The Broken Souls of the Seireitei

A/N:Previous Disclaimers...

**Thank you all SO much for the reviews, its a quarter past midnight, I have to be at work in about 7 hours, but finishing this is more important. I love you guys. And Affie and Rysha, your review was funny, but it somehow got deleted! :( I hope Af is feeling better, I'm sick too right now also. I love all of you, and there was more to this chapter, but I decided to leave it for later, as it got to be sort of long. Ok read, good bye.


**I fixed the mistake about Shuuhei. Added a piece here and there, no biggie. Don't ever chase Nyquil with Pinot Noir. ^-^



Rangiku wiped sleep from her eyes as she silently trudged next to her angry taicho. He had been the next thing she had set her eyes on after seeing Momo’s welted up body. She had never seen such a feral, primitive look in his eye, or his tone when he barked at her to come with him. He barely muttered that they were headed to Yamamoto’s chambers, something that made Rangiku’s stomach drop. The last time she and Hitsugaya walked there, she was ambushed by the other taicho and their questions of her ‘relationship’ to Aizen.

“A fine mess you’ve made,” Hitsugaya snarled as they approached the first division hall. A number of reiatsu mingling in the air made Rangiku queasy, and she turned pleading eyes to her captain.

“I’m sorry I attacked Momo. You know she started it, and I have been so patient with her and-”

“Just shut the hell up! Do you know I have been up since 3:30 this morning healing your stupid wounds?! Hanataro had to help because I nearly passed out from exhaustion! After today, you can’t do things like this anymore! You are going to be…” Hitsugaya paused at the huge crystal blue eyes quickly filling with tears that were staring at him. He sighed and opened the chamber door for her, gesturing for her to walk inside. “Just don’t screw up anymore, or else you’ll make me and some others look really bad,” he said in a low voice, frowning. Rangiku nodded and walked inside the building, hoping not to be flogged too badly.

****************

“Oi! Yumichika! Ikkaku! Get out here!” Zaraki screamed as he stomped through the barracks, Yachiru on his back. He forgot where his 3rd and 5th seats lived, and Yachiru’s horrible sense of direction had him walking through his division for at least an hour before he gave up and started screaming for the men to come out. At least he had the pretense that Yachiru would lead him in the wrong direction again, but if she didn’t get to help she would yell and scream and beat him on the back of the head, and a migraine was never good to have when dealing with Yamamoto.

A moment after screaming, two shiny flashes appeared before him, and Yumichika and Ikkaku were both standing before him saluting, a cheesy grin on Yumichika’s face.

“Why the hell are you grinning?” Zaraki asked suspiciously, eying Yumichika. The pretty man grinned harder and batted a feathered eyelash.

“I’ve been laughing ever since our dear Matsumoto beat the shit out of Momo. It was almost beautiful, all that red blood flying out of Momo’s snotty little nose! I’m just glad none got on me!” He exclaimed, his cheeks red with excitement. He happily bounced from one foot to another, jiggling his hips in a way that made Zaraki want to burp. Ikkaku frowned and shook his head, as Yachiru launched herself mouth first onto his shoulder.

“Pachinko! You look stupid! And Yumi Feathers! You look like a Dickgirl!”

“Hahaha…Futanari.” All three of them looked at Zaraki, and he glared at them. “Did you hear something?”

“No,” all three of them chorused, looking each in separate directions. He nodded approval and motioned for Yachiru to hop on his back.

“We have to go to see Yamamoto. Some junk is happening or something. Maybe.”

“We all have to go?” Ikkaku asked, chewing on some unknown substance under his fingernail. Zaraki cast him an impatient look, and he knew not to test him further. The four of them set off toward the first division, Ikkaku and Yumichika knocking things out of people’s hands and pulling hair, being nuisances along the way.

***********

“Niisama? Ichigo? Come on, we have to go.” Rukia knocked on the door and shifted uncomfortably and looked at Renji, who had a strange scratch underneath his cheek. He had come past the house to inform that Yamamoto needed to see both him, her, Ichigo, and Byakuya, and didn’t know why. Rukia had frowned at the story about Rangiku vs. Momo, and was happy her friend had beat that sniveling brat up. It would make sense if Yamamoto wanted to see Renji as he was at the teahouse, but neither she, Ichigo, or Byakuya were, so why did he need them? Moral support?

“Aye! Give me a minute, ok? I gotta find my hakama. Where the hell did you throw it? Oh stop. Stop, Byakuya!” Renji’s forehead colored at Ichigo’s comments and thoughts of how his pants may have gotten displaced made him even redder. Low laughter and what sounded like flesh slapping together made Renji bolt down the corridor, opting to wait for the pair outside, and Rukia couldn’t stop laughing. She gave them a sly look as they stepped out in the hallway, sheepish looks on both of their faces.

“Your jacket is on inside out,” Rukia observed, shaking her head at her brother. Byakuya made a face and quickly adjusted his clothing and waved Rukia to walk in front of them, pinching at Ichigo’s butt as they walked. Rukia wore a Cheshire grin, and even though she didn’t have eyes in the back of her head, she could just imagine what they were doing to make each other giggle. They cast looks at Renji upon walking outside, making snide comments about how goofy he looked. Their index fingers linked happily, and Ichigo could almost swear that Byakuya was swinging his arms. Cheeseball.
**************

Karin and Yuzu were extremely quiet as they followed their father around the cobblestone paths of the Seireitei. They were quite stealthy; the only thing that reassured Isshin that the girls hadn’t bolted was the warm and flowery essence of their reiatsu. They had not really spoken ever since he had dropped the shinigami bomb on them. They were already up and waiting to go to Urahara’s shop to allow the mod souls to use their bodies when Isshin came to get them. They sat on the edge of their beds, leaned forward, head in hands. The sight broke his heart. Part of him wanted to tell them to never mind, to live a normal life, but the threat of Aizen prevented such. The Seireitei needed all of the Kurosakis.

“I know both of you probably hate me.” The voice was hushed and sad, and it made the twins pause their steps. Isshin had stopped at the end of the alleyway after spotting some of the captains go inside of Yamamoto’s quarters.

Karin snorted. “Don’t give yourself so much credit. We could have said no. You and Ichigo probably would have hunted us down and killed us though. It’s either this or be subjected to Aizen-sama, correct?”

Isshin’s eyes widened. “How do you know about Aizen?”

Karin shrugged. “Orihime talks in her sleep. Sometimes when Rukia would have her over, she would fall asleep and cry out. I told you not to give yourself so much credit. Asshole,” She muttered, grabbing Yuzu’s hand and shoving Isshin aside. She dragged her sister toward the chamber, Isshin in tow, hissing to be good and display his wonderful parenting skills. Karin resisted knotting his head before going inside; there was no telling what was to be found.
**************

Yamamoto stood, his back turned to his troops. He could feel all of their individual reiatsu, and in his own way, loved each of them. He could sense their fear and confusion, and also some ill feelings no doubt brought by Isshin’s arrival. No one would challenge him, though. The only ones that were brave enough to test him would be Kyoraku and Ukitake, and perhaps Kenpachi, although his mind seemed distant. Yamamoto smiled to himself before turning around to address the silent crowd. They sat in order of their seats within their squads, two through seven on one side and eight through thirteen on the other side. The Kurosakis sat together in a huddle near the door, quietly looking at their father, who was looking at Kyoraku.

“As all of you know, we have had some serious upsets within these walls over the past months. We have had many battles, some with others and some within ourselves. We have had some defectors, and also some scapegoats. We have become weakened.”

“Yeah, and no thanks to that whore over there,” Kurotsuchi snarled, jabbing a finger at Rangiku. Her eyes widened and she gave him a most hateful glare, remembering how he had been one of the most vocal accusatory voices in the initial meeting between her and the other taicho.

“You will not refer to my fukutaicho as such! Apologize immediately!” Hitsugaya barked, standing to his feet. Kurotsuchi smirked and shifted his legs. Toshiro cocked his head and took a step toward Mayuri, but was stopped by Zaraki.

“We all know that your fukutaicho is an honest woman. Defend her honor only when you are truly up against a foe. Kurotsuchi is nothing more than a mosquito; all you have to do is mash him beneath your fingers. Like this,” Zaraki demonstrated, rubbing his long thumb and forefingers together in a way that made Rukia lick her lips and sit forward.

Kurotsuchi’s nostrils flared. “You! Shut your damn mouth already! Why if you were one of my subjects I’d-” Zaraki shot his fist past Ikkaku, Yumi, and Nemu to punch Mayuri across the face. Kyoraku giggled behind his fan and Yuzu brought a startled hand to her mouth. Were these people barbarians?

“ENOUGH!” Yamamoto banged his cane against the floor, making everyone straighten up. He walked down the aisle where everyone was seated and looked each of them in the eye briefly, sending an electric jolt to all of them as a warning not to cut up again. He slowly shuffled back up the aisle and glared at all of them again before sitting down.

“There is some business that has been pushed to the forefront. I was going to see if there was a diplomatic way to handle this, but I see now there isn’t. Matsumoto-fukutaicho and Hinamori-fukutaicho. Front and center!” Yamamoto barked the order, and both girls did a shunpo step to the front and bowed respectfully. Momo had a dark wood chest with the squad 5 symbol on it, and she placed it beside her foot, looking at Shuuhei, her eyes warning him not to kick the chest over. Mayuri cast a murderous look at Zaraki, who was smirking at Byakuya. He knew the Kuchiki was trying not to laugh, and to be honest, he was trying not to laugh either.

Yamamoto frowned at the fukutaicho before him. “I heard that there was a verbal and then physical altercation between you two on last night. Also there was an altercation the night before, where Kuchiki Rukia was involved, yes?”

They both nodded, and Rangiku stole a look at Rukia, and saw that Ukitake had gently patted her hand. Hopefully she would not get into too much trouble. They met with their eyes and Rukia nodded her head, obviously ready to step in and take any punishment that Rangiku would have been served.

“Hinamori-fukutaicho, what started the fight?” Yamamoto stared at her, and scowled when she tried to play the sympathy card.

“Well, Yamamoto-taicho, first let me say that your haori is exceptionally clean today, and your beard is finely combed! And your bald head looks so shiny and-”

“Hinamori-fukutaicho.” The words were sharp and angry.

“Kiss ass,” Shuuhei muttered, but quieted after a reproachful look from Yamamoto.

“Sorry, Yamamoto-taicho. I believe that Matsumoto-san tried to steal Aizen-sama from me.”

Yamamoto gave her an amused look. “Steal him? Did he belong to you?” He looked up when he heard chuckles, and saw smirks on the faces of Byakuya and Kenpachi.

Momo reddened. “No! I mean, we were together.” Rangiku twisted her face to keep from laughing. Momo was no more with Aizen than she was with Santa Claus. What a twisted little ninny. She looked at Toshiro, who looked like someone kicked over his Lego castle.

Yamamoto shook his head. “A spade is not a spade here, Hinamori-fukutaicho. Stop trying to mindfuck me.” Everyone gasped at the expletive, and Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. Everything was falling apart, especially if old Yamamoto was swearing. The funny thing was, he was saying that word before her parents were even born, let alone her.

Momo sighed and looked down, the tips of her ears turning red. “I love him,” She said quietly, staring at her tabi covered toes. “And then this slut comes outta nowhere and tries to sleep with him!” She screamed, pointing at Rangiku. Rangiku sighed and closed her eyes, fighting the urge to karate chop her in the neck.

Yamamoto shook his head. “Matsumoto Rangiku. Please relinquish your fukutaicho badge with the squad 10 insignia.” Her eyes flew open and she stared at Yamamoto for a moment, tears welling in her eyes. He was gonna believe that bitch over her? Did he have Alzheimer’s? She looked at him icily before slipping off her badge. She contemplated throwing it in his face, but handed them to him and turned to leave. Momo looked at her and smiled confidently, and Rangiku snorted, trying to get enough spit in her mouth to spew into the girl’s eye.

“Not so fast, Matsumoto-san. We are not finished.” Yamamoto’s voice reached her and she turned around, hoping the humiliation will end soon.

“They can’t do that to her, can they?” Ikkaku whispered to Zaraki, who wore a good poker face.

“Just be patient. The fireworks have yet to begin, I think,” He whispered back, leaning forward and cracking his knuckles.

“Hinamori Momo. You served your former taicho well. You did everything a loyal fukutaicho would do.” Momo grinned stupidly, and Rangiku felt her face getting hotter.

“Hinamori Momo. You are an idiot.”

Momo’s face dropped and Rangiku looked up, surprised. “You allowed Aizen to consume your mind, turn you against your best friend and childhood companion Hitsugaya-taicho, watched as he stabbed you, and then tried to pin your moronic actions on Matsumoto-fukutaicho! How dare you try to manipulate me! Give me the chest, now!” Yamamoto was practically screaming by this point, and Momo was crying hysterically. She reached down beside her and handed him the wooden chest containing Aizen’s old haori and badge.

“Matsumoto-fukutaicho. You have been a fukutaicho for so many years. So patient and understanding, even with this new situation. You work beautifully in the face of adversity. I don’t understand why 50 years ago I passed you over, but now I can correct that mistake.” Yamamoto reached for the haori and turned to Momo, who’s eyes were wide with anger.

“Please, Yamamoto-taicho. Don’t do this. I will not be her second!” Momo declared vehemently, her eyes on Aizen’s old haori. Yamamoto smiled at her.

“You won’t have to. Ayesegawa Yumichika! To the front!” Yumi looked shocked and stood, looking at Zaraki. He nodded and smiled, gesturing for Yumi to walk to the front. He stood behind Rangiku and Momo, one of the few times he had ever looked awkward.

“Matsumoto Rangiku, you have been promoted to the first seat of the 5th division. Ayesegawa Yumichika, you have been promoted to the second seat of the 5th division. Hinamori-san, hand Ayesegawa-fukutaicho the vice captain badge of the 5th division. Now.” All three of them looked stricken as Momo removed the badge with shaky hands and placed it into Yumi’s hand. Yamamoto handed the haori to Rangiku, and she slipped into Aizen’s old jacket, which was much too big for her, and wrapped the badge carefully around her arm. She and Yumi looked at each other, the nature of their friendship changed forever. She was his commander, and he was her right hand. They needed each other more than ever now.

“Hinamori-san, you are dismissed. Your position may be reinstated in another division at a later date, but as of now, you have been demoted to the third seat of your division. You will obey Matsumoto-taicho unwaveringly just as you obeyed Aizen-taicho. All infractions will be reported to me and will be dealt with in a most severe manner. Any questions?”

Momo looked similar to the way she did when she discovered Aizen’s ‘body’ impaled in the courtyard. “No, Yamamoto-taicho,” She said in a quiet, hollow voice. She turned and walked away slowly, not meeting Isane or Kiyone’s sympathetic eyes. She closed the door behind her, her mind totally blank.

“Well damn,” Karin muttered, feeling something very…very hmmm. There was no words that she knew to describe how she felt when the Hinamori girl passed by her. She peeked at the girl’s eyes, and they were strangely colored, as if all the pigmentation from them vanished.

Yamamoto looked at the younger Kurosaki and nodded. “Matsumoto taicho. Ayesegawa fukutaicho. Please take your seats. This meeting is far from over.” Both of them nodded and Yumi walked over to the designated 5th division place and sat, and Rangiku went to stand back beside Hitsugaya.

“Dumbass,” Hitsugaya muttered, turning red. She looked at him and he looked at her, widening his eyes. “Oh! Sorry,” She said, scooting over beside Yumichika. Everyone (who was her friend) chuckled and smiled, and Byakuya nodded when she sat next to him, and Renji gave her a silly wave, making her blush deeply.

Yamamoto nodded and sat back down. “The next news is the new and old visitors we have here. Kurosakis, all of you. Front and center.” Isshin, Ichigo, and the twins stood and walked to the front, Isshin and Ichigo stood in front, the twins behind them. Yamamoto nodded again, looking them up and down. “Some of you may know Kurosaki Isshin, and everyone knows Kurosaki Ichigo.” Ichigo smirked and felt his cheeks redden.

“Especially Kyoraku taicho and Kuchiki taicho,” Kurotsuchi said in a smug voice.

“Excuse me, do you have something to say to me?” Byakuya asked in an icy voice that made Ichigo hope that nothing bad would happen.

“Yes, what Kuchiki-kun said. Do you have a chip on your shoulder?” Kyoraku said, chewing on the straw in his mouth harder.

“If he doesn’t shut up, it will be a dent in his shoulder,” Isshin snapped. Kurotsuchi held up his hands and shrugged, obviously happy that he was happy to ruffle feathers.

“Apparently, he must have enjoyed getting slapped like the bitch he is.” Renji’s mouth dropped open at the callous statement from his taicho, and looked up to see Ichigo looking behind him at Byakuya. Kurotsuchi saw the exchange and laughed.

“Kuchiki taicho, this is so funny! You start hanging around a teenager, and now you have a scruffy mouth like him! Hilarious!” Kurotsuchi goaded Byakuya, and Renji scooted away from his taicho, feeling the heat from his anger practically waft off of him.

Byakuya cracked his knuckles and adjusted his gloves. “I will fuck you up. Don’t press me, dog. I’ll murder you.” Byakuya was was terribly frightening when he was angry-calm. Angry and restless he could handle. But when one was calm and angry, the result would be methodical, bloody, and involve dismemberment. Renji scooted as far away as possible, not wanting any entrails landing on him.

“He’s gotten more gangsta. I guess that came from you,” Isshin whispered.

Yuzu shook her head and threw up her hands. “Please stop fighting! Dad told me that we were here to help. If I wanted to watch idiot boys fight, I could throw a brownie on the ground and watch Ichi-kun and Sado-kun try to get it.”

Yamamoto nodded. “I was waiting for you to intervene, Yuzu-chan. Now, if everyone is finished showing their behind, let’s finish this meeting.” Byakuya glared at Kurotsuchi, planning his attack.

“Kurosaki Isshin will become the taicho of the 3rd division. Kira fukutaicho, I don’t think at this point that you need the stress of being a taicho.” Kira nodded, relieved. He was fine taking orders, besides, he had not had time to properly grieve for his lost love. He looked at Isshin as he sat beside him, feeling both afraid and excited.

“Kurosaki Ichigo. You have such a fiery spirit. Perhaps some ice would do you well. You will be the fukutaicho of the 10th division. Obey Hitsugaya taicho.” Ichigo nodded and sat in Rangiku’s old spot, giving Toshiro a small smile, and he in turn scowled at Ichigo. Rangiku saw and smiled. She had gotten that scowl many times, and it actually was a scowl of approval, if such a thing existed.

“Kurosaki Karin. I hear you are a bit of a fighter. You will join the 2nd division as an unseated officer, under Soi Fon taicho. That is her, directly to your right.” Karin turned and looked at the small woman with the two long braids wrapped in white cloth and instantly hated her. She looked weak and delicate, as if she could be broken in one kick. There was a large oaf of a man with crumbs on his shirt beside her, looking at her like she was a sesame seed covered rice ball, and if she could have lifted his stomach that was blocking the way, she would have kneed him in the balls. She went to sit behind them, when Soi Fon stood and glared at her.

“Weakness will not be tolerated.” The words were sharp and harsh, and made Karin flinch.

“Yes Ma’am,” Karin started, but pulled back when Soi Fon got right in her face.

“Soi Fon taicho! I’m not a ‘Ma’am! What the hell is that?!” She screamed, her breath making Karin’s hair blow back. Yuzu clenched her fists, tears welling in her eyes. She could stand to be yelled at, but not her precious sister, or Ichigo for that matter. Breaking all code, she walked over to Karin and wrapped her arms around her rigid sister, putting their heads together.

Soi Fon glared at Yuzu. “What are you doing?” She asked in a steely voice, refraining from wrenching them apart. Yuzu cast huge brown eyes at her and released Karin wordlessly. Retsu stood and walked over to Yuzu, taking her hand.

“You will be with me, Kurosaki-chan. I am Unohana Retsu of the 4th division.” Retsu led Karin to sit behind her and Isane, and Soi pointed to the spot where she wanted Karin to sit. Karin cast a look at her father, but he sat staring forward, not even acknowledging her. She sighed and put her head down, resigned to the new life.

Yamamoto looked at the exchanges and sighed, feeling sorry for the twins. He knew it would be hard for them to adapt, but it had to happen. It was time, and they needed to help. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, looking forward.

“Last but not least, Hisagi Shuuhei, Madarame Ikkaku, and Kuchiki Rukia, front and center.” The three walked to the front and bowed respectfully.

“Hisagi fukutaicho, you have stepped up remarkably since the departure of Tousen-sama.” Hisagi nodded, flinching at the mention of his old captain. “You will be promoted to the 1st seat of the 9th division. You have been doing the work anyways, and I don't see anyone but you taking that spot. Madarame Ikkaku, you will be promoted to the 2nd seat of the 9th division. And Kuchiki Rukia, you will be promoted to the 2nd seat of the 13th division as the formal replacement of Shiba Kaien.” Rukia cast a look at Byakuya, who wore a blank expression. She nodded and the three of them sat in their new places, Kiyone's laser beam eyes boring holes into the back of Rukia's head.

Yamamoto waved his hands. “You all are dismissed. Have some of the unseated officers to help with the moving of locations. Matsumoto taicho, Kurosaki taicho and Hisagi taicho will begin their duties immediately. Any disobedience will be handled by me.” Everyone nodded and walked out, Yuzu pulling Karin off to the side.

“I love you, be strong, twin,” She whispered before Isane directed her to follow her.

“Come on!” Soi Fon snapped, practically dragging Karin away. Soi turned briefly to watch the sad but pretty face of Yuzu, turning away before she actually saw the girl’s face break. She sighed and shoved Karin toward the division to begin her training, hoping that it would clear her mind from…thoughts.


A/N: What was that?!!