Strawberry Genius Chapter 2: Episode 2: The Induction, a bleach fanfic

Hey guys! Since so far you guys like the idea, Kaien will be alive in this story and there will be signicant changes from cannon, especially with Rukia and Ganju for obvious reasons. Guess I'll have to use my imagination cap to make it great.

MayaTheSoulReaper: Thank you, for the first review.

Athena Krinya: I try my best to prevent as many grammer and spelling misdtakes as I can, glad somebody noticed. I think after writing my previous stories I've gained experience. I didn't think calling both Renji and Ichigo redheads would cause any problems and I don't think its anything to be worried about.

Dianne060807: I love stories that have Ichigo go to the Soul Society young, too. Especially, genderbend ones, unfortunately they aren't very common.

Princess of Miracles: Hitsugaya will have a role in Ichigo's life, as for when and how I've yet to decide but it will be in the forseeable future.

Danizinhachan: For the pairings I've been thinking Fem!IchigoxToshiro but I'm open to other ideas. As for our favourite strawberry being adopted... I'll take it under consideration, its a very good idea.

Episode 2 - The Induction

(3 days later…)

"Damn it! I am so late!" Ichigo cried, as she slips on her best kimono. She barely had any sleep since meeting that Death God that night and slept in. This would be her first day at the Shino Academy. She had contemplated for this day for a while in the hut she lived alone in, thinking about her choice: To join the Shinigami or stay in Rukongai. Now, she was going to be late.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid" she berated to herself, running across a bridge over a small stream. She was so focused on not getting late that she almost didn't notice the Shinigami that was signing up the new students at the Seireitei's Western Gate. "Yes, I'm not late" she said more to herself in relief.

The little girl wearily walked towards the huge hulk of a man that stood guard there. She didn't really know what to say. She had thought long and hard about whether or not I should follow the Captain's advice and become a Shinigami but the child hadn't thought about what she'd do once she actually made the decision. As it was, the redhead stood nervously, wondering if maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Hello there. What can I do for you, young lady?" the giant asked; his voice surprisingly gentle and polite. "My name is Ikkanzaka Jidanbo the Western Gatekeeper" he introduced.

"Um… I…" her throat closed in sudden fear. What would this guy do to if he didn't like what she had to say? Ichigo had beaten many in street fights including full-grown men but this guy was truly a giant and trained soldier at that. She did not wanna mess with him. "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo" she finally drew out, hearing the Gatekeeper muttering about it being a cute name. "I'm from Uramachi and I was told by one of the Shinigami that I should apply to the Academy to become a student."

"Is that so?" the big man said and peered down at me. Ichigo was painfully aware of how little she was compared to most but the 100 meter tall man made her feel like an ant standing underneath an approaching shoe. She didn't like it one bit. "What was the name of the Shinigami that talked to you?"

His name? She stood puzzled. He did tell her, she just had to remember, it right on the tip of her tongue.

"It was some guy named Toshiro, I think" she said, as soon as she remembered. "He was about my size, wore a haori with messy, white hair and cold blue eyes…" she described, along with some hand gestures to help explain.

The giant continued to watch Ichigo as she started fidgeting nervously. The little one nearly jumped out of my skin when Jidanbo spoke. "Ah! You mean Captain Hitsugaya! He told me to expect you."

She watched in disbelief as the behemoth suddenly disappeared into thin air and wondered how it was physically possible for him to move so fast.

She didn't have to wait for long.

"The doors to the Shino Academy will open shortly" the man answered in a mild-mannered tone when he reappeared, making her jump. "Please, wait patiently."

The girl nodded and set the bag holding her meagre belongings down on the floor. She took this time to regain her breath from running so hard.

"By the way, you said you were from Uramachi, right?" Ichigo paused, with eyes widening in distress at that name from the giant. "That's an uncivilized area, isn't it?" gulping Ichigo nodded, hoping he'd let it go. 'Uncivilised' is one word to describe it. The giant known as Jidanbo folded his arms and smiled. "Listen up, this city has rules. First, wash your hands when you come back home. Second, don't eat food that has fallen on the ground. Third, duels are nothing else but one-on-one. You'll remember that, right little one?"

At first Ichigo wasn't sure how to respond. This 30 ft. giant sounded like he'd fit in a children's TV show teaching kids half her age how to count better than working in a military. Deciding not to make a big deal out of it, the orangette agreed.

"Very well" Jidanbo said. "Welcome to Seireitei," he said as the door opened.

"Thanks" the outsider replied, as she walked through, propelled forward by her large sword.

The outsider looked back to Junrinan and saw that a couple of people were standing on the perimeter watching the exchange, in which she returned an emotionless stare. They were probably hoping that the giant man would crush the kid with one of his big hands. She was sure they'd like to see the village pariah gone for good. She turned her back on them and settled for staring at the white wall, until the small door inside the gate opened fully.

All Ichigo knew about Seireitei had come from overhearing Academy students that lived in Rukon and they made it out to be this wonderful, magical place full of good people. She let out a sigh, knowing too well the realities of the world so she didn't really believe their interpretation of the Seireitei as a Utopia.

But if the boy who gave her that bracelet and the gentle giant standing before her was any indication, there were at least some good people there that can be nice to you.

With a look of determination, she took a first steps into centre of the Soul Society... and her first step into becoming a Shinigami.

xxxx

(Inside, the gate…)

The 9-year old walked over to the Shinigami so she could get her name signed on the clipboard that he had in his hands. The Shinigami had neat blue hair, it was definitely dyed and a large scar that went all the way across his face and brown eyes.

"Name" was all the Shinigami simply said.

"Kurosaki Ichigo" answered the strawberry, having steeled her nerves.

"Well Kurosaki, you're a lucky girl. We only had enough space for one more name, your name apparently" said the blue-haired Shinigami.

"Thanks" said Ichigo, her heart skipping a beat.

"No problem" smiled the man. "Now get in the line before we leave you." Ichigo couldn't tell he was joking or not but decided to listen anyway and left with her trademark scowl. She wasn't used to having to either do as he was told or get punished it. Ever since she ended up in that stupid District she couldn't resist fighting when someone was being hostile towards her. But she also learned it wasn't really the strongest that survived nor was it the smartest. It was those who were the most adaptable to change.

"Well, here I am" she thought to herself.

xxxx

(In the courtyard...)

The line was bigger than he thought, about 20 of them that were older than her, all with rather low reiatsu. "No one from the outer districts, maybe I'll get lucky meet people who aren't prejudiced" Ichigo thought to herself.

She didn't know anyone here, which was too bad. She secretly wished she could've come here with a friend so it'd be more entraining and not at all awkward. Oh well, guess she just had to make new friends.

The walk to campus was about an hour long, surprisingly because of how far away it was. Ichigo couldn't help but feel nervous… or was it excitement. She didn't really know. The strawberry girl had never felt this way in a long time, not since she joined a gang of thieves in the outer districts where she learned how to steal, fight and heard stories about the Shinigami. Either way she hadn't felt this way in a long time.

Truth be told, she didn't know where the exam area was. "Guess I'll have to look for it the old fashioned way."

"Hello there, I'm Moto Leon" said a blonde boy appearing to be in his mid-teens, with a big smile on his face. He put out his hand offering Ichigo a hand shake. The guy named Leon noticed the little girl had a lost look on her face and that no one was with her so he decided to come over and introduce himself. "You okay? You seem a bit lost."

"Yeah, I can't make heads or tails of this place" Ichigo shook his hand with a smaller one and introduced herself. "The name's Kurosaki Ichigo" she greeted, with a plain face as they started walking.

"Exciting, huh" Leon said, trying to start a conversation. "This exam is the first step to becoming a real Shinigami!"

"Yeah I can hardly contain myself" Ichigo exclaimed, now showing her own excitement. Seeing the smile on the cute orangette's face Izuru smile grew even bigger, he took that as a sigh that their conversation was going well.

"So what district are you from? I'm from District 5 of West Rukongai: Heionbuji" he stated.

The little girl thought for a moment before answering. "District 80 of West Rukongai: Uramachi" Ichigo replied, casually as if no big deal.

The boy's green eyes widen in surprise at hearing that name. "Oh, r-re-really! I'm sorry I brought it up, kiddo" he said, with an apologetic look on his face.

The orange-haired lass blinked at him before shrugging. "Don't worry about it it's no big deal, just a stupid district" Ichigo said, with a smile. "Plus, I've probably had a lot better luck than most people."

"Oh, ah okay" Leon scratched his head, feeling a bit weird. "Who is this kid? She said she's from one of the worst districts in Rukon! It doesn't look like she's lying either. How can she talk about such a horrible place like it was no big deal?" the blonde thought to himself. "Or maybe it's not as bad as people say" his thoughts are interrupted when a girl around his age with long blonde hair and brown eyes bumped into him.

"Oh sorry, I didn't see you there" she said, picking herself up she put her hands on her hips. "You shouldn't wonder off. It took me forever to find you and you know how worried I get."

"Oh don't worry. It's okay, sis" said Leon, hooking a thumb to the 9-year old next to him. "I was just helping Ichigo here, she's lost, too."

"Oh hi there, I see you've met my little brother. I'm Moto Selina" she greeted looking down at her, holding out her caring hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Hey, I'm Kurosaki Ichigo" she responded, in a casual tone.

Then they hear aloud voice made from a Kido spell. "Will all new applicants please report outside the front entrance to the academy campus immediately, thank you."

"Whoa! Was that one of those Kido spells that sends messages?!" Selina exclaimed. "I never knew you could do that, did you?" she asked the younger pair.

"I haven't" Leon replied, still in disbelief.

"Neither have I" Ichigo shrugged.

"Cool, I can't wait to learn it" she said, excitedly.

"Hey, you guys wouldn't happen to know where the front door to this school is?" she decided to ask.

"Well, I certainly do" Selina said with confidence. The siblings smiled at her and the brother bent down and pulled her along.

"Come, we're going there, too!" he laughed, picking up speed. "We'll get there faster if we run." Ichigo blushed not sure what to make of their unusually kind nature. Was everyone from District 5 this nice?

They headed for the Shinigami Academy, excited looks on their faces, wondering what was in store for them next.

xxxx

(At the front entrance...)

"All applicants form two separate lines and we will give call out your name."

When they came there they all were surprised, there was so many that wanted to enter, they decided to split up the girls and boys so Ichigo and Selina in one line and Leon in another, wishing the girls luck. The academy was a building that was set apart from the others with a sign out front said 'Administration'.

"God I'm so nervous" Selina muttered, looking at the crowd. The Spiritual Arts Academy was a sprawling, multiple story building with architecture similar to that of other structures in the Seireitei.

"Don't be" Ichigo said. "It'll be okay, we'll get in."

The older girl looked at her now little bit reassured. "Yeah, we will" she smiled, looking at all the people that got called in.

The entrance exam seemed to be open to any and all who wish to apply, resulting in a wide range of individuals of all ages joining from little kids to senior citizens. The social classes of the applicants range from nobles and residents of the more hospitable districts of Rukongai to its more barbaric outer regions.

They waited for a while until it was their turn "Kurosaki, Ichigo" one teacher screamed loudly, indicating that it was our hero's turn to take the test.

"HAI" she replied back, hearing her name and walked up with the others that got called in by other with the 'K's at the same time.

"Good luck, Ichigo" the Moto girl called out, as she started to walk off to her exam.

"Thanks, you too!"

The 9-year old eventually got to where the teacher was standing. "Alright, please follow me" the teacher said politely, leading them to where she'd be tested.

xxxx

(In, the testing room…)

It was a pretty large room but that's not what made it stand out. It was the fact that all the teachers for the future 1st year students and the Headmaster himself were all siting on chairs behind a long table by one of the large walls. That made the small child a bit nervous as she walked in through the door.

"Deep breaths Ichigo you can do this" she thought to herself, doing just that.

Ichigo was ushered inside by the man in the middle, the headmaster. He was a tall, balding, stern man with grey hair met us. He looked regal and his immaculate clothing gave the impression that this man was of high status. The teachers looked down their noses at the small girl in front of them, most where stoical but some were bothered by her presence as if the berry girl was some kind of gnat.

"Greetings, Kurosaki. My name is Gengoro Onabara is the headmaster of the Shino Academy" he explained. "I and my colleagues will administer your entrance exam."

Ichigo nodded in understanding. The educators noticed she didn't bow respectfully to them and hid their annoyance. Her attitude needed work on.

"We have heard about you from Hitsugaya-taicho and several Lieutenants" an elderly woman said, as Kurosaki straightened up.

A younger man next to Onabara glared at her, his voice like nails on a chalkboard. "They seem to think that you have potential but we will be the judge that. Brats from Rukongai don't always have what it takes, no matter who they've convinced into believing in them."

Ichigo gritted her teeth and frowned at the man with piercing blue eyes. She was used to this type of prejudice even though she grew up around it but it still got on her nerves. She ran into a few nice people in the Seireitei so far that I'd hoped people here were all like that. "I should have known better."

The orangette was directed to a machine set up in front of them. One of the Shinigami waited with some sort of scanner in his hand.

"Okay, Kurosaki Ichigo, just stand here" the Shinigami, said before moving the machine around what Ichigo assumed must be her reiatsu. "Hold your hand out" said the teacher, to which the berry complied.

The machine made a noise and the Shinigami looked at the screen, which must have shown some sort of reading that he recorded. Ichigo saw the Shinigami's eyes widen in surprise but a second later his eyes returned to normal.

"How can a girl this young have such vast Reriyoku?" he thought silently, before facing the kid. "Kurosaki, you have enough reiatsu to pass the first test" he told calmly.

"Yes! …Wait, 'first test'?"

"Indeed, now you must take a written test."

Ichigo tensed at this. She had never had to write in Rukongai since ever and her stomach did a little flip flop at the thought that this, too, as well as getting the questions right on the test. Most Rukongai brats, as the snob had put it, were illiterate.

The orange girl sat down in the chair provided and placed her hands in her lap to hide their shaking. They were already sweaty and the test hadn't even started yet.

One of the younger educators quickly gave her the papers and pencil. She explained to her where to write her name, the time limit and what wasn't acceptable. It seemed pretty straightforward to her.

"Alright Kurosaki Ichigo, you may begin the 2nd test of your exam."

xxxx

(30 minutes later…)

"Your time is up! Please put your pencil and move your test papers away from you."

Ichigo handed over her papers with a raging headache. The exam had been a blur to her and had no idea as to how I did. The questions ranged in topics from mathematics to etiquette and the strawberry felt woefully undereducated and stupid right about now since she pretty much guessed at most of the questions.

"Now, for part one to your 3rd test, first you will demonstrate any Kido that you know" said the instructor, with a large beard.

"Sorry sir but I don't know any Kido" Ichigo said, a bit embarrassed.

"That is fine. Yoshida will demonstrate for you" said Onabara.

Just her luck it was younger one who had a problem with commoners. It looked like he really didn't want to do it.

"Very well, then. I will show you one of the most basic Kido techniques, Hado No. 4 and then you will have repeat" Yoshida explained, in a serious tone. "Are we clear?"

"Yep, got it" Ichigo replied nonchalantly, to the man's irritation.

The instructor walked to the back of the room pulls out several targets and set them against the wall. Then he walked back besides the small child.

"Okay, now pay attention" while saying the incantation, Yoshida hoped he wouldn't have to show her again. "Hado No. 4: Byakurai."

A huge blue lightning bolt erupts from both his hands and hits right in the middle of the target. He then turned to Ichigo. "Your turn" he said, as he stood aside. "Just concentrate and try not to get frustrated if it doesn't work the first go, you'll get five attempts" he told, seeing the anxious look on the lass's face.

Ichigo closed her and concentrated. Getting into the stance demonstrated, she then recited the incantation. "Hado No. 4…" she said, slowly. "Byakurai!"

A massive bolt of blue lightning twice as big erupted from her palms and hit the target dead centre, annihilating it.

"Woo hoo! I did it!" the orange kid cheered. She was so happy that when she did the next four times and hit the targets she realised something.

"Dang it! I forgot to say that chant!" Ichigo mentally slapped herself for that. The instructors on the other hand were surprised and impressed by her skill. Most students couldn't even fire it on their first try.

The next test was a simple sprint from one side of the room to the next and back again, whiling being timed on a stop watch. The Hoho trial was the simplest by far.

The following was the Hakuda test which involved her hitting an Anti-Hollow Training Machine… a basic punching bag. Clearly, those eggheads at the Research Department weren't even trying anymore.

The teachers looked at her with surprise and admiration at her karate techniques. "They seem impressed" Ichigo thought, unable to remember where she learned her fighting style in the first place. "I just hope that I pass the last test." With a final punch, the sandbag split open, spilling its context on the ground.

After a moment of awe, a new silly-looking sand bag took the place of the demolished one.

"Kurosaki Ichigo. You now must take the last part of the combat test: Zanjutsu" explained Onabara. "Begin when you are ready."

The strawberry picked up a wooden sword and got in into a battle stance. She felt a bit stupid bopping an inanimate object for a minute but guessed there was more to it that since they were taking notes.

xxxx

(10 minutes latter…)

"Since we are done with all of the physical tests now we will now finish up with some personal questions" Onabara explained. "What is your full name?"

"Um, It's Kurosaki Ichigo" the berry girl responded, flatly. She thought it was a stupid question since they already knew her name.

"How old are you in human years?"

"Nine" Ichigo told, honestly.

"For what reason do you fight?"

"Is it okay if I have more than one answer for that question?" Ichigo asked, curiously.

"Yes, just don't make them too long" replied Yoshida, impatiently.

"Okay, my first answer would be to protect those I care about and my second one…" Ichigo looked straight at them with a serious look in her sapphire jewels. "…is to win of course."

"I see" noted the elderly woman.

"Next question, what district are you from?"

The 9-year old looked hesitantly but answered the question, nevertheless. "District 80 of West Rukongai: Uramachi, sir."

"Do you have any family?"

"None that I am aware of sir, I… pass on" Ichigo replied sadly.

"Oh, what happened?" said a younger female examiner, who was apparently the only one who had taken interest in her answer.

"I don't know" Ichigo simply said. "I just woke up one day in a war-torn village in some backwater district and found out I was dead, not remembering anything about who I was apart from my name and that I had a family."

"I see. I am sorry to hear that" the black-haired woman said.

"Nah, it's okay. You weren't to know" replied Ichigo, putting on a fake smile.

"Next question, what is a Hollow?"

"A Hollow is a lost soul that didn't get the help of a Shinigami in time and is bound to wonder the earth with sorrow and despair" Ichigo responded. "A spirit can also turn into a Hollow when its soul chain brakes."

"Very good. Now final question, have you ever seen or faced a hollow before?"

"I've seen one but I've never fought one before" answered Ichigo, quickly.

"Good, you are dismissed" Onabara announced. "Wait outside Ichigo for your schedule."

With that said Ichigo nodded and exited out the door and went back to the courtyard with the other applicants.

xxxx

(Outside…)

Ichigo stood outside waiting tensely for her results along with many others.

"Hey! Ichigo!" it was Leon and Selina screaming, she just looked at them smiling. She was happy to see some familiar faces.

"Oh hey guys. Did it go well for you all?" she asked.

"I kinda messed up at Kido" Leon chuckled. If you didn't believe his word for it, you could believe his scorched hair and clothes. "There was a lot of information to take in at once."

"It went well for me I guess" the sister said. "But I wasn't really that good at that Hakuda. What about you kiddo, how'd you do?" she asked, inquisitively.

She smirked. "Well, I bet I aced it" she chuckled. "I think I did best in that swordsmanship."

The two all patted her on her head, much to her annoyance. "Maybe you're a Genius" the brother joked.

Ichigo didn't like that word, the only reason she was so good at everything was because she had be to survive. Truthfully, she found it pretty intimidating and would've been convinced that she had failed it had she not seen the judges' expressions.

xxxx

(Teachers' Corner…)

"Wait a minute" the elderly female teacher said. "Look at this girl's tests."

They all went up to look at it; they were surprised to see the results. "No way!" a younger woman exclaimed. "Her reiatsu is almost captain level already!"

The teachers decided to show it to the Head Teacher and even he was surprised. "You are right" he agreed. "I haven't seen scores that high since I taught Captain Ichimaru at the academy" noted Onabara.

"This girl might be a prodigy!"

Ichigo had reiatsu at the same level of at least an exceptional Lieutenant. The only problem was that she had little control over it. The basic class certainly couldn't help her. "She should go to the advanced class right away" the headmaster decided. They all nodded.

"This girl will make a fine Shinigami" he thought to himself and let the teachers go. "This could be an interesting year."

What do you think? I hope Ichi wasn't too OOC but since she's growing up with a different past her characters gonna be a bit different.

For those who don't know there are four District 80s with Zaraki being in the North and Uramachi (the one I just made up) in the West, the same reigion as where the Ryoka first invaded from. Also in case you were wondering Uramachi means 'Back Alley' describing what a terrible place it is and Heionbuji means 'Tranquillity and Peace' describing how much nicer it is.

Well see ya later, losers. The next chapter will up when its ready. XP