AN: Haha! I wanted to quickly get another chapter out, so that I wouldn't feel so guilty about delaying the previous chapter so long. :x in a way, this is my way of alleviating the guilt. Anyway, thank you for the people who alerted my story and added me as a favourite author or favourited the story! It really means a lot to me as a newbie writer. This chapter is a little longer than the previous one, and I hope you guys like it! REVIEWS ARE LOVE

rentamiya - here's the more you wanted! :D
Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo - I'm so sorry. T_T forgive me?
darkstar7789 - thank you so much! I'm so glad that you like the story so far! :D
TenshiBabe - Hehe! thanks! :D

Anyway, for people who were wondering what Ichigo's hair looks like, cause I don't think I described it that well, it's the final Getsuga Tenshou hair, just in his normal orange! :D

Please give me more reviews, so that I'll be spurred to update and so that I know how to improve. ^^

CHAOS, ASSASSINS AND GODS
Chapter 3:
The Clearing

Just in front of Zaraki, I quickly drop into a slide, my sandaled feet gliding across the sand. The sharp tip of his sword barely misses my head and my body continues to slide under his outreached hand. In a split second, I quickly stab his right thigh with my dagger and pull it back out. I could feel the resistance of his muscle but it still gave way under my dagger.

My body quickly slides out from beneath him and his right leg collapses under his weight and fast as lightning I get up behind him. I press myself against his back, one dagger held securely at his neck and the other held pointing between his ribs. My head rests on his shoulder in a parody of camaraderie and I can't resist the temptation. My lips right beside his ear; my breath warm against his neck. Through my body pressed against him, I could feel the slight trembles emanating from him.

"Who's the strong one now, eh?"

My grey shirt clung to my back, the sticky feeling of sweat uncomfortable. I could feel my own heart beating fast due to the exertion of the fight and the feeling of sweat sliding down my skin. Through the contact with Zaraki, I could feel the fast, irregular beating of his heart and the sweat on his back. The sweat caused us to stick together even stronger, and I could feel the warmth emanating from him.

"Are you afraid? I could kill you any moment."

I could feel his heart beat even faster and I grinned wickedly to myself. Oh, the thrill of the hunt. I couldn't resist but to let loose a low chuckle, breaking through the silence of the crowd.

The crowd had watched on silently, holding their breaths in anticipation. They were shocked still at the collapse of Zaraki, someone they thought would never lose. At the sound of my chuckle, it was as if I had broken through the shock and one sole person started clapping. Slowly, the sound built up as more and more people joined in. Eventually, everyone started clapping and cheering for me as they fully realized what had happened.

I stayed pressed against Zaraki, taking in the applause and cheers. I let my eyes slide shut as I slowly regain my breath. The bright insides of my eyelids shine red and I grin to myself. I just defeated a war hero.

"This match is over. The results of Kurosaki's entry into the Shinigami will be discussed later on."

After his smooth tenor ended, Aizen stood up and walked out of the stadium, his guards tightly surrounding him. The crowd simply cheered louder, chanting my name, some people even rushing out onto the centre to congratulate me on my victory.

I pulled away from Zaraki, gently sliding my daggers back into their sheaths on my waist. Medics immediately rushed up to him and moved him onto a simple stretcher. I tread lightly over to him lying on the stretcher and bent down so my head was slightly above his.

"Thanks for the fight. It was good training."

At this point, he only stared at me before cackling madly. As the medics began carrying him away, I could vaguely hear him saying "I like that one, he's got spunk."

I had about a few seconds rest before the crowd rushed upon me. I was passed from arms to arms, people pulling me into tight hugs and congratulating me. Many people shook my hand, bright smiles on their faces. I couldn't remember much of it, only a few faces standing out to me. Some of my closer friends, some people from the village and best of all, Renji. His flaming red hair waves behind him as he gripped me in a tight hug, forcing the air from my lungs. I hug him back equally tightly, the warmth of his body comforting to me.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I thought you were going to lose for a moment."

"Don't underestimate me, I'm plenty strong."

I pull back, smiling at him gently. He is the only person other than my family that I can truly count on. He is like my brother, and he treats me as one as well. We always look out for each other, helping each other out. We care deeply for each other, and I love him as a brother. His teeth shine at me as he smiles back widely and he quickly grips my forearm, pulling me away from the crowd.

The crowd takes their cue, and disperse slowly, many of them still talking about how I defeated Zaraki. I fall into step beside Renji, and our arms brush each other as we walk out of the village.

"I thought you'd appreciate the effort taken to get you away from the crowd, you anti-social person."

I scowl, my eyebrows crumpling and I push him away jokingly.

"I'm not anti-social, people are just annoying sometimes."

His laughter reverberates around us as we walk through the forested path back to Karakura, and I just scowl deeper in response. We fall into a comfortable silence and simply listen to the soft sounds of our footsteps upon the packed earth of the path and the melodic chirping of the birds in the forest. I lift my head up to the heavens and gaze in appreciation at the bright blue sky. The azure blue of the sky is beautiful, the few wisps of clouds drifting lazily across the sky.

I sigh in appreciation of the cooling breeze blowing upon my heated skin, helping to dry the sweat off my back. I can feel the corners of my mouth lifting, forming a gentle smile reserved only for when I'm at total peace.

Renji's deep throated laughter breaks me out of my thoughts and I glance at him questioningly.

"You had that spacey look on your face just now."

"I did not have a spacey look. I never look spacey."

"Yeah, just keep deluding yourself."

I grin and shove him into a tree and this breaks out into a playful fight between us. We kept shoving each other and trying to force the other to fall down before we both started laughing too hard to continue.

I could feel the warm bubbles of laughter rising through my throat and then I suddenly gasp as a sharp pain registers. I clench my teeth together and I stop laughing immediately, my hand going to my abdomen to rest gently upon the injured part. Renji looks at me curiously, before understanding lights up his eyes and he gently pushes my hand away and lifts my shirt up.

A grimace crosses his face before he lets the material fall back to cover my stomach.

"That's going to bruise spectacularly at least!"

I curse at him before lifting my own shirt to look at the injured part. A huge path of purple was already forming across my stomach, the clear imprint of Zaraki's sword left there. I scowl at it, just knowing that it's going to irritate me non-stop for the next few days. The stomach was the most annoying place to get a bruise. You can't laugh, bend or stretch properly without feeling the pain of it. I poke gently at the bruise, somehow unable to stop myself and I winch at the pain that shoots through me.

Annoyed, I urge Renji to go home first while I rest at home for a bit. Renji left me with a note of concern and I quickly made my way home. I push open the door and gentle push off my sandals before stepping in the house.

"Is anyone home?"

When nobody replies, I sigh and slowly make my way up the stairs. Stupid Zaraki, this is probably karma for scaring him at the end. I can't help but to admire his strength though. Just one hit, and I'm already bruising so much. The annoying wound is going to irritate me for a few days though. I step into my room, grabbing some clothes out of my cupboard before making my way outside yet again.

There's absolutely no way that I'm going to lay on my bed in this sticky state. I don't feel like standing in the shower either. I tread lightly across the road, going further down before slipping into a hardly noticeable path. The path was surrounded by dense foliage and thick trees almost obscure the path from sight. To tell the truth, I discovered the path by accident. I tripped and fell straight only the path, as if it was calling out to me. I grin in anticipation of what is waiting for me and I hasten my footsteps.

I push the leaves and branches out of my way before carefully making my way across the treacherous footing. I step cautiously, for one wrong step could result in a twisted ankle and so as to not jar my injury.

After a few minutes of pushing through the greenery of the thick forest, I step out into an amazing clearing. The clearing was almost perfectly circular, the ground covered with green grass and gaily blooming flowers. Brightly coloured flowers covered the ground, creating a mosaic of colours that accentuated the beauty of the clearing. Trees ringed with vines marked the circumference of the clearing and singing birds rested upon the thick branches of the trees. The clearing was filled with the musical sounds of the birds singing and the soft gurgling of water.

Best of all out of the clearing was the miniature lake dead in the centre of it. A shallow stream flowed into the pond, keeping the lake filled with cool refreshing water. I stepped lightly up to the edge of the lake before gently pulling off my shirt, letting the cool air caress my bare skin. I stepped out of my slacks and underwear, letting them pool around my feet and untied my hair, letting it swing loose and free. The gentle breeze blowing through the clearing soothed my body, lifting and playing with my hair.

I slowly walk into the lake, before reaching a point where the bottom dropped suddenly. I simply lie on my back and let myself relax and float across the surface. My sunset orange hair fans around me gently and I close my eyes, letting my body just drift in the lake.

It was such good fortune to discover this clearing, and nobody knows of it except me. At least, not anyone that I know of. It was my place to relax and let loose, where nobody would be able to see me.

I opened my eyes, took a deep breath and dived into the waters of the lake. The water of the lake was crystal clear, and you could see all the way to the bottom of the lake. The bottom was a good few meters down and filled with smooth pebbles that were worn away by time. Multi-coloured plants decorated the bottom of the pool and tiny fishes flickered in and out of view as they played among the swaying plants. The sunlight streaming in from the surface created a beautiful effect underwater and it just made the lake seem even more ethereal and charming.

I kicked with my feet, propelling myself to the bottom of the lake. I sit on a smooth rock at the bottom and gaze around me in appreciation. The lake was truly a place of wonder and beauty, and I wonder how it came to be in the middle of such a clearing. The entire clearing was indeed a wondrous and enthralling place.

I start to feel my lungs burning in protest from the lack of oxygen and I kick off the bottom of the lake, shooting myself away from the bottom. My head breaks the water and I push my hair out of my eyes before inhaling deeply. I take another breath and I swim my way to the other end of the lake, where it is deep all the way to the edge of the lake.

I continue looking into the water, observing the way the water would ripple and how the plants would sway in the slight current in the lake. The swimming fishes mesmerized me and before I knew it, my head bumped into the edge of the lake with a muted 'thunk'. I break through the water, gasping in surprise and rubbing my head where it hit the edge.

I am shocked into stillness at the sight that greets me when I focus enough to realize what's in front of me. It obviously isn't the empty clearing that I'm expecting.

I'm staring straight into the turquoise eyes of a white panther.