kuroiwinter - black ink shades a white page

8/10/2019 KuroiWinter - Black Ink Shades a White Page

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Copyright Page

This book was automatically created by FLAGon September 19th, 2012, based

on content retrieved from http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7383523/.

The content in this book is copyrighted by KuroiWinter or their authorisedagent(s). All rights are reserved except where explicitly stated otherwise.

This story was first published on September 15th, 2011, and was last updated

on October 23rd, 2011.

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated - please email any bugs, problems,

feature requests etc. to [email protected].
http://www.flagfic.com/http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7383523/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fanfiction.net/s/7383523/http://www.flagfic.com/


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Table of Contents

Summary

1. Chapter 1: New Captain of the Gotei 13

2. Chapter 2: Sake and Party

3. Chapter 3: Of Sake and Candy

4. Chapter 4: Mission in the Dangai

5. Chapter 5: Kototsu

6. Chapter 6: An Unusual Request

7. Chapter 7: Shinigami Women's Association

8. Chapter 8: Meeting9. Chapter 9: Silence the Laughter

10. Chapter 10: Kido Session

11. Chapter 11: Kenpachi Zaraki

12. Chapter 12: Three Words

13. Chapter 13: Orders and Attack

14. Chapter 14: Greet

15. Chapter 15: Places to Stay

16. Chapter 16: Are you a Shinigami?

17. Chapter 17: Holiday and Visit

18. Chapter 18: Dinner at the Kurosaki House

19. Chapter 19: I Hate Holidays

20. Chapter 20: Wasting Time

21. Chapter 21: Shopping and Matsumoto22. Chapter 22: Rice

23. Chapter 23: Lieutenants Proficiency Test

24. Chapter 24: Fears, Memories, Pain

25. Chapter 25: Agony

26. Chapter 26: Endless Tears

27. Chapter 27: Don't You Want to Visit?

28. Chapter 28: Memories of Death

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29. Chapter 29: Memories of Junrinan

30. Chapter 30: No Lost Hope

31. Chapter 31: Woken

32. Chapter 32: Drowning in Guilt

33. Chapter 33: First Conclusion34. Part II: Premonition

35. Chapter 1: Preparations

36. Chapter 2: Reoccurrence of the Clouds

37. Chapter 3: Hospital in the Human World

38. Chapter 4: Unasked Questions

39. Chapter 5: Orihime and Encounter

40. Chapter 6: Fight

41. Chapter 7: Changing of Recollections

42. Chapter 8: Sorted Out

43. Chapter 9: A Day at Urahara's

44. Chapter 10: Thoughts

45. Chapter 11: Targeted

46. Chapter 12: When I Feel Useless

47. Chapter 13: Because I Care

48. Chapter 14: Coldness

49. Chapter 15: Why

50. Chapter 16: Celebrations Begin

51. Chapter 17: A Snowman Tale and Laughter

52. Chapter 18: Through the Eyes of Rangiku

53. Chapter 19: Quickening54. Chapter 20: Gateway

55. Chapter 21: Ushinawa

56. Chapter 22: The Right Decision

57. Chapter 23: One of Us

58. Chapter 24: You Are Mine

59. Chapter 25: Continuation of a Battle

60. Chapter 26: My Last Sacrifice for You

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61. Chapter 27: Memories held in my Heart

62. Chapter 28: Fight Onwards

63. Chapter 29: Sing a Song of Doom

64. Chapter 30: A Never Ending Dream

65. Chapter 31: Crossroads66. Chapter 32: The End of Ushinawa

67. Chapter 33: Returning Home

68. Chapter 34: Life Goes On

69. Chapter 35: Forever

70. Epilogue: The Meaning to my Life

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Summary

There's a new captain in the Third Division and everyone's excited and relieved.But everybody has at least one secret to hide . . . don't they? ToshiroxOC

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Chapter 1: New Captain of the Gotei 13

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters or settings, Tite Kubodoes.

Chapter 1: New Captain of the Gotei 13

The nine captains of the Gotei 13 waited for Head Captain Yamamoto to speak.They had all been called to an impromptu meeting in the First Division AssemblyHall and no one really knew what was going on.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni opened his eyes fractionally, leaning forwards onhis staff, 'The meeting will now commence,'

As there was another short silence, one which none of the waiting captainswanted to try and fill, Hitsugaya Toshiro took the moment to think.

As the Captain of the Tenth Division, he was usually informed of recent events.However, as far as he knew, the happenings of this meeting were going to be acomplete surprise - pleasant or unpleasant.

'I will ask you all to listen to what I have to say,' the Head Captain finallycontinued, 'A new captain has been appointed after careful consideration,' a fewpairs of eyes widened at his statement, then the old man continued, 'As of today, shewill be joining the shinigami in this hall as the Captain of the Third Division,'

She?Soifon, Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of theOnmitsukido, thought in light surprise, That'll be new.

At present, there were only two female captains, herself, and Captain UnohanaRetsu of the Fourth Division.

'Enter, Kanashimi Yuki!' Yamamoto banged down on the ground with his staff.

All of the waiting captains turned to look at the door.

The bright light coming in from outside made Toshiro's eyes go fuzzy for amoment but, after he'd blinked a few times, he could see what everyone else was

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seeing.

As Kanashimi Yuki, new captain of the Third Division, walked through the doors tostand a few metres into the room, there was a pause.

The young woman would have been a good few inches taller than Hinamori Momo,

Lieutenant of the Fifth Division, but she looked like an eighteen or nineteen year oldhuman girl, albeit much more mature. Light lavender eyes were complimented withpale skin and midnight black hair that hung loose around her face but was tiedtightly at the back of her neck, reaching her lower back. Her body structure wassimilar to Soifon's trained form and everyone could see the black hilt of herzanpakuto at her waist. The inside of her haori was a dark grey.

Yuki bowed, 'My name is Kanashimi Yuki, it's a pleasure to meet you,'

Her voice was lower than one might expect but it seemed to fit her appearancenicely.

Yamamoto nodded, 'The meeting is dismissed,'

Ukitake Jushiro, who was by nature a very friendly man, walked over to thenewcomer, 'Hello, I'm Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division,' he smiled at herserious face, 'Don't hesitate to ask me any questions, okay? Sometimes getting a

promotion like this can be a bit confusing,'

'I see,' cool purple eyes flicked up to meet warm green ones, 'Thank you,'

Jushiro just nodded and smiled again before turning to leave with his longtimefriend, Kyoraku Shunsui.

Toshiro paused by the door once before leaving, noticing that Kuchiki Byakuya didthe same, and then sighed.

'Boo!' a bubbly voice sounded as someone leapt around a corner and tried to hugthe short captain. Toshiro jerked backwards and his Lieutenant, MatsumotoRangiku, flew past him.

Trying to walk onwards was impossible with her hanging around so he just waitedfor the woman to scamper back.

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'So,' she drew out the word, then she grinned, pale blue eyes sparkling, 'Whathappened?'

'There's a new captain for the Third Division,' Toshiro replied shortly, envisagingall of the reports that would be sitting in piles beside his desk.

'Really?' Matsumoto stood straight, one hand tapping her chin, then she leantback down, 'Who is it?'

'Kanashimi Yuki,' sighing, the young captain gave up trying to escape the womanand leant against one of the buildings, waiting for her to finish.

'A girl?' the Lieutenant sounded surprised but she brightened immediately, 'Is shesuper cute? I want to meet her!'

'You've got work to do,' he snapped back, despite knowing that it was useless,'And at least let her meet her Division first!'

'Fine,' full lips turned down in a frown, 'But I'm going to a Shinigami Women'sAssociation Meeting so I can't do any work,'

Before he could stop her, Rangiku had used shunpo to race away. Rubbing hisface in pure frustration, Toshiro used his own flash steps to take him to his office.

'A new captain?' Kira Izuru, Lieutenant of the Third Division, listened to theconversations of the gathered squad members worriedly. He was usually pessimisticby nature so thinking the worst about how the squad would receive the new captainwasn't exactly surprising for him.

When he'd woken up, someone had arrived to say that a new captain would be

joining everyone at midday and to gather together all of the Division. So he'd donethat and now it was midday and everyone was tired of waiting.

The soft tapping of waraji on wooden floor made Izuru turn.

When the blonde man saw the woman walking towards them, he was glad that hishairstyle hid one of his eyes. She was wearing a captain's haori so there reallywasn't any doubt that this was the Third Division's new captain.

'Are you Lieutenant Kira?' when she spoke, it was clear that her appearance

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belied her true age, but still, it was . . . strange.

'Y-yes,' he held out his hand nervously and tried to smile, 'That's me,'

She took it and then turned to the dumbstruck shinigami watching them, 'Youmust be the members of the Third Division,'

'Who the hell are you?' the rude words made Izuru flinch but the captain justgazed at the speaker impassively, 'You can't be our captain,'

'I am Kanashimi Yuki, newly appointed Captain of the Third Division,' there wassome steel in her voice when she added, 'It's nice to meet you all,'

The man who'd spoken was slightly taken aback but no one really accepted this

shinigami as their captain. To make matters worse, the majority of the ThirdDivision was currently male and, from the looks on their faces, they weren't toohappy about the way things had turned out.

'I understand that it will take more than a day for you to start accepting me,' Yukiturned away, 'But, as long as I'm your captain, I will protect you no matter what.That's what a captain does,' she paused, 'Kira,'

The Lieutenant hurried after her, shooting one last look at the frozen Division

members.

Matsumoto snuck around another building, hiding her reiatsu as best she could.Hercaptain would never know if she just met the new captain secretly.

Coming around another corner, she found herself in front of the Third Divisionoffices. Grinning, she used quick shunpo to take herself inside, peeking around

doors until she sensed Izuru's reiatsu.

'Izuru, where's your-,' as she rounded the corner, Rangiku found herself standingin the office of the Third Division's captain, which looked identical to her owncaptain's apart from the second desk.

The young woman herself was seated at her desk, Izuru at his, and both looked upat Matsumoto's loud entrance.

Why didn't I sense her reiatsu?Rangiku paused, thinking that it was odd,

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especially since she could feel it now.

'Lieutenant Matsumoto!' Izuru jumped up, looking from face to face in shock,'What are you doing?'

'Matsumoto?' Yuki stood and walked over, 'Are you from the Tenth Division?'

'That's right,' Rangiku smiled winningly, hoping that the captain wasn't going totell Toshiro.

'May I ask what you're doing?' the tone wasn't demanding, just curious.

'Oh, I just wanted to meet you. I heard the Third Division had gotten a newcaptain,' the taller woman brushed some strawberry blonde hair out of her face, 'I

thought Izuru could tell me where to find you,'

'Kira?' turning to her Lieutenant, Yuki raised a questioning brow.

'Oh yes! Didn't he tell you?' Matsumoto made it sound like the pair were in arelationship, then she just grinned, 'We're drinking buddies!'

Izuru felt any pride he'd managed to retain after the former captain, Ichimaru Gin,had deserted the Soul Society, slip away from him and he put his head in his hands.

Trust Rangiku to ruin any positive relationship between him and his new captain.

'Drinking buddies?' the carefully blank look on the captain's face made Matsumotoinstantly feel that she needed to take the girl under her wing and 'nurture' her.

'Matsumoto!' the cold fury rippling along the corridor made everyone blink.

'Oh no!' Matsumoto rushed further into the office, looking for a place to hide,'That'll be my captain!'

Unfortunately for her, Toshiro stepped through the doorway just as she was aboutto hide behind Kira.

'What are you doing?' seeing the white haired captain's rage had Matsumotoshivering, as well as the sudden temperature drop, 'You do have workto do, youknow!'

'I just came to say hello to Captain,' Matsumoto realised she didn't recall thewoman's name, then Izuru whispered it to her and she smiled, stepping out from

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behind the blonde, 'Kanashimi,'

Toshiro turned and glanced at the black haired shinigami before sighing, 'Myapologies for my Lieutenant's behaviour,'

'Don't worry about it,' Yuki met turquoise eyes with her own before glancing at

the two Lieutenants, 'Matsumoto, I think you're required somewhere else,'

'I'll be back!' Rangiku declared grandly as she marched from the room, hercaptain following silently, eye twitching.

'Drinking buddies?' Yuki repeated once they'd gone, amused despite herself.

Author's Note:

And so another epic tale begins! *laughs self-consciously*

This story is set after the Winter War, but it kind of takes the place of the AmagaiArc in the Bleach anime - the stories aren't similar apart from the beginning though.

Also, compared to Snow Falls in the Presentit might be a little slow, but I stillhope you read and enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Sake and Party

Chapter 2: Sake + Party

'What were you thinking?' Toshiro snapped once they were back in his office, 'Yousaid you were going to an Association meeting,'

'Well I was,' Matsumoto stalled, 'But Captain Kuchiki destroyed our pool,'

'Your pool?' the short captain blinked, suddenly forgetting his anger, 'Don't tell meyou built it in his gardens,'

'We didn't think he'd find it!' Rangiku protested, tears welling up in her eyes as

she remembered finding the destroyed pool.

'It was in his backyard, of course he'd find it!' Toshiro knew that Byakuya actuallyhad a rather large 'yard', but still, 'He'd probably got people working on restoring itto its former glory right now,'

'I know,' the Lieutenant nodded somberly, then she brightened, 'So what do youthink of the new captain? I mean, you like her more than you liked Gin, right?'

Matsumoto had let the memories of her childhood friend, Ichimaru Gin, fade and itwas hardly painful to remember his death anymore.

'Almost anyone is better than that man,' Toshiro's grip tightened on his brush ashe remembered the three shinigami who had betrayed the Soul Society - AizenSosuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tosen Kaname.

They had caused three captains positions to become vacant and, until now, none

of them had been filled. He was almost sure that Hisagi Shuuhei had his hands fullmanaging the Ninth Division now that Tosen was gone, and he was certain thatHinamori Momo was having difficulty coping with the work for the Fifth Division.Those two Lieutenants were always busy, just like Izuru had been until the newcaptain arrived.

'Shiro-chan!'

The happy call made him flinch. He thought that it was always interesting whenyou were thinking of someone and then they arrived.

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'Come in Hinamori, but don't call me Shiro-chan,' Toshiro stood and walked overto the door, opening it to reveal his childhood friend.

The Lieutenant had healed well from the injuriesthat she'd received during theWinter War, and now she was back to her normal self. Still, he always interceptedmost of the Fifth Division's paperwork, just to help her out a bit.

'Have you seen the new captain?' as soon as she spoke, Toshiro sighed, wonderingif getting a new captain really wassuch a large event then realising that, yes, it was.

'I have,' Matsumoto was practically glowing, 'And of course the captain has,' shebeckoned Momo over and the pair sat down on one of the couches.

'What's he like?' the black haired shinigami was obviously unaware of the details

and had just assumed the most likely outcome.

Matsumoto giggled, 'Not he,' she leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially, 'She!'

'Really?' Momo sat bolt upright in surprise, 'How astonishing!'

'I know!' Matsumoto squealed, 'And she's so cute!'

'Really?' the shorter girl found herself repeating her earlier exclamation.

'I can't wait to get to know her,' Rangiku sighed in a paternal way, 'She has somuch to learn,'

Toshiro sat at his desk, trying to concentrate, but becoming increasingly worriedfor the new captain's safety.

Finally he couldn't take it anymore and stood up, chair skittering backwards, andsaid in a deadly way, 'Please discuss all of that somewhere else. I'm trying to work,'

At the venom in her captain's voice, Matsumoto dragged Hinamori out of theroom, still chattering about all of the 'wonderful things' she wanted to do to CaptainKanashimi.

As Izuru followed his captain through the Division barracks, he couldn't help butnotice all of the untrusting stares Yuki was receiving. He hadn't spoken to the

woman much but she seemed to be a thoughtful and intelligent person, despite

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being almost impossible to read - kind of like Ichimaru but in a different wayentirely. When he remembered the Rangiku incident a few hours earlier, he couldn'thelp but feel even more depressed.

Noticing the steady decline in the happiness of her Lieutenant, Yuki paused on thelarge platform where the Division members had first greeted her. Turning, she

surveyed the miserable face of Kira.

'Is there a problem?' her words were, as usual, rather stoic, but concerned.

'N-no,' Izuru shook his head, then he paused, 'Can I be excused for a while?'

'Okay,' violet eyes darkened as he used shunpo to vanish.

Wondering what was wrong with the melancholy man, Yuki continued on her walktowards one of the training rooms, hoping to see what they were like.

'I need your help, Matsumoto!' Kira fell to his knees with nervous exhaustion as hearrived before Rangiku, having raced through half of the Seireitei to find her.

'Are you okay Izuru?' she knelt down concernedly, wondering where she'd left herbottle of sake. Sake was good in times like this.

'I'm fine,' he really didn't look it, whatever he said, 'But I reallyneed your help!'

'My help?' Rangiku tilted her head to one side, considering the man who wasquivering like an emotional wreck.

'No one accepts the captain and they certainly don't trust her! They keep glaringat her and I don't know what to do!' if Izuru had been thinking rationally, he

would've known not to ask Rangiku for any advice, but, as it was, he wasn't thinkingat all.

'Well I suggest a party!' Matsumoto had worked out how to incorporate sake intothe plan, 'A party where everyone gets drunk and relaxed, you know what I mean,right?'

'What if Captain Kanashimi doesn't drink?' Izuru wailed, 'Then it'll just beawkward,'

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Everyone else watched in anticipation, wondering what was going to happen.

Yuki hesitated once before raising her bowl, 'Thank you, Kira,' turning to look outat the waiting group, she spoke again, 'Well it's a pleasure to meet everyone todayand I hope you'll come to see me as your captain over time,'

Then she tilted back the bowl and swallowed the drink.

As Izuru watched his captain, he began feeling much happier, especially aseveryone started to talk, drink and laugh. He gulped down his own warm sake,letting himself relax after a very tense day. Beside him, Yuki was swirling theremainder of her drink in the bowl, staring at the warm liquid.

Matsumoto was pacing restlessly, feeling guilty at the same time as amused. Shewas guilty because of what might happen to Izuru, but she was also wondering howeverything was going to turn out with hidden glee.

'Could you stop doing that?' Toshiro snapped suddenly, straightening and turningto glare at her, knuckles white on his brush.

'I'm just a bit worried,' she put on her best innocent voice, 'About Izuru,'

'Why?' the white haired captain sounded incredibly suspicious.

'Because I told him to throw a party with the rest of the Division for the newcaptain,' Matsumoto spoke quickly, letting all the information out in a rush, 'But Ijust can't imagine Captain Kanashimi drinking so now I'm concerned for Izuru'ssanity,'

Toshiro put down him brush quickly so as to avoid snapping it, then he stood and

left the room briskly.

'Captain?' Matsumoto stuck her head around the door, calling out.

'Don't leave that room,' the warning in the young captain's voice was enough tomake Rangiku hurry back into the room and sit down, pulling out her own bottle ofsake.

Author's Note:

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Trust Rangiku to get Izuru into a situation like that . . .

Izuru asking her for help is reminiscent of the Amagai Arc, but maybe a bit moredramatic?

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Chapter 3: Of Sake and Candy

Chapter 3: Of Sake and Candy

Toshiro couldn't believe what his Lieutenant had done. It was coming up to lateafternoon now, and he could only guess the state that Kira would be in ifMatsumoto's plan had failed. After all, no one really drank during the day unlessthey were reallystressed or simply a sake addict.

Rounding the corner to the Third Division, he hurried up through the buildingsuntil he found the one that contained a group of reiatsu. It was also the roomemitting the most noise.

Cracking open the door slightly, Toshiro peered in.

The Third Division members were sprawled out across the ground, laughing andmumbling to themselves and making a mess with spilt sake.

Looking to the end of the room, he saw Izuru passed out with his head on thetable and a cup dangling from his fingers, and Kanashimi looking lightly amused.

Opening the door fully, he stepped inside, a few of the conscious shinigamiglancing up at him.

Not sure exactly what to say, he just glanced back up the room and then spoke,'Kanashimi, could I have a word?'

Yuki glanced up as the white haired captain opened the door and tried very hardnot to be surprised, but she didn't rise.

However, when the captain asked for her, thinking it was important, she stoodand made her way over to the door, 'Yes?'

Toshiro was at a loss of words and he could see the new captain was actuallyabsolutely fine, 'Have your belongings been moved into the captain's apartments?'as he received a nod, he continued, 'Right, I was just asked to check,'

Yuki's mind was working perfectly fine, despite the one cup of sake she'd drunk,and she quickly realised that the captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro, if the reports weren'tlying, wasn't saying everything. She remembered the white haired shinigami coming

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to take Matsumoto away and realised that this was most definitely the Captain of theTenth Division.

'I'm assuming your Lieutenant has something to do with this,' she gestured to theroom distantly.

Toshiro nodded, his annoyance returning, 'My apologies,' he noted that this wasthe second time he'd had to say that in one day, 'Matsumoto can sometimes be,' hepaused, 'A little pushy,'

Straightening, Yuki turned and glanced at her drunk Division and sighed, 'Right,'

The Tenth Division captain was, by now, feeling incredibly uncomfortable with thewhole situation and so he turned to go, 'Well, if you can handle everything here, I

should go,'

Yuki just nodded and watched as the captain used shunpo to vanish.

Unohana sighed as she received a request from the Third Division for medicine toreduce the after effects of alcohol. Knowing how Lieutenant Kira tended to worry alot, and that he was friends with Lieutenant Matsumoto, it wasn't too hard to workout what had happened. The kind woman only hoped that the new captain wasn't

having too hard a time coping with everything.

'Isane,' her Lieutenant hurried over, 'Please take this to the Third Division andtend to everyone there,'

'Yes Captain,' the tall girl rushed over and then set off to the barracks, expectingto find a whole lot of drunken shinigami and, sure enough, she did.

Yuki watched as the quiet girl began healing each one of her Division membersand decided that, for an afternoon party, it hadn't been that bad for them. Sheherself never drank and had only partaken in the sake so as to help everyone relax -it seemed to have served its purpose, if a little too effectively.

'Captain Kanashimi,' Isane spoke courteously, 'Everyone should be fine as soon asthey wake up,'

'I see,' the captain nodded as the Fourth Division Lieutenant walked out. Then,

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walking over to where Kira was lying, she tapped his head.

'Wha-,' the Lieutenant sat bolt upright, blinking as he focused his vision, andfound himself staring at his captain, 'Oh! Captain!'

'Make sure this lot get back to the barracks once they wake up,' Yuki turned away,

'I have to have a word with Matsumoto,'

'Right,' as soon as she'd left, Izuru suddenly realised what she'd said, 'Oh,' helooked crestfallen, 'I wonder how she worked it out,'

Toshiro looked up when there was a knock at his door and called out, tellingwhoever it was to come in.

When Captain Kanashimi stepped into the orderly room, so similar to her ownoffice, he nearly ruined the document he was writing on, the brush almost slippingfrom his fingers.

'Kanashimi?' the white haired captain asked, reining in his surprise.

'Is your Lieutenant here?' the calm but slightly rough voice sounded slightly quietas the captain was facing the opposite direction, lavender eyes skimming over the

bookshelves

'No, I expect she's at a Shinigami Women's Association meeting,' Toshiro replied,despite suspecting that what Matsumoto had said could be a lie.

'Where are they held?' she turned to face him fully.

Biting back a sigh, Toshiro answered truthfully, 'In the Kuchiki Estate. You would

have seen Kuchiki this morning - he's the captain of the Sixth Division. TheAssociation managed to build some sort of hideaway in the family manor so that'swhere they'll be,' as Yuki turned to the door, he added, 'But I don't recommendasking the captain where they are because he's not too happy that they're there inthe first place,'

'I see,' the captain walked out of the room and Toshiro suddenly realised that shealways seemed to carry a sort of heavy sadness around with her.

That fit the Division as its insignia was the marigold which signified despair, but,

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when Ichimaru had been captain, everyone in the Division had had strangelymischievous personalities. Most of them except Lieutenant Kira, anyway.

Wondering about that, Toshiro finished filling out his form.

'She's coming!' Rangiku squealed as she ran back from the secret door whereshe'd been watching Yuki approach the Kuchiki manor bathed in a twilight glow,'What should we do?'

'Who's coming?' Ise Nanao, Lieutenant of the Eighth Division and Vice-Presidentof the Shinigami Women's Association, asked as she adjusted her glasses inannoyance, looking up from her book.

'The new captain! Kanashimi Yuki!' Matsumoto flopped down on the ground andbegan waving her arms around madly, just to create more excitement.

'Why?' Kuchiki Rukia, an unseated shinigami in the Thirteenth Division and sisterof Kuchiki Byakuya, asked as she glanced up from her rabbit drawing.

'Probably because I told Izuru to throw a party at lunchtime and everyone gotdrunk,' Matsumoto didn't sound concerned at all, although she received somedisapproving looks, 'But anyway, what should we do?'

'Bring her here!' Kusajishi Yachiru, a very small shinigami with pink hair who alsohappened to be the Lieutenant of the Eleventh Division and President of theShinigami Women's Association, clapped her hands and then stuffed another sweetinto her mouth.

'I'm on it, President,' the serious voice of Kurotsuchi Nemu sounded as the TwelfthDivision Lieutenant moved over to one of the secret doors, disappearing out of it.

Everyone waited in anticipation and then there was a slight rustling noise beforethe door opened to reveal Nemu holding onto Yuki's arm tightly.

The new captain glanced at each of the shinigami inside the room and thenstepped inside, Nemu releasing her.

'Captain Kanashimi!' Matsumoto stood up and approached her, 'It's nice of you tocome,'

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'Matsumoto,' Yuki met the Lieutenant's sky blue eyes, 'Why did you tell Kira tohold a party?'

'Was it fun?' Rangiku leaned towards the shorter shinigami, 'Is everyone a littlemore relaxed?'

'I wouldn't know,' Yuki deadpanned, 'They're all drunk and unconscious,'

Rukia laughed, she couldn't help herself, and then, once she'd startled clutchingher sides in mild agony, smiles grew on everyone else's faces, including the usuallystern Soifon.

'Really?' Matsumoto chuckled, 'I wonder what type of sake Izuru found for youlot,'

'Your captain's not happy,' Yuki moved further into the room and knelt on the floornear Rukia, seeing the shinigami's drawing, she added, 'You must like rabbits,'

As Matsumoto started trying to think up good excuses, Rukia sat bolt upright, and,turning to the new Third Division captain, she said, 'My name's Kuchiki Rukia. Isthis any good?' and shoved the drawing in her face.

For some reason, looking at the rabbit-ised depiction of what looked to be an

orange haired shinigami and some humans, Yuki got the impression that this person,Rukia, didn't get compliments on her drawing often - if at all - so she said simply,'It's cute,'

Along with general sharp intakes of breath, Yuki watched the shinigami's bluepurple eyes widen and then Rukia leapt up and lunged at the captain, slamming intoher and sending both of them sprawling along the ground.

It was only after a few moments that everyone else realised that Rukia wasactually hugging the captain and not trying to murder her.

Caught beneath Kuchiki's body, Yuki was wondering what was going to happennext. Surprise after surprise kept coming her way, and all she had been planning todo was get to know her Division and, hopefully, become a respected captain of theGotei 13. She was naturally a distant person and normally found it more difficult totalk to people in a familiar way, often pushing them back with cold words or glares.

However, despite that, she'd been chosen to become a captain and she took that

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very seriously.

Most shinigami wouldn't recognise her, and that was mainly because she'd beenaway on a long-term solo mission that she'd only recently completed. Theassignment had turned into a solo one when the other four shinigami who'd decidedto accompany her had been killed on the third day. It was but one of the reasons she

was uncomfortable around other people.

'Rukia! I don't think she can breathe,' Rangiku wasn't exactly correct, but thegeneral outcome was still about the same.

Kuchiki stood up and grinned at everyone, 'See! She thinks they're okay,'

'She was probably just being nice,' Nanao said as she turned a page in her thick

book

'What was that?' Rukia leered over the seated Lieutenant, eyes glittering.

'Nothing!' the startled woman replied quickly.

Yuki got to her feet with natural grace, not marred by the fact that she'd recentlybeen lying on the ground in a heap, and turned to Nemu, 'Can you open the door?'

Green eyes turned and gazed at Yachiru, waiting for her command. Rangikuquickly leaned forwards and whispered something into the pink haired shinigami'sear.

Yachiru's eyes widened and she leaned forwards, 'No! I want Snow-chan to giveme the special candy!'

Yuki glanced at Matsumoto and the woman opened her eyes wide innocently,coming up beside her and passing her a candy packet secretly. Suppressing a sigh,the captain walked over and handed Yachiru the sweets.

'I've never seen one of these before!' the pink haired girl scampered around untilshe found a suitable place to sit and eat.

It wasn't that hard to work out why the candy obsessed girl hadn't seen thatspecific variety before - Matsumoto had scribbled pink hearts all over the smallwhite sweets.

Nanao's eyebrows shot up and she raced over to Matsumoto, 'Is that from the

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World of the Living?' when Rangiku nodded, she continued, 'Is it even safe to eatpermanent pen? I'm assuming you got one of them in the Human World too,'

'Don't worry,' Rangiku waved away her concern, 'I'm sure she's eaten worse,'

Looking over at the President, no one could disagree.

After much struggle and being forced to promise that she'd come next time, Yukihad managed to extricate herself from the meeting room and, as she walked outside,she realised that it was well and truly night. Sighing, she used quick shunpo to takeherself to the Third Division barracks.

For the first day,she thought wryly, That was quite something.

When Matsumoto walked into the office some time later, she found her captainasleep at his desk, so, instead of returning to the barracks, she lay down on one ofthe couches and sighed. The day had been long and a lothad happened. Thoughtsdrifting to Captain Kanashimi, she thought that, contrastingly to the shinigami'sname, she seemed quite, for lack of a better word, dark. Still, Rangiku couldn't waitto get to know her.

Smiling, she drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note:

I'm not actually sure whether all of that could be physically achieved in one day,but oh well . . .

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Chapter 4: Mission in the Dangai

Chapter 4: Mission in the Dangai

The next morning Toshiro was hardly surprised to see Matsumoto still asleep onhis couch. And he didn't even wantto think about what the Association had beendoing the previous night.

'Matsumoto,' at the sound of her captain's voice, Rangiku sat up and turnedaround.

'Yes Captain?' she asked, stretching.

'Take these to the Fifth Division,' the white haired shinigami gestured to a stack ofcompleted paperwork, 'But don't take any detours on the way back,'

'Don't be so mean!' Matsumoto protested as she hurried out of the room carryingthe pile of documents.

Twitching, Toshiro knew that it'd probably be some time before he saw her again,so he might as well get on with the next lot of work.

Matsumoto couldn't believe her luck - her captain given her papers to deliver andthat meant stopping into all sorts of places. Hurrying through the streets, she failedto notice that there was someone coming around the next corner at the same time asshe was.

There was a crash and paper flew everywhere.

Looking around, Rangiku spotted Kira lying flat on his back and not looking likehe was going anywhere. As she gathered all the documents together again, shewalked up to him.

'What's wrong this time?' her tone was cheerily comforting.

'Nothing,' Izuru slowly got to his feet, 'I was just looking for two of the Divisionmembers who appear to have wondered off during yesterday's party,'

'Really?' understanding now that he wasn't actually feeling sad and just looked

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like it, Rangiku waved with her one free hand and then hurried onwards.

Izuru stood for a moment before walking onwards, back around the corner andstraight into his captain.

Yuki jumped aside as her Lieutenant swerved out from around the building, glad

that she'd been looking for his reiatsu.

The blonde man looked up and almost jerked in surprise, 'Sorry, Captain!'

'Kira, you can come back to the offices now, those two returned a few minutesago,' as the pair began to walk back the way Yuki had come, Izuru suddenlyremembered something.

'Ah,' he nodded, 'You're lucky you didn't arrive a second earlier,' at the captain'squestioning look, he elaborated, 'Matsumoto was there,'

Despite not having known the strawberry blonde woman for very long at all, Yukiwasglad that she'd missed her, or else they'd never have gotten back.

'I see,' then she gestured to the offices, 'We're going to one of the training rooms,I want to see how proficient the members are in zanjutsu,'

'Right!' the Lieutenant tried to look on the optimistic side of things, but in thiscase all he could think was 'I hope everyone's recovered from the party or elsethey're all going to be terrible'.

Looking at the crowded inside of the training room, Yuki definitely believed that alarger space was necessary. She knew that the Third Division, like all the others,had an open training ground so that's where she decided to take everyone.

'Could someone please show me where the training ground is?' she already knew,having studied a map of the Seireitei most dutifully, but she wanted to helpeveryone relax a bit more.

'I will. It's this way,' one of the very few women Division members spoke out, atentative smile on her face, 'My name's Haruko,'

Nodding, Yuki ordered everyone to follow her and walked beside the girl herself,

Izuru hurrying along behind them.

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'I hope it'll be open,' the dark haired shinigami murmured.

'Don't worry, it is,' someone else called from the group, 'I saw it earlier today,'

Yuki was glad that at least two shinigami had begun to relax around her slightly.Her appearance did often cause enemies to underestimate her and allies to not put

their trust in her, but she couldn't exactly change that very easily. She couldn't helpwhen she'd die -

The sudden fluctuation in what reiatsu Izuru could sense from his captain madehim jump slightly and turn to her, 'Are you alright?'

'I'm fine,' turning to him, she nodded, quickly stabilising her reiatsu andsuppressing it further.

'Okay,' blue eyes still showed concern, but the Lieutenant let the matter pass,then he brightened, 'Look! We're here,'

'Get started then, I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do,' Yuki curved herlips upwards slightly, but, as usual, she didn't smile. Still, the small movementcaused some stares as the gathered shinigami drew their zanpakuto.

'Kyaaah,' the sounds of a mock battle drifted up to the Third Division captain asshe watched the sparring going on below. To her satisfaction, Yuki had found thatKira had kept everyone's combat skills honed and that the group was strong.

Suddenly a jigokucho fluttered over, the butterfly stopping in front of the captain.

'Gotei 13, Third Division, emergency! Emergency!' Yuki's eyes sharpened intofocus as she listened, 'Menos have appeared in the Dangai at Area 0035. They are

currently passing through it and are heading directly for Soul Society. There arethirty of them,'

'Everyone!' the captains' voice carried easily, 'Listen up,'

'The Third Division is to exterminate all of the menos who have infiltrated theDangai. Complete your preparations with all haste and mobilise immediately,'

'What?' one of the shinigami exclaimed, 'That can't be right!'

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'We have our orders, let's go,' everyone shouted out in agreement and the groupbegan to move out.

'I'll go ask for the Koryu to be shut down!' Haruko turned and raced off, using amix of shunpo and random running to carry her away.

Arriving at the doors that would allow them access to the Dangai, Yuki gesturedfor Kira to direct the squad as she wanted to see how he'd been leading them sinceIchimaru's betrayal.

'Right!' Izuru was absolutely determined to show his new captain that he was acapable Lieutenant, 'Split into platoons of four per enemy,' his eyes narrowedslightly, 'We're going up against menos, so be careful,' spinning around, he jumpedthrough the gates, 'Let's go!'

Inside the Dangai, the shinigami raced forwards, seeking out the massive Hollows.Yuki followed Izuru and kept a close watch on all of the Division members. Her gazelocked on a harsh white hand as one of the menos moved around a corner.

'Here they come!' Izuru shouted, 'Platoons, move into position,'

The captain paused and watched as the group split and used shunpo to begin

advancing on the menos. Lavender eyes flicking to her Lieutenant, Yuki watched asKira raised his katana.

'Raise your head, Wabisuke!' there was a few jerking movements of thezanpakuto's blade, and then the released Wabisuke was slashing through the firstmenos grande.

As the other platoons began to fell the giant Hollows, and scarlet cero blasts lit up

the dark passageway, Izuru called out again, 'Everyone, we're getting there! Keep atit!'

As the groups called out a 'yes sir!' the ground started vibrating.

Everyone looked around in surprise as the Koryu appeared again and began tomove as usual.

'The Koryu,' Izuru was frozen in shock, like most of the other Division members.

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'No way! What's going on?' one of the shinigami, who'd previously been verysuspicious of the new captain, cried out.

A sudden gold light began emanating from further on in the Dangai and therewere a few gasps of recognition, 'Retreat!'

As the Kototsu came into full view 'cleaning' away the menos, everyone turnedand began running back towards the gateway, Izuru yelling, 'Hurry!' as loud as hecould.

One of the shinigami at the rear suddenly cried, 'It's too late! We won't make it!'

And it looked like he was just about right.

Yuki stood some distance from the others and waited patiently. She'd decided topull back and let Kira handle this one on his own as she'd sensed his intense desireto prove himself worthy of his position.

However, when the flow of the Koryu began again, her dark eyebrows raised andshe began to move back toward where she sensed the group. Then the captain feltthe Kototsu rumbling along towards her Division and her eyes widened.

Author's Note:

More similarities to the Amagai Arc . . .

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Chapter 5: Kototsu

Chapter 5: Kototsu

Izuru was saying his final goodbyes to life and everything included with it, whenthere was a flash of white and the sound of a quick light tread.

Glancing forwards, he watched as Captain Kanashimi leapt over the group andstood with her back to them. Everyone paused and wondered what the shinigamiwas going to do as they all knew that it was virtually impossible to destroy toKototsu.

'Captain Kanashimi,' Izuru began, moving forwards, but she held out her arm to

stop him.

'Stay back,' her voice was cool and collected, but she made no move to draw herzanpakuto or run, even as the Kototsu neared her.

'That's insane!' the shinigami wasn't sure what his captain had planned, but eventhinking about facing the cleaner was ridiculous.

'I said that as long as I'm your captain, I'll protect you,' despite the gasps andmurmurs behind her, Yuki stood her ground and focused, trying not to let her mindwander for a second. If she lost concentration, they'd probably all die.

When the Kototsu was only a few metres away, Captain Kanashimi spoke, 'Bakudo81. Danku,'

Izuru watched as the kido barrier went up, unsure whether or not the Kototsucould really be stopped by anything. Most likely he should begin his farewells again.

To everyone's shock, the Kototsu met the barrier and stopped. Completely.

'C-captain?' the shinigami was rather sorry that he'd previously doubted her.

The Third Division captain looked through her fringe at the Kototsu, eyes shaded.With a small, almost non-existent movement of her arm, the barrier dissipated. As

the cleaner began moving forwards again, she held out pale fingers.

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There was an intake of breath as the Kototsu touched the captain's hands aseveryone knew it was impossible to escape the Koryu current. But Kanashimi wasn'tpushed back or sucked inwards. It was just like time had frozen for the briefest ofmoments.

'Hado 73. Soren Sokatsui,'

The flash of blue light that resulted was almost enough to blind the on lookingshinigami, and the force of the kido send a few of them tumbling backwards, missingthe Koryu walls of the Dangai by inches.

When the light faded from their eyes, the members of the Third Division realisedthat the Kototsu had been destroyed completely.

She didn't use incantations for either of those kido, Izuru was shocked but gladthat he'd survived,How powerfulis our new captain?

Captain Kanashimi turned around and surveyed her Division, walking over toHaruko, she asked, 'Are you absolutely certain you asked for the Koryu to be shutdown?'

'Absolutely,' the woman looked almost scared.

'I see,' the captain walked onwards a little further, 'I'll talk to someone from theDepartment of Research and Development about this,' suddenly Yuki paused, 'Isanyone injured?'

'N-no!' a large man replied, still unable to believe what had just happened.

'Okay,' the captain turned to her Lieutenant, 'Kira?'

'Yes sir?' Izuru wasn't sure if he should call the new captain 'sir' but, by force ofhabit, it just slipped out, and she didn't look concerned.

'You make a worthy leader,' Yuki's eyes were closed as she spoke, 'That's what I'dexpect from someone who kept his division together without a captain,'

Izuru was suddenly very uncomfortable as it wasn't often that he got praised formuch at all, 'No, it was nothing,'

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As Yuki walked past him, she sensed his discomfort and changed the subject, 'I'mglad everyone's okay. Let's go back now,'

Izuru walked through the Division members just in time to hear someone say,'She's something else, ain't she?' and then another person reply, 'You said it,'

Glad that the Division was beginning to see Captain Kanashimi in a new light,Izuru hurried after her.

When a jigokucho landed on Toshiro's desk and he listened to its message,turquoise eyes widened in surprise.

The Kototsu was destroyed during the fight with the menos?he'd heard about the

Hollows in the Dangai, but this news about the cleaner was so much moreinteresting.

Matsumoto wandered over to him and intercepted the black butterfly on its pathto the window. Pale blue eyes widened as she too heard the news before letting themessenger fly away.

'Destroyed?' Rangiku knew that the Kototsu was virtually impossible to stop, letalong destroy - Aizen had managed it, that was true, but he'd been aided by the

power of the Hogyoku - she leant forwards, 'Who did it?'

Toshiro wasn't sure himself but the only real answer was Kanashimi. Still, hewanted to be sure.

Turning to Matsumoto, the white haired captain said, 'I'm going to theDepartment of Research and Development. Don't destroy anything or make a mess,'

'Sure thing Captain,' his Lieutenant was already sprawled on the couch with abottle of sake, wondering how she could get Izuru or Hisagi to come drink with her.

Sighing and trying not to start twitching, Toshiro turned and left the room.

'Captain Hitsugaya! What a pleasant surprise,' Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Captain of theTwelfth Division and the President of the Department of Research and Development,bared his teeth in a wide golden smile before spinning around and walking into the

Twelfth Division, beckoning the young captain, 'We're receiving a lot of unexpected

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guests today, right Nemu?'

The quiet shinigami nodded as she passed, carrying a tray with a tea set balancingon it. Green eyes slid briefly over Toshiro's face before she vanished around acorner.

Spinning around to face the other captain again, Mayuri stared at him with wideeyes, looking almost maniacal, 'So what did you want to ask?'

The harsh voice of the other captain made Toshiro uncomfortable, but then again,he didn't think anyone was comfortable when in the scientist's presence.

'How was the Kototsu destroyed?' still following Kurotsuchi, Toshiro got straightto the point, knowing that sometimes the man could talk for days.

'Soren Sokatsui,' turning once more, the captain surveyed Hitsugaya carefullybefore adding, 'After being stopped by Danku,' and then he marched forwards againdramatically.

Toshiro couldn't help but feel surprised. He could hardly believe what Kurotsuchihad just said and the man was walking so fast that he almost had to run to keep up.

'How could the cleaner be stopped with kido?' the young captain asked when

Mayuri finally stopped walking, 'Who did it?'

As he opened one of the many doors leading off the corridor, Mayuri pointed withone long-nailed finger, 'Her,'

Toshiro looked into the bright room and almost froze when he saw CaptainKanashimi drinking tea and talking to Nemu. Both women turned to the door when

it opened, Nemu hurriedly pouring more tea, and then the Twelfth Division captainwalked in and sat down at the table.

'So, Kanashimi,' the scientist turned his stare on the Third Division captain, 'Whatdidyouwant to ask me about?'

'Why did the Koryu currents begin flowing again?' Yuki watched the man's blackand white painted face expressionlessly.

'A technical failure with the device which stops the currents,' somehow Kurotsuchi

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didn't seem at all concerned, and he hadn't stopped smiling.

'I see,' lavender eyes closed as she sipped the warm drink.

Toshiro walked into the room and asked, 'About the Kototsu-,'

Mayuri cut him off before he could finish, 'It's gone. But don't worry, there'll beanother one coming along sooner or later,' seeing the white haired captain'sagitated glare, he continued, 'The strength of Danku was enough to temporarily haltthe cleaner, and then the force of Soren Sokatsui was powerful enough to destroy it,'glaring at the Tenth Division captain, Mayuri ended in a snap, 'There's nothing moreto it!'

'Thank you, Kurotsuchi,' Yuki stood and turned to Nemu, 'Could you show me to

the door?'

'Captain Kanashimi, Captain Hitsugaya,' Nemu addressed both guests, 'Pleasefollow me,'

As they walked out of the rather foreboding building and into the afternoonsunlight, Nemu grasped Yuki's arm, 'Captain,' she leant forwards, 'There's anAssociation meeting tonight. President Yachiru wants to see you,'

Wondering how she was going to get out of this one, the Third Division captainjust nodded and bid the Lieutenant farewell.

Once Nemu had gone back inside, Yuki sighed heavily.

Toshiro couldn't help but ask what was wrong, as normally those types of sighsmeant something was seriously problematic.

'The Shinigami Women's Association,' Yuki felt her lips twitch in amusement,'They've got a meeting tonight and I'm supposed to go,' remembering some of theconversation she'd overheard Matsumoto having with Hinamori on her first day ascaptain, she wasn't sure it was in her best interests to go to any of the meetings.

Toshiro saw the faint look that suggested a strong desire for self-preservation inKanashimi's purple eyes and blinked, 'Is something incredibly bad going to happen ifyou do go?'

Glancing at the shorter shinigami, Yuki spoke truthfully, 'Well, judging on whatLieutenants Matsumoto and Hinamori were discussing the other day, yes,'

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'Do I wantto know what might happen?' Toshiro's tone suggested that he didn't,and he had a very good reason too.

'No,' sensing Izuru's reiatsu suddenly, Yuki frowned ever so slightly, 'Hitsugaya,the Tenth Division offices are that way, and the Third Division offices are that way,'as she pointed, Toshiro nodded, wondering what she was about to say, 'So then why

is my Lieutenant in the Tenth Division?'

As Toshiro himself frowned darkly, he realised that, like himself, Kanashimi didn'tseem to use titles very often, but that wasn't the most important thought in his mindat that particular moment.

'Matsumoto!' forgetting about the Third Division captain, Toshiro vanished withshunpo, dreading what he'd find in his office.

Author's Note:

So that's about the end of any similarities to the Amagai Arc.

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Chapter 6: An Unusual Request

Chapter 6: An Unusual Request

'More,' Rangiku held out her bowl and Kira dutifully filled it. The strawberryblonde downed the liquid in one gulp and then glanced across at Hisagi who wasalready passed out on the floor, giggling at his expression.

Izuru was trying to work out how he could escape Rangiku's clutches and get backto his Division, but he couldn't come up with anything. The problem with Matsumotowas that she could drink and drink without falling unconscious, but then, usuallyvery suddenly, she'd just fall asleep.

Feeling a sudden gust of air that was a little bit too cold for mid-Autumn, Izurufroze.

'Matsumoto,' the deadly sound made the blonde man flinch and put down the sakebottle quickly.

Izuru was shaking in terror by the time Toshiro walked into the room, followed byKanashimi who had decided to go to the Tenth Division offices too, just in case her

Lieutenant really wasthere.

'I'm sorry! She kidnapped me! I couldn't stop her,' Kira was wailing as Toshiroglared at him.

In reality, the white haired captain was only mad at one of the shinigami in theroom, but since Matsumoto had passed out perfectly on time as he entered, Izuruwas the next best option.

The cowering man suddenly sensed a flicker of his captain's reiatsu and he stoodstraight and turned towards the woman, 'I'm sorry Captain,' he managed to saybefore fainting.

Toshiro was trying very, very hard to control his anger. Matsumoto was stillasleep at the table, Hisagi on the floor, and Kira against the wall, and the wholeroom was a mess.

On the bright side, at least they didn't do all of this in my office,the white haired

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captain thought forcefully.

Yuki walked into the room, over the light layer of frost, and knelt beside herLieutenant, 'Kira?'

Distantly, Izuru heard his captain's voice and then his eyes flicked open. Sitting

bolt upright, he began trying to apologise again until a hand covered his eyes and hefell into peaceful unconsciousness.

Toshiro watched Kanashimi use kido on Izuru and then stand, supporting theLieutenant.

As she began walking out of the room, Yuki paused and said, 'Is there anythingelse you require, Hitsugaya?'

'No, I'll send for someone to take Hisagi back to the Ninth Division and then dealwith Matsumoto later,' his tone was heavy.

'I see,' for some reason, the white haired captain got the distinct impression thatKanashimi found the whole event a bit troublesome, but, at the same time, there wasa hint of amusement in her tone.

'Sorry for Matsumoto's behaviour,' Toshiro found himself saying the same thing

again and hoped it wasn't going to become a habit.

Thinking along those same lines, Yuki paused and glanced back at him, 'If ithappens again, I'll just imagine you saying that so you don't have to bother,'

Using shunpo, she vanished with her Lieutenant and Toshiro was left with twodrunk and unconscious shinigami and the start of a headache. Not only was heangry, but now he was also vexed by the Third Division captain.

Sighing, Toshiro walked out of the room and into his office, trying to forget aboutanything that troubled him.

Hinamori Momo stared at the blank reports that, as Lieutenant of the FifthDivision, she had to complete in the place of Aizen Sosuke. When he'd betrayed theSoul Society, she'd been devastated, but now she could see the truth of things andher mind was clear. Aizen had caused everyone in the Soul Society so much pain.

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Still,that's straying from the point, Momo thought, picking up the finger thickstack of paperwork. She couldn't work out why there wasn't so much more of it, asshe knew most of the other captains had piles and piles of documents to fill out.

As she glanced up from the desk, she saw a flutter of black hair and the white of ahaori. Despite knowing that Captains Unohana, Kuchiki and Soifon also had black

hair, Momo believed that the captain who just walked past was Kanashimi.

Rushing out of the offices and into the street, Momo raced after the shinigami,relieved to see the Third Division symbol on the back of the sleeveless haori.

The captain sensed her coming, and turned around, glancing at the flustered girl.

'Sorry, Captain Kanashimi!' Momo bowed deeply, 'I just thought I'd greet you

personally. My name is Hinamori Momo and I'm the Lieutenant of the Fifth Division.It's a pleasure to meet you,'

Despite knowing exactly who she was speaking to, as well as some of the'wonderful things' that the shinigami had been planning with Matsumoto to do toher, Yuki answered politely, 'It's nice to meet you too,'

When Momo looked up there was a strange gleam in her eyes, 'Captain,' she drewthe word out, 'Are you coming to the Association meeting tonight?'

Feeling suspicious, the captain nodded.

'Good,' for such an innocent looking girl, the tone she was using just didn't matchup, 'I look forward to seeing you there,' as she turned to go, Momo suddenly realisedsomething, 'Oh! Captain!' Yuki paused, and the Lieutenant continued, 'If you seeShiro-chan, would you tell him that he's dead?'

Not waiting for an answer, the cheerful girl turned and skipped back to the FifthDivision.

Yuki stared after her in confusion. She knew she wasn't good with people, but theLieutenant's behaviour was well out of her understanding.

So,she thought as she continued walking, The Association meeting tonight will bedangerous,she paused her line of thought,And I'm supposed to tell someone thatthey're dead? Well, we're all dea-

Cutting the thought in two by force of will, Yuki changed her line of thinking,And

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Chapter 7: Shinigami Women's Association

Chapter 7: Shinigami Women's Association = Danger

Toshiro was walking around the Seireitei looking for Matsumoto - the woman haddisappeared as soon as she'd woken up - when Unohana appeared before him.

'Would you please take this to Captain Ukitake? It's some medicine for him,' thesmiling captain handed him a package and then walked off.

Sighing, Toshiro used shunpo to arrive at Ukitake's house in his family estate,arriving to hear the sounds of tea being prepared.

Walking closer, he realised that Ukitake must have a guest, as the captain seemedto be talking to someone.

His eyebrows raised when he heard the word 'Hinamori', and then he blinked inshock when he heard 'Shiro-chan'. Suddenly realising that it was Kanashimi talking,he continued onwards quickly, arriving at the door to hear Ukitake say 'Shiro-chan'could be him or, what Toshiro assumed would have been, Hitsugaya, then the othercaptain saying 'you're dead' in a very flat tone.

Toshiro slid open the door just as Ukitake dropped his teacup in surprise, thedelicate vessel shattering upon impact and spreading tea across the table, and thenopened and closed his mouth a few times looking rather like the koi in his pond.

Noticing that he had another guest, Jushiro blinked and tried to sort himself out ashe probably wasn't making a very good impression at the moment. Turning toToshiro, he wondered how he was supposed to explain everything.

'Sorry to interrupt,' Toshiro moved further into the room, 'But may I ask what youwere talking about?'

Kanashimi flicked her gaze to his and said, 'Hinamori asked me to tell aShiro-chanthat they were dead,' and her tone was absolutely indifferent despite thedarkening in her eyes.

'I see,' Toshiro was trying hard not to smile, 'It seems that there's been amisunderstanding. If it was Hinamori saying that, then she'd probably be directing itat me,' he paused, 'I bet it's because I made her and Matsumoto leave the office the

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other day. She's been acting suspiciously lately,'

'We've noticed too,' Ukitake seemed to have recovered and was now back to hisusual smiling self, 'I think it's because of some plan Matsumoto's devised and madeher part of,' noticing how Kanashimi paled, he asked, 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' she murmured, 'But I think the Association has some plansthat Iwouldn't want to get caught up in,'

Glancing at the window, and realising that it was twilight, Jushiro sat up straight.Putting on a paternal voice, he said, 'Now, it looks like it's getting dark so you twoshould go to bed. Children need more sleep than adults,'

Toshiro twitched and leaned towards the occasionally infuriating man, 'What was

that?'

Seeing the frost appearing on his floor, Jushiro decided that it would be better notto repeat himself, so he simply said, 'Goodnight,'

Sighing, the other white haired captain turned and left, calling out a farewell toUkitake, then Yuki stood and politely excused herself, thanking Jushiro for his help.

As he was left alone, Ukitake couldn't help but think that the girl seemed to be

constantly sorrowful, and noted that, despite her mistake in delivering the strangemessage, she hadn't even blinked.

'Hinamori,' Toshiro knocked on the door to the Fifth Division captain's office, 'I'mcoming in,'

'Shiro-chan!' the Lieutenant leapt up from the desk and ran over, smiling hugely

and not looking suspicious at all.

'What did you do to Kanashimi?' the captain got straight to the point.

'Oh yes,' Momo flushed slightly, 'That was a bit forward of me, wasn't it?' shesighed, 'I just wanted you to come so that I could scold you for kicking me out ofyour office the other day,' she grabbed his shihakusho and shook him, 'I'm yourchildhood friend! We're like siblings! You can't do that to me,'

'Sorry, Matsumoto was the main problem,' sitting down on one of the chairs,

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Toshiro sighed, 'Another question,' Momo came over to sit opposite him, aquestioning look on her face, 'What's the Association planningto do to Kanashimi?'

'You're awfully concerned,' the Lieutenant teased, then she grinned, looking quitewicked again, 'Nothing anyway,'

'Ukitake was worried too,' Toshiro mentioned the captain knowing that Hinamorirespected him greatly, probably slightly more so than the other captains exceptUnohana.

'Really?' she sounded uncertain, as if she wasn't sure about going through withwhatever idea they had, 'Well, I can't tell you,'

'Just think of Ukitake's face when he learns how mischievous you've become,

Hinamori,' Toshiro spoke in such a regretful tone, secretly enjoying himself.

'Oh,' Momo sounded devastated, wondering if the person who'd always been kindto her, visited her when she was injured, and given her presents - albeit strangeones - at random times, was going to think she was a mean shinigami.

'Well, be sure to apologise to him if something interesting happens,' Toshirosighed deeply, 'He looked like he found Kanashimi quite endearing,'

'The Association was going to take Captain Kanashimi to the World of the Livingand make her shop and do human things for a few days and then take her to thebeach and make her enjoy herself because she always seems so sad and distant evenwhen she's not - which doesn't really make sense, but we all thought so and evenUnohana agreed to give us a sedative. It was all going to be fu-,' Momo startedcoughing and taking long gasping breaths, unable to finish what she was saying inonly a single breath, 'Fun,'

Toshiro found that he was now incredibly concerned about the situation as all ofthe things Momo had just mentioned sounded rather worrying, leaning forwardsslightly, he tapped the Lieutenant's bowed head, 'When were you going to do that?'

Looking up at him nervously, the Lieutenant squeaked, 'Tonight,' then, as thewhite haired captain rushed to the door, she added, 'Because all the stores in theHuman World stay open for ages and we thought it would be a nice surprise!'

Racing through the Seireitei, Toshiro was silently bothered by the fact that

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Kanashimi emitted little reiatsu, because it made her incredibly hard to find,smothered by the many other spiritual pressures around the place.

He didn't know exactly why he wasworried in the first place, but, despite notknowing the new captain very well, he was pretty sure that what the Association hadplanned wasn't her idea of a holiday.

I know that Kira for one will be horrified if the captain suddenly disappears,Toshiro thought,He'd probably go insane.

Suddenly he sensed a slight flicker of the dark reiatsu and moved towards it,arriving just as what appeared to be Nemu, dragged Kanashimi through a wall.

Oh dear,now, despite not knowing how it became his responsibility, Toshiro was

very concerned,How am I supposed to help now?

When she was pulled through a secret doorway and into one of the Association'srooms, Yuki was surprised. At that precise moment, she'd sensed Hitsugaya's reiatsuand had been about to turn and see why.

Now, looking around at the waiting members of the Shinigami Women'sAssociation, she couldn't help but feel a little concerned.

Kuchiki Rukia wasn't there, but everyone else was, and they looked expectant.Suddenly another door slid open and Captain Unohana Retsu stepped through.

'Chairwoman,' everyone addressed her politely and Yuki realised she must be thesupervising chairwoman of the Association.

'Here you go,' the kind faced captain handed her Lieutenant, Kotetsu Isane, a

package, 'Have a good night, all of you,'

As she turned and left, Isane undid the package and produced a needle like object,glittering with a pale green liquid.

Now veryconcerned, Yuki glanced at the other Association members.

There was a pause and then Soifon, a captain known for her agility and speed,used shunpo to vanish from where she'd been standing and appear behind

Kanashimi, aiming a kick at her shoulder. Surprising everyone, Yuki leaned

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backwards, dodging the blow, and then used her own shunpo to retreat to onecorner of the room.

'You shouldn't have sealed yourself in like that,' Matsumoto laughed, advancing onthe captain, 'We'll catch you for sure,'

'Bakudo 4. Hainawa,' raising her hands, Yuki released the glowing ball of yellowlight. The tendril of kido wrapped around all of the shinigami except Soifon, who'dused shunpo to dodge it, and Hinamori, who'd used her own kido to negate it.

'You're pretty serious,' Matsumoto struggled to break free but the power thelow-level kido spell had was surprising, 'You don't even know what we're trying todo,'

'I don't think I want to,' thinking fast, Yuki realised that the only way she could getout would be to break down a wall, or get one of them to open a hidden door.

'It was going to be so fun,' Momo was still sad over the whole event, 'I was lookingforward to it,'

'Me too,' a few of the others agreed, Isane tapping the needle against her palm.

'What wereyou planning to do?' eyes flicking to the Lieutenant of the Fourth

Division and the utensil she was holding, Yuki frowned slightly.

'Kidnap you and take you to the World of the Living,'

Everyone froze and blinked in surprise when they heard a voice that was definitelynotfemale. Turning as best they could with the kido restraints still around them, themembers of the Shinigami Women's Association watched as Hitsugaya Toshirowalked through a neatly cut hole in the wall, followed by Kuchiki Byakuya andRukia.

'C-captain,' Matsumoto was guilty and she glanced accusingly at Momo, who hidher face in her hands, 'What are you doing? This is a Shinigami Women'sAssociationmeeting, you know,'

'All of you, leave,' Byakuya's cold, stoic voice made some of the shinigami jump,slate gray eyes flicked open and the captain continued, 'Now,'

Releasing the kido that was binding the shinigami women, Yuki stepped aside asthey all filed out one of the secret doors, only Matsumoto staying behind.

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'You ruin all our fun! Captain Unohana's going to be mad the next time you seeher so don't get injured before she forgives you!' after receiving a particularly coldgroup of stares, Rangiku turned and left as well, shouting out her wordsdramatically.

Byakuya watched silently as the door slid shut before resuming his passive

appearance. Rukia peeked around the door and saw Yuki standing in the corner,eyes still where the opening had been as if she expected someone to come back inand try to attack her again. The shinigami was about to speak when there was a softswish sound and then the Third Division captain flinched violently.

A sudden silent moment preceded mad yells as the Women's Association raced inthrough all kinds of doors - including one in the floor - and leapt towards Yuki. Thewoman's lavender eyes widened fractionally and she raised her hands as if she was

about to defend herself again.

'Scatter, Senbonzakura,'

'Aaaargh!' screaming now, the female shinigami scattered once more andvanished.

Byakuya sheathed his zanpakuto and was about to say something when, ratherabruptly, Kanashimi fell forwards, clearly unconscious.

'Oh, the sedative,' Rukia mumbled, earning her two stares, 'Unohana devised it.Even if Captain Kanashimi has a tolerance to normal sleeping drugs, that one wassure to knock her out,'

'I can't believe it,' Toshiro sighed, 'And it's not like I can get Matsumoto to takeher back to the Third Division,'

'Excuse me,' a voice from behind them made the trio turn, eyes falling on anervous looking Kira, 'Is my captain here?'

Stepping aside and revealing the sleeping captain, Rukia said, 'Yes, did you cometo take her back?'

'That's right,' suddenly Izuru's eyes rolled back and he fell flat on his face, a lightsnore telling everyone else that he was sleeping.

'I guess they got him too,' Rukia couldn't help but chuckle.

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'We have to go,' Byakuya said suddenly, talking to Rukia, 'The rest of the Kuchikifamily wanted to see how you're progressing,'

'I almost forgot!' paling slightly, the shinigami rushed from the room.

'My apologies,' the Sixth Division captain turned and began walking away, 'Could

you deal with this?'

Toshiro nodded, despite knowing he had no choice in the situation, and sighedonce both of them were out of sight.

Glancing down at Izuru, he knelt down and shook the Lieutenant hard. The onlyresponse was a muffled mumble and a twitch of muscles.

Frown deepening, the white haired captain moved over to do the same toKanashimi, ignoring her captain's status and shaking her hard.

To his surprise, pale violet eyes flashed open and the shinigami stood and drewher zanpakuto in one smooth movement, the tip resting against his forehead.

Taking a step backwards and raising an arm to cover her eyes, Yuki sheathed herzanpakuto. Her mind was having trouble functioning because of the drug Isane had

secretly administered and her vision was cloudy.

Sensing reiatsu, the captain realised that her Lieutenant and Hitsugaya were alsoin the room and recognised the fact that only one of them was conscious.

Lowering her sleeve, she tried to focus her eyes and finally was able to see theTenth Division captain's form kneeling on the ground, light surprise showing on hisface. Guessing that she'd been pointing her blade at him, she couldn't help but

frown.

This was her secondday as a captain, and already things were gettingcomplicated. Whyhad she ever decided to introduce herself to the Women'sAssociation? All that seemed to have come from it so far was trouble.

'Sorry,' losing her balance again, the captain moved over to lean against a wall.

Toshiro finally snapped out of his frozen state and stood up, realising that, apart

from being unstable on her feet, the other captain seemed to be having trouble

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seeing properly. Wondering just whatUnohana had concocted, he glanced at thestill snoring Izuru and rubbed his face tiredly.

'No, it's okay,' walking over to the Lieutenant, Toshiro put the man's arm over hisshoulder and rose, supporting Izuru's sleeping form, 'Are you alright?'

'Fine,' Yuki managed to clear her vision and watched as Hitsugaya turned to walkout the door, waiting just outside, 'You don't want me to take him?'

'I'll do it,' as the black haired captain walked over, she stumbled multiple times,always regaining her balance at the last moment, Toshiro's eyes narrowed slightly,'You look like you could use some help yourself,'

Yuki couldn't help but blink at the concern in his tone, unable to clearly see his

face, she couldn't work out if he was mocking her or not. The Third Division captainleant on the doorway, eyes losing focus again so that Hitsugaya was only a shadowyblur. She knew it was night and she could feel a slight breeze coming from her leftas if there was a door there that opened to the outside world.

'Are you sure you're okay?' Toshiro wasn't sure why exactly the captain was juststanding in the doorway, a complicated expression on her pale face.

'Of course,' Yuki walked from the room and began moving towards the open door,

sensing that Hitsugaya followed.

As they stepped into the open air, Toshiro sensed the other captain relax slightlyand he almost sighed as they continued on towards the Third Division.

Author's Note:

Everyone sounds like they're having so much fun!

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Chapter 8: Meeting

Chapter 8: Meeting

Yuki was struggling. The sedative of Unohana's was powerful and unlike any othershe'd come across before. The captain had been exposed to many poisons andsleeping drugs when she'd been on her mission, and had built up a tolerance to mostof them. However, whatever the captain of the Fourth Division had given herLieutenant to dose her with was not usual at all.

Looking around at her surroundings, Yuki realised that they were still a whilefrom the Third Division barracks, but that the Tenth Division ones weren't too far tothe right.

Stopping, the captain turned, slightly cloudy eyes seeking out Hitsugaya and herLieutenant, 'I should take Kira, your offices are close,'

Toshiro could hardly process what he'd just heard, stopping, he turned to face her,almost forgetting that he was supporting Izuru, 'What?'

'Kira,' straightening, Kanashimi moved over and reached for her Lieutenant.

Rather unthinkingly, Toshiro jumped aside, dragging Izuru with him, 'No,'

Yuki paused, still trying to locate Hitsugaya and Kira, then she sensed theirreiatsu and turned, 'Why not?'

'You can't even see,' the Tenth Division captain wasn't going to just let the halfsedated Kanashimi take her Lieutenant back to the Third Division.

'That's ridiculo-,' Yuki suddenly fell forwards and Toshiro only reached out just intime to stabilise her. Letting his reiatsu flare, the young captain hoped thatMatsumoto would arrive quickly.

'Captain,' Rangiku appeared on the path before the white haired shinigami,giggling slightly when she saw his predicament, 'Oh, that's right. Izuru got in theway of the first shot,'

'Would you give me a hand?' Toshiro was cross and his bubbly Lieutenant wasn't

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making things any easier.

'Certainly,' Matsumoto skipped over and slid Kira's unconscious form into herarms, 'To the Third Division barracks then,'

As the Lieutenant used shunpo to vanish, Toshiro was about to do the same when

Yuki jerked upright again and turned around. This time it was clear that she wassleep walking.

Toshiro approached her carefully and put a hand on her arm, 'Kanashimi,'

Unseeing eyes met his and then the captain slumped forwards again. Sighing,Toshiro used shunpo to take the captain to the Third Division barracks.

Yuki woke a few minutes later to find herself lying on one of the couches in hercaptain's apartments. There were traces of Hitsugaya's reiatsu and she assumedhe'd brought her back to the Third Division. Sighing, she wondered if Kira was okayas well, and was pleased to sense his reiatsu nearby.

The Shinigami Women's Association was dangerous if you weren't prepared, she'dfigured that much out by now.

Looking at the window, the captain realised that it was almost dawn and thatmade her feel incredibly tired. Thoughts flickered through her mind quickly until theimage of an empty apartment surfaced. Shaking her head and covering her face, theshinigami stood and walked over to the window, eyes haunted.

You're a captain,she thought determinedly,Be strong, not just for yourself, butfor your Division.

It was quite late in the day when Toshiro woke up, having had a rather short napin comparison to usual, and he felt like going straight back to sleep.

'Good morning captain!' Matsumoto skipped into his office, where he'd fallenasleep, and beamed at him, 'How are you feeling?'

Toshiro glared at her, wondering where she got all her energy from, 'Fine,'

'You've got a meeting to attend,' the Lieutenant leaned forwards over his desk.

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'When?' sitting bolt upright, the white haired captain was instantly alert, eyeswide.

'Now,' laughing, Matsumoto waltzed out of the room, mumbling something aboutgoing to the Ninth Division.

'Matsumoto!' Toshiro's shout rang out in the Tenth Division as he rushed out ofthe offices.

When Yuki got message of the meeting, she used her impressive shunpo to takeherself to the First Division Assembly Hall. It would be her first meeting as acaptain, and on her third day, so she was determined not to be late.

'Captain Kanashimi,' arriving just as the smiling Unohana did, Yuki was slightlyfearful of what the woman was going to say, 'Did you have a nice night?'

'Yes, of course,' speaking expressionlessly, Yuki nodded to her before walking intothe Hall.

Only a few of the other captains were already there, including Ukitake, Kuchiki,Soifon and Kyoraku. As Yuki took her place, Captain Komamura walked in, his wolflike head turning to survey her once again. Kurotsuchi arrived suddenly, followed by

Kenpachi Zaraki. The fearsome looking captain of the Eleventh Division leered atYuki but she returned his gaze passively, earning a satisfied huff from the othercaptain.

Just as Yamamoto walked in, Toshiro appeared, glad that he'd made it just in time.Taking his place, the short captain glanced quickly at the assembled faces beforeturning to the Head Captain.

'The meeting will now commence!' Yamamoto spoke, 'Today, the matter we willdiscuss is a disturbance in the sky over Karakura Town,'

'Disturbance?' Soifon asked, completely short and direct in her manner.

'That's right,' Mayuri spoke suddenly, 'The clouds have been creating very oddpatterns lately, but it's not Hollows. The number of them has been just aroundaverage and the substitute shinigami has had no problem dispatching them with hisfriends,'

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As the Twelfth Division captain continued on about Hollows, Yuki turned herattention to what he'd said. She didn't know what had caused the disturbance in theclouds, the captain hadn't elaborated on that, but she knew about the substituteshinigami. Kurosaki Ichigo - he'd been vitally important in the Winter War, and hadperformed many important acts in the Soul Society's history. He and his group offriends were quite well known in the Seireitei now.

The four of them lived in Karakura Town, and attended high school there. Violeteyes darkened as a memory threatened to break though the tight barrier she'derected in her mind.

Sensing a change in Kanashimi's reiatsu, Toshiro glanced over at her, noting thetightness of her expression. Wondering what was wrong, as the flickering of her

usually controlled reiatsu made him blink, he returned his attention to Kurotsuchi.

'Kanashimi,' Yamamoto opened his eyes fractionally, 'I want you to take a group tothe World of the Living. Hitsugaya, as a captain accustomed to the Human World,you will accompany her,'

'Right,' Yuki's voice was calm.

'Hitsugaya,' the Head Captain focused his full attention on the young shinigami,

'For this mission, you will select the team. I want the pair of you to investigate thearea and return quickly with any valuable information. Make contact with KurosakiIchigo and inform him of the current circumstances. Leave in three days,'

'Yes, understood,' Toshiro paused, 'What should we be looking for?'

'Anything,' Mayuri laughed, 'Absolutely anything could help with this case,'

Thinking that the whole thing seemed kind of vague, Toshiro just nodded againand then left the room when Yamamoto ended the meeting.

Author's Note:

I bet Kurotsuchi had fun with that . . . dramatically saying there's somethingwrong in Karakura Town, and then practically saying he has no idea what and 'golook for anything you think could help'

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It's really isa bit vague.

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Chapter 9: Silence the Laughter

Chapter 9: Silence the Laughter

Yuki knew that this type of mission, one that was under the joint overview of twosuperior officers, required complete cooperation and understanding between both ofthose officers. Also, considering the lack of knowledge they had on the situation, itwould really be a 'hit or miss' kind of assignment.

Watching as Kira hurried towards her, the captain wondered just whoHitsugayawould choose to take to the World of the Living.

'Captain,' Izuru stopped before her, 'I heard about the mission, what do you want

me to do?'

'You have to keep the Division in order,' Yuki was feeling slightly sorry for theblonde man, 'Sorry that I have to go so soon after arriving,'

'Don't worry,' the Lieutenant smiled, 'There's still three more days for the Divisionto get to know you properly and the assignment shouldn't take too long,'

'You're right,' pausing, the captain studied Izuru's cheerful expression, 'Didsomething good happen, Kira?'

'Well, Matsumoto said she was going to the World of the Living with you andCaptain Hitsugaya, so she won't be able to talk me into going to one of her drinkingparties with Hisagi,' Izuru was sounding hopeful as well as happy, and theexpression on his face was relieved. Still, Yuki could sense that he was good friendswith the Tenth Division Lieutenant, and if she were to go away for an extendedperiod of time, he'd be sure to miss her.

When she replied, her voice was dry, 'I see. Then, if that's the case, I don't wantyou finding something worse to do than getting drunk. Who knows what wouldhappen to the Division if the captain was away in the World of the Living, and theLieutenant was,' casting around for a suitable expression, Yuki flinched slightly, 'Offwith the fairies,'

Izuru blinked at his captain's slightly awkward use of the human proverb andthen, to his own astonishment, he began to laugh. In just a few seconds, tears werestreaming down his face as he clutched his stomach and tried to stay upright.

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'S-sorry C-captain,' the Lieutenant suddenly doubled over in something akin toagony as more chuckles racked his frame, 'P-please don't mind m-me,'

Yuki wasn't sure how to react, seeing the usually gloomy shinigami almost fallingto the ground in fits of laughter, so she just waited for him to recover.

Matsumoto was using shunpo to move rapidly through the Seireitei, when she sawsomething that made her misplace her next step and fall from the sky, landing ontop of Hisagi Shuuhei, who, as the acting chief editor of Seireitei Communications,was carrying a lot of documents.

Shuuhei automatically reached out to catch Matsumoto, but that caused him todrop all of the articles that he'd just spent hours collecting from their respective

authors.

'Oh! Hisagi!' jumping up an

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