The next morning the sunlight came through the windows of Ulquiorra's dorm room waking him easily. Dressing as usual and taking his sword he left the room. The day looked the same as always bright sun and Soul Reapers already up and getting to work. When Ulquiorra passed by the cafeteria Hikaru and Kaoru saw him and started running after him.

"Hey Ulquiorra where are you going breakfast is this way?" Both of them said pointing back into the cafeteria. Ulquiorra kept going ignoring them. As he passed the library he saw a strange man with sandy blond hair in a captain's haori. He was reading something. Ulquiorra walked up to him the captain had his back turned to Ulquiorra the number 12 on the back of the haori. So this is the new squad 12 captain.

The captain looked around and saw Ulquiorra "hello who are you?" There was a smile on his face that to Ulquiorra appeared to be rather sad.

"I am Ulquiorra Soul Reaper Academy student" he said tilting his head forward in a small bow for the captain.

"Ah it is good to meet you Shunsui told me that you were a very good fighter. I am the captain of squad 12 Kisuke Urahara."

Ulquiorra thought for a moment "that makes you the head of the Department of Research and Development does it not?"

Urahara nodded "indeed it does we make the technology used all throughout Soul Society." Urahara turned over and continued to read.

"Are you working on anything interesting at all?" Ulquiorra asked no interest in his voice.

"No not really we aren't sure if there is anything that the Soul Society needs at the moment that science can fix." Urahara answered without turning to look at Ulquiorra.

"Hey Ulquiorra we have to go eat breakfast class is about to start" Kallen shouted at Ulquiorra who only turned and glared at her. "What, would you rather be late for class?"

"No" Ulquiorra said walking by her quickly and going into the cafeteria. Hikaru and Kaoru were waiting for them.

"What was so important that you almost skipped breakfast Ulquiorra?" Ulquiorra ignored the twins and ate breakfast quickly grabbing his things he left quickly for class Kallen not far behind him.

Spiritual energy control was harder for Ulquiorra that day he knew that Urahara had lied to him in the library and he wanted to know what it was that Urahara was doing and this distracted from his concentration in class. I will find out what it is that he is hiding from me. Ulquiorra failed the class for the rest of the day.

Kido class was harder than it should have been. Kido was hard enough with Ulquiorra's high energy now it was harder because he was no longer concentrating on class. He ended up burning another student and shocking another one. Ulquiorra thought it was funny the other students thought he was making fun of them. "You really think I have a sense of humor?" was all Ulquiorra had to say to them.

Sword practice was the only class that he did well in that day. For once Ulquiorra was not paired with Kallen as a sparring partner. His opponent was another student in a lower class that was requested into the higher class because he was too good for the lower one. He had mid-length black hair and purple eyes. Ulquiorra wasn't sure who he was but he had to have been good to get promoted to a higher class and for Ulquiorra there was no hold back.

Before the match began Kensei stepped between the two. "Alright young Kuchiki this is Ulquiorra he is the best in this class so don't underestimate him just because he hasn't gotten his Zanpaku-to yet. This fight will determine if you are really good enough to be in the advanced class. The fight will go as long as it has to but there must be a winner when one of you goes down that is when the fight will end. Go for it!"

Kuchiki was waiting for something so Ulquiorra charged first stabbing in front of him Kuchiki dodged easily but made no attempt to attack while Ulquiorra was open. Turning the blade over Ulquiorra swung for the side of Kuchiki's head. He ducked the attack but backed off instead of charging forward. Ulquiorra instantly suspected that his strange new opponent was planning something. Ulquiorra kept his distance waiting for Kuchiki's attack. He has to attack sometime my patience can outlast his. Kuchiki looked confused for a moment before realizing that Ulquiorra knew his strategy. Kuchiki remained still for only a few seconds before charging directly at Ulquiorra making a full swing towards Ulquiorra's throat he backed up enough to dodge the attack then aimed forward striking Kuchiki in the chest and knocking him back.

"You can hit rather hard for a person using a wooden sword." Kuchiki half grunted at Ulquiorra pulling himself back into an attack position. Ulquiorra made no expression or comeback for him and waited for the other boy's next attack.

Kuchiki aimed low trying to hit Ulquiorra's legs and failed Ulquiorra jumped his move and kicked him with both legs causing both of them to fall over. Ulquiorra rose faster than Kuchiki did. Ulquiorra charged at him while he was getting back into position. Swinging hard Ulquiorra caught Kuchiki hard in the side then turned him so that his back was to Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra struck him on the back of the head the force of which knocked him down but not out.

Ulquiorra waited for Kuchiki to get up. When he did he was dazed but still willing to fight. Getting back into position quickly it was his turn to charge at Ulquiorra he was dazed and angry and very easy to avoid or counter he was attacking blindly but it didn't take Kuchiki long to calm down. He became calculative trying to find a way to beat Ulquiorra. Kuchiki swung for Ulquiorra's head but was easily blocked Kuchiki's sword stuck in the wood of Ulquiorra's. Ulquiorra twisted Kuchiki's Zanpaku-to from his hands and struck him hard in the side of the head bringing him down quickly.

"Are you giving up Kuchiki?" Ulquiorra asked waiting for the other boy to get up and finish the fight.

"There is no giving up where I come from" Kuchiki answered quietly energy draining away quickly.

"Then get up the fight isn't over yet" Ulquiorra kicked the boy's Zanpaku-to close enough for Kuchiki to reach it but he made no attempt to pick it back up.

Ulquiorra felt almost insulted that the boy was conscious and yet did not attempt to finish the fight. Ulquiorra did not consider the fight over. Kuchiki was lost in thought past memories blinked slightly voices from his grandfather ringing in his ears. There is no lose within the Kuchiki family remember that. Honor is held above all else in this family and there is no honor in giving up either you win the fight or die trying. Kuchiki grabbed his sword and slowly began to rise Ulquiorra watched un-amused but pleased that he at least had the will to keep going.

Kuchiki charged weakly at Ulquiorra who swatted the attack aside and struck Kuchiki on the shoulder. Kuchiki growled and struck at Ulquiorra with slightly more intensity. Now Ulquiorra knew how to get Kuchiki to fight harder. It only took three more hits to get Kuchiki to go at him with all his power. Kuchiki was strong as long as he kept his cool which he did well. Kuchiki swung hard aiming directly for Ulquiorra's head Ulquiorra parried at the cost that Kuchiki sliced through his wooden sword.

Ulquiorra looked at the sword "well that was going to happen sooner or later." There was enough of the sword to keep fighting Ulquiorra knew this was the point that the fight was going to get harder. Kuchiki charged at Ulquiorra who side stepped him and struck Kuchiki in the temple with the hilt of his sword knocking him back down. Kuchiki quickly rose and attacked again striking Ulquiorra in the arm. Ulquiorra looked down and saw the blood running down his arm but thought nothing of it.

Only a scratch at least he's getting good enough to hit me. This may be interesting after all. Ulquiorra waited for Kuchiki to attack again and plotted a new form of attack now that his sword was shorter. Kuchiki seemed to be waiting as well looking for an opening to attack when none came he attacked directly and from the left. Ulquiorra used his elbow to knock the sword down and backed off.

This is going to be harder than I thought now I have wounds on my arm and elbow he is getting faster. At least these wounds are not deep enough to cause blood loss; that would be more problematic than I need at the moment but how do I beat him? Ulquiorra kept a sharp eye on Kuchiki and thought over his attack strategies and looked for a way passed them. Ulquiorra reviewed all of his attacks and noticed that when Kuchiki attacks he attacks in one direction and leaves his other side open for attack. All Ulquiorra needed now was to wait for Kuchiki to attack again.

When Kuchiki attacked he aimed for the right so Ulquiorra aimed for the left Kuchiki struck Ulquiorra hard in the shoulder whereas Ulquiorra used the proximity to strike Kuchiki in the head. Kuchiki fell almost instantly bleeding in places with a slight head injury while Ulquiorra stumbled from Kuchiki's last attack to his shoulder. Ulquiorra's sword was badly cracked and splintering in places it was no longer of use as a battle weapon and Ulquiorra knew that. This small weapon served me well now I must get my Zanpaku-to. Ulquiorra lied down almost unconscious.

Kensei looked down at both Kuchiki and Ulquiorra "he did his best and pulled a tie that will do; he fights at roughly the same level as Ulquiorra that means he is better than most other students. He will make a fine addition to the rest of the class. Go get the squad 4 medics for both of them." Kensei was speaking to his lieutenant.

When Ulquiorra woke again he was in the squad 4 barracks; squad members where running around taking care of all the other injured Soul Reapers. Ulquiorra's opponent was in the bed next to his Kuchiki was the only name Ulquiorra had for him. "You are a fast healer you were only out for a few hours." When Ulquiorra turned he saw Kallen sitting next to him. "That was a good fight captain Muguruma said that it was a tie and that you fought really well. I'm sorry that your sword broke I placed it on your bed in your room it won't be of much use anymore I'm afraid." Ulquiorra nodded but said nothing.

An old man walked into the room and looked at Ulquiorra with a slight hint of anger. "So you are Ulquiorra Schiffer the academy student that Kensei put up against my grandson Byakuya Kuchiki." Ulquiorra said nothing but looked straight back at the old man. He was wearing a captains' haori. Squad 6 Ulquiorra had heard of him Ginrei Kuchiki the current head of the Kuchiki family. "Kensei told me that the fight was a tie that isn't good enough I demand a rematch there is either a win or a loss there is no in between."

"Hey no disrespect captain Kuchiki but even if there was a rematch it would end the same way your grandson and Ulquiorra are evenly matched." Kallen said standing up for Ulquiorra. The twins ran into the room and almost into captain Kuchiki.

"Hey Ulquiorra we heard that you fought with Byakuya. Did you win?" They shouted nearly deafening Ulquiorra and the captains standing next to them. Kallen motioned for them to lower their voices.

"Look where you two are this is an infirmary; keep your voices down would you." Ulquiorra remained emotionless and glared silently at the two of them.

"This is not the way to celebrate a good fight Ulquiorra come on your awake lets go do something special." They continued in a loud voice.

Captain Unohana came over "I ask the two of you to lower your voices or to leave the infirmary." She had a calm voice that hardly rose above a whisper. The twins nodded silently. Kallen was laughing at them. Captain Kuchiki stood quietly and waited for Retsu to go back to her business.

"Well that was strange who are you two?" Captain Kuchiki asked the twins standing quietly next to him.

"I am Hikaru" said the one standing to the left.

"And I am Kaoru" answered the one on the right. "We are friends of Ulquiorra's" they said at the same time quietly for once.

The captain didn't seem to care though he returned his attention to Ulquiorra. "Know this; you are not better than Byakuya there will be a time when he will be better than you." The captain said walking out.

"Then I will train and I will keep up with him then prove myself better. We may be tied now but I will assure you that it will not remain that way. No matter how much Byakuya trains I will always be there to prove that there are Soul Reapers just as good as him." Ulquiorra said loud enough for the captain to hear him before he left.

Kallen looked at Ulquiorra "I'm not sure if it is a good idea to insult a captain like that Ulqui."

Ulquiorra looked at Kallen confused "what kind of name is Ulqui that isn't my name."

"Maybe not but it is easier to say that Ulquiorra" Kallen said a smile on her face. Ulquiorra didn't look as happy about it.

"Can we go now we don't like it here?" The twins asked looking at the Kallen and Ulquiorra. Both of whom nodded Ulquiorra grabbing his things taking out a piece of paper and a quill and ink Ulquiorra began writing.

Byakuya,

That was an impressive fight and I do look forward to fighting you again one day. Welcome to the advanced fighting class I am sure that it will hone your skills and teach you how to fight at an even higher level than you are at currently. Reach for the moon because one day you will be one of the best sword fighters in the Soul Society. The fight was called a draw by Captain Kensei Muguruma teacher of the class. You did well for a real combat situation and you are sure to rise to the top quickly at your pace; but remember I will never be too far behind you.

Ulquiorra Schiffer

Ulquiorra left the letter on Byakuya's bed side table and left with Kallen and the twins. Kallen knew better than to ask but curiosity got the better of the twins. "What was the letter you wrote to Byakuya about?" They asked Ulquiorra remained silent as always a slight smile on his lips.

It was late classes were over and there was a free day the next day Ulquiorra knew what he needed to do. He needed to obtain his Zanpaku-to before classes began the day after or he would be useless in combat class that day. Going to his room he saw his broken wooden sword on his bed as Kallen had told him it would be. Both ends of it were splintered and Ulquiorra placed it on a sword stand. A warrior never forgets his first sword. Ulquiorra went to sleep thinking of what the next day would hold when the thought of captain Urahara crossed his mind. The captain had lied to him that day but it would have to wait for some other day Ulquiorra knew that he would be too busy the next morning to talk to the new squad 12 captain.