Ichigo was calmly walking towards the lieutenants meeting office, Ukitake described to him all the captains and told him their names, but he had no idea about lieutenants. He had to go and meet them himself. His hand still glued onto his Zanpakuto's hilt, he turned the corner to run into a raven haired shinigami, only for him to fall back after walking into a wall, or what he thought was a wall. The raven haired shinigami lifted his head to meet the new lieutenant, trembling at the thought of walking into a lieutenant.

Ichigo tilted his head at the sight, reaching down to help the, now trembling, shinigami.

The raven haired shinigami squirmed at the sight of a tall mean looking lieutenant reaching for him "Please don't hurt me sir, I apologize deeply for my ignorance!"

Ichigo frowned at the thought of this being only the raven haired shinigami's fault, before a thought hit him and he smiled lightly "What is your name shinigami?" Ichigo said in a lower tone, smiling inwardly at the thought of ever speaking like that.

The raven haired shinigami flinched "I'm Hanataro Yamada! I'm the 7th Seat of the 4th Division!" he was scared for his life. He was always clumsy and had bad luck, but running into a lieutenant, he had no idea what would happen.

Ichigo smirked at his name "I'm Ichigo, the new lieutenant of the 13th Division." He proclaimed.

Hanataro's eyes widened "You're that unknown shinigami with that immense reiatsu!" he said, now even more afraid of the lieutenant.

Ichigo tilted his head again, before remembering that he had to show his power to the Captain "And what would usually happen if you ran into any other lieutenant?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I haven't yet ran into one, besides you sir. They would most likely cook me alive!" he stuttered, his heart beating like a drum.

Ichigo looked at Hanataro curiously, it was weird to him. Why would lieutenants or captains want to hurt one of their subordinates? "Why would they want to hurt you for such an insignificant mistake?"

It was Hanataro's turn to look at Ichigo curiously, he calmed himself slightly "Well we at the 4th Division aren't fighters, sir." Hanataro put up a finger and it lit up in a green glow "We are healers, combat medics."

Ichigo nodded before smiling "Hanataro, there is no need for you to apologize. I myself haven't even paid attention to where I was walking, don't be so afraid." He helped Hanataro stand on shaking legs before waving goodbye to him and heading towards the lieutenants meeting office.

Ichigo was halted by another lieutenant. She had pink hair and was tiny, she looked like a child. Ichigo had no idea why she wore lieutenant clothes, but quickly brushed it off when he thought that the first time he saw Captain Kurotsuchi he didn't really believe he was a captain.

She quickly jumped onto Ichigo's shoulder "Ichi! Ken-chan wanted to play some games with you! Ever since the massive reiatsu appeared, Ken-chan's been happy!" she said happily.

Ichigo deadpanned "Who's Ken-chan?" to which she smiled wholeheartedly.

"Ken-chan's Ken-chan!" she shouted, smiling brightly.

"Why don't you introduce me to Ken-chan?" Ichigo said with a smile.

She nodded energetically "Will do, but you better play with him!" she threw Ichigo a mean look.

Ichigo sighed in defeat "Alright, alright!" White Zangetsu was laughing maniacally while Black Zangetsu only had a small grin; it was a pretty funny sight, seeing Ichigo get bosses around by a kid. Ichigo calmed himself; he couldn't show this kind of behavior to his subordinates or his co-lieutenants.

He reached the door of the lieutenant meeting office, before again being stopped by the pink haired lieutenant "Have fun Ichi, I'm gonna go to Ken-chan!" she jumped off his shoulder, landing on the perfectly on an unseated shinigami's head, Ichigo chuckled at the sight.

Ichigo was about to open the door before it was opened from the other side, smashing the door into Ichigo. He simply stood in the same place; as the red haired lieutenant looked down to see the doorknob and shattered wood pieces. He eyed Ichigo suspiciously, before deadpanning "Why'd you break the door?"

Causing Ichigo to raise an eyebrow "Excuse me?" he pointed to the red haired lieutenants' hand "I obviously wasn't the one that opened the door…" he narrowed his sight "…so how was I able to break it?" Ichigo had given his reiatsu control to Zangetsu while he wasn't fighting and it was Black Zangetsu who protected Ichigo from the door, by compressing reiatsu and releasing it in front of Ichigo. He created some sort of reiatsu shield that blocked the door from harming Ichigo. He had to thank Black Zangetsu later.

The office was filled with silence, until a certain busty strawberry blonde lieutenant scoffed "He's got a point, Renji. You're always the first one to leave and you always slam the door like a red raging monkey…" Earning her some chuckles and laughs from the lieutenants when they noticed Renji's blush.

Ichigo smirked at the sight, which Renji noticed "And who might you be? Talking back to a lieutenant can get you in trouble!" he growled at Ichigo.

Ichigo smiled at the high and mighty lieutenant, placing his hand on his chest "I'm so sorry Lieutenant 'Offended'! I swear I meant no harm!" to which Renji responded by grabbing Ichigo's shihakushō with both his hands.

Renji was growling "Look pal, if you're looking for trouble you just might get some right here and now!"

A lieutenant from the office noticed the insignia on Ichigo's arm "He's a lieutenant?" she asked innocently.

Ichigo nodded "I'm the newly appointed lieutenant of the 13th Division." He looked into Renji's eyes "It would be kind of you to let go of me, unless you want to start a fight." He smirked at Renji's expression; he frowned and his eyes were filled with hate.

Renji knew that if he attacked a fellow lieutenant, a demoting would be the least of his problems. So did Ichigo, he was taught these things by Ukitake while he was resting from his training. It was a disgrace to one's division if you attack someone of the same rank, but it was even worse if the shinigami in question was from a different squad.

Ichigo patted his shihakushō, it was ruffled and he had to show his best side to his new subordinates "And do you have a name?" A blonde haired lieutenant asked.

Ichigo smiled "Of course I have a name, I'm Ichigo." His answer silenced the room again.

Before the before mentioned busty lieutenant burst out laughing "Your name's strawberry, the same as your hair!" tears forming in her eyes, most lieutenant followed suit, making even Renji crack a grin.

Ichigo wasn't expecting this "It's 'to protect' not 'strawberry'!" a vein popping on his forehead. White Zangetsu dying from laughter in his head, Black Zangetsu chuckling lightly. If he tried his best, he couldn't escape the laughter.

After the laughter died out, it was a long laugh fest, Ichigo brought them back to earth "So wait, is the meeting over already, am I too late?"

Renji smirked "Missing your first meeting, how unsightly." He placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder as he passed by him "Please be more careful next time lieutenant…" Renji's tone was purposefully inciting.

Ichigo frowned, before smiling and turning to face Renji's back "And you should be more careful with the door next time lieutenant!" Laughing as he waved at an aggravated Renji.

The other lieutenants left moments after, Ichigo received a couple of welcomes and a wink from the busty lieutenant.

The sun was setting by the time Ichigo was done answering all the questions on the recruitment paper. He sighed as he walked through Seireitei towards the 13th Division Barracks. He was eyed curiously by shinigami, most of them were whispering about a new lieutenant while looking at Ichigo. He was also bowed to by lots of shinigami, some out of respect and some out of courtesy.

As he entered the 13th Division Barracks he was greeted with 'welcome backs' and 'good works'. All the shinigami from the Division bowed to him, the Division didn't have a lieutenant in years and finally they had someone they could be proud of again, as other Division often proclaimed what their lieutenants achieved; they wanted to do the same.

Ichigo was also greeted by a mountain of paperwork when he entered his, now clean, office. The two 3rd Seats stood behind him "We cleaned the office and added a few new things." The blonde 3rd Seat beamed, the other 3rd Seat continued "On your desk is your paperwork, it is your personal workload combined with Captain Ukitake's, since he has retreated to his personal quarters."

Ichigo gulped while looking at the massive pile of documents "I'm meant to file all of these?!" he exclaimed.

The 3rd Seats nodded in unison, before looked at Ichigo "It's the same amount every day, so you'd better be done with this by tomorrow or there'll be trouble." They explained, making Ichigo cringe at the thought.

Ichigo simply nodded in defeat, pushing himself to the desk. The 3rd Seats decided to explain why there was a massive pile of documents "We receive a lot more paperwork than other Divisions. It's because of the amount of transfer requests we receive. A lot of shinigami academy graduates want to enter our division and we happily oblige. Our Division isn't one that adores fighting, research or stealth missions. We are practically the first stepping stone on a shinigami's way to the upper ranks; we enjoy helping and practicing with each other." Their voices were sincere and Ichigo respected the way of the 13th Division. Getting more determined to finish this quickly.

Ichigo sat down, looking at his subordinates. They looked back at his, as if expecting him to say something "Good work you two." Their faces screamed 'and?!' "Dismissed." They nodded while smiling warmly leaving his office shortly after.

He looked at the first paper; it was a standard transfer request form. It only required his signature as approval. Ichigo narrowed his sight, was this really all it took to transfer Divisions? He looked at the request quote 'I want a transfer to the 6th Division.' Ichigo frowned at the quote "Not even a 'thanks'…" Ichigo muttered, before swiftly signing the paper.

Ichigo was getting better at it by the second, getting a sigh from White Zangetsu 'If I knew being a shinigami was this boring I would've just ignored you… Let's go kick that Renji's ass; he seems too cocky for his own good!'

Ichigo grinned at the thought 'I would but I have to finish this by tomorrow…' White Zangetsu simply called Ichigo a coward and turned his attention to Black Zangetsu, deciding to annoy him.

Ichigo was finally done with all the request forms, finally arriving at the 'Approval needed' section, which was a magnitude times smaller than the 'Transfer' section. This section needed approval of a lieutenant or captain; they were mostly requests by shinigami positioned in the living world. Most of them requested to return to Seireitei for a break.

Ichigo remembered what Ukitake said to him about shinigami positioned in the living world 'They are usually positioned for three months. They have a certain number of hollows they have to get rid of. If they got rid of the requested amount of hollow, they may return or request a higher amount of hollows to their kill list. After they return they get pain for the amount of hollows slain and plusses Konso'd.' Ichigo smiled, he could remember things clearer now. He had trouble remembering the incantations and worked hard on methods that would make the task easier. In the end it paid off, he could remember his memories clearer and could concentrate better.

He swiftly looked over the paper, noticing that the three month position has been fulfilled and that the shinigami was ready to be called back. He quickly signed 'Lieutenant I.' and turned the paper around, taking another from the before mentioned section.

The 'Approval needed' section required a lot of concentration, so it took a toll on Ichigo. He took longer than he predicted, it was around 3am and he still had some paperwork to finish.

He finally got to the last section 'Complaints'. It was by no means a large section, much to his approval. He didn't expect his Division to wreak havoc, not with such a gentle and caring captain. The complaints consisted of 'Slacking off', 'Shikai not achieved' and 'not prepared for the living world'. Ichigo eyed the complaints curiously; he knew that not all shinigami achieve Shikai during their time in the academy. He also knew that not all shinigami were working hard, but the complaint that he was wondering about most was the 'not prepared for the living world'.

Ichigo decided to open the document, it had a royal seal on it as well as dust all over it. The document was signed by Byakuya Kuchiki; Ichigo looked at the signed name curiously 'Why would a captain from the 6th Division complain about the 13th Division?' He started reading the document, noticing a name that was repeated over and over again 'Rukia Kuchiki'. He was getting tired of reading the document; it was a constant barrage of 'She isn't ready for'. Ichigo got slightly annoyed at the captain, still keeping his calm.

'They have the same last name; it's probably a clan… Why would he say she isn't ready, why would he berate someone from his clan?'

Ichigo thought people of the same clan respected each other and trusted in their abilities, but this was the complete opposite. Ichigo was thinking hard before Black Zangetsu spoke 'He's trying to protect her.' Ichigo's eyes widened at the thought.

'But how is he protecting her by making her look unworthy of the title shinigami?' Ichigo was confused.

Black Zangetsu sighed, giving the word off to White Zangetsu 'Get it through your dense skull you dumbass! By belittling her in the complaint, she'll look weak to her division. And what happens when a division has someone too weak?' Ichigo shrugged inwardly '…they won't be sent to do hard work, or in her case, she wouldn't be sent into the living world!'Black Zangetsu shouted, annoyed at Ichigo.

Ichigo was annoyed at his ignorance; of course he would want to protect someone from his clan 'It all makes sense now; he's trying to protect her without looking like he's trying to protect her. He has some weird ways, that Captain.' He quickly took the document and put it into his drawer.

Ichigo sighed in relief, he was finally finished. He looked out his window only to notice the sun in the horizon; it was early morning. He stood up from his seat, stretching his aching muscles. He decided to take a walk around the barracks before having a long awaited nap.

He was walking slowly, enjoying the light morning breeze. It felt more refreshing than ever before. He heard a Zanpakuto swing coming from the Training ground; he decided to check on what it was, after all he was the new lieutenant, he had to look after his division and barracks.

He stumbled upon the familiar looking shinigami, she was practicing her Zanjutsu, determined to become even stronger. She was swinging her Zanpakuto at a target dummy; her cuts were strong and precise.

She swung at couple of times more, only to be stopped by another blade. She froze for a second before regaining her composure; she looked at the owner of the blade. It was no other than the high school student she- no, her new lieutenant. She quickly sheathed her blade and bowed to her lieutenant "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't meant to attack you." He words as precise and clear as her Zanpakuto swings.

Ichigo chuckled at the shinigami "I'm no sir yet, Ichigo is good enough." He was always glad to be called sir, but it felt awkward in private so he had to tell her.

She shook her head "I can't call you by your first name…" she looked away "It's not appropriate."

Ichigo laughed, she behaved as if he just proposed to her "It's seriously fine."

She shook her head again "But no one calls lieutenants by their first name except captains."

A vein popped on Ichigo's forehead as he flicked her on the forehead "I said call me Ichigo, was I not clear?" his voice slightly malicious. She nodded, Ichigo continued "Anyway, what's your name?" he smiled warmly.

"I'm Rukia Kuchiki, an unseated member of the 13th Division, sir." Receiving another flick to the forehead, she was getting aggravated, not that she would show it.

He looked at her again, she was the before mentioned shinigami that Captain Byakuya wanted to protect "What's your relation to Captain Kuchiki?" Ichigo asked bluntly, he was too tired for word games.

She stared at her lieutenant with wide eyes "He's my adoptive big brother…" she looked away.

Ichigo smiled warmly "That explains it now!" he chuckled lightly.

She looked at her lieutenant again, he looked similar to Kaien. He had a similar looking face, almost the same scowl and the same hair and what surprised her most was his behavior, it was the biggest similarity. She smiled lightly, before Ichigo turned to face her again "Well then Rukia, what were you doing here all alone, training to become stronger?"

Rukia eyed Ichigo suspiciously before slowly nodding.

"Well you're in luck, I'm still not completely dead tired from all my paperwork…" he smirked "I'll help you train."

Rukia nodded "But before we start, I have a question…"

Ichigo looked curiously "Shoot."

"Why do you suddenly have your hand on the hilt of your Zanpakuto? On the day Captain Ukitake and you left, you didn't even bother touching your weapons hilt, but now you constantly have it glued…" she looked away. It was a small detail she noticed and it was bugging her.

Ichigo smiled warmly "Well, as you already know. I had to learn some Hadō before I could become a lieutenant…" Rukia nodded "…Well with the amount of reiatsu I posses it rather impossible for me to control it even slightly at my current level." Her eyes widened at the thought "So I received some help." He smirked while looking at Zangetsu.

She looked at him suspiciously, confused to what he was talking about.

"Anyway, what do you want me to help you with?" Ichigo tilted his head slightly.

"We could begin with the basics, sir-" Rukia said, noticing that she added 'sir' "I mean Ichigo!" he was about to flick her on the forehead, only to stop himself and smirk and nod.

PREV INDEX Next