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Hikari sat on the rooftop bathing in the silvery glow of the full moon.

(back-town's snore/s bright/cheerful , today's moon)

Her Zanpakuto lay next to her as the autumn breeze blew gently. The quietness below told her that everyone was sleeping. Who would be up at three in the morning anyway?

This was the last day before the exams. If she passed them, she would be entering the Gotei 13 squads. Hikari sighed. Then what would be of her? Would her whole life be trapped in a kill-or-be-killed cycle of killing Hollows? For a hundred years or even a thousand years maybe.

Hikari drew her legs together and huddled, deep in thought. A small rustle came from the trees surrounding her. Hikari grabbed her katana on instinct.

A metallic clang echoed through the silent air breaking the pristine atmosphere.

'Very good.' a deep voice came from above.

'Sensei.' Hikari greeted the masked man.

Sensei's sword turned upwards as he attempted to slash Hikari from below. Hikari immediately retreated back.

In the moonlight, Hikari saw the same tall man that taught her for so long under the cover of the night. It started so long ago that Hikari could not even remember when it started.

Hikari focused on the figure before her as she grabbed her zanpakuto tightly. She merely saw his black eyes glinting for a moment before he disappeared right in front of her. Her eyes widened as she struggled to sense where he was.

Another metallic clang of swords echoed through the night as Hikari parried the attack from behind.

Damn. Tonight looks like he was going all out.

'Fantastic.' a voice said close to her. Too close.

Hikari stood immobile, her zanpakuto by her side. A foreign blade was at her neck. Hikari felt a trickle of blood drip down from the depth of her throat.

The blade was withdrawn and a push sent Hikari forward. Hikari steadied herself as her hand felt her throat. She gritted her teeth.

'Use your shikai.' came the order. Hikari looked up.

'Kuromaru, kokubyaku' Hikari cried out. Black wings sprouted from her back as her sword glowed with an eerie black light. Hikari flew forward immediately feeling the wind brushing her face. Her sensei merely stood there calmly his sword in one hand.

Hikari swung her katana at him.

'Blindly charging would never save you. You should know that.' a voice came from behind. Her sensei had disappeared again. Hikari turned around and pierced her sword at head level.

With a swift motion, a hand caught her arm. Hikari looked up. There was a shallow cut on her Sensei's neck, almost similar to her own. Then the harsh reality hit her. Her sensei twisted her arm into a lock and pointed her own katana at her throat.

Hikari nearly cursed out loud.

'That's enough for today.' he said, releasing Hikari from the painful arm lock. Panting, Hikari sheathed her sword.

'Thank you sensei.' she bowed. Her sensei however was staring up at the white moon over head. His throat was still bleeding slightly. Hikari looked away for a second.

The first time she tried to ask for his name, she had only been rewarded with 'If you defeat me, you shall know.' Hikari fought back a laugh. Well she still had a long way to go then.

'Tomorrow is your exams am I correct?' a deep baritone came.

'Hai, Sensei.' Hikari replied eyes looking at the patterns of the roof tiles.

'You know what I expect of you do you?'

'Good scores, Sensei.' Hikari said looking upwards. However, it was only met with an small snort of discontent.

'There is more to life than grades.' he said, making his way towards Hikari.

'Kuchiki taichou is coming tomorrow.' Hikari said. Surprisingly, Sensei's eyes suddenly held an interested glint.

'I know.' he said. Hikari frowned.

'But how?' Hikari started before she could stop herself.

'It is not your place to question.' Sensei said sternly.

'Sumimasen.' Her eyes met the floor again.

'Nevertheless, I want you to have more control. Not just in your movements but in your mind.' Hikari looked up puzzled.

'And if you pass my test, I shall teach you how to attain your bankai.'

Hikari's stared incredulously at him. Bankai? Only the captains of the Gotei 13 can do a Bankai!

'Don't lose control.' Sensei looked back at her.

'Wait!' Hikari shouted.

'Unfortunately I can't. Your zanpakuto tend to leave your victims bleeding forever.' he sniffed at her.

With that, he disappeared into the darkness.

Kuchiki taichou up next! (: