The fourth division barracks were pristine and perfectly normal. They, like many of the other barracks, favored a traditional Japanese-style building with shōji doors, tatami mats, and a lack of color diversity. Although the fourth division opted for Western furniture instead of the standard floor seats and low tables.

Retsu declined letting me carve anything into the wood, either. There were next to no plants, hardly any hung portraits, and really a general lack of personal touches. Anyone coming into the fourth division would find it clinical and detached.

Retsu was a minimalist. She kept very few personal items for herself, finding joy in momentary pleasures and memories rather than materialistic things. It reflected in her office, which only ever kept necessary paperwork. Retsu didn't need the paperwork—she had superb memory—but her fodder did.

One of the unique things about the fourth division barracks, though, was the morgue underneath it. It was conveniently attached to the prison cells.

The morgue was brightly lit, well ventilated, and had an excellent drainage system. There were hoses hooked up, and plenty of spare autopsy tables.

I sat on one of the tables next to a fresh corpse—it hadn't even started to smell—while I chatted with Retsu.

"All I'm saying is that maybe they had it coming a tiny little bit," I complained to Retsu.

"Mm-hmm," came her placating murmur. "Rirī, would you please—?"

I held out the pan for her to dump the heart she had ripped out of the cadaver she was working on. Retsu had been experimenting with a new hadō technique but it hadn't worked out on the unlucky prisoner. Which meant she had to dissect the fella afterward to see what went wrong. As a supportive friend I joined her in the autopsy room to keep her company. Dissections could get boring after the first few centuries after all.

Plus I wanted to hide a body and the best place to do that was at a morgue. Retsu was a dear so she would happily turn a blind eye. Especially if I made her an orange blossom cake.

Curiously, the heart she pulled out looked like it had been used as a pin cushion. Even that surprised me since the hadō technique wasn't applied near the heart, nor was it intended to affect the cardiovascular system. "Huh."

Retsu noticed. "Huh."

"Hey So-So, take a look at this."

Sōsuke, who tagged along because a good lieutenant was always near their captain, leaned over and let out his own quiet, "Huh."

There was a moment of silence as we all pondered what went wrong with the technique to warrant such a result.

It was broken by Retsu who nodded at the corpse I had brought along. "How fresh?"

"I dunno. So-So how fresh?"

"An hour?" he guessed.

"Then it can be used," concluded Retsu. "And disposed of later?"

"Yep."

"Do I want to know what happened?"

"No," Sōsuke and I answered.

Retsu didn't bat an eye. "Does Yamamoto know?"

"Nope."

"Does he need to?"

"Nope."

"Noted."

There was a pause.

"The cake will be ready by tomorrow," I promised her and she smiled thinly at me.

"I'll take care of it," she said brightly in return, her expression of false kindness.

Ahh. Never stop being the crazy hot lady, I thought happily as I admired her.

The moment was rudely interrupted when some cannon fodder entered the room, out of breath. "C-Captain Rirī. Your presence is requested immediately."

I looked over at Sōsuke. "Was there a meeting today?"

"No," he said.

I looked back over at the cannon fodder and raised an eyebrow. "What's the issue?"

"One of your squad members attacked members of the ninth division!"

Shinji's division? I thought, scratching my cheek idly. Hm.

"All right," I said, hopping off the autopsy table. "Talk to you later, darling."

"Bye-bye," Retsu sung happily as Sōsuke and I headed out.

(◕▾◕✿)

The fodder lead us to the general barracks—the barracks outside the first division that was used by all division members, as well as non-division members. Main meetings between the captains were held there, and it was seen as an area for division members to intermingle and train together.

Sajin stood proudly in a battered arena. There were dozens of other cannon fodder shinigami around him, and I could see pools of blood near his feet. At a glance, I could easily see that my Sajin had not retained any injuries, but his gloves were destroyed.

He had also chosen not to wear his helmet that day, a very rare occasion. I had worked for years to encourage Sajin to forgot the helmet and embrace his heritage, but it was only in the past year that he began to publicly reveal his werewolf nature.

It probably helped most people were too busy bad mouthing how insane I was to care that he was a werewolf. Who cared about some fluff when the pink haired captain caused a rainbow explosion in the first division barracks to try and pull Genruysai into another prank war?

Not to say no one was prejudiced against my werewolf because there were some bigots.

Hell, I had been a captain for over a thousand years and people would still find me beneath them because I most often took the form of a young girl with long pink hair and big blue eyes. Some would devalue me at that, and others would make crude remarks that I'd be better served as a wife than captain.

Since Sosuke became my lieutenant a lot of people had made remarks he'd serve as a captain better than me, and that I'd be better off serving him.

Shinji, the ninth division captain (who was canonical the fifth division captain around this time), nodded curtly at me when I arrived.

"Know what's going on?" I asked Shinji.

"There was a dispute, and some of my members are undergoing intensive care," cooly responded Shinji.

Hmm.

"Sajin, explain," I urged gently, smiling kindly at my pupp—my pupil.

Sajin bowed his head, ears flicking forward. "They insulted you, Captain."

"Mm-hmm?"

"I demanded a duel in your honor," he went on. "They lost."

"Oh my! You left them alive, too," I said with a big smile. "So kind. Thank you for defending my honor."

Sajin bowed in response.

"C-Captain" squawked one of the cannon fodders. "You can't let them get away with this—Sohei and Komouri nearly died. They might never wield a zanpakutō again."

Shinji let out a quiet sigh, closing his eyes. "You insulted his captain to his face?"

The cannon fodder flushed.

"Answer the question, Daisuke."

"Y-Yes."

"You are extraordinarily lucky that it was one of her subordinates, and not Captain Yamamoto," Shinji coldly told them. "You would have already been cut down. It doesn't matter what you think of Captain Rirī. She is your superior and deserves your respect."

"Awww."

"Shut up, crazy old hag," muttered Shinji.

"Awww." I mockingly put a hand over my cheek to fake a blush. "But you're so adorable when you're angry, Shishi."

Shinji gave me a withering look. "I'll apologize on behalf of my subordinates. I'll ask that you kindly do not retaliate further."

I batted my eyelashes. "Mmm? Me? Retaliate? Hmmm. So-So, what do you think?"

"Captain Rirī is a very kind soul," Sōsuke said with a fake smile. "But it would be a shame for a repeat, the offenders might need to be made an example of."

"Hmmm. Hmm." I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Shishi, I'll let you come up with a punishment, then. No need to apologize, just make sure you give 'em a good talking to. I'd be so sad if I had to step in."

Shishi's brow furrowed, his gaze jaded. "Yes. I'm sure you would be very upset. I'll handle them."

"Thank you! Come along then, Sajin. I'll bake you some cookies," I cooed, taking my fluffy buddy. "Ooo. So-So, would you please let Yorui know?"

Sōsuke inclined his head. "Yes, Captain."

I winked at Shinji. "You're always welcomed to come along."

Shinji gave me a look of plain disgust. "No, thank you."

"Suit yourself!"

(◕▾◕✿)

Yoruichi slipped into the office with grace and poise, her eyes sparkling. "Cookies before Friday? What brought this on?"

"Sajin defended my honor," I boasted proudly. The werewolf's ears pressed against the back of his head in sheepish embarrassment. "Although he didn't kill any of them so only cookies."

"Good for you," Yoruichi praised the werewolf, reaching over and clapping him on the shoulder. "Hey, on a completely unrelated note—do you know what happened over at Kisuke's lab?"

Sōsuke and I kept our poker faces. Sōsuke portrayed the perfect air of false kindness and concern as he asked, "No, what happened?"

"Someone stole one of his subjects?" Yoruichi waved her hand. "Kisuke's in a fuss about it."

I carefully took a sip of my tea. "Wow. What a shame."

When Yoruichi looked away to peer into my cookie jar—I had filled with macrons that time—I gave Sōsuke a wink, who returned with a fleeting smile.

"C-Can we do pumpkin spice cookies?" Sajin shyly asked.

"Of course!" I said. "Whatever you want."

"Hell yeah," praised Yoruichi. "You've got excellent taste."

Sajin's eyes were bright. "Thank you."

(◕▾◕✿)

1855, December 20th

Thursday afternoons meant tea time with Genryūsai, Shunsui, and Jūshirō. The four of us met up at Genryūsai's barracks to enjoy whatever treats and tea we each brought. Jūshirō was in charge of the tea that week and he chose a sakura-lavender infusion. Genryūsai brought along daifuku, Shunsui brought arare, and I made honey-vanilla macarons.

We chatted about various things as we enjoyed tea time. It had been a chilly winter so far—not that I knew since I didn't feel temperatures as a soul—and Jūshirō was having trouble keeping his garden alive through the winter. I was about to give him some advice when suddenly—

Ah.

I could feel the very moment that my darling had been successfully reborn.

I stood up, not saying a word as I teleported directly to him.

He had been reborn in a shambled house, his mother already dead. There was another woman there—elderly—who let out a scream of surprise upon my sudden appearance. I gently pushed her out of the room with my reiatsu as I rushed to the infant stuck halfway through birth.

Since the mother was already dead, I had to cut him free. Thankfully there was already a bowl of warm water and clothes so I could clean the placenta and blood off him. The old soul recognized me the moment I touched him, and the infant was very still. He did not cry, even as confusion and anxiety clawed at him. He could not see or properly move his new body after all, and he would not remember what it was like to be birthed before.

"Hush, dear," I soothed my old friend. "Let it go."

Each inhale bound his soul further to the infant's body. One breath, two breath, three breath—

"I'm here," I assured him. "Always and always."

He struggled to hold the memories, but it was a useless effort. He was not Blessed. Death was far kinder to give him a clean slate at the start of each life.

My companions arrived about an hour after. I shouldn't have been surprised they'd find me so quickly.

"This is—" Genryūsai fell silent as he hesitated. "This is your companion?"

"Yes," I said with a big smile. "He's been reborn."

"Messy start," observed Shunsui, eying the bloody woman. Jūshirō respectfully put a blanket over her. "Who's she?"

"That was his mother. I think—" I looked over at the frightened older woman. "That's his grandmother."

"We'll give you some time," said Genryūsai as he approached the grandmother with a polite smile. "Hello—"

I held the baby in my arms, gently soothing him as my friends left the room. Once they convinced the grandmother to give me some space, they took up guarding positions outside.

Old friend, I thought with fondness. We meet again.

Almost two thousand years of waiting had finally paid off. Two thousand years wasn't much in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of years lived prior, but it was still a long time. Sometimes we would be lucky and born together, and other times I wouldn't see this old soul for several lifetimes. Two thousand years of waiting for an old friend was better than spending fifty thousand years stuck in a life without any friends.

And it wasn't like I was alone, or living a hellish life. Since I hadn't been reincarnated properly I kept all of my memories and used my abilities to keep myself entertained. Perhaps not an ideal situation, but it could have been worse.

Besides—

He was here, at last. One of my oldest friends, and among the first to purposefully reincarnate alongside me.

I owed...

I owed my friends a lot.

Without them, I would have fallen into despair so very long ago.

The very idea of getting to meet them again and experience more happy memories was the driving force behind everything I did. It kept me moving, even when the grief of losing them again knocked me down.

For them, I'd keep going.

There would be more old souls coming into the story—I suspected Ichigo would be a reincarnation of a Hero—but this one was the first.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

I continued to soothe the old soul inside until the last of his memories were gone and only Tōshirō remained. A young, innocent, newborn version of him, but Toshirio nonetheless.

Ahhh. So cute with those pudgy little cheeks.

Tōshirō's grandmother fretted near the edge of the doorway, clearly anxious to have so many Shinigami captains in her home.

I smiled kindly at her, feeling the warmth in her soul.

She'll be a very kind mother, I thought.

Which was good. My old friend had a terrible habit of growing up in some kind of bad childhood situation. If his parents weren't dead, they were usually abusing him to train him to become a demon, assassin, shinobi, whatever.

But his grandmother this life had a sweet soul, if a bit weak.

He'll grow up in a loving environment here, I thought, standing up to head over to her. Although she looks fatigued, and this house has clearly seen better days.

My friend hadn't been reborn into wealth, but that wasn't an issue. I had money to burn.

I owed my friends so much. I'd topple any challenge for their sake, they had more than earned my loyalty and devotion. Spending all of my wealth on them seemed like such a tiny thing to do.

Although it's best not to grow up too spoiled, I thought wistfully. Moderation was always the ideal way to nurture.

"I'm sorry," I kindly apologized to her. "This must be very overwhelming to you."

"Ah—not at all," she mumbled, but her expression of bewilderment betrayed the truth.

"This child has a very special soul," I told her. "I knew him in another life, if you will."

"Ah." The grandmother's face softened. "I see."

"If it's okay with you, I'd love to help out," I said, carrying the baby over to her.

The grandmother shook her head, raising her hands. "Oh, I wouldn't dare impose upon a captain."

Firmly, I stated, "It is not imposing. I want to help. Would you please indulge me?"

The grandmother struggled to respond, but after another minute of silence she nodded her head and gave me a smile only a grandmother could master. "Okay, dear."

"Excellent," I said as Tōshirō squirmed in my arms. I adjusted my grip to better hold him before handing him back to the grandmother and looking around the house. "Do you plan to live here?"

"Yes."

There were some cracks in the ceiling, and judging from the smell there was probably mold under the house.

"Welp," I said, assessing it. Gonna cash in some of my time off favors. I need to fix this place up.

But that was fine.

At long, long last my companion was here.

(◕▾◕✿)

Shunsui frowned as we left the house. "That's him?"

"That's him."

"And the others?"

"Not yet here," I said, looking up at the clear blue sky and squinting. There were clouds on the horizon—likely another snowstorm.

"He's got some crazy reiatsu for a newborn," observed Genryūsai.

"'Course," I said. "He's an old man, what'd you expect?"

"If he's an old man does that make you an old hag?" Genryūsai chuckled.

"Old soul, not hag," I said with a narrowed gaze. "Hags are nasty. They eat eyeballs. Blech."

I stretched my arms up, feeling old aches finally start to ease at the presence of my old companion. "Yosh! Now I just gotta make sure he grows up well."

"He doesn't—he doesn't have any of his memories?"

"Nope. He's in the same boat as you guys," I said with a smile. "He is who he is, and he'll grow up as Tōshirō Hitsugaya. I just want to make sure he'll be okay doing so. I mean—you understand, right? If I was reincarnated, wouldn't any of you want to take care of me?"

The three men seemed surprised at that question.

"Yes," answered Genryūsai first, his voice quiet and thoughtful. "I would watch over you."

"Yeah..." Shunsui looked away.

Jūshirō nodded firmly. "Of course."

"You'd do whatever it took to make sure I grew up well?" I said with a smile.

Shunsui grinned at that. "Sure. I'd play games with you."

"Cook for you," Jūshirō added.

"Made sure you had a good education," agreed Genryūsai.

I beamed. "Exactly. I'm going to need to take some time off so I can fix up his home and whatnot."

"Whatever you need," Genryūsai assured me.

"Kinda of surprised you didn't adopt him."

"Ewww. I've made babies with that soul. I can't—ewww. I'm not that kinky," I said with my face scrunched up in disdain.

"Wow. Did we just find something to make you uncomfortable?" Shunsui chuckled.

"Incest is not wincest."

"Finally. We've found a line she won't cross. This is a great day," chortled Genryūsai.

(◕▾◕✿)

Extra:

"Rirī. Give me back my subject."

"It's too late," I cackled. "It has been disposed of."

Kisuke drew out his zanpakutō, a dark gleam in his eyes. "I see."

I picked up Owari and grinned. "Oh-ho? Wanna play, sweetie?"

"I'm afraid you won't like this game," he warned me.

"Promises, promises!"

(◕▾◕✿)

Extra:

"Why are you like this, Captain?" Sōsuke asked me, staring at the destroyed training field after my game with Kisuke.

I reached over and squeezed his hand. "Chaos for the sake of chaos, my dear.

(◕▾◕✿)

New cover done by Cantrona!! :)

I've revised the prologue & chapter one to make more sense with the fucked up lore of Bleach.

For my wattpad readers: Pictures have been added to all the chapters for ease.

Next up: Rangiku, Gin, and the start of the Hollowfication arc! Yeehaw.

Answer: The kaleidoscope as shikai, and bankai would be a stronger version of it.

Question: If you were reborn into the Bleachverse, and one of the characters would be your very best friend from the moment you were born - who would it be?

Reviews are love!