Chapter 8: Day 1: Careful What You Wish For


Shino Academy, 8:47 AM

Among the other fifty students, Karin felt the most out of place. The morning was cold and she didn't know what to expect. She figured this class would be fairly easy, since she had had some experience with hollows in the past. They were all outside in a large courtyard. The moon could still be seen as the sun slowly rose from the horizon. As she and the other students waited, a short old man with half-moon spectacles that were too big for him and gray hair came walking up to them. He wore a solid scowl and looked like he hadn't slept in a few centuries. He had a twisted cane in one hand, and an old wooden pipe in the other.

"Ah ya ya! You students are late." He croaked. There were question marks floating around everyone's heads.

"Uh…Sensei?" asked a puzzled student.

"Silence! You must pay very close attention if you are to understand the ways of the Hollow. And one more thing! Anyone who thinks this is an easy class is stupid, stupid!" his cranky voice was like nails to a chalkboard.

"I can see the future of this class already." Yuichi murmured.

"Oh hey Yuichi, I didn't know you had this class too." Karin exclaimed.

"Well of course, Hollow Studies is required for all first years." He replied.

"Oh." Karin said.

"And one more thing, I am Master Ping, and demand to be treated as such. And one more thing! Let us begin." Master Ping said. Ping walked to a concrete platform in the center of the courtyard and tapped his cane three times on it. Suddenly there was a low rumble and the platform began to vertically split in half revealing a deep shaft. Karin looked with a surprised look on her face when a hollow came springing out of the shaft. It had a large heavy chain connected to its neck and arms. Several students clasped their hands to their ears as the hollow howled violently and shook the chains.

"Now", Ping said lighting his pipe. "Who can tell me the three characteristics a hollow has?" he asked between puffs. There was a silence in the crowd but then Yuichi stepped forward and raised his hand.

"Sir, they're the mask, hollow hole, and the howl." He answered. Master Ping gave a nod.

"Finally, someone who understands logic, however you cannot always rely on these three signs. Hollows come in all shapes and sizes, and some even have special abilities that other hollows don't. Take this one for instance, it has no special properties at all but it's still a hollow." Ping explained. Master Ping went on explaining what to do if you encountered a hollow and how to kill them and before Karin knew it, the class was over.

"And one more thing, next week we will be discussing the different hollow forms." Ping stated quickly before everyone made a run for it.

"Hey Karin, over here!" Kasame said waving to her. Karin squeezed her way to Kasame's table and sat down.

"What is she doing here?" Ryku asked irritably.

"Ryku that's not nice." Kasame protested.

"What? Anyone that's weaker than me should be sitting with those other losers." He replied.

"Hey, what do you mean by weak?!" Karin snapped.

"Nothing really since I kicked your ass." Ryku replied casually.

"You better take that back." Karin threatened. Ryku glanced at Karin's frustrated face and then grinned.

"Well, it doesn't take much to get under your skin." He teased. Karin's blood began to boil, and she had enough of his remarks. She clenched her fist and was about to take a jab at Ryku when Kasame got between them.

"Okay, that's enough…hehehe." She sweat dropped. Karin and Ryku gave each other evil looks and then turned away.

"Uh Karin, is everything alright?" asked Yuichi.

"Yuichi, Hi please sit down." Karin said in surprise.

"Great. More losers?" Ryku complained.

"Shut up!" Karin barked back. Ryku replied by sticking his tongue out.

"Well it's nice everyone's getting along." Kasame sweat dropped again.


Kuchiki Manor 2:00 PM

Byakuya sat in front of a wooden table; he had several papers stacked a few feet high. He took his brush and began another paper. Calligraphy was like a hobby for him, every stroke like an addition to a beautiful painting. As he continued his brush strokes, Rukia slid open the door and entered the room and knelt.

"You wanted to see me brother?" she asked. Byakuya stopped writing and put his brush down, and then turned around to face her.

"Yes, I've been curious for some time now. I would like to know if your progress in possessing a bankai has developed." He asked.

"Brother I don't…understand."

"I will not be around forever Rukia. As my only living relative, you'll become head of the Kuchiki clan sometime in the future." Byakuya replied.

"What do you mean? Are you dying? Please tell me you're not dying brother!" Rukia exclaimed in panic. Byakuya raised his hand and Rukia stopped ranting. Byakuya had an annoyed look in his eyes but let Rukia's sudden outburst go.

"I am only preparing for the future. If you were to take my place as captain of squad 6, you'll be required to have reached bankai before then." He said. "However, this burden of responsibility doesn't need to befall to you. Whatever decision you make, I will respect it."

Rukia didn't speak, all of this was too sudden and she didn't know what to say. She wanted Byakuya to accept her but didn't know if she could uphold that promise.

"Do I have to answer right away?" she asked hesitantly.

"No." Byakuya replied plainly. "It may be decades, if not centuries before this decision must be made. I just wanted you to be aware of the circumstances."

"I…see." Rukia retorted softly.

"Also, there has been an incident in the 74th district of West Rukon. I would like you to investigate and find what's going on." He wasn't asking, he was commanding. Rukia nodded her head slowly. She got up and bowed before leaving the room. Byakuya returned to his calligraphy and sighed.

West Rukon

Rukia walked through the streets of West Rukon in haste. The conversation with Byakuya weighed heavy on her mind, and had to stop herself when she realized she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. She took a few steps forward and then suddenly fell into a shallow crater. Rukia stood up and brushed herself off and examined the crater. It had to be at least 10 meters in radius and about 3 feet deep. However the strange thing she found was that some spirit energy still lingered.

It's strange, this spirit energy almost feels like…Ichi-go. She pondered. Rukia flash stepped away to the Seireitei, if Ichigo was here, that would be where he'd be. She suddenly stopped. Look at myself, Am I really hoping that Ichigo's here? And why am I anxious to find out anyway? Shouldn't he be in college? I mean, he stopped being a soul reaper a year ago. She returned to running and quickly dashed through the dark alleys and streets. Anyhow, If Ichigo is responsible for this,…THEN HE'LL HERE FROM ME! She shouted in her mind.


Next Chapter Coming Soon: 100 Ways to have Kido Blow up in Your Face

I do not own Bleach (why do i even say that? everyone knows that Tite Kudo owns bleach).