Chapter 2

Captain Jushiro Ukitake of squad 13 was sitting in his office doing paperwork when Kiyone and Sentaro burst in unceremoniously.

"Captain!" Kiyone yelled, "Two mysterious women have arrived and demand to see you!"

"That's not fair! I wanted to tell the Captain!" Sentaro exclaimed, "Captain they apparently defeated Jidanbo in battle as well as the fifteenth seat of squad ten and another of his officers who intercepted them after they came through the west gate."

"How bad were the injuries of the defeated officers?" Ukitake looked up in alarm.

"That's the thing Captain," Kiyone interrupted Sentaro, "Apparently right after the battles the girls healed their opponents. They have Zanpakuto but they aren't soul reapers."

"Did you get their names?"

"The younger one is Tiffany Aurora and the older one is Rose Fiorito." at that last name Ukitake stiffened.

"Fiorito, you say. Where are they now?"

"Outside your quarters Sir, waiting for you."

"Are they now... I'll see them. Kiyone, Sentaro, stay here. This may be a private matter. However, stay close, I may need you."

"Yes Sir." they answered in sync, glaring at each other.

Ukitake opened the door of his office to find the two women siting on the ground in the seiza style. When he appeared they quickly went into dogeza in a show of great respect to the Captain.

"Please sit up." Ukitake took a seat on the platform from the stairs going to his office, "From what I hear you need to speak with me and you cannot do that when your face is in the ground." he smiled disarmingly.

"Captain Ukitake, we have come here with a very important request." Rose said once they had straitened up.

"My name is Rose Fiorito and this is my companion Tiffany Aurora. I wonder if you remember my brother? He was in your squad a few years ago. His name was Micheal Fiorito."

"Yes I remember him, he was a very capable soul reaper, I'm sorry about what happened to him. Please take my condolences, however late."

"Yes, thank you. Well, to prove my identity and that of the brother I claim I brought this." Rose held out the scroll.

"It's a letter he wrote to me while serving under you." You stood and walked to the Captain, bowed and handed him the scroll. He scanned it quickly and nodded.

"I believe you are who you say you are. Now what have you come here for?"

"We wish to join the Court Guard Squads."

"Why did you not enroll in the Academy? That's what it's there for."

"Do you remember the fire that occurred in the northern Districts about seven years ago?"

"Yes, It wiped out quite a lot including a few promising clans."

"That fire wiped out my clan, and in a way it was right that it did, because a man from our faction started it. He was a third son on my father's side and so he would never get the little power that our clan possessed. My uncle was a radical and devised a plot to take the our title by... removing all those who currently had power: My Father, Mother, Eldest brother, his older brother, and me. His plan was simple: burn the house with us in it. The fire caught more than it should have and burned many other homes and buildings. I was lucky enough to get out of the house fast enough and run. And I took Tiffany with me."

"Yes, what is your connection to this?" Ukitake turned to look at the younger girl.

"My family was a lesser clan to Rose's. We had always been the staff at the house of Fiorito but this was by choice more than force. Our families grew bonded together by time, but my family would never take power. I was Rose's childhood play-mate and so went everywhere with her. We are as close as sisters."

"I see. But as interesting as this story is, why would it prevent you from entering the Academy?"

"Do you remember the official report about the fire? It was seen as an accident. However if someone found out it was connected to the Fiorito's, suspicion would rise against the Seireitei and the soul reapers. You must know that most of the Districts already dislike soul reapers and if it got out that someone connected to the Seireitei burned down part of a District wouldn't go over well. Also we don't know where my Uncle went. He might still be around, and who knows what would run through his head if he saw that I survived the fire. We couldn't join the Academy for safety reasons. I pushed Tiffany to join but she couldn't stand being separated."

"How did you gain Zanpakuto? And how far progressed are you in using them?"

"I was taught in my clan. We had a large library that encased many books on Spiritual Pressure, harnessing it, and kido. Tiffany is the kido expert though. As a daughter of the clan I was taught to fight and I passed on what I knew to Tiffany. She changed from a childhood play-mate to a sparring partner. We simply trained a lot. When the fire started we where in the library and we happened to grab a few books; when we set to the road those were the books we learned from and cherished. They became our Bible, Torah, and Qur'an. Lucky enough they were my brother's old Academy books." a wry smile crossed her face as this irony was explained, "We learned how to gain a Zanpakuto through them. After we learned all we could from the books we just improved our skills. We traveled around fighting those who would spar with us, trying to help people, and grow strong enough to come before you today. We have both achieved Shikai."

"May I see your blades?" Ukitake was more curious than anything else at this point.

"Of course." Tiffany pulled her short blade from her sleeve and Rose turned to where her saber lay behind her in it's sheath (you can't kneel with a saber strapped to your hip). She unsheathed it and the blade glinted bright silver. Ukitake looked first at Rose's then went to Tiffany's unusual blade.

"I've never seen a gold Zanpakuto before, and never one so short. Does it have some special properties?"

"Yes," Tiffany answered a bit shyly, "It's not the strongest physical weapon but it does have some abilities. But I'd like to keep those secret until I use it. If that's alright Captain."

"Oh yes, I understand. To many recruits want to show off and forget that surprise can be useful in battle."

You both put your Zanpakuto away and Ukitake sat for a few minutes simply thinking. Looking at the pair in front of him.

The older girl, Rose, was tall, she had brown hair that was pulled up into a clip on the back of her head with a tail of hair hanging out the bottom suggesting length. Her skin was pale with an olive tint to it. She had almond shaped brown eyes that seemed kind but also noticed everything around her; they were intelligent eyes. She had nondescript lips, her face was a rough oval with prominent cheek bones and a rounded chin. It was a very European face. A long swan-like neck ran into a thin balletic body. She did look like her brother. He too was pale and had those eyes, however his hair was darker and he was all around a thicker person, boyish and gangly while Rose looked more grown into her long graceful figure. She had an ethereality about her.

He turned to the younger girl, Tiffany. He had no reference for her. Her face was slightly heart-shaped suggesting a kind spirit. She kept large brown-black eyes turned down but whether this was from upbringing or shyness he couldn't tell. Thin glasses framed them, the black wire frames sleek and practical. Black hair fell around her face, only slightly held back by a white strip of fabric, letting the rest fall to her mid-back. Her complexion was much more traditional and eastern, the slight tan to her skin showing off youthful radiance. She was shorter that her companion. Her body was a bit more full and solid than Rose's, still thin but she had more womanly qualities that her older friend. They were both beautiful women but in such different ways.

Ukitake stood.

"I will have to talk to all the other captains about this. Until they have reached a decision you will be treated as my guests. Lieutenants Kiyone, Sentaro." his two lieutenants appeared from his office,

"Take Ms. Rose and Ms. Tiffany to my guest quarters. Treat them with respect and bring them a meal."

"Yes, Captain!" they both shouted. Ukitake turned to the women.

"I hope you will be comfortable here. I must go and request a Captain's meeting now. Please feel free to ask for anything. Kiyone and Sentaro will be watching you so if you need something ask them." Ukitake turned and went into his office. Kiyone and Sentaro motioned for them to follow.

As they walked down the hall towards the guest rooms, Kiyone asked a question,

"So what are you two here for?"

"We want to become soul reapers." The answer was short and to the point. Rose didn't want to give away too much information.

"Why not join the academy?" Sentaro asked.

"It was a matter of protection. There was a possibility of people being hurt and possible rebellion if we joined publicly." the officers' eyes widened.

"Who exactly are you?" Kiyone asked, a bit incredulous.

"I'm sorry, Lieutenants Kiyone and Sentaro was it?" they nodded, "If we are accepted into the Court Guard Squads we will reveal all, but until then, we wish to keep some measure of secrecy."

"We understand." Sentaro said, "Everyone has secrets. Here we are at the room." He slid open the door and showed the women in.

"We'll be along with some food in a few minutes."

"Alright thank you so much." the soul reapers left them alone.

Ukitake was pleading with the other Captains.

"I believe that the girls are intelligent and powerful. I know it's unorthodox to let them to the Court Guard Squads without going through the Academy first but I think they have the required abilities."

"But we can't just let them in on a whim. That would be asking for trouble." Byakuya replied.

"Obviously, so how do we verify their talents and abilities?" Toshiro asked.

"The answer, my friends, is very simple," Shunsui spoke, "we have the pair go through 13 trials, one for each division, the Captain of each division chooses the task. The trials last over thirteen days: one day per trial. If they pass at least seven of the trials they are allowed into the Court Guard Squads. How does that sound to everybody?" he looked around the rows of Captains with a slight smug look on his face. The rest of the Captains muttered among themselves.

"I agree with this plan." Captain Unohana said quietly.

"As do I." Byakuya said.

"Do the rest of the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads agree with Captain Kyoraku's suggestion?" Many Captains muttered the affirmative.

"I agree on one condition," Captain Komamura said, "We must decide on our challenges and then show them to the other Captains in another meeting. We must make sure that all the trials are challenging but not impossible. We must make it a fair trial."

"Then it is decided." Head Captain Yamamoto declared, "You will have the next few hours to prepare your challenges, we will meet again two hours after dinner. Ukitake, let the girls know the plan. Captain's Meeting dismissed."

Rose and Tiffany sat thinking. Ukitake had just told them the plan.

"Do you know if the trials will be public?" Tiffany asked quietly.

"I would say that they probably will be, but nothing is for certain. Would you prefer them public or private?"

"Public is fine." She answered, "It will give us a chance to prove ourselves to the other squads."

"Who's challenge is first?" Rose asked.

"Mine. Tomorrow you must face my challenge. But I can't tell you what it is."

"That's understandable. I presume we will advance through the squads from 13 to 1 then?"

"Yes."

"Captain Ukitake, we want to thank you. My brother always said you were the kindest Captain in the squads and now I believe him. We are truly in your debt. If there is anything you need from us please just ask." as Rose spoke Tiffany nodded.

"Really that's not necessary, but I appreciate the sentiments. I'm very glad to have met you two. While there is still time before it gets late, is there anything you would like to do? We have a few hours until dinner. Perhaps you'd like to go out and see some of the barracks or maybe the gardens?"

"A military force has gardens?" Rose was a bit incredulous.

"The Female Shinigami Society established them a little while ago. They claimed that since most of the shinigami live here full time they deserve a place of relaxation. It may seem silly but it is a great place for meditation with one's Zanpakuto or quiet thinking." Ukitake chuckled.

"I would very much like to see these gardens." Tiffany smiled, "And you Rose?"

"Yes it sounds very pleasant. Shall we go then?" Ukitake stood along with the girls.

"Yes let's." He opened the door and motioned for the two women to go through first. Each bowed their head in thanks toward him as they left. He led them a little way off to a walled off area. A gate guarded the entrance and when they entered it was as if they entered a new world.

Gone were the rows and rows of barracks, dojos, and stiff military architecture. In it's stead stood plants. Off to the left there was a hedge maze, straight ahead there were twisting pathways of pale rock surrounded by bushes and trees of every species, to the right the sound of a water feature could be heard and fruit bearing plants were abundant. Deeper in there were pools and fountains and benches along with a rock garden. Smaller, more delicate looking, buildings with decorative facades were placed intermittently to provide shade from the sun and shelter from any sudden weather. It was truly a beautiful serene place.

"Oh Captain, it's gorgeous!" Rose exclaimed in a hushed voice.

"Yes it is quite beautiful." Ukitake chuckled. Tiffany just looked around with wide eyes, "Where shall we go first?"

"Let's go down this way." Tiffany started walking to the right, toward the sound of water. The small group walked for a while until they reached a small stream that flowed into a pond surrounded by benches and blossoming sakura trees. Tiffany sat on a bench under one tree and Rose wandered the edge of the pond. Ukitake sat next to Tiffany.

"So, you were the personal servant for Ms. Fiorito while at the home?"

"Less of a servant more of a lady-in-waiting. Honestly we are and always have been best friends, almost sisters. The few times she was treated as a daughter of the Fiorito's it seemed more like dress-up to us than a class difference. The Fiorito's were loved by the people because they never relied on their wealth or social influence. They would actually try to take care of the people under them. That's why the fire was such a terrible thing for the district to bear; their wonderful ruling family was gone."

"May I ask how you and Rose escaped the fire? If it's too personal don't feel compelled to answer."

After a slight hesitant pause Tiffany told her tale.

"I was only 10 or 11 years old and Rose was 13. It was late at night; we where supposed to be in bed asleep. However we had snuck out of our rooms to go read in the library. We were bookworm children, hungry for any kind of story, even histories and instructional texts. We were intensely interested in the Court Guard Squads because Rose's brother had been accepted into the squads a few months earlier and finally remembered to send us his old school books. We grabbed them and brought them back to our room. We were about to go to bed when Rose smelled something odd. She left the room telling me to stay there. A few minutes later she rushed back into the room and forced me to change into strong traveling clothes as did she. She rushed around the room putting as many things as she could into bags. She grabbed the texts we had taken, as well as more clothes and our meager savings. She grabbed the two practice swords we had and strapped them on. She gave me a pack and we rushed into the hall. The distant end of the hall was engulfed in flames. We rushed in the opposite direction, toward her parent's chamber. She posted me at the door to watch the flames while she tried to wake her parents. A few moments later she returned and I could see tears in her eyes. She shoved a small bag of money into my pack and hoisted her own. She started running. We went down the hall every room we passed Rose tried to wake whoever slept there but most of the living quarters were down on the other end of the house. The end that was already burning. We managed to save some of my family: my brother, aunt and uncle, my mother, and my youngest cousin. We ran out as the roof collapsed. The fire spread from the main house to some of the barns and neighboring houses. We tried to save them, we ran around screaming for people to get up but there is only so much seven people can do. Eventually the fire brigade came and tried to put it out, but the damage was done. When it was apparent that we could do no more, Rose collapsed. She cried and cried. I cried too, but one thing confused me: why didn't she save her parents? We were there; she had enough time to waken them, so why didn't she? Being the foolish, insensitive child I was, I asked her right there. No I didn't ask, I accused her. She choked out the answer. Her parents had been stabbed in their sleep. They were still warm, she told me later. We were just too late to save them. I'm sure Rose blames herself for that still. When she had finally gotten control over herself a few days later, we told my family goodbye. It was set in her heart that she would become strong and join the squads. I followed her out of choice, I wouldn't have left her alone. And so we set out to travel and become strong. After counting what we had managed to salvage from the fire we found we had 200,200 Kan, extra clothes, the swords, seven books, and some nicknacks. We gave away the things we didn't need and traveled light. We were on the road for the seven years prior to coming here. That's basically our story. We worked where we could and trained as often as possible. We would stay in kind homes that would take us in, or we would pay for fourth rate rooms, or the streets were always there. We camped a lot too. There's only two things Rose will never answer questions about, her parents death and what she saw in the hall right before the fire started. Even I don't know about that."

there was a silence as Tiffany's story ended.

"I'm sorry. That's a heavy burden for young women to bear. I'm sorry I don't really know what to say." Ukitake looked at Tiffany with a mixture of sympathy, sadness, and pity in his eyes.

"Then don't say anything. And do not pity us." Tiffany turned to face Ukitake completely, "We have grown through this. We are all we have and it is enough for us. We are stronger now, we are well traveled, and we are much wiser than some people twice our ages. We have a chance for our dream before us. We deserve no pity." there was a fierce determined fire in Tiffany's eyes and a slight smile on her face.

Rose wandered the bank of the pond, watching as petals floated in the crystal water and Koi fish swam under them. A gentle breeze blew through the garden and she closed her eyes, letting the air wash over her. She reached up and removed the clip from her hair. The chocolatey brown strands fell, free from their previous constriction. Her hair danced around her face and neck as the wind played with it. She turned to look back at Tiffany and Captain Ukitake. Tiff was talking, not something she normally did right after meeting someone. Rose smiled. Tiffany must have been very taken with the Captain. Rose saw Ukitake say something and Tiffany giggled cutely. Oh yes Tiff must have been very taken. Rose smiled a small smile to herself. It was about time Tiff had some kind of romance in her life. Something, at least, to make her happy. She felt guilty for dragging Tiff along on her quest. She wanted her sister to be happy. She just hoped that Tiff wouldn't fall for anyone in the squads before they knew for sure if they would be allowed in. Especially with the challenges being so open. For all they knew they could be fighting Ukitake tomorrow.

"SHUHEI, LOOK OUT!" Rose heard a shout beside her and turned only to be slammed in the chest by a rather large frame. Rose flew back and onto the ground. A heavy body was on top of her. She open her eyes from the collision and saw a spiky black head of hair face down in her chest. She could feel her face flushing a deep red. The owner of the head of hair pushed his torso off of her with his arms. Realizing he had knocked over a woman the man's face began to flush as well. He quickly rolled all the way off her and stood. He reached down and offered a hand to Rose, who had by now push herself up on one arm. She grabbed the proffered hand and he hoisted her up. Rose noticed the strength that the leanly muscled arm hid.

"I am so sorry..." the man began but was cut off by the owner of the to-late warning cry appearing.

"Who'd you knock over Shuhei? Oh! She's a lady!" a red haired soul reaper asked loudly.

"Renji would you please shut up." Shuhei rubbed his temples then turned back to Rose.

"I am so sorry about that Miss...?"

"Rose Fiorito." Rose managed to squeak out. If she had one downfall it was the fact that Rose was immensely shy when face to face with attractive men.

"Miss Fiorito, please accept my apology." Shuhei

"O-of course. It was just an accident." Rose turned her head so a curtain of hair covered her blushing face. It was then that Renji returned.

"So who's the chick?" he asked Shuhei. A bit putout that this other man was talking as if she wasn't there, Rose briefly got over her shyness.

"My name is Rose Fiorito. If you have questions ask them to me yourself not through your unobservant friend." she crossed her arms over her chest. Renji's eyes just kinda bugged out and his eyebrows rose.

"Oh are you hurt or anything, Miss Fiorito?" Shuhei was blushing again at the

name and carefully looked Rose over trying to covertly make sure that she wasn't hurt. Smiling Rose turned away from Renji.

"No, I'm fine. It takes a lot more than a little bump to hurt me." at this moment Tiffany and Ukitake came over. Tiffany was at a run but the Captain was at a more sedate pace.

"Rose! Are you alright? We saw what happened."

"Yes, I'm alright. Don't worry, you know I'm tougher than that." Rose grabbed her clip and put her hair up again.

"I just don't want you to get hurt before the contest tomorrow."

"Wait, you are the two in the challenges tomorrow?" Renji exclaimed, "Girls? The possible new recruits are girls?"

"Is there a problem with that... Renji, was it?" He nodded.

"It's not a problem I just didn't expect girls."

"Well would you like a little exposition to reaffirm your trust in the 13 captains' decision?"

"Are you suggesting a fight?"

"Yes. A very simple duel. The first to get a touch anywhere on the other is the victor. A touch constitutes a prick anywhere on the opponents body. Do you agree?"

"You're on." Renji grinned.

"Captain Ukitake would you mind judging the duel?" Rose turned to the Captain.

"Not at all."

"Alright let's get this finished quickly." Rose slid off her kimono, again startling the men surrounding her, "Tiff, would you mind taking this?" Tiffany grabbed the kimono.

Rose and Renji backed up from each other. At Ukitake's first signal they drew their swords. At the next they began to circle each other.

"Ladies first." Renji smiled.

"Why thank you." Rose whispered. She darted forward and almost, but not quite, touched his nose with the tip of her sword. She jumped away.

"Isn't it dangerous to leave an opening?" Rose questioned.

"Hnn." Renji just grunted. He had been surprised at the speed of her first strike. He lunged next. Rose dodged seemingly effortlessly. They continued in a very precise dance. Each dodging at the best moment, both lunging sharply. It stretched on for minutes, silently dancing around each others' swords. Rose looked like water as she flowed from stance to stance. Renji was hard and violent in his actions. They fit each others' moves perfectly. At one point they crossed swords.

"Nice tattoos." Rose whispered looking at his neck and forehead. A bit taken aback from a complement in the midst of battle, Renji lept back landing hard, rocking forward to his knees. At that moment Rose lept forward. In an instant it was over. Rose had the point of her sword poking into the flesh above Renji's heart. But he wasn't frowning or angry. In fact he was smirking. The tip of his own sword was slightly pressing into Rose's left hip. As the two realized what had happened they both turned to Ukitake for a ruling. Everyone waited with baited breath.

"I would have to say that the match is a tie. As close as I could figure you both touched at the same moment."

There was quiet for a moment. Then Rose began to chuckle. She raised her free hand to her mouth as she did so and soon it was contagious the others began to laugh as well, even Renji. Rose backed away and sheathed her Zanpakuto. Renji stood and sheathed his as well.

"Congrats Miss. Fiorito. You just landed a death hit on the Lieutenant of Squad 6." Shuhei said.

"The L-lieutenant?" Rose turned to Renji who was looking proud of himself.

"Yes, I guess we should introduce ourselves. I'm Shuhei Hisagi, Lieutenant of Squad 9."

"And I'm Renji Abarai Lieutenant of Squad 6." He gave Rose a crooked smile and her shyness returned.

"I-I'm Rose Fiorito. This is Tiffany Aurora. We are the two competitors in tomorrow's challenges."

"Well I'm glad we have such capable contestants." Shuhei commented, "I trust that your companion is also strong."

"Yes. Tiffany is extremely talented. Maybe even better than I am."

"You've been fighting longer than I have Rose!" Tiff said, downplaying the comment.

"Does that really matter? We of all people should know that age does not equal ability."

"True. Well now that you're alright I'm going to go and talk with Captain Ukitake. Is that okay?"

"That's fine." Rose smiled as she watched the two walk back to their bench and resume the conversation they had had before the disturbance.

"Miss. Fiorito?" Rose turned to Shunsui.

"Yes?"

"As an apology for knocking you down, would you like us to escort you around the garden for a while?" He scratched the back of his neck and looked everywhere but at Rose.

"I think I would like that very much." Rose blushed a little, "Speaking of which, what were you doing that led to you knocking me over anyway?"

"That was kinda my fault," Renji came up on Rose's other side, "we were practicing futsal. Our team has a game coming up in a week. I kicked the ball a little too hard and it went into the pond a second after Shuhei ran into you. I think it's downstream by now though." He motioned to the brook that ran from the pool.

"I see."

"Well Miss. Fiorito, where would you like to go?" Shuhei asked.

"Please, just Rose. I'm not a noble lady or anything like that. But the hedge maze seems awfully nice. Let's go there."

"Alright." Shuhei offered an arm and Rose took it blushing. Renji just followed behind.

They walked around for a while enjoying the spring weather.

"So where are you from?"

"District 56 in the north."

"Wasn't that the District that had that terrible fire?"

"Yes. It was devastating." Rose looked away.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"No it's not your fault, you didn't know." Rose gave him a weak smile, "So what are the squads like? Are they very strict? What's the food like? Are the barracks comfortable? What kind of training do you do? What are the Captains like?" her eyes grew wide and curious.

"Okay, okay. Well the squads are set up like this..."

_Author's Note_

Dear Lord in heaven... X_X (is dead)

This is soooo late! God I'm sorry guys! This was supposed to be out last week! And congratulate yourselves because you just read 10 pages of open office word format.

I honestly wanted to post this earlier around page 5, but God it would. NOT. CUT OFF! yea so you have two chapters worth here. I'll try to break things off better I swear! Next chap should be out in a few days. Remember: comments=love ^.^