Hey, whatz up? I've got some more chapters done over the weekend. *sniff* I am so happy to be getting this story updated. So, here's the next chapter to Jennifer's adventure in the World of Bleach. Enjoy XD

Chapter 10

Showing Off

(Jennifer's POV)

It has been almost ten years ever since I left Rukon and Grandma. Now, I lived in the residence of Yoruichi far off in a remote area next to a large chasm: her hide out. When we got there, Yoruichi insisted that I should train with her. She said that if I learned to control my spirit energy, I would be able to do things that people could only dream of doing. With that, Yoruichi became my sensei. She insisted that I don't have to use formalities, so I called her Yoruichi. She taught me everything that she knew about spirits, hollows, spirit pressure, the Soul Society and its inhabitants, and many things that I mostly knew already. I learned how to Shunpo, or Flash-Step, and Hakudo. Yoruichi even admitted that I am just as fast as she is. I also learned defensive and offensive tactics for battle by utilizing my spirit energy, Shunkō. Not only have I became so much stronger than before, but my physical appearance had changed as well. My short, choppy hair was now pure-white with a long, thin braid in the back. My skin became slightly darker, so I didn't have to worry about my skin burning every time I tried to get a suntan. Also, I no longer wore the ragged clothes that I had in the past. Now, I currently wore clothing that both Yoruichi and myself thought would fit my personality and abilities. The clothing mainly composed of a gray, sleeveless turtle-neck with a dragon-tiger emblem on the back, wrist bands, a bandanna, and leather gloves. I also wore blue jeans that flared at my ankles, a pair of straw sandles, and my white scarf wrapped around my waist, acting as a second belt to the one that held the jeans on my hips.

"Jennifer," Yoruichi came up from behind me.

I was sitting on a tree branch in the forest below our home when she came. Whenever I'd finish my daily training, I would head out and rest up on a tree or a rock outcrop. Yoruichi had grown accustomed to this habit and didn't mind, so long as I returned home before dark. After taking in a breath of the cool air, I looked down at Yoruichi. She was perched on a tree branch not far from where I was sitting. She now in the form of a black cat. When she first came home in her cat form, she startled me. It took me a while to get used to it, but I eventually did. In fact, not long after my training had started, I learned that I could transform into a cat as well. However, unlike Yoruichi, I preferred my 'human form' over my animal form.

"Hey, Yoruichi. What's up?" I got up and jumped over to my sensei.

"The usual. Unfortunately, I've heard some rumors on some mishaps in the World of the Living," Yoruichi's voice had the deep masculine tone in it.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that we'll have to go into the world of the living."

"Oh...w-wait! Doesn't that mean that we'll have to get some gigais, or something?"

Yoruichi nodded her head. She gave me some instructions of how we were going to get to our destination. Yoruichi told me that we were going to visit an old friend of hers. Afterwards, we went back home and got our supplies. With that, we headed out.

"So remind me again how we're getting there," I called out at Yoruichi as we shunpoed through the forest.

"There will be a portal up ahead in the rock formations. It's only going to be open few a while, so we can stop for whatever reasons."

I nodded. We continued to Shunpo, trying to get to the portal. Unfortunately for Yoruichi, because she was in her cat form, she couldn't run as fast as me, so I had to slow my pace for her to keep up.

"The portal will only be open for thirty minutes," Yoruichi continued. "After that, it will close so that no one else will notice and enter it."

Again, I nodded in agreement. Yoruichi and myself had been running for several minutes nonstop. Everything seemed to be going according to plan: get to the portal, go through, help these 'friends', go back into Soul Society, and save this one girl. I was never told the girl's name. When I asked Yoruichi, she just responded saying 'someone of importance', but that was it. Child... My attention was interrupted. It's that voice again. Suddenly, I felt a pressure against my body. Stopping, knowing I might collapse, I looked around for the source. Yoruichi stopped too, so I knew that she felt it as well.

"You felt that too, Yoruichi?"

"Yes, and it's getting close."

There was silence. Not even the birds chirped. It as if an ominous entity was in the area. It was too silent. I knew there was something wrong. All of a sudden, I felt the pressure again and a large shadow appeared over my body.

"Jennifer! Move it!" Yoruichi yelled as she jumped out of the way.

I followed her order and moved in time. Looking up to where I was before, I saw a large arm that crushed the tree and caused a crater in the ground. The pressured air was filled with evil. No doubt, it was a Hollow. I got in my fighting stance. Even though I knew that Yoruichi and I had to get to the portal, we can't risk having a Hollow chase us through the portal. It was too dangerous, for both ourselves and the humans on the other side.

"Yoruichi!" I yelled out for support.

"Fine. Do what you must. I'll try to stall the portal long enough," the black cat turned to get out of harm's way.

While in her cat form, Yoruichi couldn't fight like she normally would. I nodded and turned my attention back to the Hollow. Guess this'll be my time to shine. Let's put this dog out of its misery. I concentrated my spirit energy into my legs and charged forward. The exhilaration made me feel excited about this fight. I came right up to the Hollow. Before it even had a chance to hit me, I disappeared and reappeared in front of its face and flip-kicked it in the head. The monster flew backwards from the impact.

"Oh, hell yeah. That's what I'm talking about," I punched at the air.

"Jennifer! Stay focused!" Yoruichi yelled at me. "It's still alive!"

Yep, no sooner had I kicked it, the Hollow was already up and charging at me. Its scream filled the air. Shit. Any louder and you'll make me deaf. And I have no intention of letting THAT happen. I dodged its punch and landed a direct blow into its jaw, causing it to jerk sideways. I saw its mask crack slightly, making me smirk.

"Jennifer! Behind you!"

Before I had the chance to either turn around or jump, something hard slammed into my back. The force knocked the breath out of me, sending me into the ground below. Dammit. Since when did it have a tail, I grimaced as I saw the Hollow's tail get ready to slam me again. This time I was able to get up and move out of the way.

"Not being aware of your surroundings can lead to your defeat," Yoruichi's voice appeared behind me. "You have to stay cautious at all times, kiddo."

"Hmph. And you're not helping why?"

"This is not my fight. You were the one who stopped and let it catch up to us."

"Oh...so now it's all my fault."

"In terms...yes," Yoruichi mocked me.

Tsk. I jumped out of the way again to dodge the Hollow. Not only did I have to worry about it trying to punch and eat me, but now I had to watch the tail.

"I have no choice but make the best of it," I muttered to myself.

I Shunpoed far away from its tail as it slammed into the ground again. The Hollow roared, obviously pissed. Hell if I care.

"Stop moving you little pest," it swung its arm at me, which was no where close. "Hold still and I won't make this as painful as possible."

"Oh, wow. I'm flattered," I put my hand up to my heart. "You hear that? It actually cares about me. I'm moved"

"...Just end this already. You've wasted enough time taunting it," Yoruichi jumped off of a branch as the Hollow's tail came down, apparently missing me. "AND TRYING TO MAKE IT HIT ME!"

"H-HEY! It's not my fault that you're always in the same place that I was when I moved," I yelled back at my sensei.

I finally stopped several yards away from the Hollow's face, eye-level with it. Its bony mask had made it look ugly, if the body wasn't any uglier. Now that I had a better look, I saw that the monster was black – as all Hollows are – with marking covering it like mutilated scars. The mask itself was white with green stripes on the sides and under its eyes. Spiked protrusions jutted from its forehead, back, and tail. To me, its tail looked more like a spiked club on a thin wire. Ugh. If it couldn't be any uglier. I wonder if all Hollows are this ugly.

"Finally...now I can knock you out for good," it hissed.

"Awww. But what if I don't want to stay still anymore," I crossed my arms in a teasing matter.

"Grrrrr. You insolent pest," it took a small step towards me.

I took a five-yard step back, grinning like a mad-man. I was not going to risk being taken by surprise again.

"Stop moving! Hmmm. You smell sooo very good," the Hollow licked its jaw.

"Ugh. Sorry pal, but I'm 'sooo' not in the mood to join you for dinner," I shuddered at the thought. "Sorry, but...I'll have to take a to-go order on that one."

The Hollow went to punch at me, but I easily dodged with no problem. I guess the beast decided to try and get me in a different method. It swung its fist and tail at me from both sides. I dodged both but my attention was caught off guard as I noticed the Hollow's jaws suddenly appear above me. Shit. I growled as its jaws enclosed around me, obscuring my vision.

"Jennifer!" I heard Yoruichi as the jaws closed.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Screaming out, I felt like I was being stabbed by a thousand knives. Teeth. Dammit. I felt warm blood gush out from my wounds. Suddenly, everything stopped, even the pain. A opened my eyes and saw a familiar sight.

Lightning flashed around me in the strange cave. Rain was now pouring like crazy. I was once again face-to-face with the creature that I've been having dreams about. It was still hard for me to see because of the rain, but I felt the creature's presence. 'Child. You must say my name if you want to live on.' I knew that this was say it or die now. I knew what I had to do.

"Alright...I'll say it."

The creature's spirit pressure seemed to smile in joy. The storm calmed and the 'setting sun' lit up the clouds. In front of me was a sight to behold. The creature was in the form of a woman. She had pale skin, snow-white hair, and fierce, feline eyes. A long, jagged scar stretched along her right arm and face. Her attire was no more than a red, tattered overcoat with dark leather undergarments. Behind her was the glowing outline of a large dragon-like beast. It's eyes glowed with the furiousity of a tiger.

"Your name is...Kurakeshinmaru."

A single flash of lightning blinded me and I felt my body explode with tremendous energy. 'Finally. You don't know how long I've wanted to hear you say that name,' the entity roared through the light.

(Yoruichi's POV)

"Your name is Kurakeshinmaru!" I heard Jennifer yell from inside the Hollow's throat.

"What in the world?"

Suddenly, lines of red light crisscrossed the Hollow's body. Blood gushed from the slashes. The beast screamed out agonizingly, unable to stop the force that ripping it from the inside. The moment the Hollow was torn apart, an immense spiritual energy overcame my senses.

"W-What's...happening?" I chocked from the spirit pressure. "Is this?"

When the Hollow disappeared and the spirit pressure decimated, I saw Jennifer standing in the air. The air around her body sparked with red 'electricity'. She seemed to be holding something in her hands. A Zanpakutō? But how? Then the realization hit. The spirit pressure that Jennifer had, the reason she was able to move so fast, at such a young age. There was the spirit of a Zanpakutō inside of her. No wonder. I watched as Jennifer slowly descended to the ground, the energy disappearing. She collapsed the moment she hit the ground, panting from the fight. She seemed exhausted. I went to take a step forward, but another pressure hit me. I gasped. Soul Reapers. Dammit. I ran over to Jennifer as she made her way back up onto both feet. She looked down at her hands. In her hand was a large Zanpakutō. It stretched out almost as far as she was tall. I went to take a step towards her when I suddenly felt two different spirit pressure coming in our direction. Soul Reapers.

"Jennifer!"

(Jennifer's POV)

After catching my breath, I got back up on my feet. I felt something in my right hand. Looking down, I saw a long scimitar. It had a black blade with a silver edge. The handle had no cross-guard, but did have a silvery-blue ribbon that wrapped around the hilt with several feet hanging loose. It seemed to be heavy, yet it was actually incredibly light. What is this?

"Jennifer!" I heard Yoruichi's voice.

I looked up and saw Yoruichi run in my direction. She seemed have an uncertain eagerness in her movements. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted. Crap. Don't tell me that thing is still alive! Before I could turn around, Yoruichi hissed at me.

"Jennifer! We must leave! Now!" she was certainly frantic.

"W-What? I don't what happened okay?" I threw my arms up in self-defense. "I swear, I don't know where this sword came from..."

"No talking! Leave! Now!" she jumped behind me. "We'll have unwelcoming guests if you don't move it now!"

My eyes widened and I nodded. I Shunpoed over onto a nearby tree branch. Yoruichi didn't move. What is she? Now she starting to scare me.

"Yoruichi!"

"Don't worry about me," she said without looking. "Just go. I'll meet you in Karakura Town. Now, go!"

Dammit. She has to act so cool. I turned around and got ready to head out. A strong spiritual pressure chocked at my lungs. W-What?

"I'm afraid you're not going anywhere," a voice stopped me.

The air got cold suddenly. I had a familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach. It can't be. Yoruichi told me to get out of there, but I couldn't move. It was like I was frozen in place. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Don't move! You're surrounded," that sounded like a woman.

I got up and slowly turned my head around to look at the newcomers. When my eyes met with their eyes, I heart sunk. Before me stood Rangiku and Tōshirō, only in their Soul Reaper uniforms. I didn't know what to do.

"Kid, Move it! Now!" Yoruichi's stern voice brought me back to my senses.

She was still on the ground, staring up at me. I quickly nodded and took off. I heard movement the moment I turned around. I knew that they were going to give chase. I didn't want to leave Yoruichi behind with them. As a cat, she couldn't fight, but I knew she didn't want me to stay.

"Matsumoto!" I heard Tōshirō yell at the woman.

They don't recognize me. Dammit. I took off in a blink of an eye, using Shunpo to get as far away as fast as possible. Hmph. I wish her the best of luck in trying to catch me. As long as I could outrun her, then I'll make it to the portal in time and go thru before they catch up. The trees swept past me as I ran at full speed. I was still holding onto the sword, not willing to drop it. I felt too connected to my Zanpakutō to let her go. She was like a part of myself. I continued running, leaving the Captain and his Lieutenant far behind me. Soon, they were so far behind that I could no longer feel their spirit pressure. Too slow. Too easy. Within a few minutes, I finally came up to the rock formations that Yoruichi told me to run to. I saw an opening with the portal shimmering through the rocks. It was starting to close, but I still had enough time. I landed in front of the portal. On the other side was a dark void. Farther down was the faint light that was the end. Standing up, I glanced behind me. Too bad I couldn't stay and chat, I thought about Tōshirō. I eventually shrugged and Shunpoed into the portal before it was able to close up. I continued running on, trying to keep my spiritual energy concentrated under my feet so that I wouldn't fall. I was pretty much running through a dark void that stretched as far as the eye can see. It didn't take me long to finally make it through to the light. Once I did, I jumped out through the opening and landed on a house roof. I stopped for a breather and looked around.

"So this is Karakura Town?" I put my left arm on my left knee.

The small city looked just as it did in the anime I closed my eyes and breathed in the warm air. It must be the beginning of summer. I felt Kurakeshinmaru's presence move in the back of my head, but she instantly stayed put. I looked down at the streets in front of me. They were dotted with the cars that sped passed each other. Staying there for several minutes to take in my surroundings, I got up walked to the edge of the roof. Well, I guess since I made it here, I might as well find him. I glanced over my shoulder in the direction that the portal used to be in. It was no longer there. My face faltered slightly.

"Yoruichi. You'd better make it here in one piece," I whispered, even though I knew that only other spirits would be able to hear me.

Turning my gaze ahead of me, I Shunpoed off the roof. I hope I still remember the directions that Yoruichi gave. I think she said something about meeting up with Urahara Kisuke.