Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. I own this idea, Kimiko, and Kazuo. Zanpaku-to designs come from Bleach, Inuyasha, and Buso Renkin.
The sun was beginning to set.
Orochimaru watched the orange glow receding from the white buildings of the Seireitei, casting long shadows on the winding streets. He leaned back onto the roof of the eighth company building, closing his eyes against the glare of the sun. It had been a long day. Several hollows had arrived unannounced, and Third Company had required backup. It had been quite a large group of them to. Rather odd really. Hollows didn't usually act that way, as they tended to have selfish personalities. That attack had been the third case. Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder if something was up.
He sighed, watching the stars come out. Hopefully, there wouldn't be another attack for a while. It was making the entire Seireitei jumpy. And that made the Rukong districts jumpy. It was just one big chain reaction, one that he'd rather not be part of. He sighed, missing the days when he didn't have to work so hard. When things were peaceful. Everyone knew that something was coming. Life may have been running smoothly, but the air crackled with things yet to come.
"Vice-captain? Dinner's ready," came a voice from below. Orochimaru pegged the voice to be that of Kimiko, the current third-seat of eighth company.
"I'm on the roof Kimiko," Orochimaru replied, sitting up.
Kimiko leaned out of the window and looked up. Orochimaru waved, and started climbing down from the roof into his room.
"Dinner's ready," Kimiko repeated.
"I know. I heard," Orochimaru replied.
"What were you doing on the roof?"
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing."
"You think a lot for a person who thinks about nothing," Kimiko sighed. Orochimaru couldn't help but smile. He'd been told that once before, and there wasn't much he could do to argue with it. He headed for the door.
"Oh yeah, Captain Kazuo wanted to see you about something," Kimiko added. Orochimaru turned to face her, noting the curiosity in her green eyes.
"Did he say why?"
"No. Maybe it's about the hollow attack earlier today." Kimiko shrugged. Orochimaru nodded. He left the room, Kimiko close behind.
"What's for dinner, anyway?" He asked, changing the subject, absently.
"I'm not sure," Kimiko replied, playing with her brown hair.
"Could be anything then. As long as the soup's not burnt this time, I'll be fine," Orochimaru nodded. He was still trying to get the taste of burnt miso soup out of his mouth. Kimiko nodded, remembering the experience. It had not been a pleasant one.
"Did the captain say when to meet him?" Orochimaru asked, breaking a small silence that had fallen between them,
"Anytime after dinner," Kimiko replied, running to join several other girls in the food line. Orochimaru sighed. Now it was going to be bothering him all through dinner. What would the captain want?
"Vice-captain Orochimaru, reporting as was requested," Orochimaru said, knocking on the door to the Captain's room. It was later than he'd thought. A small argument had broken out between several members over the quality of the meal, and as vice-captain, he'd been obliged to intervene. Not a fun job in the long run.
"Come in."
"I would have come earlier, but complications arose," Orochimaru explained, closing the door behind him with an annoyed clack.
"I heard," Kazuo smiled, as Orochimaru sat down. "Sounds like they were giving you a hard time."
"Nothing I couldn't handle. What did you want to see me about?"
"Straight to the point, as always," Kazuo sighed. "We haven't sparred in quite some time, you know. I thinking now would be a good time to see how strong you've become, thanks to those training sessions of yours."
"You mean, you knew?" Orochimaru blinked. 'I thought I did everything to hide that fact.'
"Orochimaru, you've been exhausted at breakfast for the past month. Not to mention I heard you when you tripped out of the window two weeks ago." Kazuo nodded, knowingly. "It's not that hard to put two and two together."
Orochimaru didn't reply. Just when he thought that embarrassment was behind him. A silence drifted into the room.
"I assume you are challenging me then," Orochimaru said, the dust clearing in his mind,
"Exactly. Are you up for it?"
"I don't know. I just want to relax after that hollow attack earlier today."
"It's fine," Kazuo tossed him a piece of paper. "That's the location. I'll wait until the moon is high. If you don't come, we'll do it another time."
Orochimaru bowed and left.
Orochimaru glared at the scrap of paper that the Captain had given him. It didn't feel like he was being challenged to a spar. More like an actual fight. And something about it didn't feel right. Orochimaru yawned, and rolled over onto his stomach. He couldn't sleep. He'd managed to rest his eyes for an hour or two after returning from the Captain's chambers, but then found himself wide awake.
"Damn it, Captain. Now you have me wondering," he muttered, sitting up. He looked at his zanpaku-to, wondering if all his training had had some effect. Was he really that much stronger?
"Not sure what to do?" Kusanagi asked, taking its spiritual form, a large snake. It slithered over to Orochimaru, coiling around his neck at an attempt of comfort.
"Exactly. I can't help but feel that something bad will happen if I go tonight."
"But at the same time you want to test your strength."
Orochimaru nodded. Kusanagi cocked his head, thinking about it.
"I say go."
"Why?"
"It's simple. You're simply testing your strength. The bad feeling means nothing. If you've had it for a while, who says it's going to leave because you didn't accept Kazuo's challenge?"
"You have a point there," Orochimaru nodded, getting up. Kusanagi smiled.
"So, we're going?"
"Yes. You've talked me into it. I don't think I'll be able to sleep either way." He picked up the zanpaku-to, checked the note once more, and headed out into the night.
He wandered quietly through the darkened streets of the Seireitei, pulling his kimono closer to him. It was starting to get cold. Gamely he set out, choosing the route that would offer the least resistance. Guards were on extra alert since the hollow attacks had increased, and "going to answer a challenge" would hardly seem a good reason to be out this late.
Clearing several roofs, Orochimaru came upon the place suggested, the courtyard in front of the First Company building. Orochimaru could recall being here twice before. The first was when he had graduated the Soul Reaper Academy and the second when he was promoted to vice-captain. It held an aura of sanctity to him, as it was an area he rarely visited.
He dropped down into the courtyard. Kazuo sat at the other end, a bottle of sake beside him. He smiled when he saw Orochimaru.
"So, you came," he said, putting the bottle aside.
"Indeed," Orochimaru said, bowing respectfully. Kazuo turned to face him.
The tension in the air became thick.
Orochimaru adjusted his grip on Kusanagi. His eyes watched Kazuo, searching for an opening. There were no doubts that the same was being done to him. Questions flooded into his mind, and Orochimaru struggled to keep them at bay. The answers would come after. He had to concentrate on the fight. He felt calm. Normally, one would feel intense fear at the prospect of fighting a captain, but there was nothing. Just calm.
A small leaf flitted through the air, dropping slowly to the ground.
It landed.
The first strike was made.
A testing blow, simply a measure of strength for either side.
"You have gotten better," Kazuo smiled, as the two sparred, matching each other blow for blow. Orochimaru accepted he compliment without saying anything. He had to focus on the fight. A moment's hesitation or distraction would prove disastrous.
Kazuo continued his attack, putting Orochimaru on the defensive. Orochimaru jumped back, chanting under his breath. A wave of kido flew at Kazuo. Judging by the smoke that appeared, Orochimaru assumed a hit, but turned to check anyway.
Kazuo stood behind him, without a scratch.
"Your kido has always been impressive, but you need to hold still more. You're always a little off because you jump at the recoil."
Was the captain trying to teach him or fight him?
Orochimaru turned fully around, making eye contact with Kazuo. He gripped Kusanagi, preparing for another attack. Kazuo watched him lazily. Orochimaru charged.
Something had gone wrong.
Kazuo shouldn't have been able to dodge. Block, yes, but dodge completely? But, Kazuo was standing to his left, wearing that same lazy grin, waiting for Orochimaru's next attack.
Orochimaru continued thinking, trying to determine his next move. Realization dropped into his head. Kazuo had released Kurohoshi, his zanpaku-to. Orochimaru focused his gaze, and smiled when he saw the small sparkle. Flecks of metal floated in the air, surrounding the entire courtyard.
Kurohoshi, when initially released, became a cloud of metal dust that surrounded an area. This metal caused the nervous system to be affected, throwing things such as depth perception off. Although Kazuo still held a sword, it was merely a double.
Yanking Kusanagi up, Orochimaru swung wildly, the myriad blades unfolding one by one. Kazuo dodged narrowly, charging Orochimaru who brought his sword up to block just in time.
"So, you can release your zanpaku-to without a name now," Kazuo smiled, "I'm rather impressed. I didn't expect you to achieve that feat so quickly."
"What is the meaning of this, Captain?" Orochimaru asked.
"You will see, Orochimaru. For now, consider this a test."
"A test?" Orochimaru never got an explanation. Kazuo had slid back into his cover. Orochimaru closed his eyes, trying to focus, Again he had to suppress his questions, for now, he would focus on defeating Kurohoshi. Where was the captain now? To the right?
Opening his eyes, Orochimaru swung Kusanagi in a wide arc. Cutting through the clouds of metal, the sword searched for its target. Kazuo blocked, though the blow sent him back a few feet. Orochimaru attacked again.
Dawn was beginning to break, and the Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Companies were waking up to go about their business. Team One noticed the fight first. For the longest time, each soul reaper stood transfixed on the ensuing fight, wondering how they could not have noticed. Arashi, the vice-captain, finally regained some of his composure, sent a runner to alert the captain of Team one. Surely he knew what was going on. The runner left reluctantly, not wanting to miss anything.
Team four was the next to join the spectators, ignoring their cleaning duties. No one was up for reprimanding them. By now, news of the event was spreading across the Seireitei like wildfire. Soul Reapers from all companies were abandoning their duties. The Captain and Vice-captain of Eight Company were fighting. No one wanted to miss it.
Neither combatant noticed the arrival of their audience, or of the coming of daybreak. Both were too focused on the fight. With each strike, Orochimaru was starting to get closer to Kazuo, attempting to land a physical blow. Kazuo smiled as he blocked another attack. He had been right about Orochimaru. It was time to take things up a notch.
Kazuo stopped his barrage, bringing all the shavings of metal to his sword. They clouded around him, making it seem like there was a giant, silver dragon wrapped around his sword. Orochimaru paused. Was that the true form of Kurohoshi? Whatever was going on, Orochimaru knew he had to stop it. Kusanagi flew along the ground in a wave-like motion.
"Bankai!"
The dragon roared and flew towards Orochimaru, who stopped his attack and threw his arms up in a game attempt at a block. When he next looked around, he was in an area of black. Every so often a piece of metal sparkled in the distance, but other than that, darkness in every direction. This was the Captain's bankai? His forever release?
"This is my bankai," Kazuo confirmed, his voice seeming to be coming from everywhere. "Collapsed Kurohoshi." Kazuo materialized in front of Orochimaru.
"Captain, what is going on?" Orochimaru demanded.
"I told you. I'm testing you."
"Why?"
Kazuo didn't answer, but faded back into the darkness. Orochimaru felt a sudden jarring sensation, which soon switched into the feeling of him being pulled forward. Some sort of light had appeared in front of him, trying to drag him into it. Orochimaru tried to move, but no matter where he went in the space, the dragging sensation was still there.
There had to be some catch. Some weakness, Orochimaru thought, letting himself be pulled towards the light. He winced as metal scraps flew across his face and body. It was almost impossible to dodge.
'This has to be part of the Captain's test,' Orochimaru thought, using Kusanagi as a shield to block the incoming shards. He wrapped the chain of blades around him, trying to buy some time and contemplate a strategy. How could he defeat this bankai? He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate, a trait he was known for, and listened to the metal bouncing off his makeshift shield.
The dragging sensation stopped. There was his answer.
Orochimaru opened his eyes. The dragging feeling was there again. Closing his eyes once more, he smirked. Realization was starting to form into strategy. It was all part of Kurohoshi's properties, only this time on a much larger scale. However, if he kept his eyes shut, he could overcome that one difficulty, and he only had to focus on the metal scraps.
But it couldn't be that easy? This was a bankai, after all. There had to be more, and it looked like experimenting was the only way to find out.
Breaking his shield, Orochimaru swung Kusanagi into the unending darkness. He took a quick step to the left, feeling the tip rush past his ear. His attacks were being redirected, and it would be worse with his eyes closed.
Mumbling a short incantation, Orochimaru threw a small blast of kido into the dark. He opened his eyes slightly, only to watch it disperse, as he suspected it would. He needed more time to think.
A group of shards connected heavily with his chest, bringing him back to reality. He had no time.
"You're still hesitating," Kazuo sad, once more coming into the open. "But you've figured out the majority of my bankai. Well done."
"I still don't see the point, Captain. This is far more than just sparring, else you wouldn't have brought out your bankai.
"In that, you are correct. We are engaged in formal combat, rather than just mere sparring," Kazuo nodded, almost sadly.
"So, that would mean you are testing me to see..." Orochimaru trailed off as the realization dawned on him.
"To see if you are ready to be promoted to the rank of captain," Kazuo completed.
"Captain, do you really think I'm ready?" Orochimaru was almost speechless. Not something that he felt often.
"Of course. Your nightly training sessions have been paying off. You've been holding your own against me, haven't you?"
"I appreciate the praise, sir, but as far as I know, there aren't any open positions."
"There may be in the near future. I wanted to make sure you were ready."
Orochimaru nodded. He hadn't really considered becoming a captain until recently, when he'd started training. But even then he was more interested in achieving Bankai than moving up in the ranks. As one approached the rank of captain, things began to get more political, especially where the four noble families were involved.
Kazuo lunged forward. Orochimaru parried the blow, launching a quick counterattack. A small cut appeared on Kazuo's arm. He brushed it off.
"So, when are you going to stop holding back?" Kazuo asked.
"You noticed?"
"Of course. Your strength has grown. How could I not?"
Orochimaru looked hesitant. He didn't really know the extent of his full powers.
"If you're worried about the Seireitei, don't be. It's been through much worse."
"I figured," Orochimaru said, jumping back a few paces. "Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move, and become the wind, stop, and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the castle! Raikoho!" The large wave of yellow energy went flying towards Kazuo, who blocked it brazenly with Kurohoshi. Orochimaru followed up on the attack, Kusanagi cutting through the kido. Kazuo smiled, bringing up a cloud of shards to block Kusanagi. Orochimaru winced as some of his kido grazed him. The rules of the bankai were still in effect it seemed.
Orochimaru nodded. In order for a clear hit to happen, he was going to have to break the bankai.
"Is this all you have to show from your training? I expected quite a bit more from you," Kazuo taunted.
Orochimaru held Kusanagi out in front of him, a grim smile on his face.
"Bankai!"
Kazuo held his ground as Orochimaru's soul power increased tenfold. He could feel it crashing into him in waves. Now, it was time for him to get serious. Holding his hand up. Kazuo dispersed the darkness, bringing them back out into the courtyard, where the crowd had grown substantially. The loud roar of conversation filled Kazuo's ears as he became aware of his surroundings. Several captains had even arrived. He glanced up at Sarutobi, the Leader of Team One, and the General of the Thirteen Court guards and smiled. Sarutobi sighed. Kazuo certainly liked to show off.
The smoke that had gathered around Orochimaru was beginning to disperse, and a shape was starting to become visible. Orochimaru sat confidently on the head of a giant snake, sitting coiled in the courtyard.
"Manda Kusanagi. My bankai," Orochimaru said, jumping down.
"Rather impressive creature, he is," Kazuo nodded approvingly. But what was Orochimaru hiding? His sword seemed no where in sight. Was the snake merely a distraction? He took a few steps back. He'd have to be careful now. It was a whole new game.
'I have to end this quickly,' Orochimaru thought, taking a deep breath. 'I don't think I have the strength to keep my bankai for that long.'
The snake shot towards Kazuo, a thin silver streak coming from the snake's mouth. A myriad of smaller blades sprang from it, giving it the appearance of a centipede. It moved along the ground in a wave, suddenly changing direction.
"Just because we're no long in the space, doesn't mean that the rules of my bankai don't apply," Kazuo nodded. Still no kido, and Orochimaru's attacks could be redirected back at him.
Orochimaru flicked his wrist, the hilt of Kusanagi appearing in his hand. The sword was heading back to Kazuo.
"That won't matter. I can change the direction of my sword easily."
"I can see that. A useful trait. This could be a long battle," Kazuo replied, noting Orochimaru's expression, one of worry. It was as he figured. He dodged the tip of the blade, but was unable to avoid some of the smaller blades along the end. Blood ran freely down his cheek.
Orochimaru couldn't dispute Kazuo's fact. It was going to be a long battle, and he hadn't been given the chance to fully explore his bankai and all its subtleties. He still had ten years ahead him, if he was going to fully master it. He had to end this fast, but...how? The bankai had to have a weak spot. He just had to find it.
Orochimaru jumped back, easily evading Kazuo's latest attack. He went to launch a counterattack and paused. The Captain was using a long-distance attack. That was the last piece of the puzzle. By blocking the senses, Kazuo could attack from anywhere, easily, and since Orochimaru was aware of the other properties, distance attacks worked best.
'I should consider myself lucky I can read them,' Orochimaru thought to himself, determining a counter-strategy as well as a block. His specialty was distance as well. He had to move in closer, but his bankai wasn't suited for that kind of stunt. Neither was his shikai, for that matter. There was something to take into consideration, he figured. What if he deactivated both? A normal zanpaku-to... would it be enough? There was only one way to find out.
"This is a new strategy," Kazuo commented, watching Orochimaru's bankai fade into its normal form. Orochimaru said nothing, and began to charge towards Kazuo, his sword raised. The scraps of metal struck at Orochimaru from every direction causing cuts all over his body, but gamely he charged on. Once more the dragon began to form, but he cut through it. His only target was Kazuo.
A stunned silence filled the courtyard. Orochimaru woke up to reality, feeling weak as the adrenalin rush faded from his body. The silence told him that something was wrong. Blinking a few times to regain his senses, he looked around. For the first time, he noticed the considerable crowd that had formed. Were they watching the fight? It was then that he noticed the blood.
"You win, Orochimaru," Kazuo said. The shallow breaths that he took turned into a hacking cough, spraying blood onto the ground. "You fought well."
Orochimaru made no reply. Was this what Kazuo had meant? He looked at the captain's face. Kazuo smiled at him. With a wince, he removed Kusanagi from his chest, and stumbled forward. Orochimaru caught him out of reflex.
"This is what I had intended to happen. I am not suited to face what happens next," Kazuo whispered.
"Captain, what are you talking about?" Orochimaru asked.
"You know, Orochimaru. You've felt it. Things are about to change. You must be the one to lead Eighth Company through it. Trust Leader, but trust your instincts more. I put my trust in you."
"Captain?"
"So... is that it?" came a voice from behind him. Orochimaru turned, and found himself facing Sarutobi.
"Kazuo Fukugawa, the captain of eighth company, is dead. I, Orochimaru, hereby claim the rank of captain as the one who defeated him," Orochimaru replied.
"So be it then. I, Sarutobi, General of the Thirteen Court Guards, recognize Orochimaru as the new captain of Team eight."
The soul reapers watching the fight, looked at each other confused. What should they do? Were they supposed to cheer, or boo, or what? A pitter of small applause came from the crowed, but Orochimaru took no notice. He had taken the captain's coat from Kazuo's fallen body and stood weighing it in his hands. It was heavy, he noted.
"He wanted all of this, you know?" Sarutobi said, looking at the small smile that graced Kazuo's features.
"Why?" Orochimaru asked, quietly.
"Honor is a strange thing," Sarutobi replied. "But, I'll take my leave of you now. You have a lot of work ahead of you, Captain."
Orochimaru nodded, watching him leave. Captain, it had a nice ring to it.
Kimiko ran in, shortly after Sarutobi left. Orochimaru looked up, nodding at her. Kimiko stopped, and nodded back. It hadn't taken her very long to discern what had happened. Without warning, Orochimaru tossed her the vice-captain's badge.
"Come. We have work to do," he said, walking passed her, the captain's robe draped about his shoulders.
"Yes, sir."
"So, that was your move Kazuo? An interesting one at that," He smiled, and then turned to his followers. One, a small figure wearing an orange mask, the other a large plant, it seemed. "Zetsu, keep an eye on eighth company's new captain."
"Yes sir," a robotic voice replied.
"What should I do, Leader?" the masked figure asked.
"You will come with me, Tobi. Things will be in motion soon, and we have much to prepare."
A/N: First of all, I'd like to apologize for this chapter taking so long. I had quite a bit to think about it with regards to it, and my life got super-busy all the while. (School, IB exams, English Projects, Work, Grad). It also recently dawned on me that I'm heading into my last week of High School, so I'm kind of emotional about that.
I'm rather proud of myself with this chapter. Twelve pages in length. I like how the fight scene turned out, and I can't wait to play with more bankais. Kazuo's changed alot. I realise that the ending was kind of cryptic, but I'll explain it later in the story.
Zanpaku-tos. I want to talk about them briefly. I am borrowing from other animes and such. Kusanagi (Orochimaru's sword) is based off of Jakotsu's sword from Inuyasha and the Bankai from the Hakujin in Rurouni Kenshin. Kazuo's comes from Dr. Butterfly's buso renkin, in the series, Buso Renkin. It changed quite a bit from what I originally intended.
Thank you to those who review, and to those who read but didn't review as well. (107 hits. I'm surprised.) Thanks for your patients. I'll get the next chapter up soon...hopefully.
