A/N: Eh heh... I'm alive? Sorry to everyone for the long absence. Suffice it to say, I don't recommend moving across a continent, immediately followed by your first two years of teaching full time for fan fic productivity. Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read, follow and fave - you've kept me thinking about the story and working on it bit by bit. No promises still on updating regularly, but I haven't abandoned it!
A quick mention before you get going with the chapter: I gave up on reading Bleach as it comes out about a year ago. Don't get me wrong, I love the fandom, but Kubo is just taking too damn long to do anything. The last chapter I read was 624. Therefore, I'm happily creating my own head-canon, so if you want to argue about things that have to do with the Wandenreich invasion, sorry, but no.
Right, enough of that! I hope you enjoy the extra-long chapter. (Bleach still isn't mine. If it was, it would move faster :D)
The remainder of the week flew by after her encounter with Renji. Her sparring sessions with Yoruichi remained intense (and, thankfully, clothed) as she continued to fine-tune her style in her new body. Kidō with Kukaku still didn't come naturally, but there was definite improvement there as well. Throughout all this, Ichigo gradually pushed, well, Ichigo back and let Ayame's personality develop. In many ways, Ayame was easier to be than Ichigo. She had never been through war, never had to kill, or die, or struggle with an inner hollow. She was lighter, faster to smile and laugh. Her determination and will to protect remained, but without all the shadows that Ichigo carried. It was almost like taking a vacation from Ichigo's life, and he was really beginning to enjoy it.
The seventh day after Ichigo's permanent arrival in Soul Society found Ayame standing in the front courtyard of the Academy with Kukaku fretting over her. It was hardly just the two of them; hundreds of other souls milled about, young to middle-aged in appearance and clearly from all social classes, all waiting for their turn to enter the examination.
Finally, the Shiba clan leader paused for breath, allowing Ayame to get a word in (other than "Yes, nee-san," that is). "So how many of these people will actually be accepted into the Academy?" she asked curiously. It seemed like there were far more hopefuls present than the Gotei could support. It was a big organization, but not this big.
"Hmmm?"
Kukaku finally looked around, catching more than a few amused faces turning away rapidly; it seemed that her mother hen routine hadn't gone unremarked. She made a rapid estimate of the number of people present. "It's usually about four hundred that get taken in every year; a hundred in the advanced class, and three hundred in the regular. Graduating classes are a lot smaller, though. About sixty percent of students don't make it, usually because they can't handle the stress of being a shinigami, from what I've heard."
"Only four hundred? There's got to be a thousand people here! What happens to the rest?"
"They go home," she replied with a shrug. "They can always come back and try again next year."
Ayame looked around again, disconcerted by the answer. What if they have nothing left to go to, like Rukia and Renji, she wondered. Thankfully that hadn't happened, but her friends were hardly the only ones who sought to escape the higher districts by joining the Gotei 13. Note to self: bring it up.
Or to others! Shiro chimed in. Life would be so much less fun without the Midget and the Baboon!
Same thing, isn't it? Note to self or note to you.
Is not! I resent that. I'm way better than you!
You are not!
Am too!
Not!
Am!
Not!
Am!
Children! Zangetsu exclaimed with an eye roll as Shiro blew a raspberry at Ayame (which she could see for some reason, despite not being in her inner world; maybe it had just happened so often that she could picture it perfectly?).
Ayame snorted inelegantly, responding to Kukaku's raised eyebrow with a brief, "Shiro."
The older woman hummed her understanding as she surveyed the crowd again. They were standing underneath one of the old trees in the courtyard, having gotten there early that morning to snag a prime spot to wait. It was a beautiful sunny day, the norm for Soul Society, and those stuck in the middle of the courtyard would undoubtedly be sweating. As she watched, another group of ten hopefuls were taken inside to complete the exams. "Into the six hundreds, next round. We're getting close, think you're ready?"
"For the last time, yes, nee-san. How could I not be, after the last five years?" Ayame growled out. After all, it was only the hundredth time that day that Kukaku had asked.
"Oi! After your disgraceful kidō practice this morning? Be glad I'm letting you out of the house!" the older woman shot back with a glare, her fist on her hip.
Ichigo (yes, Ichigo, really, failed kido might as well be his signature) cringed, remembering the three targets he had blown up with morning with one out-of-control Soukatsui. "I still don't get it, Kukaku-nee," he sighed, crossing his arms. Wow, that still felt weird.
"That's because you're still not focused right, moron," she huffed back at him, rolling her eyes. "I'm out of ideas for teaching you how, you'll get it eventually, or you won't."
"Thanks for those wonderful words of encouragement right before my entrance exam, nee-san," the redhead sighed with a sardonic smile, sliding back into Ayame's persona.
"Eh, you'll be fine," Kukaku said with an answering grin, reaching out to ruffle her little sister's hair. Ichigo would have ducked; Ayame was allowed to accept the affectionate gesture with a small smile, annoying though it was to resettle her hair after such treatment. "If you can't get in, no one can!"
"I suppose that's true," Ayame muttered under her breath. After all, sucky kido aside, she… he? I'm starting to think of myself as "she"... oh god, this can't be good!
How so, Ichigo? Zangetsu rumbled as the hollow muttered quietly about the use of third person being more indicative of mental problems. Both Zanpaktou and wielder ignored him.
It's just… wrong! the man answered. I'm a man, regardless of what the outside looks like. Why am I thinking of myself as "she"?
Because you're mentally unbalanced! Shiro piped up. The other two sighed, and continued to ignore him. He pouted.
After a moment's consideration, during which he could feel Ichigo working himself up, Zangetsu responded. Have you considered that this part of you is simply unexplored, not new?
What, like getting in touch with my inner woman? Ichigo said with a snort.
Precisely, the spirit replied, ignoring the sarcasm. Everyone is a balance of parts, Ichigo; male and female, Ego and Id, shinigami and hollow. You more so than most.
Ichigo remained quiet, contemplating this thought. What did it mean, going forward? He had outward expressions of both shinigami and hollow, and now, thanks to Urahara's kido….
Thankfully, he was interrupted before he could get too deep by a proctor circulating in the crowd, calling for 601 to 610. "Almost there," he muttered to Kukaku; he was number 615 (a fact which had made him shudder; it was like he and Grimmjow had combined). He was about to return to his musings when a flash of golden auburn, the same as his own wild hair, caught his eye.
The girl was bouncing towards the proctor holding out her number card eagerly, unaware of the frozen form staring at her, eyes wide with shock. She felt something odd as she handed her card over, and turned to scan the crowd around her. After a moment, she shook herself and turned back to the proctor, smiling widely as he led her and the four others he had gathered back towards the building.
Beneath the tree, Ichigo remained frozen, unable to move, or think, or even breathe. Distantly, he heard someone calling for Ayame… who was Ayame again? Was it that girl? No, that girl was… she was…
King, snap out of it!
Shiro's words were like a bucket of freezing water being dumped over his head. He focused, finally meeting Kukaku's worried gaze.
"It's okay, nee-san, I'm okay," he said, a slight tremble in his voice betraying the lie. "Listen, I'll be alright here on my own; I need you to get in touch with our crazy uncle. Get him here, as fast as you can."
"Our crazy uncle…?" Kukaku asked, looking confused. "Why do we need… You don't think… Ichi, it couldn't have been her, after all this time!"
"Yes, nee-san, it could!" Ichigo hissed back, glaring at her for the slip. He took a deep breath, trying to settle his roiling reiatsu. People were beginning to look askance at them, eyes wide at the power being displayed. He closed his eyes and tried to let Ayame settle over himself, become himself. Ayame didn't know this stress, this hope, this fear. Ayame had never known her mother; she had never lost her mother, never caused her mother's death.
When she opened them again, she was calm. Kukaku was still looking worried, but underneath, there was sympathy and a deep sadness. "Alright," she sighed. "I'll get in touch with Yoru-chan and set up a call. I had better be able to tell them all about how you're in the advanced class, baka!" This point was emphasized by a fist crashing down; when Ayame looked up again, rubbing her now-aching head, her sister was nowhere to be seen.
"611 to 620!" cried a loud voice, cutting through the hum of the crowd. "Numbers 611 to 620!"
She shouldered her bag and put on her sunniest smile as she moved towards the obviously bored man.
You're turning into Orihime, Shiro muttered in her head with a shudder.
Quiet, you, she shot back, relaxing even further as the hollow retreated in her mind.
"Shiba Ayame, number 615, sir!" she proclaimed cheerfully, handing her card to the man. He rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm, accepting her card.
"Come on, keep up," he said, gesturing to the other candidates trailing along behind him; there were two women and three men already following.
Gradually, they made their way through the noticeably thinner crowd, the remaining four joining them on their way. There was one more woman, a giant of a man who reminded her of Chad, and a pair of twins she couldn't guess the sex of. She gave each of them a warm smile as they joined the group, but didn't try to start any conversations, leaving them to focus on the upcoming tests.
Their group arrived at the entrance to the building and were led through a to a large hall by their proctor. He had them leave their bags at a table just outside the door, where he also handed their cards to the Academy official sitting there.
The hall was divided into four quadrants by simple curtain barriers like you find in a school gym, one of which was also reinforced with a kido barrier. As the proctor led them towards one of the quadrants, Ichigo scanned the occupants of the room intently; however, there was no sign of the woman with the auburn hair. He sighed with disappointment, and took note of what was going on in each area.
Three of the quadrants were occupied with applicants being put through their paces in hohō, zanjutsu and kidō (behind the barrier); the incoming group was being led to the fourth area, where a man and woman waited for them. Both were slender, with slim builds that made them seem weak. However, Ayame recognized their loosely fitted black uniforms as being from the Second division. Hakuda it is, she thought.
Their proctor turned to them as the group came to a stop. "Welcome to the Shinōreijutsuin entrance exams. Over the next hour, you will be tested in the four foundational skills of the shinigami: hakuda, hohō, zanjutsu and kidō. Following the skill tests, you will be taken to separate rooms for a written exam, which will be followed by a physical exam and measurement of your current reiatsu.
"Should you pass all of the above, you will be offered a place in either our regular class or our advanced class. Candidates who fail any segment of the entrance exam will not be placed. Good luck."
With that, the proctor turned on his heel and departed, leaving them with the hakuda examiners. The man stepped forward, gathering the group's attention.
"I am Hasegawa Daisuke, tenth seat of the Second division. This is fourteenth seat Kibe Haruka. We will be administering your hakuda exam."
This statement produced a snort from one of the larger men of the group, which earned him a raised eyebrow from both the examiners and Ayame. Clearly the man didn't know the divisions; any seated member of the Second was almost guaranteed to also be a member of the Onmitsukidō, and was absolutely guaranteed to be able to hand any recruit their ass in less time than it took to blink. Any recruit, that is, save her.
This ought to be fun, Shiro snickered. That moron is going to get pasted!
True, Ayame replied before focusing once again on the examiners.
"You will demonstrate your skills in hand to hand combat by sparring with Kibe-san. I will be observing your performance. Should you happen to make it to five minutes without a clear winner, I will end the match. Let's start with you," Hasegawa finished, pointing at the man who had snorted.
As predicted, the bulky man was quickly and soundly defeated by the slight woman. Ayame couldn't help but smirk as he gradually picked himself up and staggered out of the way with a scowl on his face. Not cut out for the Gotei with that attitude, she thought, absent-mindedly watching the next of the men being put through his paces.
One by one, each of the candidates was tested by the fourteenth seat. Kibe was clearly taking it easy on the inexperienced fighters, leaving gaping holes in her defence and softening her blows. Ayame was also sure that she was moving far, far slower than she was truly capable of. Still, the only ones to last more than two minutes with her were the twins, Miya Kaede and Miya Moriko (both girls, as it turned out). Both fought with quick, precise attacks and defense, but clearly lacked power in their blows. Still, their skill level was remarkable for an applicant. Each was helped to her feet with a congratulatory smile by the officer after she had finished.
Finally, Ayame was called forward for her turn. Remember, Ichigo, you are an applicant, not a captain, his zanpakutou rumbled as he took his place across from the examiner.
Yeah, yeah, no showing off. I get it, I promise!
"A Shiba, huh?" the woman commented with a friendly grin. "Let's see what you can do!"
With that, and no other warning (or so it seemed to the other watching applicants), Kibe launched into a series of jabs and kicks, which Ayame blocked with ease. Honestly, it was like fighting in slow motion when compared to facing the likes of Yoruichi. She could easily see the shifts in balance and tensed muscles that preceded each blow. Casually, she launched a counter-attack, catching the examiner (who hadn't been expecting any kind of a challenge today) completely by surprise and landing a solid kick to her stomach. This caused a moment's pause (and widened eyes amongst the spectators); then, the fourteenth seat exploded into motion at more than double her previous speed. Still, Ayame kept up easily, though she remembered to let the other woman land a few blows in order to not appear too good. After all, it wouldn't do to blow her cover during her first fight.
Finally, Hasegawa barked out, "Time!", and the women split off, each with a grin on her face.
"Well done, Shiba-san," Kibe commented. "That was an enjoyable match."
"Thank you, fourteenth seat Kibe," Ayame responded with a bow. She had enjoyed the match as well, despite it being far below her true level. It was nice to be able to spar with someone without expectations. Quietly, she returned back to her place with the group, noting the awed looks on most of their faces.
"That was amazing," commented one of the twins. "You're sure to get in with skills like that!"
"Oh, I don't know," Ayame returned. "My kidō is abysmal, according to my sister. I'm Shiba Ayame." She bowed with a small smile.
"Miya Kaede. Pleased to meet you!" the twin who had spoken replied with a bow of her own.
"And I'm Miya Moriko," the other added, bowing as well. "Honestly, if you're a Shiba, your kidō can't be that bad!"
"Just wait. I'll be lucky if I don't blow myself up," Ayame responded with a sigh, causing the other two to chuckle.
The threesome slid back into silent contemplation of the upcoming tests as the last of their group finished his bout with the examiner (one other had had her turn and been defeated during their brief conversation).
Finally, Hasegawa turned to address the group. "Well done, everyone," he said, giving Ayame, Kaede and Moriko particularly satisfied looks. "Head on over to the hohō area, where your next test will take place."
They were greeted by another pair of division members at the hohō area, these ones from the seventh. Again, they faced the lower seat one on one, this time in a game of tag, as the higher seat observed. Again, the range of abilities in their group was fairly low, with Moriko and Kaede doing better than the others, and again, Ayame took care not to move too fast. Still, she lasted longer than any of the others, and garnered approving looks and comments from the examiners.
The process was repeated in the zanjutsu test, which Ayame (frustratingly) allowed the examiner to win by disarming her. Then, it was on to the test she dreaded: kidō.
The examiners in the kidō area weren't division members, but officers from the Kidō Corps. This time, they were tested two by two as both officers observed. The goal was simple: fire Shakkahō at the target, preferably destroying it.
Nervously, Ayame waited for her turn, remembering this morning's disastrous Sōkatsui. This has got to work. I've got to make it work. After all, Renji would never let it go if I failed the entrance exams because of kidō, not that he's got any ground to stand on, she thought anxiously.
You can do this, Ichigo, Zangetsu rumbled, trying to reassure his wielder. You must simply focus.
That's what everyone says, but it never works! the strawberry growled back.
'Cause you never focus right, baka! his hollow snapped. It's not about your mind, it's all your reiryoku circulation. Sluice gates, you moron!
Poleaxed, Ayame almost missed the examiners calling her up to the firing line. Could it really be that simple?
As she began the incantation, she imagined her reiryoku flowing around her body, a loop near her heart representing her bound power. She mentally placed sluice gates in front of her right hand, braced to fire the spell, and picture them opening slightly, maybe a quarter of the way. The ball of light began to form as she neared the end of the spell, growing larger and larger. Finally, with a final push of reiryoku through the gate, she released the spell, the canon flying towards the target…
Which proceeded to go up in flames, along with the ones on either side of it. Damn it, she cursed, scowling.
Too much power, idiot, Shiro snickered as he took in the scene, careful to remain far enough back that he wouldn't show in her eyes.
But the right concept, Zangetsu added, pride evident in his voice. This was a huge step forwards for his wielder.
Still not good during an exam, Ayame muttered back as she turned to face her shocked examiners and audience, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head.
"Sorry," she said shyly. "I may be a Shiba, but good at kidō I am definitely not."
"That's alright," the woman marking her said. "You've got the basic principle down, you just pushed too much power into it. We can work with that," she concluded with a reassuring smile.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Ayame rejoined the rest of her group. She had been in the last pair to fire their kidō, so it was on to the written exams.
The ten quietly followed another proctor to a room with study carrels. "You will have one hour to write your written exams," the proctor said. "During that time, should you require assistance, raise your hand but remain seated. Any candidate who leaves their seat without permission or unaccompanied will automatically fail the exam.
"Should you require a reader or a scribe, please follow me to the left. Otherwise, find a carrel and take a seat. Your time begins now."
With that, the group scrambled to find a spot and begin.
An hour later found Ayame groaning as she massaged her right hand. Kami, I hate written exams, she thought, even ones as simple as that.
The exam truly had been simple, consisting mostly of questions on the structure of the Gotei 13, the duties of a shinigami, and the nature of hollows. However, the final essay question had been the kicker: Using the space given, explain why you want to become a shinigami. The space given had barely been a page.
It had made Ichigo stop and think. Why did he want to be a shinigami again? What were his reasons for carrying on this lifestyle, this responsibility? After all, surely he could do something else with himself now that Soul Society and the Living World were reasonably secure. He could agree to a limiter so that his intense reiatsu wouldn't affect the souls around him, then find something else to do with his life, something that didn't involve fighting, killing, seeing friends get hurt, and dying. So why did he do it?
He had spent a good twenty-five minutes contemplating the question, ending up with only moments to scribble down his answer after their proctor called the two minute warning. In the end, it came down to the same thing it always had: to protect those he loved.
Satisfied with her performance on the written exam, Ayame tried to work the cramps out of her hand as she waited for her physical (to be performed by a member of the fourth, she was sure). She was still massaging a few minutes later when a soft knock on the door of the small room announced the presence of the healer. Looking up, she was startled to meet a familiar pair of eyes. "Kotetsu-fukutaicho!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Surely the fourth needs you?"
Kotetsu Isane chuckled in response. She had an air of maturity about her that Ichigo hadn't noticed the last time he had seen her, during the captain's meeting. Running a division on your own for six years will do that, I suppose, Ayame thought, reflecting sadly once again on Unohana's passing.
"The fourth can survive without me for an afternoon, Kurosaki-san," the tall lieutenant replied, drawing the auburn-haired girl out of her contemplation. "Or, I suppose I should call you Shiba-san?"
"Either is fine while we're in private, but it will have to be Shiba in public. So why are you here?"
"The Soutaicho sent me to perform your physical, given the special circumstances," Isane answered. "I'll be removing the kidō in order to do so; we'll consider this your physical for captaincy as well as for entry to the Academy."
"Oh," Ichigo replied, feeling a bit slow. "Taking the kidō off isn't going to knock me out, is it? Or putting it back on? The migraine was not fun."
"No, Urahara-taicho assured me that that occurs on the first use only. Shall we?"
Ichigo nodded, ready to spend some time in his normal body, even if it was just for a few minutes. "You'll want to strip before I take the kidō off, otherwise you'll wreck your clothes," Isane remarked, causing a deep red blush that clashed horribly with the other girl's auburn hair. "Don't worry," the fukutaicho carried on, turning to prepare a few tests. "It's nothing I haven't seen before, female or male. As one of the captains, I will also be your attending physician until another captain is chosen for the fourth, so you may as well get over any shyness now."
Sighing, Ayame complied, stripping out of all her clothes. Her blush got deeper as Isane performed a complete physical on her female body before moving to remove the kidō.
A warm pulse and a flash of light later, and Ichigo was rolling his shoulders with a groan. "Oh, Kami, that feels so good. I didn't realize how annoying breasts are to carry around all the time!"
Isane chuckled in reply, giving the man a moment to readjust to his body. He really was quite a specimen, even with all the scars and his Fullbring tattoos, she thought. She'd have to keep that in mind in the future.
After a couple of minutes (most of which Ichigo spent stretching), the pair got back to business, Kotetsu performing another complete physical. Finally, after declaring that he was completely healthy, she reached for the kidō choker to reapply it.
"Hang on, I'm going to lie down," Ichigo said, moving for the exam table. "Urahara may have told you I won't pass out, but knowing him, that doesn't mean there won't be other side effects."
The woman hummed, waiting until he had positioned himself before fastening the collar around his neck. She just barely got out of the way as the body before her shifted shapes, then rolled to the side and vomited.
"Shit, I'm so sorry," Ayame groaned, trying to sit up before falling back clutching her head. Thankfully, Isane was well used to situations like this, and simply stepped around the mess to apply a healing kidō to the prostate woman, relieving her headache and dizziness.
"It seems you were right to not trust Urahara-taicho's word," she said with a small smile as the redhead tentatively sat up. The other woman snorted in reply.
"Too much experience telling me it's a bad idea," Ayame commented as she grimaced at the mess then reached for her clothes. "Is there something I can use to clean that up?" she asked as she got dressed.
"Don't worry about it, I'll send a caretaker in," replied the fukutaicho, heading for the door. "You're free to go; I'll see you in a few weeks at the next meeting."
"Thank you, Kotetsu-fukutaicho," Ayame answered with a bow. "Wait… meeting? I still have meetings?!" However, it was too late for an answer, as the tall woman was already gone.
Grumbling to herself, Ayame left the room and followed the signs towards the reiatsu testing area, as she had been instructed to do before the physical. When she arrived, about half of the group she had been tested with was already standing around, including the Miya twins, whom she greeted with a smile. The remainder of their group arrived shortly after, and their proctor approached once again.
"Welcome to the last phase of your application," he said, clearly bored. "We will be testing your reiatsu level in order to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the Gotei 13.
"Please take a stone," he continued, gesturing to a tray of smooth gray stones on a table. "There is no need to do anything; the stone reacts to your natural reiatsu with a glow. The more intense the glow, the higher your reiatsu."
Each member of the group picked up one of the smooth stones save Ayame, who moved over to the Academy teacher who was taking notes on the test. "Pardon me," she murmured. The woman looked up sharply at her, clearly not impressed with being interrupted.
"I would like to request that I display my reiatsu after the other candidates have left," Ayame continued, ignoring the woman's glare. "I assure you I have good reason."
"Very well," the woman huffed. "Name?"
"Shiba Ayame."
"Wait by the door, Shiba-san."
Quietly, Ayame followed the instruction, not wanting to antagonize the woman further. Ichigo would have snarled right back and gotten into a fight, she reflected. It's nice to not have that expectation riding on me.
Oi! What's wrong with a good fight? Shiro exclaimed as Ayame watched the other candidates step in front the woman with their glowing stones in hand.
Nothing, she replied, noting that Moriko and Kaede's stones were glowing much brighter than those of the rest of the group. There is simply a time and a place; this is not it.
True, Zangetsu chimed in. I am glad to hear you recognize this wisdom, Ichigo.
Thanks, Old Man.
A few minutes later, the rest of the group had cleared out of the room, leaving Ayame to suffer the teacher's glare alone. "Well?" the woman barked.
Sighing, Ayame walked calmly over to the tray of stones, reaching out gingerly to pick one up. It immediately burst with a bright white light, growing more and more intense as seconds passed by. Finally, after several moments, the stone shattered in the palm of her hand, sending shrapnel flying throughout the room. It was not, however, enough to harm Ayame as her reiatsu was too intense.
"As I thought," she murmured, eyes focused sharply on the shocked teacher. "Even sealed, the stones recognize my true reiatsu levels. I did not wish to risk the other candidates getting injured due to an overload."
"But... but… Not even Kyoraku-soutaicho overloads the stones!" the woman stammered.
"That does not surprise me," the redhead replied, gently leading the panicking teacher to a chair and sitting her down. She didn't appear to have been injured by the shards, just shocked. "Can you stay here for a moment?" Ayame asked. "I will explain, I just need to go get something first." Still stunned, the older woman nodded.
Quickly, Ayame flash-stepped out of the room and back to where they had left their packs, moving so quickly that not even the seated squad members noticed her. She dug into her pack, fishing for the letter Shunsui had given her for this situation; finding it, she returned with as much speed as she had used in departing.
The teacher was still sitting where she had left her, but seemed to have gotten her breathing under control during the moments Ayame had been gone. She looked up as Ayame came back into the room. "I trust you have a good explanation for possessing a higher reiatsu level than the Soutaicho of the Gotei 13?" she asked, staring intently at the redheaded woman.
"Look at the seal on this letter," Ayame answered, needing the woman to accept her proof. "Do you recognize it?"
"It's the soutaicho's seal," the teacher replied.
"And do you agree that the only one who could have placed it on the letter is Kyoraku-soutaicho?" Ayame prompted.
"Of course," the teacher said with a glare. "The seal is reiatsu-locked to the soutaicho. No one else can touch it."
Ayame nodded sharply, presenting the page to the woman. "Read the letter."
The teacher took it without hesitation, reading intently for a few moments. Then, her eyes widened, and she read it again. Finally, she looked up sharply at the woman standing in front of her. "Hmmm," she grunted. "My apologies, Kurosaki-taicho. I was not aware that you would be coming through the exams today. Your reiatsu level has been authenticated, and is, of course, acceptable."
"Thank you. However, while I am here, I would prefer to be addressed as Shiba Ayame. You understand, of course, the need for discretion?"
"Of course, Shiba-san. I am Fujimori Miyako, head of the zanjutsu department at the Academy," the teacher replied with a deep bow.
Ayame bowed in return, looking at her curiously as she straightened up. "It is an honour, Fujimori-sensei. If I could ask… how did a head of department end up testing applicants?"
"I lost a damned bet," the woman huffed in reply, getting a chuckle out of the redhead. "Also, what is this sensei business? I am completely certain that I should be the one calling you sensei when it comes to zanjutsu. Your skills are quite well known."
"That may be so, but it is also a matter of respect. Besides, I'm sure there are still many things I can learn from you while I'm here. I haven't had much formal training, you know," Ayame replied with a grin.
"In that case, I look forward to working with you, Shiba Ayame," Fujimori grinned back, making her suddenly look years younger. "Let me be the first to welcome you to the Shinōreijutsu!"
"But the results aren't posted yet," protested the berry with a playful smirk.
"Call it a feeling," grinned the teacher as she linked her arm through the younger woman's and led her back towards the courtyard, the pair stopping to pick up Ayame's pack on the way.
Another hour later found Ayame sitting with Kaede and Moriko, getting to know the twins as they all waited for the results to be posted. The last groups of candidates had been going in as she had come out, so hopefully it wouldn't be too much longer.
"So you're from district 46? That's pretty far out; things must have been rough," Ayame said, feeling a shudder go through her at the thought of trying to survive in one of the higher districts.
"Yeah, it wasn't great," Kaede replied, brushing her dark blue bangs out of her eyes. "Not as bad as the districts in the fifties and sixties; at least we had somewhere safe to sleep and clothes to wear, even if they weren't great."
"Food is really hard to get, though," Moriko added, her eyes taking on a haunted look. "It took us almost twenty years to establish enough of an income for regular meals."
Again, Ayame shuddered, and reflected on how lucky she really was: she would never have to struggle in the Rukongai for something as basic as food.
"So is this your first time applying to the Academy?" she asked, trying to brighten the conversation.
"Yeah," Moriko answered. "Hopefully we get in. We've been dreaming of becoming shinigami for a long time."
"Regular meals, a place to sleep, friends you can trust…" Kaede said wistfully.
"Not to mention using our lives for something good, protecting souls from hollows!" Moriko butted in, elbowing her sister in the ribs.
"That too!" the girl agreed cheerfully, making Ayame chuckle. "What about you, Shiba-san? I don't remember hearing anything about another Shiba being added to the family, but we didn't always get news of the lower districts."
"Kukaku-nee-san kept my arrival pretty quiet," the redhead answered, lying back to look up at the sky, which was just beginning to take on an orange tint as the sun descended. "I've been here for about five years, and training for most of it. The family found me in Hokutan a couple of weeks after I arrived. This is really the first time that I've been away from the house."
"Lucky," Kaede sighed.
"I guess," Ayame grumbled, sitting up to scan the crowd again. She still hadn't spotted the auburn-haired girl from earlier. "To be honest, Kukaku-nee is a real slave-driver. The Academy should be like a vacation after the last five years! (True! Shiro added.) I do love her, though," she added with a grin.
A shiver of excitement ran through the crowd, and the noise level picked up. "Sounds like they're posting the results," Moriko said as exclamations of disbelief and cries of disappointment started to filter through the general hum.
"Well what are we waiting for?" exclaimed Kaede, scrambling to her feet. "Let's go!"
Following the general motion of the crowd, the three women gradually made their way towards the massive boards that held the exam results. Several minutes later, they were finally close enough to find their names. Kaede surged forward, running her finger down the list until she found her and her twin's ranking. "We're in!" she cried jubilantly. "First class! YES! And we're rooming together, nee-san, hope you can put up with me for another six years," she called to her twin with a grin.
Moriko rolled her eyes in response. "What's our room number?" she asked.
"618," answered Kaede. "How about you, Ayame?"
"First class as well," came the answer with a smirk. "I'll be up the hall from you, I'm in 634."
"Awesome!"
"Come on, ladies, let's get out of the way and go get our uniforms," Moriko said, tugging the other two out of the way of the crowd of hopefuls still waiting to see their results.
A half an hour later, they had fought their way through the crowd to the table to pick up their uniforms and keys, and had made their way to the sixth floor of the women's dormitories, where they split up to find their rooms. Ayame's room was as of yet unoccupied, although she assumed that she would be getting a roommate as there were two beds and two desks set up. Sighing, she dropped her pack on the bed at the right side of the room, setting Zangetsu down gently beside it.
We did it, guys, she commented to her spirits. We're in, and no one knows but Fujimori-sensei.
Indeed we did, thanks to your control, Zangetsu replied, pride tinging his words.
Hey, some credit here! King woulda' totally blown the kidō without me!
Possible, the zanpakutou conceded.
Oi! I would not!
Too!
Not!
Too!
Children! Not again!
Fine, but he started it!
Another raspberry was blown in Ayame's direction as she quickly changed into her new uniform. She was just in time, too; as she was finishing tying her hakama, a knock came at the door. "Come on in!" she called.
The door opened to two blue heads peeking curiously into the room. "Aw, no roommate yet," Kaede whined. "I wanted to meet her!"
"Maybe she'll be here after dinner," Ayame replied as she settled Zangetsu across her back, the red chain nicely matching her new uniform.
"Food!" Kaede cried happily, bouncing back along the corridor as Ayame locked her room. Smiling at each other, Moriko and Ayame followed.
Dinner was fairly basic, but filling and plentiful. The three women carried on their conversation from earlier that evening, learning more about each other. Ayame confirmed that, though physically identical, the twins had very different personalities; Kaede was generally bright and bubbly, and the more outgoing of the two, whereas Moriko was quieter, more thoughtful.
In turn, the twins found Ayame to be a puzzle. She was bright and cheerful while sharing stories of life with Kukaku and Ganju, which got the three of them laughing so hard they were gasping for air. However, when asked about other family members, it had been as though a dark cloud had rolled over the woman, the sadness in her had been so palpable. Figuring it was sensitive subject, Moriko had turned the conversation towards other topics.
Now, on their way back up from dinner, the talk had turned to a truly entertaining subject: the attractiveness of the famous members of the Gotei.
"Seriously," Kaede cried as they made their way back towards their rooms, "I don't get how you can hold Abarai-fukutaicho as the best of the lot! Sure, he's nice to look at, but he seems like he would be such an animal in the sac!"
"That's exactly it," Ayame replied with a grin, thinking about the last time Ichigo had been with Renji. "Although I'm sure he's got a softer side, too," she added as memories of her first time (both of them) surfaced.
"I don't believe you!" Kaede laughed. "What about Hisagi-fukutaicho, then!"
"Not bad," the redhead smirked back.
"If we're on the subject of bad boys, how about Kurosaki Ichigo?" added Moriko, causing Ayame to go beet red and stammer (while Shiro fell over, howling with laughter in her inner world).
"He… he… he doesn't count!" she finally got out with a squeak.
"Why not?" cried Kaede. "Definitely a bad boy, what with all the times he's broken in and challenged the captains, noble, powerful, and, what was that last thing…" she pretended to muse as she ticked off her reasons on her fingers.
"He's drop-dead gorgeous," her sister dead-panned (making Ichigo go even redder, if that was possible).
"Oh, right, that! I mean, have you seen the most recent pictures the Shinigami Women's Association put out?! I'd love to lick every inch of those tattoos!"
Ichigo, meanwhile, was feeling very much like Ichigo at the moment, not Ayame, and struggling to find a way to change the subject. "But he's not part of the Gotei!" he finally exclaimed. (In his inner world, his hollow was close to passing out from laughing so hard.)
"True," Moriko said. "But it's only a matter of time, and everyone knows it. Okay, what about Muguruma-taicho?"
"Definite yes, the silver hair is sexy," her sister agreed right away. Ichigo nodded along as they got to their floor, glad that they were moving back towards safer territory.
"Third seat Madarame," he proposed as they headed towards his room.
"I don't know, I'm not big on bald men," Moriko said with a grin; Ayame laughed, knowing her friend's sensitivity about his "baldness".
As they came closer to her door, though, she suddenly froze, staring at the figure coming out of 633. Long auburn hair, the same colour as her own, cascaded down over slender shoulders as the woman turned to lock her door.
"Shiba-san? What is it?" Kaede asked, coming around her frozen friend to look between her and the woman she was staring at. Then the woman turned around, meeting the frozen girl's eyes.
Ichigo blanched, suddenly finding it impossible to breathe. She knew that face, those eyes. But they looked at her as though she was a stranger. She felt the tears building at the back of her own eyes, the same rich brown shade as this woman's. "Okasa," she whispered, almost too quiet to be heard. Then the world went dark as she dove back into her inner world, unable to face life outside.