To Life
Captain Soifon was certainly one of the most recognizable of the 13 Captains of the Gotei 13. She was dutiful to a fault putting Squad Two and the Gotei 13 at the height of her ambitions and goals. Nothing else mattered so long as the order preserved. And with her variety of skills she was well-suited to handle a variety of tasks.
Today been tasked with entering the World of the Living and bringing back the renegade Kugo Ginjo and bring him back to Justice. She set out with the Onmitsukido to scout out every inch, every nook and cranny of the World of the Living until he was found.
She'd sent twenty of her men out while she herself served from the skies above. It might be a long hunt but if he was here they'd find him.
Then she felt it. A sudden glint of intense spiritual pressure. She darted her head in the direction it came from. Like a blink it was there and gone but that didn't matter as Soifon was already locked on him. Already darting past buildings to find the source. In another quick step she descended from the rooftops to the ground below and there she found him. But it wasn't Kugo.
He looked the same as always with his soulless eyes, pale skin and yellow teeth. Twenty of her Onmitsukido lay at his feet while his zanpaktou lay peacefully in it's sheath. He turned his head over his shoulder to see her standing there.
"Ah." He said turning to face her fully." I remember you."
"Did you do this to my men?" she commanded in a question.
"Well." He said taking a step forward." Seeing as how I'm the only one here aside from you, what would you think?" His tongue poked out between his teeth, making him look even more the snake he already was." Work it out thinkenstein."
"This is official Gotei 13 business you've interfered with here." She said pointing to the ground as she advanced towards him." The Head-Captain won't be pleased to hear this mission interrupted." That didn't seem to frighten him.
"Yes." He hissed, a pink tongue poking out between his yellow teeth." I don't think he will be."
"Well." Soifon said. "If you cleaned up my men here I might be obliged to look the other way on this matter. Omit this little confrontation from my reports."
"How noble of you."
"So, chop chop." Soifon said clapping her hands. Mayuri continued his malicious smile as he took a step closer to her.
"You know. "He said extending a thin, white finger." I'm not afraid of the little Head-Captain. And I'm not afraid of you." But that went both ways, as Soifon didn't fear Mayuri. She let out a casual smile before rearing her head back and shooting it forward to spit right in his face.
In some strange sense of defiance Mayuri did not move, as if he hadn't noticed. But when he ran his hand along his cheek and that makeup that he covered himself with. The saliva mixed with his rubbing only turned it into a big messy smug of black on the right side of his cheek. It appears Soifon would get the last laugh in this confrontation. Her smiled and Maryuri's departure proofed it.
But before he left Mayuri had one last thing to do. One of the Onmitsukdio laying on the ground before him was starting to stir. In a last act of defiance as Mayuri turned himself to leave, he shot out his legs and kicked the man in the head, knocking him back onto the ground.
It was a heavy burden being the leader of the Gotei 13. When he was Captain of Squad Ten all he had to worry about was the hundreds below him and not disrupting his commander above him. Now he was faced with the great opportunity of worry about all 13 Divisions, everyone in them, and every single soul in the world of the Living.
The young Head-Captain stood before the mirror. Tucking away his uniform, pushing a loose hair back in to place. Everything had to be in order, everything had to be perfect. All for a special lady.
Chojiro took in a deep breath as he entered the room. "Head Captain." He greeted. Toshiro did not turn to face him, since he could already view him from the mirror." I have the reports, sir." Chojiro said." Of Captain Abarai's mission into the World of the Living and all the souls they've transferred." Under normal circumstances Toshiro would have looked at them right away. But this was not normal circumstances.
"Put them on my desk, I'll look at them later." Chojiro's face tightened, confused at the response. But he did as he was told and set the papers aside. He lingered afterwards.
"And." Chojiro continued." Captains Zaraki and Kiganjo are acting up again. Trading blows in the streets of-" Toshiro turned around and began walking towards him.
"I'll deal with them later." He said as he passed him." I have somewhere I need to be."
"Of course, sir." Chojiro nodded. Toshiro walked across the room, pushed open the door and walked out into the hallway.
Coming down the hall was a little woman, with a white cloak like his own. Except her's hand two dashes on the back.
"Captain Soifon." Toshiro greeted. She bowed her head.
"Head-Captain. I would like to report to you about the process of my mission." Toshiro had continued walking as she spoke but stopped when she mentioned the mission. He'd nearly forgotten he'd been so busy. He rolled his tongue around his mouth.
"Report then." He said turning to her. "Did you find Kugo?" Soifon blinked but her face remained calm, not giving anything away.
"No." she answered. The Head-Captain groaned as he leaned back in his chair, resting his head against his right hand. It was defiantly not news he liked hearing. But this was a conversation for another time.
"Better luck next time then." He turned and prepared to leave. But Soifon ever one to hold up her own integrity jumped in to defend herself.
" We encountered another obstacle." She called following after him. " The Former Captain of Squad Twelve Mayuri Kurotsuchi." That wasn't the unknown obstacle Toshiro and he treated it as such. No doubt he had a better understanding of Mayuri's actions than most others.
"I never thought you were one to rely on excuses Captain." He said rising to his feet.
"But sir, I-"
"I'll hear no more about it." He concluded." I told you we'll discuss it next time." His speed increased and he walked away from her.
At that same time Rangiku was across the Soul Society on a mission. With her was Nanao Ise and Rukia Kuchiki.
A Hollow had come through this village earlier. Tearing up homes and buildings, and consuming the souls of the innocent. The Villagers were just lucky at the fast response time of the Gotei 13.
They'd dealt with the Hollow and had called Captain Unohana of Squad Four, who arrived with nearly her entire division to deal with the wounded.
This is where it all began. He was just a little boy from the 1st District of West Rukongai. And even then he'd been different. Monster and Freak they'd say when his back was turn and shutter away from him. Back then he wouldn't have been able to get the time of day.
But now as he walked around people looked at him in awe, gazing at the magnificence of the Ice Dragon, the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13.
Kaien Shiba, Gin Ichimaru and countless others had all been protégées in their own right. But their skills were dwarfed by Toshiro's even when he was a boy. And now in the prime of his life, it's easy to see where all that skill took him.
Before him was a small stone amongst a grassy field. A wide open space, with no trees for shade, nothing but the sun and the clouds above.
He reached out his hand to place a single rose on the stone, bending one knee to the ground to do so. He never took his eyes away from it as the rose touched the ground. He took in a long, deep breath.
"Rest in Peace Grandma."
"CAPTAIN!"Rangiku yelled as she came into the Head-Captain's office. And the sound of her screeching voice caused both Toshiro and Chojiro's heads to rattle.
"Does it kill you to use an inside voice?!" Toshiro responded turning to her.
"You'll never believe what happened?!" Rangiku said as she ran across the room and stopped at Toshiro's desk." Someone's put slander on our barracks."
"Slander?" Chojiro questioned. He and the Captains shared a concerned glance.
"What is it?" asked Toshiro.
"This." Rangiku raised her hands and showed them both and paper flier. And on it said 'Party at Squad One'. Now Rangiku knew she didn't put this up so naturally someone was playing a joke around here. But Toshiro's expression softened when he saw this.
"I put this up." He told moving the paper from his face.
"Huh?" Rangiku responded.
"The Head-Captain decided it was best that everyone be given something for their hard work. Let them unwind." Chojiro told.
And even though they had both confirmed it for her Rangiku still couldn't believe it. Until she saw with her own eyes that the entire courtyard had been cleared out only to be refilled with party favors.
Three separate bars were set up along it's corners, a dance floor in the middle of it all, Toshiro even contributed ice from Hyorinmaru for Ice Cream.
Then one by one the guests began pouring in. From Squads Two to Thirteen, from the highest officers to the lowest. And Toshiro greeted each one of them with a handshake and a smile. Speaking as if he knew each and every one personally. They shuffled in and began making themselves at home, grabbing drinks and casually talking amongst themselves.
Rangiku rolled her eyes. This was an office party, everything was for show meaning this was still purely business. She watched as Toshiro grabbed a drink and jumped onto the counter, standing where all could see him.
"My friends!" he called to the crowd. And everyone turned to face him." Welcome to my Barracks." A small cheer went out amongst the crowd and some clapped." But not all could be here with us tonight." Toshiro continued. "Many of our own have their lives in defense of this Great Order." He raised his glass." Here's to them."
"Hail!" Everyone responded. And drank. With that out of the way Toshiro's expressions softened.
"Now." He continued." Tonight is your night. And everything within these walls is for your entertainment." He pointed in the direction of the music and on his command it began. Then as he downed his drink he jumped forward into the crowd.
Rangiku didn't know what to say at his sudden change in personality. And apparently nobody else did at first but they quickly warmed up to the idea.
The music was loud and everyone had piled into the center of the courtyard to dance. Sajin Kommamura stood twice as tall as anyone else. One hand gripping his belt as the other shot across his body and into the air.
Yushiro Shihouin stood just outside the dancing circle where anyone who wasn't dancing was standing around. His own Captain was talking with his former Captain and the Head-Captain just a few feet away from him.
Yushiro watched on with a smile as he clapped in tune to the music. Until suddenly the Ninth Seat of his Division Mihane Shirogane approached him.
"Lieutenant." She said walking up to his right." How are you feeling?"
"Well, well." Yushiro cleared his throat." Thank you."
"Your bandages don't bother you?" she pointed to the visible one on his shoulder.
"No, No." He shook his head. "It's fine." Mihane went silent as she starred at the ground her fingers wiggling together.
"I-I was wondering if you'd like to dance." She asked. She put both her hands out and held them towards him. And this caught the attention of the on-lookers.
"D-Dance?" He questioned." I-I-I" He stammered. So when he couldn't decide for himself somebody else did. His own sister Yoruichi was walking behind him. And when she did she swung out her arm and pushed her brother into Mihane's arm. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree as he stumbled into her. Then with her hands around his she led him onto the dance floor. But they weren't the only couple interested in that.
"Isane." Hanataro said looking up at her." Would you like to dance?"
"I-I can't." Isane stammered." I can't dance. My legs are too long, I have no coordination." She looked down embarrassed. She instead took comfort in her drink. But her antics were noticed. Captain Unohanna turned her attention from her own drink and company to look for someone.
Toshiro was standing nearby talking and drinking with Captains Kiganjo, Kuchiki and Zaraki.
"Excuse me Head-Captain." She said approaching from behind him. And he went from showing her his back to his face.
"Captain Unohanna." He greeted." What can I do for you?"
"I have a little favor to ask of you Head-Captain." She said.
Isane continued to sit with both hands wrapped around her drink with her legs scrunched together. But her attention turned upwards when the talk of her friends died down and when she looked up there was the Head-Captain standing before her. And there was a smile on his face.
"Uh Uh Head-Captain." She greeted him.
"You can just call me Toshiro tonight." He said as he leaned forward and extended his hand." Would you care to dance Ms. Kotetsu?" Everyone quickly shifted their eyes over to the tall woman.
"M-Me? I-I can't dance. I have long legs, I-"
"I'll teach you." Toshiro said. He leaned forward and took her hand, pulling her from her seat and out to dance. And Hanataro watched as the Head-Captain the man who'd brought the two of them together danced with his girlfriend.
"Hanataro." Unohanna said as she appeared at his right.
"Uh Captain Unohanna."
"Doesn't that irritate you?" she asked pointing out onto the dance floor." The Head-Captain dancing with your girlfriend?"
"Well um" Hanataro turned his attention forward. There he saw Toshiro with one hand holding Isane's while the other hand was located on her lower back." Um" Toshiro turned Isane and spun her around, the pulled her in tight so they could get closer." No. No I won't let it happen." And although Hanataro was very small he had some courage in him. So with all the courage he could muster he puffed out his chest and walked forward. Unohana just stood back with a smile on her face.
Toshiro once again spun Isane around and then pulled her in tight.
"There you go." He chuckled." You're getting the hang of this." Their faces were only inches apart. And looking up into his cool baby-blue eyes she couldn't help but feeling her face warm up.
"Excuse me. "said a voice. Toshiro turned around to see nothing, so he looked down. And there he saw Hanataro Yamada." That's my girlfriend your dancing with Head-Captain, uh, sir. I command you take your hands off her….sir." And very passively Toshiro took his hand off Isane and put them up.
"Of course, of course." He said stepping aside. Then Hanataro put his short arms around his tall girlfriend and did his best to dance with her.
Toshiro continued to move about the dancing crowd and found himself surrounded. He slapped hands against Captain Abarai and Captain Hisagi as he danced around them. When he came across Captain Kommamura the two laughing bowed to each other extending their cloaks up as they danced about.
Rangiku saw the whole thing and while she was annoyed that Toshiro asked Isane to dance instead of herself she didn't mind too much. But when Toshiro began to dance with Yoruichi Shiouin and Masuri Kudo she couldn't help but be annoyed all over again.
He moved between the two of them knocking his hips against Yoruichi's and even going as far as to twirl Matsuri. That Rangiku wouldn't allow. She stomped off from her position and into the dancing crowd pushing aside people as she liked.
Then she came upon Toshiro. His back was to her, his hands raised in the air as he clapped along with the crowd. When Yoruichi and Matsuri saw Rangiku standing there they quickly moved aside. And Toshiro turned around to see his dancing partners gone and Rangiku standing there looking upset.
"What are you-" she began.
"I haven't forgotten about you." He said. He put both his arms under Rangiku's and lifted her into the air. And with him holding her up and laughing she couldn't help but do the same. Then their laughter stopped when he brought her down so he could kiss her. He was unlike anyone had ever seen him before. He was funny, he was charming, he was witty, the life of the party.
If Toshiro Hitsuguya was ever happy it was on that day.