Temper

Byakuya narrowed his eyes at the cross-legged figure as the smoke cleared. At first, he felt disbelief, echoed by the gasps of the two examiners beside him, and Renji's dumb-founded, "Im- impossible!"

Now, she'd already achieved the released form of her sword... just by touching it.

To his credit, the old examiner didn't wallow in disbelief for long, though Byakuya spied a small bead of sweat break out on his forehead.

"Hit the target," he ordered, steepling his fingers under his chin in an impressively bored tone.

They all watched as the girl bounced eagerly to her feet, swinging the sword through the air experimentally. She was right-handed, and the thin sword looked delicate, like it might snap if hit directly.

But Byakuya reminded himself that... much like the woman... appearances could be deceiving.

I approached the target, eyeing the straw-filled second dummy with a small amount of trepidation.

Yes, I was eager to hit something, but I understood my strength a little better now after my fight with Renji. I really had to mean it - to want it, before I could land a proper hit. Or else I risked another disaster like my first pathetic punch at the mannequin. Also, I didn't want Renji to come out again and hit me with his sword - I had a feeling I really wasn't ready for that just yet.

I hesitated. The target wasn't a threat - it was merely a piece of wood. But hitting it while I was in that mindset was wrong - my sword wasn't just a piece of metal. It was a weapon, a weapon for killing.

Specifically, my sword was a rapier. It had a cutting edge, but it's true power lay in the thrust. I knew that much from just holding it. Swiping at the target carelessly would barely leave a scratch.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

Why do I want to hit the dummy?

- To pass the test.

Why do I need to pass the test?

- To become a shinigami.

Why do I want to become a shinigami?

- So that I can afford to eat.

There was a steely glint in my eyes as I opened them again, and the pressure in the air seemed to change. Without questioning it, I sank into what felt like the right stance - one foot angled forward, the other to the side and away, my left arm back, my right, sword-wielding arm poised to strike. Power gathered somewhere in the pit of my stomach, then flowed through me, to my sword-wielding arm, like an unstoppable tidal wave.

This straw-filled wooden bastard is the only thing standing between me and starvation! You're going down!

I raised my sword - its narrow edge gleamed as if crying out for blood.

Shhhhiiiick!

My sword plunged into the mannequin, directly through its "heart", like a knife through butter. No explosions this time, but I barely felt more resistance than air as I struck, and this told me the attack was deadly indeed.

I withdrew it with a flourish, and was rewarded with a satisfying gush of straw and sawdust spraying out of the damaged torso. I closed my eyes in a brief moment of silence, honouring the fallen, and flicked the sword to the side before turning away, imagining ruby-red droplets, not straw fragments, falling to pepper the ground at my feet. Somewhere far away, I imagined violins were wailing.

"A good fight." I murmured solemnly, opening my eyes and turning to the examiners.

The chubby woman coughed meaningfully, looking unimpressed by my display. But she hadn't felt the power I did. "Ahem. Let's move on." Despite her unimpressed reaction, I didn't think I failed this one, at least.

I shrugged and stuck my sword through my belt. I'd have to ask the Voice about getting me a sheath.

The chubby woman levered herself out of her chair with a grunt and waddled closer, beckoning me to follow her to the small table and the crystal ball.

"Put your hands on it," she ordered, and I acquiesced.

Instantly, I felt pins-and-needles shoot up my arms unpleasantly, making me flinch, as a red glow appeared in the centre of the previously dark orb.

The woman noted something down on a clipboard, and said absently. "Hold your hands there as long as you can."

I shifted in place uncomfortably as the seconds ticked by, gritting my teeth as discomfort turned into pain.

After only about a minute, I had to let go, and rubbed my hands together briskly as the angry prickling sensation slowly faded.

I noticed small cracks had appeared on the surface of the glass, as well, and when the woman saw them her eyebrows flew up and she hurriedly scribbled something on her clipboard.

"It seems you don't have much of a talent for kido," she informed me as her pen flew back and forth across the paper.

Seeing as I had no idea what that meant, I just shrugged.

"Is that it?" I asked hopefully, as the woman finished scribbling and returned to her seat. "Did I pass?"

"There is still one part to this exam left," said the old man sternly, "And it's by far the most important."

I sighed, but came to stand before them again.

Figuring I'd better give the last part a good effort, I tried to stand a little straighter, and school my expression into solemnity. The crystal ball test had sapped my enthusiasm, and I was feeling hungry and crotchety.

They were all looking at me now, even Kuchiki and his beautiful grey eyes. I wondered what his given name was.

"We'll ask you a question," stated the old man, "And you must answer truthfully. Based on your response, we'll decide if you have a future as a shinigami in this Academy... or not." he made the "or not" sound extremely unattractive.

I nodded.

"It's very simple. What is your reason for becoming a Shinigami?"

I hesitated, but only for a moment. He told me to be truthful, so...

"Cake." I blurted out. They all stared at me as if I was mad. "Cake," I repeated, holding my ground. "Captain Unohana explained that if I became a shinigami, I would be able to afford food in Seireitei, because it's really expensive everywhere else."

The old man went blotchy with annoyance. "Cake?! Are you taking us for fools?"

I sighed. "Let me explain-"

"No, I think you've said enough." snapped the old man. "You've not taken this exam seriously for a moment since you arrived!"

"That's not true!" I protested, frowning. I had taken every part really seriously. Hadn't they seen that? I'd even endured pain gripping that stupid ball for more than a minute.

The chubby woman leant over and muttered something in his ear, and he snorted contemptuously. "Ridiculous." I watched him write something on his clipboard with irritated slashes of his pen, and knew that he was failing me. I glanced at Kuchiki, but he was ignoring me again.

The situation was rapidly getting beyond my control - I had to say something, but they no longer seemed willing to listen.

For the first time since I'd landed up in Soul Society, I felt a spark of real annoyance, which suddenly ignited into a flare of hot anger.

"Hey, look, mister," I snapped, striding forwards. The old man gaped at my change in tone.

"How dare-"

I slammed my hands down on the table surface in front of him and ignored the ominous splintering sound the table gave. He took one look at my expression and paled - I wondered if I really looked that scary.

Nevertheless, it gave me a chance to say my piece.

"I woke up with no idea who I was two days ago!" I snapped, "Next thing I know, Soifon's smacked me upside the head. When I wake up, I find out that Twelfth Division's done who-knows-what kind of tests on me, and I'm told to enrol at some military academy."

I stepped back from the desk and folded my arms, settling instead for fixing the examiners with my own icy stare. "I don't even know what shinigamis do." I gave a humorless laugh. "So yeah, food ranks pretty high on the list of what's important to me right now. Go right ahead and judge me, y'miserable old geezer!" I shot a glare at the chubby woman too, to let her know she was also on my bad side. Captain Sexyhair was spared, since he hadn't actually said anything mean to me yet.

There was a ringing silence after my outburst, broken only by the old man's disbelieving spluttering, and my stomach, which gave an embarrassing growl. I was about three seconds away from stalking out of the hall in search of comfort food and leaving these cretins to their own devices.

To my surprise, it was Captain Sexyhair who replied, in a measured, mild tone, "Didn't Captain Unohana explain about the Gotei 13?"

My lunch plans can wait a little longer. I shrugged moodily. "She said shinigamis serve and protect Soul Society and the human world. It's a bit vague. Protect from what, exactly?"

He gave an almost inaudible sigh. "I can't believe you came to this exam without knowing. There are things in this world we call Hollows," he began explaining in a bored tone that nevertheless made my toes tingle, "They are corrupted souls, taking on monstrous forms and seeking to devour ordinary souls. Sometimes, they invade Soul Society or the Human World, and it is our duty to stop them. By killing Hollows with a zanpakutou, one can cleanse the Hollow. Its reishi - the substance that makes up its soul- returns to Soul Society. This ensures the balance is maintained in all three worlds."

I thought about it all carefully. Killing monsters doesn't seem too bad.

"In addition," he continued, and there was extra weight behind his words now, "Shinigamis are the first line of defence against any who are considered a threat to the peace of Soul Society. So it is likely you will find yourself coming up against other people... from time to time."

Understanding suddenly hit me like a lightning bolt as I took his veiled meaning. They were considering me a threat!

Suddenly the strange way I'd been treated since I'd arrived started making sense. (Soifon attacking me, conscription into the Gotei 13 under strong "advisement" from Unohana...)

Hey, didn't that mean Captain Sexyhair wasn't so cold, after all? He'd tried to warn me. Or was it a threat?

I scrutinised him carefully - he narrowed his eyes coldly at my directness. Perhaps it was a warning and a threat.

"Um, well, thanks for explaining that." I said awkwardly, and wracked my brains for something to say. In the end, I settled again for the truth. "I don't know if I'd make a good shinigami." I admitted. "As I said, the most important thing to me right now is food." I scratched my head sheepishly. "But, Captain Unohana explained that powerful souls feel hungry more often, so I guess... I have more power than most?"

Renji gave an odd snorting sound from his position against the wall at the uncertainty in my voice.

"If that's so," I continued, ignoring him, "Then I want to help protect this place. And I'm interested in learning more about who I am." I rested my hand on the hilt of my new sword. "If it means fighting, I want to learn how."

The old man opened his mouth to say something snide - still annoyed by my outburst earlier, it seemed, but once again Captain Sexyhair had something to say.

"Very well," he said in a rather formal way.

My heart leapt in joy - perhaps they would let me pass after all?

"And what is your goal?"

Say what? I blinked.

If he was any less dignified, I had a suspicion he would have rolled his eyes. "What do you hope to accomplish in the Gotei 13?" he clarified.

"Oh! Um..." Going on a date with you? I figured it was a little early for that. What then? A goal was hard to think of, since I hadn't actually seen much of the different divisions. Almost all of my (very different) experiences were with the captains, it seemed. Except for Renji and Hana-what's-his-name.

Soifon was badass, Unohana was awesome, Kuchiki was smokin' hot..."I guess I wouldn't mind becoming a captain," I said sheepishly, mostly for lack of a better idea.

I thought they would laugh or something, but the old man only gave out a massive, displeased sigh, and scribbled something on his page.

He glanced down the table at Captain Kuchiki, who caught his eye and they seemed to communicate in silence for a micro-second, before the old man dragged his gaze reluctantly to me. "Welcome into the Spiritual Arts Academy," he said grudgingly. "You can start attending classes tomorrow, I'll have someone send over the necessary coursework."

"Really?" I gushed, eyes shining. Did you hear that? I addressed my sword excitedly. The voice didn't speak up, but I fancied that somewhere far away, he was listening.

The examiners got up while giving me the evil eye, and left the room after short bows to Captain Sexyhair. I wondered if they would have allowed me to pass the exam had he not been here as I hurriedly approached.

"Captain Se- uh," That was close! "... Ahem, Captain Kuchiki. A moment?"

He was taller than me by a head - and I wasn't exactly short. His grey eyes rested on me, and seemed a lot more expressive up close. He was the type to keep his face inscrutable, but I fancied I saw a spark of curiosity in those stormy irises.

"Make it quick." he deadpanned.

God, you're attractive. "The other examiners left without telling me anything," I complained, pouting. I remembered what I'd seen in my reflection that morning. Knowing I wasn't a complete troll gave me the confidence to speak to him directly. "How long does it take to graduate?"

"There are others you can speak to about the minutiae of the Academy," he replied bluntly.

I don't wanna... I bit my lip. Was it just me, or did his eyes flicker from my eyes to my mouth and back? I shrugged. "I'm not that patient," I stated (after my outburst with the examiner I'd discovered this new fact about myself), "I want to be a shinigami as soon as possible."

"I see." this seemed to make him pause before dismissing me, at least. "If that is true, you may graduate sooner than others. Your strength is on a different level from theirs, already. All you need to do is learn control... and discipline."

"Some graduate after just one year," added Renji in a friendly way from beside his captain. "They're pretty much geniuses though."

"Well, I'll give it my best shot." I said decisively.

"Did you mean it when you said you wanted to be a captain?" Renji asked curiously.

Although Kuchiki had turned away slightly, as if the conversation bored him, I noticed he'd kept one eye on me.

"Yup."

Renji laughed. "Listen," he said, "Only the best shinigami can become captains. Your reiatsu might be impressive, but that's not all it takes."

"Vice-Captain Abarai Renji," I said with a wicked grin, remembering the way he'd blanched as I almost hit him in the face, "I'll take that as a challenge."

"If that's all..." Captain Kuchiki said drily, turning to leave.

"One more thing," I said quickly, "Um... is it... Possible... to have more than one zanpakutou?"

I had his full attention once again.

Renji was the one to answer, though. "Yes, though rare. Why?"

Thank goodness. "I was just curious." I said blandly.

Captain Sexyhair glanced down at my chest as if he could see the dagger hidden there. Or was he just checking out my chest?

"Renji," I added, "I will become a Captain. And on the day that I do..." I grinned and inclined my head at Kuchiki. "I'm going to ask your captain out on a date." I tipped him a flirtatious wink as I said it, and was rewarded by a slight widening of those cold grey eyes, as Renji spluttered in shock beside him.

I beat a hasty retreat out of the other door, filled nonetheless with fresh determination to achieve my goals.

I'm going to become a captain, and I'm going to get into Captain Sexyhair's pants. Even if it kills me.