"Okay, seems it's all in order." the 8th division clerk said while flipping through a stack of papers. His red curly hair was done up in a ponytail and a scruffy beard adorned his face. He finally got to the final sheet and took out his seal from a small drawer in his ornate cherry desk. He heated the tip so it would print with the ember from a nearby candle and pressed it against the paper. When he removed it, the man's name was left in red ink with a circle around it. He extended his rather hairy arm towards Yuuto with a smile.

"Welcome to the 8th Division of the Gotei 13 Protectorate Divisions." Yuuto reluctantly looked up through his dark green hair at the man. He gave him his hand and the clerk shook it tightly, "Aw come on, kid! You gotta give a better handshake than that! A man gives a firm, strong, yet delicate handshake that shows his character!" he stood up and pumped his fist in the air, "A good first impression goes a really long way! Now..." he let his hand down and looked at Yuuto while extending it yet again, "Let's try this again... Welcome!"

Yuuto extended his hand again, but attempted a more firm version of his previous falter. They shook hands and the man seemed more pleased.

"Uh... um..."

"What is it, kid?" asked the clerk while he flipped through the papers again.

"I, uh... was wondering about my placement." Yuuto asked in a quiet tone.

"Huh? Oh! Your seat... um... I think it says it here..." he scanned the pages a bit, "Ah! Here it is! It says here you are to be placed in 8th seat. Haha! That's pretty cool! 8th Division and 8th seat! Hahahahaha!!!

"Heheh... I guess that is kinda... cool." responded Yuuto quietly. The clerk took a normal-looking katana out from behind him and handed it to Yuuto.

"This will be your zanpakutou. It looks normal now, but, after a few days, it will change shape to suit you. And after a longer time it may even reveal it's name to you and you will then unlock it's hidden power!" said the clerk confidently, "Wanna see mine?!" he posed like a rock star.

"N... No that will be quite alright." Yuuto scuttled out the door clutching his new weapon in his hands, "Thank you, sir." He bowed to the man and then left, sliding the door closed. He looked up into the bright morning sky and wondered if he was really prepared for this kind of work as a Shinigami.

Yuuto stepped lightly through the 8th Division barracks. His new zanpakutou held delicately in it's scabbard in both hands. Fellow academy graduates and veteran Shinigami alike roamed the hallways of the building for living quarters. A couple of older Shinigami stared at him and his obviously unconfident expression as he strode down the wooden floors.

"Oi! New guy!" said one of the elders. Yuuto looked up at his face with an almost surprised look, "You just got your blade, huh?

"Y... Yeah. Why?" asked the puzzled Yuuto. The man looked at him with his sharp eyes. His hair was bright yellow and very short, but in spikes and a tattoo was plastered across his cheek. Another Shinigami accompanied him. This one had long blazing red hair which was braided on one side and his eyes had blue kabuki-style paint around them.

"Do you even know how to use it? I mean... you look like you just came from Rukongai! Hahaha!" the sunny-headed fellow chuckled and the flame head followed.

"I... I do. I wouldn't have gotten into this division if I didn't." spoke Yuuto with a reasonable tone. He was actually quite decent with a sword, but never acted like it outside of training or a battle.

"Oh... true. Well would you mind if we were to.. test your ability? he chuckled again and his obvious lackie mimicked him once more.

"Um... how would you do that?" inquired Yuuto.

"I was thinking of a little sparring. Me against you. On the hill outside barracks. Hour of the Ram." his lips curled into a snide smirk, "Sound good?"

"Uh, sure."

"Good! I'll be waiting at the hill. All you have to do is beat me.... if you can..." the man walked away with his follower and Yuuto stood staring at his zanpakutou. Would he really be able to do this?

The Hour of the Ram. The sun was high and it was a very cool winter day. Yuuto trudged up the steep hill just outside the 8th Division Barracks. His zanpakutou slapped at his leg from it's home on his left side. The wind was pretty strong that day and the tall grass on the mound swayed as if dancing to the wind's movement. At the top, the yellow-headed man and his crimson mopped friend stood menacingly. They both now had their blades hanging from their sashes.

"Ah! So he shows!" the yellow-haired man exclaimed. The red head burst into a chuckle only to be slapped by the other across the face, "That wasn't funny!"

"Sorry Kai." the red headed man walked away and sat down in the grass. The sun head waltzed up to Yuuto and looked down at him.

"So, kid. What's your name? It's only fair you know the name of your opponent." he exclaimed with a smirk.

"A... Aomine. Aomine Yuuto." he murmured in response.

"That's a good name. Kind of misplaced on a wimp like you, but you might change. I dunno. My name is Buingetsu Kai, but you may call me Buingetsu-sempai."

"Y.. Yes, Buingetsu-sempai."

"Good, good. Now..." Kai walked away and drew his blade. It wasn't your typical zanpakutou as it's blade was about half the normal length and quite thick in it's width. He pulled it out with the blade pointing away from him instead of the opposite direction which is the traditional swordplay method. He assumed a wide-legged stance and bent down low with his zanpakutou forward in front of him like a combat knife.

"You may have the first blow. My gift to you." Kai chuckled. Yuuto suddenly took on a look of determination and drew his blade. The sound of the steel leaving the scabbard made something turn on inside him and his normally light and cowardly stature became a strong kendo stance. He stared at his opponent looking for a plan of attack. The wind blew even harder and Yuuto's hair began to dance with the grass blades. He finally found a plan and lunged forward. Kai, thinking that Yuuto had nothing, was suddenly startled when he had reached him in a matter of less than a second.

"Sp... speed!" Kai said to himself as Yuuto's blade slashed down diagonally with a flash. Kai was barely able to counter it, but then another slice was thrown from the bottom. Grass flew into the air from the lower attack and the blade ripped through Kai's shikakushou. Yuuto followed by shifting his weight backward and jumping over Kai with a flip that changed into a slice aimed at his scalp. Kai jumped back and looked at Yuuto in amazement. Only long enough to see him break forward again, though, and slash at him once more. Kai caught it with his blade and, with great luck, pushed back Yuuto and slashed his arm. The blood began to run down Yuuto's hand through his sleeve and he lunged again.

In about four minutes, both fighters were out of breath and were equally cut up. Kai couldn't take it.

"How can some newbie fight at my same level?!" He began to think, "There is one thing that he does not have, though... I could get in a lot of trouble, but anything to win a fight."

Kai stood upright and put the palm of his hand on the end cap of his blade's hilt.

"Rend... Kurosumaru!" Kai's eye's lit up as his blade became a red flash. Yuuto was nearly blinded by the red light and he could feel the large reiatsu emitting from the sheen. He looked at the blade to see it melt and then cover Kai's hand. From this new glove, grew three long protrudings that reached down to his ankles. After the light faded, Yuuto could clearly see the shape of a gigantic clawed gauntlet that was now equipped to Kai's left arm. He stood erect and rested the weapon in his other hand.

"How do you like my Shikai? His name is Kurosumaru." Kai held it directly out in front of him so the three claw-like blades were pointing at Yuuto's face. He stared at it, entranced. The reiatsu alone was making it difficult for him to speak. Like a blade was at his throat.

"What? Badger got your tongue? Haha... maybe this will loosen it." Kai swiped at a stone pillar that held up a sign and Yuuto felt a rush of what felt like wind. The pillar stood about ten feet away so Yuuto had no idea what Kai was getting at. Suddenly three lines appeared diagonally on it and it collapsed upon itself in three cleanly cut sections. Yuuto looked at the dilapidated pillar and back at Kai. For the first time in a long time, he was scared. Scared of what this bully could really do to him. He was going to die. No doubt about it.

Kai walked up to him slowly. His sharp eyes had a killer instinct reflected within them.

"Still speechless? Guess you're just scared now... oh well. See ya, Aomine-kun." Kai reached him and raised his claw and came down hard for a death blow. Suddenly, in the confines of Yuuto's mind came a elderly voice.

"Yuuto! Fight!" Yuuto wasn't sure how, but this voice steeled his battle spirit and he quickly parried the attack. The clang of metal clashing rang in the air and the instant the two weapons collided, Yuuto's zanpakutou changed slightly in shape with a blue flash. It's blade was now longer and the yarn around the hilt changed from reddish brown to green and gold. The crossguard changed as well to the shape of a fox head. Kai looked at it and stood amazed once again.

"You... your Zanpakutou gained it's spirit's properties! Already! That... that usually takes about a week!" Kai looked terrified at Yuuto who's eyes glowed silver with reiatsu and stared him down with intent to defeat him. Yuuto began to emit more and more reiatsu to the point that it almost dwarfed Kai's in his shikai. Kai knelt to the ground and his zanpakutou returned to it's normal unreleased form. He looked up at Yuuto who saw the helpless Kai and immediately released his reiatsu emission. He returned to his more skiddish state and sheathed his blade.

Yuuto ran off to his quarters. He couldn't believe what just happened! It scared him that he was able to create such power, but he also was empowered as if it was a good thing. He was confused and had no idea how to deal with it. He finally reached his room and took out his zanpakutou from his sash and threw it to the other side as he sat down in the corner.

"Wh... what am I?!"