I do not own Bleach, but please do not use my original characters. Thanks.

Chapter 1

Kei Saito adored a simple predictable morning routine. Her days rarely went as expected after mid-morning, so she valued that time before hand.

Her days started at 4:30am, when she meditated for a short time before briefly cleaning her room in the Division Six barracks. By five, she was on the training ground beginning her typical routine of drills and exercises. That lasted an hour and a half before she showered and prepared for the day. By 7:00 am she was in the Division offices with her breakfast, usually ochazuke or onigiri. During that time she prepared what she could for both the Captain and Lieutenant before beginning her own work. She was always finished by a quarter to eight when Captain Kuchiki arrived to begin his own day and well into her own work by the time the Lieutenant arrived nearly an hour later. This had been the same routine since she joined the division as its third seat almost six years earlier.

To say she was shocked to find Lieutenant Ginjirō Shirogane sitting at her desk one day in early February as she walked in with her breakfast would be an understatement.

"Don't look so surprised that I can get the office before you," he mocked, standing up.

"I'm not surprised, just…"

Kei couldn't find a word to explain what she thought.

"Sure, kiddo," he laughed.

Kei scoffed a bit at the nickname. Ginjirō took to calling her kiddo almost immediately and insisted no matter how many time she told him to stop. Not that she was forceful about him stopping. She'd been called worse.

"Why are you in so early," she asked, sitting down. "Early morning Lieutenant meeting?"

Ginjirō gave Kei a curious look at she shrugged. Both knew that wasn't the case since a few of the Lieutenant were impossible to get into a meeting before nine. Not that they couldn't, they just wouldn't.

"Never mind," she blurted out before he could comment. "Just tell me. This is weird and I don't think I like it."

Ginjirō pulled another chair over and sat in front of Kei's desk. His smile hadn't falter, so Kei was expecting good news.

"Have you and Mihane talked about Gin Tonbo recently?"

Mihane was Ginjirō's daughter and a good friend of Kei's. The father-daughter duo owned a sun glass business, Gin Tonbo, together. Mihane often chatted about it with Kei, not that Kei understood the hype. She didn't often wear sunglasses or accessories of any kind.

"No. Why? Did people finally get sick of your designs?"

Ginjirō just chuckled a little bit and shook his head.

"No. Quite the opposite. People seem to really love it. It's taken off quite a bit."

Kei nodded a little and waited for him to continue. He didn't for a moment and seemed to think something over. The silence didn't last long before he spoke again.

"Kiddo, I'm planning to resign to work on Gin Tonbo full time."

Kei just gapped at him as he smiled.

"I'm not announcing it or even telling Captain Kuchiki for a few months. The only person who knows is Mihane and now you."

"Are you serious?"

"I am."

"That's-"

Kei stopped talking as Ginjirō held his hand up. She frowned a little waiting for him to explain.

"No need to get all excited yet, kiddo. I didn't just come to share the good news with you. I actually need to ask…a favor, I guess." Kei sat up and waited. "That's probably not the right word, but I need you to help me with something."

"Of course."

Kei regretted the words immediately as his expression changed. He seemed hesitant to ask this favor or continue the conversation either.

"I need you to promise to give what I'm thinking a try. I know how you are, but it's for the best."

"It's not…"

"It's nothing strange," clarified the man quickly. "I just have a plan and need you to follow through on it. It's important and I know it will mean a lot to Captain Kuchiki."

Kei sighed a little. She could feel a knot forming in her chest as she debated what to do. She greatly respected both her superior officers and trusted them a great deal.

"Okay, fine. I'll do it."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Good."

Ginjirō didn't say anything for a few moments. He just sat there seeming relieved, but didn't say another word.

"Are you going to tell me what you wanted?"

Ginjirō paused before smiling again and laughing to himself.

"I guess that would make sense."

"Really?"

"Really. Especially since I need you to achieve Shikai in the next five months."

Coward.

"Ginjirō-"

"I know it's a lot to ask," he interrupted. "I know that you're trying your best to get there. This is more important now that I'm resigning though."

"Why?"

"Because I think that you'd be promoted to Lieutenant if you have Shikai."

Kei was too stunned to say more. She clenched her hands to keep them from shaking.

Coward.

"Captain Kuchiki thinks very highly of you, kiddo. He wouldn't have given you this position any other way. I really think he will offer it to you, but he won't give you the promotion without Shikai."

"I don't know."

"All I'm asking is that you give my plan a try. Nothing more."

Coward.

"Okay. I'll try, but I'm not making anymore promises."