Now everybody knew about Izumi and Raidon's secret –they both had shikai. While in the World of the Living, both of them had had to call on the released form of their zanpukto or die.
Izumi was glad that Raidon had managed to 'bully' her into taking Fenikagi with her –she'd have been Hollow-chow if she hadn't.
But Izumi was having difficulty getting one image out of her head. Ichimaru's sinister grin had printed itself into her mind. It was almost enough to make her lose her focus in classes –almost, but not quite.
They had left the Real World with very little information about the situation, but rumours were all over the Seiretei within a matter of moments following their arrival, and circulating ever since. The most reliable were quickly pounced on by the gossips of the Academy, who spread them to the other students.
The blame rested firmly on the remaining Espada for the opening of the Garganta, but no-one was able to explain their motives.
Apparently the Squad 6 Captain had been briefly sent to Hueco Mundo and had come back a few hours later to report that the surviving Arrancar were denying all knowledge of the opening of the Garganta, even the unpredictable Grimmjaw.
A few weeks later, it was the winter break. Most students were looking forward to the five weeks of no lectures and relaxation, and Izumi was planning to check in on Zaraki. It would help clear her mind of what she had seen and experienced in the Real World.
Naomi was planning to stay at the Academy –apparently her gaggle of friends was staying in the otherwise empty dorm as well. As long as she was happy, Izumi was happy to leave her sister to her own devices.
Term had finished on Friday at mid-morning, and Izumi was the only one not out in the corridors or not already on the road home. She was in the room she shared with Naomi, changing out of her Academy uniform and into a yukata.
It wasn't the same one she had arrived in –she had used part of her Academy allowance (1) to buy herself and Naomi some new, smarter yukata outfits than what they had worn in Zaraki.
Her new yukata was the same base colour of light blue, but with a green flower-and-stem design. She secured it with the same red obi she had owned in Zaraki. Her sealed zanpukto sat at her waist.
When she was ready, she picked up her bookbag. It was heavy and almost splitting at the seams with thick volumes on Kido and Hoho.
Izumi was determined to master the technique of flash-step and advanced kido before the start of next term –she had no doubt that Raidon would be equally determined, if only to brag about it on their return.
She scribbled a note to her sister, wishing her a good holiday and where to find her in case anything happened and left the room.
And she knew the perfect site for training.
(1)Completely fiction for this story! All students from the poorest areas of the Rukon district are given a monthly allowance of the equivalent of £25 (haven't worked it out in Yen yet).
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