This is my first story to publish here for a long time and my first fanstory ever writing in English. I'll add more chapters once they are finished, hope you won't be too rough with me but I'm looking forward to recieve some reviews. I'm writing this whole story for a good friend who requested it and once I started writing I couldn't think of anything else.
Since I don't know yet how much will happen I gave the story rated M.
Still looking for another title for the story, maybe you have some Ideas?

Have fun reading this and of course... all rights belong to Tite Kubo.


A childhood full of Nightmares

The sun was high, shining brightly against the purest of blue that was painted with some sweeping strokes of white.
A gentle breeze was playing with her long red hair, when she was sitting under a giant tree staring at her dragon necklace she inherited from her mother.

Her name is Reiko Asada, the last one of the Asada Clan. The Asada Clan was a noble family not as praised as the Kuchikis or Shihōins but was respected a lot. Reiko lived in the family's resident standing in Junrinan the first district of western Rukongai. There she lived with her grandfather, her parents and one of her older brothers.
When Shira, her oldest brother, died in an accident, Haruto was her only brother left. He had been training at the Shinigami Academy already and wanted to be a captain someday. Reiko just laughed at him and said he couldn't even catch her with his Hohō. Back than it was the only way of the Shinigamis Fighting Skills she knew, she hasn't been allowed to fight. Someday when Reiko had grown up she should marry a man of another noble family. But Shira knew she wanted to be a Shinigami by herself and showed her how to use Hohō. Shira also showed his little sister some martial arts techniques so she could defend herself. Secretly she kept on training even when Shira had died. She promised standing in front of his grave, she would never forget his voice and his goofy smile he only gave her. Days passed by and nothing special happened, after long useless lessons of how to speak, walk and do whatever has to be done, she spend her evenings training martial arts and her Hohō. But then at a moonless light she woke up all sweaty out of some nightmares.

Back in Reiko's dream it was hot and dark, trapped somewhere in a cave system she didn't know. Reiko could barely see her own feet or hands right before her eyes. Even if she wanted to escape she just couldn't. Once Reiko tried to move a few steps forward the heat increased until she couldn't take a breath anymore. Somewhere was a voice grumbling in the dark, she tried to understand but all she heard was that voices grumbling and her heart was pounding like hell.

Shira had already been gone for years so she asked Haruto who stared at her while Reiko told him everything she could remember. The two siblings were sitting in Reiko's room in the evening; once she ended her story their mother entered bringing them some sweets she promised Reiko. Then suddenly all they could hear was laughter and screaming. Reiko's hands were shaking when she hid herself behind Haruto. Soon those screams faded into a mixture of moaning and crying, it terrified Reiko like hell but she couldn't do a thing. Then Haruto pushed her back at the wall drawing his Zanpakuto. Suddenly the door crushed and some men were running in shouting some things about they should pray for mercy even if it wouldn't help to survive the night. Haruto defeated most of them without even getting a scratch, Reiko was so proud of him, believing he could kill all of them. But then one of them got behind Haruto and before Reiko could say a word he killed Haruto. Her brother fell on his knees, looking at his little sister for the last time, mumbling something that sounded like a sorry. Reiko got angry the same moment her brother didn't breath anymore; she grabbed her brothers Zanpakuto which transformed immediately into a Tantō. Screaming out her anger she attacked those men who slaughtered her brother. Just when the there was only one more of those bastards, she made a big mistake – she slipped cause of all the blood. The man took his chance and pierced her to the wall, she screamed tried to free herself but she couldn't even move her right arm.

When the stranger's second knife came closer she thought she was done for, she closed her eyes when her mother was screaming. Reiko didn't beg for her life if it should be over by now, so be it. However, the man screamed something and then he fell. Reiko opened her eyes cautiously, the only thing she saw back there was a pink flower-patterned piece of cloth in front of her. "Yare, yare… seems like I have been just in time to save the little Asada Princess.", said the man standing in front of Reiko, smiling at her. Looking at the knife in Reiko's shoulder he sighed, kneeling down in front of her he looked straight into her eyes once he continued talking: "I have to get this thing out of you. After that I'll make sure Unohana Taicho will heal you. Do you trust me I'll keep my word?" Reiko nodded and grabbed his Haori. "You are really a brave young Woman.", he said while he pulled out the knife. The little girl fainted and fell right into his arms.

After Reiko got fixed up and found a new friend, the Fuketaicho of the 4th Squad called Isane, she moved together with her mother and two servants who magically survived the attack, to Hokutan the third district of western Rukongai. Years passed by and she was about fifteen years old when her old nightmare caught her again. But the dream has changed a bit.

The cavern system still is dark and somehow it is a bit too hot. Reiko wants to leave the cavern but she knows once she takes a step too much it'll be as hot as hell. Somewhere there is this grumbling voice again but it comes closer. Then a wolf covered in dark flames shows up. It comes close to Reiko sitting down and staring at her. "You want to talk now little cub?", the wolf askes. She took a few steps closer to that lit up wolf, but the heat around her didn't increase. "How?", is all she asked. The beast in front of her laughed. "Don't know who I am? Or better said… who we are?", the wolf asked then another beast showed up. It was covered in the shadows but Reiko knew it was staring at her. "I am sorry but who are you? I don't really know anything, please tell me." "We are your Zanpakuto, we are…", the shadow covered wolf answered. "What is your name? I didn't understand the last thing you said!", Reiko mumbled bashful. "So you can't hear our name yet? This can happen… you ignored us for years by now. We are glad you don't do that anymore. Little cub wait a bit more and you will be able to fully understand. Don't fear us, don't fear who you are.", they said in one tongue.

Reiko woke up breathing heavy looking out of her window. It was a moonless night like the last time, the world covered in shadows and the light of torches. After shaking her head to wake up fully she looked at the wall over her desk. Their pinned to the wall was her brothers Zanpakuto which hasn't changed back after she took it to strike those men down back then. Yawning she crawled out of her bed getting her clothes together and went out for a walk. Reiko went to a tavern ordered a cup of tea and watched the people around her. Then she held her breath when she noticed a pink flower-patterned Haori. After that faithful evening she never met him a gain to say thanks.
Taking a deep breath she walked towards him, when standing near him she waited calmly until he noticed her. "Oh if this isn't the little Asada Princess.", he said with a goofy smile taking a sip of his sake. "Uhm may I sit down?", she asked blushing. He nodded watching her taking her seat. "I… Would you mind telling me your name, sir?" "Sure I'm Shunsui Kyōraku 11th squads Taicho. And what is your name little Beauty?" Reiko blushed again, he couldn't help it and laughed. "I'm Reiko Asada. Nice to meet you Kyōraku Taicho and thank you a lot for saving me back that night.", Reiko said once she found her ability of speech again. "Tell me Reiko-chan what is your dream for the future of yours?" "If my mother hasn't changed her mind I'll have to marry a man of a noble family. What I want to do or want to be doesn't care, Kyōraku Taicho." "Yare, yare… if you have to be polite at least call me Kyōraku-san. And I didn't ask for what you SHOULD do, Reiko-chan. What do you WANT to do?" Reiko sighed and answered: "I want to be a Shinigami, I have some dreams… there are some beasts talking to me saying they are my Zanpakuto. Those dreams come back from time to time. Kyōraku-san what does that mean? I don't understand it." The Taicho giggled and answered with a big grin: "It means that your wish will become reality Reiko-chan you will become a Shinigami. And if you ask me, I'd say you will be a really good one." They talked a lot and Kyōraku brought her back home telling her to go to Shin'o Academy early in the morning he would help her with all the paperwork that has to be done.

As promised, Kyōraku was waiting for her at the entrance of Shin'o Academy with a grin in his face. "Good morning Reiko-chan. Are you ready for your first step of becoming a Shinigami?", he asked when she was near enough. "Yes I am, Kyōraku-san. Even if my mother isn't happy about what is happening now. She said I shouldn't come here but I made my mind after what you said last night.", she answered smiling. "I see. But by the way inside the Academy please call me by my title. The teachers and other students might ask some nasty questions if you won't. You will take a test first, to see which classes will suit you most. Your brothers were students of the Academy too, where they? I have the feeling they showed you a few things they learned." He led her to the principals room, explained why the two of them where here and what he would expect to be done. After all the paperwork and the test were done, the Taicho left telling her she shouldn't be afraid.
She was put in 1st class of all theory subjects except of Hohō, 2nd class of Hakuda the martial arts of the Shinigami's way of fighting, 1st class of Kidō and Zanjutsu, the way of the sword. Reiko was allowed to skip the Hohō practise, because she was even faster than the last year's teacher. Her classmates welcomed her warmly and she came along with everyone. In her free time at the evening she went out training on talking to her Zanpakuto on Koifushi hill. Reiko sat down in front of a giant tree leaning back at it, she closed her eyes calmly breathed and listened to the breeze playing with the trees leafs.

Again she is in the cavern, both beasts are sitting at her side. The heat is nice and she can talk to her Zanpakuto without fear. "You are doing fine with things at the Academy, little cub. We are watching over you the whole time.", said the fire covered wolf. "It is time to tell you our names, I am Kage no Tsume.", said the darkness covered wolf. "And I am Kasai no Tsume.", the fire covered wolf grumbled. They walked away from Reiko and poked their noses together. Suddenly the cavern was shaking and both wolfs disappeared. A few seconds later another wolf came in out of the shadows. He was lit on fire, a fire with shadows inside. "Together we are your Zanpakuto 'Kage to enrō'. If you need us summon us with the words 'Tear to shreds, Kasaikage!' and you will release us into a state called 'Shikai'.", the newcomer said. He sat down in front of her rubbing is giant face against her chest, calmly growling. "Thank you Kage to enrō I hope I'll satisfy you in the future, too." The wolf giggled and said: "I'm sure you will, now go back and summon us."

Once she had been back in reality she stood up straight drawing her Tantō's, she knew which one was which wolf. The first one who ever appeared was Kasai, the second Tantō she ever held in her hands. Kage was the second wolf who appeared telling her, he was her brothers Zanpakuto before, but once she laid hands on him he somehow became part of her true Zanpakuto. She took a deep breath before she shouted: "Tear to shreds, Kasaikage!" Reiko felt her Reiatsu increasing, while the Tantō's transformed a bit. Their Tsuba disappeared and flames black and red surrounded their blades. While watching the fire surrounding the blades, Reiko laughed, satisfied with her training going on well.

After her next lesson in Zanjutsu her teacher took her to the principal where she had to show both of the men she really learned her Shikai. They tested her ability's and the principal decided she wouldn't need Zanjutsu's theory classes anymore. She also had been allowed to switch her practice class to the 5th year. As she already was here going through tests again they also tested her on Hakuda and Kidō. She was moved to Hakuda's 3rd year and Kidō's 2nd year classes. The principal also allowed her to have the day off as a gift. Happily she went home, buying some flowers on the way for her mother. But when she arrived the houses entrance was surrounded by Shinigami. A man wearing a white Haori with number 12 on it came out of the house. "Uhm excuse me Taicho is something wrong with my family?", Reiko asked while coming closer. "So you are Reiko Asada-san?", the man asked with a sad smile. Reiko nodded, she didn't understand what was going on. "Well, seems like I will be a bringer of bad news today. We had been called by a servant of your household. The poor woman showed up crying that… well how should I say it without hurting you, young lady?" "Just tell me what is going on, I don't like indirect ways. Get to the point, Taicho.", Reiko said becoming a bit angry. The captain nodded with a sigh he answered: "I'm sorry to tell you but your mother… committed suicide. Even your servant couldn't tell us why she would do something like that. I'm not feeling comfortable with asking but… do you know something why she would do that?" Reiko just stared at him, shaking her head. Her thoughts and feelings were spinning around and she couldn't think clearly. "I see well if you remember something, don't hesitate to see me at the 12th barracks. If you'll come to pick a visit, tell the guards you want to see Urahara Taicho. That's my name, I'll give order so they won't chase you away." The captain and his men disappeared and Reiko was left alone. She entered the house looking around every room, but gladly they had brought away her mother for the burial preparations. In the kitchen she found Saya-chan the only servant that still could stand to live and serve the Asada household. "Milady, I'm sorry I couldn't prepare dinner for you. I… I just came home when I saw…", Saya said with tears in her eyes. Reiko hugged the woman she knew since she was a little child. "I'm not mad at you Saya-chan, you did the right thing. I don't blame you for what has happened, always remember that, okay? And Saya-chan, please don't leave my side I still need you.", Reiko said while she tried to keep back her tears as good as possible. "I… thank you, young lady. I won't ever leave you until you order me to do so.", Saya answered with a sad little smile that faded away soon.


I hope you guys like it so far - if anyone read this please tell me what you think about it so far, chapter 2 will follow soon i think, have to change a few things will writing it down the second time but jeah I'll do my best.