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“Oi, Sakuyo Hibari! You’re wanted outside! Better get a move on, taichou seems like he’s got something on his mind.”
Vice-Captain Tetsuzaemon Iba stood in the bright morning light streaming through the open doorway to the common area of Squad 7’s barracks. Hibari blinked up at his figure towering over the place where she crouched on the tatami, diligently oiling Sabakubara’s blade. His expression was hidden because of the back-light from the doorway, but she could tell by his stance and irregularly formal speech that something was going on.
“I will. Thank you Iba-fukutaichou.” Her knees cracked as she strained upwards. Lately she’d been training hard – and drinking even harder – in order to get herself in a position of trust with some of the other ranked officers in the Gotei 13. Training with her squad mates, and drinking with Matsumoto Rangiku seemed a good enough way to do that. Unfortunately, the side effects were less than desirable. Her body’s protests that morning were loud.
Outside, the street was bathed in the same blinding light that Iba had violated the gloom of mid-morning in the barracks. However, figures were gathered in a circle in the middle of the street. She could guess from Iba’s reaction that it was probably what needed her presence.
As she got closer she recognized her own captain, of course, as well as captains Unohana and Zaraki. What would require three captains in full morning? She recognized, also, among them her friend Okazaki Misao. They’d gotten to know each other through the Shinigami Academy. Hibari had always had trouble making friends, but Okazaki had made it easy. He took the lead in most things, leaving her free to make quiet observations. However, since they’d gotten placed into their squads, they’d been separated more than usual. Hibari found herself required to take initiative.
She caught Okazaki’s eye and they shared a mutual moment of acknowledgement. It didn’t last long, though, before Captain Unohana broke in with her gentle voice. To Hibari, it always sounded like the gentle flow of water being held back by a dam. She understood why many people feared her anger. She imagined it would break forward through that dam.
“I thank you all for coming here so punctually. Usually, I would conduct something like this in a more formal setting, but I thought that under the circumstances a more casual approach would make everyone more comfortable.”
Oh no! Hibari thought wildly, I hope she didn’t get wind of that time in the Academy when Okazaki locked that young 4th squad member in a cell in the detention center…we went back and let him out… Evidently, Okazaki was having troubling thoughts of his own. His fists clenched at his side and, for a change, he seemed to be listening carefully to what the captain was saying.
“Sakuyo Hibari, Okazaki Misao, for your benefit I will tell the whole story. Your captains have both already been briefed.” Unohana was smiling gently at them. Her hands folded in front of her as they usually did. Yes, everything about this woman urged serenity and peace - everything except the lethal Zanpakuto at her side. It was a rare sight to see the captain of the 4th wearing her soul-slayer. There must be a special occasion for it, Hibari thought. “I have recently been conducting a new program amongst the Shinigami organizations throughout the world. This program allows for the exchanging of knowledge and experience. It is an important tool to facilitate communication and cooperation between Soul-Societies. The two of you will play a role in this program.”
In the pause, Hibari and Misao exchanged glances once more. This one lasted only for a moment – so they would appear to be sizing each other up as though they’d never really properly worked together – but it conveyed both of their skepticism. Would they be sent off to another country? That seemed a little odd. Why the two of them?
A flash of gold in the sunlight a lot brighter than anything any of the currently assembled shinigami possessed caught Hibari’s eye. She could see a young woman, probably close to her and Misao’s age, standing closely behind Captain Unohana. She was literally trembling. Hibari could see the girl wringing her hands and shaking.
It was as though the Captain had read Hibari’s mind – or deftly followed her gaze. “Ah, Sakuyo-san. You are a very keen observer. This is our exchange shinigami, Hanalee Everett.” To Hibari’s ears, the name was strange. It wouldn’t be difficult to say, but she wondered what the etiquette was for addressing her. “Miss Hanalee comes to us from America. You,” Captain Unohana’s gaze swiveled from Hibari to Misao and back again, “will be responsible for taking care of her while she is with us. She will be considered a member of my own squad, so please do your best.”
There was an audible sigh coming from Misao’s direction, and Hibari noticed that Zaraki-taichou had definitely lost interest in the conversation. Her own captain was standing politely silent, but she could tell that he was itching to brief her himself.
“The three of you will form a special new unit. It’s an experiment in peer-collaboration we are trying.” Unohana moved aside and gently guided Hanalee Everett into the space between Misao and Hibari. The look on the girl’s face was astonishing. It was as though she were afraid of being torn apart where she stood. Hibari noticed that Hanalee inched ever closer to her, widening the gap between her and the obviously frustrated Misao.
Captain Unohana continued, “It has been decided that the three of you need experience in the Human World.” She’d sensed Misao and his captain’s failing attention spans, and while it wasn’t important to make sure Zaraki knew what was happening, Misao’s awareness of the situation was critical. It was obvious that Captain Unohana switched tacks so as to re-interest the teenager. It worked. “You will be sent as an Advance Unit into Karakura town to help Kurosaki Ichigo and his people with the problem of the increasing Hollow population there. Your main duty is to lend support to them; however we will require regular reports from you.”
This was more like it. Hibari loved being in the seventh squad, and loved all the duties that came with it, but she was constantly aware of how little exposure being in this squad gave her to important events among the Shinigami. She was just a nameless face. An unranked soldier. Nothing. But now…
“Sakuyo Hibari.” Captain Unohana’s voice cut through Hibari’s thoughts.
“Yes, Taichou?”
“Your captain has given permission for you to act as leader of this unit. Please do your best.”
Misao made a sound of protest, but was cut off from an actual objection by more speech from the today-long-winded Unohana.
“Okazaki Misao, you will act as lead combatant. Your skills in battle have not gone unnoticed.”
Hibari could feel the pride radiating from her old friend. Whatever he’d been about to object to was lost in the sudden praise. She knew she should be more surprised about her own subtle praise, but she was oddly calm about it.
“Hanalee Everett. With your skill in Kidou and Healing abilities, you will act as their support crew. Their health is in your hands.”
Hanalee trembled even more. Evidently, the thought of combat made her nervous. Hibari began to wonder what didn’t make Hanalee nervous.
“The three of you are, as I have said, an experiment in international cooperation. I expect you, Sakuyo-san, and you, Okazaki-san to show Miss Hanalee all common courtesy and treat her kindly. You may need to teach her some of our cultural differences, but I’m sure that all will come out just fine in the end. “ Captain Unohana seemed at the end of her speech, and folded her hands in front of her once more. “You will leave as soon as you are acquainted with each other. Sakuyo Hibari, your captain will give you all additional information you will need. Please look to him for advice on the mission.”
The brief meeting in the street quickly scattered. Zaraki Kenpachi strode off towards the barraks of the Eleventh without so much as saying a word, Misao following along in his long shadow. Captain Unohana took Hanalee and spoke with her gently as she steered the girl to the hospital. Hibari wondered how Hanalee would hold up under the stress of being a full-fledged Japanese Shinigami.
Captain Komamura stood there regarding his young shinigami for a moment. She was very young to be given a command, but the way she stood there, sizing up the other young people that they’d thrown in the group, he could see that she didn’t judge them, but was looking for their potential. She’d been studying hard, he knew, and doing everything she could to mimic the actions of seated officers. He was impressed by her. “Sakuyo-san. This is a big opportunity for you. I recommended that you lead this mission because I have faith that you can do it.”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
The two of them crossed the short distance to the barracks, already talking of tactics and potential problems. There would be only a short time for Hibari to learn the skills of her new team, but her Captain’s faith in her abilities bolstered her confidence in her ability to handle the problem.
 Gleesh · Tue Dec 15, 2009 @ 09:37am · 0 Comments |
