Lex Talionis
Chapter 3
Ichigo looked at the seemingly harmless boy and sensed anything but harmless, "He is someone not to be underestimated," he thought seriously.
"Ain't that a coincidence, two new students both in the accelerated program," Gin commented.
"Ah," Ichigo replied.
"Where are ya from, Fushou-san?" Gin asked.
"Fushou, 80th District of East Rukongai," Ichigo replied simply.
"Ya don't say?" he replied curiously. "I'm from the 64th District of North Rukongai."
"So why'd ya become a Shinigami?" the noticeably younger boy asked.
Ichigo glanced at Gin as he further inspected the rather dull room before saying, "A promise."
Gin's grin widened ever so slightly, which did not go unnoticed by Ichigo, before replying, "This is going to be fun."
"We should go to class, it will be starting within a few minutes," Ichigo said, not bothering to comment on what Gin had said.
"I guess you're right, we don't want to go and be upsettin' anyone on our first day," Gin replied.
With that said, both Ichigo and Gin both made way to their first class, Soul Society History & Law.
Gin stood at roughly 4'10'' who seemed dwarfed by Ichigo, standing over a foot taller. Gin's eyes looked like slits, since he kept them closed at all times, and he adorned short silver hair with a purple tint.
They both received stares and were the topic of discussion as they passed by other students through the hallways of the Shinigami Academy, which wasn't surprising given how intimidating they appeared.
They were under a minute away from their first class with time to spare until a group of students blocked Ichigo and Gin's path in the hallway.
"Hey kid, what's with the hair," one of the students said loudly, gaining the attention of those standing near them.
Ichigo had paid them no attention and kept his eyes closed since the moment they left their room, which only agitated the students before them.
"Sure his hair is a bit long, but it's nothin' to be gettin' worked up over," Gin said nonchalantly.
The student's eye twitched in annoyance, "Not his hair you fool, yours!"
Gin looked at the student, "Oh, little ole me?" he said with faux unawareness.
"Yes you! Why does it look purple!" the student asked with rising frustration.
"You sure do make a fuss," Gin said rather boringly.
"That's it!" the student bellowed before he rushed Gin.
Gin smiled widely as the student ran towards him, but was mildly surprised when Ichigo had quickly grabbed the student by the shirt, and with unrecognizable speed tossed him behind them.
"You didn't have to go and do that, Fushou-san," Gin said rather cheerfully, almost amused at the whole situation.
"I do not wish to be late," Ichigo replied before continuing to walk forward, causing the group of students that were standing in their way to disperse for fear of suffering a similar fate to their classmate.
Gin laughed before following after Ichigo to class.
Ichigo and Gin managed to find two empty seats in the back of the room just as the instructor entered the classroom.
"Welcome to Section One of Soul Society History & Law!" the instructor greeted with a commanding voice.
"I am Hashimoto-sensei and I will be your instructor for this year. We won't waste any time with idle chat, so let's get right into the lesson planned for today. If you have any questions during my lecture, please raise your hand and I will answer them," he said as he looked over every one of the students.
"The Rukongai, as most of you are well aware, is the largest and most populated area of Soul Society. This is where spirits, who have either passed from the Human World by soul burial, or a hollow who was purified by a shinigami, are sent to live," Hashimoto-sensei explained.
"The Seireitei is at the center of Soul Society, at the very heart of this world, where shinigami and the noble families reside," he said.
Before the instructor continued any further he noticed a student raising a hand, "Yes, you in the back there, your name please?"
The student stood, "Fushou Ichigo. Why would it be that only shinigami and noble families may live within the Seireitei?" he asked with a steady voice, which fully matched his expression.
"Surely you wouldn't expect nobility and our military officers to reside in the same place as commoners, would you?" Hashimoto-sensei asked rhetorically as a number of students stifled a laugh at the question.
Before Ichigo could retort the instructor continued, "Now, that provides an excellent lead-in to the next topic of discussion, the government," Hashimoto-sensei said, causing Ichigo to calmly sit down, albeit reluctantly.
"Clearly this man and these students have a skewed perspective, it would be best to remain quiet as to not cause any suspicion," Ichigo thought.
"There are several different facets to the government of Soul Society: the Spirit King, the Noble Houses, and the Central 46," Hashimoto-sensei explained.
Ichigo had ever so slightly furrowed his eyebrows at the mention of Central 46, but otherwise had maintained his composure.
"The Spirit King, as the name implies, is the ruler of Soul Society. He leaves the task of running Soul Society to the Noble Houses and Central 46," the instructor elaborated.
"The Noble Houses are akin to aristocrats, being highly influential and carrying much weight in their opinion within Soul Society," he continued.
"The Central 46 is the judiciary, legislative, and operative authority of Soul Society, which brings us to laws and punishment," Hashimoto-sensei said before walking up to the board on the wall.
"I expect all of you to be taking notes," he said with his back to the students before continuing, "Here is a list of some of the many laws that you will learn in this class," the instructor paused, giving the students time to get out their equipment to copy notes.
"It is against the law for any citizen of Soul Society to create weapons of a dangerous nature not sanctioned by the feudal government. To do so is treason."
"It is against the law to attack a Captain. To do so is treason."
"It is against the law to commit terrorist actions or attempt overthrow of the balance of Soul Society. To do so is treason."
"It is against the law to commit murder."
"It is against the law to kill a human that a Shinigami has not been ordered to kill."
"It is against the law for the Gotei 13 to meddle in the affairs of the noble families unless the family in question breaks one of the laws of Soul Society beyond a shadow of a doubt."
"It is a crime for a Shinigami to remain in the Human World longer than a certain time limit."
"Any questions?" Hashimoto-sensei asked as he turned away from the board and faced the students.
A nervous looking boy slowly raised his hand, "Yes, do you have a question?" the instructor asked.
The boy slowly nodded his head, "Hashimoto-sensei, w-why is it a crime for a Shinigami to r-remain in the Human World longer than a certain t-time limit?" he stuttered out.
"Excellent question. The spiritual energy of Shinigami can have devastating side effects on humans if they are exposed to it for a prolonged period; therefore, Shinigami have time limits on their tours to the Human World," Hashimoto-sensei explained.
The instructor proceeded to continue after no further questions, "This brings us to the military branch of Soul Society: the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, and the Onmitsukidō."
"The Gotei 13 is the primary military branch of Soul Society. They are the defense of the Seireitei, where as it was explained earlier is where nobles and shinigami reside, and are allocated districts of the Rukongai to defend. They are charged with the deployment of Division members into enemy territory for combat operations, the deployment of Task Forces as defensive measures in the world of the living, and guide souls to Soul Society." Hashimoto-sensei detailed.
"We will cover the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō in tomorrow's lesson, and with that being said this concludes your Soul Society History & Law class for today," the instructor said.
The students quickly exited the classroom for their next period, with the exception of two students. Ichigo and Gin stood and slowly made their way out of the classroom.
Before they exited the class however, their instructor called out to them, "I would assume that the two of you are the accelerated students I was told about."
"That's us," Gin said with an eerie smile.
Ichigo merely nodded in response.
Hashimoto-sensei handed them both a folder with numerous papers inside and said, "Although your combat skills may exceed what the Shinigami Academy may be able to teach you, History & Law does not fall within that category. You will both be given six years worth of this subject in a single year, if you have any questions feel free to let me know."
"Lucky us!" Gin chimed with a small hint of sarcasm.
Ichigo again simply nodded in response, far less vocal than his roommate.
"Now get to your next class, you don't want to be late," the instructor said before turning away from them.
They both walked quietly to their next class in empty hallways before Gin spoke, "Its too bad we're only spendin' a year in that class, eh Fushou-san?"
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
Gin's smile widened at Ichigo, "Clearly they like us, wouldn't you say so?" he said.
"I suppose," Ichigo replied, not detecting the sarcasm.
They continued to walk down the hallways; their light footsteps were the only noise that could be heard in the vicinity.
"What's our next class?" Gin asked.
"Spiritual Energy Control & Manipulation," Ichigo answered.
After a couple of more minutes of walking, both Ichigo and Gin found their next class and again sat down in the back of the class.
Moments later their instructor walked in, "Welcome class to Section Six, Practicum, of Spiritual Energy Control & Manipulation. I am Ishikawa-sensei."
"Today we will review over sensing and controlling our spiritual energy, so quickly partner up with a fellow student and I will explain the exercise that we will be practicing," the instructor stated.
Ichigo was unmoving and his eyes remained close, Gin however had looked at Ichigo with his ever-present smile, "What do you say Fushou-san, want to be my partner?"
"Very well," Ichigo replied.
"I want you and your partner to face each other. One of you will try to hide your spiritual energy, while your partner will try to detect it. Once your partner has managed to detect your spiritual energy you will reverse roles in the exercise," Ishikawa-sensei explained.
"You hide, and I'll seek," Gin said happily.
Ichigo nodded in compliance.
Both Gin and Ichigo stood facing each other, along with the other students, and began the exercise.
After half an hour had passed, Gin finally said, "Looks like I can't find you Fushou-san."
The instructor walked up to the two of them and looked at Gin before saying, "What year student are you?"
"I'm a first year," Gin replied.
"Well this is a sixth year class, you're schedule must have been mixed up," the instructor said.
"Fushou-san told me that this was our class," Gin said while pointing at Ichigo in a playfully accusatory manner.
The instructor looked at Ichigo, "I don't detect any spiritual energy coming from you, the admissions must have made a mistake…" she said, but stopped mid-sentence when she suddenly felt spiritual energy coming from Ichigo, it was unmistakable.
"We are both first year students in an accelerated program," Ichigo said simply.
"How could a first year student have such masterful control with spiritual energy, its ludicrous!" the instructor thought in disbelief.
Ishikawa-sensei recovered from her stupor and said, "Very well, in future exercises such as these, emit enough energy so your partner may improve on sensing. For now, switch roles."
The remainder of the class consisted of Gin hiding his spiritual energy while Ichigo sensed for it, which he had no difficulties doing.
The class ended, with both Ichigo and Gin slowly walking through the hallways once again.
"It looks like I'll be holding you back in that class Fushou-san." Gin said offhandedly.
"You're much more preferable," Ichigo replied.
Gin smiled at the small compliment, "I knew this would be fun," he thought.