Being Picked First SUCKS!
It was an average day at the Soul Reaper Academy. Well, all except for the fact that six of the captains, accompanied by their assistant captains, from the Gotei thirteen were coming to choose new members for their squads. Kimiko however, was not like everyone else in her class. They were ecstatic about the opportunity. Kimiko just saw it as another visit from the captains. The main reason she was not pleased, was the fact that her least favourite captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, was going to come. The others captains that were coming were Gin, Aizen, Jûshirô, Tôshirô, Kenpachi, who was accompanied by Yumichika and Ikkaku, and Byakuya, of course. As the time came for them to arrive, Kimiko went to the sparring area to do a little fighting. She was the top of her class in all aspects. She entered the sparring area with her sword drawn, ready for a fight.
"Okay, who's ready to spar," Kimiko began to state, "Not here."
Across the way, Kimiko's sensei was showing the Captains the sparring arena. He turned and faced Kimiko and began to smile a big grin. He motioned for her to come over, and she did just that. She now stood before their guests.
"Yes sensei," Kimiko asked.
"I want you to demonstrate your excellent fighting skills to show our guests why our classes are top notch," He replied.
"Of course, but who will I be sparring sir?"
"Me," Renji stated as he stepped up.
"Very well," Kimiko replied.
Both Kimiko and Renji took up fighting stances. Renji drew his sword and made the first move.
"Roar, Zambimaru," Renji stated as his sword transformed into its true form.
He threw it at Kimiko, who merely stood there waiting for the right time.
"Mimic, Tori o Mokkingu (Mocking Bird)," Kimiko stated, "Reign over the frosted heavens, Hyôrinmaru!"
As the blade of Renji's sword was about to strike Kimiko's sword, hers transformed into Hyôrinmaru. She summoned the ice dragon to create a shield. Renji, as well as everyone else, looked shocked at what had just happened. Kimiko smiled her usual smile.
"All wind become my shield, all lightning become my blade," Kimiko stated, "Sougyo no Kotowa."
Her sword changed yet again, this time splitting into two different swords, just like Jûshirô's. Renji charged up a beam attack, however, when he fired it at Kimiko, her left sword absorbed it and her right sword shot it back at him. She looked over at her sensei, and he nodded. Kimiko looked over at Renji.
"Sing your sonic call," Kimiko stated, "Tori o Mokkingu!"
This time her sword let out a high pitched shriek that disabled Renji's Zanpaku-to entirely. She bowed to him and then to the captains. She walked over to her sensei's side. Each captain, assistant captain, and anyone else who was watching merely looked at her in shock.
"Well done Kimiko," The Sensei stated, "Now as you can see, Kimiko here is the top of her class."
"Yes, that was obvious," Byakuya replied.
"Right."
"Excuse me, but what is the power of your Zanpaku-to," Jûshirô asked Kimiko.
"Oh, that's very simple Captain Ukitake," Kimiko answered, "you see Mocking Bird has two basic powers: the first is the sonic call and the second is to mimic any person's Zanpaku-to and/or power."
"I take it there is a catch," Aizen asked.
"Yes, in order for me to mimic I must first know the name and phrase that activates a Zanpaku-to," Kimiko replied, "Also, I have to of have seen it used in a battle or in person. However, I have developed it to the point where I can perform new moves and even combine some Zanpaku-to together."
"Now that is what I call impressive," Gin complimented.
"Thank you captain Ichimaru," Kimiko thanked, "now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my studies."
Kimiko left the group and went to the main complex of the Soul Reaper Academy. By the expressions on the faces of the Captains and assistant captains, she knew she was going to be picked. However, the fear came into her mind that she might get assigned to Byakuya's squad. She truly wanted to be on either Aizen's or Gin's squad. She would not mind if she even got onto Tôshirô's squad.
Later that night, Kimiko was in the sparring area. She gazed up at the stars as she cleared her head. The results had not been posted on who got chosen and who got assigned to which squad. The area was eerily quiet. Kimiko's navy blue eyes and matching colour hair glowed in the light of the full moon.
"Beautiful isn't it," A voice stated.
Kimiko jumped up and drew her sword.
"Who's there," Kimiko asked, "Show yourself!"
"Relax, it's just me," Gin stated as he stepped into the light.
"C- Captain Ichimaru, I'm sorry," Kimiko apologized as she sheathed her sword.
"That's okay," Gin replied as he came and stood in front of Kimiko, "What's a girl like you doing out here?"
"Just clearing my head."
"Oh, I thought you were waiting for the results to the decision."
"That? No way am I that worried."
"Well, just to let you in on a little secret, you made it."
"I already knew that. Whose squad am I on?"
"I don't think I should tell you, but what the heck. You're on squad three."
"YES! Wait that's your squad! Thank you captain Ichimaru! Thank YOU!"
Kimiko ran away ecstatic about the news she had heard. She ran to her room and immediately began to pack. Just as she turned to her bag, Gin shunpo-ed into her room. Kimiko jumped as soon as she saw him. Instead of drawing her sword, she smiled at him.
"Mind if I help you," Gin asked.
"No not at all," Kimiko replied as she handed him a pile of clothes, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Go right ahead."
"Well, I was just wondering why you picked me. I mean there were plenty of other candidates you could have chosen besides me."
"I know, but out of them, you were the most skilled. Trust me, after your little demonstration today, all the Captains were fighting over you. Luckily, I got the first pick and I chose you."
"Are you close friends with Captain Aizen?"
"You could say that. Why do you ask?"
"Well, Captain Aizen is the only member of the Gotei thirteen that I have not seen his Zanpaku-to in its Shikai state."
"Ah, so you want me to arrange something like a meeting between you and him?"
"Please."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you so much."
The next day, Kimiko was entering the main complex for the Gotei thirteen. She was excited to finally be in the place she had dreamed of being in for so long. It wasn't long before she arrived to the barracks that housed squad three. As she was about to enter, she saw Renji talking to Byakuya. Byakuya looked at her and then at Renji. Kimiko decided to walk over to him.
"Is there anything I can help you with Captain Kuchiki," Kimiko asked.
"Nothing you could help me with," Byakuya replied.
"Typical Noble."
"What was that?"
"I said that was a typical noble response, replying to the statement of a commoner with some witty remark."
"And that is a typical remark made by one who is jealous of another's superiority."
"How dare you!"
Kimiko ran over and slapped Byakuya across the face. Renji looked over at Byakuya with a look of shear shock. Byakuya changed from his emotionless state to a state of shock himself. This was the first time either of them had seen Kimiko so angry.
"How dare you," Kimiko repeated.
"I don't understand," Byakuya replied.
"You think just because you're higher up in the social status that you are better than me, but I want to tell you something, you're not. I have met better people than you in the Hanging Dog district. Those are the kind of people that truly care about others."
"I'm sorry if offended you."
"You think a simple 'I'm sorry' can fix this?"
"Yes."
"Well, it can't, so good day Captain Kuchiki."
Kimiko continued to walk into the barracks of Squad Three. As soon as she walked through the gate, she was greeted by a familiar face. She ran up and hugged Izuru, who was there to greet her.
"Izuru, I'm so glad to see you," Kimiko stated.
"You too, Kimiko," Izuru replied, "It has been a long time since I have seen my dear friend."
"I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"I didn't address you correctly, Lieutenant Kira."
"Ha ha ha ha, don't be so formal. Hey what happened out there? I heard someone slapped Captain Kuchiki."
"Oh that was me."
"W-w-w-why did you d-do that?"
"I simply asked him a question. He replied with some smart remark. I said typical noble response and he replied with only someone who is jealous of superiority would reply like that. So in an effort on not doing something worse, I slapped him."
"I don't mean to take sides, Kimiko, but you need to go straight to him and apologize right now."
"But Izuru . . ."
"I'm not telling you this as your Lieutenant. I'm telling you as your friend."
"Fine, tell the Captain that I'll arrive a little later than planned."
"Sure thing."
Kimiko walked out of the barracks of squad three and began to walk toward the ones that housed squad six. However just before she reached the complex, she heard the sound of people sparring in squad six's arena. She changed her course and headed there. Sure enough, Byakuya, along with Renji, was there sparring. Kimiko almost hesitated in entering the arena, but decided to press forward.
"Captain Kuchiki, may I have a word with you," Kimiko asked.
"What is it," Byakuya asked as he turned to face her.
"Well, I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I hope you are okay."
"A weak attack like that has no effect on me."
"See? There you again about me being the weaker of the two of us. Well, I think it's time to see who truly is weaker."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Me and you, right here, right now, having a little sparring battle."
"I don't fight those below me."
"Is that your real meaning or are you just scared?"
"Are you testing my honour?"
"I guess I am. You see to me, I have more honour than you will ever have."
"Fine, you want to spar so badly girl, try and keep up."
"You bet."
Both Byakuya and Kimiko readied for an attack. Byakuya made the first move, by lunging toward Kimiko. She dodged and shunpo-ed behind him. She let out a chuckle. Byakuya turned to face her.
"What's the matter," Kimiko asked, "No Bankai?"
"You want to see my Bankai," Byakuya asked as he dropped his sword to the ground, "Bankai."
Kimiko readied for the attack.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi," Byakuya stated.
"Mimic, Tori o Mokkingu," Kimiko shouted, "Scatter, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
The two waves of cherry blossoms met and defeated one another. Byakuya stood there baffled by what had happened. Kimiko stood there, her sword ready for another attack.
"I'll admit you have some impressive powers," Byakuya stated, as he readied his sword for another attack, "but you are not yet to a seated officer's class."
"You think so," Kimiko chuckled, "Well then, I'll just have to show you my true power. Sting all enemies amongst the Cherry Blossoms, Suzemazakura."
Her sword disappeared in a cloud of a thousand cherry blossoms. However, when Byakuya was able to find them with his eyes, he saw that they were not just cherry blossoms, but cherry blossoms in the shape of small wasps.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya stated as he activated his swords Shikai state.
The petals produced by Kimiko's Shikai state actually avoided those produced by Byakuya's. However, when the wasps were about to hit Byakuya they withdrew. They went back and reformed Kimiko's sword blade. She sheathed her sword and walked away. Before she fully exited she turned back and faced Byakuya.
"You are probably wondering why I stopped my attack," Kimiko asked, "It's obvious. The object of this battle was to see who is superior, and clearly that is me. Plus, I did not want to wound a comrade without good cause."
Having said that, Kimiko left the area and headed back to her barracks. As soon as she arrived to the gate of the barracks, she was met by Gin, who was casually leaning against the door. Kimiko did not even notice him. The only time she noticed him was when she bumped into him. She looked up into his smiling face.
"Hello Captain Ichimaru," Kimiko greeted with a smile.
"You're late," Gin replied, as he led Kimiko into the barracks.
"Sorry Captain, I ran into Captain Kuchiki and we just started to talk. I lost track of the time. I promise I will never be late again."
"Well, I kind of have to tell you something."
"What's wrong?"
"You see…. You're being reassigned to another squad."
"WHAT? WHY?"
"I don't know, but you're being reassigned as the third seat of squad six."
"Please tell me this is some kind of joke?"
"I'm afraid not. You are to report to the barracks of squad six immediately."
"Thank you, Captain Ichimaru."
Kimiko grabbed her bag and began to walk to the barracks of squad six.