Train of thought kept running so here is another chapter, only a couple of days later. Whoo-hoo. Anyway, I know that there might be a few questions regarding Ichigo's exam. Bare in mind that I am writing this after the Winter War and before Ichigo's encounter with Ginjo.

aka - when he was normal

Now on with the chapter and as always...

Read, Review, and Enjoy :)

Chapter 4

While there were thousands of people outside, there were at least a couple hundred more inside. Ichigo wasn't sure if they had all made it in, but if even half made it in the class would still be huge. Ichigo groaned. He sat down at an empty table in the corner and closed his eyes, once again trying to block out the noise. Just as he was able to relax an annoyance popped up in the form of an irritated black-haired boy.

"You're in my spot." Really? What is this kindergarten? Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

"And?" The boy crossed his arms and his eyes narrowed.

"That means move." Two of the guys beside him scoffed, looking down at him, in more ways than one. When the redhead didn't move, the obvious leader of the group grew more and more annoyed. People always did what he said if they knew what was good for them.

"Do you have any idea who I am? I am Sengoku Segashi." When Ichigo still didn't move his eyes widened. Who didn't know of the Sengoku clan? They were one of the noble families of Seriertei, for God's sake! While Segashi was about ready to scream at Ichigo, a fourth person walked up and joined the group. The new addition was rather short compared to the others and stood out as the only as he was the only one that didn't have black hair; his was more of a sand-blond and, unlike the gelled-back style of the other three, his curled out to frame his face.

Naito Hundero, or Hunter, looked at the boy brave enough to take Segashi's spot. He didn't appear to be overly muscled, but would not be someone that could be considered weak. Bright orange hair and light brown eyes adorned his scowling face. Overall the stranger would probably be considered handsome in the eyes of many of the girls in the academy, for he had no doubt that the boy got in.

The blonde's presence went unnoticed by the others who were continuing their staring match with Ichigo. Suddenly there was a tugging on his sleeve. He turned to see a scared looking Kida who quickly turned to face Segashi.

"I'm so sorry for my friend's disrespect. Please forgive him, Sengoku-sama." She gave a deep bow before yanking Ichigo out of his seat and away from the table.

"Humph. That's more like it." The four sat down, but Hunter couldn't help but look back at where the redhead had been pulled off to. He seemed interesting and the blonde decided he would have to keep an eye on him.

As she pulled him away, Kida started to berate him. How could he stand up to a Sengoku?, didn't he have any idea what the noble could do to him?, he could make his life miserable, and prevent him from ever getting a seated position were just a few of the things tumbling out of her. Ichigo had no idea she could even talk that much and eventually started tuning her out.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?" When she noticed that she had gotten many people's attention, Kida looked down and blushed. Ichigo huffed and walked around her.

"I don't really care about what he could do to me. I've dealt with worse." Kida doubted it. The Sengokus were a family with a lot of power and influence in Soul Society. They had done things like that before and could probably do it again. Please be careful, Ichigo. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. She hurried after him once she noticed he had walked away. One of the men who had been calling people earlier for the tests came into the large room. He apparently had some of their schedules.

"Giachi, Moriko, Naito, Minami," the man looked right up at Ichigo with an evil glint in his eye. "1402." Ichigo glared at him, while everyone else in the room was wondering why he had called a number. The five of them went up and grabbed their schedules. Hundero watched as the redhead from earlier picked his up and glared at the man. "Welcome to the academy, 1402." The boy looked like he was about to punch the other man but ended up just stomping away from him. Watching as the figure retreated with the timid girl behind him, he quirked an eyebrow. Yes, this boy was definitely one to watch out for.

Ichigo sat down against a wall, not even bothering to look at the paper in his hands. Kida on the other hand was staring intently at hers. She was glad to have made it in, but was nervous about all the lessons and practicals.

Minami Kida: Regular Class, Year 1

Reiatsu Level: 2

Dorm 2, Room Number 436

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

8:00-9:30 – Hakuda Theory

9:30-11:30 – Hakuda Practical

11:30-12:30 – Lunch

1:00-2:30 – Kido Theory

2:30-4:30 – Kido Practical

5:00-6:00 – Fitness Training

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

8:00-9:30 – Zanjutsu Theory

9:30-11-30 – Zanjutsu Practical

11:30-12:30 – Lunch

1:00-2:30 – Hoho Theory

2:30-4:30 – Hoho Practical

5:00-6:00 – Fitness Training

Students must attend at least three fitness training sessions a week.

Ugh, as if two hour practicals weren't enough they had to do additional conditioning as well. The only upside was that they would all soon be in really good shape. When Kida noticed that Ichigo still hadn't even looked at his schedule she just sighed.

"What's your schedule like?" Ichigo was shook out of his thoughts by Kida's question and finally opened his schedule. Kida sat down so that she could look at it over his shoulder.

Kurosaki Ichigo: Advanced Class, Year 1

Reiatsu Level: 4

Dorm 1, Room 215

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

8:00-9:30 – Hoho Theory

9:30-11:30 – Hoho Practical

11:30-12:30 – Lunch

1:00-2:30 – Hakuda Theory

2:30-4:30 – Hakuda Practical

5:00-6:00 – Fitness Training

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

8:00-9:30 – Kido Theory

9:30-11-30 – Kido Practical

11:30-12:30 – Lunch

1:00-2:30 – Zanjutsu Theory

2:30-4:30 – Zanjutsu Practical

5:00-6:00 – Fitness Training

Students must attend at least three fitness training sessions a week.

Ichigo looked over his results; however, he was having a hard time getting past the low reiatsu level. The fact that it was taking so long for his reiatsu to return to normal irked him to no end. But this only motivated him to work harder. To train so that he was even stronger than he was before.

Soon after they had been handed their schedules, the number-calling bastard came back in. He announced that everyone in the room had passed their exams and that they were to go find their rooms.

"Classes will start tomorrow. Welcome to the Shinigami Academy."