Mimic

Part VI

Author's note : Wow, that was a long ass chapter last time, ne? I've decided to wing it in regards to length, they'll be as long as they'll be :P Thank you so much to my reviewers, you make this possible :D And thanks so much to my beta reader, Ryuko-san, it really wouldn't be possible if I didn't have you behind me all the way. I hope you guys enjoys this as much as I am.
Loves y'all lots,
Serpia-chan

Disclaimer : I still don't own Bleach. What I do own are some random Bleach models, a Shinigami outfit, and a replica of Ichigo's bankai.... and the computer game I'm developing, the Soul Socitey Dating Game (wow I have no life)

Last chapter : * Rikichi smiled his own, true smile, and dashed off for home. He had to change, and fix his hair before he went back to work. *


As he opened the door to the 6th Division a while later, shiny onyx-colored hair glistening in the sunlight, and sunglasses-free, Rikichi had never felt more lost. If he couldn't be like Renji, who could he be like? Himself? How boring. How unattractive. No one had ever been interested in him in the past, and no one would be now. Rikichi didn't want to be alone anymore. But what could he do?

Kuchiki nearly sighed in relief when he saw that Rikichi had decided to get changed and fix his hair. But outwardly, there was no change. He still frowned at Rikichi and pointed to the paperwork on the fukutaicho's desk, not bothering to lecture him for being late.

“These are important papers the require both your and my signatures. I'd appreciate it if you would finish them as quickly as possible, and then deliver them to the 8th division for processing. After that, you will accompany me for lunch. We need to discuss your duties a little more.”

Rikichi looked up from the pile of paperwork he had just begun to sign. Had his taicho just asked him to eat lunch with him? Rikichi knew it was common for taicho and fukutaicho to eat together, and he knew that Renji and Kuchiki ate together almost everyday, but he had never dreamed that Kuchiki would ask him to dine with him. Rikichi, not knowing what to say, just nodded. Kuchiki returned to his own pile of paperwork, and Rikichi looked back down, the pen lying dormant between his trembling fingers. Determined to finish his paperwork as soon as possible, Rikichi gritted his teeth and raced through the pile with a furosity he usually reserved for battle. It did not take long to complete.

Rikichi gathered the pile up and left the office without a word to his taicho. He ran all the way to the 8th division, and deposited the paperwork on the desk of the beautiful fukutaicho, who in turn, glared at him some more. Rikichi only smiled at her, turned, and ran out of the building. He had just broken out into the warm sunlight when he heard the bell.

It was the emergency bell, now familiar to all Shinigami after the Ryoka incident. Eyes lighting up with fear, Rikichi raced back towards the 6th division. About halfway he passed Kuchiki-taicho, who was struggling to strap Senbonzakura to him via his belt. A glance at Rikichi was all the sign he gave that he even noticed the fukutaicho before he flash-stepped away towards the captain's hall.

Rikichi flung open the doors to the office building, but instead of turning to go into the offices, he continued down the hall and through the large double doors that led to the 6th Division's private training area. Sure enough, there were many panicked division members, all strapping their zanpakuto firmly to them in case of attack. Rikichi yelled over the noise in the room.

“Please remain calm! Sit down, shut up, and wait for orders!”

The room quieted a little, and the sounds of frustrated and angry Shinigami lifted above the rest.

“Why should we listen to you?!”
“Yeah, you aren't even a real fukutaicho!”
“Get lost!”
“You can't order us around! Just who do you think you are?”

Rikichi's eyes narrowed and he rested a hand on the hilt of his zanpakuto. Now was not the time to panic. He needed to be strong, like Renji, and keep control of the division. That's what his job was, and he would see it through.

“See the badge on my arm? That means that I am in charge right now. See this zanpakuto? I will use it to cut down whoever tries to entice a riot in my division. Now sit down, or I will make you sit down.”

The room silenced a little more, and most of the shinigami sat down. However, as with anything, there had to be at least one Shinigami who had to make things difficult. In this case, there were three.

“You think we're scared of you? Ha! You aren't even half as powerful as we are. You dare threaten us, eh?”

“Sit down, baka, before you need to be taken to the 4th division.”

The tallest Shinigami out of the bunch charged at Rikichi, his zanpakuto withdrawn. Rikichi's hand never moved from his zanpakuto, all that was needed was a swift kick to the man's stomach to dispatch him. He hadn't even hit the ground before the next one was upon Rikichi, attempting to bash him with his zanpakuto's scabbard. Rikichi body checked him, whirled around, withdrew his zanpakuto, and blocked the final shinigami's attempt to behead him. Overall, it was an impressive show, and as Rikichi slid his zanpakuto back into its scabbard, the three men crawled back towards the crowd, silent and obedient. Rikichi looked out over the rest of the Shinigami.

“Listen, I do not know what is going on, so do not ask. As I speak, the captains are meeting to find a solution to whatever the problem is. As you know, we are to remain here until Kuchiki-taicho returns and gives us orders. In case of the building being attacked, squads 3, 4 and 5 are to take the west wing of the building, 6 and 7, you take the east wing. 1 and 2, I expect you to get out of here through the roof exit, and you will be in charge of going to the captain's hall immediately and getting Kuchiki-taicho. Understood?”

A simultaneous “yes” sounded throughout the room.

Rikichi sat with his back to the door, and waited for Kuchiki to return.

Author's Note (again) : To Brightside – thank you so much for the review, it means a lot to me. I think you're an amazing author yourself, so to hear praise coming from you is very inspiring.