Hello readers. This is my first Bleach fanfic and my first fanfic overall. I want to know what you think, and I appreciate any criticism. I do not own any of the characters that are from the Bleach series. All rights to those characters go to the writer of the Bleach manga.

Akira's POV

"Man this is such a pain in my ass. Why do I have to show off my skills in front of the captains of the Gotei 13? I mean, don't they know our skills from what the academy says?" A young male asks his friend.

"Come one Aki, don't be a downer. They do this so the captains can see your skill for themselves."

"But it really is a pain to call on my zanpaktou. I don't like how it affects my personality too much."

"Yeah you do get kinda creepy when you release your shikai, those shadows and then that one skill you use a lot. What is it, you call it a shadow step, right?"

"Yes, for the millionth time Hikaru, I call it a shadow step. I step into my shadow and appear in someone else's shadow. The one condition is that I can see that person's shadow."

"That is a pretty useful ability."

"Yes, but it is the only ability Kumori has taught me so far."

"Have you really talked to your zanpaktou that much?"

"Yes, I speak to Kumori every night so that I can learn more from him; however, I don't know how a fox can speak to me in a human voice."

"That is kinda funny that your zanpaktou's soul is in the form of a fox considering your name."

"Kitsune is a name given to me by those in the Rukongai. I was always quick footed and hard to catch, so they often had me as the one to snatch the food or water."

"I remember you telling me that. Well, time for chatting is up, we need to go to the waiting area now."

"I know. Let's hope this isn't as much of a dag as it lets off to be."

"It wont be. I just realized how long it has been since you have had to release your shikai. You never use it anymore when you spar with people; you always use your shunpo. You bore me when I see you fight."

"How about I ask to spar with you to show off my skills?"

"That would be great if they would allow it. It would be killing two birds with one stone for them. Remind yourself that I won't hold back."

"Neither will I"

Bystander's POV

"Look at those two. They are always together, and that Akira guy is just too full of himself."

"I mean he has a reason to be. Even though he is from the Rukongai, he is the best one of us."

"I hate to admit it but you are right."

Akira's POV

"Would Kitsune Akira come out?"

"Hello, I am Kitsune Akira. I am pleased to meet you. Would it be too troublesome to ask if my friend could spar with me so i can show off my skills. I kinda need someone else to show off what my zanpaktou has taught me."

"If he is okay with that being his chance to show off, then I, Head Captain Yamamoto, am fine with it."

Akira muttered, "Way to be an ass and show off your position," under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, Head Captain Yamamoto. Come on out Hikaru."

"Who are you, young student?"

"I am Hikaru."

"Is that all there is to your name?"

"Yes it is. I have no family name."

"Very well go on with your sparring match. I assume that is what you to are doing, am I correct?

"Yes it is."

"You might want to be more respectful to the Head Captain."

"Don't worry Aki, all will be fine. Well let's begin shall we."

"Okay"

With that the two young students begin by drawing their zanpaktou.

"What, not going to release your shikai right off the bat Aki? We are supposed to show off."

"If that is what you then I will. I was just going to let you show some stuff as well before I make it impossible."

"Man, you don't seem it by looking at you, but you really are cocky. I'm not that weak. Hit me with your best shot."

"Okay. Rise from the depths of darkness Kumori."

"Here it comes. I guess I should have taken the first shot."

Once Akira released his zanpaktou, the blade became pure black and the sword itself took on the form of a medieval long sword. The only difference was that the weight was much less than that of a regular long sword but was much more durable. There was also an aura around the blade that looked like black shadows.

"Now it is my turn. Let me hear your song Utau.

The only difference from the original blade of Hikaru's zanpaktou was the blade became wider and had holes for wind to pass through along the blade.

Captain Kuchiki's POV

"The one who requested this spar seems to be very confident in his skill. I wonder why he said he needed to have another person in there, and I wonder what that aura around his blade is."

"It probably has something to do with the enemy, Byakuya. You never know what might happen with a shikai. Maybe that kid has spoken to the soul of his zanpaktou and learned from it."

"You may be right Ukitake, but I still wonder."

At this moment Akira began to prepare for Hikaru's attack, thus the captains felt a rise in his spiritual pressure.

"It would seem as if those two know each other's capabilities. The one you are curious about is preparing to put up a barrier to protect against his attack, but he doesn't seem to be using a kido or anything."

"That boy has no aptitude for kido whatsoever."

"Then how would he defend against an attack like the one the other boy is about to use, Head Captain Yamamoto?

"He is going to block with the sheer force of his spiritual pressure I assume. We won't find out until we see so let's watch."

"Okay."

Akira's POV

"You should by now your attack won't hit me. I always dodge it."

"I doesn't hurt to try, and you seem to be doing something different."

"I'm trying something Kumori just taught me."

"Now? Man you are stupid."

"I know."

"Well here I come."

Hikaru's attack was a blast of wind that was created by swing his spirit energy infused sword, causing the air that passed through the holes in the blade to become bullets of wind.

In response to the attack I began the new skill. This skill created a barrier made out of shadows, but required a small amount of preparation, which Akira did while Hikaru was preparing. I chose this time because Hikaru starts our fights off the same way every time. Right before the bullets of wind got within 5 meters of me I made the motion of an upward slice and releasing the built up spiritual energy, just like Kumori told me. Doing so created a solid wall of shadows.

Captain Byakuya's POV

"No one ever mentioned that he could do that," I stated in astonishment. Even though that boy can not use kido he can create a wall like that. It must be an ability he learned from his zanpaktou.

'The reason why no one ever said anything is because he never said anything about it or showed it. My guess is he that he will use his other ability to get behind him and end it."

"You are probably right, Ukitake."

As Ukitake predicted the boy used the other ability, which he called shadow step, to get behind his sparring partner. At this point in the day, the two were positioned so that Akira's shadow step would put him right behind his partner. Then Akira put his sword to Hikaru's neck, marking the end of the match. Then the Head Captain spoke.

"Could we see some swordplay now? I would like to see some sword skills as well."

Akira's POV

"That would be fine with me."

"Same here. Let's go Akira. Oh, and don't ever hide that bad ass stuff from me ever again."

"Hey, Kumori just taught me last night. That was the first time I used it."

"You've got to be kidding me. You still cease to amaze me Aki."

"Well let's fight."

After about ten minutes of them fighting the Head Captain dismissed them.

"Hello young boys. I know you two might want to relax, but I would like to take young Akira here for the day."

"Hello. Wait, are you Captain Shunsui of Squad 8 of the Gotei 13?"

"Yes I am. Do you mind if I take your friend?"

"No sir, please go ahead."

"Thank you. Now if you could come with me now Akira, The captains who just witnessed this would like to speak with you, and later I would like to have a drink with you."

"Okay, but why a drink with me?"

"I would like to see how you handle your alcohol."

"That is a strange reason but it would be rude of me to reject so I accept."

"Wonderful. Now let's get going."

What will happen to Akira when he see the captains that were at the graduation? Will Akira be asked to join a squad or will he be interrogated and determined a future threat of the Seireitei. Stay tuned to find out.

Please R&R and tell me how I did. I want to know where I can do better and where I made grammatical mistakes.