I do not own Bleach. It was asked how old Keigo is in this he is…I would guess around 16 or 17 (physically) He has matured a bit since he died, but still very crazy and hyper. :)

Chapter 8: Testing

Keigo slept little his first night at the Academy. Two glowing red eyes peered in on him through the night. His fitful sleep was punctuated by nightmares he could not remember.

He and Ryou ended up sharing a room with a couple of third years. Osamu Sasaki, and Diachi Abe. They were nice enough and both seemed quiet. That was until the first bottle of sake was opened. Even Keigo knew that drinking on school grounds was a very bad idea. A really bad idea was disagreeing with either while they were drunk. After a fist fight between the two of them Ryou, discretely threw the sake bottle out the window. When the two passed out in the floor. Ryou began rummaging through their things, "What are you doing!" He whispered so loudly that he could be heard halfway down the hallway.

"Looking for more sake," Was Ryou's flat unemotional response.

Keigo sat on his bed, dropped his elbows to his knees and propped his head up with his hands, "Of course, how silly of me. You planning on getting drunk on our first night here? If you get horny pal, you can just forget about this sweet ass. I'm saving myself for marriage." Keigo stuck his tongue out. Ryou almost snorted. His cheeks colored for just a second then he resumed his placidity.

Keigo cracked a smile, 'I'll get you to laugh. You aren't as frigid as you want people to think.'

"You know I think there might actually be a human soul underneath all of that stone." Keigo smirked as Ryou ignored his comment and began hitting the ceiling checking for a secret compartment. He looked under all of the cots and finally gave up. On, in and under the small desks.

"Ya know where I'd hide something like that? Right in plain sight," Keigo smirked.

"Well I have looked everywhere, I don't see how I could have missed anything," Ryou spoke.

Keigo got off his bed and sauntered up to the desk. He looked into the boxes of writing supplies. He reached in, "Ink pot, ink pot, ink pot...Ah-hah! Sake bottle!" He handed it to Ryou curious as to what the man would do. He looked first then simply tossed it out the window.

Keigo continued rummaging, "Sake bottle, sake bottle, ink pot, sake bottle." Keigo was tossing the sealed bottles to Ryou out the window they went. Fortunately for them the had a room on the outer edge of the compound the bottles landed on the rocky forest floor where they shattered. After they had disposed of the last one they each sat on their respective beds.

"How many do you think there were?" Keigo asked he hadn't bothered to count.

"Eleven full bottles and the one almost empty," Ryou looked at his new friend, "How did you know?"

"What?" Keigo playing dumb.

"Well those sake bottles looked almost identical to the ink pots. They were well hidden."

"Huh? Oh well I just thought it was weird for two guys to have more then a dozen ink pots. They hardly seem like the type to get all worked up about school work and writing," Keigo explained. "Those bottles had false exteriors that look like ink pots. I noticed when we were unpacking that something , besides the number of the pots, just didn't look right. Those two must have way to much free time for their own good," Keigo snickered, "Or they are serous alcoholics."

Ryou ghosted a smile. He stood up and stretched before turning to make his cot ready for sleep.

"So what should we do with them?" Keigo eying the passed out duo of stupid and idiotic.

"They sleep on the floor tonight. Just remember they are there so you don't trip over them," Ryou said with no sympathy in his voice.

Keigo nodded, "Okay." he to began to get ready for bed.

Red eyes! Following, stalking, hunting, "Who's there. I can see your eyes!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaaaaaa!" The thing groaned at him, "Ha-ha, ha-ha, Keigoooooo!"

Keigo heard the sound of flesh being rent from bones. Blood sprayed he saw it dripping from fanged teeth. He-he! Blood is so tasty! You must get me some so I may drink it in. I want blood. That night that man gave me a taste of your blood. It was so delicious and there was so much!" the think growled. It circled round the frightened boy, "Why do you block out what you know to be the truth. You like it too!"

"Like What?" Keigo screamed the question.

"Blood," the thing answered in a throaty growl.

"If you learn, you may wield me. If you can't I will devour you, Keigo!" The thing gave off a high pitched wine much like a distressed wolf. It circled closed. Keigo could still not see it clearly.

"You better remember this time! I'll give you no more warnings. I'll have blood even if it means taking yours!" The thing lunged at him.

Keigo gasped and sat up, "Remember." Oh he wasn't planning to forget anytime soon. That thing. It's a killer. Keigo looked around the room it was dark. He shivered in the moonlight the fine sheen of sweat coated his body. His covers were on the floor. He looked over at the two drunkards they were currently embracing like lovers. Keigo shuddered the rolled away from their tender moment, "Damn drunks." He drifted off to sleep.

Bloody entrails littered the ground. He looked around a field it was no longer dark. There had been a battle there. The field stretched for miles. As far as he could see. The smell was horrid. The only other signs of live were the birds feasting on human carrion. Keigo felt sick, but decided that giving into his very urgent need to reverse his dinner would be a deadly mistake. This place was brutal and in his mind he knew red eyes were observing him. Testing for weaknesses. Keigo would not show, his soul depended on it.

"So! Red eyes! Did you do all this?" Keigo shouted, echoes reverberated off the hills.

The thing gave a disturbing high pitched laugh, "He-he-heeeee! No! I can't claim responsibility for this, though it is a delicious sight. Don't you think." The thing half growled half wined. Keigo sensed that this was a sound of pleasure.

"Where are you?" Keigo began turning around his sandaled feet drenched in blood, remains of what appeared to be a solider sticking to his black kimono, "Who are you!"

"Haimon, Haimon, Haimon, you silly boy," the thing laughed at him incredulously, "you can not escape what you are. Weather you meant it or not you are a murder! What's more you enjoyed it."

"My name is Keigo! And, and I've never murdered anyone!"

"How many lives is it going to take. You run from your destiny! Embrace what you are." The thing hummed lightly, "Hm, hm, hm, hm-hm!"

"Hey, wake up," a feminine voice called lightly, she sing-songed, "Kei-go, wake u-up." She giggled.

Keigo groaned and pushed whoever was bothering him away only to come into contact with something that was soft, round, and squishy; not to mention pleasantly warm. Then realization hit at the same time as Keiko's fist made contact with his stomach. Keigo's eyes opened in surprise and pain. Yet he was blushing and had yet to let go of Keiko's chest. He let go and rolled off his bed, "What the hell are you doing here? This area is of limits to girls! How'd you even get in here?" Keigo grabbed the edge of his cot for support. He pushed himself to a standing position. Only realizing he was in his sleeping robe still. He blushed. Keiko stared at him, "What's with sleeping beauty and his prince." She thumbed over her shoulder. The two third years were still on the floor. In a very provocative position that made Keigo want to vomit.

"They're sleeping it off."

"What'd you two drug the poor guys and have your way with them?" She grinned evilly, "Ryou, you said you were saving those drugs for your someone special. Here I was hoping to wake up next to you having no memories of the night of passion we would have shared. It makes me sad." She pouted.

Ryou wisely ignored her knowing she was only hoping for someone to egg her on.

"Keiko would you get out of here! I need to change!" Keigo was beet red.

Keiko licked her lips, "Come on, just a little peek? Awe, pretty please." She teased seductively, "Hey don't act all shy, your the one that groped my virgin chest mercilessly. No man had ever fondled me you see. I was saving every caress for my groom." She looked at him through thick lashed.

Keigo had no idea a woman's chest could have a virginity, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean- I mean it was an accident."

Keiko could not hold in the laughter. Ryou looked at the antics of his hyper female friend. She clutched her sides, "Oh-oh-oh I've got a stitch! Ha, ha, ha, ahhh! Keigo you are to priceless!"

"Would you get the hell out of here!" He screamed. She walked out still holding her side in a painful fit of laughter.

Ryou followed her since he had dressed white Keiko was busy teasing Keigo. He called back with out looking, "You two are a lot alike."

"Yeah right!" Keigo stuck his tongue out. Only to see Keiko poke her head around Ryou's form mimicing his gesture. Both blushed and Keigo turned away.

Ryou sighed, "Come on, no free shows for you. Let's go to the court yard. Keigo, we will wait for you under the big sakura tree."

"Right," He called still blushing. He looked to make sure they, or rather she, was gone. He hurriedly dressed washed his face and ran after them.

Kiku was waiting for them perched on the stone wall that bordered the court yard, just under the shade of the same sakura tree. She shyly waved to her friends. She giggled when Keigo came bounding after them looking like an excited puppy.

They got there and exchanged good mornings, then they headed to the mess hall for breakfast. Keigo was glad he felt really hungry. Hungrier then he had felt in ages, "I wonder if our room mates have woken up yet? They would make a cute couple."

Ryou and Kikeo nodded in agreement, leaving Kiku in the dark about their little joke. She was to shy to ask so she let it be theirs and sighed heavily.

Breakfast was good, a bit on the plain side, but the food seemed to be plentiful. Second helpings were encouraged, due to the rigorous day they had in store. Keigo was to nervous and could not finish his first helping. Keiko ate three heaping bowls of rice along with her omelette and half of Keigo's, "Ya' don't mind do ya?" Keigo pushed his bowl toward her. She grinned a thank-you. Keigo blushed.

Kiku was scandalized that her sister ate so much. Then belched loudly. Kiku blushed from embarasment, "Really Kieko you should not eat so much it will reflect badly if you get ill during the sparring."

"Do you really think we'll have to fight today?"

"Sparing is one of the three tests we will have to take." Kiku assured the other three.

"How do you know?" Keiko asked with almost a glare on her face.

Kiku looked away from Keiko and instead focused on Keigo, "Weren't you three listening? We have a written test, hand to hand combat, sparing with swords. I'm looking forward to it. I hope we all do well." She smile, but only at Keigo. She realized how intensely she was staring at him that she blushed and looked away. He seemed to worried about the tests to notice she was staring at him.

"Well we should be going the written test is first we are to meet in the big assembly hall in about half an hour."

"Wow I'm glad you're here, cause I have no idea what's going on," Keigo rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Kiku blushed. Ryou looked at Kiku and saw the blush and where her eyes were locked. There was a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but it passed quickly. He cleared his throat and got up taking his dishes to the kitchen, the others followed him, and then they were off to find the assembly hall.

"Ah, I hope I don't make a complete fool of myself on this thing," Keigo smiled weakly to himself. He walked the rest of the way in silence.

The assembly hall was already packed by the time he had gotten there. The remaining free seats were sparse, so each headed off in different directions and took their seats. Keigo looked from his high perch in the bleachers. Keigo recognized the shrewd green eyes that did not belong on such a small boy's face. Taiki Miyake was standing surveying the class with his fuzzy dark brown hair wafting in the breeze that came through the open window. He waited for everyone to stop. It took only minute for everybody to still themselves.

"Good Morning, First Years! This is where we will be learning about you," Green eyes had a surprisingly mature voice. He made Keigo feel infantile, "We will begin by dividing you into four groups. Each section will be lead to a class room where the tests will be administered. I expect no cheating! Silence and concentration!"

The boy looked around the room then he cleared his throat, "Are any of you unable to read?" about half a dozen hands shot up. The boy nodded, "Since you would be unable to complete the written test you must take the oral exam." he looked surveying the audience just in case he missed someone, "If you are feeling embarrassed, do not! If you fail this test you will not be allowed admittance. You will be barred from taking the entrance exams for a further ten years!" Three more hands shot up the owners were red faced. "You nine follow me then. The rest of you wait. Each section will be lead out by an instructor." Keigo sat uncomfortably waiting. He scanned the audience. He noticed the a the seats were divided by aisles, and none of his new friends were in his section. He groaned inwardly the day would be hard enough without his friends. He felt that it should not be natural for one to become so attached in less then twenty four hours to three people he had never met before. He didn't care. He had friends and he knew they would be great friends and Kieko would undoubtedly be an endless source of mischief and fun. He smirked when he caught her in his sights. She was leaning over some helpless guy that was in the row just below hers. The boy was about his age. He could not see her face because a cascade of mint green hair blocked his view. But he knew a devilish grin was spreading across her face. She pinched the guy's cheek. He fainted dead away she flipped back up and took her seat just before the next instructor walked in.

"Greetings! I'll be taking the first section!" the busty brunette announced, "Ho there! Seems we have a fainter. The muscular woman climbed to his row and roughly picked him up. She gently slapped his face, "You can't take the test if you plann to sleep through it." The woman chuckled. Keigo had a strange mixture of arousal and fear in the pit of his stomach. She was beautiful except the ugly scar that ran up the left side of her face over her eye. Her eyes were soft, when she looked at the young man, but then she shot her head up they grew deadly cold, "Don't make me tell you twice! You don't ever want to keep me waiting!" She walked down the steps still carrying the lad, "MOVE!" she barked out the order. The first section quickly, but orderly, got up and followed her.

With his eyes, Keigo followed Keiko out the door, she turned and waved quickly. Then he saw Ryou going with that group as well. He sighed without realizing.

Next to appear was the blond man His hair looked mussed and he sported a pink blush, "Well from what I heard, Sora missed her early morning cup of coffee." The man smiled jokingly, running his fingers through his unruly golden locks. "Without delay please follow me, section two." His mouth quirked into a lopsided smile. The second group left.

In bounded the breathless blue haired woman, she was definitely blushing. It ran down to her neck, where a love bite was clearly visible. This caught Keigo's attention. He drooled a little. If he's looked around him he would have noticed many men were also drooling, or suddenly had nose bleeds. The teacher tried to regain her composure, she spoke with a musical voice, "Good Morning." She kept her hands to her sides and looked at the third section, "I'll be leading you, section three." She smiled and turned making a hand gesture for them to follow her. They got up and followed a few wiping blood or drool off their faces.

Keigo was to busy staring at the beautiful teacher to notice shy Kiku waving at him blushing.

Finally the dashingly hansom brunette entered the auditorium, "'Morning class." He smiled and a dazzling sparkle shone on his perfect teeth. Now many of the women, and some of the men, were drooling, "Please follow me," he said using a decidedly bedroom voice. The women stumbled down the stairs."

'Yeah he's probably screwing half of the student body, the female half.' Keigo thought a little relieved Keiko had not been in his group after all. He got up and followed. He grimaced, 'How do I know that I am going to be begging for death by the end of the day?'