Memories of a Shinigami (BLEACH Club Members only)

[Evangel]

Mugen and Rei's first sparring match ended shortly before the teacher gave the students a break. Taking advantage, Mugen and Rei sat against a nearby wall to rest. For a few minutes, they didn't talk to each other. Rei was looking up out of a window at the sky. She had a peaceful aura about her. Mugen held his head low, enjoying her presence. He had his eyes closed, sort of day dreaming about her playing her flute. His thoughts changed to that of his sister.

He had no way of knowing how she was doing. He didn't even know how she turned out to be like. His ponderings turned grim when the thought of her being killed entered his mind. I wouldn't even be able to find her in the Rukon District. He thought to himself.

Mugen's thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand taouch his. He looked up to find Rei with a guilty look on her face and her twidling her thumbs. He smirked and chuckled.

"What!?" She asked demandingly.

"It's nothing." He chuckled again.

"Is that so?" Rei said all huffy. She then clonked him on the head where she hit him with her practice sword. "How's THAT for "nothing". Hmm?"

"Oww! Ow ow ow ow ow... That still hurts!" Mugen rubs his head more as Rei giggles. A moment after the pain passed, Mugen asked her: "So... did you settle in well?"

"Mmm.. not really. I don't think any body did." She motioned to a few of the first years, clearly exhausted already.

"You can say that again... Oh! The break's over." Mugen said as he stood up. He held out his hand to Rei and helped her up all gentleman-like. "I'm not going to loose again. Just to let you know..."

"We'll se about that." Rei returned.

She put herself into the same stance as the teacher tought them. Mugen too took up this stance. Obviously, his attempt at a more aggresive approach did little help. They circled around each other, both smirking. Mugen was the first to make a move. He tried a thrust but Rei deflected it and he was sent stumbling. He managed to regain his footing before she made a move. Rei then countered with a diagonal slash but her sword was met by Mugen's. They were not surprisenly matched. Rei, despite her innocent appearance, was a strong woman. Rei pushes him back into the wall. Pinned, Mugen had little to do. He finally slid out onto the side of her. He backed up to a more managable postition. Rei came at him.

It seemed like an eternity but was in reality only a few secoonds. Rei charged at Mugen. Expectedly, he held his sword high in a horizontal position to block her. Rei actually ducked under his arm and held her sword tip to his chin.

"I lost again!" He remarked. Rei laughed at this as Mugen pouted. "I went easy on you..." He made up an excuse.

"Yeah. Sure." She mocked.

"I did, really."

The teacher came by, she congradulated Rei on her second win. She also told Mugen why he lost the second time. "Your thoughts were in a different place." Mugen bowed his head to this but she immediatley brought his chin up and spoke again. "I could see it on your face. In a battle, all you must think about is surviving. If you don't do this, then surely you will either be killed before you even graduate or die at the hands of a Hollow." Mugen grumbled and the teacher walked off. "Yes, sensei." He turned to see Rei with a ear to ear grin on her face. It was the kind of grin that read: "Ha ha! You got in trouble." Mugen stuck his tounge at her, going "Nyah." But both then began to laugh toghether. It was then that they did know that they had feelings for each other.

[Mistress Sheena]

The impact was less than a second away, just when the sensei's shout made its way to Shino's ears. Shino frowned on the inside and immediately stopped rotating and shifted her weight and landed on her feet. She released her grip on Haruka, who fell to her knees from the shock.

“Sorry, I got carried away.” Shino apologized as she bowed to the sensei. She glanced down at Haruka and squatted down to her level. She peered into her eyes and smiled with a kind demeanor.

“Do you get it now?” she glanced around the area and met the eyes of the rest of the students.

“This is what a fight is all about. Forget about all those scraps you had at school, those are just child's play. Instead, think on a much broader scale,” she stood up and cracked her neck.

“With each bout, your life is on the line, and your opponent won't wait for you to do what you want to do. Your strikes need to be quick, precise, and strong. Take this opportunity to surpass me.”

Shino took a deep breath and placed her hand on the eye patch. “If you can't beat me, how do you expect to beat anyone?” She slid it over and was about to cover her eye with it until someone spoke up.

“Hold up a second, you whore...” Haruka stood up and dusted herself off. She cracked her neck and took a few breaths. “...Why do we have to surpass you? ...What makes you so special? ...How did you get so strong?”

Haruka's eyes glared upon Shino. Shino scratched her forehead and sighed. “I suppose we can tell you,” she said as she covered her eye with her patch.

“It started ten years ago. Shino and I were thirteen, then. We were on our way to buy some dinner, and the new convenient store had been under a robbery by the time we arrived there.”

“Can you get to the main points? Class is almost over.”

“Oh. Alright. Well, then. The main points are this; One, Shino died fighting one of the robbers. She knocked out one and the second was too strong for her. Two, because she died the way she did, she became a hollow to settle the score with him. Three, we've been in Rukongai for ten years, and during that time, Shino got much stronger. Four, as of right now, I would say Shino's strength is Shinigami level.”

“...Ten years, huh?” Haruka sighed. “Tch, I guess we really do have to surpass her.


“So, I was right. You're the exception that sensei was talking about.” a boy in the crowd said.

“Me? No. I don't have any fighting experience whatsoever. Shino and I are able to live together in this body because we're twins.”

He walked out of the crowd and had a creepy vibe that surrounded him. He was slightly shorter than her, but his hexing red eyes spoke a lot about him. His presence caused her to shiver slightly. Mai gulped as sweat trickled down her face. Something about his aura felt dark and sinister. Shino loved to fight, but this is the first time that Mai had felt a presence this intense. She cringed and covered her eye with the patch.

Shino took a breath and walked toward him. Her eye emanated an icy glare that wasn't afraid of his presence. Since he was a few inches shorter than her, she leaned down a bit and glared at him.

“Look, you. I dunno if it was intentional, but I don't appreciate you scaring my sister with your massive blood lust. If you don't cool yourself down, I'll do it for you. Got that?”

“Is that a threat, bitch?” he leaned up and glared right back at her.

“”No, It's a fact!”

“Oh? I'd like to see you try.”

“Yeah, well, you'll get your chance, bastard. Class is almost over and I don't want to get in anymore trouble on the first day.” she stepped back and cracked her neck. She walked over to where Mai's wooden sword lay.

“Running away, are you?”

Shino bent down and grabbed the handle and faced him. “Not a chance.”

The bell rang and the crowed gradually dispersed out of the room. Shino slipped the wooden sword under the sash on her waist and walked past him, rubbing her shoulder against his.

“Two weeks from now; in the courtyard.” she continued to walk past him, out of the door and towards the cafeteria for breakfast.

[Kuradic]

Kuragari watched closely as the girl with the eye patch calmed her attack, and dropped her opponent to the ground. It was unreal. Just a moment ago her style was weak, and her strikes even weaker. However he knew deep within lay a dormant power. And as the patch was previously placed over her other eye, that dormant power was unleashed. Her style was different, and apparently didn’t require a sword to use. Kuragari was bewildered at the sight of her array of attacks, but now all that remained was an even deeper urge to fight. She ended with a brief explanation of her tragic event, most of which Kuragari tuned out. However, he heard two distinct items; her name was Shino, and that her power was at shinigami level. We’ll see about that he thought to himself. As her eye patch was re-located again, Kuragari stepped forward. “So, I was right. You're the exception that sensei was talking about.”

“Me? No. I don't have any fighting experience whatsoever. Shino and I are able to live together in this body because we're twins.” Twins? he thought to himself again. This girl in front of him, who cowered in by his mere presence was not the one he wanted to fight. The eye patch was moved again, and the familiar aura re-emerged into the open. Now Shino stood before him, and she made no attempt at a friendly greeting.

“Look, you. I dunno if it was intentional, but I don't appreciate you scaring my sister with your massive blood lust. If you don't cool yourself down, I'll do it for you. Got that?”

“Is that a threat, bitch?” Kuragari shot back. Already his aggressive attentions grew wide.

“”No, It's a fact!”

“Oh? I'd like to see you try.”

“Yeah, well, you'll get your chance, bastard. Class is almost over and I don't want to get in anymore trouble on the first day.” Shino retraced her steps and stopped at Mai’s sword as Kuragari called back once more.

“Running away are you?” Kuragari said with a hint of mockery in his voice. He intended to let anger lead Shino to him, but it failed as she kept her pose. She reached down and clenched her fingers across the sword.

“Not a chance.” The students began to file out as they saw no further reason to stay. Shino sheathed her blade as brushed past Kuragari’s shoulder. “Two weeks from now; in the courtyard.” she continued to walk past him, out of the door and towards the cafeteria for breakfast.

Kuragari stared into the empty sky as he pondered what to do next. He had two weeks to get prepare for their battle. A battle to surely cause more corruption then needed. Kuragari inhaled deeply and sighed as he fingers ran through his hair. He spun around to meet an open palm rest on chest.

“You’re done talking with your little girlfriend. Now fight me.” It was the same student Kuragari had left to stare at the floor. “No running this time. I‘m blocking the entrance to breakfast, so you better raise those scrawny arms of yours. ” Kuragari scratched his head roughly, scraping off a few loose pieces of skin.

“Like I care,” he said back with a passive face. “One day without breakfast won’t kill me,” he said again pointing in the direction of the dorms with his right thumb. “See you later loser.”

“Get back here brat!” the student called out. Enraged, he sprinted after Kuragari arms high, blade in a perfect ninety degree angle. His arm came down swift as an arrow towards Kuragari’s head. Kuragari shifted his body to evade the incoming attack, and sent an outstretched palm for the students face. A loud smack vibrated across the students flourished cheeks.

“Get over yourself. You can’t beat me,” Kuragari said, his outstretched fingers now sheathing his wooden sword. And with that he exited the topless room, but he wasn’t headed for the dorms. He walked back into the hallways searching for a open space to practice. I’ll need as much practice as I can get to beat her. he thought to himself. And as the shadows of the hallways engulfed his body, a shimmer of doubt resided in him.

[Xeim]

I really can’t believe this. Not only do I have to share a room with this whore, but now I find out she’s unnaturally powerful. God help me...I had no idea this experience would be so unreasonable...I’m going to kill Satine next time I see her...

The sound of the bell shocked Haruka from her trance. It was time to eat.

She picked herself up off the ground and headed for the exit like the rest of the class. Once again she was on her way through a labyrinth of white walled hallways that twisted in various fashions leaving one unbelievably confused. But, by following her classmates as they followed the “upperclassmen,” she was able to make her way into the cafeteria.

It was a pleasant space, though lacking in the color department, and smelled of warm bread. The walls were white, with paintings of various fruits and other foodstuffs hung upon them, and the tables were a pale grey. They appeared to be made of a plastic-like substance, and we long in the bench style. Students carrying blue trays quickly filled up most of the tables, leaving only small spaces here or there for others to squeeze in. Haruka was slightly taken aback at the lack of space, but knowing complaining would get her no where she got in line for breakfast.

It didn’t take Haruka long to reach the front of the line. She grabbed a tray and a plate, and began to slide it down the buffet line. There were tons of things to choose from: cereal, eggs, hash browns, bacon, toast...but Haruka wasn’t really interested. She was still kind of dazed by her fight with Shino earlier. God...why does she have to be such a bitch?

Haruka glanced behind her to see Mai make her way over to a table and sit down. She is pretty...if only I could have that kind of figure...Oh my god did I really just think that? Ugh...she’s my RIVAL for heaven’s sake...

But it is Mai...

Same body!!!

Haruka shivered and cut her own thoughts short, grabbing a piece of toast and some cereal in the process.

“H-Haruka-chan, is...is that really you?” someone shouted from a table a few feet away. Haruka turned to see who it was. He had glossy black hair, spiked up on his head, and clear blue eyes. She knew those eyes.

“Oh...you...hmm...” Haruka broke off trying to place him.

Kaigaiishi.

“O-oh! You!” she said rather lamely. God, why do I always get this way around him?!

“Please! Sit by me...i-if you w-want to...of course...” his voice trickled off into a mumble by the end of his sentence.

“I...think I’ll do just that.” She said without really thinking. Here we go again...

They ate in silence for a few moments, neither one knowing what to say, both thinking the same thing.

What to say...

“So...”

“Um...” They began at the same time.

It’s like a stupid clichéd movie, Haruka thought miserably.

“You first,” Kaigaiishi offered. Haruka didn’t protest.

“So, what brings you here?” she asked.

“Oh you know, hunt for power and stuff,” he said calmly, averting her eyes.

“And the real reason?” she sighed, wishing she didn’t have to deal with his crap.

“Revenge,” he stated meekly, sighing in the process.

“Hm”

So, Haruka-chan...” Kaigaiishi visably blushed.

“Mm?”

“What’s your story? Why’d....” he stopped and sighed nervously. “Why’d you come here?”

“Oh...summer whim...you know, watermelon, cherries and the like.”

Kaigaiishi had no idea what she was talking about, but decided to go with it. “Ah.” He said and returned to his pancakes with.

“Shy bastard. If you don’t know what I mean just tell me!” Haruka said almost flirtatiously.

Uh-oh....

Kaigaiishi blushed profusely, and opened his mouth to continue the conversation.

[Andromeda]

“Hey, Nyuu-chan fight back some.”

Nyuu-chan, or rather Steph had been dealing with his partner’s over zealous attitude since he returned from his examine. The extended break that he had had was still not enough to give him resistance against the boy that he was facing. All it had seemed to do was give him even more strength and aggression that he acted out on Steph. His failing attempts were not pleasing the instructor either as she had to visit him frequently yelling to him what he was doing wrong. The yelling was not helping him improve though, it only made him more nervous about the next swing. He would have preferred to practice alone a while before going up against someone, it was too soon.

“My name is Steph, please use it,” Steph said weakly blocking an attack from his partner.

“Your name is Nyuu-chan until you beat me.”

‘Last thing I need…’ Steph sighed to himself. He did not really hate the name, but he would have preferred the boy to actually use his real name instead. The act of motivation was not really much encouragement for him though, since he was not too interested in being the strongest. He did not even feel like he had a purpose to being a shinigami. ‘I wonder how many of these here have a purpose for becoming a shinigami?’ There was no drive in his heart, even the mysteries that surrounded him were not an issue. It was more than obvious that he was curious and wondered what was wrong with him. He just did not feel that his questions would be answered by staying around to be a shinigami, but he did not believe that he would find the answers elsewhere either. This was simply another place to travel.

His partner continued to hammer on him with the wooden sword only giving Steph blisters. However, near the end of the session there was an individual that drew the attention of the instructor as well as much of the class. It was a young woman who appeared to be more skilled than anyone else in the room and thrived on fighting. Once she had soundly defeated the person that she was against another stepped up. Though Steph had lost track of them at that point when his surprise took his gaze to Haruka.

It was Haruka that the warrior woman was fighting and beat. Though she had not known Haruka too well it left him surprised to know that someone he knew was defeated so roughly. He did not understand why so many of the people enjoyed fighting and the rush that came with it. It was a tiring exercise that if real would mean that someone would end up severely injured or worse dead. Steph could not imagine the thought of killing someone; it was the purpose of the shinigami though. They fought monsters so that the tainted souls could reach the Soul Society. At least that was what he had grasped from the brief explanation that he had received.

However, the training session was complete at least for the time being and they were allowed to leave. Most of the students ran off to get food, still dwelling on the things that made them human. It was a pointless exercise that was a mere tease for what one had been before. All it did was remind the person of the past and that they no longer were alive. Steph had no interest in eating food; the occasional sweet was enough for him. He rarely picked out even a candy since that to was a reminder. However, the sweet taste woke him up on the long sleepy days.

‘Now where should I go?’ Steph found his way through the halls to come to rest at the stairs that lead out of the academy and further into the Seireitei. He knew not to go away from the academy, but he wanted a new view. It was however, bland and blank across the skyline of the rising towers. In spite of that Steph sat himself down near the bottom of the steps. The edges of the steps were rounded from the many feet that had traveled them over the thousands of years. It was barely comfortable for him, but he could lean against it to taste the breeze wash over him.

Steph remained in peace letting the surroundings pass him by until someone interrupted him. The person deliberately stepped next to him pretending to trip, but recover himself in time. It was a young man much older in appearance than him and looking like he wanted a fight. There were two more with him that was staying behind him.

“What’s a child doing in the academy? Shouldn’t you be outside in the Rukon with all the rest of the filth?” The other two laughed at the comment as though it was supposed to be funny. Steph ignored the man hoping that he would just leave him. That was not the case though. “You trip me and now you ignore me as well? Brats don’t have any manners these days.”

“They need to learn to respect their upperclassmen,” one of the two friends said chiming in from the side.

“I think you’re right,” the man said clapping his fists together.

‘Just like Rukon, there’s always someone looking for a fight. No where to run to though…’ Steph stood up dusting himself calmly; it was a common thing that he had gotten used to now. For him seeing a bully was hardly a frightening occurrence, but he still did not plan to fight. He looked up at the three men that began to surround him on the stairs. “My apologies for getting your way. Hope you were not hurt.”

The one that had tripped over Steph broke his twisted face of anger for a moment a little surprised by Steph sudden apology. He had been expecting an easy-triggered fight. “No, but you made my pants dirty.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be going now.” Steph said starting to turn, but he was grabbed at the arm stopped from moving.

“Where you think you’re going? Sorry, doesn’t cut it kid. If you’re really sorry you’ll lick the dirt off my pants.”

‘How crass…just looking for a reason now.’ Steph sighed to himself and bowed again in apology. “I’m afraid that the warm breeze has dried my mouth. I must be going now, I don’t want to take up anymore of your precious time.”

“Sweet talking won’t get you out of this.”

Steph pulled his arm out of the hold of the man and broke from the group jumping over the stairs. However, they were faster than him and were already after him before he could clear the stairs. The young man ran his fist through Steph’s cheek sending him across the ground the rest of the way. Steph’s back scrapped across the rough stone slowly coming to a stop against the wall. He blinked once regaining his senses feeling a wet tickle at his chin. His hand brushed against his lip and chin picking up blood for him to confirm. ‘This is quickly getting worse.’

[Oathkeeper13]

Zenoah jumped in the air with his sword above him and did a vertical slice as he laded on the ground. He then swung more vertical and horizontal attacks. He then held his sword horizontal. Pretending he was actually fighting a opponent in battle.

“Alright here we go, BLAST!!!!”

He started to thrust his sword has fast as he could. The speed the blades was being pushed back and froth started to make afterimages, but He could no longer hold that pace. Zeno did on last sword thrust as hard as he could. He then stabbed the sword on the ground using it to keep himself up on his feet. He sweat dropped to the ground off his face after training who knows how long. He was breathing heavily, and he felt like the whole room was 1,000 degrees hot, but of coarse he knew it was him swing his sword.

“……now I know how the sun feels. Oh gawd it’s hot in here……….”

After gaining his strength back he heard the bell ring for food. Zeno’s eyes lit up like he just one the lottery.

“Alright!!!!! FOOD!!!!!”

Zeno then shot off running down the white never ending hallway. As he ran down the hallway the faster he ran.

“food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food!!!!”

He screamed has he bolted down the hallway not caring who saw him or heard him. When he finally found the doorway to it. He stopped skidding right in front of it. He looked inside and saw all the students in line. Zeno made a phist and held infront of him.

“Damn I was too late. I can’t wait in this firkin long ass line. There’s got to be away. Hmmmmmmm okaye lets see. I scream out loud saying theres two hot chicks fighting. No then the girl students will just all gang up on me. Hmmmmm okaye what if punch one guy in the face and said that someone else did it. Then while everyone is fighting I help myself to all the yummy food. Hehehehh YES It’s perfect.”

Zeno giggled to himself then went into the back of the line, to start off his plan. He looked around to make sure no one was looking. When he finally looked to see who was in front of him. It was a big guy that was two times Zeno size. He looked at the giant and sighed.

“Or I can just wait in line……………………….damn it.”

When he finally got his tray he got nothing but pancakes and syrup. He then fast walked over to a seat, sat down, and started eating. He ate so fast that people around him were watching him.”

[Mistress Sheena]

As Shino walked toward the cafeteria, she noticed a boy wander off and remembered there was a child in her class. So perhaps he was not what he appeared to be. She shrugged it off and continued on to the cafeteria. She switched her patch to Mai because her performance was done. Mai rubbed her belly and went to the end of the line and picked up a tray and her utensils. She wondered what they served for breakfast.

As the line went by, she noticed Haruka and another boy she sat next to. They seemed to be nervous to one another, though Mai hadn't the slightest clue as to why. Mai got her breakfast and it was pancakes. She licked her lips and made her way to Haruka. When she got closer, she noticed a few features on Haruka's body that stood out to her.

“Haruka looks so cute... She has such nice slender curves and lips that yearn to be kissed.” she thought to herself. Shino overheard the thought and suppressed a chuckle and kept her comments to herself.

Mai lost track of herself and noticed that she arrived at Haruka's table. She blushed immediately and poked Haruka on the side of the shoulder. She bit her lower lip and thought about the comments she made about Haruka earlier.

“Haruka-san... may I sit next to you?” she smiled sweetly.

“Uh... sure.”

“Thank you, Haruka-san.” Mai placed her tray next to Haruka's and sat down. She cut her pancakes into several pieces and took a bite. She licked the syrup from her lips and glanced back to Haruka and looked at her lips and blushed. She took her napkin and wiped her mouth and put her finger to her lips and continued to blush.

Oh, what am I doing... why do I have thoughts like this? I didn't think like this before. Although... she really is pretty... she thought to herself as she continued to eat her meal. Mai was just about finished with her meal when she sighed and took another glance at Haruka. She smiled as she blushed and glanced back to her plate and finished the last bite.

Just then, Shino had an odd feeling and her patch switched. Shino looked around the area and didn't see the boy she saw earlier in the cafeteria. Either the boy decided not to eat, or something was happening. She wasn't one to jump to conclusions, but her gut was right when a student barged in and made an announcement that “Nyuu-chan” was being beaten up.

Shino stood up and cracked her knuckles. She took a last glance at Haruka and the guy she sat with and leaned down and whispered in Haruka's ear. Her chest rubbed against Haruka's shoulder subconsciously.

“I think Mai has a thing for you, Haru-chan.” she chuckled softly as she put on a serious glare and went up to the student.

“Lead the way, kid.” she stared with an icy glare.

The messenger student gulped and nodded nervously and ran out of the cafeteria with Shino in tow. It took a few minutes, but the student pointed out where it was and Shino's eyes flared up when she saw “Nyuu-chan” with bloodstains. She clenched her fist and told the student that he could leave. He did as suggested, but went to get a sensei just in case.

As the leader of the pack was about to land a punch to Nyuu-chan again, she leaped in at the right second and took the attack for him. She spun from the impact and hit him in the back of the head with her fist. She glared at him and stood in front of a wounded Nyuu-chan.

“If there's one thing I don't like more than rap music, it's people like you. Bullies, are what you are.”

“What of it, woman? You going to do something to stop us? You're out numbered.” he glared right back at her.

“Numbers aren't important right now. Your skills combined don't even compare to mine. Either leave quietly or in a stretcher. Take your pick.”

“Cocky, are we? Then it's time for us to teach you a lesson! Get her, guys!”

“Yeah!” they said in unison as the three attacked her simultaneously.

The three of them threw punches in unison and she ducked and split her legs and kicked two of them in their midsection and spun her legs around in a capoeria motion to knock them off of their balance. She stood up and dusted herself off.

“Just as I thought. No talent whatsoever. I barely did a thing and already you fools are on the ground.”

The crew cursed at her and stood up and took a few breaths before they charged at her once more. She shook her head in pity and dodged their excuse for attacks and turned on her heel and spun behind them and sent a chop to the back of their necks and caused them to go unconscious for a while.

Just in time as a sensei came to see about the situation. They immediately jumped on Shino's case.

“Relax, sensei. They're not injured. I just put them to sleep.”

“...Oh. Well, then. Good work. Breakfast is almost over and it's almost time for your Kidou class, so get ready.”

“Yes, sensei.” Shino said as she bowed.

She cleared her throat and turned to face Nyuu-chan. She knelt down and put out her hand and smiled.

“Do you need a hand, Nyuu-chan?”

“I have a name... Please call me Steph,” he said as he coughed a bit. “By the way... who are you? I saw you in class before..”

“Oh, me? My name's Shino.”

“...Why did you help me?”

“Because I hate bullies, Steph-kun.” she looked away from him for a moment to suppress her blushed cheeks.

Damn, why does he look so cute?! she thought to herself.

She scratched her forehead and sighed. She picked up Steph and carried him on her back as she made her way toward the Nurse's quarters. He was patched up rather quick and they walked together the rest of the way to the Kidou class.

[Kuradic]

Kuragari’s body emerged from the shadows of the hallway and found himself outside staring at a large open area. The leaves in the trees rustled calmly, flowing with the calming wind. The breeze was just as gentle to his face as it was to the leaves. Kuragari stretched his arms out wide as he leaned back onto the soft padded dirt. Maybe I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast he thought to himself. His eyes weighed heavy as the continuous breeze calmed and relaxed his muscles. I’ll just eat brunch he thought as his vision turned to darkness. He awoke shortly after at the sound of someone screaming. He yawned heavily and saw a student running in the direction of the cafeteria. This might prove interesting. He pushed off the ground and started off after the student. He seemed to be in a real rush; Kuragari kept behind him though, eager to find out what was happening. He stopped his chase as the student barged through a pair of double doors. Kuragari rested behind the door his arms crossed, his ears pressed against the wall. He heard a muffled shout, all saying the same thing, but he couldn’t make it out. The student seemed to be right across the wall when he screamed the final time. Kuragari made out the words “Nyuu-chan is being beaten up!” Tch I came all the way here just to find out some person’s being bullied? What a waste of time. He was about to start heading back when the doors were thrown open again. As the door swayed back and forth, he noticed the student had a new companion by his side. Shino! he screamed in his head. Heh, I spoke to soon, as always. He followed behind silently. It was a quick run leading to small outside area. Kuragari remained in the hallway’s masking shadow as Shino ran out to help a young boy with a bloodstained shirt.

“If there's one thing I don't like more than rap music, it's people like you. Bullies, are what you are.” Shino called out to the group of guys. How’d the kid get beat by those three? he laughed to himself.

“What of it, woman? You going to do something to stop us? You're out numbered.” screamed what seemed to be the leader.

“Numbers aren't important right now. Your skills combined don't even compare to mine. Either leave quietly or in a stretcher. Take your pick,” Shino called out to them again, much more threateningly.

“Cocky, are we? Then it's time for us to teach you a lesson! Get her, guys!”

“Yeah!” they all called out in unison, their stomping feet matching their loud voices. Idiots…Kuragari thought again shifting his head back and forth. A few minutes passed before Shino successfully knocked down all 3 of the bullies. A teacher came running into the scene throwing accusations at Shino.


“Relax, sensei. They're not injured. I just put them to sleep,” Shino said innocently. She responded rather quickly, as she had already anticipated the accusation.

“...Oh. Well, then. Good work. Breakfast is almost over and it's almost time for your Kidou class, so get ready,” the teacher said, slightly taken back.

“Yes, sensei.” Shino said as she bowed. Shino turned on the boy covered in blood. They exchanged a few sentences before he was hoisted onto her back. Through it all however, Kuragari only cared about one thing he saw. She blushed. Ha-ha, she must like him. I feel sorry for whoever that is he thought to himself covering his mouth. His gaze came back up as Shino began to near his location. And at that moment he saw who she was carrying. Steph! She likes Steph? Ah great, I have to live with someone who’s girl friend is a total whore. Caught up in his own thoughts Kuragari didn’t notice Shino was getting even closer. Soon she would be able to see him. Gah! I need to get out of here. Kuragari closed shut his eyes tightly. I wish I was back at the open field. With this thought came the image the of field, and a bright white flash. Kuragari’s head spun and he found himself driving face first into a hard concrete wall.

“Owl!!! What the hell was that,” he screamed wiping off some blood from his nearly broken nose. Oh no, Shino. He spun on his heels to see that they were gone. He was back in the open field, the sun’s rays bearing down on his beaten face. “How did I-, What’s going on.”

“You used shunpo,” came a voice from behind.

“Huh?” Kuragari turned around and found the teacher that found Shino gazing down at him.

“Shunpo I said. It allows you to move much faster then normal. You’re surprisingly faster then me,” pushing up her glasses with her left index finger.

“Shunpo? Where have I heard that before?” Kuragari tried to re-call the moment he first heard that word. With the shinigami! When he brought me to my dorm. “Ah, just like the shinigami said.”

“What was that?”

“Uh, nothing. Just reminiscing. How’d you know I’d come here anyway?”

“I didn’t. I said you were faster, doesn’t mean I can’t keep up,” the teacher responded curling her lips into a small smile. “You’ll be late for you Kidou class,” she said after a pause. She pointed behind her saying, “It’s where Shino was. Just go inside and take a left from there.”

“I’m not going to another class,” Kuragari said through pursed lips.

“You’ll need it to beat Shino,” she returned mockingly

“Eh… How’d you- never mind,” Kuragari said stubbornly, crossing his arms again. “Fine… I’ll go. Just lea-” Kuragari stared at the empty space where the teacher had stood before. How un-original. He stared into the floating white cotton placed into the deep blue sky. The rays of the sun causing different colors of the spectrum to appear. Each beautifully adorned off of the sun’s location. Such a nice view… I guess I can miss class once more. Just to…see…this…view. Though he would have enjoyed to stare forever onto the beautiful scene, it abruptly came to and end as the shining bright sun was replaced with a white glowing globe. What! What’s going on? The bright blue sky was replaced just as quickly with a blanket of the night sky. It would have been another good view, if the moon wasn’t quickly changing into a bright red color. Kuragari staggered back at the view, and stared down at his strange hands. From the tips of his fingers came the same color as the moon, pouring down to the floor. Out from the midst of the shadows formed a blade. The blade hovered about motionless, however the blood wasn’t so unresponsive. It shot out from its puddle and streamed towards the tip of the sword. It spiraled around the sword and wrapped it in its glowing red color. The blade accepted it like a welcomed visitor, taking it into its home. Silence grew as Kuragari could not find the courage to move. The sword broke this silence with an eerie screech. It rang aloud, and echoed throughout the soundless night sky. Shortly after the blade began to shift and swerve, attempting to take some type of shape. Kuragari stared bewildered at the monstrosity that stood before him. It was a behemoth. Large in size, bearing fangs larger then that of a dinosaur. Its gray fur grew out from the base of its neck, its brown fur streaked with the color of Kuragari’s blood.

For the first time, in who knows how long, Kuragari felt fear. Real fear deep within his heart. This creature’s reiatsu was more then he could have ever imagined. Though he hardly knew anything of reiatsu, he knows what it can do to someone of inferiority to it. And right now, Kuragari was the inferior being. Nothing moved, not one finger, and the air seemed stiff, chocking him, stripping him of what remaining air he had left. The behemoth stared deeply into his eyes, its yellow orbs taking in everything about him. Kuragari gasped desperately for air, wheezing at ever pitiful attempt. His vision blurred every second he stayed in this condition. The behemoths law claws shattered the ground with ever step it took closer to Kuragari. Kuragari could no longer hold his conscious, his vision failed him, and the behemoth was stripped from his sight. He heard the beast utter one sentence before he lost conscious. “My name is…”

[Andromeda]

He had been ready to accept what was going to happen to him and survive through it. The Rukongai provided plenty of skirmishes for him that he had been used to taking a beating. It was not something that he relished, but he also did not like fighting. He never fought back against anyone that bullied him; he just did not have it in him to swing his fist. Steph could barely even get angry with them he did not care enough. It would be gone eventually and he would move along.

This time however, he was rescued by the warrior woman from earlier. She had a fierce look in her eyes one that he could not empathize with, anger and rage. The three men that were ganging up on him were taken out quickly without much further injury that he had initially received. It amounted to mostly bruises and minor cuts, his clothes were dirtier than his appearance.

“Do you need a hand, Nyuu-chan?” the woman said looking down at him. He was short to begin with being on the ground only furthered to make his appearance more childlike and meek.

‘Nyuu-chan…even she’s calling me it. And it’s a name that sticks too, I’ll never be rid of it now…’ Steph sighed softly to himself as he wiped some dirt from his hands. “I have a name…Please call me Steph.” His chest was feeling tight suddenly around his throat causing him to cough in his speech. “By the way…who are you? I saw you in class before.”

“Oh, me? My name’s Shino.”

“…Why did you help me?”

“Because I hate bullies, Steph-kun.”

‘Well lets hope that name sticks. I’d rather forget the memories of the past if possible…’ He caught a glimpse of the woman turning red for a moment leaving Steph confused. It seemed a little strange that such a strong woman would be shy about something. ‘Guess she’s human after all.’ After shaking it off Shino picked him up and started to carry him back into the academy. ‘I’m not that injured.’ They arrived in the medical ward of the academy smaller than the one that he had visited; it was more like a nurse’s office than complete facilities.

Shino finally let him walk on his own into the office. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to carry me,” Steph said bowing to her.

“Yeah, well…”

“Is there something wrong?” the woman at the desk said as Steph approached. As he approached it became clear to the woman. “Oh dear, poor child you’ve been hurt. Come around back.” Steph followed, though with some reluctance with his last visit. He did not think that his injuries were very severe to require tending. The nurse had him lay down the bed removing his shirt to tend to the bruises. He had several small cuts that he did not realize with his shirt covering them up.

“You get into a fight with someone bigger than you?” the nurse said making idle conversation while Shino remained at the entrance.

“Uh no…it was one sided.”

“Bullied huh? I guess children like yourself are easy targets being so small.”

“Its alright, I’m used to it.”

“That’s not something I like to hear.” The nurse finished up with his cuts and let him dress himself. Steph stood up quickly tucking his shirt in at the waist. “Now I don’t want to see you in here again, okay?”

“Alright, thank you,” Steph said bowing to the woman.

“At least not without someone else to tend to as well,” she said teasing him lightly.

Steph smiled to her and returned to the front of the office. ‘Waiting on me?’ He gave Shino a smile as well as thanks. She took the lead walking him to their next class. While they were on their walk Steph untied his hair. It had become a mess from being tossed around by those men that attacked him. He let his hair fall down around his shoulders while he smoothed it out with his fingers. “Thanks again for stopping them,” Steph said smiling up at Shino.

Shino looked away again softly coughing to herself to regain her composure. “Just can’t stand bullies.”

They reached the class finding some students already gathered inside. The instructor was standing in front watching the students as they entered. It was an aging man, though still with some youthful shine in his face still. He waited until everyone had arrived before beginning the class. Steph had found his own place a distance away from Shino who had departed company shortly after they reached the room.

“Welcome to the Kidou class, I’ll be your instructor. What you’ll learn here is foundation knowledge and basic execution of a kidou spell. You will not learn every spell. The lowest spells will be enough to train you. You should know that there are two types of kidou spells binding and destructive. In addition is healing, but that works a little differently.”

The man continued for a little longer talking about theory and explaining how to control spirit energy, but Steph became lost at that point. He had done it briefly when being examined, but he did not even know if it was the same method. Steph tried to concentrate and follow the instructions hoping that some of it would eventually make sense to him, but it was all abstract. ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever understand this…’

“You child!” the instructor said suddenly snapping Steph out of his internal debate. He looked down at the instructor from the large lecture hall. “Yes, you come down here.”

“Yes, sir!” Steph did not hesitate in moving quickly to the front of the hall uncertain why he had been called. ‘I wasn’t talking out loud was I?’ The instructor placed a hand on Steph’s shoulder firmly shaking him to the core. He quickly pulled down the shoulder of his shirt revealing the few bandages that he had on. The audience laughed at Steph’s embarrassment.

“Quiet!” the man shouted making his voice suddenly reverberate through the walls enough to make the dust shake. “Now I noticed when you came in that you had some recent injuries. You’ll make a perfect example. I shall demonstrate the difference between healing and binding spells.” The man’s hand began to glow blue suddenly as he placed his palm against one of the small cuts Steph had. When his hand pulled away the wound was gone completely.

“With simple injures like this one can heal quickly, larger injures will require more effort and bandages even afterwards. Now for the binding spell.” The instructor stood in front of Steph suddenly placing his hand out at his body. “Bakudo number one, Restrain!”

Steph had his arms pulled back behind him unable to move them an inch. The swiftness nearly knocked him off his feet. He stopped straining against the invisible force knowing that he would not be able to pull free of it. It was uncomfortable as his shoulders were tense against the joints. Though it was more uncomfortable being in front of everyone.

“A well trained shinigami can use Kidou without the need of the incantation, however I doubt any of you are at such a level that you are able to do that.” After he finished speaking Steph was released from his bonds holding his wrists to regain the feeling back. “Since you’re here anyway, lets see what you got. First concentrate your spirit energy.”

‘Put on the spot…it took me so long the last time and it was embarrassing.’ Steph nodded to the instructor buying himself time to try to remember what he needed to do. If all he had to do was what he did last time he figured eventually he would be able to do it. He closed his eyes bringing an image in his mind, at least trying to do that, for him to focus around. Time passed and there were whispers in the quickly disinterested audience of the hall, but the instructor silenced them with a look. Steph held his focus uninterrupted finally producing a very small sphere in his palm, marginally larger than before.

“Well its better than nothing…” the instructor said before having to silence the laughs. “Now try to heal yourself as I did. Remember what I said.”

Steph knew that he could not even speak as his mind was already becoming distracted. He did not even allow himself a nod to acknowledge the man. The thought of healing the wounds was an encouraging feeling for him; it would remove the signs from his body. He would not have to have people looking at him needlessly and the slight pain would be gone. His lip still hurt every time he spoke as it cracked open breathing the stinging air.

His hand that was holding the sphere allowed it to fall into his palm absorbing it in his palm as the instructor had said. Steph could feel the warmth flowing through is hand easing the pain, but before he could place it on his wound it covered his arm. Then it surrounded his shoulder and chest until it covered his body. In a moment all of his wounds closed up quickly and released the tension from his muscles. All over his body there was a warmth internally that felt as though there was a bon fire burning inside him soothing his injuries.

The instructor stepped back in surprise. “Uh, well that was unexpected. You seem to have some talent for this in spite of your rather little spirit energy. One last thing before I let you return to you seat to practice. Put a binding spell on me.”

“Sir? But I…”

“Its practice, you won’t hurt me. Let’s see what you got. You have me curious.”

“Well I…” Steph timidly approach the man holding his hands in each other. He did not think that he would be able to do something so complex. It seemed simple for the man, but he was skilled. He could barely focus his own spirit energy. The instructor insisted further grabbing his hand and putting it in place facing himself. Steph weakly swallowed before he recited what the instructor had said for the spell, but he paused and stuttered frequently.

“You aren’t focused, try again!” Steph tried again, but he faired no better. “Quit being scared and just do it!” the instructor yelled at him frightening Steph that he forgot what to say.

“Bakudo number one, Restrain!”