A/N: Many thanks to my friends and readers, but especially to "Narutoclone", "Elimination-X", and "Kirigakure no Seiryu" of the Narutofans forums, who inspired the characters met here. And to you, Jessie (you know who you are), for being the biggest inspiration of them all.

Chapter 2: The New Home

Ever since I got out of that room, this place seems a bit... out of focus? No, that's the wrong word. If anything, it's all a bit too sharp and clear. It's making things a pain, getting hard to judge distances and sounds, and this shirt is much rougher than I'd thought it was before. And that fat guy needs to take a bath...

After the Captain-General had stepped off the stage, a rather stern-looking woman came up and began directing them all to a series of rooms where they would be outfitted and equipped to learn. Of all the material the students came in with, almost nothing would be allowed in their new lives here. All were briskly fitted with Shinigami uniforms, all of the same cut and material as what they would wear once graduated. No worse, no better. Of all of their personal effects, each person would only be allowed to bring five items in, due mostly to the very limited dormitory space allotted to each. Shien only had nearly nothing he wasn't willing (eager, even) to let go of, having come from an outer district of the Rukongai. Others were not so lucky, many had been sent here lavishly equipped and had to leave most of it behind. Even those who came in tailor-made uniforms couldn't keep them, as all students would have to wear the same cut and cloth. There was one thing of note that the dressers made sure to tell each student. Though most personal touches were removed, slight deviations from the norm were quite permitted. Many even preferred this, making it easy to identify someone at a glance even if they were turned away or in the middle of battlefield chaos.

That's something to be thankful for, at least. Willing to bet that the definition of "slight" will be rather sharply defined to a few people in the coming days, too. Well, I don't think anyone will mind me carrying my old friend here on the balance side of my belt. Speaking of which, it's much more comfortable than what I came here with. This is good material, too. Tough, same as the sandals they gave and the looks they sent us off with. Makes me wonder just how serious Yamamoto-dono was being... well, if his appearance says anything, the word is "very".

Despite having explored the place a lot in the past weeks, Shien was still a bit dazed from the sudden changes of the past half-hour. This slowed him significantly during the actual registration session he had to go through after getting his gear, and again while searching the library for the three books he'd been assigned. He missed lunch entirely, though typically only those who were actively training ate that meal, and he felt no worse for it. After finally finishing all of his day-one administrative details, Shien made his way back to the dormitory wing. He can, perhaps, be forgiven for forgetting that his room assignment had changed, his possessions moved to storage and the room marked vacant. The woman changing uniforms in the room, however, would not likely forgive him any time soon.

Ok, that hurt. I didn't know that a chair could be thrown that fast... didn't even get a good look at her. Definitely and distinctly a "her", though, caught that much, which would explain the bruise I'm likely to have tomorrow. Good thing it won't show. I'm awake now, though!

A few minutes later he arrived at his own new room. After checking the room number out of an understandable sense of caution, he opened the door and stepped in. The first thing he noticed was that this room was significantly larger than his temporary one had been, containing two bunk beds and a pair of fairly decent writing desks. The second was that there was already someone occupying one of the four beds.

The occupant stood up as Shien entered the room. He was tall, easily over six feet. His blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail that fell just past his shoulder blades, enough to flare if he turned quickly. It sharply contrasted with the black uniform he was wearing, as did his fair skin and pale blue eyes. "Welcome to Room Two, then. I'm Shirabe Kashu, what's your name?"

Huh, takes care of his appearance, speaks clearly and with good tonal control, and he has a guitar on his bed. He either worked for a living singing somewhere, or did the barfly routine. Either works, and neither really matters now that he's here.

"My name is Teisatsu Shien. Good to meet you, Kashu-san, looks like we'll be roommates for the next few years, barring incident."

"No need to be so formal. Like you said, we're going to be living here for a while, and 'san' this and 'kun' that will get tiresome before long."

Further discussion was interrupted by another person coming in behind Shien. "So that's why they wouldn't allow students that many possessions. Hello you two, I'm Shurako Seiichiro" Both looked at the newcomer.

He's built fairly strong, dark hair cropped short, matching his eye color. About five foot six, moves fluidly, he can probably handle himself well. Face is like it's made of granite, nothing but powerful lines. Looks like he's been through a few fights, too… and won them.

Kashu was the first to respond, introducing himself and Shien. Seiichiro (or Sei as he asked to be called) was a bit of an oddity in the academy: someone who was born in the human world and remembered much of his life there. All three got to the business of unpacking while they talked, since the room would be crowded should caution not be taken. It was at this point that a minor detail started bugging Shien.

Hang on, four beds in the room, sixteen male students… it divides cleanly, so why are we missing our last roommate this long after the ceremony? It's nearly time for dinner already, even the slowest administrator should have been done long since. Maybe there was an issue somewhere with his admittance? Nah, couldn't be, I had nothing but the sword when I came and admittance was automatic; I saw all twenty-four students raise their Zanpakutou earlier as well.

"Kashu, Sei, do either of you know who our last roommate is supposed to be? It's getting a bit late, and the numbers work out to say that we should have one."

"Ah, forgot to mention him," Kashu replied. "He was actually the first one here, the little statuette of the fox is his, not mine. Name's Maboroshi Koumaru, striking sort of guy. He said he'll be here after dinner, his family wanted to celebrate his admittance to the academy. Some kind of tradition, from what I caught"

"Hang on, did you say Maboroshi? Didn't know the clan had anyone of academy age." Seiichiro spoke up.

"You know of them?"

"Yeah, they're a small clan in here, but most are honorable and they give to charities in the Rukongai. Mostly to farmers and the like, but still."

Ok, that makes sense. Shien thought while Kashu and Seiichiro talked. Noble clan if they live in the Seireitei, makes sense for there to be a party or internal ceremony. Let's just hope this Koumaru turns out to be one of the "honorable" ones Seiichiro-san mentioned. Nobles tend to fall under that category or deep in the "spoiled brat" side of things, and I do not look forward to years rooming with someone like THAT.

The new roommates continued their introductions through a leisurely dinner, and came back to find the fourth already back. He was fiddling with something on one of the desks with his back to the door as they came in. He stood to five foot six and turned without being startled. "It seems that I'm the last occupant of Room Two, my name's Koumaru. It's a pleasure to meet you all"

Striking was the right word for him all right. That's either the most complex and expensive dye-job of all time, or his Maker took four days to plan it alone. Red fading to white at the tips, with blond highlights? Looks like his head is on fire at first glance, and he wears it in a mane. Brightest amber eyes I've ever seen, and they're already glittering with laughter and mischief. He looks comfortable in the uniform, like he's been wearing it for a while, and he carries the Zanpakutou like he's used to it as well. Prior training, perhaps, or is it just that he had been wearing them a few more hours than the others when I first saw him? Seems he got the memo from Kashu-san about dropping titles, too, so at least I know he's not going to be stiff about things. Honor, we'll see.

He needn't have worried, as it turned out. Living arrangements and further discussion came out easily and quickly. It became apparent that this noble wasn't feeling stinted that he didn't get a suite of his own, and all agreed to turn in as early as possible in order to be better prepared for an early rise. The next day would be their last one of leisure for the foreseeable future, and all four shared the same goal.

--

Blackness, a void encompassing all. I feel solid ground beneath my feet, but I can't see it. A light shines in the dark, revealing a bed ten feet before me. Upon this bed a figure stirs, then awakens. I can't make out anything about her, but I get the impression that it is a "her". She opens her eyes, the only distinct thing on her body, and they draw me. Clear blue rimmed in a much darker shade of it, golden threads like a starburst radiating from the pupils. "I am awake, Shien," she says. "My name is *****." She looks frustrated, then begins to talk. I listen.

--

Instructor's Note:

It has been the tradition in the past to house students of the same background together. Traditionally, this has made it far easier for them to get along, and made sure that the students would have peers to talk to. This tradition has now ended. Just the opposite is now true, students are being housed together with as wildly varied backgrounds as we can manage. The previous tradition let to a certain cliquishness that we could ill afford, and the new method ensures that a student's weaknesses are brought up as fast as possible, simply by ensuring that said weaknesses are not shared with all of their roommates.

-Kuchiki Kentaro, Housing Master