For the record this is actually the first story I've completely thought through.
After I reread the last chapter I was shocked at how many errors I made. But don't worry I went back and fixed it.
And to Jp3711nc1~ yes I do have plans for Retsu and Kenpachi. Retsu Unohana recently became one of my favorite female characters in Bleach and I also became a fan of the RetsuXKenpachi paring. Both of them are going to play big parts in this story but not until the later chapters. Right now the focus is on Kenshin, Rangiku, and Gin and there inevitable rise to Soul Reapers.
Anyway I digress, on with the story!
"Come on Kenshin! It's not that hard" Rangiku said to her friend who was holding his hands out in front of him with a look of concentration on his face.
"That's easy for you to say" Kenshin said in a strained voice as his tried his best to concentrate on his task. His body started shaking and sweat was dripping down his face and his eyes refused to blink.
Finally after another minute, he did it. A small blue orb appeared between his hands. He relaxed his body and left out a sigh and then smiled at his work. He had successfully manifested some of his spiritual energy.
"Not bad, for your first time Kenshin" Rangiku praised.
"Thanks, though it's still not a big as yours" he said with a small grin and dispelled the orb.
"I guess just have a natural talent" she said smugly.
"Don't get cocky; someday I'll be better than you".
"But not someday soon" she teased.
"Getting mad Rangiku" Kenshin said in an annoyed tone.
"Oh relax, I'm just having some fun" she said with an innocent smile.
"Whatever. Where's Gin? I'm getting hungry" he said as he looked over his shoulder to see of his other companion was coming.
The two were currently sitting on some crates by the river under the bridge. Today was Gin's turn to go out and get lunch.
It had been several years since that day Kenshin found Rangiku nearly dying of starvation in the street. After she and Gin helped him recover from his assault, the three had quickly formed a close friendship.
Gin had let them stay in him in the small shack he owned. It was kind of a tight fit but Rangiku and Kenshin knew it was better than lying in the streets. Gin had acquired enough food to keep them all fed for a couple of weeks before they needed to start stealing more. They looked out for each other and kept each other safe. Though it was usually Kenshin and Gin who ended up protecting Rangiku the most since her ever-growing breast and her pretty face attracted a lot of perverted men; though she flaunted her assets purposely, much to the chagrin of Kenshin who took most of punches to keep Rangiku from being touched. But despite all the two formed an unbreakable bond, much like that of a brother and sister. Kenshin was willing to risk his life to protect Rangiku and she would do same for him. Though, she liked referring to him as his little brother since she was slightly taller than him- an act that irritated him greatly. Even now she was still several inches taller than him while Kenshin hadn't done much growing. Even Gin was already taller than both of them. Kenshin hadn't changed much except that, since he was now fed daily his body didn't look so malnourished and he appeared to be quite fit. His hair had grown slightly longer, reaching the middle of his back.
They had only recently started playing around with their spiritual energy after they found out that they had large amount. However, out of all three of them Gin clearly had the most and was able to manifest as if it were as simple an act as breathing. It didn't take too long for Rangiku to manifest hers and she did have quite a bit of it. Kenshin on the other hand had the hardest time. Though it was known he had a lot of spiritual energy, he didn't know how to control it very well. Though there instances were he would be defending Rangiku or some other helpless person and his spiritual energy would flare and send his enemies running.
"Oh look there's Gin" Rangiku said as she pointed in the direction of their friend.
He was coming to them with a small basket full of dumplings.
"Looks like quite a score Gin" Kenshin complimented.
"It was no problem at all. Stealing from some of these people is just way too easy sometimes" he said with his usual fox-like grin as he tossed some dumplings their way.
"Hey Gin, Kenshin finally did it" Rangiku said.
"Really? It's about time Kenshin. I thought ya never figure it out" he said as he sat on one the crates and bit into his dumpling.
"What's that supposed to mean"?!
"That you're stupid" Rangiku said jokingly.
"Don't forget who always saves you from being molested Rangiku. My bruises should serve as a reminder"!
"Jeez you really can't take a joke Kenshin" she said with a sigh.
"She's right Kenshin, we're just messin with ya. We knew you'd get eventually".
"Whatever" he said with an annoyed look on his face as he bit into his dumpling.
"Just keep practicing and then we can become Soul Reapers and leave this place for good" Gin said.
Once the trio learned of their spiritual energies, they all agreed to that someday they'd get away from the hell that was the seventy-eighth district and live in the Seireitei as Soul Reapers. Kenshin wasn't so sure about it at first since he had never once thought about ever becoming a Soul Reaper. He consented to it because he didn't want to get left behind and he had to admit he was sick of living in the Rukon District.
"It shouldn't be a problem for you Gin. You're definitely the strongest of the three of us. You could go right now if you wanted" Kenshin pointed out.
"Aw c'mon, I wouldn't leave you guys behind" Gin said with a light chuckle.
"Yeah Kenshin, we're all leaving together" Rangiku said with a cheerful tone.
Kenshin smiled at his friend's excitement. Now that he found out how to control his spiritual energy it wouldn't be long before they would be leaving the Rukon District for good.
By the time they finished their lunch it was mid-afternoon. They all decided to head back to the shack and practice with their powers some more.
"If anyone needs to practice it's you Kenshin. We're waiting on you" Rangiku teased as the trio walked down the streets.
"I'm trying as hard as I can! Not all of us can be gifted like you and Gin" he said.
"Maybe you just have no talent. Maybe we should just leave you here" she said with a mischievous grin.
"You wouldn't" Kenshin said, slightly alarmed.
"Of course not. You're my little brother. I would never leave you behind" Rangiku said with a kind smile.
Kenshin smiled back. Rangiku was only joking of course. She did it often but the thought that she and Gin might disappear from his life scared him.
"Besides you're hopeless without me" she said with a laugh and patted his head.
Kenshin growled and felt his cheeks heating up from embarrassment. He started swatting her hand away.
"Damn it Rangiku, I'm not a little kid" he grumbled.
"But you are little" she said as she patted his head once more.
"At this rate you'll be too small for me to see".
"With the way your breasts are growing you probably can't even see your own feet" Kenshin mumbled.
Unfortunately, his comment didn't go unheard by Rangiku who grabbed his head pushed into her breasts, suffocating him. After a few seconds she let Kenshin go.
"That's no way to talk about a lady Kenshin" she chided.
"I wasn't aware I was talking about one" he mumbled again.
Rangiku's fist nearly drilled into his head and she walked away insulted.
"Ow" Kenshin groaned as he rubbed his head.
"Packs quite a punch doesn't she" Gin said as he stepped up beside Kenshin.
"Tell me about it" Kenshin grumbled. "Now she's mad me" he said solemnly.
"She'll get over it. You're her brother remember. She won't stay mad for too long".
"Thanks Gin".
"Don't mention it" his friend said with a pat on his shoulder.
"Gin do you really think we can become Soul Reapers" Kenshin asked.
He knew it would be no problem for Gin or even Rangiku. Kenshin's question was directed more towards himself.
"What're you so worried about Kenshin? Even if you can't perfect control over your spiritual energy you have more than enough to become a Soul Reaper".
"I guess it's just the thought of you and Rangiku leaving me behind if I don't make it" he said solemnly.
"Is that all" Gin asked with a chuckle. "Kenshin we'd never leave you behind. Didn't you just hear Rangiku"?
"But I don't want to hold you guys back. If you have the chance to get out this hell hole you should take it".
"That's why me and Rangiku are going to help you so you can come with us".
Kenshin smiled lightly. Gin's words made him feel much better. Now he felt more confident about becoming a Soul Reaper.
"Now c'mon, let's go find Rangiku" Gin said as he light pushed Kenshin along.
"Where did she go anyway"?
"Most likely back to the shack. She couldn't have gotten far".
They continued walking when they noticed something in the sky. There was smoke not too far from where they were.
"Is someone having a bonfire" Kenshin asked.
"No, that's coming from the shack!" Gin said and then took off running.
"What"?! Kenshin shouted as he ran after Gin.
His thought wandered to Rangiku. He wondered if she was in the shack while it was on fire and ran faster.
When they came up to the shack, they found the source of the fire.
Shingo and his gang were standing in front of the burning shack that had been Kenshin's shelter for the last few years. A couple of them were holding torches and cheered as they watched the small structure burn to the ground. On the ground next to Shingo was Rangiku. She seemed to be unconscious and there was blood dripping down the side of her head.
"Rangiku" Kenshin shouted as he ran for her.
Shingo heard this and turned around. An evil smirk spread onto his face when he saw Kenshin.
"There you are Kenshin. I was wondering when you'd show up" he said nonchalantly.
"What the hell did you do" Kenshin demanded as he glared at Shingo.
"What does it look like? You had this cozy little spot all to yourselves and were loaded with food! You know that we're the ones that get to eat first Kenshin. So as punishment for not sharing your food we burnt your little home to the ground. This bitch just happened to catch what we were doing and was about to run off to get you. So, I had to…"politely" ask her to stop" he said as if what he had done was no big deal whatsoever.
Kenshin had a glare of pure hatred directed at Shingo. His fist clenched tightly and made light cracking sounds.
Gin's usual cheerful grin made a rare disappearance and was overcome by a frown and his eyes cracked open to reveal red.
Both boys stood side by side glaring at the group that in the course of a day had ruined their lives.
"Gin"?
"Yeah, let's do it" he said, cracking his knuckles.
"You two are going to stop us?!" Shingo asked incredulously and then he and his gang burst into laughter.
"Fine. We'll kick the crap out of you two and then later we'll have some fun with your friend here" he said looking down at Rangiku who was still unconscious.
"You won't lay a hand on her" Kenshin said threatengly.
Shingo laughed again but stopped when he felt his throat go dry and he found he was unable to move. He wasn't alone. His entire gang started going pale. It felt like the air around them was pushing down on them.
This was the result of the combined spiritual pressure of Gin and Kenshin.
"Now" Kenshin said and then he and Gin were charging at the group at full speed, intent on administering a punishment of their own.
The gang quickly recovered when they saw the two boys coming at them. The charged as well though each seemed to be very difficult for them to make.
Gin was the first to make contact. He took on three while Kenshin took on the other two, leaving Shingo to watch.
Gin grabbed the arm of one that sent a jab at him and spun him in a circle before throwing him at the other two, sending them all to the round.
Kenshin bobbed and weaved and occasionally blocked hits from the two he was fighting before dropping to the ground and performing a sweep kick on one and punching the other in the groin. Both fell to the ground with a thud and groaned in pain and humiliation at being bested so easily.
Shingo looked on in shock as his gang was sent to the ground by just two guys; one of which he used to beat on a regular basis. A bead of sweat dripped down his face in fear. He held his stick up in defense and started to take a few steps back. Kenshin saw this and ran after him. Shingo swung his stick only for it to be caught by Kenshin who pulled it from Shingo.
"C-c'mon Kenshin, t-there's no need for this. W-we can work this out. I leave the district for good; you'll never see me again. Please, just don't hurt me" he pleaded on his knees.
His plea unfortunately fell on deaf ears as Kenshin reared the stick back.
"You should have thought of this when you hurt my friends" Kenshin shouted before swinging the stick at Shingo's face.
It collided with his cheek, hard. The force sent a few of Shingo's teeth flying out of his mouth along with a mouthful of blood. Shingo fell to the ground; blood oozing out of his gaping mouth. Kenshin through the stick at his limp body and went to check on Rangiku.
Gin was already by her side trying to wake her up. She groaned before opening her eyes and holding her head in pain.
"Kenshin? Gin? What happened"?
"Shingo knocked you out. But don't worry he's not going to be much of a problem for anyone for a while" Kenshin said with a smile.
"What about the shack"?
Gin and Kenshin looked back at the shack to see what kind of damage had been done and see if anything was salvageable. All hope faded when they say the charred remains of what once there home.
"It's gone" Rangiku said sadly. "Everything's gone".
Kenshin stood up and walked closer to his old home. Sure enough there was nothing left. There blankets and food were all gone.
Kenshin didn't know how they were going to survive after this. He didn't want to go back to living without food and shelter and he was positive his friends had no desire to do such a thing either.
That's when Kenshin decided that there was only one way to save himself and his friends.
"Guys… lets leave this place. Let's go to the Sereitei and become Soul Reapers… now" he said with a look of determination.
His friends looked at him for a minute before nodding in agreement.
Finally, they're leaving! Now I can write about the Shinigami Academy and really start this story off.
Please review, it makes me feel you care.