Chapter 1

Remembering

He drummed his fingers on his desk as he looked at the clock above the chalkboard. The hour hand seemed to move every five lifetimes and the minute hand moved excruciatingly slow as if it meant for him to be there for all eternity. His hand was balled into a fist and was placed underneath his chin as he looked up expectantly at it. His eyes concentrated only on that clock. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, He thought intently as if the clock would obey his wish, ring already damn it.

The teacher, Rikuya Auburame, droned on and on about the hollows and what kind there are and about the ranks of hollows blah, blah, blah. Either way It was so frustrating sitting just there and not being able to move, to only just be able to squirm like an insect. I mean what's so good about learning if he can't do it physically. This might explain why he failed his written exams. Sighing internally he gave up on trying to force the clock to hurry up with a Jedi mind tick he looked over at his fellow students to see that all of them were writing down notes like he should be doing right now, but, no, this was Tegami we are talking about here so of course he can't just stay still. He's too hyperactive and ADD. It was as if he was made for the battle field and not sitting in boring lectures. Hmmm maybe I'll be good for the 11th division. He then continued to flex his muscles, and tapped his foot in a rhythmic pattern.

Then, out of nowhere, Rikuya-sensei called his name out. Looking up he saw the stern look on his Sensei's face. Aww crap what did I do now. The surprised look on Tegami's face had already told Rikuya that he hadn't been listening to a word he just said. No matter how smart Tegami is, he still has trouble paying attention. "Did you hear what I just said Mr. Kuriyama?" He asked.

"No sir, sorry." He said.

Sighing he looked off into the class. "Can someone please explain to Mr. Kuriyama what I was just telling the class."

Dozens of hands had rose high in the air and so Rikuya picked the random student. "Okay, Miyamoto, you have the floor."

Akihiko Miyamoto, a member of the second most powerful clan, smirked at Tegami. "Well, sir, you were talking about the graduation exam is beginning in at least three months. You were telling everyone that there will be two parts to it."

"And what are the two parts?" He inquired

"One is a written exam and the other is a performance exam where students will be engaged in combat. Also The captains will be there to evaluate and see which one of us will be in there squad." Akihiko finished with a smug look on his face.

"Thank you Miyamoto. At least we have someone here who listens." He looks pointedly at Tegami.

Tegami, cheeks burning, all he had to say was, "Oh."

Sighing Rikuya continued on with the class.

Finally, after what felt like a year the bell rang and the embarrassment he had just had the pleasure of being in. Tegami, in a quick smooth motion, picked up his bag and literally tore out into the hallway before anybody could even blink or Rikuya could say anything to him. His Shihakushō swished as he ran through the hallways of the Shin'ōreijutsuin (Spiritual Arts Academy). His silver hair breezed in the rushing air as he made his way through the other students that had barely stepped out of their classroom door and into the hallways before he zoomed past them and made their hair blow in their faces as the wind caught up with them.

As soon as Tegami set one foot out of the fusuma and into the sunlight and blue sky, he fazed out of existence and reappeared under his favorite place in the entire Soul Society. Under the Sakura Tree. There was only one in the whole entire Society. It was the only place that he liked to go to, to relax. But right now he wasn't in a relaxing mood and the anger and humiliation he had suffered had caught up to him and without warning he punched the tree and about two dozen cherry blossoms fell down out of the tree. He pulled back his fist and noticed that blood was pooling around a wound. Wiping it on his Shihakushō he turned and slumped his back onto the tree and slowly fell to the ground amid the blossoms on the ground.

"Stupid Akihiko." He growled. "One day I'm gonna kick his ass so good. He'll be hospitalized for thirty years."

He looked up at the pink blossoms above him. As he looks at the swaying branches all of the anger floods out of him like a river into a waterfall. There's something about this tree. Something that always made him calm and mellow and…tranquil. A smile comes onto his face as he remembers a memory, (something that the tree does to him sometimes), of the times of when he and his friend Renji Arbari used to hang out back in his old home in the 78th district of Rukongai.

Flashback

"C'mon Renji," A young Tegami had whined to his red-headed friend as they walked down the 78th district of the Rukongai. "Don't wuss out on me now."

Having an annoyed look on his face Renji looked over at his best friend. "I'm not wussing out. I'm just not sure we'll be able to get away with this." He had heard stories of the fruit merchant and what he did to thieves. He shivered.

"So what?" Tegami said with his hands in his pockets. "I thought you like taking risks anyways. Or did that change."

With his face as red as his hair Renji looked away. Not rising to the bait and didn't give up to his friend with the death wish. "No. but hadn't you heard the stories man. Dude he almost killed a dude once. He's dangerous as all get out."

Tegami flashed him a fox like grin. "I hope you aren't doubting my skills Renji."

That was one thing that he'll never do. "I'm not. Trust me I've seen you in a fight and it's downright scary." Thinking of a new tactic he tried. "But isn't what we're doing called steali-" He didn't even get to finish the sentence before he felt an immense amount of pain that had exploded in his left cheek out of nowhere. It had him landing on his butt and had left tears stung his eyes and he looked up confused at Tegami and saw his right arm outstretched. Disbelief was written all over his face."Did you just hit me?"He asked.

"Yeah and I'll do it again." He had growled. " I mean what the hell is wrong with you. We've stolen things all the time and now you're worrying about it all of a sudden! What's the matter with you Ren? I mean, seriously, you've been acting really strange lately." Tegami said with concern in his voice.

"Nothing." Renji mumbled. "It's nothing. I don't know what came over me."

Smiling broadly at his friend he reached down to give him his hand. Renji took it and with the help of Tegami pulling he managed to get up and as if nothing had happened they walked down the street and to their destination. It didn't take them long to find it though because as they were walking Renji found a stand that sales pears. Stopping Tegami, Renji pointed straight at the stand with a devious smile on his face. "You ready?"Renji asked.

"Hell yeah." He replied enthusiastically and without another word both boys stealthily went for the fruit stand.

Hiding in the crowd of people who was there, they had made it to the stand within only eight yards of the place without being detected. When they finally made it both boys knelt down in front of the stand, making use of their small and scrawny frames so they wouldn't be caught. After only three or six snatches each did they finally realize that they have enough and had crouch-walked away. Not only two yards away did they hear the outraged cry of the murderous salesman.

"HEY YOU TWO GET BACK HERE WITH MY PEACHES!"

Well no need for stealth anymore. Tegami had thought as the two had got up and ran as fast as they're small legs could take them, but Tegami didn't even try running full speed because he would leave his poor friend behind. He was the fastest kid anyone had ever seen. And the most skilled in hand to hand combat. You should hear the rumors about him. After a while Renji looked winded and was slowing down. After chewing on the inside of his cheek he came to a decision.

"Drop the peaches." He said.

Renji looked at his companion in shock. "Hell no, after all we just did I'm not giving these boys up." he said.

"Renji." His voice low and demonic. Even for a kid like him.

However he didn't waver he ran on with the peaches. He slowed down in the process, something that Tegami was scared of, and soon Renji was close enough for the man to reach forward and grab the boy, pick him up by the throat, and stop where he was without skidding. Smiling smugly the man turned Renji to face him. "Finally you little bastard. I've finally got you. Think you can steal from me and get away with it. Heh, not on my watch." With that said he proceeded to squeeze his neck. Renji gasped as he tried to give his lungs air.

"Drop him or else." A voice said behind him.

Turning around he saw a kid with silver hair and crimson red eyes staring threateningly at the man. Somehow he had gotten around him while he had been talking to the red haired punk. Even that should have told the man that that should have taken an immense amount of speed. But instead he had sized the boy up and down. The boy was small maybe around 4'7 and was scrawny as all get out, but the man, who didn't seem to know who the boy is despite the rumors going around, had thought he could beat the little shrimp after he dealt with this one. "Piss off. I'll get to you right after I've dealt with this one."

The glare intensified and a little bit of killing intent was left off of Tegami. "I don't think you heard me correctly. Let him go.

He hadn't sensed the threatening tone in his voice and had said, "And I'll tell you again. Piss off. I'll get to you later."

Tegami didn't move. "I'll give you to the count of three."

Laughing he had a look of arrogance and over confidence. "Think you can handle me boy."

"1." He said. Unknowingly releasing a little bit of his Reiatsu.

Without acknowledging the idiotic boy he had turned and proceeded to choke the one in his grasp.

"2." Again a burst of Reiatsu, but a bigger one.

The man sensing it had turned around. "What the-?"

"3." That was when all Hell had broken loose.

"Look who it is. It's the idiot dipshit." A voice says followed by snickering.

Tegami opened his eyes. The memory lost in the dark recess of his mind looked up to find Akihiko Look down at him with those beady brown eyes. His little minions. Akihiko is a inch taller than Tegami and had a ripped appearance. He looked slow, but that would be a mistake. You never judge anyone by looks. Just like this asshole was doing to him.

Tegami is about 5'6 and looks like a fifteen year old even though he had been there for about 58 earth years. He has silver hair and crimson eyes. He his ripped, but is lean and wiry. However he has the biggest Reiatsu known and is the best at kenjustu and taijutsu. He always has to be calculating and sneaky. A habit he had obtained back in his old home. But despite this that jackweeds still pick a fight with him and just won't leave him alone. They think that just because he came from a lower place with no great lineage that he is nothing, but trash.

"Shut it Ak. No one wants to hear you flap your gums." He said.

He narrowed his eyes. "whatcha say trashheep."

Tegami, stood up and rolled his eyes. "I don't have time to deal with you gas bags. Peace."

"Where ya going snot face.

Tegami stopped and turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Wow nice vocabulary douche. Where'd a learn it. In your two brain cells in you testies."

Akihiko's face grew red. "At least I have a mom. Where's yours"

His lackeys oohed.

Don't lash out, don't lash out he thought it over and over again. No matter what they say he at least tried to avoid a fight. "Whatever." He turned and tried to leave. Keyword tried.

"She was probably a whore." He said smugly

Tegami stopped. A cold shill passed down spine and made him shiver. That was a low blow. One that they all knew would get him riled. All his rational senses left him and a cold white hot fury spread throughout his body. Turning ever so slowly he faced him, his eyes a darker shade of red. "Take that back."

Akihiko looked confused, but his eyes said he knew exactly what he meant. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Bitch. Take that the fuck BACK!" He roared.

"Oh you mean your slut-whore mom?" He inquired. Hoping to get a reaction out of the Hot Shot.

But he had asked more than he had bargained for, because no one talks bad about his parents who he had only known for a short amount of time. His Spiritual Pressure spiked and the boys where all flattened to the ground. His fists clenched at his sides. "You just made the biggest mistake of your life." And with those words he lunged forward. The promise of death in his gaze.