Bleached

Chapter 14: Preparations

Disclaimer: Why do I even do this? *Sighs* Kubo Tite owns it.

Timeskip 50 years this chapter. Enjoy!

§ 10th division, 50 years later §

Toshiro was sitting quietly in his office, reviewing some reports. A badge gleamed from his arm, signifying his rank as Vice-Captain. During the 50 years after Ichigo's induction as a captain, the white haired shinigami had grown both in power, and in body. Standing at an impressive 5'11, the fukutaicho was truly handsome. The reason of his growth was unsurprisingly his Captain. Toshiro's lips twitched into a smile as he remembered their first meeting.

§Flashback§

Toshiro stared. As did the normally ditzy blonde. They couldn't believe their own ears, though the newly instated captain's demand was a bit unbelieveable. Unsurprisingly it was Rangiku who first reasponded.

"I beg your pardon, but what the fuck did you just say?!" Toshiro winced, Matsumoto only cursed when she was in distress, and you don't want to distress the vice-captain. Ever. She was kind of like Shiba Kuukaku in that regard. Just more powerful. The orange haired man seemed to be unfazed, though, as if Matsumoto's swirling reiatsu wasn't alarming at all. Toshiro felt his respect for the man go up a notch. The man finally responded.

"I said I want the two of you to achieve bankai. Please," Ichigo raised his hand in a halting motion, cutting off Matsumoto's oncoming rant. "I know it may seem like a big ask. But be assured, you both have the potential for it. I know that you, fukutaicho, are in touching distance of materializing your zanpakouto. Unfortunately you don't seem so keen on taking on your zanpakotou. Laziness, I guess. That has to be changed immediately. Or there will be consequences. Understood?" The prodigy released som reiatsu of his own, underlining his point. Matsumoto seemed discontent, but nodded, not wanting to fight someone obviously powerful. Toshiro was definitely impressed. Captain Shiba seemed satsfied with the answer, as he pulled his reiatsu down. He turned towards the white haired shinigami.

"Now, third seat Hitsugaya. You were lauded as a genius yourself, and I believe you graduated a bit over a decade ago, yes? Well, I can for the life of me not understand why you haven't achieved bankai yet. You clearly have the potential as it's simmering beneath your skin. it's time you woke up from your complacency. Both you and fukutaicho Matsumoto will join me in a training session from 8 pm till 10 pm. Kuchiki Byakuya will also be joining us, as he is close to achieving bankai as well, though it may take him a year or two to fully control it. Now, any questions?" Toshiro was stunned by the captain's vehement belief in him. Meanwhile Rangiku took the oppurtunity to ask Ichigo one question that had been niggling on both their minds.

"But Captain, what will happen when we both have achieved bankai?" Ichigo smirked.

"The strongest of you will overtake as Vice-Captain. Other than that, we are going to train. Achieving bankai is one thing. Perfecting it is another. You will learn to synchrinise with your zanpakouto, and to truly know the meaning of bankai." Rangiku seemed to ponder, before finally nodding resolutely.

"Well, then we'll meet at 8 pm sharp tomorrow." She left with a bow. Toshiro lingered. Ichigo raised his eyebrows in query. Toshiro cleared his throat.

"Ah, Captain I wanted to ask you something..." Ichigo stared at the third seat. Toshiro coughed lightly.

"Uhm, as you can see, I'm a bit ...challenged vertically. And I was wondering if you had any tips, since you, well, are fully grown despite being so young, and, well?" Toshiro was red from his chest to his ears. Ichigo decided to take pity on him.

"It will come as your power matures. After that you can practically choose the age you want to look. I'm pretty sure the Captain-commander has chosen to look like an old man to fool his less intelligent foes, as Captain Unohona is almost as old as him. Now, I think you have some paperwork to do." Toshiro, still a little embarrassed, thanked Ichigo and went back to his office. He had a feeling the years under him would be interesting.

§ End Flashback §

How right the white haired shinigami had been. 50 years under Ichigo had changed the 10th division, and the Gotei 13 as a whole. Toshiro didn' expect anything else. The man excluded an aura of power, and his sheer presense demanded respect. His captaincy had led the 10th to be the strongest and well-oiled division in the whole of the Gotei. This was repeatedly proven by tournaments held between the divisions. Before Ichigo, the 10th always landed on either the 7th or 8th position, but after the orange haired man had taken over, they had shot to the top. Nearly all the 20 seated members had mastered their shikai, besides achieving it. The other members were divided between those who had mastered zanjutsu, hakuda and houhou as an art, and those who were proficient in all of these areas, but experts in kido. The other captains often pondered over the reason of Ichigo's massive success.

Toshiro snorted. It was simple really. While the rest of the captain except Ukitake, had created a barrier around them, though intentionally or unintentionally was another matter, Ichigo let his walls down. A division member could ask him for technical advice, and emotional help. Ichigo didn't differ between himself and the rest of the division. He saw them as equals. And he made that clear to everyone. Just because you were ranked, didn't mean that you were more valuable. Everyone was equal, and those who said otherwise were in for a harsh lesson. Toshiro winced as he remembered on particularly arrogant seated officer. The man lorded over the lower ranked personnel, pulling his rank on evry single thing. Ichigo had warned him, but after he didn't listen, he had the man demoted to cleaning the 11th division's toilets. By hand. Toshiro didn't think he'd smell anything more disgusting in his life.

But there was one thing he hated about Ichigo. He didn't care about himself. Toshiro knew that Ichigo was bordering on a collapse. And there was nothing he could do about it. The brush in his hand snapped. Toshiro hated not being able to save his Captain from his biggest enemy. Himself.

"Yoohoo! Toshiro-chan! Oh my, put away that paperwork. We have much more important things to do!" Toshiro's thoughts were interrupted by the third-seat of the 10th, Matsumoto Rangiku. The white haired man sighed. So much for peace of mind. Irritated he responded.

"What could possibly som important that you deem it worthy to cut paperwork? Don't you remember what captain had you do last time? Do you really want to clean up vomit in the fourth division? Again?" At Toshiro's reminder, Rangiku shuddered, before turning serious.

"I saw the Captain stumbling today. He never stumbles. Ever. You know that. This is getting serious. We have to act." Toshiro stifled a gasp at Rangiku's revelation. They really had to act fast. The white haired shinigami was sure that Ichigo hadn't slept in months if he had stumbled. The man who could make sitting down look graceful stumbling was a really bad sign of his health. Toshiro thought hard, before he finally got an idea.

Operation "Get Ichigo some rest" begin.

§ 3 hours later, 10th division Captain's office §

Ichigo sighed. He had approximately 95 reports to go through, before he had to oversee the afternoon session. And after that he had to train with the captain's and those who had achieved bankai. And since there was definitely going to be reports to do by then, he'd get no sleep till the morning session. Ichigo knew he was running low on energy. Hell, even his zanpakotou sprirts were feeling the strain of being awake for...he didn't even now. Then was the strain of conducting three training sessions everyday. Even though Ichigo never powered up, he could still feel himself slipping. And he had a few bruises to prove the fact that he needed a break. Fast. But at the same time, he couldn't afford to slack.

Juuhabach and his army of Quincies would be powerful, and the Gotei 13 were nowhere near the level of their opponent. There was also something else keeping Ichigo up at night. Ever since he had come back in time, Kaien had trusted him implicitely. Ichigo felt guilty everytime he had to lie to his brother. He had private talks with Isshin whenever he visited, and the Guard had helped him ease some of his problems. But that was clearly not enough to let go of the guilt. Suddenly the door opnened to reveal the odd assortment of Ichigo's friends. The orange haired man blinked, trying to figure out what could have brought Kaien, Byakuya, Toshiro and Rangiku to pay him a sudden visit. As expected Kaien was the first to speak up. The man looked slightly angry.

"So Ichigo, what the fuck are you trying to do to yourself?! Rangiku-san and To-chan just told me about how you have been spending the last 10 months without sleep! You're lucky you're so strong, or I would have knocked you out myself! You are going to take a vacation! Clan Head's orders! Now, please explain to me why you feel the need to do this to yourself?" Kaien was practically foaming at the mouth at the end of his rant. Ichigo was slightly stunned by the onslaught of orders and scolding. He sent a half-hearted glare towards Toshiro, who just shrugged and cast a look in Ranhiku's direction. Just as Ichigo was about to shoot back at Kaien that he was able to take care of his himself, Byakuya decided to add his two cents.

"For once I agree with Kaien-sama. I have to admit I noticed you slipping up quite a bit yesterday when we sparred. Not to mention the fact that you almost lost. Though it would do wonders to my self-confidence, we both know that even though you were in shikai and I was in my bankai, the difference between us is astronomical. You haven't activated your bankai ever. Not even when battling the Captain Commander in bankai. I am disappointed to see you waste yourself like this." Ichigo sent a slightly betrayed look towards Byakuya. Kaien now looked ready to unleash his bankai on Ichigo. Ichigo could practically see the steam of his ears. The orange haired man sighed, and counted to ten inwardly, while debating what to do.

"While I appreciate your concern, I can take of myself. I will rest when I haven't got any immediate responsibilities, like paperwork, division managin, and trainin-" a scoff cut off Ichigo. The orange haired man sent a surprised look towards Toshiro, who looked irritated. The room's temprature seemed to drop a bit, something that Ichigo minded. He was running a light fever, and adding a cold to that wouldn't do anyone good.

"Cut the bullshit, Taichou. " was the white haired man's blunt reply to Ichigo's admittedly half-assed explanation. Ichigo was surprised. Toshiro had never been vocal, or prone to cursing. But this was the man who spat in Juuhabach's face when the Quincy had asked him to join the Quincy cause. On his the door of death, mind you. Toshiro continued, seemingly oblivious to the looks he was recieving from the habitants of the room. Though Kaien's eyes held a glint of approval.

"Matsumoto can do at least half of the paperwork. I can handle the training. You know this. We know this. I have been your fukutaichou for almost 50 years. I know when something is bothering you. And I know that you immerse yourself in work to escape the problem. Well, this is it. You have to face your problems. And let us help." Ar four expectant pair of eyes fell on him, Ichigo made a decision. He didn't want to lie anymore. Not to his family, or his best friends. With a firm resolve, Ichigo stood up.

"Might as well do it. I am tired of hiding. Come with me, I'd rather not do it twice." With that Ichigo walked to the first division barracks, having called upon all the captains. The foursome trailed after him, exchanging confused glances. What had Ichigo been hiding?

Next: Revelations

AN: Is it me, or has this week taken ages? It's just me? Oh, well! Anyway, I really, really love to read your reviews! It gives me energy! I am not joking. So kindly review! Because

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