Upon the Wingbeat of Butterflies

by Undying Soul98

CANCELLED:Being a Self Insert is harder than the fanfics suggest, especially when Fate itself is out for your blood, threats beyond canon refuse to leave you alone and you have the sneaking suspicion that your experiences are scarily familiar. "You're not the Special Snowflake you think you are, Marcus. But even the smallest of butterflies can leave devastation in their wake"-OC SI

10. In Which World Building Occurs

Chapter 9: In Which World Building Occurs

AN- Here's the next chapter, here as a new year gift since I failed to finish in time for Christmas. So enjoy, for while its not a Christmas special, it has character development, which people seem to be so fond of.

Disclaimer: I own not Bleach nor any references, only my plot and my OC's.

"How long is this going to take?" I grumbled out tiredly to the dark haired woman observing me. The healer didn't respond, only continuing to prod at me, wreath her hands with that Medical Reiryoku that healers use in order to diagnose me, then wrote steadily on the large clipboard in one hand.

"As long as this takes, Marcus." Unohana kindly told me, though I noticed that she immediately slowed down at my complaint. But it was with great reason that I complained. My fourth year exams were coming up and I needed to really practice that one Kido to make sure I could do it consistently!

So I waited awkwardly for the rest of the yearly medical examination that was required for Unohana to gauge my yearly changes to better understand my 'condition'. At long last, Unohana put her clipboard to the side and gestured for me to put my shirt back on.

"Finally." I said with an eyeroll. "Now, what's the diagnosis doc?"

"The results are certainly interesting." She said levelly, glancing back to her discarded clipboard one last time to double check what she had recorded. "Your situation is quite unique so in order to placate the others I do need to have these checks to see if there are physical changes in you to explain any other correlations there might be."

"And are there any changes?"

"Some. Physically you're stronger than you were four years ago when you first entered the Academy. Exercise and good diet has done you much good... as well as other factors."

"Weeelllll?" I drawled.

"Its rather complicated so I won't bore you with the-" Unohana was interrupted as the door to the medical room slammed open to reveal two figures who quickly strode into the room, little caring for the fact that it was occupied.

The first was a man in Captains haori and face paint, while the second was a demure woman with a Lieutenants band, large bust and tied back black hair. My mind whirled for a moment to identify them, since I hadn't technically met them before, but I was able to quickly figure out who they were based on sight alone. Mayuri and Nemu Kurotsuchi were paying me a visit. They were paying ME a visit! This is probably bad!

"Ya think!? Quick! Hide behind Unohana! She'll save us... or buy us time to leap out of the window."

"We're on the fourth floor and I am still squishy."

"Better a pancake than a labrat! We may even survive!" Alas, I had to agree with Javan. Pancake Marc seemed like an unusually good idea compared to whatever he wanted.

"Oh I've had enough of this." Snorted the Captain, not even bothering to give customary greetings to the other Captain glaring at him with a smile deadly enough to pierce steel. "Just get on with revealing the results already! Science cannot wait, and it was clear that I wasn't going to get anything just by listening to the present conversation."

"How were you listening in on a private conversation anyway?" Commented Unohana sweetly. I was glad that I was cowering behind a table. Sometime before Unohana had spoken, Nemu had also joined me. Apparently even clones have some level of self survival instincts. "I would hate to have to... report... you for unauthorised listening."

"I was only listening in on a few of my not-legally installed speakers." He brushed aside the issue. "Since you removed my hidden cameras years ago so I couldn't exactly look at your reports, while due to you actually using a mechanical lock I can't hack into your physical files."

He clicked his fingers, a bemused grin on his painted face. "Speaking of which, Nemu! Fetch me that report and use your body to protect me from the innevitable fallout!"

Nemu looked towards the report sitting on the bed we were cowering behind, took a moment to decide if it was worth trying to gain a sense of self and rebel against her creator a-la Skynet style in order to escape the pissed Fourth Squad Captains wrath, but then programming kicked in and she snatched the clipboard and scurried back to her creator. I expected Unohana to scold or 'punish' them, but instead she only grit her teeth and clenched her fists. Yep, she was pissed.

"While I can't stop you researching into the Ryoka's condition, I can ask you to leave his medical report alone, since I have the right to choose not to disclose my patients details."

"Bah! Here!" Another click and Nemu handed back the clipboard with a low bow. "I'm done reading it already."

"Wow, he reads faster than Hayato." Javan let loose a whistle of appreciation. He had to give credit where it was due.

"The data only adds to the conclusion I have found anyway." He shrugged. "Nemu, lets go!"

"Hang on." I burst in, ignoring the fact that I was speaking out of turn to a superior officer. I knew that I had Unohana to shield me from the fact that his spiritual powers, while weak amongst the Captains, was still enough for him to explode my head from a distance through pressure alone if he willed it. "If you're researching me, I want to know what you've found."

"Why should the mouse ever need to know why he scurries through the maze for the cheese?" He commented rhetorically. "Hide behind the medical bed like the good test subject that you are."

Well, requesting didn't work, but I was curious, and so was Javan. Nobody had told us anything about anything in the four years I had been stuck in the Belachverse, so I felt I needed to know. Was there something abnormal about me that allows me to use a Zanpakuto (Besides Javan's influence) and had they found anything out that could help me?

Now, time to try something else. Pandering and sucking up, because anyone with a mind knows that smart people love to talk. They're like villains; ask the right questions and they'll spill the beans out of smugness alone. I know what I have, I know what I want, and if I have to suck up to and compliment this bastard then I'll do it.

"No matter." I said, false cheer in my voice. "I'm sure whatever results you have, your smart enough to have figured out your smart conclusion without it."

"Of course I could!" The man bragged shamelessly. "I'm Mayuri Kurotsuchi, nobody is smarter than me!"

"Besides Aizen and Urahara."

"Even so," I applied the grease. "whatever conclusion you found must be amazingly interesting and well thought out."

"Everything I do is interesting and well thought out!"

"Of course! Of course!" I reassured him, while Unohana looked on with bemusement apparent on her face. She knew what I was doing. "You're the smartest thing since Hal 9000! I bet that you could figure out anything!"

"If I put my mind to it, I could solve any problem." The Captain continued to brag. "Already I have solved physical death for myself, successfully cloned a body and soul, revolutionised the Twelfth Squad, and much else!"

"So for a mind as brilliant as yourself," I closed in, let my words sink in. "I certainly wonder just how awe inspiring your theory on that data actually is..."

"Rather awe inspiring." Agreed Kurotsuchi. "Though you are too stupid to understand any of it and I am not idiotic enough to fall for your ploy and tell you. I give you a seven for effort though."

"Damn..." Well that's one plan failed.

"Hmmph! As if I- the great Mayuri- am moronic enough to allow myself to tell complicated and confidential ideas to test subjects!"Yup. I didn't stand a chance of tricking him. "Now come along Nemu, there is science to be done!"

"Yes Master Mayuri." She emotionlessly stated. She bowed to the two of us and followed her creator as he swept out of the room like the bad smell of a burnt bunsen burner leaving a window.

"That was interesting." I stated once he was gone.

"That man irritates me." Said the healer with a wide smile. "If he keep persisting in ignoring decorum and keeps putting hidden microphones in my territory, I will have to report him." I shuddered. "Now, before you go Marcus..."

"Yeah?"

"Since you are so interested I will tell you what the results I have found include, if only to annoy That Man."

"Thank you Captain!" I bowed in happiness, using the Japanese custom to better show my respect. I'd been here four years now, so sue me for actually being cultured enough to not make a fool of myself by this point in time.

"What the examination I have conducted on you shows is rather inconclusive." She began, pausing to better think of how to say what she wanted in a manner I would understand. "Much of the data is just your blood samples, DNA and other such traits that we can look at to understand you biologically and medically, however I think I know of what interests That Man. You are aware that this world is made of Reshi, correct?"

"Yes, I am." It was covered early on in the first year course, which I had gone over with Akimi in our tutoring sessions.

"Well, I am not an expert on Reshi like the Twelfth Squad, but I do know enough. Reshi is a fundamental particle, one of the base building blocks that make up the world. However, unlike Leptoms and Quarks, which are the fundamentals of physical matter, Reshi is the fundamental for spiritual matter. You understand me so far?"

"Kinda. I sort of know what Quarks are, though not Leptons." If only from vague memories I could recall that Quarks were what made up the protons and neutrons that made up atoms...

"So in the physical world the physical fundamentals represent a majority of what makes up the world, about 90 percent of it, while Reshi and the compounds of it only make up 10 percent. This explains why areas of the human world are so low in Reshi save for few areas of high concentration."

"Go on..."

"Meanwhile the Soul Society is the other way around. 80 percent of this world is Reshi, while the rest is physical matter."

"And this means that?" I prompted, having the general gist but wanting to know more.

"Much of the research the Twelfth Squad does is into the nature of Reshi, due to its unique. For a long time it has been contested and debated whether it is Reshi that gives us our ability to be Shinigami's since research shows that the bond formed between Reshi based compounds are much easier to make and break and can assume more complicated forms than normal. Fundamentally different laws of reality affect Reshi than physical matter; physics and logic doesn't always have a place in the way that Reshi works."

"Ohhh! That explains a lot actually." And it does. It gives some semi-sane reason for why the people here can do what they do. If everything around me is comprised of Reshi based structures that can break their bonds, this means that its easier to do stuff. Fire could be started easier because the bonds would be easier to put together, things can be recomposed easier, and other stuff. Basically Science!

"My guess is that your data is useful towards studying aspects of this. You see, the reason Ryoka are hated by the Seiretei is because they are within the Soul Society. Those in the human world are made up mostly of physical matter, so they are unable to do what we Shinigami do, but if they appear within the Soul Society and stay for long enough then eventually they will be... replaced. It takes years, but the bodies cells are all destroyed eventually and regrown. Imagine what could happen if while this is happening Reshi particles are being regularly poured into the body through the spiritual food that is eaten and that which is breathed in. Eventually as years pass they're spiritual-physical matter composition will shift."

"Which means that Ryoka start being able to do stuff like Shinigami, right? Reshi is what allows Shinigami to do such outlandish things because our exact spiritual matter composition allows reality to be easily changed and edited in ways that physical matter can't be. And that's why you hate the Quincy, right? Because they can affect reality at a base level! Its utterly insane! They can literally reconstruct the world!"

Unohana's expression hardened. "If the Quincy had survived the massacre and ever looked beyond their hatred for Hollows to figure out just what their powers actually did, then they could be the greatest threat to the stability of the world."

I shuddered. That IS a scary thought! I kinda see why the massacre happened now. Not that I approve of massacring minority groups or anything. Quincies disrupt the Soul Cycle, actively hate Shinigami and could potentially be able to Mod Reality. All three are good reasons to wipe them out, even if it is terribly harsh.

"So that is why Ryoka are hated; because of what they can grow to do if left unchallenged. They develop abilities spiritual in nature that sometimes even Shinigami can do."

"See the Fullbringers for more evidence. I mean, perhaps that's why Chad and Orihime gained powers? Because they lived in a Reshi rich environment all their lives, had a huge source of Reiatsu like Ichigo surrounding them to further concentrate the Reshi in their systems!" Javan sounded almost excited.

"So as you can imagine, not many Ryoka live long enough to get accurate data for. You are someone that is comprised mostly of physical matter, but you have lived here for four years now. The process is slow and might even take many more years to completely occur, but gradually your body is becoming more and more spiritual in nature. Add in your virtually unprecedented ability to use a Zanpakuto- something that someone lacking in Reshi particles shouldn't be able to form, especially not if you aren't of the exact same Reshi composition as natural souls- and you have an excellent reason for why Captain Kurotsuchi seeks your data."

"Oh..." I sat down on the medical bed, needing a moment to gather myself. "This is BIG. I... I... just need a moment to compose myself."

"It is a lot to take in." Admitted Unohana. "But you wanted to know, so I told you. Now, once you are ready to leave, please sign out with one of the nurses. I am afraid that I have other matters to attend to." She smiled at me, then strode out of the room, leaving me alone.

Well, at least until another familiar figure swept into the room. "M-M-MARC!" Kasumi almost tripped over her Shinigami robes as she stumbled into the room. "H-Hanataro told me that you were having your m-medical today, so I r-rushed over!"

"Its nice to see you too, Kasumi." I told the blonde nurse with a happy grin. I still remembered how we had met back when I first arrived in this world and stayed in the hospital; she was of great moral support to me then, and I remembered my dues. I don't know why she cared so much, but every time I had a medical she always made sure she was present to at least see how I was doing once a year.

To be honest, it makes me blush in embarrassment to know that someone I knew for so little a time cared enough to bother keeping tabs on me once I left the hospital and actively changed their timetable to make sure that she got to see me. Kasumi's heart was nearly as large as her bra size. And believe me, I know what it was. Lets just say that Javan has a skill...

"So, h-how did it go?" She asked nervously but in excitement, a combination I was used to seeing from her.

"It went okay." I said vaguely. "I heard some interesting stuff, but enough of that. How's you? I haven't seen you since last check up."

"W-wonderfully now that I've seen you!" She said without shame, before catching herself, doing a good impression of a tomato, and stumbling out an objection. "I-I-I m-meant that its wonderful!" She practically shouted. "Not j-just because I saw you, but because of other s-stuff!"

I laughed at her cute expression. For someone older than me, she was far too adorable. "I'm glad I know you." I commented. "I hardly see you regularly, but you care, and I value our friendship."

"F-friendship?" Clarified Kasumi.

"Yup. We're friends, aren't we? We've known each other four years."

"O-of course!" She stuttered with joy. "We a-are friends, aren't we? I'm glad."

"Yup." I said, but frowned at how Javan had suddenly began sniggering again. Seriously, he does that far too frequently and without reason.

"I w-wish that we could m-meet more often." And the Kasumi Copyrighted Blush was back, now with several different shades of pink for the price of one.

"It grows!" Javan cackled. "It grows!"

I did what I had become accustomed to doing and ignored him. "Who knows? Once I leave the Academy we can meet up more often and hang out or something. I'll probably be given more freedom."

"I can't wait." She said eagerly.

"Nor can I." It was just a shame that we could see each other so infrequently. Oh well, I'd just have to take advantage of our meeting now and make up for lost time. We could probably chat for a few hours before I'd have to go back to the Academy (Accompanied by my guard, of course).

"So Kasumi, tell me all about what your year has been like..."

XXXXXXXXX

"I hate you sometimes Javan..." I muttered tiredly, laying on my back against the wet surface of the lake in my Inner World. I groaned, feeling like my body (A mental representation of my body anyway) was one big bruise. Because it was. Javan is a nightmare at sparring.

"I know you do." Said the man in question happily, whistling as he tossed the plain wooden training sword between his two hands. "But look on the bright side, you didn't break any mental bones this time!"

"Grrrooooaaannnn." I literally said the word 'groan' to highlight the pain I was in.

"And at least you didn't bust any major organs!"

"GRRRROOOAAAANNNN!"

"And you didn't get knocked out once this time!" He continued talking cheerfully, ignoring my glares. "So you've definitely made some improvements since I made us start sparring to try and curb your recklessness and stupidity."

"MUMBLE GROOAAANNNN!"

"But has it worked?"

"HATE YOU SOOOO MUCH! I think you snapped my spine or something!"

"... Probably not." Admitted the spirit living in my head. "But hey, at least we got to finish up that Mana Pool idea of ours while you were in here having your ass kicked seventeen different ways."

"It was my idea actually." I pointed out, still in PHENOMENAL PAIN!

"Meh. Tomato, toma-eto. The point still remains that our Mana Pool is now up and running." He turned his attention to his island in the middle of my lake. It was much larger now (Had taken us weeks how to increase its size) and now at its centre was a large pulled up curtain. What was behind it was unknown (I fear to think what despicable things Javan does behind that purple veil of silk) but the undeniable fact was that behind it Javan had set up the basis of our Mana Pool.

Soul Oil gathered within whatever the hell was in there, and from inside whatever-it-was a large literal pipe trailed out from under the curtain to stop just at the edge of the islands beach. A tap was attached to the pipe; a bloody large tap.

I have trouble deciding if its a literal tap, a metaphorical tap or a metaphysical tap, but it was a tap never the less. One I could open at will without Javan needing to directly supply what comes out of it...

"Anyhow, you better get back to the Real World. It'll be dinner soon, and we'd hate to keep your flat mates waiting."

Because Daichi would throw a hissy fit.

"Fine." I grumbled, rolling over. "Just let me hate you for a few moments more."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"... you done hatin' on me yet?"

"Not really, but we don't always get what we want."

With a large amount of stimulation I ejected myself from my Inner World and awoke to find myself on my bed, meditating with my Zanpakuto lying on my lap.

In front of my bed stood Hayato, my book loving friend, who was watching me with a large amount of curiosity. Its only due to the years we'd lived and despaired over Daichi's behaviour together that I was able to even read the expressions Hayato gave, since he had such a poker face.

"Oh, hey Hayato. Dinner ready?"

Hayato gave a single brief nod and looked to the door.

"Right. Sorry for holding everyone up." I apologised. "Shall we join the others?"

"Meditating."

"Pardon?"

"Meditating?" Repeated Hayato silently, this time with a question.

"Oh. Yup. I do this now and then." I waved aside the issue.

"You're talking with your Zanpakuto, aren't you?" And now he was getting to the point.

"Just between me and you, yeah. My spirit is quite chatty and I sort of visit him sometimes."

Hayato said nothing, though I could tell that there was something he wished to deeply say. Something that was really bothering him... and something on his face I couldn't place. Was that jealousy and a hint of something else I saw?

"How?" He asked sullenly.

"Look." I began nervously, scratching my head. I'd tried to keep my relationship with Javan a secret because it normally takes years for your sword to start talking, but also because I didn't want to affect any of my relations with my friends. Jealousy is a powerful force, and one that I didn't want to set loose on those I cared for without good cause.

"Hayato, I don't know why my spirit is so talkative. I don't want him to be so chatty, but he is, so I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Its just... you know how uncommon it is for Zanpakuto's to talk this early on. Add in my odd circumstances and I'm trying to stay as unnoticable as possible, so shouting out my situation to the four polar points would have only led to me being one step closer to being given to the Twelfth Squad."

I shuddered. We all knew (Or at least suspected) what would happen if such a thing occurred.

"Its nothing special though!" I mentioned. "My spirit's a dick and always mocks me or beats me up, and I don't know his name or anything like that, so its not like I'm miles ahead of everyone else or that prodigious. Its probably just due to how I manifested my weapon early on and didn't get it through the traditional fashion of obtaining an Asauchi."

"No. Not that." Said Hayato, though I think some of the tension left his voice at my response. "How?"

"How what?"

"How do you deal with it?" Ohhh... now this is a more Hayato question. Of course he wasn't going to get into a mess over something like jealousy- not really. It should have been obvious that some other factor was affecting him.

"You mean having a Zanpakuto Spirit?" I clarified.

Hayato shrugged in discomfort. "How do you deal with having something sentient living inside you, like some sort of... parasite! How do you deal with having something that can think and feel inside you? Because I can't. Its not natural having your soul get up and starting thinking for itself. Its... freaky. So how?"

"I... don't know." I responded at last to what was probably the largest speech Hayato has ever said to me. "To be honest, the ethical repercussions of having a sentient life living inside my soul never really came to mind in my situation. I was too busy trying to stay alive when my spirit and sword first appeared; I was too busy trying to get through lessons to really mind that there was a voice in my head."

I scratched my head at the worried look Hayato was giving. "I suppose I always thought of it as having a room mate living in my head. A really annoying roomie: one that leaves rubbish everywhere and struts about naked-"

"That happened ONE time and you never let it slide!"

"- never puts his dirty clothes away or cleans up-"

"Hey! I resent that!"

"- but a roomie never the less."

"I can't do that though." Admitted Hayato softly. "I can't. The idea and concept of a Zanpakuto scares me... its not natural. Its like having an argument with someone that knows all your points before you do, or like being schizophrenic. If I was in the Human World and said a voice in my head was talking to me, I'd be locked up in an asylum." Hayato shivered, and I couldn't help noting just how emotive the boy was being. "But here its normal, and I just can't deal with it. Does having it make me mad? How can I trust it in there, able to make its own choices and decisions that I can't stop? How can I accept something else that claims to be me to have so much power over myself and my soul? And how can I ever possibly accept it?"

"I don't know." I told him awkwardly, since I didn't have the same worries to think about. I didn't truly have his problem since Javan wasn't an aspect of my soul given form; he was just a third party who had seized the opportunity and latched onto my soul and had now taken on the role and job as my Zanpakuto spirit. I'd always be different to a normal Shinigami (Which was why I'd never tell anyone my problem) so I couldn't empathise with Hayato, literally because I did not have a normal Zanpakuto spirit.

However, I could sympathise and try to understand Hayato.

"I might not know how you should try and get along with your Zanpakuto, or if its 'right' having a sentient life living in your soul. I don't know if said life should have the right to live a free life, or any of the other philosophical answers you seek. What I do know though, is that a Zanpakuto Spirit is a part of you. Denying it is like denying yourself, and I'm sure you would hate to be ignored."

"True."

"Perhaps talking to it is a little insane, but what you must remember is that all the best people in life are mad. If you're unwilling to dive down the rabbit hole, remember that everyone else around you is doing the exact same mad skydive at terminal velocity. So me and your friends are going through the same kinda stuff. You are not alone. Figuratively speaking. Whatever you choose to treat your Zanpakuto like, there is no precedent, because everyone's relationship with their spirit is different."

Yes, because the bond between a Shinigami and his blade is treasured for a reason. Even I have a unique relation with my spirit, even if in actually he isn't an official one. To be honest, I'm actually jealous that I'll never have a normal Zanpakuto. I'll never fundamentally know the face of my soul. I'll never be able to experience the sheer joy at utterly knowing who the person Marcus Drake or Marcus D Solus is on the inside. Any insights I make on the name of my soul will be of my own findings; it won't be spoon-fed like with other Shinigami, which is another reason for my jealousy, because not only am I physically and spiritually weaker than any other Shinigami of my level, I am also carefully scrutinised by the higher ups, have the Twelfth Squad seeking to dissect me, Aizen (More than likely) interested in me, have the burden of changing the future lodged on my shoulders alone and to add to my pile of woes I will also have impossible difficulty in ever getting Shikai.

Its like the world is against me and is deliberately trying to squash me and kick me when I'm down, because my situation really isn't as easy as all the Self Insert fics suggest. In fact, my time in this world has been freakin' hard, and the difficulty is likely to only spike...

"Treat it like a friend and separate entity, or act like its just a delusional separate part of your psyche; either is fine." I continued, drawing myself out of my sullen thoughts. "Just don't ignore it. Just don't deny it. Because then it might deny you, and knowing that a part of your soul wants nothing to do with you could only break a person."

Hayato said nothing and only looked aside uncomfortably. Finally, he told me "Thanks." and then began to walk away and out of my room, to go serve dinner. I could only hope my words helped, though I doubted that my Talk No Jutsu was anywhere close to the shonen-y goodness of Naruto's version.

"Hey Hayato!" I called out unexpectedly, suddenly curious. "Why did you ask me about that stuff anyway?"

"Because you aren't the only one who's blade has started to talk to them." Remarked Hayato before he quickly slipped out of my room, closing the door behind him.

"Captains log, star time 220400." I said deeply, greatly butchering the reference in the progress. "Note to self: give Hayato one of the books we stole from the Academy library on Zanpakuto Spirits." Because me and Javan got curious and because the library probably wouldn't miss the books. "Also, note to captains log. Hayato is already hearing from his Zanpakuto Spirit. This is either a really cool thing or a really terrifying thing."

"Note from Captain's Log: stop bothering me! Also, yeah, Hayato's situation is odd. Its really unusual to hear from spirits this early on (Our rare case excluded), since most people only start making progress once they leave the Academy."

"Also, note to captains log... shut up."

XXXXXXXXXX

"You!" Came the arrogant voice I knew well. I sighed and stood up, waiting for the thundering noble girl to approach and say whatever the hell it was that she wanted. I was currently with my friends (Mika, Daichi and Hayato) in Mika's Garden and were having one of our frequent lunch breaks together while we went over our revision notes together, taking this lunch as a chance for everyone to pick one another brains about topics we didn't know while we could conveniently eat as well, when along came the inevitable irritation that would accompany that red heads appearance.

"What do you want Akimi?" I asked tensely. Hayato looked up from his textbook in silent agreement while Mika visibly sized up the girl that had barged into her solitary (Once upon a time) sanctuary without permission.

"Hmmmph!" She humphed, not looking me in the eye once she stopped before me, visibly shaking and sweating. "Its not like I want to be here or anything, idiot."

"I encourage that you do not insult my friend, Nishisaka." Stated Mika bluntly, benevolent smile still in place but woefully unable to hide her disdain for the noble. Mika really didn't like Akimi for some reason.

"But I have no real choice." Akimi continued, ignoring my friends words. She then sat down gracefully, took out her bento box and placed several serviettes underneath herself to prevent grass stains. "From this day forth I'm eating lunch with you, Solus!"

I sighed in irritation, while Daichi silently fisted the sky in happiness at having such a cute and popular girl sit with him and Akimi's smile continued to grow more and more forced. "And what did I do to deserve the displeasure of your company, then?"

"As I said, I hardly wish to be here either." Akimi opened her bento and immediately began to dive in with vigour and eloquence, eating without a care for what we thought. "But I am sick and tired of the faceless masses pestering me during meal times. They're attention is distracting, unwanted and unnecessary, and I can hardly stomach eating with that collection of fools any longer."

"So instead you decided to antagonise your favourite student, much weaker rival (Due to Akimi Nishisaka's sheer Gar) and good friend Marc?"

"Yes." She said plainly. "You are irritating, but you're better than the masses. You aren't a sheep and speak your mind concerning my actions, so are at least a refreshing speaking companion."

"Hey sweetheart," Sleazed the pervert in the room as he slithered towards the Nishisaka heir. "If you let me take you out for a meal, then I'm sure I can show you just how great a speaking companion I am." He informed with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"I'd sooner kiss Solus." Snorted Akimi, turning away from the distraction.

"Heh. Daichi was Denied! Also, the Solus Gland strikes again."

"I WILL THROTTLE YOU WITH YOUR OWN SPINE OF YOU DON'T SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP JAVAN!"

"...Jeez, no need too be so butthurt over it."

"Not that I would kiss Solus or anything." She quickly denied, still turned away.

"I am still wondering why you are bothering myself and my companions." Smiled Mika beautifully.

"Because I want to." She said, still eating. "If I am to make use of my lunch times effectively, why shouldn't I revise with your group? I might as well keep my eye on my Rival to ensure that his standards do not slip."

Indeed. My standards would never slip, for my Rivalry with Akimi was legendary. So far I was on top, but there had been many close calls. Regardless, the title of Top Kido User would be mine and not hers!

"Like I'd let you win." I told her.

"Like you could beat me."

"Why don't you look back at the last two end of year tests? Didn't I just surpass you in Kido each time."

"Sh-shut up!" She stammered quickly. "This year'll be different, you'll see! Then you'll have no choice but to acknowledge me!"

"When Kenpachi watched My Little Pony will I ack-"

"Oh come on guys!" Daichi slid over, chucking an arm around the two of us. "Save the argument for one of your make out sessions already!"

"ITS A STUDY SESSION YOU MORON AND NOT A MAKE OUT SESSION!" Myself and Akimi screamed in succession.

SNAP!

"Ooops." Commented Mika. "It appears I have broken my chopsticks by accident. My apologies; I must get a new pair." Mika rose and left the group quickly, perhaps too quickly.

"I dunno..." Daichi mumbled silently, uncaring of our ire. "I still think that you finished tutoring months ago and are having excellent Angry Sex..."

Suffice to say that Akimi's punch broke several teeth and had such power to it that Daichi was sent flying over the hedge and off into a distant building where he left a large indentation of himself before falling to the floor. Truly a scorned female Shinigami's punch is one to be reckoned with. Either that or Akimi was empowered through Rule of Funny to allow her to use the Copyrighted Naru Megaton Punch. Me and Javan were still in deep discussion (Read- argument) over whether comedic laws actually have an affect in this universe or not now that its real.

"What nonsense." Commented Akimi as her fist still smoked. "As if I would have intercourse with such an uneducated brute like him."

"Same. As if I would do it with a chick with a pole so far up her ass that her torso could be used as a flag."

"Don't make me hurt you, Solus..." She threatened darkly. Hayato had the common sense to shuffle away quickly, reading the Necronomicon all the while.

"Screw it." I threw back my hands in annoyance. "Eat here for all I care!"

"I will then!"

"Good!"

We promptly sat with our backs to each other and proceeded to ignore each other as we ate. It was a very quiet lunch all things considered.

XXXXXXXXX

And that was how Akimi ended up joining the group, by forcing herself amongst our reluctant ranks. Alas, we hadn't shaken her, since Mika couldn't actually kick her out of her garden now that I had accidentally given Akimi permission. Luckily me and Mika have known each other for so long by this point that she could hardly stay annoyed at me for long.

The fourth year exam passed with eagerly waited anticipation amongst the student base, to see just who would come out on top in the famous Nishi-Solus rivalry for Kido. To my disappointment, Akimi just beat me, bringing our total win ration to 2:2, with her surpassing me in the first and fourth year and me winning in the second and third. The day that the results were posted I ran away and started setting fire to things, though I got over it quickly. Instead I just had more motivation to train my Kido harder now that the holiday has arrived and most of my friends were gone.

Like the last three holidays, only me and Mika remained at the school out of our small social circle, resulting in the two of us spending the vast majority of the time hanging out or training/studying unless Momo was around taking the chance to teach me a thing or two.

Halfway through the summer, an event which had been a long time coming occurred. The stand off between myself and Gurou ended with a bang. An explosion in fact. One that destroyed much of my preconceptions and would be an event which I would always remember.

AN- Bloody hell did this chapter drag. Quite frankly, you must be sick of my OC's by this point in time. So yes, Akimi joined the group (Kinda), Kasumi wasn't just a one off character and makes another appearance, we got a lot of world building from Unohana as well as some canon character appearance and Hayato had a scene to himself where he shows that he isn't just a two dimensional book worm. Yay!?

Anyhow, next chapter should focus on the Mika thing, concluding her character development for the near foreseeable future, while giving Marc a badass moment and Mika a backstory. After that chapter we'll be back on the Plot Train. So if you have any constructive criticism, opinions or advice on my work, leave a late present and drop a review. Undying Soul out.