We're finally getting towards the main section of this story. I hope I paced it out well. By the way, I Intend on this being a pretty slow progression on the important beats, but keeping up the pacing with sub arcs.

I hope you enjoy

xXx

"Exelent!" Roku exclaimed. I'm very glad you accepted. I would consider you to be well versed as a human, so you have a choice of three trials; Shinigami, hollow and quincy. I would not suggest starting with quincy as that is the form you are least familiar with. Do you have a preference?"

"Wait, does this mean I can get my shinigami powers back?" Ichigo asked in astonishment.

Roku gave him a look of confusion. "What do you mean get them back? You never truly lost them, only temporarily dulled. In a way, due to your unique composition, your shinigami powers were restored by your soul in order to keep balance between your hollow an quincy powers."

"And that's another thing," Ichigo began, his voice rising in confusion and frustration, "What do you mean quincy powers? I'm not a quincy."

Roku looked between Ichigo's spirits. "Oh tisk tisk. I really don't understand why you hid it from him for so long. It was really just putting him in more danger."

Ichigo snarled at still being kept out of their little secret. "Excuse me, what do you mean?"

Roku shook his head in disappointment. "Well, due to your spirit's meddling, they basically sent you into war with a pocket knife compared to what you should be capable of." He turned to Old Man Zangetsu and asked with general curiosity, "Why did you do that?"

Old Man Zangetsu looked down, unable to meet Ichigo's eyes. "I did it to protect him. If he never learned of his true powers, perhaps he would shy away from war and what could bring harm to him."

"And I fucking told ya you were wrong!" Shiro yelled at the other spirit. "Like I have said over and over, not knowing something is not gonna stop Ichi over there from goin and fighting some big baddie. Don't you even remember your wielder's god damn name?!"

Old Man Zangetsu looked down in shame. "I suppose there is no backing out of this now," he sighed and looked over to Ichigo. "I am not your Zanpaktou spirit, nor your shinigami powers."

Ichigo looked at him in shock.

"I am a representation of your quincy abilities, and I was pretending to be your Zanpaktou in order to restrain the true Zangetsu," he looked over at "Shiro", "from giving you all the abilities you are capable of. I am sorry," The spirit, no longer could he be called Zangetsu, looked almost fearfully at Ichigo. "I was manipulative, but I can promise I did it for you, and never wished pain upon you. If it is your desire, I may be able to dissipate my consciousness, leaving only the power I once held," he said sadly. "It was not my intent to cause you more pain…"

Ichigo gained an angry look in his eye. "No." The now unnamed spirit looked up. "You are still a part of me. I may resent you for what you've done, but if I deny your existence, then I would really be denying myself."

Roku smiled. "Excellent. This is exactly the character I hoped you would be. Well put."

"So," Ichigo began, "what does that mean in relation to the trials?"

Roku smiled. "This is actually a perfect opportunity for you to relearn your shinigami abilities. The forms of your sword will most likely appear and behave different…so it would be as if you are starting from scratch." Roku got a look in his eye that made him look not entirely trustworthy. "I've made up my mind. I will send you through the shinigami academy as a normal soul, with greatly reduced power. This will not only give you a chance for you to more thoroughly learn your true abilities, but also empathize with the whole of soul reapers. On top of that, you will be given a slower introduction to controlling your already huge reserves of riatsu! This is splendid. Do you agree to this arrangement? Oh that doesn't matter. This opportunity is too perfect."

Roku took a short breath before he continued quickly, not allowing any of them to speak up. "Ok, I will be sending you to the inner districts of Rukongai to join the academy. I will be placing a spell on you to make you unrecognizable unless you tell someone your true name explicitly. It would be too weak to work on someone who knows you well, so you should come up with contingencies. Got it? Alright I'm sending you now. Good luck Ichigo Kurosaki!" Roku waved his hand and he disappeared from Ichigo's inner world.

Ichigo himself was also thrust out, and he was greeted by the void in between worlds. A light opened up beneath him and he fell through almost instantly. He crashed into the ground and slowly got up, aching from the drop that would normally not impact him in the slightest.

"Agh that man is crazy," Ichigo muttered

Ichigo heard Roku's voice in his head again. "I will be placing a limiter on your power, so you will be somewhere around lower seated officer level until you train yourself. It would be too hard to restrain you down to a normal student. Your power is locked in a portion of your soul which you cannot access yet, but I will eventually train you to explore your soul. I'll be checking in on you every so often, so ah, good luck." Ichigo felt the connection cut.

The black darkness solidified into a mark on their wrists. When Ichigo looked down to inspect them, he noticed he was in a simple green kimono, which would make it much easier to blend into the general Rukongai population. "Like I said," Ichigo muttered to his spirits, "crazy."

Ichigo looked around him, finally taking in his surroundings. He saw he was surrounded by forest, full of tall trees, but they seemed to thin in one direction so Ichigo made his way in that direction. There, he found a small town full of people, most seemed to be decently well off, as far as Rukongai goes. Ichigo looked more closesly and he saw the road was lined with vendors.

Ichigo looked down the road and saw the streets began to clear. The reason for the clearing soon became apparent; a small parade of Shinigami. They looked bored as they waved the flyer in their hand. It was a squad of three and one in the back held a clipboard.

Ichigo couldn't hear what they were saying quite yet, so he moved closer to the road, still staying in the back, until he was finally able to hear them.

"Shinō Academy tryouts!"

Ichigo's breath hitched. This is what he came here for. Ichigo stepped forward, pushing past a few other souls who lined the street, exited to see real Shinigami. He pushed even further and made his way into the street. "Excuse me, shinigami, I would like to try out. How should I go about that?" Ichigo tried to say respectfully.

The Shinigami at the head glared at him. "Rukongai brat, do you really think you could make it as a shinigami?" Before Ichigo could confirm, the shinigami continued. "It takes guts and determination. You have no idea what its' like to watch your comrades fall before your eyes. Not just anyone can be a shinigami you have to…"

Ichigo was slowly becoming more and more ticked off. "I'm starting to hate this kid…" Shiro growled.

Ichigo finally cut the shinigami off. "Oh cut the crap. Just give me the test." He knew it probably wasn't the best idea to possibly rile up the one who might be administering the test, but he was Ichigo Kurosaki, and he didn't give a damn.

The shinigami was taken aback. "Excuse me?"

Ichigo just glared back at him.

"Alright kid, if you think you can pass the test that easily," the shinigami laughed. He pulled out a small blue orb that was mostly transparent. "Put your riatsu into this, I doubt you even know how. Only nobles and those who have connections know how to channel riatsu."

Ichigo refrained from rolling his eyes. "Alright guys, lets see how much I need to hold back."

"It should feel like charging a blade with a guetsuga," the old man said.

Ichigo placed his hand on the orb and channeled his riatsu loosely into the orb. His quincy was right, it was like charging a guetsuga. The purple orb slowly turned white and began glowing. Ichigo slowly let more power build until a small crack formed in the glass like orb. Ichigo immediately pulled back and dissipated his riatsu.

The administrator shinigami looked up at him, a bit shocked. It wasn't imposible that a rukingai brat would have enough riatsu to crack this. It was a highly sensitive piece of equipment designed to sense low amounts of riatsu, but it was surprising none the less. He hadn't even been told how to use it.

"So," Ichigo finally broke the silence, "did I pass the first part of the exam?"

xXx

Ichigo growled as he struggled to put on his student uniform. The further tests beyond the basic riatsu test were easily passed even though he was severely limited by the restraining tatoos. As Roku stated, Ichigo more or less had to relearn his abilities.

"Ichigo you are more than able to access bankai, based on your connection to us," the old man said. "So I believe there is a different block, based on the fact that Roku sent us through the academy to relearn our skills. I do not suggest you try to enter shikai around the other students, but it must be attempted at some point."

"Yeah, I agree old man, but I don't want to worry about that now," Ichigo thought to his inner spirits.

Ichigo, having finally gotten his uniform on, Ichigo set out into the hall. It was bustling and full of other first year students. None of them looked like they would survive a minute with a hollow. Ichigo put on his usual scowl, and continued down the hall after locking his dorm room.

Today was just introductions to his classes, so it was only the core classes that day. His first class was Zanpaktou spirits 101, which was incredibly boring for Ichigo, but he tuned in anyway. He wasn't a horrible student. He did get through med school after all, and compared to that, this was nothing. The class was taught by a middle aged teacher who Ichigo couldn't really remember the name of. It was something like Ten..tenrei or something?

"Your Zanpaktou is a part of your spirit. Until you self-actuate and attune with your inner being, it remains dormant. Those with inner conflict and turmoil often have a harder time making the first connection with their own inner world. The reason why we are having this class so early in the academy, is to give you something to think about when you enter your first zanjutsu lesson and beyond. Your blade is not a tool, but a literal part of your soul. The sooner you view it as such, the better," the middle aged professor finished.

Ichigo sat forward in his seat, contemplating the professor's description. It made perfect sense, and explained the type of person who attained the higher levels of zanpaktou transformation. All of them had strong resolve and a sense of self.

"Professor this is ridiculous!" a kid with tamed black hair yelled up to the front. "All that matters in awakening a zanpaktou is spirit power! That's why all of the highest ranking officers have zanpaktou releases!"

The professor calmly waited for him to finish his yelling. "If that is all, I would like to tell you why you are incorrect."

The student looked stunned before he regained his composure. "Shut up! I could have you fired with the connections I have! Your silly quack ideas have no place in this academy…" He trailed off, clearly lost and embarrassed.

"Shal I continue?" The professor took the silence as a yes and continued. "Simply put, there is usually an overlap between the people who have a purpose and those who make it to the top. You don't see any of the captains struggling with their identity or purpose in life, even traitors like Aizen. The stronger a soul reaper's resolve, the more likely they are to achieve high levels of mastery and power."

It all began making more and more sense to Ichigo; how he became a soul reaper, attained bankai so quick, and was able to gain immense spiritual pressure beyond what would normally be the combination of the individual parts of his soul, but it wasn't quite the whole picture.

The rest of the lecture reverted back into the boring talk of how to reach out to your inner world, which Ichigo was well aware of. But that part of the lecture stuck in his head as he went to his next few classes for the day. They all were mostly standard, watered down versions of what his mentors like Yoruichi taught him.

xXx

Ichigo wandered back to his empty dorm and fell onto the bed, drained from the day of school and lectures. He eventually dragged himself up enough to get changed into his nighttime cloths. But just as he was beginning to unwrap his robes, the door to his dorm opened.

"Helooo, I believe I will be rooming with you."

Ichigo whipped around, rewrapping his uniforms quickly in embarrassment. In the doorway there was a kid, who looked to be about 17 physically and a bit shorter than Ichigo. He had untamed black hair and dark eyes. "My name is Nagi Kato and I'm your new roommate."

Ichigo gave his normal glare at being interrupted, but decided being rude wouldn't accomplish much. "Uhh, I'm Ichigo." He omitted his last name on official documentation and claimed he had none. Such was usual for someone from Rukongai after all.

"No last name? Well that sucks. People would get you confused for that substitute guy, but he wouldn't be somewhere like the academy haha," Nagi said. The kid was strange. He seemed so genuine, but like he was hiding something. It reminded Ichigo of when he first met Gin, but without the malevolence.

"Ahh, yeah. I'm not too worried about it," Ichigo lied. "So, are you a first year too?"

"Oh most definitely. I actually almost missed the exam and nearly failed it. I'm from really far away from here so I was totally wiped by the time I got to the testing center. Geez I got lucky." Nagi rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "So, how did you do on the exam. I assume you had to take it, since you don't have some sort of noble last name."

"Uhh, yeah," Ichigo said uncomfortably. "It wasn't too hard. I've fought on the streets before…" The two drifted into silence. Nagi began putting his things away on the other side of the room while Ichigo left to the bathroom in the back of their dorm to change. Ichigo had never been so happy nobles liked to become shinigami, hence the fancy amenities.

The two continued in awkward silence through the night until morning. Nagi was somehow up before Ichigo, who has always had trouble sleeping. Ichigo awoke to find Nagi fully dressed and ready to leave. "Oh hey Ichigo, I didn't know when you would wake up so I was gonna go ahead and go down to the dining hall. You wanna come with me though? I don't really know anyone after all," Nagi finished with his usual big smile.

"Uhh sure…" Ichigo replied. He once again changed in the bathroom and met Nagi outside their dorm door.

"Glad to see you're out! Ready to start the day?"

Ichigo twinged, annoyed at his super upbeat attitude. It was like an odd mix of Mizuiro's mysteriousness and Keigo's energy. "Yeah. Lets just head to breakfast."

"Alrightie then. I wonder what will be for breakfast here. I bet there will be rice. I love rice, especially when there is a saucy dish with it. What kind of food do you like, Ichigo?"

"Whatever It is is fine," Ichigo said in a dry tone, slowly becoming more annoyed with Nagi.

"Wow! Such a chill attitude. You know, you're kind of like my brother. He can be really quiet and broody, but he really is a nice guy. He likes to help people out. Sometimes he can get a little carried away though. Haha."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Are you blood related or did you just meet in the Rukon?"

Nagi smiled. "Oh we are definitely related. I wouldn't choose to live with him. He can be real annoying. Actually, he was the one who made me come to this school. He said 'It would be good for you to actually learn something for once'" Nagi said, standing up taller and straighter and mimicking someone with a deeper voice. "Absolutely ridiculous."

Ichigo hummed in thought. Most people in the Soul Society didn't have blood related family. Ichigo's thoughts were cut off.

"So what about you? Why are you trying to become a soul reaper?"

That caught Ichigo a little bit off guard. He wasn't really becoming one by choice. He already was one. His future employer just wanted him to go through the academy. Well since it technically is about getting a job, though not one to pay the bills… "I need a job."

Nagi blanched at his deadpan direct response. "So you don't care about protecting people's lives or anything?"

Ichigo let his grumpy guard drop. "No, no. Its not that. Its just…I need a purpose. They don't need some random kid on the streets trying to fight something bigger than them…right?" Ichigo hoped his half-baked answer was enough for Nagi.

"Yeah…I guess that makes sense, but your logic is all screwed. Whatever, it isn't my business," Nagi finished as they arrived at the food hall. "Well, I guess it's food time. Good thing we got here early since there's no line."

The duo went through the short line and got their food, sitting down at one of the tables on the edge of the room. Ichigo continued to listen to Nagi chatter on about whatever crossed his mind without offering much response. Ichigo was happy that it appeared Nagi didn't mind him being quiet. Ichigo smiled to himself, content to have found someone who would accept him so easily.

Nearer to the start of the first period, they began comparing schedules. Nagi looked between the two pieces of paper, "Sooo…it looks like we have the same morning classes, but I'm in supplemental spirit energy classes…and you're in…Oh wow! You got placed in the advanced track! Nice job!"

"How can you tell they're advanced?" Ichigo asked as he snacked on his breakfast roll.

"It literally says 'Advanced'. How did you not notice that? Do you just look at the room number and go there when the class happens?" Nagi said incredulously.

"Well yeah, kind of. I didn't need to know the name of the class," Ichgio replied

"Well ok mister 'I don't care', but how did you get into the advanced track anyway? I thought it was just to please the nobles who think their kids are special and don't need to be in normal classes, not to mention super hard to get into. You must have really impressed the examiners."

"I guess I'm just that good. How did you get yourself into the supplemental classes?" Ichigo teased.

Nagi shook his head with a smile. "We should head to class. I don't want to get caught in the halls when the rush starts."

"Why? We're ten minutes earlier than the first bell."

"Yeah, but I mean its not like we're doing anything important here. Maybe we could try to get some help with entering our inner world. It just doesn't make sense to me," Nagi said with a laugh.

Ichigo smiled and got up. "Yeah, I guess you're right. There's no harm in it." Internally, ichigo smirked, knowing he is be able to enter jinzen(1) pretty effortlessly. He didn't even have to in order to talk to his zanpaktou.

The duo headed down the long corridors to the big lecture hall where their class with Maru-something-sensei taught. Ichigo poked open the big wood doors to see inside the hall. There, they saw the professor sitting at his desk reviewing the lesson. The professor looked up and nudged his glasses so he could see them. "Hello young men, what brings you to my class so early?"

Nagi squeezed through the small door opening before Ichigo opened it more for him to fit comfortably through. "I'm sorry. We didn't mean to bother you sir. We were trying to beat the rush and decided to come early to practice meditation. I hope it isn't a bother for you," Nagi said politely.

The professor waved his hand in dismissal. "It is no issue if students wish to practice what I teach in my presence. Let me know if you need advice."

Ichigo nodded his head in thanks and walked up the stairs of the lecture hall towards the back right. Nagi followed his lead and sat in the seat next to him on his left.

Nagi held up his fingers to list off the steps. "So first…assume a position of relaxation so you won't be distracted by your body…then…focus on a point in your head…what does that even mean?" He threw up his hands in frustration. "No wonder only high level soul reapers get this…"

Ichigo looked over to Nagi, having already assumed his usual position for jinzen, minus the sword. He had his legs crossed and his hands face down on his knees. "I'm not sure. It might be vague for a reason, like everyone else has a different way to do it. Maybe for someone with more thoughts and energy, like you, just letting your mind wander might help. I'm not sure. I think it's supposed to be natural though," he said kindly, remembering how Ganju described drawing on his spirit energy and how it didn't always work the same for everyone. "I think you'll be able to get it."

Nagi grumbled. "Yeah, I guess so, but it's just so weird. You could totally be right though." He sat up straighter and rested his hands face down on the table and closed his eyes, trying to relax. Ichigo watched him sit still for a minute, unable to tell if his advice helped.

Once he gave up trying to tell anything, he sat still for a minute and entered his inner world nearly instantly. All that practice in the world of the living made that a piece of cake.

The professor looked up as he felt Ichigo's riatsu smooth out entirely, indicating he had entered jinzen. He rubbed his chin in thought; It wasn't often a student was able to enter jinzen so fast, much less in the first year with only one class of explanation to go off of. He was startled out of his musings as he saw the black haired boy's head hit the table in front of him. He didn't have enough riatsu for the professor to know if he was in jinzen or just asleep. The professor chuckled to himself and went back to his papers.

xXx

In Ichigo's inner world, he was confronted with both of his spirits. The old man looked saddened, which wasn't unusual for him, but it was still noticeable. His inner hollow looked angry. The combination of their two expressions meant something must be wrong. It wasn't unusual for one of them to look displeased, but for both of them to be upset, probably by the same thing…things must be bad.

"What's wrong?" Ichigo said with growing concern.

"Ichigo…what is the name of your zanpaktou?" the old man asked.

"Well that's easy. Its Z-…its" Ichigo opened his mouth like a word was supposed to come out, but it was lost. "I…I don't know." Ichigo stared forward, past his two spirits in shock. "I don't know your name."

"It seems, even though you have regained your powers, and are able to speak to us, there is still a block within you," the old man said, his face growing a bit angered.

"Ichigo, you have no resolve," the hollow accused, breaking the tension and Ichigo's stupor.

Ichigo snapped. "Of course I have resolve!" he roared at his zanpaktou.

"Then show me! I can't accept a weakling like you as my king. You can't even remember my own damn name!" the hollow taunted.

Ichigo jumped into action, knowing what the hollow was asking for. He couldn't summon his sword, even in his inner world. The two identical beings immediately engaged each other in hand to hand combat, nearly equal in ferocity.

"Ichigo," the hollow teased, "you're not taking this seriously."

"Wha-" The hollow used the opportunity to get a punch in on Ichigo and throw him backwards. Ichigo skidded on the sideways skyscraper.

"Step up your game! You're all think and no fight!" the hollow yelled. "What's holding you back? What are you fighting for?!"

"I'm-I'm not fighting anything…" Ichigo grunted out as he got up.

The hollow taped his head. "Bingo. You got nothing you're fighting for Orangey."

"But there is nothing I need to fight for now."

"Well, then I guess you don't need my sword then." The hollow had backed Ichigo into a corner. The inner world shook and quivered. "Oh well. It looks like playtime is over. You better think about it Ichigo. You will have no power if you have no purpose." The hollow grinned threateningly at Ichigo as he was expelled from his inner world.

xXx

Ichigo returned to the outside world to find Nagi shaking him awake. "Hey Ichigo, I think you fell asleep so I woke you up since class is starting," he said with a smile.

Ichigo groaned, unable to tell Nagi how much of an important moment he interrupted. "Ah yeah, thank you." Ichigo said as he turned to face the beginning of the lecture, once again boring in nature.

Once the core lessons for that day had ended, Ichigo and Nagi split off to go to their very different second section classes. Ichigo was lead to the other side of the campus to find his class, directed by several teachers he asked on the way as he struggled to find his way to his class, which somehow didn't have a classroom listed. It just said "Varies". He wandered all around and finally gave up.

He stopped wandering the grounds and sat in a courtyard against a pillar, giving up on finding his class for now. He had probably walked at least a mile looking for it by now. He heard an echo of footsteps coming from his left. Ichigo turned and looked around the pillar to see a herd of noble brats following a professional looking instructor. To Ichigo's surprise, the group stopped in front of the pillar he was leaning on.

"Are you Ichigo the first year?" the instructor asked.

Ichigo met his eyes in surprise. "Uh, yes sir."

"Welcome to advanced zanjutsu. Please follow in the group."

Ichigo got up and followed in the back of the group, unsure how they found him. A few of the more noble looking students eyed him with judgment and skepticism. The group continued on to find two others, totaling the group to about 15. Once they were all collected, the instructor lead them to a field on the outside of the grounds.

The instructor turned around and faced the students, "As you all know by now, this is advanced zanjutsu level one. Being in this class means you either have sword skills you learned from outside the academy, you were the top of the regular class previously and have been graduated, or you really impressed the examination team, which is highly unlikely. I will be your instructor and you are to call me Seshomaru-sensei." The instructor and most of the students laughed at the very idea of a commoner impressing the examiners. "Being in this track means you will most likely be scouted by squads when they visit. I expect the best from you all."

The class responded in confirmation, "Yes sir!"

"For the first month, we will only be using shinai(2) for practice, so I may make sure if anyone does not deserve to have and asauchi due to a lack of skill or respect." The instructor turned around to glare at the students, as if to identify the unworthy few, narrowing his eyes at Ichigo. He walked over to the side where there were there was a barrel of shinai. He beckoned the students to form a line and passed them out.

"We will begin with a set of simple spars for those of you with experience to be judged appropriately," he continued. "Those of you with the same band color as another will be partners for today. The match will be determined by a yield or if I call it, for this is an entry class. Pair up and begin. When you are done come and tell me who won."

Ichigo looked at his shinai to find it had a red band just below the guard. He tossed the shinai a few times, flipping it occasionally. Inwardly he grumbled about how light and out of balance it felt. He would only have to wait a month to use an asauchi, but even that would be too light for his style.

He looked around the class, trying to find the other with a red band. Ichigo looked around to his left, then the right, only to hear clomping footsteps coming from his left. "It appears the carrot top is the one I'll be facing. I'll make sure to go easy on ya, since its obvious a rukongai brat like you has no training." Ichigo turned around to find a tall black haired teenager with a cocky look on his face.

Ichigo internally rolled his eyes and nodded his head as he saw the red band on the guy's shinai. "It appears you are my opponent," Ichigo said, ignoring everything else the guy said.

"Che, cocky brat. I guess I should introduce myself though. I am Yukino Oshima," Oshima said with a thumb pointing at himself.

Ichigo didn't react other than another slight nod. "Alright, I'm Ichigo. Are you ready to start?"

Oshima looked a bit annoyed that Ichigo was so nonchalant, but he couldn't argue with just starting the match. The two settled into stances across from each other. Oshima's stance was broad and textbook. He held one foot to the back and his shinai in his right hand. It rested tightly in his grip, signifying he hadn't qite grown comfortable with its weight and shape. Ichigo couldn't help but smile at thinking about when he would finally hold a real metal sword, which was several times the weight.

Ichigo's stance, on the other hand, was loose and relaxed. He didn't even have to think to enter it at this point. Even to an inexperienced combatant like Oshima, it was clear Ichigo had practiced combat for his entire life. Ichigo's grip on the shinai felt comfortable, if it weren't for how light it was. The two stared at each other, setting the tension for the spar.

Oshima was the first to move, taking two steps to reach ichigo and starting with a slash to ichigo's left side.

Ichigo rolled his eyes. Oshima left himself completely open as he aimed to unbalance Ichigo. Ichigo lunged right into the break in Oshima's defenses, placing his shinai across his neck. It had been too fast for him to react at all and he was left stunned, still looking at the place Ichigo had been.

Ichigo spoke quietly in a way that sounded menacing, deceptively calm. "Yield." It was not a request, not even a suggestion, but an order. Oshima felt like he was a cornered animal who challenged another, unaware what it truly was.

"I-I yield," Oshima said as he slowly stepped back, raising his shinai and retreating his hands.

Ichigo stepped back and slashed his sword to the ground. Ichigo's eyes widened a little bit and he scowled. He had not meant to continue the habit of slashing his sword after a battle to remove the blood. Ichigo once again grumbled to himself about the shinai as he began walking over towards their instructor. He looked around to see they were not the only ones who had finished quickly, with two pairs done. It was no doubt due to a noble with training being paired with an untrained soul who managed to get into the class.

Oshima stood there in shock for several seconds. It baffled him how quickly Ichigo could go from the most terrifying man he had ever faced, to an annoyed teenager in that short instance. He blinked before following Ichigo over to the instructor to report the result.

Ichigo dryly told the instructor he won. Seshomaru-sensei only raised a brow, not expecting that matchup to end so soon. "Alright, now that we have 6 here, please choose a new opponent and continue sparring for the rest of the period. Try to match up with someone different each time." He waved his hand to dismiss them to spar.

For the rest of the period, Ichigo faced and defeated just about every other student in the class without a whole lot of effort. He obviously held back his true skill, but he wasn't worried about the instructor wondering what kind of training he had, since Ichigo actually didn't know any formal technique. He had to learn on the battlefield and in spars, which fit very well with his story.

xXx

(1) Jinzen- Sword meditation, where the soul reaper enters their inner world

(2) Shinai- Bamboo practice sword

(3) Bokken- Solid wood sword

xXx

And there goes chapter 3. This might be my longest chapter so far, but I've still got plenty more to post in the coming days. I'm still very new to writing, so any advice or suggestions about where to take it, that would be appreciated.

-SK