sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry For not updating in awhile, life has been a little crazy lately.
So chapter 4. Okay, so its probably not the best, but I needed a connecting chapter, so hang in there people!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this...okay I probably own a couple of random characters like the receptionist in ch. 1 & 2 and the sensei from this and the previos chapter, who if you haven't noticed does not have a name and will probably never have one.
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"Than even more hollows appeared and all of them were huge! Even our instructor, Hisagi, had never seen a hollow so big! Luckily, Aizen-taicho and Ichimaru-fukutaicho showed up and took care of them. They were amazing!" Momo enthusiastically told her story to Rukia about the events that occurred during the upper class's trip to the world of the living.
Rukia's eyes were wide in amazement at her roommate's story. "That really happened during a simple konso practice?"
"Yup," There was pride in her voice at Rukia's amazement.
"Wow," said Rukia. "I think our class will be going to the world of the living soon. I hope something like that doesn't happen again! Two students died!"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Momo said. "Something on that scale is very rare, if not it's never happened before, though it isn't unheard of for a normal hollow to attack during a konso practice. Actually, it's almost expected with all of that spiritual pressure concentrated in one place."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Besides, I'm sure you'd be able to handle it. Weren't you just telling me that things really going better for you now?"
"Yeah, they are," said Rukia, her face brightening a little. "Ichigo is a lot more tolerable now and we have been doing a better lately and I think both of us have stronger in the past week."
"Well, it's good to see that you aren't fighting anymore."
"Are you kidding me?! We still get into fights everyday!" said Rukia in an aggravated voice. "Though it is a lot better than it was before."
"I guess that's something. But, you know… if you keep up the progress," said Momo suggestively. "…He is really cute."
"Momo don't even go there," her face set into a frown.
"Come on! I'm just stating a fact," said Momo trying to defend herself.
"Well, then I guess I could agree with that fact," She quickly continued before Momo could respond. "But, he's always frowning and always looks like he's angry with the world."
"Well, everyone has there reasons," Momo shrugged.
"Whatever," replied Rukia, getting tried of the conversation. "I'm going to bed. Isn't there some guests coming in tomorrow?"
"Yeah," confirmed Momo. "I think a couple of the captains are coming in to work with us."
"Really? Captains?" Rukia was very surprised at this news. There class had not been told the reason for the class tomorrow.
"Yeah they are supposed to come in every so often to help us out a little bit and to also see the people who might be candidates for their own companies when graduation comes around."
"I guess that makes sense."
"I hope Aizen-taicho is one of the ones coming tomorrow!" said Momo. She looked excited at just the thought of it.
"Well, we will find out tomorrow, but for now we should probably get some rest."
Momo just nodded her head in acknowledgement. She was still thinking about the captain that had impressed her the other day.
"I want everyone's attention!" yelled the sensei. "Today we are going to add something to our regular practice and a very important guest with us today. Our guest is a captain class shinigami and will be working with each pair to see how you are doing and give you some pointers."
"Quiet down!" shouted the sensei when he heard a murmur travel through the group. When it finally got quiet, again he introduced the captain. "I would like you to welcome, Ukitake-taicho."
All of the students turned toward the door to see a man enter the room. He was wearing the traditional black shinigami uniform and over it, wore one of the long, white coats that only the captains could wear. On his back was the number thirteen, partially covered by his long white hair. His face was kind and almost fatherly while he wore his zanpaku-to at his hip.
"Now," said the teacher. "All of you will start off practicing with your partners like you usually do and the Ukitake-taicho will come around to all of the groups. Now begin!"
Rukia and Ichigo squared off, taking out there zanpaku-tos. They charged at each other both determined as their swords clashed. Both were forced back from the power delivered to the blow. Their blades met again, movements fast, both looking for an opening. Rukia swung at Ichigo, who quickly stepped back to avoid her blade. Then taking his chance, he stepped in bringing his blade across forcing her to be thrown back. When Rukia regained her footing, she immediately started chanting.
"Hado 4, Byakurai!" Rukia shouted, pointing directly at Ichigo as lightning shot from her finger. Ichigo's eyes went wide as the kido sped toward him, his mind racing.
Before the impact came, a figure wearing a bright white coat stepped in front of him, cutting away the kido.
"That was some very good kido," said Ukitake as he stepped into the battle. Rukia blushed at the complement from the captain. "Though I think your partner here is very glad that came in."
"I could have handled it," said Ichigo stubbornly. Rukia smirked at him disbelievingly; Ichigo glared at her.
Ukitake chuckled as he turned to face the boy. He took in a sharp breath as his eyes went wide. Standing in front of him was a boy who looked so much like-
"Um…Is there something wrong Ukitake-taicho?" questioned Ichigo seeing the odd look on the captain's face. Rukia, who had just come up along side them, also looked at Ukitake in wonder.
"Oh…uh...sorry about that," said Ukitake coming out of his daze and giving the two a friendly smile. "You just look a lot like some one I know. Now shall we get to business?"
Ichigo and Rukia exchanged a look in confusion, but after silently deciding that it wasn't really important they turned to the captain, giving him their attention.
"Alright now," said Ukitake in a cheery voice. "I was watching you two for a while and both of look very skilled for your level and look like you're doing good. So, what I want you to do now is for you both to attack me and I want to see if you can try to get a hit."
"What?" said Rukia disbelievingly. "Fight against you?"
"Oh, don't worry…um…"
"Rukia," she supplied.
"Don't worry Rukia I'm not even going to use my shikai."
"Shikai?" asked Ichigo.
"A zanpaku-to's first release," answered the captain. "Something that you will eventually be able to do. Now, let's see what you've got."
Ichigo and Rukia held out there zanpaku-to in front of them, hesitating. Across from them Ukitake-taicho just smiled waiting for them to make a move. Finally, Ichigo was fed up with waiting and started running toward the captain. As he came close, Ichigo brought the sword up above his head and brought it down on his opponent. Seeing Ichigo come at him, Ukitake reached up and caught the incoming blade with his hand. Both Ichigo and Rukia stared; he had not even drawn blood.
Ichigo's scowl deepened as he tried to pull back the sword, with no such luck. Frustrated, Ichigo tried pulling the sword closer to himself, pulling it lower this time. This movement caused the captains arms to come further away from his body opening up the area. Ichigo took this opportunity to, swing his body around and aim a kick right toward his midsection. However, as soon as it was about to land, Ukitake-taicho's other hand came up to catch the boy's leg.
Now Ichigo was completely off balance. Now it was Ukitake's turn to raise his hand and point it directly at him. Ichigo knew what was coming, he had seen Rukia do the same thing to him countless of times.
"Bakudo 1, Sai," he said calmly as Ichigo was once again face down on the ground with his hands bound behind his back.
While Ukitake-taicho was preoccupied with Ichigo, Rukia had begun chanting a kido spell of her own. "Ruler…The mask of blood and flesh, all things of the universe fly, that which names all! Gathering of heat and war, beyond the seas in reverse, take steps to the south. Hado 31, Shakkaho!" yelled Rukia.
Ukitake was surprised to see a fire blast coming straight toward him. A Hado of the 31st level? This girl is very skilled. Why isn't she in the upper class? thought Ukitake as he shunpoed out of the way.
Rukia was surprised when he suddenly vanished. "Are you looking for someone?" came a voice from behind her. Rukia turned around to find Ukitake sending the same kido he had used on Ichigo take her and force her to the ground with her hands behind her back.
"Hmm…I wasn't expecting kido of that level, but then I guess you probably weren't expecting speed of that level," said the captain of the thirteenth company. "But, I am impressed you did very-"
He was cut off when he felt a sudden increase in spiritual pressure. Ukitake turned to see Ichigo now standing trying to pull his arms apart, his spiritual pressure rapidly increasing. Rukia watched him in shock.
What does that idiot think he's doing?! He's going to seriously hurt himself!
Ukitake seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Stop! You're going to hurt yourself!" He ran toward him, growing frantic. "Stop! You'll never be able to-"
But, the captain was unable to continue because at that moment, with a yell, Ichigo broke free of his bindings, with no injuries, and with his spiritual pressure pulsing around him.
Ichigo gave a cocky smirk and picked up his sword pointing toward Ukitake. "It's not over yet."
Ukitake-taicho stared at him in disbelief. He should not have been able to do that! And were did all of that spiritual pressure come from? Some shinigami in my division don't have that much! Then he looked over at Rukia who was chanting the release spell. And there are a lot shinigami who wouldn't be able to perform a Hado 31 (the eleventh division barely knows any kido). What are they doing in this class? Ukitake looked at the two before letting out a sigh and shook his head; there was a light smile playing on his lips.
"Okay," he said. "We can stop now." Ichigo grudgingly lowered his sword as Rukia made her way over to the other two. "Both of you did very well, though you both obviously have your strengths and weaknesses." He turned to Ichigo. "You defiantly need to work on kido, while Rukia," he turned to the addressed girl. "You need to work on hakuda. And I suggest to both of you to keep working in general on everything, especially with your zanpaku-to which are the main power of a shinigami."
Ichigo grumbled. "Why should I learn kido, since I obviously suck at it?"
"Kido can always come in handy, especially the healing aspect of it."
"I think I can survive a few cuts."
Ukitake laughed to himself at the boy's arrogance. "But, what if your partner was seriously injured?"
"I could take care of myself," said Rukia stubbornly. She was surprisingly outspoken in front of the captain. "I don't need that idiot's help."
"Just like wouldn't need your help midget!" replied Ichigo angrily.
"You wouldn't last a second without me Strawberry!" Tempers started flaring.
"You-"
"Okay, Stop it now there is no need for you to argue!" Ukitake had a feeling that this was a pretty common thing, though he had heard that this particular pair was better than it was before. He could only image what it had been like at the beginning. "This is one of your problems!"
Ichigo and Rukia looked up at the captain in shame; it was embarrassing being scolded by the captain at their first meeting. Then Ukitake's face became a little calmer as he paused and coughed into his arm. "Look. Another thing that you two really need to work on is teamwork. There is a reason that you were put into these groups and in the future you two will be forced to work together and instead of hurting each other, you need to help each other, especially with your skills. Both of you have a lot of potential, but you can turn that potential into product and become great shinigami."
Ichigo and Rukia looked at him and then gave each other a quick glance at each other before Rukia answered, "Alright Ukitake-taicho. We'll try."
"Ichigo," he said questioningly to the boy.
"Yeah, we'll do better."
"Good. Now I leave you to your regular training." And with that, he turned around and left.
Rukia then turned around to face her partner. "Well are you ready?" She lifted her zanpaku-to and pointed at him.
"You know I'm always ready," said Ichigo as he lifted his own zanpaku-to. "Though I don't see why you bother if you know I'm going to win."
"Then why do you always argue with me, if you know I'm always going to win?" she said smugly.
"A kick to the shins does not count as winning!" argued Ichigo.
"Well it does make you stop. I would call that winning." And with that she added a nice kick to his already bruised shins to prove her point. Ichigo glared at her as she smirked. It looks like she had won again.
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Alright, So what did you think? Please let me know and REVIEW!!!
A/N: I know in this chapter they kind of acted a too... outspoken?....in front of a captain, they probably hould have been more aware (though I doubt Ichigo would care)
Much thanks to ninjapirate6, SplitToInfinity, Vi-Violence, and Blacksword Zero for reviewing chapter 3! You Guys Are Awesome!
Until next time
~StrawberryShinigami