Chapter 6—The 5th Squad
((Author's Note: Hi everybody. Be sure to leave comments =3. If you have any suggestions or would like to see something in this story be it a cool zanpakuto or a bleach character, feel free to send them to me. I'll take everything into consideration. Also, please refer to my profile page updates for pictures.))
Keichi and Renji passed the academy dorms. Keichi stared at them for a moment, still holding the box with his shinigami robes folded inside. Renji asked if he needed to stop in his room to get anything but the boy shook his head. He didn't own anything, not until now.
"I'll meet you back at the barracks then. If there's anything you want to take care of, now's the time to do it. You're going to be very busy after today," Renji said and walked ahead.
By now, Keichi could make his own way to the 4th squad barracks. He needed to see how his friends were doing. He stopped in his dorm room to change into his robes. The usually busy hallways were quiet. People were still at the hospital or went home to be with their families. It seemed classes would be on hold for awhile. The reality of what had happened finally set in. Keichi's hand clutched his new robes until they wrinkled. He found himself wishing he could have done more. Although the teachers applauded his actions and even called him brave, Keichi didn't feel like he had done anything. People had still died.
While he changed, he felt a presence at the door. Keichi turned in a blur and put his hand to on his hilt.
"Hey man, can't you let your guard down for once?" Jiro laughed. "See Daichi? I told you he'd be here."
Keichi relaxed. Jiro, Daichi, and Sasaki stood in the doorway. Sasaki held a basket in her arms.
"We heard about what happened," Daichi explained. "And that you were graduating. Looks like you already did."
Keichi looked down at his robes self-consciously. It had been awhile since he saw all of them together.
"Congratulations Kurosaki," Sasaki said in her characteristically shy voice and presented him the gift.
"It's a little going away present from us. Not much but, you know. We never properly thanked you for helping us get in," Jiro said seriously. "As for that whole hollow thing…that was really messed up. But at least you're ok."
Daichi elbowed Jiro hard in the ribs. "What he means is we're glad that you're alright."
Sasaki nodded, "Now that you are an official shinigami, you will be able to help stop something like that from happening."
Keichi sighed and smiled. "Yeah. You're right. Thanks everyone."
He accepted the gift.
"Oh don't open that until you get to your squad barracks," Daichi warned.
They said their farewells with Jiro insisting that in six years, he'll have already surpassed Keichi. As the guys turned to leave, Sasaki leaned in close, her luminous eyes coming close to his. She always had an odd sense about her that came with her keen ability to detect reiatsu. It was like she could look into someone's future.
"Keichi…please be careful," she whispered and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Keichi stuttered, his eyes wide with shock. Before he could say something, she had already turned away, her face a beet red. It wasn't until the sound of their footsteps disappeared down the hall that he regained his senses. His hand had been touching his cheek the entire time.
Rukia and Orihime sat across from each other in Orihime's clinic on the edge of the 78th district of south Rukongai. In her search for Ichigo almost 200 years ago, Rukia had been fortunate to find her old friends. Although neither Orihime, Chad, or Uryuu were interested in becoming Shinigami, the three found other ways to aid Soul Society.
Orihime worked in a chain of clinics to help the poor souls of Soul Society. Chad spent much of his time in the 79th and 80th districts stopping violent crimes and bringing injured souls to Orihime. Uryuu spent most of his time running seam shop near the Silver Dragonfly eyeglasses store. Since him and the owner Mihane had been getting close, Rukia has seen less of him.
In fact, Orihime has become increasingly busy. Their past few monthly get-togethers had to be postponed. More and more souls were mysteriously being attacked on the outskirts of Rukongai, Orihime had explained. Rukia wondered why the Gotei 13 hadn't been informed to look into it.
"It's likely because these attacks happen in 80th and 79th districts. No one can identify an attacker, so most just assume it's a vandal. Chad's looking into right now though. Hopefully we can take care of this ourselves."
Orihime had grown up a lot when she was alive, but ever since Ichigo disappeared, she seemed distant and more serious. Even now, Rukia couldn't help but feel like Orihime had been around longer than she.
Rukia sipped her tea and chose her words very carefully. It had been a long time since she had been in this part of Rukongai. The 78th South district, Inuzuri, was the place it had all began for Rukia.
"Orihime," she said finally. "I have something very important I need to share with you. There is this kid that came to Soul Society about three months ago. His reiatsu, even his appearance, is the same as Ichigo."
Orihime's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened with wonder. Rukia did not want to let the girl get her hopes up, but she didn't want to dash them either.
"What's his name Ruki-chan?" she asked, a little breathless with shock.
Rukia's face was solemn. "Kurosaki…Keichi Kurosaki."
Orihime jumped to her feet and grabbed Rukia by the hands. "Could he be him? Could that really be Ichigo? But how?"
"Orihime please! I-I don't know. Me and Renji are trying to sort things out. The other's are curious too. But we can't pressure the boy. Keichi isn't the same as Ichigo either. If he feels too pressed, he might just try to run away."
The red-head calmed herself, but it was difficult to still her beating heart. So Ichigo was reincarnated? But where had his soul been for the past 200 years?
"Let me see him," Orihime said finally. Her large brown eyes were stern and determined.
Rukia shrugged and half-chuckled. Even if she intended on saying "no", she wouldn't be able to. Once Orihime had her mind made up on something, nothing could stop her.
"That's the second reason I came to you. I just got word from Renji that Keichi graduated Shinigami Academy and joined the 5th squad. We're throwing a surprise party for him later this week to congratulate him. Wanna come? I figured if anyone could discern who or what Keichi is, it'd be Ichigo's old friends."
Orihime shook her head. "I'll come. I'll tell Chad and Uryuu too. But remember Rukia, you are also Ichigo's dear friend."
Keichi arrived at the 5th division barracks a little later than he had intended. Anora and Taro had recovered quickly, but Taro had to wait longer before he could be released. Because he had been injured by the altered false-hollow, as 12th division called it, one of the head researchers, Akon wanted to examine him further for clues to the upset. Anora's wound had been confirmed done by a Quincy arrow. The researchers already had enough information on Quincy and allowed her to return as normally scheduled.
It took Keichi awhile to escape the scrutiny of the 12th division researcher, but he was saved by a passing Hanataro.
Now that he had returned, he could not find Renji. Keichi meandered aimlessly. It was odd. Despite being promoted to a squad so quickly, Keichi felt there should be something to do. An orientation perhaps? Maybe he came too late.
Keichi stopped by the center garden. It vaguely reminded him of that day he spoke with Juushiro Ukitake. What was it the man had said? An action's ripple effect…As he gazed at the flowers swaying gently, Keichi wondered what rippling effect would result from his actions.
"Ah there you are!" a chipper voice from behind startled Keichi.
He spun around to come face to face with a black haired young man that had familiar looking tattoos. On further examination, Keichi noticed that man had a lieutenant badge.
"Oh sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," Rikichi chuckled. "I'm Rikichi, Captain Abarai's lieutenant. You must be Keichi. He sent me to look for you. Hey our names kinda sound the same don't they?"
"Un…kind of," he muttered, still taken-aback by this sudden perky presence. He could tell by the man's appearance alone that he admired Renji immensely. The tattoo scheme was a tell all.
"Well follow me, we can't chat the night away," Rikichi tugged at Keichi's arm and pulled him along.
"W-where am I going?" Keichi asked as he stumbled behind.
"Your placement exam of course. Yeah it's a little early, but Captain Abarai insisted since your kind of a special case. Amazing! To think our squad gets the guy who completed Shino in record time. I mean, from what I know, 5th Division has always gotten interesting people, but this is really something!"
Rikichi chattered non-stop until they reached a sanded area about the size of a basketball court behind the barracks. There was already a crowd of people standing around.
"Captain! Captain I found him!" Rikichi said as he pushed through his division with Keichi still in tote.
"Bout time Keichi," Renji was at the end of the field squatting over some doodle he had drawn in the sand with his finger.
"Ok guys, now the fun can really begin," Renji said with a crooked grin. The 5th division cheered. Some shouted "good luck" to Keichi and patted him on the back before he was pushed into the sandy rectangle.
"Don't worry Kurosaki," Renji said. "Rikichi will be referee. I'll only use shikai. Remember, this is just to test your strength. You did promise me a fight after all once you joined Gotei 13, right?"
Keichi thought back, immediately remembering his words "I won't lose to you." Uh oh…I did say that didn't I? Man I got myself into something again…
Despite these thoughts, Keichi found himself grinning as well. He did want to test his strength again. His hand was already on his zanpakuto. A tingling sensation ran through his fingers. Yeah…Akumegetsu wanted some exercise too.
"Fine. If you insist, Captain."
The crowd fell silent as Renji drew his blade. "Alright, show me your strength Keichi Kurosaki."
Renji wasted no time launching a preemptive strike. Although he was once again in the 5th Division, Renji's style had always been that of an 11th Division person. Even now, he enjoyed a good fight and reveled in watch his opponents get stronger. Perhaps this was the reason the 5th Division trusted him so much. The previous captains had always been distant. Aizen's stigma never truly disappeared until Renji came along.
Keichi only drew his blade just in time to block the attack. The power behind Renji's blow was enough to send him sprawling backwards to the crowd. They chuckled and pushed him back in. "Go easy on him Captain. He's still a kid you know."
"What was that Renji? That attack was for real!" Keichi was stunned for a moment. If he really thought about it, if he didn't block he'd be a part of Renji's sword.
"Duh idiot. Of course it was real. The only good practice is real practice," Renji mocked Keichi but he waited for the boy to regain his footing.
Renji's attacks were relentless and Keichi continued to block. He was certain the boy's arms were weakening by now and decided he'd go for the final blow soon. However he suddenly realized something that truly made his heart pump faster. If he was tired, Keichi wasn't slowing down. In fact, his blocks were getting faster and stronger. Although Keichi had yet to take an offensive stance, his defense was solid.
Interesting. He's already caught on to my pattern. Still, he can't do this forever. Time to get serious Keichi, Renji thought.
Renji stood back for a moment. His hand touched the base of his blade and, almost in a caressing motion, "Howl, Zabimaru."
The sword morphed. In one slash, the fanged whip extended with lightning speed closing the distance before Keichi could raise his hand to block completely. Keichi leapt out of the way just in time to avoid a serious blow. The fangs cut into his left should, but did not end there. With a twist of his wrist, Renji bulled the sword around to attack from behind.
Keichi didn't bother blocking this time. He jumped out of the way so that the blade would crash into the ground.
"Gotcha Keichi," Renji said and flicked his wrist once more. Instead of Zabimaru crashing into the ground, the snake like weapon shot upward at an impossible angle right below Keichi. While in the air, Keichi had no way to dodge.
"Hado number four, Byakurai," Keichi didn't have time for an incantation, but he hoped he'd be able to muster enough power into the attack to knock Zabimaru off its path just as he had seen Taro do with the hollow.
The pale lighting hit Renji's sword at the side, using its speed against it. The sword swung off course and Renji had no choice but to retract it.
"Nice. But if you're going to just keep dodging and blocking, you'll never win," Renji said calmly.
Keichi landed. The wound on his left shoulder was starting to hurt. Renji was right. He wouldn't be able to keep this up for long. He had really wanted to see more of Renji's own strength but…
"Rip through the darkness, Akumegetsu," Keichi said. His reiatsu explode from every pour. Wind whipped about, stirring sand up in everyone's eyes. A few from the audience gasped.
Renji pulled down his goggles and watched intently. This reiatsu did indeed feel like Ichigo's. It was wild and uncontrolled just as Kurosaki's had been when they had first seriously fought in the Seireitei. To think this boy also had such power…
"I see now Keichi," Renji's voice rang out as the wind settled. Keichi's scythe was probably one of the most grotesque zanpakuto Renji had ever seen. Not as bad as Mayuri's but close.
"Red Eye of the Demon Lord," Keichi announced as if in a trance with his own leaking reiatsu.
The ground beneath Renji's opened into a red circle. Renji moved forward out of the circle to attack. As Zabimaru extended, Renji's senses picked up. He glanced up just in time to see a red beam of light crash down toward him.
"Once the Demon Lord has you in his sights, Renji," Keichi's voice sounded different, "There's no way to escape."
Renji used Shunpo just in time to avoid the full blast. He shrugged off his singed haori. Any slower and he'd be shrugging off more than some clothing.
"Impressive, but you still have a long way to go," Renji called out to Keichi. He was different somehow. It was like he was possessed.
Renji glanced at the zanpakuto. The skull at the end seemed to glare at him from eyeless pits. Keichi wasn't in full control of his zanpakuto yet. That much was to be expected. However, this particular zanpakuto needed a user that could control it properly, otherwise, it'd be too dangerous.
"I think I've seen all I need to for today. Rikichi, call it," Renji said and turned away. Rikichi did so but Keichi did not put away his zanpakuto.
"Eh? You hear that Keichi?" the lieutenant called out. "Captain said it's over."
Keichi's mind was elsewhere. Once again he was in that strange world of dilapidated skyscrapers. "Akumegetsu, why am I here? I have to fight."
The world was darkening and Keichi called out again. But there was no sign of his zanpakuto in his inner world. Stubborn thing. Where are you when I need you?
Meanwhile, the Keichi Renji was fighting leapt for a physical attack. "You said it yourself Renji, the only practice worth having is a real one."
Renji figured as much. In mid turn, he used Zabimaru to catch the scythe and ripped it from Keichi's hands.
Keichi immediately slumped to the ground unconsciously. Renji called out to his hushed squad mates. "Ok guys practice over. Let's get some sleep yeah? Rikichi and Inaba, take our new 10th seat to his room and get him bandaged up."
Renji headed to his own room. He didn't want to show it to his comrades, but he was a little shaken. Keichi definitely had the power level of a lieutenant already. But he lacked the ability to control it. Renji wondered if Keichi had been there at all or was that Akumegetsu fully in control. If so, did Keichi know it?
Keichi woke with a start. Where the hell was he? He was in the 5th squad's barracks, that much he could assume. A pale ray of sunlight slipped through his window. How long had he been asleep? His head hurt and the last thing he remembered was fighting with Renji. He had released his zanpakuto and…what?
Keichi looked around the room but no one was there, but a pile of fresh clothes lay next to him as well as some food. He reached for it only to feel pain shoot through his left shoulder. There was a fresh bandage on his arm and around his hands. His palms felt burned as well.
"What happened?" he muttered out loud.
Outside he could hear hurried feet go to and fro. Keichi devoured the food and stepped out to see the commotion. He ran right into Rikichi on the other side of the door.
"Oh sorry. You're finally awake huh?"
"What's going on?" Keichi looked around. "What happened the other day?"
"Well, you kind of went a little overboard, but Renji handled it. Congratulations by the way on becoming a seated officer. You're really impressive you know that? Out of the academy and straight into a seat. Man it took me years before I could get one."
"W-what seat?" Keichi hazard to ask the talkative lieutenant.
"Oh right 10th seat. Not bad huh? You seem a lot stronger though. I wouldn't mind battling you myself if—."
"Enough Rikichi," Renji's voice appeared behind him. The captain stood with his arms folded. His dark eyes examined Keichi thoroughly. "Feeling better?"
Keichi nodded.
"You can't go anywhere looking like that," he said with disparaging finality. "Put on the clothes I had laid out for you already."
"Where am I going?" Keichi asked.
"Rukongai. Now hurry up."
Keichi grumbled something about Renji being pushy, but he obeyed. Soon he was wearing a clean robe and a new sash to put his sword in. Renji had also provided him with a pair of red-lensed goggles with a black and silver frame. They were strangely in good taste.
When Renji looked at him again he nodded and smiled. "I designed those myself," he pointed a thumb with pride at the goggles Keichi adjusted on his forehead.
"Ah…thank you."
"Don't thank me. It's a welcome gift," despite Renji's modest words, he was clearly mentally patting himself on the back. "Now let's go, we're gonna miss it."
"Miss what?"
"The party of course. Where do you think people go on a Friday night? Besides, you're going to be very busy starting tomorrow so you may as well have some fun."
Keichi paused in his run. Party? Is this what the afterlife was like? Keichi chuckled to himself and hurried to catch up. Everything was moving so fast, he completely forgot the ominous feeling that had lingered in the back of his mind when he woke.