Bleach Reborn: Shadows Within

Chapter 6

Time was never a factor in Seretai, there was always more time, always more days, always more training to do. So as the weeks wore on the fact that barely any progress seemed to be made wasn't too distressing. Reiatsu levels among the trainee's rose, and skills and abilities increased, the lessons became harder, but all of this happened at an incredibly slow pace. I had already spent 60 years among the Rukongai civilians, the months of training that passed before my eyes where nothing in comparison, if anything they were just more exciting memories.

Of course not everything was so monotonous and easy, Kido class was unfortunately my worst subject. I was okay at kido, I could caste, I could react quickly...but I seemed to have difficulty controlling the reishi pressure in the kido, and my blasts just didn't pack the same punch as they did for the other students. The sensei told me I was doing fine, that he'd seen much worse users of kido in his time, and that my ability was on par with my current power level. That didn't really make me feel much better, as it just went to show that everyone else was above standard in kido, and I just generally sucked.

I suppose the best part of it all was my sword. I had been worried I wouldn't be allowed to use the blade, that the fact that I already harboured a perfectly unique zanpakuto would mean others would cause trouble with jealousy and therefore I would be forced to stow it away in my dormitory. Thankfully this was not the case, quite the opposite; I was often called to the front of the class, to demonstrate the ability of a zanpakuto. A zanpakuto was not a normal sword; its edge was either sharp or dull, depending on its wielders strength of will, this meant it had the potential to cut through almost anything while never dulling in sharpness. I was often asked to slice things in half, straw dummies, boulders, once even a kido barrier that had been erected to demonstrate how physical attacks could still damage kido energy. The tutors actually encouraged my open use of the blade, believing that any jealousy caused would invoke a healthy competitive nature in the other trainee's.

So with this my spirits where lifted, and I soon lost myself in my studies and practices. I saw Aroki allot, spending time with him, long walks, smiles and laughs and at the end of the day we both left feeling light, happy, and with butterflies in our stomachs.

I suppose that things started getting a little tetchy when I realised that the training may be coming to an end. After five years within the court of pure souls, things had become a little more stressful, a little more tiring. And sometimes...just a little...more.

I woke up quickly to the sound of the gong, throwing off my pyjamas and putting on a clean outfit of my trainee clothing and heading outside, my unique sword, sheathed and being carried in my left hand. As I hurried outside into the courtyard I looked down at my blade and not for the first time...wondered about its name.

Every zanpakuto had a name, every sword had an identity, unfortunately the sword would only speak to its wielder when the sword was ready, and even then would continually refuse to give out its name unless it felt its wielder was ready. Because knowing the name was gaining the power, it was all it took. Saying the name invoked the spirits abilities, it was with this that shinigami gained the second evolution of their blade, the Shikai release.

If I knew its name, I could truly see what my blade could do.

As I got closer to the gong other trainee's joined me, some were already there waiting. The gong meant there was an important message for trainee's, gathering point was always in the courtyard of the academy. These messages where often about upcoming exams, small missions, training adjustments or things of the like, but usually they happened around midday, right now it was barely six in the morning. Everyone was feeling tired and worn out. Before them stood one of their teachers, on top of a small stage, he had rumoured to be a previous 3rd Seat of the 11th Division, retired from his seat to become an academy tutor.

He looked out over the now fully gathered crowd of Shino Academy students before opening his mouth to speak. "Things are about to get allot harder for those of you that are 5th year Shino Academy students. Wakeup call is being moved from seven hundred hours to six hundred hours, and lessons will be moved up accordingly, this is to make way for a new slot at the end of the day that gives you an hour's study time. This is used to perfect anything you feel may need perfecting, and trust me...this is vital. Because the end of your training is drawing near. You have six months left." He announced.

My own jaw dropped, I had understood that there were only five years to the training, and that being a 5th I would be in my last year, but the prospect of the end looming so close was a little unnerving. I turned my thoughts from my own shock, back to his lecture as the sensei began talking again.

"I won't lie to you, it will be hard, it will be ruthless, and not all of you will make the haul, not all of you will graduate, but with commitment, you'll make it."

I felt a hand softly slip into my right one, I turned my head slightly and looked into the red eyes of Aroki Samiru, blushing softly I turned back to the sensei, an action which was, in and of itself, somewhat fruitless as my mind was now no longer able to take in his words. Something about commitment and the removal of the weak, or something like that. I wasn't able to keep track as the butterflies danced in my stomach and my hand became a little sweaty as Aroki held it, I often found myself cursing how I got whenever I was around him, I had become more confident through my training, but when it came to him, I could never pluck up the courage to make it to the next level. He MUST know that I liked him; apparently it wasn't much of a secret as Iria had made sure to inform me of.

Since the incident five years ago in my first year when I had taken her sword an accidently taken it over, she had become increasingly bitter and more determined than ever to defeat me in classes. She was top of the class in Kido, but equal to me in tactical analysis, her sword ability was also on par with mine, but her endurance and stamina far exceeded my own, which didn't surprise me, considering how stubborn the girl was.

After the announcement was finished I headed back to my dorm, the new lessons were going to start tomorrow, so I figured I would get as much sleep as I could today. Before I reached my dorm someone grabbed my shoulder, turning around I found myself staring into Aroki's eyes again, I was about to ask what it was he wanted when suddenly I felt his lips on mine. My body stiffened for a moment before relaxing, almost melting against his form. It felt like an eternity had passed before he finally broke the kiss apart, his face a soft smile. He pulled me by the hand and I dreamily followed, not really caring where he led me, a fire had been lit inside me, a fire I had not felt for a very long time. It was passion, it was heat...it was need.

As he led me through the tree's we travelled for what seemed like about ten minutes before we came to a clearing, there was a waterfall and a cave nearby. I looked at it and smiled, he turned to me and our lips met again, my body pressing against his. It wasn't long before I felt my feet lift the floor and the gravity shift, with my eyes closed as we kissed I felt the soft earth below me, Aroki's form pressing down on me, I surrendered to his touch.

Dark. Dark. Dark.

"You're not ready." A soft voice called from the blackness, it was pitch, and full, not the empty blackness of night, not the darkness found when eyes are closed...but more like the true darkness of time. The kind of dense full darkness found under mountains, far from the sun's rays, all encompassing, all consuming. And a roaring, a dark guttural sound, emanating, seeking...demanding.

I woke with a start, the sweat pouring off my features, I looked out, the soft roaring of the waterfall nearby meeting my ears and seeming impossibly loud, yet also calming. I let the sound wash over my mind, my eyes closed. When I opened them I realised the chill of the air, looking down it was no wonder why I was getting goosebumps. I blushed at the memory grabbing my clothes from nearby I carefully put them on, not wanting to wake Aroki. It had been very surreal, and very pleasurable.

I'm not the sort of girl to dive into bed with a guy on the first date, but truth be told, after five years of on and off signals, butterflies and blushing, it was certainly a pleasant and even welcome surprise to have been seduced in such a way. She smiled down at Aroki's form, his body, gigai or not, was muscular and lean, pure definition was held with his skin without any apparent need to tense. Usually such muscle might look ugly, but it was elegant and graceful on Aroki in a way that I had never known on any other man before. Admittedly, with it being a gigai, it had occurred to me that Aroki may look nothing like his gigai does, and that he could be lying about his appearance, but he just didn't seem the type, or more accurately I personally hoped he wasn't, because as he was, he was utterly gorgeous.

I left my sleeping giant naked among the grass, my clothes now adorning my body again, I yawned, picked up my sheathed zanpakuto and made my way out and back through the jungle, as I pulled my way through some annoying vines I stopped dead, a hoarse and dark laughter coursed its way through my body. It was a laugh, I could feel that. But strangely I couldn't hear it. It was like a liquid, like a gas, like a substance of some kind gliding through my very veins. As quickly as it had appeared, it dispersed, leaving me standing there, shaking somewhat as though very cold.

It took me a while to compose myself, and continue my way back, my progress was slow until I made it out the other side and saw the Shino Academy clock showing that I had already missed kido class. I gasped and ran ahead, wanting to at least not be late for my next class.

The day was long and drawn out, Aroki met up with me again, grinning from ear to ear which made me punch him hard on the arm and wincing instantly as I felt my knuckles hit metal, this just made him chortle and for me to glare at him. Such banter was common among us, but now we were making no effort to shy away from each other and also spend time together, it was obvious that with silent consent we were now together, something that made my heart skip somewhat, and gave me the added urge to kiss him at every available opportunity, which I did. Between lessons, in alleyways, between small breaks and as all throughout dinner time, I found myself addicted to his lips, blushing deeply with each peck and smooch, my heart pounding in my chest at every moment.

I didn't see how anything could get better or go wrong.

Until the dreams started again.

Each night I would get into my pyjamas and settle down to bed, and each night it would be the same. I wouldn't see anything, but I would hear a voice in the darkness, and I would feel like I was walking through a vast forest with no light to shine my path. I would feel like I was underwater without being wet, the pressure making it hard to move, the rushing sound in my ears sending stabbing pains through my head, it felt...like something was coming.

Chapter 6 finished