A Hero Come Home Part 3

No one expected the return trip to be so soon. They didn't expect the Senkaimon to be opened as soon as it did, so that meant there was a small crowd upon his return. Yushiro was thankful for that.

There were no Captains or Lieutenants, only low ranking officers and all from his own Division.

Yushiro exited the Senkaimon and he did so alone, quickly earning the attention of everyone around him. In his arms was the long white cloak of the Captain Commander of Squad One. Wrapped inside it was his blade, Hyorinmaru. He was instantly crowded.

"Lieutenant? Are you alright? Lieutenant what happened? Where is Head-Captain Hitsuguya?" They asked all at once. And it was too much for Yushiro to answer, not now.

But one way or another this news would have to be sent out. He quickly composed himself and raised his head.

"Call a Captain's meeting." He ordered.

He wasn't looking forward to this at all. Even if he had to tell them one at a time it would be hard enough but now he would have to tell all the Captains of the Gotei 13 what become of their leader and who their new one was.

One by one they entered the room but Yushiro could meet none of their eyes. He stood in his usual spot besides the Head-Captain's chair. And that perhaps gave the illusion that Toshiro would be joining them soon enough.

Even after the last Captain had entered no one spoke. Everyone simply waited for announcement of arrival. But the longer it dragged on the worse it became. Yushiro kept his hands clutched around the coat behind his back.

This had to be done, now or never.

Yushiro never had the pleasure of meeting Genryusai Yamamoto of even 1,000 years after his death his name still held a lot of weight and meaning to it. A man of great power and judgment who established the very order. Nobody second guessed him when he made himself it's Commander.

He'd be told that when Toshiro took this position he marched up to the chair and swung the coat over his back. Broadcasting to all Eleven other Captains and their Lieutenants his superiority. Even when he was Captain of Squad Ten there was an air of authority and strength about Toshiro Hitsuguya.

But Yushiro lacked the confidence of his predecessors. Instead he moved forward to stand at the head of the group, pawing at the coat in his hands his head still facing the floor.

"Head-Captain Hitsuguya is dead." He announced. The shock was noticeable. Toshiro Hitsuguya had survived Hollows, Arrancar, Aizen, and the Quincy. He survived against all impossible odds. It was hard to image he'd finally met his match. But now it was time for the big reveal. Yushiro picked his head up to view their faces better, so he could try and gauge their reactions." And as his final command." He said as he put the coat over his shoulder and pulled his left arm into it's sleeve. People's eyes started to bug open wide now, their jaws dropping to the floor. Yushiro put his right arm into the other sleeve and then let it hand over his shoulders." He made me his successor." He tried to stand tall and speak confidently but he looked like a fool. Toshiro was both taller and wider than Yushiro, and so his coat sagged past Yushiro's feet and his arms were completely covered. And his voice sounded as if he was on the verge of tears.

Silence was their answer at first. But the dragging silence only made it worse.

"Why you?" Kouga Kuchiki let out. Yushiro turned his head to see him step out from the crowd. Kouga never liked Yushiro, going as far back to their original meeting in Squad Six he never did." You might be a Lieutenant but you're not Captain material, let alone Commander material." Yamamoto or Toshiro would easily silence Kouga influence and Yushiro would have to muster his confidence to stand tall before his subordinates.

"I agreed." Said Captain Zennosuke as he stepped up beside Kouga. "How do we even know what Commander Hitsuguya said?" Captain Zennosuke said." None of us were there. How do we know you're not making this up?"

Yushiro began to feel his knees get weak and start to shake. Two Captains already were turning against him and if he didn't act quick the rest would follow.

"Enough!" roared a voice louder than the rest. Everyone turned to Captain Rukia Kuchiki, one of the oldest Captains to date and Toshiro's first student. Her eyes shifted to Kouga and Zennosuke and then to Yushiro." I believe it." She said with a mournful sigh. She took a step closer to the new Head-Captain. Looking him up and down. " Yes I believe it." she said again." Squad Six is at your service Head-Captain Shihouin." Yushiro nodded his thanks. Rukia then turned back to his co-workers." You would do best to do the same. If not." She raised up her arm and pointed to the doors." There's the exit."

Rukia was the Head-Captain that should have been. And her presence commanded just as much fear and respect as Toshiro's. Her skill with a sword and with Kido were far better than Yushiro's. She had trained with Toshiro far longer had gained much experience from him. But in her lessons she only took away the physical, but Yushiro's training was both physical and mental. Toshiro did not teach Rukia healing Kido, he did not go over with her at lengths about the great history of the Gotei 13.

Her threat simmered down Kouga and Zennosuke who quickly stepped back into place.

"Thank you Captain Kuchiki." Yushiro said. Rukia turned her head to him and bowed before stepping back into her place." N-Now then." Yushiro said." I think that will be all for today. You are all dismissed." He had seen Toshiro do that a thousand times, it seemed strange himself to finally do it.

Kouga and Zennosuke were the first ones out the door. Captain Kommamura followed after them but not after a short exchange with Matsuri. The rest of the Captains followed his example while the giant made for the exit.

The Matsuri made her way across the room and towards Yushiro. He wasn't looking forward to this.

"How did he die?" she asked.

"He died a hero." He answered. And a hero he was, none would deny that let alone Yushiro." I was injured in the battle. So he stepped in and battle Kugo himself." He paused a moment. Yushiro looked at the wife of the late Head-Captain. Her eyes filled with tears her hands trembling. Should he tell her the truth? He wondered what would be the right thing to say. That Toshiro blew himself to bits along with his enemy willingly?" They killed each other." It sounded poetic, a great battle between two warriors who ended up killing each other with the final strokes of their swords. A great tale for the history books.

That news seemed to comfort comforted Matsuri

"Is there anything left of him?" she asked." Something to remember him by?" She slowly reached out her arms, expecting something. Yushiro pawed at the long white cloak around his shoulders he certainly couldn't give that up. But then he thought to of Hyorinmaru hidden in his belt behind this big coat.

"No." He lied once more. He could see the distraught look on Matsuri's face grow even more and he hoped she wouldn't press him for more information. He couldn't give her the chance." I have to go." He quickly said. "Excuse me." He turned and began walking away.

Yushiro desired now to return to the Office, his office now. A spot out here he knew his master enjoyed greatly. Besides there was something he had to drop off.

With both arms he pushed opened the doors but already found that he wasn't alone. In truth he wasn't really surprised. The giant turned around and revealed himself as Squad Seven Captain Sajin Kommamura.

"Captain Kommamura." Yushiro greeted with a nod.

"Head-Captain Shihouin." Even though it was only a few hours old Sajin was still on top of his manners. Yushiro would have to get used to hearing that a lot more.

Sajin Kommamura was now the oldest living Captain in the Gotei 13 and one of the few to hold his position for over one thousand. He outlived two Head-Captains. First the original, then Toshiro and now he would serve under the Third Generation. It was hard for him no doubt, considering he was very fond of both Yushiro's predecessors.

Yushiro walked across the room to stand beside the Captain. Before him was the cabinet beside what once was Toshiro's desk. As he approached Yushiro reached into his coat to reveal Hyorinmaru. The sight surprised Sajin.

"Is that-"

"It is." He nodded. Yushiro took another step forward and with one hand free he opened the doors to reveal a picture of a big breasted young woman with a pink scarf, strawberry blonde hair and a beauty mark on the side of her face." I came to give her this." Sajin looked down as Yushiro put both hands on Hyorinmaru, then holding it with both hands knelt to one knee and rested it beside the picture. "It belongs here." He said stepping back." He belongs with her." His throat tightened on the last few words and he bent his head. He tried not to cry, Head-Captains weren't supposed to cry. Sajin reached out and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "If there's any justice in this world or the next." He said." Their together again." Sajin simply nodded his head.

"He loved you kid." he said.

"I know." He said bending his head. Toshiro might have had a wife and daughter but they never truly understood them. He loved them to be true but nothing could ever replace the love he had for his true family. And Yushiro was like the son he never had.

"Head-Captain! Head-Captain!" called a voice. Looking over the two saw Lieutenant Yamada of Squad Four running towards them.

"What is it?" Yushiro questioned. Perhaps his first challenge come. Maybe more Fullbringers had gotten into the Soul Society. Maybe someone was rebelling against his authority.

"It's your wife, sir." he said." She's gone into labor." Yushiro quickly headed out leaving the First Squad Barracks and arriving at Squad Four. He could hear the frantic cries of his wife echoing down the hall along with the nervous shouts from the Doctors. But then all at once the cries stopped and the only sound heard was a baby crying.

Yushiro quickened his pace. And once he arrived at the correct door he flung it open and looked inside. There was his wife Mihane surrounded by several Doctors including Captain Isane. And in his arms wrapped in blankets was a little pink bundle.

"Oh Good." Mihane smiled from her bed." You're here." Yushiro entered the room surprising a few by his new white coat. He walked around the bed and sat by his wife's side." I heard you got a promotion." She said tugging at one of his sleeves." Congratulations."

"Head-Captain." Isane said as he appeared behind Yushiro. The new Commander turned around to see her offer the baby to him. With delicate hands he reached up and took the bundle, holding it so his wife could see." It's a girl." she said.

"Wonderful." Mihane said. She reached out and brushed a finger across the girl's face." A beautiful baby girl."

"Leave us." Yushiro said with a nod. The members of Squad Four said nothing else and exited. There was something important Yushiro had to do and he didn't need anyone around when he did it. He turned back his wife. She was still smiling as she watched over their newborn." Mihane." He said. She tilted her head and looked up at him." When your good and ready to return to duty you'll come with me to Squad One...as my Lieutenant." With his own promotion it left him without one. And a commander needed someone directly under him. She would have to learn bankai as expected of the Lieutenant of Squad One. But he needed her, someone he trusted and loved, as his master did before him.

"Of course." She said. She leaned up and kissed him. Then she turned her attention down to their baby. "What should we name her?" she asked.

One quickly came to Yushiro's mind. A good, strong name. A name that lifted his predecessor's spirits and let him sleep soundly at night. The name on his thoughts from the beginning until the end.

"Rangiku." Yushiro answered.

The End