Chapter two
Soul Society was once again in a fit of celebration as the students that started six years ago were hopefully graduating, and put into squads. But the whispers that were floating around of what squad this year's two prodigies will go in. Both had the choice to be able to graduate four years early, but they chose not to surprising the whole academy students and teachers.
One of said prodigies was currently looking for the other.
"I'm going to beat that girl when I get my hands on her." A tall man mumbled, he was about 5'10 with dark cocoa colored skin. While his short white hair glowed in the sun, stepping out of the academy walls he continued walking past food stands hoping to spot his hooded friend.
"Daemon!" Red eyes flashed with irritation as he stopped to glance behind him to see a first year student behind him.
"What?" His deep voice clearly showed his irritation as the speaker flinched.
"The graduation exam is going to be starting in fifteen minutes!"
"Damn, alright thanks. Where the hell is she!" He growled his face set in annoyance. Thinking for a bit ignoring the stares of the official Shinigami walking past him. Eyes snapping open from a sudden thought he quickly shunpo away leaving behind a few curious stares.
Sitting in a grove of cherry blossoms on a tall tree branch sat a lone figure. Wearing the academy uniform for girls with a hood that covered her face, only leaving the lower half of her face to viewers. Besides the hood the only thing that looked odd was the black fur that was wrapped around her left shoulder.
Looking up at the tree tops she watched how the sun gleamed of the floating pink petals that slowly descended to ground. 'Twelve years…since I've been dead, twelve years of intense training, without knowing who I am, and how I died…'
Sighing unconsciously messing with the tip of her tail then adjusted the blade she had strapped to her back. Getting comfortable finally she sighed enjoying the warm rays hitting her comforting her as she laid there on the branch with her eyes closed taking in the sweet scent of cherry blossoms aroma.
Hearing movement a few feet behind her instinct kicked in automatically placing her right hand on her blade on her back the feathers on the hilt blew gently in the wind. Body tense ready to fight if need to, but quickly relaxed recognizing the scent of Daemon mixed in with some sake.
"There you are Katsu!"
Cracking open an eye she looked to see in front of her was Daemon with a look of irritation on his face with his trade mark scowl.
"Yes?" Seeing the slight twitch of his brow made a small smile creep forward.
"You do know today is our graduation exam?" He got a nod, "Which starts in let's say about five minutes."
"Really?"
"Yes really?"
Silence.
"Why must you be difficult?"
A shrug.
"You don't want to go do you?" Daemon whispered eyeing his lounging friend.
Nothing.
Sighing he grabbed her and placed her on his lap ignoring her growl of protest and the hit to his face. Pulling her back her hood letting her two wolf ears show he began to rub and scratch behind them. Stopping her struggles she slumped back in his broad chest giving out a sound of defeat.
"You're nervous that someone else might find out about you." It was more of a statement then a question.
With a low grow she answered, "A bit, but the only thing that is bugging me is that I won't see you as much." She paused, "You're like a brother to me and the only person I trust with my secret, besides the old man, and Captain Unahana."
"Don't worry about that there's not one thing that could keep me away from you!" He shouted making her ears go flat against her head, but that didn't stop her smile.
Chuckling Katsu turned around and flicked the white haired man in the nose then got up.
"Well we should get moving we're already ten minutes late."
"Shit!" Jumping up almost knocking Katsu down in the process, he quickly shupo away.
Shaking her head she pulled her hood back on and wrapped her tail around her left shoulder. It was funny how people thought it was a boa, but then again that's what she told them. But seriously, come on. Looking up at the falling cherry blossoms one more time she quickly shunpo away quickly to catch up to her friend.
Inside the academy's large arena students were lined up ready to show their skills, and prove themselves. Above them were all the Captains and Vice Captains of the thirteen guard squad observing the new batch of hopefuls.
"Gah-this year's bunch of brats look wimpier than the last bunch." Kenpachi grumbled as his Lieutenant just giggle on his shoulder.
"For once I agree with the over sized ape." Soi Fon mumbled not fazed by his glare as she scanned the student below her with a sneer.
"Now – now you two you haven't given them a chance." Ukitake said smiling down at the young Shinigami. He got a scoff from both Captains.
Stepping forward Yamamoto nodded towards the proctor to begin the final exam. "Remember students or should I say future Shinigami." The proctor smiled seeing some of the more nervous students relax a bit. "This exam is to show off your skills in the demon arts, your swordsmanship, and any hand-to-hand sk-" The door bursting open making everybody within the arena look.
Skidding to a halt Daemon dusted himself off then gave a smirk at the crowd.
"Sorry I'm late traffic was a bitch." That got a few chuckles, and a teeth filled grin from a certain crazy Captain.
As soon as he finished talking Katsu appeared in front of him startling most of the students.
"Ah – Daemon and Katsu nice for the two of you to join us, and now if you two would please get in line." Nodding the two got into place very aware of the Captains eyes on them.
"What strong spirit pressure, you can tell their holding back." Aizen announced watching the two with interest, but held his eyes on the hooded girl. "Indeed, but how much?" Yamamoto glanced over to see all the Captains held a curious look on their face besides Unahana who looked at him and smiled.
Standing next to each other the two listened for their names to come up and fight.
"So you want to do something after this?" Daemon whispered to his hooded friend.
Still looking straight ahead, "Sure got a place in mind?" She already knew the answer but she felt like asking anyway to humor him.
"The bar?" He heard her laugh and let a low chuckle escape his lips making some of the closer students shiver from the vibration it held.
"You dr-"
"Daemon you're up!" The proctor shouted.
"Yeah-yeah." He looked over Katsu, "Wish me luck?"
"Do you need it?"
"No, but it would make me feel better." He grinned.
She laughed, "Whatever – luck."
Giving his furry friend a wink he quickly jumped into the middle of the ring, "Alright what weakling am I going to fight?" He snarled while he unstrapped his Zanpakuto.
His blade was long in length if placed next to him it was about half his sized. The blade looked like any other sealed zanpakuto, and the hilt was black with a purple tint to it.
"Well?" He yelled already getting annoyed, "I got a bar to go to so hurry your ass up!" He didn't care for the looks he was getting, but he smiled when he heard Katsu laugh. She knew he did this to scare his opponents into backing down or making a mistake, and sadly it usually worked most the time.
Seeing some movement from the lineup he looked over to see a guy about one-two inches shorter than him step up.
He scoffed, "Finally."
As soon as his opponent stepped into the ring Daemon had him under a hard gaze making the other guy nervous. Stepping between them the proctor raise his hand looking at the two, "Ready?" He got nods from both sides, "Begin!" And he quickly jumped away.
The other guy quickly got into a basic academy stance, but Daemon just stood there with a bored look. Seeing that he wasn't going to make the first move the guy charged at him raising his sword over his head and brought it down quickly yet sloppy. Others watched in horror as Daemon didn't so much move an inch as the blade came down over his head.
"CLANG!"
The sound of steal hitting steal echoed throughout the area, to some people's relief the blade was quickly blocked. Seeing the bored look in Daemon eyes his opponent grew angry slamming his blade back down adding more pressure, but to add to his fury Daemon continued to hold his own against him with one hand.
"Is that it?" Sighing he pushed the guy away harshly making the other guy stumble back a bit. Leaving no time to recover Daemon slammed his right knee into the guy's stomach knocking the breath out of him.
"Can I get a new opponent! Mine's broke!"
Students were looking at him in fear at how fast he took out his opponent, while Katsu looked like she was sleeping since her head was back and her posture slightly slouched. But he really couldn't tell with the hood and all.
"I like him." Kenpachi chuckled watching the red eyed man with interest even laughing at Daemons outburst.
"Fresh meat Kenny?" Yachiru asked with a large smile.
"Yeah-fresh meat." He smirked his eyes shining as Yachiru giggled on his shoulder.
Back down in the arena Daemon was still asking for another fighter, when suddenly his thought to be out cold opponent was back up.
"I'm n-not-do-don-e yet-" His voice was shaky, but his voice didn't show a hint of fear. That got Daemons attention, 'The little shit is up to something.'
Smiling at him Daemon beckon him forward, "Well come on then." He flashed step behind Daemon surprising him a bit, but he quickly duck under the swipe and jumped away.
"Your fast but-" The other guys didn't have a chance to blink before Daemon shunpo behind slashing him across the back making the guy go fall down to his knees.
Standing over him, "Just stay down I'm saving you from humiliating yourself." Stepping over the twitching body he began making his way towards the lineup.
Hearing some mumbling behind him he turned around to see the guy finish chanting Hadou number thirty-three, the attack coming straight at him, and left no chance for him to dodge.
"Well shit."
The attack hit its target, the blast woke Katsu up. "Daemon?" Looking at the smoke, "Well shit that guy's dead."
"How can you say that to your friend?" Looking besides her she saw some girl looking at her with disgust, "I meant the guy who hit Daemon, he's going to die."
"What do you-"
"Just shut up and watch."
As the smoke began to clear everyone heard laughing looking for the source they found it coming from the smoke.
Standing before them in the clearing smoke stood Daemon his head was cocked back laughing his ass off.
His top was torn off his pants ripped and fried pretty good, and he was bleeding from a few deep cuts but he didn't seem fazed by them.
But what drew people eyes to him was the large amount of scars on his chest. Two were in an X shape in the middle of his chest, and a few scattered ones on his back. Hell most of his body looked like a giant scar.
Calming down he stopped his laughing, and fixed his now shaking opponent with a withering glare.
"You got some balls attacking me when my back is turned." He growled wiping some blood of his face. "You fight like a coward." He unsheathed his sword again.
"Yo-you don't sc-scare me!" He cringed when he heard a sharp bark like life from Katsu.
He barked out a laugh, "I was playing with you and I gave you a chance, but now no more chance."
"Fly down from your dark throne Kuroi-Inuzuma" (Black lightning)
His blade edge became a dark purple while the blunt end became black, the size stayed the same but the width enlarged matching the width of his large forearms. Then a dark purple light engulfed his Zanpakuto making it become jagged resembling a lightning bolt with black lightning cracking around it.
Getting over his shock the other called out his Zanpakuto's name, and charged towards Daemon. "Just knowing your Zanpakuto's name won't save your sorry ass." Daemon growled.
"Strike down my enemy with your dark might, Kuroi-Inuzuma."
Bringing down his sword in a horizontal slash a large black bolt of lightning shot out in a shape of a dragon. The attack moved in with amazing speed, and hit his charging opponent dead on. The guys scream of pain echoed through the stadium making some cringe at the sound.
The attack sent the guy flying back into a wall a stream of blood flowing behind him.
"I hate cowards." Looking over the twitching body he nodded satisfied that he wouldn't be getting back up anytime soon. Sheathing his Zanpakuto he walked past the proctor not fazed by his amazed look.
"Winner Daemon!"
"Very impressive it seems that not only does he know his Zanpakto's name, but he also can control his Shikai rather well." Ukitake said very surprised at the skill that the young man showed.
"My, my his Zanpakuto is just like yours little Toushirou you better watch out he might take your place as Cap- Gah! Why did you hit me Matsumoto?" Gin smiled at the busty red head ignoring the rather large bump pulsing on his head.
"Gin knock it off and apologize!" She fumed.
Looking past the fuming Lieutenant to the quiet white haired Captain he had his eyes closed with one of his eyebrows twitching. "Ah, I'm sorry lit-Captain Toushirou." His apologize was ignored. After that was over the Captains turned their gazes back below them to see Daemon fighting with some squad four members.
Refusing help from some squad four members he quickly brushed past them to get to his friend.
"Have fun?" She teased.
"I just want this all done and over with so I can go get my sake." He grumbled while plopping down against the wall behind them, he did all with his hand placed on a squad four seated members head keeping away from. His name was Hanataro or something he didn't really care he remembered him from the graduating class four years ago.
Both turned back to the arena after they dragged the poor bastard out of the area.
An half an hour went by and in that time Daemon finally let the small blue haired guy heal him. As Hanataro worked on him Katsu continued to watch the matches with mild interest, but she had one ear listening to Daemon wine when Hanataro pulled something too tight.
It seemed that people that knew the name of their Zanpakuto's had little to no control over their Shikai form. Over the twenty or so matches only handful knew basic hand-to-hand; a good amount had good swordsmanship, but most seemed to excel in hadou moves. She wasn't going to mention the number of students that just failed at shunpo. But she wasn't going to lie there was some talent in this year's class, it just needed to be tapped into it a bit more.
"Katsu! You're up now!"
"Finally, I was getting tired of waiting." She grumbled, but stopped when her arm was grabbed. Looking back she met a curious gaze, "which one are you using?" She noticed he gave a weary look at the rings on both her hands.
"You know which one; I would never use him on anybody except a hollow…or you, when you piss me off." She grinned.
Nodding he let her go, and with one last glance to her bandaged friend she jumped to the arena.
Everyone in the room grew silent as Katsu placed herself on her side of the arena. All eyes seemed to be looking at either her hood, her orange striped belt, but mainly most of everybody was looking at the blade on her back and hip.
She was a very unusual case being considered labeled as a duel wielder since she carried two blade, but she was a unique case since they were not the same, but two completely different Zanpakutos. But no one has seen them released out of their sealing state.
When students went into the chamber of revealing to find their Zanpakuto they usually come out with one, and that one blade may turn into a duel wielding Zanpakuto later. But for her she had walked out with not just one in hand, but two.
The one strapped on her back was held in a beautiful sheath that was a dark purple with a black flame wrapped all around. But the most unusual thing about her blade was its color; the blade was pitch black with a wave to it, also it didn't even gleam when the sun or any other light source hit it. The hilt of her blade was a dull orange flame that had a long black feathers hanging loosely off it.
But the one that was more talked about was the blade strapped to her waist. No one has ever seen it taken out of its sheath; the only thing that people were able to see was the sheath, which looked war torn and was wrapped in ripped white cloth, the hilt was covered in a patch of white fur, and the grip was wrapped in leather. But that was only a few reasons her Zanpakutos was so widely talked about. Besides the dark red paw prints the sword held a dark aura around it making others who got too close to her feel nervous and fearful for their own life.
"So this is the girl with two Zanpakuto's but with two different entities?" Komamura rumbled watching the girl with interest through his helmet.
"Yes, I've heard of her, a prodigy like her friend over there. But what I am curious about the blade on her waist. Such an interesting aura it's giving off I wouldn't mind studying it or her" Mayuri cackled his eyes gleaming.
"The girl's blades are unusual, but so is she." Surprising a few Byakuya spoke up, but he had voice most of other Captains opinion. "General this girl was that unknown figure that crashed into the meeting chambers all those years ago." It wasn't a question but a fact as Byakuya fixed his gaze on the General.
This grabbed the others attention as they all looked over at the silent General. Meeting all the stares Yamamoto answered "Yes, this girl was that unknown figure."
Interests even more aroused they all turned back to the hooded girl who had such unusual spirit pressure, and even more interesting Zanpakutos'.
"Something not right about her." It was a whisper but Renji had heard it, and he couldn't agree more with his Captain. Something wasn't right about her, when he had seen her on one of his visits to the academy to look for possible recruits something about her seemed off. The way she fought was something fearful and deadly to watch, she was undefeated in the academy no one could beat her, not even the upper class man. So he was surprised when she and Daemon chose not to graduate two years early.
Hearing some yelling he snapped back to reality and looked down to see whoever Katsu was fighting was making his way to the arena. Yelling and boasting about how he was going to beat the prodigy mixed in with insult directed at her.
'This is not going to be good.' The red head thought watching the hooded girl with interest.
"Hehe- bitch your going down! How you became known as a fuckin prodigy I will never know." A tall and rather muscular man pushed his way out of the crowd.
"You don't even look strong! I bet you slept with the teachers or something!" He got a few nasty glares from said teachers, but besides that no one laughed.
Sadly that didn't bother him, "Isn't that right you little whore?" His insults seemed to fall on a deaf ear as Katsu brought her hand to cover a yawn.
"If you're done wining like a prissy little bitch that just broke a nail I would like to fight now so I can leave." Katsu replied in a dull voice while scratching an itch on her neck.
Hearing some snickers behind him the guy let out a growl, not even waiting for the proctor to start the fight he charged in at Katsu with his Zanpakuto drawn aiming for her heart.
"Whore!" The blade was mere inches away from her heart when it suddenly stopped. Katsu's opponent was surprised and greatly angered when he saw that his blade was stopped by her two forefingers.
"I'm sorry were you trying to hit me?" Katsu mocked not liking the man in front of her.
Snarling he jumped back and charged again this time a little faster, but not fast enough. Already deciding to give this guy a good lashing for being an ass Katsu flashed step in front of him startling him that he didn't even have time to react to the fist connecting with his chin.
"I don't like you. So I'm going to beat and humiliate you without drawing my Zanpakuto."
Getting up she watched her opponent spit some blood out of his mouth getting into another stance, this one a basic academy stance then he charged again. She rolled her eyes, but he couldn't tell, so flash stepping again she appeared in front of him, but this time he was ready bringing his sword down he was met with nothing but air. That was until he felt a searing pain in his side courtesy of Katsu's foot digging into it.
Flying to the side it looked like he was going to hit the wall but another swift kick that came from below rocketing him up in the air. Only to be met with a fist in his gut that knocked the air out of him. The assault continued he never once hit the grown or a wall, and he continued to be hit from all direction at such speed that he couldn't even react, or see his opponent. Finally a sudden kick to his back sent him crash landing into the tiled floor making a rather nice sized crater.
Landing beside the crater Katsu stood not even winded, and she didn't even brake out in a sweat.
"I told you I would beat you without drawing my Zanpakuto."
The room was silent; no one dared to make a sound. What they all just witness was amazing to say the least; even though she didn't draw her Zanpakuto she was able to beat her opponent with such speed and deadly precision. She had shown an advance skill in Shunpo for an academy student that it surprised Captain Soi Fon who had a look of amazement on her face, but that wasn't the only reason, each blow was meant to cause more pain than damage. That she held so much control in her strikes frighten some, they wondered at how much she was holding back from them.
Walking away she nodded towards the proctor to call the fight, but before he did her opponent yelled something out that made three people in the room take in a sharp breath.
"MONSTER!"
Katsu stilled.
Crawling out from his crater which surprised her a bit since she was sure she broke some bones, he yelled out again, "You fuckin monster! Those rumors about you are probably true you being a monster, that's why you don't show your fa-GAH!"
He never finished because a sudden kick to the face sent him flying, landing on his back he didn't get a chance to realize what happen when a sudden foot found its way on his neck.
"What did you say?" It was a low growl that only he could hear but it was laced with a promise of something and he had a good feeling on what it was. The pressure she was releasing made some of the other student faint or fall to their knees in fear, some even began to suffocate. Even the Lieutenants either collapse or braced themselves on something to keep them standing.
Even some Captains felt uneasy about the girls pressure, the only one who seemed not effected was Yamamoto .
"Kenny I don't like it." Yachiru cried hiding behind Kenpachi's head while Kenpachi could only stare in shock, but he quickly got over it, and started to feel a bit giddy inside.
"I can't wait to fight her." Kenpachi grinned watching the strange girl with a maniac grin on his face. "Fresh meat." He cackled.
"What you fuckin deaf you mon-" Letting out a choking noise when she added pressure to his neck he was able to look at her head. And would have screamed if he could glaring back at him from the darkness inside her hood was two gleaming red eyes the held promise of much pain.
Grabbing the foot on his neck he tried pushing the offending object off, but her foot wouldn't move. He even tried to scream but his throat had too much pressure on it.
"Katsu stop!" Daemon yelled, but she didn't even flinch or respond to his call only added more pressure. Running behind her he grabbed her from behind and lifted her off the guy. That seemed to snap her out of her daze, "Daemon? Gah! My head!" Letting go of her she dropped down to her knees while clutching her head. Flashes of faces crossed her mind but she could only see the mouths of them, all of them calling her a monster.
Feeling someone shake her she looked up to see Daemons concerned face looking around she noticed her limp opponent being carried away on a stretcher.
"Daem what happened?" She got a confused look, "You don't remember?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be asking you."
"Point. But after the asshole called you an umm-monster…" He stopped seeing her flinch but he continued anyway, "You lost it and tried crushing his throat with your foot."
"Oh…" Looking up past Daemon she looked at the row of Captains watching her intensely, especially old man Yamamoto. She winced at the look he was giving her, but she didn't miss the concerned one from Unahana.
"Let's go I really need a drink right about now." Nodding Daemon helped her up and both walked out of the arena the other students making a path for them.
Behind them the proctor announced that this year's graduation exam was finished.
"What was that?" Momo asked her voice had a slight quiver to it as she stepped closer to her Captain. "I don't know Momo." Aizen whispered while patting her on the head but he never took his gaze off two retreating figure.
"Hmmm - I wouldn't mind studying that girl…" Mayuri mumbled licking his lips at the thought of it.
Hitting his cane on the grown Yamamoto got all their attention. "All Captains your copies of all this year's students profile are in your office, please go and look them over and decide who you want in your squadron." Looking them over one more time, "Tomorrow at noon we will hold a meeting about who will be placed where."
And with that said all Captains along with their vice Captains filed out.
"Kenny who do you want to join?" Yachiru giggled who seemed to have forgotten about the incident just minutes ago.
"I want that white haired guy and hood girl, but I know that won't happen so I'll just settle for that guy Daemon. He looks like he'll be a lot of fun to fight with." The spiky haired Captain laughed Yachiru giggled with him.
"Yeah! Kenny's happy!"
"Captain!" Looking behind them both spotted Ikkaku and Yumichika running towards them.
"Hey look Kenny its baldy!"
"I'm NOT bald!" Ikkaku yelled at his pink haired Lieutenants, "So you see anybody good this year?" Ikkaku asked forgetting about his Lieutenants out bursts.
"Oh-yes, and if I get him he'll be our new fourth seat." That got their attention, Ikkaku grinned at the thought of someone new to fight. "He better not be an ugly barbarian, I don't want someone ugly anywhere near me." Yumichika said while he fixed his hair in his personal mirror. Closing it he looked up and was met with blank stares. "What?" Ignoring him they started walking towards their district.
Walking back to her compound Soi Fon thoughts were clouded by a certain hooded fighter, 'Her skills would soot my squad perfect-' An annoying crunching sound followed by the slurping of fingers ruined her train of thought. Stopping suddenly that her Vice Captain almost ran into her small frame.
"Omaeda."
Swallowing his chips he stuttered his reply, "Umm- yes Capta-" He never finished because his Captains foot came in contact with his face.
"Learn to eat more quietly you glutton, or better yet don't eat around me."
Getting up from the ground he ran after his Captain who was now a good distance away from him, "Captain, wait Captain!" Finally catching up with her he asked her his question. "So Captain are you going to pick anybody this year? Because if you are I would like to recommend that red head, sure she got beat kind of fast, but nothing a bit of practi-"
"Omaeda."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Yes Captain."
Both continued their walk towards the squads' two training grounds in silence.