This morning, Squad 207 are at the shooting range for their first, firearms training. "Commence fire on 100 meter targets! One clip per person only!" Marimo announced as they kept their fire from 100 meter target. Ichigo made a pretty good shot for a few try since he used to went to the arcade to play some shooting games. But he prefer using a blade than a gun anytime. He look over at Miki see that she is doing a much better shot that he does. She maybe good as Uyru when she come to bow.
"Wow, Miki," Ichigo said causing Miki to look at him.
"Nya?"
"That was a pretty good shot you did." Miki chuckles as she rub the back of her head.
"It was nothing."
"You don't have to be so modest," Ichigo said.
"I agree, Tamae." Chizuru came into the conversation. "It's time to prove that even with a 'special' man like Kurosaki, you're still top notched when it comes to shooting."
"I just compliment her," Ichigo said.
"Maybe so. We can't keep losing to you." Chizuru said causing Ichigo to let out a sigh.
"Alright alright," Ichigo said.
"Well... I guess I could try." Miki agreed as she looks at Ichigo. "Which target you want me to hit?"
"What about that middle target 500 meters from here? If you want to use your sniper rifle you can." Ichigo instructed.
"Ok." Miki said as she got into her position. Ichigo is watching her patiently as she pull the trigger as he and Chizuru held their ears. "Here..." She pass a pair of binoculars to Ichigo as he take a look at. "Impressed yet?"
"Oh yeah, I'm impressed," Ichigo said with a smile.
"What about you Ichigo-san Can you shoot long range too?" Miki asked causing Ichigo to chuckle.
"I'm not that good as you are, Miki," Ichigo said.
"Hoo? A long range shot in front of the expert? That some nerve." Chizuru said with a smirk
"Hey, I'm not trying to compete with her." Ichigo said with his usual scowl look.
"Either way, this should be good. But let's test that 'specialness' of yours. Why don't you try hitting that target over there?" Ichigo look over to see a target at the 1000 meters.
"What the hell Chizuru! I can barely see it with my binoculars!"
"Can you do it?" Chizuru asked causing Ichigo to have a tick mark as she acts like Uryu.
"Fine, Miki can you give me your rifle?" Ichigo asked politely.
"Sure, here you go," Miki said as she gives her rifle to Ichigo.
"Thanks." Ichigo got into his position and aim carefully with Miki's sniper rifle. He pull the triggers as the bullet went off. Ichigo take a closer look with his binoculars to see that it almost hit the center.
"That's amazing Ichigo-san! You hit it!"
"It's wasn't a bulls-eye though."
"Yeah, but even I can't shoot that good. You're about ten centimeters from the center dot! That alone is incredible!" Miki exclaimed.
"I guess so." Ichigo said as he look over to Chizuru. "So what did you think?" Chizuru gave out a 'hnn' sound to express her feelings. Even she was impressed.
"Lucky shot..." Kei said plainly causing Ichigo to have a tick mark.
"How is that a lucky shot!?" Ichigo demand.
"Try again..." Ichigo let out a sigh as he took his position again and fire. The others quickly got out their binoculars and look at the target in the distance. Kei took Ichigo so he couldn't tell how it was.
"Well...?" Ichigo only received silence from his squadmates as he have a confuse look on his face. "What with the silence?" Chizuru pass over her binoculars to Ichigo as he look over to the target to amazed him. "Whoa!" Ichigo's second shot was much closer to the center dot than his first shot.
"That was... Incredible!" Miki said as she lights up like a Christmas tree. "That was amazing Ichigo-san! You managed to hit the center with the second shot! That was so cool!"
"It was nothing. Besides I can barely see the target from here." Ichigo said.
"Kurosaki... super lucky..." Kei said as she rubs Ichigo's stomach.
"Ummm... What the hell are you doing?" Ichigo asked.
"Grabbing some luck..." Kei replied causing Ichigo to sweatdrop.
-November 1, wednesday-
A few days have pass for Ichigo since he get here. He have gotten better assembled his guns over and over again, even blindfolded. He ran around the tracks more than everyone in full gear thanks to his days as a Shinigami. Right now they are listening to Marimo's lecture on criticality and mission objectives. What took priority more? Human life or the mission?
Ichigo is ready to die for and willing risk his soul in order to protect the people that he care about. He still remember that day that he and his friends storming into the Soul Society to save Rukia, then face the Bounts and save the Soul Society, battle in the Winter War and much more. Ichigo is a hard earn veterans when it come to war and battlefield.
"Alright, that's all for today. Dismissed!" Marimo stated as she left the room given Squad 207 their customary salute.
"Finally," Ichigo said as he stretches his body. "Who ready for eat lunch?"
"Oh me me me!" Miki said energetic causing Ichigo to chuckle. "I haven't had anything to eat since this more."
"Well that bad for you Miki. Every growing soldiers have to have breakfast or else they won't become strong." Ichigo said as he messing with Miki hair. He look at the rest of his squadmates to find them staring at him. "What's wrong? Don't you guy want to eat?"
Meiya breathed a sigh. "Perhaps I should not continue to be surprised at your abilities, but somehow... That was just..."
"Wait, are you guy talking about in class and training. Everyone can do it, can't you guys do it too?" Ichigo asked trying to keep his cover.
"We can... But you're..." Kei added giving him her stare that catches her interest.
Chizuru seems to agree as well. "Kurosaki, have you... Been conscripted before? I know you said that you have a teacher. But the situation bugs me a bit. You were recruited less than a month ago and yet despite not knowing how to use a gun, you can do everything better than us."
"That is true," Meiya said nodded in agreement. "You are far from normal."
"Come on you guys. Can you not pry on someone else's privacy?" Ichigo asked.
"Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrreee..."
"Kei, stop that," Ichigo said.
"But they're right, though." Miki agreed with them. "You can shoot. snipe, and do hand to hand combat and everything. And you know what to do in a situation better than everyone. Ah! But we're squadmates! So whatever you did in the past is nothing we should know as long as it benefits the squad right?"
'If you guys know what I did in the past, you guys wouldn't believe me. Plus I think it's already too late for that.' Ichigo thought as the rest of them are glued to him.
"Staaaaarree..."
They are closing in with their silent stares, simulating every possibility to explain his experience. Ichigo look around the room for any possible escape from them to avoid their question. "Well, I'm hungry. See you guys at the PX!"
"Hey!" The squad yelled as Ichigo made a mad dash out of the room.
-with Ichigo-
Ichigo have gotten away from his squadmates , but that only made them to ask more question. 'I can't tell them about that I was a Shinigami. They wouldn't believe me. And made up some stuff about some super soldier project will be asked them more question then answers.' Ichigo thought as his stomache growl. 'Maybe I get something to eat.' Ichigo walk his way to the PX when he bump into someone.
"Oww... Sorry, are you ok?" The girl on the floor asked. She has short cyan hair, brown eyes, slender body, wear a uniform like his squadmates.
"Me? I'm worried about you. Are you alright?" Ichigo asked as he put her back up to her feets.
"I'm fine. Thanks... I'm sorry, I got to see the instructor, bye." She ran past Ichigo as he looks at her.
"Hey, wait a minute!" She stops and looks at him.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Which squad are you-"
"Hey, you know something? I've been in the hospital for weeks but today's the day I can finally come back."
"Hun? No one asked you about that!" Ichigo exclaimed as his eyes started to twitch a bit. 'Wait, hospital?' Miki did say one of their squadmates names, Mikoto was at the hospital for injuries. "Hey, are you-
"And there's supposedly a new guy in my squad too. I can't wait to meet him."
"Hun? Oh, the new guy is-"
"Miki-san said that he's really cool and is even better than er when it comes to sniping! She said that he was superman incarnate! Whaaaaa! I can't wait to meet him! But still... Who name their boy strawberry?"
"Hey! The name isn't strawberry! It's number one guardian!"
"Well gotta go. See you later."
"Hey!"
"Ah, hello again."
"You didn't even leave you, idiot!"
"That was rude. I already said goodbye."
"That doesn't count when-"
"Ah, Yoroi-san!" Miki called as she and the rest of the squad came out of the room.
"Ah, Miki-san! It's been too long! Hooo! Chizuru-san, Meiya-can, and Kei-chan are all here! Yay! It's like a mini reunion in the hall." Mikoto said.
"Yoroi?" Meiya looked rather surprised and relieved to see her friend. "I see you've become acquainted with this man."
"Yeah, I bumped into him along the way. He was rude through. Anyway, I'll have to see the instructor first. Miki-san, tell me everything about that superman you talking about in your letters."
"Like I trying to tell you, That guy is-"
"Ah! We only have an hour left! See ya!"
"Oi!" Ichigo called as she was gone.
"Don't take it personally," Meiya said. "She's like that naturally. She does that to everyone."
"I...guess so..." Ichigo said as he let out a sigh.
-November 2, Thursday-
The following day, Marimo allowed them to go on Close Quarter Combat in the track field along with cadets from the other squads. Meiya decided to take Ichigo as her sparring partner for the session and each of them was equipped with nothing but their limbs and practice swords. Meiya let out a battle cry as Ichigo block her attack.
'Meiya's skill with a sword is decent. She probably made lieutenants or captains with her skill.' Ichigo thought when he avoids her kick. 'But something wrong... Why does she feel so sad...? It's like she hasn't seen someone close to her for a long time.'
"I'm impressed Ichigo. Not many can keep up with my swordsmanship."
"What can I say. I'm an actual when it come to close quarter." They traded blows and blacked each other's moves like they were dancing tango. Ichigo avoided her leg and blacked her fists and countered it, scoring a few hits on her shoulders and the chest.
Meiya withdrew to a safe distance before returning to her stance. "To be honest, I did not think that you would be this skilled. I thought only Ayamine was the only one who could match me at close quarters."
"Well, you can't judge by appearance."
"Forgive me. But there are many who neglect hand to hand combat as they begin to excel at shooting."
"Well, you need to balance out in close quarters and shooting."
"Indeed, Ichigo."
"But that won't stop me from winng this match!" Ichigo charge at her as Meiya block his strike. But the found a opening, Ichigo knock the sword out of her hands and held the tip of the sword to Meiya's neck. Just then, Marimo blow the whistle causing the cadets to stop.
"That's enough! Head the PX for today." Marimo said as Ichigo put his sword away.
"That is most impressive Ichigo. It seems like your teacher train you well." Meiya said.
"He's doing. Say, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Well...during our spar. I feel like that you are sad about something. Like some person, you care about you haven't seemed." Meiya looks at him with wide eyes before her eyes turn narrow.
"It's best if you don't invade people's privacy." Meiya suggested as she walk away.
-PX-
After their morning spar, squad 207 turned to the Px for a little rest and relaxation. They sat on the same table with some food on their plates and eat peacefully. Ichigo took a glance at Meiya, he know that he shouldn't go into people's personal stuff. But it still bothering him.
"Ichigo-san, that was amazing!" Miki praised after seeing Ichigo beat Meiya in sword combat. "I can't believe you beat Mitsurugi-san."
"Indeed, Ichigo's teacher sure train him well with the sword," Meiya said.
"I have to agree. Your teacher must teach you, advanced swordsman." Chizuru added.
"Kisuke only me the basic. The rest I learn from my own experience." Ichigo said causing the rest to be a shock.
"What!? He only taught you the basic while you learn advance stuff on you own!" Mikoto exclaimed as she gives him the thumbs up in respect. "I wish I hadn't been sick. That way I would've seen a lot of your special abilities!"
"Whatever..." Ichigo grumbled.
"Eh? Don't tell me that you're still angry about yesterday? If you had told me who you were then I would've known right away that you were our squadmate."
"That what I been trying to tell you-"
"Oh! That reminds me of a show I watched on TV when I was in the hospital."
'At least me let finish damn it!'
"I watched so many fun things on TV that day. It was about a dog who waited for his master at the train station. It was an old movie series based on a true story."
"Ah forget it," Ichigo said as he went back to eating his food.
"By the way, Ichigo-san, do you have any family members?" Miki asked.
"Well, I have two little sister name Karin and Yuzu. They're fraternal twin, Karin is more of a outspoken girl while Yuzu is the complete opposite of her. My dad... Well... Let's just say you don't want to meet him." Ichigo said.
"Why is that?" Meiya asked.
"Well... Let just say that is... Energetic..." Ichigo replied with a bit of hesitation.
"And your mother?" Chizuru asked as Ichigo lower his head.
"She's dead," Ichigo replied causing the rest of the squad to feel sorry for him.
"Sorry about that... Ichigo-san..." Miki apologized.
"It's alright... You guys were just curious that all." Ichigo said.
-classroom-
After finishing their awkward lunch, squad 207 are learning about First Aid training. Ichigo already knew this stuff, since his family run a clinic. "Now everyone, I gonna teach you about the conditions of an injured person." Mikoto explained. "Just because the man is unconscious, bleeding, or isn't breathing doesn't entirely mean that he's dead. The most certain way to check a person's condition is by checking their pulse which be felt from the wrist and the neck." The others nodded to her explanation. "New let's demonstrate artificial respiration." Mikoto look at Ichigo. "Ichigo, would you lie down?"
"Sure." Ichigo laid down on his back with his face up.
"Good. Ready?"
"Yeah." Mikoto pinched Ichigo's nose and began blowing air into his lungs. "You pretty calm, Ichigo-san."
"You could say that I've done it before." Ichigo let out a smile causing Mikoto to blush.
"W-well that's the gist of it." She recovers from her live demonstration. "Now for hemostasis."
"ok..."
"Applying pressure for different kinds of wounds will have different effects. So it's best to consult a real doctor to apply the proper procedures. After all, basic medication is only a temporary relief effort."
"Yeah that's true." Ichigo standing back up to his feets. "If you don't find one it's possible the patient may suffer necrosis." Mikoto suddenly hug Ichigo clinging against him.
"That's correct! You're incredible Ichigo!" Mikoto praised.
"Well, my family does run a clinic," Ichigo said.
"You never told us that your family run a clinic before." Chizuru stated with a surprise tone.
"Sorry about that, kind of slip my mind." Ichigo said as he look at Mikoto. "And let go of me!"
-PX-
Dinner was served two hours later after training. Though most of the squad are tired, Ichigo haven't thank to his Shinigami days. Still, it better to keep a low profile from the other squad. "Oya? Isn't that Mikoto-chan?" Shizue asked.
"Ah, Kyozuka oba-chan!" Mikoto replied cheerfully.
"I heard that you were in the hospital. You recovered already?"
"Yup!"
"This call for a good celebration. I'll double your rations for today!" Shizue exclaimed with a smile as she look at Ichigo. "Ah Ichigo-san! They have been talking about you."
"About what?" Ichigo asked.
"About you being the legendary rookie they talk about. You out shined must of the cadets here since you arrive."
"It was nothing." Shizue pat him on the back.
"Hmm...not bad at all. Even after that whack you can still stand up straight. You'll make a fine soldier. Ohhh? Strong muscle too. She told me that you were superman incarnate in both physical and mental stuff... So it wasn't exaggeration after all."
"Wait, who told you that? Marimo? Yuuko?" Shizue pat him on the back again as she let out a laugh.
"You've got guts to say their first name out in public. Anyway, Chizuru-chan. You'd better use him to utmost. A strong man like this doesn't come everyday. Even though he look like a delinquent." Shizue said.
"Hey!" Ichigo yelled.
"of course." Chizuru said with a smirk. "I intend to do so."
"Don't you take advantage of me!" Ichigo exclaimed as Kei let out a fake surprised expression.
"You just realized?" Kei asked.
"Oi!"
"Heh... smart but slow."
"You the last person I want to hear that!" Ichigo exclaimed as Shizue laughing at them.
"You're fitting right in, good man. I'll get your portion so wait right up." Shizue said.
-Yuuko's office-
After Ichigo finish with his meal. He decided to ask Yuuko a couple of question. Ichigo walk into her office to see it still a mess and that Yuuko is sitting on her chair. "What is it, Kurosaki?" Yuuko asked.
"I just want to know is what are we using to fight against the BETA?"
"That's right. Your world doesn't have the BETA." Yuuko got off her chair and walk in front of her desk. "What we are using to fight the BETA is call the Tactical Surface Fighter or TSF for short. They are operated by a pilot that we call Eishi."
"So I'm guess that TSF is a giant robot?"
"To put it that way, yes. Despite of you never operated a TSF before, I can tell that you are quick learner when it come to basic, and then more advanced skill."
"Well I learn from my own experiences. But still I got one question."
"What is it?"
"Why the hell are humanity are not working together to fighting against the BETA! It would be better for us to work together than fighting it separate!" Ichigo learn that all of the government haven't been working together to combat the BETA.
"It's not that simple. Most of the army from the around the world are having a hard time getting along with one another. And Alternative V are trying to make sure that we have to leave the planet by any mean necessary."
"But that doesn't mean we have to run away. I can tell that you don't want Alternative V to succeed and neither do I. I don't whatever it mean to make sure that Alternative V succeed and neither does the BETA. I would face them along if I have to." Ichigo left leaving a surprise Yuuko. She could tell that this more have more experience than everyone at this base. Yuuko could see the look on his face that only a war veterans could have.
'But how? Kurosaki is just a being from another world. But that expression on his face... It's only a war veterans could have. What are you trying to hide from me Kurosaki.' Yuuko is interest with the boy even more now. 'Just what are you Kurosaki...?"