Chapter 14

Renji sat up and looked around. He was in the squad for relief station, bandaged like a mummy. At first, he wondered how he got here, but that didn't last long. Images of Kagome's mangled body and the fight with Hayataro came hit him hard. He ran a hand down his torso, not surprised at his condition. He acted like a fool on the battlefield, letting his emotions cloud his judgment. He snorted. And I call myself a lieutenant. It's basic shinigami training. Don't let your emotions get the better of you. God, I'm such an idiot.

There was a knock on his door. "Come in."

Matsumoto walked in with Hisagi at her side.

"About time you wake up." The blonde smiled.

"Yeah."

"How you holding up?" Hisagi asked.

"Better."

"You look like hell." Matsumoto observed. "Well, I brought some news that will turn that frown upside down."

He gave her a confused look.

"We found Kagome-chan."

That caught Renji's attention. He clutched the sheets tightly; giving the two of them excited eyes. "Where?"

"That's more like it." Matsumoto grinned. "Would you believe the girls already been enrolled in the academy?"

Renji's eyes went wide.

"Apparently, she's already been having dreams of her zanpakuto spirit. She can't hear its voice of course, but it is there." Hisagi said.

"How did you learn all of this?"

"Captain Komomura found her shortly after she arrived. She'd been emitting a high-level reiatsu and it drew the head captain's attention. He sent Komomura to inspect. He was surprised to see Higurashi." He explained.

"Her memories?" Renji asked.

"Completely in tact." Matsumoto grinned.

Renji didn't need to hear another word. He tossed the sheets off the bed and rose to his feet, ignoring the protests of his two friends. He dressed quickly, slid his zanpakuto in his obi, and bolted out the door. Hisagi and Matsumoto exchanged smiles before chasing after him.

oOoOo

Kagome stood to the left side of the circle with a wooden sword in her hand. She was drenched in sweat and was having a hard time staying on her feet. Three hours, she'd been at it, trying her best to learn how to use a sword properly. It was hard work and not something she ever thought she'd learn how to use.

Maybe I should have taken Sango up on her offer to teach me…maybe then I wouldn't be so inept. Too bad, they don't allow shinigami to use a bow and arrows. I'd school these guys in a heartbeat if I could.

"Your stance is too wide, Higurashi. You are leaving far too many openings." The instructor scolded for the time time in ten minutes.

I'll show you too many openings…

She was too busy thinking mean thoughts about the teacher; she missed her opponent make his move. After a sharp wrap with the wooden sword, Kagome fell on her butt. She heard several of her classmates sniggering and whispering to each other.

They hate me. Just because I was assigned to the advanced class immediately, without taking any tests, they hate me. It's not as if I asked to be placed here. I was happy living out the rest of my spirit days far away from school.

"Stand up Higurashi. You will not leave the ring until you land at least one solid hit."

Kagome pulled herself to her feet and glared angry daggers at the instructor. The instructor just rolled his eyes and motioned for them to commence.

Pathetic. A male voice echoed in her mind, causing Kagome to freeze.

What the…? Now I'm hearing things? She thought to herself.

I will not be shamed by this nonsense. The voice came again, this time with an edge of bitterness to it.

oOoOo

Renji stumbled into the training room where he was told Kagome's class was being held. Matsumoto and Hisagi were still following him, but neither of them made any move to stop him. He skidded to a halt when he saw her in the center of the ring.

He caught the tail end of the instructor scolding Kagome for not being able to land a hit. He didn't pay it much mind. He only had eyes for the woman standing in the ring, holding her wooden sword. The ferocious look in her eye made him smile with pride.

Her opponent moved towards her only to stop short when a burst of reiatsu erupted from Kagome. Her blue eyes flashed gold as the reiatsu converged to the palms of her hands. She dropped the wooden sword. His eyes widened and he could hear the students gasp in surprise. Forming before their eyes was a zanpakuto.

The moment the zanpakuto was complete, Kagome moved towards her opponent. Something wasn't right. Her eyes were still golden and she was moving towards her opponent with intent to kill. Kagome wasn't like that and he knew it. Using a single shunpo, he placed himself between Kagome and the other student. He blocked her blade with Zabimaru.

"That's enough." Renji said, looking into her golden eyes. It was weird seeing that color on her face. It didn't look right and it reminded him of the damned puppy she bought.

"Renji?" Kagome whispered, her eyes changing back to blue. She took notice of their crossed blades and her eyes went wide. She took a couple of steps back and inspected her new sword. The hilt was white with runes etched into it. The hand guard was a simple oval of a dark purple and the blade had the same runic designs as the hilt running along the blunt end of the sword. Kagome also noticed a scabbard hanging from her obi, matching the color and design on the hilt, with a piece of purple fabric decorating crossed over near the opening.

"Kagome…you…" Renji pointed to the sword. "You manifested a zanpakuto?"

Kagome blinked in confusion. "You mean this is my zanpakuto?" She looked between sword and Renji.

"Yes it is. It's very unique, just like its master." Renji grinned.

She sheathed the sword and turned a nice shade of red. "You came for me."

Renji took a step closer to Kagome, resting the palm of his hand against her cheek. "I promised didn't I?"

Kagome nodded.

"Now, I want you to promise me something." He stated, bringing his face closer to hers. "Promise me you won't leave like that again."

She could feel her heart thumping in her chest like a caged thing. Her face was hot and she was afraid she was going to faint. Why was he so close to her? She swallowed hard and nodded again. "I promise."

He brought his face closer to hers, their lips almost touching. He could almost hear the beating of her heart. He could tell she was nervous, but he didn't care. He closed the gap between them, pressing his lips against hers.

Oh my goodness…he's kissing me! Kagome thought frantically. What do I do?

As if sensing her confusion, Matsumoto smiled and said. "Kiss him back silly."

Kagome turned at least fifteen shades of red, but did as she instructed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself into the curve of his body. He responded n kind, wrapping his arms around her waist and deepening the kiss.

The students and the instructor just stood there in shock and amazement. Three lieutenants were standing in their classroom, one of them making out with the new student. A couple of the girls standing closest to the action crossed their arms and snorted.

"I can't believe it. She's been here less than a week and she already has Lieutenant Abarai wrapped around her finger."

"No kidding. Next thing you know, she'll be shaking with with one of the captains. What a hussy."

"You mean you didn't hear? She's been staying at the squad seven barracks. I think she's already got her fingers in a captain's pudding if you catch my drift."

"You mean the animal looking captain? You mean she's into that kind of thing. That's disgusting."

Kagome could hear the girls talking about her, but she couldn't bring herself to pay too close attention. Her mind was on other, more important things. Like the man holding and kissing her. She was content to live in ignorance that was until her swords started shaking. Renji felt it too and broke off the kiss. They both looked at the shaking sword with confusion.

You have changed over the years, Miko. The voice belonged to the same male that she heard in her head moments before Renji appeared.

Instead of trying to ignore it, Kagome tried talking back. What do you mean? How would you know?

Kagome could hear a very distinct huff. The voice and the manner of speaking was familiar to Kagome. She even knew the name that belonged to the voice, but every time she tried to think it, it slipped away. It was as if there was a barrier between her and the voice, blocking the information.

The miko I remember had a sharp tongue. Either you are somebody else, or your ability to defend your own honor has greatly diminished.

I don't understand. Who are you? What is your name? Are you my zanpakuto? Kagome asked.

She heard a sigh. You know who I am and what my name is. I shall not tell you for you already know. As to your final question, yes it appears I am. How I managed to be stuck with a dimwit of a human is beyond my understanding.

Why you no good…Her insult was cut short when she heard yet another girl say something derogatory. Ignoring the voice in her head, she whirled around to face the culprits. The voice, whomever it belonged to was right. She was never the girl to stand around while others talked down to her.

"If you have a problem with me, say it to my face!" Kagome snapped.

The group of girls looked at each other and giggled.

"I'm not deaf or stupid. I know what you think of me and let me tell you, you don't know the half of it. I am not sleeping with anybody and nobody is wrapped around my finger. I didn't choose to come here, I was ordered to. If I had it my way, I'd never set a foot in another school in my life! I know all of you have worked hard to get here and I'm sorry for stepping on everybody's toes, but it was not by choice. Yes, I know you are all better than I am and could kick my butt in a fight. I'm not stupid, blind, or deaf. Next time you have something to say, say it to my face."

Kagome heard a faint chuckle in the back of her mind. None of these weaklings stand a chance against me.

Kagome rolled her eyes. My, aren't you an arrogant one.

Not arrogant, truthful.

You're distracting, shut up. Kagome growled. She heard another faint chuckle before the voice disappeared.

"Well class…I think it is safe to assume class is dismissed." The instructor cleared his throat. The students tore their eyes from the new girl and left the classroom. The fluctuating reiatsu of the new girl was causing most of them headaches. It was almost unheard of for a new student to have so much reiatsu.

Kagome looked at the instructor and over at the three lieutenants. Renji motioned for her to follow them. She nodded and followed obediently. They left the academy and headed in the direction of the barracks. Kagome stopped when it they reached the intersection where she was supposed to turn to get to her barracks.

"Um…" Kagome stuttered.

"What's the matter, Kagome-chan?" Matsumoto asked, falling back and draping her arm over the young girl's shoulder.

"About what happened when I died…My mom…Souta…"

Renji turned around. "You're demon friends took care if everything."

"Renji…how did you get wounded?" She asked, just now noticing the white bandages under his shihakusho.

"Hayataro made a move after you came here." Renji explained. "He's powerful Kagome. Far more powerful than any of us could have imagined. Even with the eight fighters, he didn't blink an eye. He cut through us like butter."

Her eyes widened. "Is everybody ok?"

Hisagi nodded. "We took heavy injuries, but nobody was lost if that is your question. We do however need more information on demons. More precisely on the weapons they use."

"Of course!"

"Good. Let's talk over dinner." Matsumoto grinned, giving Kagome a friendly squeeze. "My treat! As a celebration of Kagome's zanpakuto!"

Kagome turned red.

"Do you know your swords name yet?" Renji asked.

"No, but I think I'm close…I know deep down what his name is, but every time I try to say it, it disappears."

"You'll get there. No need to rush." Renji smiled.