1.9

Sticking to his word, Hajime invited Jushiro and Shunsui to Squad 9 Barracks later that night. When the two arrived, dinner was already made and set. A feeling of deja vu flooded Jushiro and Shunsui's senses.

"It's been a while since we had dinner together." Shunsui said, making small-talk.

"Hm, just like in school." Jushiro smiled as he thought back to when they were younger.

Fond memories popped up, making the group laugh.

Jushiro chuckled, "Remeber when old man Yama decided to make us his students?"

Hajime sweatdropped, recalling the memory.

"Shunsui," a much younger Jushiro whispered through the door, "I don't think you should do this." He tried to reason.

Shunsui smirked, but didn't give up. "Come on, Shiro chan," Shunsui continued to dig through drawers and looking under things, "The old man has to have magazines." He reasoned.

Hajime peaked his head over Jushiro's, "When you get in trouble, don't drag us into it." He warned.

"He won't be the one getting you in trouble," an old voice said behind the pair of heads looking through the door.

Hajime and Jushiro visibly stiffen, the former instantly recognizing the voice and reiatsu.

"Damn it, Shunsui." Hajime muttered before resigning to his fate.

"You're an actual asshole," Hajime muttered, still sour over the outcome. In the end, all three became old man Yama's students and the hellish training began.

Shunsui and Jushiro laughed at Hajime's comment.

"Now, now, don't hate me." Shunsui soothed, "If anything, you should be thanking me."

Hajime huffed and sipped his tea.

Shunsui chuckled at the younger's reaction before deciding to not beat around the bush. "So what's the real reason you called us here?"

Hajime glanced at his friends before deciding to reveal his doubts, "I believe... we have something... bigger that's taking place." Hajime made sure to word his sentences carefully.

Jushiro grew concerned while Shunsui quirked his eyebrow.

Hajime observed their reactions, and like he expected, Shunsui already seemed to develop the same doubts. "I don't believe the Ryoka have killed Aizen," Hajime said as he looked at Jushiro. Neither of them said anything so Hajime continued his explanation, "The Ryoka are teens, they have no killing intent, and haven't killed any of their opponents in battle." Hajime recalled how he passed Squad 11's third seat. Madarame was lying on the ground, his body surrounded by rubble and destruction. Hajime quickly deduced that the third seat had fought and lost. But Hajime looked over Madarame's body, his enemy treated his wounds before leaving. Hajime flared his reiatsu to get Zaraki's attention before leaving the third seat.

Jushiro and Shunsui nodded in agreement. Shunsui recalling his fight with the Ryoka. The children just wanted to get their friend and leave. They didn't want to hurt anyone.

"And," Hajime continued, "I'm suspicious of Aizen."

Shunsui nodded in agreement, "He's hiding something."

The group remained silent until Hajime decided to break it.

"Do you want to stay the night?" Hajime offered.

Jushiro looked out the open doors that lead to a courtyard, "Sure." He said when he saw the time of might it was.

Shunsui agreed as well.

Hajime stood up and lead them to a guest bedroom. The room connected to his office and bedroom for easy access. After shutting the doors behind him, he sincerely hoped they decided to not make too much noise.

Hajime went to his office and continued to sign papers.

A knock sounded against the door to Captain Saito's office. There was no reply, which was odd because the Captain always gave some kind of reply. The third seat peaked his head through the door but stopped and smiled. His Captain was asleep on his desk, still holding the brush to sign the document he was sleeping on. The third seat walked into the room and quietly made his way over to his captain. He carefully removed the brush before take the paper Hajime was in the middle of signing. Reading over it, he noticed how Hajime could have gotten another higher rank officer to sign it instead of himself. He sighed and took up the brush and signed his name on the space provided.

'Hibari Kyoya'

Kyoya put the paper with the stack and set the brush down before going to his captain and picking him up bridal style. He adjusted his robes before exiting the office and placing him on a futon.

"Night, Hajime."

————

Hajime woke up, fully clothed, in his bed. He glanced around and spread his reiatsu, not sensing anything unusual. Then how did he get to bed? He was sure he fell asleep in his office. Hajime decided to brush it off and continue his routine. He changed his clothes, brushed his hair, and went to prepare breakfast.

Hajime passed through doors and hallways to get to the room where his friends ate last night to clean up. He opened the door but paused. The room was clean and emitted a nice smell. Mostly from the newly cooked food waiting on trays. Inside, Shunsui and Jushiro were already eating. They both looked up when Hajime entered.

"Morning, Haji chan."

"Good morning, Hajime. How was your night?"

Hajime smirked, "I could ask you the same question."

Jushiro blushed and sputtered while Shunsui laughed.

Hajime chuckled and sat down, "Thanks for the food."

After breakfast, all three went their separate ways. Hajime chose to do a quick search through his area before returning to do paperwork.

Hajime shunpo'd to his last spot the check. The long stairway that connects Squad 9 to Squad 1. He stood at the top of the steps, sensing a Ryoka approaching. Hajime waited as the Ryoka unsteadily made his way up and stopped in front of Hajime. The Ryoka wore while clothing lined with blue and was obviously suffering from a previous battle, needing medical attention immediately. Despite knowing Aizen wasn't 'murdered' by the Ryoka's, Hajime stilled needed to turn them in. However, he can order for a team from Squad 4. The Ryoka stood rigidly, preparing for Hajime to attack. Hajime stared at the Ryoka before disappearing.

The Ryoka surprised and stiffened, trying to sense where his opponent went.

Hajime reappeared behind the teen, "Let's end this quickly." He said. Hajime struck his hand out and hit the side of the teen's neck with the side of his hand. He followed up with another hit to the carotid artery on the teen's other side, effectively stunning the teen before he fell into unconsciousness.

The Ryoka couldn't fight the Captain as he shut his eyes and crumpled to the floor.

Hajime quickly caught the Ryoka in his arms before his injured body could become even worse. Carrying the Ryoka, Hajime quickly shunpo'd to the cell the held most of the captured Ryoka. Hajime went to the cell noticing that all the Ryoka in the cell were familiar.

The two occupants in the room quickly noticed him and the person he was carrying.

"Uryu!" Chad softly shouted his friend's name. He stood up and stepped closer to get a better look at his friend.

Hajime glanced at the guard. The unseated Shinigami fumbled with the keys before managing to open the iron cell. Hajime stepped through, causing Chad and the other one to noticeably stiffen. Hajime walked to an open cot before carefully setting the Ryoka down. He exited the cell and turned to the guard, "Call for a team from Squad 4. I want him healed." Hajime ordered.

"Yes, Captain Saito," the guard replied.

Hajime nodded in satisfaction before walking away.

"Thank you." Chad said to the familiar Captain.

Hajime nodded and left the building.

A/N: I did make a subtle hint that Kyoya was going to be in here in the early chapters but no one noticed. To be precise it's at the beginning of chapter 1.3 when Hajime is giving out orders. I just wanted to see if anyone noticed, apparently not.