CHAPTER 4: SWITCH

Five years had passed in a flash. Five years of healing, healing and more healing. Tayomi was proud to be a member of the 4th Division and took her work seriously. Even 3rd Seat Iemura was constantly impressed with her and never got the chance to bark at her for some mistake she made. Hanatarou was hilarious and Isane and she played pranks on him once in a while, though they went easy on him on his birthday, which fell on April Fools' Day. Captain Unohana had been really nice to her, despite the fact that she was known as one of the kindest and scariest Captains throughout the whole Gotei 13. As Tayomi wrote her medical reports, she never failed to smile and laugh. Being in the Gotei 13 was hard work, but she had been put into a nice division and it kept her happy.

One day, Captain Unohana called Tayomi into her office. Tayomi wondered why Captain Unohana would call her all of a sudden and kept her fingers crossed, hoping she was not in trouble.

"6th Seat Tayomi, do you know why I've called you here?" Captain Unohana smiled at her. Tayomi shook her head.

"Well, you have been doing well in the 4th Division. You are a good healer and everyone whom has been healed by you tells me how great your treatments are. They have also told me that in terms of combat, you have a lot of potential as well… So I have decided to recommend you for a promotion. You will follow me to the Captain-commander Yanamoto's office tomorrow. He will see if you deserve the promotion."

"But Unohana Taichou, I'm really happy in the 4th Division and I…" Tayomi spoke with a flustered tone. She had not expected a promotion that quickly at all.

"You will follow me tomorrow, 6th Seat Tayomi." Captain Unohana gave Tayomi her signature, gentle yet scary smile.

"Y-y-yes, Unohana Taichou…" Tayomi was too stunned for words.

That night, Tayomi and Hitsugaya snuck out of their Division's barracks to go star gazing together. They lay on an open patch of grass outside Hitsugaya's Division's barracks. The stars danced among the fluffy clouds in the night sky, blinking at them every once in a while. It seemed that the stars shone brighter there compared to in Rukongai, yet the stars in Rukongai gave them a much warmer and nostalgic feeling. The clouds seemed rather playful that night, forming all sorts of shapes, some which looked like flowers and some which looked like her bunny soft toy. Tayomi began to tell him about Captain Unohana recommending her to be promoted and the possible chances of her transferring to another Division. Hitsugaya turned to look at her and noticed a hint of sadness in her voice. He sat up and asked her what was wrong. Tayomi sighed and sat up as well. She told him honestly that if she were promoted, she knew that she could not bear to leave the 4th Division. As nice as a promotion sounded, she had grown attached to her Division and the people in it over these five years. Just thinking about it made her sad. She assured him that she would not do something as stupid as performing badly tomorrow, just to allow herself to stay in the 4th Division. She had decided to believe in Captain Unohana's decision and do her proud. Hitsugaya put his arm around her and patted her head, wishing her good luck. Tayomi smiled a little and ruffled his white hair, before resting her head on his shoulder.

The next morning, Tayomi woke up bright and early, realising that she had to meet Captain-commander Yanamoto today and secure her chances of a promotion. She washed up and opened her door, with Captain Unohana standing right outside and giving her a shock in broad daylight. Captain Unohana led her to the 1st Division's barracks. While walking there, Tayomi felt her communicator vibrate and checked it. There was a message from Hitsugaya, wishing her all the best. She smiled and continued walking to the 1st Division's barracks. After a few minutes, they finally arrived at the 1st Division's barracks. It looked much grander and bigger than the other Divisions', boasting of a massive size and towering the other Divisions' barracks. Captain Unohana brought her into the Captain's meeting room, where the Captains from various Divisions were. Tayomi recognised Captain-commander Yanamoto, Captain Aizen and Captain Kenpachi instantly. There were a few unfamiliar faces around, making her nervous.

"Come forward, 6th Seat Tayomi." Captain-commander Yanamoto called her forward. Tayomi walked forward and looked at him.

"Have you started training for Bankai?" He asked her.

Tayomi nodded nervously. She hoped he would not probe further about her Bankai, because Tayomi knew she would take very long to master it. She had been making good progress with Inazuma Kaze and believed she was quite close to achieving Bankai, but she knew that mastering it would take decades. At least I know that I underestimated myself… I'm quite sure I can achieve and master my Bankai under a hundred years now. But even so, I still think I'll take a few decades to achieve it.

"Show us your Shikai." Captain-commander Yanamoto ordered her, with a firm voice.

Tayomi cautiously unsheathed her Zanpakutou, hoping that she would not mess up.

"Ikkimaku, Inazuma Kaze."

Her Zanpakutou started to split open down the middle, bending away to reveal a black katana. As for the blade which split open and bent away, its edges curved up and down to form razor-sharp spikes and became pale yellow in colour. The chain and ribbon attached to the hilt of her Zanpakutou curled around her wrist, securing itself to her arm. With determination in her eyes, she faced Captain-commander Yanamoto, waiting for his next command. He nodded and told her to keep her Zanpakutou, return to her Division's barracks and await the results.

"So, should we promote her?" Captain-commander Yanamoto asked the other Captains.

"She showed a lot of promise in her school days and she's been doing very well in the 4th Division. Her Kidou is already unbelievably strong as it has always been and if she was promoted, she could work on her combat skills and become an outstanding Shinigami." Captain Aizen said.

"She was a real prodigy, wasn't she?" Captain Kyoraku Shunsui smiled. "Then, why don't you promote her, Yama-jii?"

The other Captains nodded in agreement, deciding unanimously that 6th Seat of the 4th Division, Tayomi Sakuri, deserved a promotion.

Tayomi wrote in her medical journal, nervously awaiting the results. Just then, Captain Unohana entered her room, smiling as she gave Tayomi the good news. Tayomi squealed and hugged Captain Unohana. In just five years, she had gotten a promotion! She smiled to herself, glad that she would be in a higher position than a 6th seat. If I can get promoted so quickly, maybe Susu-chan will be promoted soon. I wonder which Division I'm going to… She felt sad to leave the 4th Division and Captain Unohana seemed aware of that. Captain Unohana informed her that they would be throwing a farewell party for her tonight and that she would announce which Division she would be transferred to.

That night, the whole of the 4th Division sat in the garden in the middle of the Division's barracks, admiring the full moon while sipping tea. Tayomi sat beside Lieutenant Kotetsu, who had looked after her like a sister for the past five years. She hugged Lieutenant Kotetsu, telling her that she would miss her very much. Isane hugged her back, promising Tayomi that they would keep in touch. Hanatarou smiled at her and Tayomi smiled back, giggling as she told him that she would no longer have the chance to play pranks on him. Hanatarou laughed nervously and wished her all the best for her future. Even Iemura was nice for once, praising her for doing a good job for the past five years. Tayomi thanked him and hugged him as well. Iemura seemed a little shocked at first, but seeing as it was her last day, he patted the head of one of the most capable healers in the 4th Division. Captain Unohana immediately called for everybody's attention and announced that Tayomi would be transferred to the 13th Division from next week onwards, assuming her new position as their 4th Seat. The 4th Division erupted into applause and Tayomi was forced up to give a speech.

"Um…" Tayomi smiled, trying to hold back her tears. "I'm not really good at speeches, but I want to thank everyone for making my past five years in the 4th Division so enjoyable. I've been having the greatest time working with all of you and healing the injured with a happy face. I… I'm so glad that I was assigned to this Division and I'm really going to miss all of you. Thank you, members of the 13th Advanced Relief Team and other members of the 4th Division for everything. Thank you 7th Seat Hanatarou, 3rd Seat Iemura, Lieutenant Kotetsu and Unohana Taichou for everything. Thank you…"

Tayomi bowed and looked at the whole 4th Division for the last time. Next week, she would no longer be a member of the 4th Division, but a member of the 13th Division. Looking on the bright side, she could improve her combat skills and the 13th Division's barracks were much closer to the 10th Division's barracks compared to the 4th Division's. Tayomi smiled, determined to enjoy her last week as a member of the 4th Division of the Gotei 13.

Author's note:
Tayomi got her promotion! :D Next chapter, it will be all about her first day in the 13th Division :)
And I'm starting school tomorrow, so I will not be able to update as often as I do now T.T I'll definitely have at least one chapter up per week though :D
Stay tuned for the next chapter and please review! XD Thanks! ^.^