bleach drabble // a budding shinigami's experiences with the examination process for vice-captaincy

Title: a budding shinigami's experiences with the examination process for vice-captaincy
Author: eatsyourface
Fandom: Bleach
Rating: G
Characters: Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Kenpachi
Summary: Renji becomes a Vice-Captain.
Notes: Thanks to ebontane for betareading for me =DDD. Comments and criticisms muchly appreciated.


There came a time when Renji was to take the exam for his Vice-Captaincy. If he wanted to surpass Kuchiki Byakuya, the first thing he had to do was claw his damned way up the ladder.

The benefits of being a Vice-Captain were boundless (largely unknown). Lesser shinigami often stared up at the sky in awe, watching the vice-captains using the rooftops as their pathways (as was their privilege), flashes of black zipping back and forth. There was also the extra pay, the esteem, and the free dental.

There were, Renji was told, several components to the Vice-Captain exam. There was the obvious; a shinigami had to demonstrate his ability to use his shikai. A certain range of kidou, as well as strength in sword technique and footwork, also had to be demonstrated. (This could be prepared for.)

And finally, there was the written component.

"Yeah, you can't study for that," said Ikkaku flatly. "But if you screw it up, you can kiss any chance at getting vice-captain goodbye."

"It's either pass or fail," added Yumichika, archly. "Very elegant of them. Excellent at weeding out the weaklings."

Kenpachi only said, “What, they don’t let you beat up a Vice-Captain? Che.”

With this reassuring advice, Renji sat for his exam. He passed the physical examination, and then they stuck him in an empty hall, with one desk in the middle, and a booklet.

He sat down.

The white booklet lay there innocuously. "Abarai Renji", in black kanji, then in smaller writing, "Written Examination for Vice-Captaincy."

He opened the book.

Printed in the center of the first page (the only page, in fact), was the following question:

What is the fastest way to get around in Seireitei?

a) by using shunpo
b) by using the streets
c) by using the rooftops
d) by running very fast
e) a and b only

"Oh come on," growled Renji.