid!" shouted Omeada the Lieutenant of the Division." Squad Two doesn't want you!"

"But, But I'm Yushiro Shihouin." He said getting to his feet." My sister was the former Captain. My Father, my grandfather-"

"That crap doesn't matter!"Omeada roared as he towered over the boy." Nobody cares about what your father did or what your grandfather did." Seemingly ironic since it was also a tradition for the Omeada clan to be a Lieutenant of Squad Two as much as it was for the Shihouin's to be Captains." Here and now all that matters is yourself and you ain't good enough kid. Now beat it!" He pointed the boy out into the dirt road. It wasn't until the Lieutenant turned around that Yushiro mustered up the strength to stand up, his knees shaking violently.

"Wait!" He called. "Please wait!" Omeada glanced over his shoulder at him.

"Didn't I just tell you to get out of here?!" He turned back to face him fully." GO, GO AWAY! And don't come back!" There was a harshness in his voice that shook Yushiro down to his bones. The Lieutenant of Squad Two was a big man and powerful looking. Not wanting to risk a confrontation with one of the Gotei 13's best he did as he was told.

Looking over his shoulder he could Omeada returning into the courtyard of his barracks.

"HaHa!" he boasted to his Squad-Mates." See what I did to that kid, I think I made him cry." But that was not true. There was water in Yushiro's eyes but he was not crying, not yet.

Fujimaru had made his way into the Squad Eleven Barracks only to be rejected. Even though he'd been humiliated and been told to leave somehow he couldn't. The entrance was right in front of him all it would take was one tiny step and he was gone. But he couldn't, he was compelled to stay.

He knew if he showed up at Squad Five his sister would welcome him with open arms, make sure he was comfortable and maybe even give him a seated position. But comfortable is not what he wanted. Squad Five was fun and carefree but Fujimaru wanted adventure and danger, fighting and glory. And he knew he'd only find that it Squad Eleven.

He didn't spend six years in the Academy dreaming of joining Squad Eleven to be gotten rid of so easily. He did not spend hours on end becoming the best swordsman of his class for no reason.

So he mustered up his strength and went back to face the trials of that Division. One way or another he was getting into that Squad.

He turned on his heel and re-entered the courtyard. The crowd still buzzing with excitement. Roughly Fujimaru pushed the bigger and older Soul Reapers out of his way as he made his way to the center and Ikkaku Madarame.

"Third Seat Madarame!" He called out. The man's back was to him but he turned around when his name was called.

"You?" He questioned.

"I've come to join Squad Eleven." Fujimaru proclaimed. But his statement was simply laughed at.

"I already told you to go somewhere else kid." Ikkaku said." We don't want you around here." But Fujimaru drew his sword and pointed it at Ikkaku, silencing the crowd.

"Fight me!" He demanded. The bald man looked as if he might reply but someone else spoke before him.

"Let me handle this Ikkaku." A man moved up beside him, shorter in stature, black hair and colorful feathers on his right eyelash and left eyebrow." You've been fighting all day, give someone else a chance." Ikkaku took a step back.

"Fine." He agreed." Besides I've already had my fill of this kid. He's all your Yumichicka." He stepped out of the courtyard allowing the two fighters the maximum amount of space.

"Now then." Said Yumichicka stepping forward." Let's see if you'll fare any better against me." He placed his sword before his chest." Bloom, Fuji Kujaku." And the blade turned into a sickle, splitting into four identical ones." If you have any way of defending yourself I suggest you do it now." But Yumicihicka didn't even give him a chance and instead lunged at Fujimaru from across the yard. The boy went to his knees and blocked before rolling out of the way. The Fifth seat turned and swung at him once more only to be dodged." Is that all you can do is run?"

With some six feet between them Fujimaru prepared his own blade holding it up into the air.

"Flash, Ryūjōmaru." And he swung the blade down before him to reveal his shikai. The blade itself stayed the same but on his right hand was a blue gauntlet that covered his elbow down. As extra weaponry there were two blades running down it as well.

"Well that's interesting." Commented Ikkaku. And the other watchers seemed to agree. All eyes were on Fujimaru now, waiting to see what he and his shikai could do.

Yumichicka lunged forward but this time Fujimaru blocked the sword with his own. Then he pushed off and advanced this time swinging his fist forward using the two blades to grind against Yumichicka's and drive him back. Then with all his strength he managed to push Yumichicka off his feet and onto the ground.

And when he hit the ground the sound that broke out was the sound of laughter. But this time they were laughing at their own comrade.

"C'mon Yumichicka he's just a kid." Ikkaku laughed at his partner's expense.

"Shut up." He responded. He turned back to his foe, who not only had made him look like a fool before the whole division but also managed to dirty his cloths." I'm not done yet." He gripped his sword tighter.

"Hold on." A voice called out. And now everything went silent and Fujimaru watched a man in a white cloak stepped out into the training yard. The scar on his face, the eye patch, the look in his eye no doubt this was the famous Kenpachi Zaraki he'd heard so much about. And he was everything the rumors had ever said about him." Who are you?" He asked the boy. But Fujimaru was in such awe of the man that he failed to hear him the first time. "I asked you a question, who are you?"

"Fujimaru Kudo." He told.

"Kudo?" Kenpachi repeated.

"Captain. "Yumichicka said stepping up." Don't concern yourself with this. I was just about to knock this boy down but-" Kenpachi instead turned from his own subordinate to the newcomer.

"Your sister's Matsuri Kudo Captain of Squad Five?"

"Yes." Fujimaru nodded. He knew exactly what he'd say next. 'Run along and join your sister, we don't want you here'. But he would not have it, he would join Squad 11 this day even if he had to fight Kenpachi himself.

But Kenpachi instead let out a big grin and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. The Captain of Squad Five was a very pretty girl and a single one at that. No doubt having her brother in his Squad give Kenpachi some leverage for her favor.

"I think we can find a place for you here." He said.

"YEA!" cheered Yachiru as she appeared on Kenpachi's shoulder.

"B-But Captain." Yumichicka said. But his pleas were drowned out by the sounds of laughter and approval. Men slapped Fujimaru on the back, shook his hand, and bowed to welcome him into their ranks. Ikkaku Madarame himself stepped forward and congratulated him on his fight. This is exactly what he imagined when he daydreamed of joining the Eleventh Division during class and now he finally got it.

The day was coming to an end and any graduates who had been accepted into a Squad had most likely already done so. No doubt there were some with broken dreams and shattered hearts. But there were some with fulfilled goals.

Toshiro was standing on the balcony the joined with his office musing over these thoughts.

"General." A voice said. He glanced over his shoulder to see Chojiro standing there with papers in his hand. "The Reports General." He handed the Head-Captain a stack of papers.

Toshiro took them and silently read over their details. Twelve for Squad Four, Twenty for Squad Six, Nineteen for Squad Seven, thirty three for Squad Twelve , Fifty two for Squad Eleven but no doubt they turned down double that. The Gotei 13 while an impressive Military force only had about two thousand soldiers with the average being two hundred per Squad. Though Squad Eleven was known to have more than others given it's great reputation. So these numbers didn't surprise Toshiro except when he came to his own Division.

"Forty Four?" He questioned turning to Chojiro. The Lieutenant nodded.

"Their waiting for you in the lobby, sir." Toshiro nodded and then began to walk to his destination with Chojiro following him. All the while he mused over the number. While Squad One was the Head of the entire Gotei 13 it was not aspired to by many Soul Reapers especially the one's coming right out of the academy. Very few start out in the First Division, most choosing to transfer in after two hundred years of good service. That made many of those in these Division older so it was curious to see so many young people interested in it.

Waiting at the doors of the lobby was Third Seat of Squad One Shin'etsu Amagai.

"Head-Captain, Lieutenant. "He nodded to both of them.

"Third Seat." Toshiro replied." Is your son out there?" Toshiro made it a point to know something about everyone in his Division seated or not seated great or small.

"He's still only in his second year, sir." A harmless joke the man knew replying with a smile and a nod.

"So you tell me. I will make sure he is placed into a good Squad when he graduates."

"Thank you, sir. "He nodded once more." They are waiting for you, sir." Toshiro nodded to him and then pushed the doors opened and stepped into the lobby.

And there they were the forty four who had apparently made it into his Squad. And just as he expected they all looked young perhaps as old as himself. They eyed him curiously as he marched out to the front of the room to stand before them with Chojiro at his side. Silence followed as he looked them over not particularly liking what he saw.

"Welcome to Squad One. "He said when he finally spoke." I am Head-Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya, Commander of all the Gotei 13. This is my Lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe." And at seeing Chojiro stand there some of them shook their heads and whispered in their comrade's ears." Our Division is founded on legacy, tradition, good conduct and-" He stopped as he heard the door squeak behind him. Looking back to the door he entered from he saw Rangiku walk in.

And at the sight of her the recruit's faces lit up with joy. They cheered and clapped their hands, one even jumped out to whistle breaking ranks to do so. Rangiku did not help as she waved back and blew kisses as she walked across the room.

Now it hit Toshiro. None of these boys before him were interested in this Division, it's purpose or it's history. All they were interested in was Rangiku, apparently some things never change.

With a scowl on his face Toshiro stepped forward getting all the attention back on himself.

"Get out." He commanded with deep authority in his voice." All of you!" He said louder this time." GET OUT!" And it took nothing more than a slight showing of his spiritual pressure to send them all scrambling out the doors.

"Oh Captain." Rangiku whined after they'd all fled." Why you have to go and do that?"

"GAH!" Toshiro let out annoyed.