Hey guys! I re-wrote this chapter and will be re-writing one or two more because I feel like they hinder the quality of the rest of the story. I wrote the original a long time ago and it doesn't mesh very well with my more recent chapter additions. I hope you like this one, enjoy!

I sighed, both in happiness and annoyance. I was happy it was morning and annoyed that it was early morning. I was certainly not a morning person. I got up, brushed my teeth and got dressed. I brushed my shoulder length silver hair and brushed unwanted sleep from my violet eyes.

I quickly ate breakfast and took off for school at a break-neck pace. I wasn't thrilled about going to school today, especially on a beautiful day like today. I eventually made it to school, panting from the exertion and shielding my eyes from the bright sunlight.

"Ohayo Ichigo-san!" I heard someone call. It was a light voice, female.

I turned and saw a girl with long orange hair and bright doe eyes greeting an orange haired boy who had just arrived.

I saw Ichigo Kurosaki, a boy in my class, walking up to the school gate. The girl who greeted him was Orihime Inoue, a good friend of his.

Then a very tall, quiet boy joined them and a blue haired boy with glasses followed. Chad and Uryuu, two more friends of Ichigo's.

I observed them for a minute. I had never spoken to them; I only knew them by the fact that we shared an occasional class. It was odd, I didn't know them but they had an oddly heavy presence in the school.

I sniffed as I observed the school itself. I was in no mood for an oppressive school day and suddenly couldn't stomach the idea of going. I slipped out the front gate unnoticed.

I wandered the streets aimlessly, taking in the early sounds and sights of the day. I earned a few stares because of my school uniform but otherwise I was left alone. I wouldn't care if they had; it isn't like my parents were going to do anything about it.

It was much later in the day when I found myself in an area I had never been before. I happened across a store just then. It was small and relatively unimpressive. I was about to move on when a shadow caught my eye. On closer inspection I saw that it was more than a shadow; it was a cat. It was sleek and coal black, loitering in a small gap between the store and its neighbouring building. Its yellow eyes shone brightly in the dark like gold coins and rested on me for a minute. I found the stare uncomfortable and penetrating. I didn't like cats. Something about them just got under my skin like an itch you can't scratch. It padded towards me and sat down at my feet, head cocked to one side. I pulled a face and started to move away from the furry thing.

"Are you Kitsune Yoru?" I heard a male voice ask from somewhere. I scanned the area around me. No one else was here. It was silent save the sound of a light breeze. I pulled a face and started to walk away.

"I asked you a question." The male voice came again.

I whipped my head back and forth, trying to find where this mystery voice was coming from.

"Down here girl."

My eyes found the black cat again. There's no way...

"Yes, I am talking to you girl."

There was no doubt about it. The cat was talking.

I squatted down so we were almost eye level, squinting in disbelief, "What are you?"

"My name is Yoruichi, and what I am doesn't matter. I have specific instructions to deliver you to the soul society."

I blinked, "Weird. You look so real."

"What are you talking abou-gah?!"

His speech was cut off as I plucked the cat up by its scruff and shook it. It felt just like a real cat and it weighed close to the same as well. I didn't hear any metal or plastic shift around and the loud sounds of annoyance didn't sound prerecorded. The thing that looked like a cat whipped around and bit me hard enough to make me drop it.

I hissed in pain and sucked on the shallow wound which was welling up with blood.

"I do not appreciate being shaken," the cat robot said coldly.

"Yeah well I needed to see what you are. I don't know quite yet, but you're well-made."

Its eyes narrowed. "So you are under the impression that I am not a cat?"

"Well obviously, cats don't talk."

"You are correct, I am not a cat. Do you want to find out what I am?"

I considered the offer. Seeing what made this thing tick would be interesting and besides, it's not like I had anything better to do.

I nodded curtly at the cat. "Alright, show me."

Silently it turned and slunk into the shop leaving me standing alone outside. I slipped into the store behind it. The store had a random assortment of products lining the walls. Nothing particularly cool caught my eye. We quietly made our way to a basement at the very back of the store. After descending a ladder with the cat on my shoulder I discovered that is more like an underground arena than anything else. This thing was miles wide and tall, how could someone build this underground? The floor was covered in sand. I vaguely wondered how deep it went.

"What is this place?" I asked the fake cat as I looked around me in awe.

The cat answered after jumping to the ground. "This is a sort of training ground. It belongs to a friend of mine. But we need to go further in."

"Huh. I didn't know robots could have friends," I commented.

The fake cat didn't answer and began walking. I followed in step. After a solid five minute walk I began to see something come into view. It was a door. As we neared it I became certain; it was definitely a door. Eventually we were at it's base. It must have been close to two stories high at least.

I whistled. "This is some door."

"Come, we have precious little time." The door opened suddenly and the cat thing shot through it.

"Hey, wait! Where does that go?" I called out. But it was too late; the fake cat was already through the door. It's small shape was rapidly shrinking. I stood there for a moment, immobilized by indecision. With a sharp, impulsive thought of "well screw it" I ran after it.

We were in a large dark tunnel. The outer edges looked like rock. I ran as fast as I could until I managed to catch up to the cat.

"Hey, slow down!" I called out, panting.

GRAAAAA!

I look back and I saw an enormous leviathan with glowing yellow eyes advancing on us. I booked it, arms pumping, legs propelling me forward. What in God's name is that? First talking cats and now this? What is going on?! I saw another door with light streaming through it at the end of the tunnel. The sounds of the beast were getting closer. Finally, we reached the door and the cat and I shot through it, narrowly missing being devoured. I sat on the ground, panting heavily, trying to catch my breath.

But the cat had other plans, "Hurry! We have no time to waste!"

I swatted at the cat, but it danced out of the way before my palm could make contact.

"I," I began with my voice filled with irritation, "am taking a breather. What was that thing anyway? It it like you?"

The cat pulled a face. "That is nothing like me. And we do not have time for a breather. The only way to get you in is through this brief window of time I have set up, now get up!"

It rushed forward and nipped my ankle, not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough to annoy me. I lashed out and tried to smack it again but it scampered away and kept going, not pausing to see if I was following.

I struggled to my feet, not wanting to get left behind when I had no idea where I was anymore, and rushed after it.

"Where are we going anyway?" I called to the cat.

Without turning around, the cat replied, "To the city of Soul Reapers. To Seireitei. And getting you inside is no easy task, but I have a way."

We ran across dirt paths and around houses that were in shambles but remained inhabited. After many twists and turns we reached a house with an enormous chimney, one that pierced the sky itself.

A girl came out holding a white glass sphere. We came to an abrupt halt in front of her. She regarded me with a flat, serious face.

The cat looked at me, "Take it, and step inside!"

"Why? Why do I need to do any of this? You still haven't shown me what you are and I am sick of running!" I barked at the creature.

The cat frowned, as much as a cat can, and said, "Too bad. Unless you want to be abandoned here, I suggest you do as I say. There will be more running and far worse to come."

I felt frustration build in my chest, "I don't want this! Take me home!"

"No. We are past the point of no return. We were past it the moment you followed me into the store. Now take the ball."

I gritted my teeth so hard I thought they might crack, but I did as I was told.

As my hands closed around the sphere, a deep, dark hole opened in the ground right below me. I felt myself fall before hitting something with a thump. It was pitch black, except there was an opening a dozen feet up that showed blue sky. A small shape descended beside me, and I could just see two glowing yellow eyes.

"Ready?" asked the stupid feline.

"No, but something tells me you don't care."

It blinked, and had I been able to see clearly I'm sure it would have been smirking, "How right you are."

I felt a rumble, it was small at first but it gained momentum until I couldn't even think. Then, I felt like I'd been shoved, and the idiotic animal and I were shot up and out and we flew. I felt the G force on my body pinning me to the floor of whatever we were travelling in.

We had been soaring for probably a full thirty seconds when we lost speed and started heading towards the ground. After the slam of impact, the carrier bounced several times, before coming to a stop.

I lay there in silence, not moving a muscle. I felt like I just been punched in the gut after being hit by a car.

I heard a voice from somewhere nearby. "Kitsune? Are you alright?"

I could only groan as loudly as I could, not quite able to speak yet.

"I know you're in pain, but we are so close to where we must be. Come, stand up."

I sighed, and mentally prepared myself for what I about to attempt. Slowly, I moved my arms up and very carefully raised myself up. I ached everywhere, but it could have been worse. I shifted slowly from foot to foot, fearing the entire time that my legs might collapse on themselves. We stumbled out of the large orb and set off at a brisk pace. As time went on the pain slowly reduced to a slight throb, then a tingle.

"Hey cat, how come my body is healing so fast?"

"Simple, because the only injury you sustained was minor, the rest was your body in shock from the impact."

"Well considering how far we just fell that must have been one heck of a shield we were travelling in. What WAS it anyway?"

"It is a form of giant cannonball that launched us over the gated wall that brought us to the right part of the Soul Society. It is one of the only ways to get in, and certainly one of the fastest. Also, I find it fun."

"FUN?!" I gasped, "How is that fun? I could have broken something!"

The feline snorted, "I doubt it. Besides, you'll be facing worse in a moment."

I opened my mouth to reply, but shut it promptly. Worse? What was worse that getting shout out of a subterranean cannon and slamming into the ground?

As we rounded a corner, I saw an enormous dark creature emerge from a shadow. Ah, that's worse. With glowing eyes and a gross tongue sliding in and out of its mouth, I was appalled. Suddenly, I saw a girl cowering in a corner, arms wrapped around something, shaking. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw what she was holding, a little boy.

The creature was disgusting and powerful. I felt fear creep up inside me, along with a strong need to run to the aide of the children.

When the monster made a move to attack them my legs started forward, sprinting to them.

"How do you intend to help them? You're unarmed and about as well trained as the children you protect, how could you possibly help?" I heard the annoying cat shout.

I was too focused to answer. The rational behind this was nonexistent, but I couldn't just stand still and let somebody be killed. Something in me would allow it.

I put myself between the beast and the kids, arms out wide and legs apart. I had no plan, I just hoped that after the thing hit me the girl had enough sense to drag the boy to safety.

It gazed at me a moment before roaring and reaching towards me. A shape darted in front of me and struck the thing, sending it back several feet. I blinked in surprise.

A girl with long eggplant coloured hair, turned to me and smiled, "Bravery is only slightly above stupidity, but it is impressive nonetheless. Now you must summon your Zanpakuto, your sword. It is the only way you will be able to kill that monster properly."

"What? How am I supposed to do that?"

She patted her chest, "Summon it with your heart."

And just like that she was gone. The fiend stirred and stood up again. Its eyes blazed when it saw me, probably thinking I was the one who attacked it.

I looked around frantically, "Hey, you can't just leave me! HEY!"

The brute was advancing, growling and snapping. It was no use, the girl was gone. I was on my own. I looked back at the children behind me. The girl was looking up at me with large, tear filled eyes. I felt my expression harden. I would try, for their sake if not mine.

I held my hands out in front of me, and pictured a sword appearing in my hands. Nothing happened. Still it advanced. He was almost right in front of me again. Come on, appear! I need to save these children please! He raised his arm up, ready to strike. PLEASE, HELP! SWORD! HELP!

Its arm descended, and I raised my arms to block it as well as I could, and closed my eyes waiting for the impact. KLANG! I opened my eyes in surprised. In my hands I held a long blade. This must have been a Zanpakuto. It had repelled the attack without so much as a scratch on it. I held it out in front of me, ready to attack. I jumped forward and slashed at its mask, which dissolved along with the rest of it.

I sighed in relief. Looks like I had summoned it just in time. I looked at it, wondering where it had come from or just what it was.

You wish to know me?

I jerked in surprise. "Who's there?" I called out loud.

I am your Zanpaku-to. I have lain dormant within your entire life, awaiting my awakening to assist you in battle. You wish to know my name yes? Replied a feminine voice inside my mind.

This was...weird. "Um, okay." I thought to myself, unsure.

Very well, but first I suggest dispatching the hoard of those vile beings known as Hollows that approach.

I looked up and no more than twenty feet away where five, maybe six of those monstrosities. They rushed me, screeching and roaring.

I gripped the hilt of my swordtook a shuddering breath. My knees were shaking. Where had they come from? What was going on? I hear the distant sound of the children running away.

I rushed forward, wielding my sword childishly like a blunt weapon. I stuck countless blows again the Hollows, some were dodged or parried and others weren't. Some were clean cuts, others were blows that glanced of because they were stuck with the side or top of the sword. Every time I managed to strike one down a new one took its place in a never ending cycle. Soon I was out of breath, my arms tiring quickly. I couldn't continue this way for much longer.

"I can't hold them off forever." I told my Zanpakuto. "What do I do?"

Our only hope is for you to hear my name. Look inside yourself.

I kept swinging wildly at the Hollows. "Now isn't really a good time."

Find shelter and LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF.

Her tone brooked no argument.

I ran away, down a street and around a corner, the Hollows right behind me. I jumped into a decrepit house and slammed the door shut. I found a corner, squatted down, shut my eyes, and ventured deep into myself. I opened them and saw a large forest spread around me, light filtering through the canopy of leaves above my head. I regarded the lush, green world. In front of me was an enormous black panther with dark raven wings, sabre fangs and blood red irises. It opened its massive jaws and spoke. Persevere, fight until you can't hold a sword, until you legs have buckled and the ground runs red with your blood! Fight to protect the ones you love! Fight, FIGHT! CALL MY NAME!

A name burned in my mind as if it had been branded. My eyes opened and I screamed, "NEKOAKUMA!"

My plain Zanpakuto had transformed into a shining silver curved sabre. The door behind me splintered and the Hollows came in. I swung forward and killed another Hollow. Finding new strength, I swung with more energy and vigour than before. Even my clumsy attacks were doing considerable damage.

However, even with my improvement, the Hollows were too strong. I felt myself slump, but instead of collapsing I gritted my teeth. I refused to go out now, not in a place like this. I managed to keep going for another full five minutes before my arms were shaking uncontrollably. Nekoakuma was dragging on the ground. But I wouldn't give up, so I kept going. I managed another minute before I had fallen to my knees, and try as I might I couldn't get up. My clothes clung to me from the sweat and my body was covered in dirt, dust and my own blood.

I saw a Hollow come up and extend its claws—only to be decapitated. My eyes widened in shock. I knew someone had saved me, but they were moving so quickly I couldn't tell who. I could only manage to see a shred of white and black cloth every so often as the rest of the Hollows were slaughtered. Twenty seconds later, not a single Hollow remained. I felt my vision start to darken, and the only thing I remember is a pair of lavender-blue eyes looking down at me.

I awoke with a start. I winced as pain spiked in my limbs. I blinked back the spots that danced in my vision. I was in some sort of hospital room. A girl with periwinkle hair was busily preparing something I couldn't see.

"Um, excuse me." I called to her.

She turned to face me, surprised, "Wow, you recovered fast! How are you feeling?"

"I'm sore. Otherwise I think I'm okay. Do you know where Nekoakuma is?

She blinked, "You mean your Zanpakuto? It's being held in custody right now."

"Custody? But what did she do!?"

"Nothing, and I'll ask you to please calm down, your injuries aren't quite healed."

I sighed and rubbed my temples. I was too tired to argue. But I felt oddly alone without her, even if we'd just met.

She walked towards me and held out a cup, "Please drink this."

I did as she asked and drained the cup. I felt warmer and a bit more relaxed after that.

"So where am I?"

She answered me while checking my bandages. "We're in the Fourth Company barracks. Captain Kuchiki Byakuya brought you here."

"Byakuya? Is that who saved me?" The location she said clarified nothing for me.

"Yes, and that reminds me I should notify him of you consciousness. He asked to see you when he woke up."

I scratched my scalp nervously. "Why would he want to see me?"

"He didn't say, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."

Great, I hadn't been worried before but now I was. Thank you very much for that...

She sent a black butterfly to go tell Taicho Kuchiki of my condition. After I asked, she told me it was called a Hell Butterfly and that they were bred and taken care of in the Seireitei, or the Court Of Pure Souls. She also told me that the Seireitei was the centre of the Soul Society. When she asked why I had so many questions I told her I was very new to all this. Very, very new. That answer seemed to be enough for her.

There was a knock at the door and the nurse let in a tall man with long black hair pinned up with things that looked like tubes.

He walked up to the bed and looked at me. He seemed really calm and collected, not a hair out of place.

He regarded me silently for what felt like an hour before saying, "What is your name?"

"Kitsune Yoru, um sir."

"I see. And how long have you been training with your Zanpakuto?"

"Um...a good half hour I think."

"...a half hour?"

"Probably less but yeah around there."

"You've trained with your Zanpakuto for a half hour and you have learned its name?"

"Um, yes, is that a problem, uh, sir?" I felt stupid. I was barely able to keep my sentences straight.

He was quiet for a minute before replying. "Do you know how many Hollow you killed?"

I frowned in concentration, "Three or four I think, I wasn't really counting."

He started at me for a full thirty second of silence, then he spoke up. "Very well then. Good day, Kitsune Yoru."

He turned to leave, but just before he left he said to me, "You will refer to me as Captain Kuchiki from now on."

Then he and the other boy left. I looked at the nurse, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Well wrong isn't the right word, it's more like you did something...unexpected."

I wasn't sure what to say, so I settled for, "Can I have my Zanpakuto back now?"

"No."

"Damn."

And there you have it! I hope you liked it, reviews are appreciated.