Chapter 6: Terrifying Encounters

At the end of week one the class had been purged down to 30 students. Sensei began to pick up the pace, and Izura's head was so full of kido spells and sword techniques that she thought her head was going to explode. It was the weekend and Izura wanted to practice a few of her trickier sword techniques. She wandered into the bamboo forest behind her house and from there into a deciduous forest. She found a clearing with a stream and little pink meadow flowers to practice in. Izura unsheathed her training sword then began a series of basic moves as a warm up. As she moved from side to side, song birds sung a chorus above her head. Soon Izura moved into more complicated moves and combinations, causing her to lose track of time and the world around her. After a while she felt dizzy and decided it was time for a rest. She sat on a large boulder next to the stream and drank some of its cool water. The bento box Izura had brought for lunch began to beckon her gowling stomach, so she gave in and ate the Lo Mein noodles she had made the night before to go with her sushi. When she had finished eating, Izura felt extremely peaceful despite the sweat pouring off of her face and stretched out on the boulder for a nap.

When Izura woke up, she knew something was wrong. She had a familiar, deep and chilling sense that something was coming. She scrambled off of the boulder and faced the direction of the sensation. Izura even drew her training sword, even though she knew it wasn't going to help in the slightest. She curled her fingers around the hilt and gathered her courage as the ground began to shake. Something enormous crashed through the trees and each footstep caused the ground to shake. On the horizon and above the tree line the monstrous Hollow appeared. It was black with spikes that jutted out around what Izura guessed was its neck like a collar. Its white mask had a pointy nose.

"A Menos Grande" Izura whispered as the Hollow took another step towards her. I can't handle a regular Hollow, let alone a Menos Grande!

She remembered the lecture where Sensei had discussed the different classes of Hollows, but she couldn't remember the details. Can I die a second time? The Hollow was within yards of Izura now, and she had to think quickly. I'm not going to be able to do any damage! Where are the REAL soul reapers? Izura thought in a panic, then made up her mind. She jumped into the trees and faced the Menos. It hadn't seen her yet, so it wouldn't strike first.

"Hado 31: Shakkaho!" Izura said and sent an energy blast at its head. She waited for the smoke to clear, hoping that it had done something, anything! The Hollow let out a ghostly wail and continued on unfazed. It shot a cero blast in the direction of where she had been, but Izura had already moved several yards to the right.

That was to be expected… But I have to think… Think! What kido spells do I know that could help… wait… what was that bakudo that paralyzes… number 9? Yea, Geki… Izura had ever used that spell, but she had to try. She was about to perform the kido when the soul reapers finally appeared. One stood out to her as he swung his bladed spear for the kill, his bald head shining in the sun.

"Ikkaku!" Izura happily exclaimed as the Menos dissipated. She was about to head home when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Izzie, is that you?" The sweet voice behind her asked.

Izura turned around, asking "Yachiru?"

The small girl smiled and greeted her with a "Hiya!" Then she asked "What are you doing here? Kenny and I were bored so we came to watch the fight." Indicating squad 11's Captain on the ground below them. Izura had almost forgotten that she was in a tree.

"I was practicing my sword skills in a clearing nearby when the Menos appeared. I tried to slow it down, but without a real zonpakto and my weak skills of a trainee I knew I wouldn't have an effect…" Izura explained.

Yachiru giggled, causing Izura to feel a little taken aback. "Silly Izzie, you did fine. And the fact that you decided to stay and fight rather than run shows how great of a soul reaper you will one day become." She replied. She patted Izura's hand with a smile then jumped off the branch and onto Kenpachi's shoulder. "See you again real soon, Izzie. You should come visit sometime!" And then the Captain and Lieutenant disappeared.

Izura stood for another moment then headed home. The sun had set, and the twilight glow that settled on the landscape was soothing. Izura had always loved nighttime; it left her feeling rejuvenated and alive. The streets were emptying out as families headed home for dinner and vendors closed up shop. Izura did notice that the thugs and bums were starting to wander out, but she ignored them knowing full well that she could handle herself.

As she watched the moon rise, she wondered how far she could go as a soul reaper. Could I become a Lieutenant, or even a Captain? As she entered her house and got ready for bed she thought about the possibilities. I definitely wouldn't get a position handed to me, but with some had work…. Then Izura thought about having a family. I have always wanted one, but it's not like I have anyone interested in me…. And I don't even know where he is anymore… I lost track of him after I… oh yea… I'm dead. I think… was he even real? Izura sat at the kotetsu and ate some instant ramen. How old am I anyways? I think I'm 20… If I'm really dead… I think I died when I was 17, but time is different here… I could have a family, if dead people can reproduce. But who would I… Izura shook her head. It was true that she found him charming, but he probably had no feelings for her. She threw the rest of her ramen and her bowl in the sink with a clash and went to bed. Izura had always wanted a family… but now… She didn't think that could ever happen.

She went through the motions of every day with a little more enthusiasm than before. She would have breakfast, go to class, have lunch with Akiname and their friends, go through drills, and then go home around dinner time. Then came the day that Sensei announced it was the day of his final elimination.

"When your name is called, enter my office." He went to enter the door and called out "Izura Lee".

Her stomach stiffened and felt like it was full of Hell butterflies, but she got up and walked down to the office door. She grasped the handle of the door and opened it with one last look at Akiname who gave her an encouraging smile, then walked inside.