Author's Notes; Masaki takes the entrance exam, and the elusive little girl finally makes an appearance. Please Rate and Review
Kido Destiny
The Shinigami academy was the largest building Masaki had ever seen. And the thousands of souls gathered around it weren't making it any less intimidating. Masaki was dressed in a bright red kimono, standing in the crowd.
There seemed to be no age limits or other prerequisite for taking the exam. There were men and women of almost all ages. Old men, young men, old women, young women, but most of the test takers seemed to be around adolescence. He guessed he was the youngest one there. Masaki gulped.
It's going to be fine, It's going to be fine. Lisa taught me well. If I don't pass on the first try, I can just take the test again next year.
His ears caught the sound of excited voices. He turned to find a crowd of hopefuls gathered around one person. Focusing, he could hear what they were saying.
"Can't believe you can already use shunpo!"
Shunpo, He thought. There's already someone who's better than me at hoho.
"That's nothing," He heard another voice say. "Doesn't matter how fast you are if you can't land a good hit on me. I can knock out anyone in my town with just a few hits!"
Hakuda, he thought. He might be better than me. Might.
Masaki sighed and just tried to focus on what Ukitake told him before sending him to the academy.
"All you can do is try." The thirteenth captain's voice echoed in his head. "Whether you fail or pass, you'll always have a place in my home. And if you decide after taking the exam that you don't want to become a shinigami, that's okay too."
But I do want to be a shinigami, He thought.
The academy was multiple stories tall and had pristine white walls and golden roofs. The gates flew open and the test takers rushed into the building. Masaki grimaced as he was shoved forward.
The applicants were forced to walk single file into the courtyard, something that caused many to moan. As each applicant walked past the gates, they were given a number tag to wear around their necks. The courtyard was strewn with desks in neat order. Each desk had a number, signaling where the applicants were supposed to sit.
Masaki's desk was dead center. He picked up the pen on his desk and sighed. The first part of the entrance exam was tiring. He had to answer many questions about the four disciplines and provide what he knew about the organization of the soul society. It bored and annoyed him, despite the fact that he knew the answer to most of the questions.
The second part of the exam was where the real rough part lay. Masaki and the other applicants waited in the courtyard (which was now empty of desks after their papers were taken up) for their numbers to be called. It was hours before Masaki was finally called, and the waiting was torture. Finally, it came.
"Number 8867," A loud voice rang out over the intercom. "Please report to room 12."
Masaki gulped and stood up. As he approached the entrance, he sensed the eyes of hundred on his back. They were heavy. There were some nods, some frowns, some glares. One of the guys even mouth a "good luck," to which he just nodded.
He entered the school and breathed in the scent of polished marble and clean wood. Leaving after walking through those halls would be an enormous let down.
Masaki entered room twelve. It consisted of a clear wide space with a mirror at the end of the room. There was a mannequin standing in the center, with two katana's stabbed in it's chest. "Hello?" Masaki called.
"Number 8867,"
Masaki jumped at the sound before looking at the mirror. It was a one way. "Yes?"
"You have exactly five minutes to demonstrate your ability in the four shinigami disciplines."
Masaki nodded. He stepped forward and pulled a sword out of the mannequin. Instantly, the mannequin pulled the other sword from it's chest and pointed it at Masaki. He gulped.
Focus, He thought.
The mannequin stayed on the defensive, only blocking Masaki's strikes. He cursed silently. Would they be grading him on how many hits he scored? The last person stabbed the mannequin through the chest!
After striking for two minutes, Masaki focused hard. He struck, then threw the entangled swords to the ground. Time for hakuda.
Again, the mannequin only defended. When he punched, the mannequin blocked. He spun on his heel and tried for a kick! The mannequin jumped into the air. Masaki jumped after it, throwing punches and kicks at the figure in the air. Working hard, he was only able to score two hits before he thought it was time to move on.
After mid air sparring, Masaki was feeling low and frustrated. I've hardly landed a hit! I'm not levitating fast and I couldn't even cut the thing!
The five minutes were almost over. He still had to show his kido ability. Masaki jumped back and pointed at the mannequin.
Sho is easiest, but it's not that impressive. He opened his palm. After my unimpressive performance so far, I need to do something big.
"Hado 4; Byakurai!"
This time, Masaki stood his ground. The bolt of lightning shot from his palm and pierced the mannequin. It flew back and bounced off the mirror before falling onto the floor. Masaki grinned proudly at his handiwork. There was a hole straight through its center.
He heard a soft buzz. "Thank you, that will be all."
Masaki's grin fell to the floor. He left the room quietly, depressed and staring at his feet.
As soon as he re entered the courtyard, he leaned against the wall and sighed.
"Don't sweat it,"
Masaki looked up. There was a girl in dark pants and a white dress shirt leaning beside him. She had light blond hair tied back into a ponytail. "What?"
She grinned. "You passed the exam, number 8867."
"I don't understand." Masaki frowned. "Who are you?"
"My name's not important." She assured. "What's important is that I work for the academy. People like me are sent into the crowd to tell you of your scores. That is, after the other applicants have had a good luck at you're mopey face."
Masaki blinked. "What? Why would you do that?"
"It's simple," The girl explained. "This test is legendary among the soul society. We need to keep the image of the unbeatable test in everyone's mind, so we can weed out those that either have no talent or no ambition." She patted Masaki on the shoulder. "You have both. I saw that Byakurai. That's pretty impressive."
Masaki blushed. "Thanks."
She pulled out a yellow card from her pocket and a pen as well. "Now, if I could just get down you name?"
"Masaki Nakamura."
"Nakamura," She wrote. "Alright, you're in the east wing, room 232. You'll receive your room key at the ceremony in two days." She handed him the card. "Make sure you look extra mopey on your way out of the courtyard. Oh, and welcome to the Shinigami Academy."
Ukitake, Shunsui, and Lisa were all in attendance for the welcoming ceremony. The fireworks and lights amazed Masaki to no end. The head captain even made a speech, to which everyone payed close attention.
". . .As you learn the ways of the shinigami, carry the spirit of the soul society on your backs. Carry your swords with pride, for you are greatest of the soul society . . ."
Ukitake's hand was on his shoulder as he stood listening to the head captain. He felt like he had done his host proud.
"Kyoraku-sama, Ukitake-sama, Lisa-chan," He turned to face his three mentors and bowed. "Thank you for everything you have done for me."
"No need to thank us, Maki." Lisa patted him on the head.
"We only did what basic human nature had us do." Shunsui added. "But we appreciate your gratitude, little one."
"I'll repay you all one day." He promised.
Masaki gripped his new room key tightly. It was time to start a new journey. As the students were called into the building, Masaki gripped his suitcase and stood up straight. "Goodbye, all of you."
Lisa leaned down and softly kissed the boy's forehead. Masaki blushed a deep red.
"Get inside now cutie."
Masaki bowed one last time before rushing into the building. Lisa chuckled. "What do you know? The little tyke likes girls."
"Then I've got a gift I know he'll really like." Shunsui smiled as a little girl approached his side. She was wearing a light blue kimono and wore a large pair of glasses. "Kyo?" She chimed.
"Yes, little Nanao-chan?"
"That was the boy?"
Shunsui nodded. "Yes, that was him. The one I told you about."
The little girl studied Masaki's frame as he ran into the building. "He's pretty."