Chapter 1
Captain

As Soul Society settled back into an old routine, the verdict of Aizen's trial having been announced and a certain amount of peace restored, Shunsui couldn't help but wonder if there was a way for things to have turned out differently.

It had taken excessive manpower to defeat Aizen and his Espada; if there had been one more captain on their side, just the slightest ounce of extra strength and talent, perhaps they wouldn't have suffered such casualties. Maybe even gained more of an advantage. Kiyuku-chan, his third seat, had been pestering him since the very beginning of Aizen's betrayal to recommend her for one of the captain positions. He'd put it off over and over again. There was too much paperwork involved for the time being. He'd told himself that it was just too much of a hassle with everything else that was on his plate.

Frankly, Shunsui was surprised by his laxness. Even though she was young, Kiyuku-chan was an exceptional Shinigami. Her marks at the Academy had been outstanding, and as a third seat she did an impeccable job. Her Bankai was rather marvelous too – she had conquered it completely on her own, though he had spent quite some time helping her refine it. Importantly, she was also rather pretty.

Of course, he had started the admin for a recommendation – signatures from another five captains, motivations – but admin had never been one of his strengths. Even so, however, Shunsui had to acknowledge that he should have addressed the issue with more urgency. It was only after Kiyuku-chan had stormed his private quarters with a vicious and unwavering sense of confidence that he'd actually gotten around to finishing the process.

Or, at least, to almost finishing the process before Kiyuku-chan decided to take the Captain's Proficiency Test instead. He was disappointed by not having been selected as a witness – that honour had gone to Joushiro and Sui-Feng – but from the former he'd heard that it had gone exquisitely.

Now they were all gathered in the main hall, an air of expectancy hovering amongst them. Sharp, subtle, like glass, unmentioned but distinct. Though Kiyuku-chan wasn't exactly rising out of obscurity, she also wasn't particularly well-known by most of the captains. Serious, timid, constantly engrossed by something other than other people, she went about her business and spoke when spoken to. Thus, being new and unfamiliar, there was a subdued excitement over her, ever accompanied by an irksome uncertainty – especially after the whole fiasco that had followed with Amagai.

The Captain-Commander began, undemonstrative as always, "Considering the circumstances currently faced by the Gotei 13, it has been our highest priority to fill the positions left empty. Four days ago, Captain Kyoraku Shunsui from the eighth squad nominated his third seat for the position. Following successful testing by myself and two other captains present here, Aramiya Kiyuku has been selected as the new captain for the fifth squad."

She stepped through the doorway, tiny in the whiteness of her haori and equally as pale; paler still against the shock of her short-cropped, red hair. Resolute as she was, her nerves were palpable, clear in the slight shiver of her shoulders and the flush of her cheeks.

"I am Aramiya Kiyuku," she said, voice girlish and darling. "It's an honour."

Before taking her place between the rest of them, Kiyuku-chan glanced at Shunsui. He offered her a proud grin, a wink, and was presented with a tight-lipped smile in return. Next to Komamura, she seemed comically small and comically aware of it, straightening her back ever more against the immensity of his shadow. Apart from her childlike stature, though, she fit well with the other solemn faces and white-clad figures.

There were brief congratulations after the meeting, to which Kiyuku-chan offered nods and polished thanks. Joushiro complimented her skill and sophistication. Unohana invited her to the next gathering of the Shinigami Women's Association. For the most part, everyone else had some business to attend to; as such, it wasn't long before Shunsui got the chance to pass on his good wishes. She hadn't been his third-seat for too long, obviously having seen it as a quick stepping stone towards a much larger mountain, but after some intensive hours of training and shameless – fruitless – charming, Shunsui had grown fond of her. As fond as he grew of each of his subordinates, of course.

"You must be thrilled!" he said, patting her shoulder. "Well done, Kiyuku-chan. You deserve it."

Looking up at him, flushed and excitable, she replied, "Thank you, taichou. It's a tremendous privilege – I couldn't have done it without all your help though."

"Why, it was my pleasure – anything for a lovely young lady like yourself."

"There's no need for you to say that."

"There's also no need for you to address me as taichou anymore. Remember, we're equals now."

A smile, like that of a girl in her newest fancy dress – Shunsui would have thought it natural and lovely if Kiyuku-chan held out her captain's haori and did a twirl. She didn't but was certainly delighted enough to have done so, wide-eyed and beaming.

"Anyway, I ought to be heading on now. No rest for the wicked. When will you be moving over to your new barracks? You must be all ready and packed…"

"Actually, I've already moved everything over," Kiyuku-chan said proudly. "I didn't have a lot."

Shunsui chuckled. "Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Well then – let me know if you need any help settling in."

"Thank you, taichou."

He had started for the gardens – it was a warm, golden afternoon and a stroll was in order – but took a moment to look back over his shoulder. "Oh, Kiyuku-chan, try not to be so nervous at the next captain's meeting. You should know that most of us don't bite."