Bleach: The Exiled Captain

Chapter TwentyThree: Friendly Competition

As Jason opened the door from Squad Four, the rays of sunshine blinded him, allowing him only to see four shadowy figures. Once his eyes began to see clearly he saw his friends: Ash, Stephen, Botsu, and April.

"Where have you been, blondie?" Ash asked.

"The better question is how you became Captain?!" Stephen jealously questioned. "Is that Old Man losing his mind to give you such a position!"

"Someones envious." Botsu teased at the asian.

"Shut up four eyes!"

"Great to see you guys too." Jason smiled. He then turned his attention towards April. "Hey, hows it been?"

April's cheeks were flustering red as she stayed quiet. Then, as if a bottle full of joy popped, she ran towards Jason and gave him a bone crushing hug.

"Where have you been!" April interrogated him as tears ran down her eyes. "I was worried you had been injured or even worse-killed!"

"I-I'm. So-Sorry." Jason managed to let out.

April finally let him out of the hug. She then sniveled at him, "Well. As long as you're now okay."

Her face was now wet with tears, however Jason went up to her and wiped them off with his hands. "Sorry for making you worry, but I won't ever disappear again."

"By the way Jason. Where have you been the past few days?" Ash asked.

"Well its a long story and I don't want to bore you guys."

"So, you just don't want to tell us the secret to become a captain in five days?" Botsu sarcastically told him. "We see how it is."

"No, its not that, its just that..." Jason tried to come up with an explanation and finally found one. " ...I was told to keep it a secret from everyone else."

The four other soul reapers plus his lieutenant just stared at him, knowing that he was badly lying to them.

"You know what." Stephen said at last. "Even if you don't want to tell us your secret on how you became captain. I bet I can still beat you in a fight!"

Jason rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt it."

"Want to test it you blonde?" Stephen declared.

"No need to test it if I already know that I will win." Jason responded back.

Their faces now clashed towards each other, sparks of electricity beginning to form in the air, however Botsu and Ash decided to stop this.

Ash grabbed Jason by the ear, "Come on sparky, no time for that."

Botsu followed Ash and grabbed Stephen's ear, "What he said, we don't have time for this dragon breathe. Ash, you better calm down Mr. Battery over there."

"Don't tell me what to do." Ash responded annoyed. "Why don't you calm Mr. Dino over there."

Now in front of the eye's of Nozomi and April was the battling and name calling of the four guys. April just awkwardly stood there; not knowing how to handle the situation. Meanwhile the girl with emerald hair annoyingly looked towards her Captain fighting like a little kid.

This is not how a Captain should act. Nozomi thought. Yet I can't stop this feeling of happiness that he hasn't changed over the past fifteen years; even with his new responsibility. I should probably apologize to him for being so harsh. It's the only right thing to do, since...

"...Jason is the one I love." She whispered out in the open as she saw him rampage.

"Did you say something?" April noted.