Hisagi immediately jumped up and all blades were pointed to Gin. He wiped my blood off of his sword and took a step back with his innocent grin still planted on his face.
"Can you really blame me? Yumichika jumped up and it sounded like she just started yelling, so I attacked in the groups' benefit."
There was a flame in Hisagi's eyes.
"She clearly said to stop, and she's innocent. Just look at her!"
They all looked down and saw that I was lying on my back with blood pouring out of the gaping wound Gin left. My face turned chalk white and I was unconscious. Hisagi sprinted over and picked me up bridal style, and started toward the hut I had slept in last night. As Byakuya started to follow, he turned slightly and looked at Lucy from the corner of his eye and whispered something no one could really make out.
Rangiku put her head down and ran up to where Hisagi was because she was afraid of what Lucy may do to Gin. Being his third seat, she couldn't do much but she did threaten him by striking him to the ground with her powers and warning him of what the head captain would think.
Everything was silent when I finally awakened. The sun went down, and I felt like I just drank straight sake for 5 days straight. It was horrible. I looked up and saw everyone had departed, except Hisagi. I walked over to where he was sitting by the window, looking out at the moon.
"Hey there." I said to him in a whisper.
"Hey, how are you feeling? You took a nasty side wound there."
I looked down at my hip and felt a little sting when I moved, but other then that I was perfectly fine. I looked up and smiled at him and he returned it slightly, but went back to staring out the window. I took a seat next to him and looked at the floor.
"Hisagi, I don't think I can win against Yamamoto. If I couldn't handle that wound Gin gave me, how do you expect me to face the head captain?"
He looked at me and sighed. His eyes were half closed, and he looked exhausted.
"Well, Lucy said there was some kind of power dwelling beneath your exterior power, which is strong enough in itself. I just don't think you had enough time to train and get used to sword wounds like that. Yama-gii really respects his position, and if you're a big enough threat to him- he's going to go all out. I'm nervous for you, Ariswana. I've only just met you and you're an amazing person. I was looking forward to getting sake with you almost every night once you were head captain." I looked up immediately after he said that.
"Head captain! What are you talking about? I'm just doing this so I can get a free ride into Soul Society. I don't want to take the man's position! I'll be hated by everyone; I'm not a good leader of large fighting squads. What if war should break loose? I can't help anyone when that happens." He looked at me for a short second with confused eyes, and then looked away.
"You don't have to worry about war, Ariswana. Nothing's going to happen anytime soon, everyone's happy with the way life's going. Sure there are bad guys out there, but they're not coming here anytime soon. You should be fine, just get some sleep for now."
"Don't you have to get back to your squad, though? I mean, you can't just chill out here all night with me…can you?"
He smiled and nodded. I smiled back, and went over to the small cot I woke up on. He stayed at the window, and was the last thing I saw until I fell into a not-so-peaceful slumber.
I woke the next morning with a start. I felt like a completely different person for unknown reasons. My personality felt so much more serious. My wound was healed? How could that have happened? I sat up immediately, sword in hand. Something was rustling by the window. Peeking over the side, I saw Rangiku.
"Rangiku, what the hell are you doing down there?" I said a little annoyed.
"Oh Swana-kun! I was actually gathering these weird leaves for my Taicho; he says it helps clear his head when he's flustered. You look so much better! The medicine Momo used on you must have worked magic."
"Who's Momo? And why is your captain so flustered?"
She stood up and hopped through the window. After looking around for a bit, she put the leaves on a table and took a seat on the cot. I noticed I was alone this morning, where had Hisagi gone?
"If you're looking for Hisagi, he had to go back early this morning. Before he left, he sent Momo, the Fukutaicho of squad 5, out here to heal your wounds. Though she's not in 4th squad, she's damn good at healing anything you could conjure up. And my captain is so flustered because he knows our plan with you. He feels its wrong, and he believes you're wasting your time. It'll just agitate the old man and he'll make our lives a living hell from here on out. I have more faith in you, Ariswana. You can definitely win this thing." She said while taking a small bite out of one of the leaves she picked.
"You really think I could beat him? I feel something changing within me, like my chi is starting to form order, but then again I don't know anything about the power I could have. What are my limits? What am I to expect? This isn't easy for someone who died a few weeks ago, you know."
We sat there in silence for a while until she shot up and looked down over me.
"It's time." Was all she said.
I followed her out of the small shack to be met with Gin and Renji. Renji ran over to me and hugged me. We started toward the gate to the Soul Society. Looking up at all of them made my heart sink just a little. If I were to fail, they wasted all their time for nothing and they would be put in turmoil by Yamamoto for helping me. Rangiku, with her care-free spirit, Gin with his evil ways (I still hadn't really forgiven him yet) and constant smile, and then Renji, who was wearing the small silver necklace I made for him the day I came here. Seeing that made me want to burst into thousands of tears, but I kept them in. Reaching the gate was the easy part, getting in was hardest. Behind the huge gate was an even bigger shinigami guarding it!
"WHO DISTURBS THE GATE OF SOUL SOCIETY?" Said some distant rumbling voice.
Gin stepped forward and pointed his sword to the voice.
"Jidanbou, let us through. We have a guest who needs to see Yamamoto."
"HA HA HA NO ONE IS TO ENTER SOUL SOCIETY. YAMAMOTO-SAMA HAS SENT A WARRANT TO ME FOR NO ENTRIES ANY LONGER. THERE WAS A SIGHTING OF SOME RYOKA. I'M SORRY ICHIMARU TAICHO, HOWEVER YOU CANNOT PASS."
Gin just turned around with his usual smile turned to a small frown. This only lasted for a moment when he turned back around and let out a small laugh.
"Ikorose, Shinsou." He said in a soft whisper.
His blade shot forward and the owner of the voice came plummeting through the gate. Gin shot him down in just one blow! This guy wasn't fit to be gate keeper.
"ICHIMARU TAICHO HOW COULD YOU? YOU KNOW I WAS JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS!"
I walked by him with a sorrowful expression, and when he saw me his eyes widened and he started whimpering. That was an odd reaction…
Gin just simply stepped over him saying something along the lines of 'you were in my way'.
We walked through Soul Society without anymore disturbances for the time being, me being hidden in a Rieatsu cloak and all. They didn't want anyone suspicious, so they hid me under this power block. The three of them led me to this pond by an array of trees. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen before. Small brightly colored bugs danced across the lily pads that floated on the gentle colored water. I saw everyone else sitting by the tree, casually like nothing was happening. As soon as I approached, they all turned their heads and their smiles sank. I was like an emotional anchor these days…
After a long speech from Byakuya about the rules of the fight and what not to do, instead of what I should do, I began heading for the first squads' quarters, being accompanied by Hisagi and Gin. We reached the door and walked through a long wooden hallway, not being bothered by the squad members running through. They would occasionally give Gin and Hisagi respectful bows, but no attention was drawn to me. We reached a large Japanese style door that was mostly made of paper and without knocking; we heard a voice call "enter" from the other side. Hisagi looked at me, and then went in without a pause. I was about to follow, when Gin grabbed my arm and took me into an embrace tighter than my own lungs at the time. I obviously hugged him back with all the feeling in the world. They would all be here when I won this fight. I had to win. No doubt about it.
I followed Gin into the room and took a seat on the ground between him and Hisagi. Hisagi was first to speak with a bow.
"Yamamoto Taicho, this girl has much potential, and many goals set ahead for the future. She's new, and she wants into the squads as soon as possible. She has been made Shinigami by her own Zanpakutou and is truly ready for it from the training we've all supplied her with. If you could just let her join a squad without the traditional battle, it would be greatly appreciated, and less of a hassle for yourself-"
"I have heard enough Shuuhei Hisagi. Please sit back."
Hisagi squeezed his eyes tight and then obeyed. Gin stepped forward, bowing once and smiling up at him.
"You won't regret her, sir. She's truly…a marvel. I would happily make her my vice captain."
I looked up at Gin and understood that he really wanted me in his squad. And vice captain! That was a bigger step then I was willing to take…
"Ichimaru, know your place. Join Shuuhei back there. I will not ruin tradition for one wench; it will put Soul Society in sheer chaos. I will fight her, and be done with her quickly. If she's as skilled as you say, then so be my loss. We go now." He said slightly opening his eyes to look at me.
I had my head down the entire time, but when he said 'now' my head shot up immediately and I searched for Gin's face but only saw white spots wherever I looked. This is where the test really came to play. Whether I would truly meet my goal or perish, this was the real thing. The fear I felt in that gaping hole was nothing compared to the chilling sensation that I was experiencing now.
I followed the three of them out of the little dojo and into an arena of some sort. There were stands, and everyone else was already there waiting. A small white marble playing ground was where we would fight; it looked like a small coliseum.
Before I could even say anything to anyone, Yamamoto removed his robe and unleashed the biggest flame I had ever seen from his sword, and it just missed my face. I dove to the ground and tried to reach for my Zanpakutou, but my body was in an impossible position. I ran as fast as I possibly could around that arena, trying to think of a plan or some sort. I had no idea what I was doing! This was as embarrassing as it was frightening. Everyone in those stands are cheering for me in their heads, but as I run, their hopes are all crashing down, along with their pride. I finally decide to face my foe, and take whatever he can dish out.
"You finally stopped running? Why don't you remove your cloak so I can see the face of the woman I'm about to destroy." He says smugly.
"I'm not sure I want to do that, old man. Though you're a descent foe, I wish not to give you the advantage of seeing my face." I smirked.
He thrusts his sword toward me and the flame hits me, sending me flying into the audience right next to Hisagi. This is to the death, so I was able to regain myself and shoot back down there without looking at him once. I wouldn't have been able to bear the idea of disappointing him. I sped down there with the wind blowing at what felt like 100 miles per hour, and I saw the final fateful thunder roaring towards my face as I drew nearer. Before it struck, two things happened. Lucy cried out and my cloak flew off, exposing my Rieatsu and person- just as Yamamoto wanted. I felt something wash over me, like a burst of energy and I saw half of my friends hit the ground from where they were standing. The world became black and blurry, but I still saw clearly. I unleashed my Zanpakutou and went right for Yamamoto's head. He dodged it, but barely. I went running for him again and as he went to strike, I called it out.
"Cry to the wind, Tsuyoi Ishi!"
My sword became two equal ones, and I had two hands over his one. This was the first release, and it was powerful. I swung with all my might at his head and torso, but was blocked each time. I need to win this fight! All of a sudden, a realization hit me. I knew everything about my sword in that instance. The second release…and something much more.
"Dance through wind, Tsuyoi Ishi!"
The two swords in my hands became as one, with a long black bow tied to the hilt. I swung for the head captain and as he was about to dodge, time slowed down immensely and I saw through slow motion. Wind gathered around me and helped me soar toward my prey. I saw fear dancing in his eyes as I approached faster than he was able to dodge. My Zanpakutou's second release slowed down time for everyone in the vicinity and sent me flying toward the one I was fighting. It was truly amazing. With one swing of my sword, everything went white for everyone- it was as if a huge bolt of lightning struck right in the place I hit. Calming down, and returning to my natural form, I noticed I had only been injured twice through the whole battle. The running came in handy. I looked down at the head captain and saw he was still breathing. He looked at me through slanted eyes.
"It was…a fight to the death- uh- finish…me off."
"I won't. Though it was a fight to the death, I am not fit to be the leader of these people. That is your job, and I'm just trying to serve under you, not defeat you. I have more respect for you than that."
Everyone gathered around us in amazement. Ikkaku had sent for Captain Unohana of the fourth squad to come heal Yamamoto. He had closed his eyes and breathed deeply. When he opened his eyes, I was the only one he saw there, in front of everyone.
"You have the honor of taking my place, and yet you refuse?"
"Not refuse. I don't wish to overrun you. I wish to join you."
"And who would want to take you, knowing you never went through Soul Academy?" He asked.
Gin jumped in the conversation-
"I already told you I wanted her to be my Fukutaicho. Mine was killed in battle recently, and Lucy didn't want to take the spot. She's exactly what I need for this job."
Yamamoto looked around at everyone's faces as Unohana arrived. She dropped everything she was carrying and called out her Bankai. The giant animal picked up Yamamoto and carried him off, but not before his final words:
"No one is to hear about this, it will destroy my honor."
Knowing that sent shivers up my spine, I could be heartless in battle, but I didn't want to ruin this man's life. He seemed respectable enough where everyone loved his rule.
I stood up from where I was kneeling over him and walked toward the horizon. Gin joined me and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Welcome to Soul Society, Ariswana-kun, Fukutaicho of squad three."