~Author's Note~
SO...hey guys. This is my first story and I am so nervous right now I am shaking as I type. It doesn't help that I am socially awkward... But this story is based on Bleach, might have some pairings but I haven't decided yet. The main character is an OC though. I will try to update every week, but I am bad at balacing stuff, so don't kill me if I don't. If I get any superficial things wrong, tell me! I haven't finished watching it yet so... Please read and review!
-A Chocoholic
Got to hurry, I thought to myself as I bolted towards Seireitei, I am going to be late and today is the Placement Ceremony. I've got to use shunpo, even if I totally feel like my head was going to cave in from the poundings. Last time I used it in Rukongai, I ended up in a puddle of quicksand and Fusao had to pull me out. I remember the smirk on his face as he laughed his ass off while I struggled in the sticky sand. Let's just say its hard to tell where is safe and where is not if you live in such a crappy place. This time, I'll have to stick to the dirt. I gathered my spiritual energy and used it to push off. The sudden leave left me dizzier than before. I gritted my teeth and continued on.
The 80th district flashed before me, shabbier than ever. It's not really any soul settlements. The name is just fake hopes for this damned place. It really was just a group of people in the forest, like a tribe except worse. The houses are a luxurious thing. We live in shacks of lean-to's in the forest, which I can thank for my terrible cold. The passable hut was reserved for the boss of the gang. They are the law around here. Whatever they say, goes. Any food, water, or clothes go there first and they distribute it out as they want. Yeah right. They just keep a huge stack of valuables in that shack. None of us are to touch it. Or so it goes. The rest of us steal, if desperate enough. Well, more like I steal and Fusao helps me with the behind the scenes. No one wanted to risk the wrath of the boss.
I snorted to myself as I sprinted in the gates, ignoring the fatigue and pain already setting in. Being around the Shinigamis made me invincible to the other souls. They are like an ant next to dragon compared to the Captains. Even the Vice-Captains are scary.
I rushed in at the last minute, with the Commander-Captain giving the introduction. I joined the crowd of my classmates.
"-the ones who made it into the Squads would be named and stand behind their ones who didn't would be dismissed as a whole to the main building and you would be intrusted there. Now I am going to announce the names. If your name is called, come up and kneel before your Captain." he finished, leaning heavily on his cane.
Quickly finger combing my messily wavy, light green hair, I shivered from the cold under the summer sun and scanned the squad representatives in front of us. All of them look formidable and it would be a great honor to be in any one of them. I hope my marks were good enough to make it. I mean, my written scores are not bad, hands on fighting is not hard, but Kidou is my death. I can do it...sometimes. My demon magic teacher eventually gave up on me after two months of after school tutoring.
My ears perked up as the name roll started.
"Endo Eri, Squad 4."
"Morita Seiji, Squad 12."
"Oshima Akira, Squad 3."
Everyone stared at the lucky bastards as they make their way up the crowd. They were each handed a named Zanpakuto. Every single eyes were feasting hungrily on the blades. They are every students' dream.
"Kato Yuriko, Squad 10."
"Tadaka Rouga, Squad 11."
The world shifted underneath me, and I am sure it's not just my messed up head this time either. My jaw dropped to the ground. I made it. I freaking made it. And it was to the kick ass squad.
I could just see Fusao's fake frown as he hears this news. He would tell me to stop being such an egomaniac. Whatever. But the sadness would still linger in the dark blue orbs. He had always wanted to become Shinigami but I was the one who had the spiritual power. I silently vowed to do this for both of us, but would rather die than admit it.
My aching body was telling me to jump up and down in joy but I forced it to walk forward instead. A couple snickers came my direction. It can't be helped when your name means wolf's teeth and you're a girl. Sexist people.
My legs worked almost mechanically down the row of Captains and their subordinates. It seemed like forever before I made it in front of the menacing man that was my leader. I barely reached up to his elbow, making him look down at me with his chin tucked in. The Vice-Captain peered at me over his broad shoulder and spiked hair. I searched for names in my protesting brain. Right, Captain Zaraki Kenpachi and Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi. The little pink haired girl grinned and motioned for me to get down. And there I go, make a fool of myself mere seconds after joining. Can't say I am not talented.
I bowed my head as I got on my knees, trying not to topple over. Clumsily, I stumbled behind the Captain after I was given a Zanpakuto, who completely blocks my view of the crowd.
Ninety percent of every graduating class is a normal Shinigami. The rest of the ten percent is us in the thirteen groups. And then there's the one out of a million who are chosen for a Royal Guard, but like I said, it's literally one out of a million.
I stared off into space as the name calling continued. Using my sword as a cane, I tried to calm my aching head. I wish this could be over. I just want to crash in my new room and sleep for the next ten years.
"Gaga-chan, wakey wakey!" A giggle pierced my thoughts.
"Oh! Yes, 'mam! Sorry!" I snapped out of my reverie and saw the Lieutenant smiling. Biting my tongue, I blamed it on my sickness that I wanted to say something that would put me in a cell. Oh, who am I kidding? I am always like this.
"You are too polite. Toughen up. I am surprised with your fighting scores like that, you would have such a soft personality," Captain growled.
"Yes, si-!" I broke it off when I saw his eyebrow lift. It wasn't difficult.
"Seriously, I convinced Ken-chan to claim you when he wasn't going to take anyone. I even made you a nickname in advance," she made it sound like a favor.
"Thanks," I whispered sarcastically, just couldn't help myself.
"I didn't need any convincing when I saw your combat scores. When you become a real fighter, we are going to have a lot of fun," they both had matching smirks.
"Oh, what have I got myself into," I murmured to no one, again.
"Ken-chan! Gaga-chan said something! That's not nice!"
"We have hope for her yet."
I smiled just a bit. And there is hope for this. My politeness mask can be shed. Whoop, whoop! Sometimes I feel like all the smiling and bowing is going to kill me someday.
"Kenpachi-san, we have a celebratory feast to attend," a man with pink robes and a straw hat joined our conversation. "And who might this beauty be?"
"Tadaka Rouga! Nice to meet you, Captain Kyoraku!" I bowed and stared at my sandals. Up goes my mask.
"Ah, you're the famous butt whipper I heard people in my team talking about! I was sure surprised when you turned out to be a girl, especially with that name. No complaints though, females like you are always the most beautiful. Look at my Nanao-chan, for example," he said in a smooth voice while pulling his partner to his side.
"Captain! We really need to be heading to the feast," the smart-looking woman was unfazed and pushed him away like it was a second instinct.
"Yes 'mam. This lady keeps me organized. You should get going too, Kenpachi-san," with a tip of the hat, he stroded away.
"Don't lag behind," Captain said as he used shunpo, with me stumbling after him.
"Where are we going?"
"The Commander building, for the feast," Lieutenant said. "No, no, Ken-chan! It's a left turn here!"
"Uh, I am pretty sure it's a right," I raised an eyebrow.
"That's another way to do it," she waved her small hands around. "We can turn left and go it from the other door!"
"That's all the way around though," I grumbled.
"Ken-chan, something happened to Gaga-chan! I think it's Aizen-chan's hypnotizing sword! She talks different, acts differe-"
"She could be, but she knows where to go though," I replied as the building came into the sight.
"Shut up, will you?" Vice-Captain huffed.
Getting in the room from the window, we joined the rest of the Squad 11. I looked in wonder at all the Shinigami gathered here. The busy flow of people carried me away and I went through the standard procedures.
I felt faint as I got my huge uniform from a grumpy looking Shinigami (It's totally not my fault that he had to go to the storage room three times to find the right size for my minuscule frame. Nope, not at all.), nibble a bit of food that doesn't take the form of a whole roasted pig, and most important of all, freak out. Seriously. I was told right afterwards was the placement test. Who wouldn't be freaked out?
Ugh, I just have to be sick on such an important day. I sniffed and looked at my Zanpakuto nervously. In a couple minutes, I would be called into for the Officer Placement Exam. The blade the only thing I could rely on, seeing that my reiatsu would probably fly around like always.
A hell butterfly flew in my face. "You may enter now."
My palms sweating uncontrollably, I walked inside while trying not to be drowned by my uniform. Fusao would say that I am playing dress up with my parents' clothes. Him and his five nine height. The sleeves reach my fingertips if I let them loose and the pants were so tightly bound by my orbi that I looked like I was choking. You would've thought that with high officers like Yachiru and Captain Hitsugaya that they would make smaller sizes. But nope. I am stuck with a kimono that is trying to eat me up.
I tightened my grip on my sword as I stepped through the door, revealing all the ranked officers. Come on, I squeezed the hilt. I know you are part of me, and I kinda gave you my reiatsu and everything, so do you think you can tell me your name? Pretty please? Ok, now I am talking to my sword. I was that nervous.
Even a hopeless kido user like me could feel the massiveness of the spirit power in the room. The twenty top notch soldiers look at me in my squad. I have to defeat them one by one. My body shivered at that thought. A freshie like me doesn't stand a chance.
"Tadaka, walk forward and face Randa," the Captain's deep voice instructed.
I shifted to meet the my first tormentor. I have already resigned myself to the life of a common worker. An emotionless woman stepped up to meet me and drew her sword. I mimicked her.
She fought like a robot, ruthlessly and calculating at the same time. It was hard at first, with my aching bones, screaming muscles, and throbbing brain (ahh, don't I sound like an old lady), but when I finally got into my "zone", it was easy as pie. Pies are actually kind of hard to make.
I fought the rest of them that way, letting my instinct take over and just dance with my sword. It got harder and harder as it went on, but I wasn't the top of the class in combat for nothing. I just imagine I was having a spar with my teacher back in the academy, with her tricks, distractions, and constant change of style. It worked. Well, until the fifth officer.
I cursed as his sword split and several blades appeared. The hook is really annoying me. A gasp escaped out of me as the tip grazed my collarbone. The warm stickiness of the blood ran down my torso. I scowled. Time to get serious.
"Oh, goddess of the majestic wolves, queen of the moon, ruler of the night! Bare your fangs, Towairaitookami! Shikai!" The words rolled straight into my head and as I said them, a beautiful silver wolf, about half a foot taller than me, appeared.
"I see you have called, little one," she growled. "Don't worry, we will crush those enemies side by side, so we can rule over the land!"
Her body faded away, with her molten golden eyes staring into me. Suddenly, my blade dripped, dripped, like it was melting and the liquid metal started to rush towards me.
"Stand brave, my girl," her authoritative voice vibrated through me as I tried to get away.
My feet reluctantly planted itself to the ground. The metal covered my fingers, sharpening towards the tip like claws. Some made its way toward my incisors, making them larger and sharper.
I caught sight of myself in the window. I had became half wolf. Strangely, it made me feel more powerful. I felt more elegant, lithe, and strong. All my pain was gone. The wolf in me howled.
"Auhhhh!" I shouted a battle cry as I launched towards Ayasegawa-san.
Catching his sword with one hand, I exposed my new fangs and used my other claws to scratch him on his left shoulder. Using the force, I did a backflip and landed on my feet. One last move. My clenched fist connected with his stomach and pinned him down. I looked down at him and saw closed eyes. I had won.
"This is getting interesting. Getting a shikai so early and it's like an Arrancar's release too," Captain grinned like the maniac he is. "Well, since we don't have a fourth seat, you would have to fight Ikkaku next."
I stood there, swaying on my feet. This is taking more reiatsu than I thought. The fatigue came back, stronger than before. Growling to myself, I slam my metal teeth down, tasting the metallic blood. Just hang through this fight, then you'll be fine, I repeated to myself over and over again.
Warily, I stepped up to meet Madarame-san's sword and sheath. I went on defence for a while, dodging and parrying. Even that sapped on my strength, making my eyes blurry. A growl resonated from my chest. This is seriously annoying
Whack! Both the sheath and sword came at me at once. I grabbed the scabbard with my metal covered fingers, ducked to avoid the blade, and when that was cleared, push off and kick him straight in the stomach. He stumbled back, but seemed mostly unharmed. Before I knew it, he counterattacked and slashed my wrists. Towairaitookami was trying to shift to a sword. She was also at her limit. Just bear with me, a little bit more, I begged her. Desperate, I charged the claws and teeth with my remaining power. The room filled with turquoise light. Pushing off, I flew towards the 3rd seat. I can do this, I can do this, I thought as I reached forward for one last deciding move.
It was the one last move all right. Just before I reached Ikkaku-san, something in me exploded. I was flung into the air and landed where I started. A hot, fiery feeling was embedded in me. I felt like someone was holding a torch to the my insides. All I could do was scream. I couldn't hear anyone else scrambling around, surprised, nor did I feel Towairaitookami turn back into her Zanpakuto form. The only I was aware of was the feeling of my body exploding, flashes of light, then nothing at all.