Chapter 12: Promotion and Love

Disclaimer: Idon'townbleachleavemealonealready

§ Yamamoto's office §

Yamamoto was looking at the orange haired man in front of him. Unknown to the young man, he'd been at the meeting Ichigo had with the Reio. Truthfully, the old man didn't know what to think. Here was a youth who'd been forced to grow up way before his time. Yet his power was so destructive that he'd been able to annihilate a fully empowered Juuhabach who was fused with the Reio. Yamamoto still felt shivers when he thought about the sheer power Juuhabach had commanded before he was sealed away. It was mere luck that they even managed to seal him anyway. And the man had unsurprisingly found a way to escape the seal, and was probably amassing an army as they spoke. Yamamoto sighed. His shinigami weren't war ready. He shot a speculative look towards Ichigo.

"You know, Gramps, I knew you were at the meeting. Can we get to the point? I still have to reseal my reiatsu, and it's getting late. Kaien wanted to have dinner at home to celebrate my bankai." Yamamoto blinked at the casual tone that this infant used to refer to him. He was just about to reprimand him, but decided against it. Yamamoto rubbed his forehead, frustrated. He decided to get to the point

"You're a war hero, Shiba. And you have bankai. I am willing to wager that more than half the Captains want you instated as soon as possible. So, infant, do you want to take over as the Captain of the tenth division?" Ichigo blinked at the offer, and a thoughtful look overcame his features. Personally, Yamamoto thought this a win-win situation. He'd have a transcendant hybrid under his command, where he could keep an eye on him. And Ichigo could train his division to be war ready, which he undoubtedly would. Ichigo seemed to agree.

"I accept. Though, I advise you to test Byakuya as well in a few months. He's on the verge on achiving bankai, and he will have mastered it by then." Yamamoto's mouth curled slightly in a slight smirk, the only sign of his satisfaction with Ichigo's decision. He clapped his hands, calling in a lower ranked shinigami who was holding a Captain's haori with the insignia of the tenth division on it's back. Ichigo raised an eyebrow sardonically, but didn't comment.

"Welcome to the Gotei 13, Captain Shiba Kurosaki Ichigo. You may leave." Yamamoto said as he handed Ichigo his haori. The orange haired took it with a bow, and turned to leave.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Keep an eye on Ichimaru Gin, would you? Bye, gramps." Yamamoto blinked at the remark. If he remembered correctly, Ichimaru was the third seat of the fifth division, currently away on a mission in the Living World. And didn't Shiba mention something about him being a double agent, and as sneaky as a snake? The old man sighed. He was getting too old for this. Good thing he had caught someone who might be able to take over after him.

§ Shiba mansion §

"Congratulations on achieving bankai! Oh, I am so proud! Wait, is that..?" Kaien boisterous exclamation was put to a halt as he stared at his brother. So were the rest of the "surprise" party attenders. In addition to Shunsui, Juushiro, Yoruichi, and Shinji, there was Urahara, Zaraki, Ginrei, and Byakuya in attendance. Ichigo smiled ruefully while he gave the news.

"Say hello to the newest Captain of the Gotei 13, fukutaicho Shiba." the orange haired man counted to three before it seemed to sink in. Kaien jumped three feet and then engulfed Ichigo in a bear hug.

"Captain?! Oh, my baby brother just 32 and already a Captain! I bet you'll be the best captain ever! No offence Captain Ukitake.." As Kaien rambled on, Ichigo was slowly turning blue from lack of oxygen. He frantically waved his arms, causing Shunsui and Shinji to snort in laughter. Byakuya finally took pity on his best friend and tapped Kaien's shoulder. The man turned around, not yet letting go of Ichigo.

"Uh, Kaien-san, you're kind of strangling him..." Byakuya said slowly, as if still waiting for Kaien to realize it by himself. Kaien yelped and let go. Ichigo coughed, trying to catch his breath. Byakuya rubbed his back.

"Sorry about that, Ichigo. Now, a toast to my brother. The youngest man to become a Captain. Cheers!" As everyone raised their glasses, Kaien decided to take a backseat and see what happened between his brother and the Kuchiki Heir. This seemed to be interesting. As the party went on, Ichigo got reaquenticed with his old friends. To everyone's surprise, Ichigo got well along with both Kisuke and Shinji. The three of them were on first name basis by the end of the night. Kaien watched Kisuke warily, sending him suspicious glances every now and then.

The Shiba Clan Head didn't trust Urahara with his cousin. The only reason he tolerated the scientist was because Yoruichi was one of Kaien's frineds and somehow, Kisuke's best friend. Kaien had initially thought that Urahara was the most creepiest man alive, until he met the 12th division third seat Kurotsuchi. Kaien shuddered. If Urahara was creepy, that man was insane. Kaien dreaded to think about what kind of gross experiments he would try to do on his cousin. Protective insticts now on high alert, Kaien stalked towards the trio of Shinji, Kisuke and Ichigo. Ichigo looked surprised when Kaien decided to intrude.

"Ichigo, Hirako-taicho, Urahara. How nice to see you three get along. Urahara, can I have a word with you?" Not even waiting for the response, Kaien dragged the surprised man in a secluded corner. Urahara, clearly perplexed, asked why he had been dragged away . Kaien introduced the man to the Glare of Doom.

"Urahara, I don't care if you're a captain, or whatever. If you ever hurt my cousin I will kill you. Slowly. I will even achieve bankai just to do that. So watch yourself. And keep that...thing you call a third seat away from Ichigo. Or else." Urahara gulped at the threat, and nodded frantically. Kaien smirked. He wasn't a fukutaicho for nothing after all.

When they walked back to the room, they saw that Ichigo had been joined by Shunsui and Juushiro. Kaien blinked, pleasantly surprised that Ichigo was finally getting along with his Captain's best friend. He made a beeline for them. Juushiro seemed to be saying something.

"...and I want to thank you. Without you, I would still be in and out of an infirmary. Now, I can finally train again. How can I thank you?" Ichigo was reddening slightly from Juushiro's genuine kindness, and Kaien struggled not to grin. Shunsui had no such inhibitions, as he made 'aww' noises at Ichigo's admittedly...cute expression. Ichigo glared at the 8th division captain, to which he replied with a mocking bow. Seemingly seeing Shunsui as a lost case, Ichigo turned his attention back at Juushiro.

"Ukitake-taicho, I am touched by your offer, but truly, I was just a messenger. I am sure someone would have noticed after a while that the humans had made several advances in the field of medicine." hearing Ichigo's response made Kaien snort. His brother was too humble. Apparently, Shunsui seemed to agree.

"Oh, please, don't pull that humble thing. We both talk to Restu regularly, and she told us that Soul Soceity's medical science is light years behind humans. She's been trying to learn all about it in the last year or so, and she seems frustrated that she missed out on so much. I think you deserve everyone's thanks in that regard." Ichigo seemed surprised to hear Shunsui's agreement, and bowed his head as a thanks for the compliment. An idea came to him.

"Then I will take you up on your offer, Ukitake-san. As a return to my...favour, could you please teach me about how to runa division?" Ukitake seemed pleased, as he shook Ichigo's hand.

"Of course, Ichigo-san. Oh, and please, call me Juu." Ichigo smiled a miniscule one in return and Kaien grinned. His cousin would do just fine.

Next: 10th division

AN: Please review! Next will probably be in two-three weeks. Maybe I will write another companion oneshots for this fic...say if you like it!

Reviews are nectar. I like nectar.

-iamAdisco