Chapter 35: The New Captains 1/3

AN: Hey everyone, hope you all are doing well. As the title suggests I'm sure you all have figured out what part of today's chapter is about. There are 3 vacant Captain positions so let's see if Kishin gets one of those...

As always, thanks for your continued support!

Vocabulary Terms:

*Baka (Bakamono) = Fool/Idiot

*Onii-sama = Big Brother

*Obasan = Aunt

*Chappy = Most popular soul candy with a cutesy personality and depicted as a bunny.

*Ryoka = Traveling Evil(s)/ outsiders not associated with the Seireitei

*Senzaikyu = Palace of Penitence/Repentance Palace

*Sekkiseki = Spirit reducing stone, a special mineral with properties that allows it to repel all reiryoku.

*Shakonmaku = Soul-Warding Membrane. A large spherical barrier surrounding the Seireitei that vaporizes any reishi that tries to pass through the barrier.

*Sokyoku = Twinned Punishment. A giant halberd currently sealed on the Sokyoku Hill and used to execute nefarious criminals of the Soul Society.

*Seijotokyorin = Tranquil Forest of Residential Towers. The living quarters of the Central 46 members that is completely forbidden to all except the members of the Central 46.

*Daireishokairo = Great Spirit Book Gallery. A repository of all the knowledge and history of the Soul Society with restricted access to very few. Even many Captains are unaware of its inner workings.

*Negacion (Negation): A pillar of yellow light that Menos use to envelope their comrades to save them. Within the light is a completely isolated space that cannot be interacted with from the outside.

*Auswahlen (Holy Selection): Forcibly steals the power of a Quincy and returns it to the Quincy King.

Reading the story:

-Scene change: "888"

-Rated M Scene: "XXX"

-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)

-Hello how are you? (Zanpakuto Spirit speaking in a Shinigami's mind)

-"Hello, how are you doing?"(Hollow Ichigo taking over Ichigo's body and speaking)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 35

The light of the sun bore down on the streets of the Seireitei generating a hot and humid heat that somewhat irritated the already frustrated Shinigami that were working and moving from one place to another dealing with the aftermath of Aizen's rebellion. Kishin was also slightly annoyed as he sat at his office desk staring at the stacks and stacks of paperwork that had filled up on his wooden mahogany table. He let out a sigh and pulled another sheet of paper off from the top and started to look it over whilst deep in thought about the current state of affairs.

Things were left in disarray after Aizen's plot since the command of Central 46 was entirely gone. Obviously because Aizen had killed them. And since Aizen, Gin, and Tosen were originally Captain's of the Gotei 13 they had left a void in the chain of command having defected and leaving those posts empty. At the very least there still happened to be Lieutenants for division 3 and 9 that kept things moving along, however the 5th division as a whole was in shambles. While Hinamori did regain her consciousness after being treated by Unohana for a month, her condition still wasn't very stable. The plus side was that she no longer attempted to kill herself, but due to Aizen's extensive brainwashing over her mind she was still in a state of recovery and was in no shape to resume her duties as a Lieutenant. With no one in command of the 5th division all of their work was left suspended in midair collecting and piling high with things unchecked. Well, at least that was the case before certain decisions were made to fix this problem.

Kishin sighed and put the document he signed over to the completed pile before picking up a document from the unfinished 5th division pile and started to look it over.

"Tch. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if the true reason Gin joined Aizen was to simply get away from this annoying paperwork. Honestly, what a drag."

After checking that the contents of the document met his criteria he signed it and placed it on the completed pile.

Tap.

The sound of his pen hitting the table echoed in his still and quiet room as he leaned back and stretched, temporarily lying down on the ground to stare up at the ceiling above.

"It's been about a month since Aizen's rebellion. With Central 46 dead the Captain Commander has the next highest authority over the ruling of Soul Society. According to Captain Ukitake, the Captain's meeting that was held after Aizen's defection discussed what the next plan of actions were going to be. It seems that R&D along with an intelligence report by Urahara confirmed that it would take about 4 months before the Hogyoku fully awakens for Aizen to utilize its power to have any substantial effect. That means there's only 3 months left to figure out what Aizen is planning to do and to then come up with a strategy to defeat him."

He fished inside his pocket for a bit before flipping open his denreishinki and stared at the screen that currently monitored Rukia's status. "Maybe I should have sent Kiyone or Sentaro instead of you…" He mumbled as he watched the dot on the screen beginning to move on the miniature map displayed and thought about Rukia's assignment in the World of the Living.

Flash Back 3 Weeks Ago

Fwish!

Whoosh!

"Oi, move it!"

"Hurry up, this building isn't going to fix itself!"

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

"Asano, did you get the okay to start?"

The streets of Seireitei were filled with people running around from one end to the other as each division did their best to keep up with the overload of work that had been handed to them. With Central 46 gone and 3 Captains gone the chain of command was temporarily in disarray. While defensively Soul Society continued to operate as normal thanks to the command of Yamamoto, the inner framework of business, communication, and other things of that like were in a state of chaos. Especially so for the 3rd, 5th, and 9th division.

Kishin watched indifferently at everyone's flustered state whilst he made his way to the 10th division grounds. He had promised Toshiro to help him train and so he was trying to keep his word, but when he got to said division he frowned, noticing the gloomy atmosphere in the air.

"Well, I guess it can't be helped with everything that happened. Toshiro's mood is probably affecting the morale of the division."

He walked up to Toshiro's quarters and knocked on the door announcing his arrival before letting himself in, however he paused and took a moment to take in the sight before him. There on a low wooden desk were piles and piles of paper. Kishin inwardly shuddered feeling an agonizing headache just looking at the sheets of white. Just peeking above the seemingly endless stacks were a few strands of spiky white hair obviously belonging to Toshiro.

Kishin then glanced to his left where he took in the sight of Rangiku lying down on a couch with a dead look in her eyes as there were also stacks of paper by her side.

"Guess...I came at a bad time?" He curiously commented.

Rangiku immediately woke up from her burden minded state and immediately clung onto his arm staring at him with pleading eyes as if she were a child who saw her savior that would protect her from being abused by her father. "Kishiiiin! You're here! Please please save me!"

Kishin just scratched the side of his cheek having no idea what Rangiku was getting at. "Save you from what?"

She immediately pointed an accusing finger at the pieces of white hair sticking up from behind a stack of documents and said, "From the Captain! This is punishment and torture I tell you! There's so much work to be done! Ugh! I just want to go out for a little bit and have a drink or two but the Captain keeps forcing me to stay inside to look over these grueling documents! Ahhh, I'm going to go crazy!"

Before Kishin could respond, Toshiro poked his head out and glared daggers at Rangiku. "Oi! Matsumoto! Get back to work!"

Rangiku immediately produced fake tears while batting her eyelashes at Kishin. "See? How mean. Can't you convince him to let me go out for a bit? Or better yet, keep him company. Just for a day or two!"

Kishin smirked, clearly amused and shook his head at Rangiku's exasperation before turning his attention to Toshiro. "What's brought all of this on? There's no way the 10th division would have this much work to do unless you've been neglecting your duties all year long."

Toshiro sighed and picked up another document looking it over. "You're right. The 10th division doesn't normally have this much work, but at the latest Captain's meeting I volunteered to take half of the 5th division's work. With Hinamori unconscious and no Captain to oversee things as well as the scrutiny and investigation going on of its members someone has to pick up the work."

"Oh? So that's how it is."

"Yeah, by the way, what brings you over here? Aren't you also busy?"

Kishin just shrugged. "I'll finish the 13th division's work later. I came because I promised you I'd help with your training but…"

Toshiro again, sighed and placed his hand atop a stack of paper. "Sorry Kishin. I know that I was the one who asked, but I can't let up or all of this stuff will really become a problem later on."

"Ah, don't worry about it. Seems you've got your hands full. You mentioned only taking half the work. Then who's taking the other half of the 5th division's work?"

Toshiro gave Kishin an awkward look before clearing his throat and hesitantly saying, "Ahem...Captain Ukitake volunteered to help."

…

For a good long minute the room remained completely quiet. It was then the sound of Rangiku falling to the floor echoed with a defeated thud as she started to complain about no longer being able to get Kishin to distract Toshiro for her to go out and play now that she knew that the 13th division was going to take on the other workload of the 5th division.

Again Toshiro coughed to clear his throat and said, "Aha...from the look on your face it seems that Ukitake hasn't told you yet...guess it seems we'll both be busy for awhile."

Kishin simply stared at the stack of paperwork on Toshiro's desk before lamenting that his desk was probably filled just as high right at this moment. With a loud sigh he turned around and opened the door.

"Why am I a Lieutenant again…" He silently grumbled and began his trek back to the 13th division leaving behind a defeated Rangiku and an annoyed Toshiro as the Captain started to yell at his Lieutenant to start getting back to work.

The moment Kishin made it back to the division he was immediately greeted by Jushiro.

"Shin-chan! You're back!"

Kishin noted the nervous and hesitant look in the Captain's eyes and immediately knew why as he had just finished speaking to Toshiro. "It's fine Captain. I already heard from Toshiro."

Jushiro's facial expression immediately turned guilty as he attempted to do his best to apologize. "I'm...ah, I'm sorry. Shin-chan. It's just, no one else volunteered to take on the work and I didn't want Shiro-chan to do the work of two full divisions so I couldn't help myself and stepped in. It wasn't until I already volunteered that I realized how much of a burden I'll be putting on you."

Kishin just waved his hand in the air dismissing Jushiro's worries. "It's fine Captain. I'd rather you not put too much strain on your health. Just leave it to me. Besides, Toshiro is my friend so I should help where I can."

Jushiro let out a sigh of relief noting that Kishin wasn't angry with him. He then turned a bit more serious as he said, "Shin-chan. At this morning's Captain's meeting we received word of disturbance in the World of the Living. Namely Karakura Town. Apparently Human Souls are being lost. Lieutenant Abarai was asked to investigate the matter, but as it is a place under the 13th division's supervision I also want you to send someone as well."

Kishin furrowed his brow and thought about a memory from his past.

Souls being lost? Could it be...the Bounts?

"Then, what if I-" He cut himself off as he recalled that his workload had just doubled.

Jushiro awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck knowing that Kishin was about to nominate himself to check out the issue, but realized that he couldn't now. "Sorry Shin-chan. I know you want to personally investigate and I would definitely support your decision in normal times but...the 13th division needs you right now. The Head Captain tasked me with searching the Central 46 Compound including the Seijotokyorin and the Daireishokairo to try and find what Aizen's true goal is. In my absence only you can properly run the 13th division. Sorry to dump such a huge responsibility on your shoulders."

Kishin sighed and looked up at the sky. "Haaah. No, it's fine." He then turned around and began walking towards his office. "I'll send someone I trust to investigate Captain. Don't worry about the division."

Jushiro nodded in appreciation as he watched Kishin walk off. "Thanks...Kishin."

Kishin frowned as he started thinking to himself about what Jushiro just said to him about disturbances happening in Karakura Town. No doubt he thought that it was caused by the Bounts. The problem he was facing now was who to send.

Should I send Sentaro? No, maybe Kiyone? Tch. But thinking about it...I'm not actually confident in their fighting capabilities nor am I confident in their ability to handle the situation.

Just as he was deep in thought he felt someone tackle him to the ground.

"Ufff!"

Thud.

He groaned whilst lying on the grassy training field just outside his office quarters.

A smile found its way to his lips as he heard the familiar cheery sound of Rukia's voice. "Hahaha! Your senses have grown a bit dull Kishin! Or maybe I've just gotten that much better."

A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes as he continued to lie on the ground holding the left side of his arm with a painful look on his face.

"Ugh...senpai...why'd you do that? Don't you know that I was injured too when I fought Aizen? Sure you can't see the wound but I still have internal damage."

Rukia immediately felt guilt wash over her as she quickly dashed over to his side. "K-Kishin? Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't know! I haven't been around the 13th division recently because of Nii-sama and you seemed fine when I saw you last time so I didn't think you were still hurt and I-"

Kishin grinned at her frantic rambling and immediately cut her off by pulling her down to the ground.

"AH!" She yelped as he pinned her beneath his much larger frame. "You...tricked me didn't you…"

Muah!

He pecked her lips and stared down at her cool violet eyes that shone like the gracefulness of the moon at night. "I was clearly fine when we met at Kukaku's. You fell too easily for that one senpai."

"Hmpf. You're taking advantage of me caring about your well-being. That's cheating." She attempted to keep a straight and unamused face, but she couldn't help her semi-flustered expression from the closeness of their bodies as the two of them hadn't been this intimately close in a long while. She unconsciously felt how warm and heavy he was causing her heart to beat faster and faster.

"Hahaha!" He let out a light hearted laugh and slowly snaked his left hand down grasping her slender waist to prevent her from moving as he continued, "You're the one who attacked me first, senpai."

"B-Baka! I was only playing a prank on you. Who knew that you'd let down your guard so much."

"Who says I let down my guard? ...Rukia." He whispered by her ear before taking a lick around the nape of her neck.

Rukia's entire body immediately shuddered in pleasure. The things that Kishin could make her feel and want...and with only a touch here and a word there. Her body was heating up. She instantly recalled the days when she spent her probation period living in his quarters and thought back to the nights when they joined their bodies together in a heated passion. She gritted her teeth and shut her eyes feeling the growing ache between her thighs.

This idiot...he can make me want him so easily it's unfair...it's been so long since we last…NO! Get yourself together Rukia! We're still outside for god's sake...

Kishin smirked as he noticed how she was trying so hard not to react to his ministrations. Her hips were quivering in his hand knowing that she wanted stimulation, but was fighting to keep herself under control. He was about to snake his hand beneath her hakama when he heard her meek and quiet voice. "D-Don't...please. Not here."

It was then he realized that they were still out in the open and that while she didn't reject his advances, she also wasn't feeling comfortable being so exposed in public view. He immediately bit his lip in guilt and quickly picked her up in his arms.

"I'm sorry Rukia. I got carried away." He said softly as he walked them into his office.

She let out a sigh of relief when they were both indoors and was about to berate him as they could have been seen, however when she glanced at his desk and noted the non-ending stacks of paperwork she elected to forego her scolding remark.

Seems like...he's already being punished.

Seeing the endless documents on his desk caused Kishin to sigh and gently put Rukia down. His mind wandered back to the issue in Karakura Town.

Should I have senpai go? But...Renji is being assigned there. What if they get closer? I still don't trust that guy...And Ichigo is there too...what if she and Ichigo get closer?

"Kishin?" Rukia questioned a bit concernedly as she noted how quiet and solemn he became.

He glanced down at her and felt a strong desire to keep her warm and safe where he could always see her, but his reason fought against his emotions as he knew that he'd probably suffocate her if he ever acted on wanting to possess her. He hated that he still felt this insecure when it came to her. He wanted to keep her safe, yet he didn't want her to hate him. He was scared of scaring her with how much he needed her. She was his warmth...ever since he had gotten a taste of this warmth he was afraid to go back to the darkness. To be alone again.

"Kishin?" She said again while tilting her head to the side.

He glanced down and saw the Zanpakuto by her waist and was mentally reminded that she was also a Shinigami as well as a member of the Gotei 13. With a sigh of defeat he laced his fingers with hers.

Senpai would hate it if I coddle her huh...and I guess I did help her train...

He gritted his teeth and reluctantly asked, "How...would you like to go on a mission?"

Rukia's eyes immediately beamed at the mention of being sent on a task. With how reluctant Kishin seemed to ask her about it she knew that the mission posed somewhat of a risk, but as a member of the Gotei 13 and a person of the Kuchiki Clan she wanted to prove her worth in any way that she could. Especially since Byakuya had finally confessed that he truly saw and cared for her as family. She wanted to prove that she was worthy of the Clan name to the other members of the household since there was still some dissent of her adoption into the Clan.

"I'll do it."

Kishin slightly frowned at her non-hesitance. "I didn't even tell you what it was about yet."

"That's okay. I'll still do it."

"But-"

"Nope! You asked first so my answer is yes. No take backs. Besides, you trust me don't you?"

Kishin mentally groaned and hated when she asked questions like these. Of course he trusted her, but that didn't lessen any of his concerns, worries, fears, insecurities, and whatnot. And besides, he couldn't exactly say that he didn't trust her. He was sure that she'd feel betrayed and hurt if he told her that. He was about to dismiss his offer, but when he saw the cute and determined look in her eyes he decided to swallow down his misgivings. He lightly squeezed her hand before letting go and taking a seat by his desk.

"Alright...since you seem so eager to leave me then you can go…" He grumbled out almost childishly.

Rukia shook her head amusedly and walked over to his side. "Hey, don't be like that. It's just a mission right? You make it sound like I'm leaving you for good."

"Tch. We haven't had any time alone together until just now, but you're so eager to take the mission and go. Can't we just have a day with just you and me?"

Rukia smiled and grabbed a piece of paper from off the top of a tall stack on his desk looking over the contents. "I want that too, but all of this work...I think it's best you don't procrastinate. How about this. I promise to spend some time with you regardless of what Nii-sama says when I get back from the mission and when you're done with all of this work. Okay?"

He grumbled a bit but nodded his head in the end having no other choice. "Alright. Fine."

She grinned in triumph and set the piece of paper down in front of him. "So what's the mission? You still haven't told me."

Kishin just looked down at the piece of paper Rukia set in front of him and began reading it over whilst replying, "Your task will be to oversee Karakura Town to investigate a matter regarding spiritual abnormality. There seems to be some disturbances as of late and Human souls are being lost. Renji was already sent, but Captain Ukitake wants someone from our division to go as well since Karakura Town is our jurisdiction. I'd send Kiyone or Sentaro but...I'm not sure they would be able to handle the situation. Plus you happen to know the Town better than anyone else and you're also on…" He paused and grumbled, "friendly terms with Ichigo."

Rukia raised her eyebrow at him and questioned, "You don't sound happy that Ichigo and I are friends."

"I'm not."

"Eh? Why?"

"B-Because...what if he likes you?"

Rukia gave him another questioning glance. "Isn't that why we're friends? You can't really be friends with someone if you don't like them."

"Not...like that. But what if he likes you romantically? It seems like you're spending way more time with him than you are with me…you even lived in his house for a whole THREE MONTHS!"

Rukia just lightly chuckled at his jealous behavior. "Kishin, that was ONLY three months. But you and I? We've spent years together. And…" Her cheeks slightly blushed as she whispered, "I'll always want you…"

He immediately perked up at her words and was just about to pounce her on top of his desk when she mischievously grinned and avoided his hand, dashing over to the personally crafted Senkaimon in his room.

"Hey!" He remarked unhappily.

She merely smirked and pointed to the gate. "Not so fast. You still have work to do. And now I have work to do too. I promise I'll spend time with you when I get back, but with how hectic things are in Soul Society right now we should both do our parts and help get things back in working order."

Kishin just sighed and walked over to his Senkaimon, activating it. "Fine. You're too diligent sometimes senpai."

"Heh. And you're too rebellious sometimes Kishin."

"Be safe." He said whilst staring at her warmly.

"I will." She replied whilst tightly hugging him once. She took in one long whiff of his intoxicating scent before dashing into the Senkaimon.

End of Flashback

As Kishin snapped out of his thoughts from the memory of a few weeks ago he thought back to the messages and updates he received on the situation in Karakura Town from Rukia and Yushiro. Rukia sent him updates every now and then whilst Yushiro came to visit him every so often to inform him of what knowledge he gained from Yoruichi. The two siblings had kept in frequent contact ever since the incident with Aizen.

"So I guess I was right. It really was the Bounts. According to Yushiro and Rukia the leader of the Bounts is named Kariya Jin. They have powers that are used through something called a Doll. Apparently the situation is being handled. Most of the Bounts have been suppressed, but their goal is unclear. I can't remember what it was either. Hopefully the incident ends prematurely. Soul Society can't really afford to divide so much of its attention to deal with something like this whilst trying to reorganize and restructure the order and chain of command here amongst the Gotei 13."

He wanted to go to Karakura Town himself to deal with the matter as soon as he got confirmation from Rukia and Yushiro that it was indeed the Bounts stirring up trouble in Karakura Town. With his current level of power he was confident enough that given a week or so, that he would completely exterminate the Bounts, but with the chaos in the Seireitei his presence was still needed here. Especially since Ukitake spent most of his time either in the Rain Dried Hall to rest from his sickness or in the Daireshokairo searching for clues as to what Aizen's true plan is.

With that in mind Kishin was the only one who could effectively run the 13th division with the Captain absent. That was why he was left with no choice but to leave things to Rukia. Though he was reluctant to do so it remained that she had greatly improved as a Shinigami and he was confident in her abilities. He didn't help her train for nothing after all. And while he didn't like it, Renji had also been assigned to assist in the suppression of the Bounts in Karakura Town.

"With both Renji and Rukia along with Ichigo present in the World of the Living their combined power should be more than a match against the insurgents."

Just as he was about to put away his denreishinki he paused and widened his eyes in realization of what map he was looking at. "E-EH?! What the...why is Rukia in Soul Society?!"

Knock. Knock.

"Hm?" Kishin's attention momentarily switched as he turned his head towards the door to see who had come to visit him. Unsurprisingly it was Yushiro. He waved his hand in the air motioning for his friend to come in and put away his denreishinki figuring that he'd look into the matter later. Whatever the case was, he had already confirmed that Rukia's soul was undamaged so instead he greeted his friend. "Yo, what's up? Another message from Yoruichi? How are things going with the Bounts?"