Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Tite Kubo does. I do, however, own the OC thus far.
Chapter 7
The second thing they did after they led us to a great hall was to give each of us a plain blue card, asking us to imprint our reiatsu on it. The first? It was registration, of course. I didn't have the slightest clue on how to imprint, though, so I turned to my closest information deposit.
"Hey, Yosuke. How am I supposed to do this?" I turned to said person, asking him for directions. He was already done, his card now orange in colour and shaped differently than mine.
"Just hold the card and flow the reiatsu down your hand. It's that simple." He replied, looking relaxed, as though he had already passed the test.
Okay…let's give it a shot.
I channelled the reiatsu into the card, and it started warping, for some reason. It wasn't like the others, where it gradually changed colour. My card was glowing and twisting around at high speed.
The light that it emanated was a haunting grey. It seemed to be calling me, drawing me into it, yet it gave off such a repulsive aura that made my stomach turn. Yosuke, who was next to me, stared at the glowing card. He seemed to be immune to the effect along with everyone else in the room though, which was weird. Was the feeling limited only to the imprinter?
It's not that. This shouldn't even be happening in the first place! Elf-lady sounded panicked.
What is it?
He's back here…!
Before I could discern anything else from her, the light died suddenly, and I felt normal again. My card, now a pale grey-blue, was twisted into a strange shape, giving it an odd appearance of a mask.
A Hollow mask.
Damn, if that's what she meant, then I'm screwed. Beyond screwed.
As the examiners came around to collect the cards, I realised that about a fifth of the other cards were also morphed. Some were the face of a tiger, others a dragon, and after a while I realized that Yosuke's was in the shape of a wolf. There were a few multiples of some of them, such as the four lions, the six doves and the two snakes among the cards.
But why is mine the only mask here?
Apparently their way of judging the first test was by chucking out those people who couldn't transfigure their cards. This was met with disappointment from the majority of those who failed, and some of them demanded for a second chance. None was given, however, and they were all escorted out of the Seireitei by a handful of shinigami.
They then to separated us into four groups, 21 each, as there were 104 people remaining. Each group was to go to a separate section, Zanjutsu, Kido, etc. Yosuke ended up in the third group, while I was assigned to the first group, which meant Zanjutsu first. Having practiced kendo while I was alive, I've had some experience with swords. I just hope that it was enough.
Our group facilitator turned out to be Shuhei, who led us through some corridors to a dojo reminiscent of the one I trained in when I was alive.
Then again, every dojo looked the same as the other.
There was a two people in the dojo, one female -probably the one who recorded the results- and a completely beefed-up man, who was, surprisingly, not in shinigami clothing, but a variation of slightly different colour.
"I am Instructor Sanzo, and I will be heading this examination. Instructor Kagome over there is going to judge you based on your performance." He announced with a great voice. He then flexed, causing his muscles to completely rip his top, revealing twenty-odd wooden swords strapped on to his back. He threw the swords into the air, told us to catch them.
Easy.
I caught a sword right in front of me by the hilt as I heard sounds of wood hitting the floor coming from the crowd behind me. Guess some of them couldn't catch their swords.
"Those who failed to catch their swords, pick them up and stand to the side." Instructor Sanzo said. They obeyed his instructions.
"Your maximum marks will be halved for this examination, as you failed to catch the swords to begin with."
"What!?"
"That's not fair!"
"What kind of marking is this?"
Ignoring the protests that came his way, he started speaking.
"Pick up your swords, and don't complain. Not being able to catch your sword means either your reaction is slow, you have bad reflexes, or both. These two are extremely important for a shinigami."
That…makes sense.
He then addressed everyone. "Now everyone pair up! I don't care who partners who, but I want to see everyone in pairs within 10 seconds!"
The group started scrambling around, looking for people to pair with. Some people were acquainted with one another and chose them as partners. I walked around, searching for partners, but they were all taken. Sooner or later I was left standing alone as there were an odd number of candidates.
Figures. Leave the new kid out.
"Who doesn't have partner?" Instructor Sanzo checked.
I raised my hand.
"You're with me then." Shuhei said, making his way to me from the corner of the dojo.
Crap. I have to spar with a lieutenant? This was getting bad.
Relax.
I'm trying to, elf-lady. But I'm pairing with a freaking lieutenant here.
You'll be fine.
If you say so... By the way, is he gone? The hollow, I mean.
Yes. He only returned for a short while.
"Okay, now two pairs go at a time. Instructor Kagome and I will keep track on your progress. You are to spar with one another. However, you can only hit the opponent using the sword provided. Stop only when the other cannot fight." He briefed.
"Alright, you two," he pointed to two people, "and you two," he pointed to the pair next to them, "will be going first."
The indicated people made their way, one already sweating nervously, to the centre of the dojo. They each took their individual stances, and the instructor told them to begin.
I decided to watch the match Instructor Sanzo was judging. The two people attacked each other ferociously, but the smaller girl was slowly losing ground.
"Looks like the guy will win, doesn't it." Shuhei commented. He appeared to be watching the same match as I was.
"No. Look at the girl. She's just toying with him." I told him.
True enough, the girl made a sudden spin and struck her opponent in the leg. He cried out in pain and flinched for a tiny moment, but the damage was done. The girl began a barrage of attacks from every direction that was too swift for him to parry completely. He eventually dropped his sword and used his arms to shield himself from the flurry of blows.
"Stop!" Instructor Sanzo bellowed. He turned to the guy who dropped his sword. "You have failed this test. It was supposed to be a sword fight. In a real battle, you would've been dead, many times over. Take this as a lesson to never drop your weapon unless truly necessary. Now stand over to the side. You are to go home after everyone here is done with this test."
"But-" he protested.
"No buts. You are to obey the instructions given. Next four!" He shouted. The girl who had just won her match walked of coolly, not even panting.
"Looks like you do know your stuff," Shuhei commended.
As pair after pair had their spar, with two other people getting disqualified, Shuhei and I conversed for a bit, mostly about the ongoing matches. He did say he'd go easy on me though, which was definitely a good thing.
Pair after pair competed with had their spar, and eventually, only Shuhei and I were left.
"Last pair!" Sanzo called. "Watch this, greenhorns. Lieutenant Hisagi is going to show you how you're supposed to use your sword."
Everyone started staring as we stepped onto the centre. I heard a few whispers, mostly about how unlucky I was to face a lieutenant. I personally agreed with them. Fate had it in for me today.
Stop being so negative. You'll be fine.
No guarantees.
I took my stance and faced Shuhei, who had a looked a little too bored for a swordfight. Granted, I was a newbie, but-
"Begin!"
I rushed and instantly swung wooden sword in an upward sweep, hoping to stagger him for an opening. Instead of parrying it, he dodged to my right, switching his sword to his left hand and spinning, aiming for my back. I crouched to avoid the incoming blow and swung upwards using my front leg as a lever. I felt much faster that I'd ever felt in while I was alive. And I was dead.
How ironic.
He dodged to my left this time and swung downwards with his weapon. I deflected the blow and countered with a thrust, which he parried expertly, as expected of a lieutenant.
Shuhei still looked too relaxed for his own good, so I decided to up the pace. Beginning a two-handed swordplay technique, I hammered on his wooden sword rapidly with overhead strikes before spinning and aiming for his side. My strength had increased as well, making my attacks swifter and more jarring.
The surprising thing was that I was enjoying this.
Told you.
What was unsurprising, however, was that Shuhei blocked my last hit, but he looked a little more awake now. He started to go on the offensive, and employed a variation of the technique I used earlier, only it ended with a thrust, which I narrowly avoided, the tip grazing my clothes. Letting my right hand go from the sword, I attempted a left-handed swing at his open stomach.
Instead of parrying, he did the unexpected and leapt on to my sword and kicked off, spinning upside down in the air and throwing me off balance. He completed the flip and landed a fair distance away, and immediately began running toward me to attack while I was still turning on my feet.
My increased reaction speed allowed me to toss the sword into the air and catch it with my right hand in time, using the momentum from his kick to parry his rising strike.
You're not gonna get me that easily, bro.
We stood there, deadlocked. In movies, this would be the point where we start talking, but honestly, I don't know how they can put that in. I mean, yeah, it's dramatic, but when you deadlock, you use everything you have to overpower the enemy. There is not time for words. You can, however, lock eyes.
Slowly, but surely, I was being overpowered. Before he could throw me off, I leapt back, and Shuhei, expecting the sudden loss of resistance, jumped back as well.
Now this is when conversations can take place. We were circling each other with our swords lowered, but at the ready.
"You know, you're pretty good." Shuhei complimented.
"You're not so bad yourself." I admitted. I was barely worn out, as this was nothing compared to 3 hours of non-stop shunpo.
"What else would you expect? I am a lieutenant, you know." He replied indignantly. I watched out for signs of incoming attack during our conversation, as most people usually attack when their opponent is distracted with small talk. When I saw his foot stiffen, I slid to the side, already in the action of parrying his next slash.
From then on, the battle became much more intense. I found myself relying more and more on survival instincts as opposed to rational thinking as blow after blow was exchanged between us. Deciding that this was going nowhere, I opted to get away from him to strategize.
Moving to the other end of the dojo, I heard collective gasps from the candidates, while Shuhei and the other instructors' eyes were widened with surprise.
I realised what I did just then. I used shunpo to get away from the slashing machine.
…Crap. I don't think I'm supposed to know how to do that yet.
So much for not drawing attention.
Well, no time for regrets. He's coming right now.
Sure enough, Shuhei was coming, a little faster than before. He looked fully focused now, and surely enough, he did the unexpected once more and shunpo-ed into the air above me with his sword raised over his head. He was poised to deliver a finishing blow.
You didn't tell me shunpo could be used to leap into the air like that!
You never asked.
Fair point.
I got into a forward stance and deflected his sword, causing it to go off course while I continued with a thrust. Exercising great control, he reversed the direction of his sword before getting hit and pushed my thrust away lightly. I brought my right hand to the back of the sword for and we clashed again, only this time, we were both on the ground.
"Let's finish this. It's taking too long." I told him. He nodded in agreement and we both backed off, gearing up for one final encounter.
I watched him slowly as he got into his stance. He was watching me as well, and if neither of us moved, we'd probably be standing here till the sun comes down.
At the slightest movement from him, I shunpo-ed upwards and kicked off the dojo ceiling, increasing my velocity and adding my entire weight to the attack. He simply executed a normal shunpo, and my sword met his in the centre in a titanic clash.
Both our wooden swords broke. I guess we exerted too much force on them or something.
Oh well.
I turned back to Instructor Sanzo, his jaw still agape from the awesomeness of the battle.
"The swords broke. Do I pass?" I asked him. I already knew the results, but it never did hurt to confirm things.
He took awhile to register the fact that I was talking to him.
"Uh… I guess you deserve full points for disarming a lieutenant." He recovered. "Although your weapon broke as well, you displayed great skill with the sword by being able to keep up with Lieutenant Hisagi's attacks."
"Thanks, Instructor." I turned back and walked back to the side of the dojo along with Shuhei. Everyone's eyes were on me, and I heard more whispers, although they were completely different from the ones before, opposites, even.
Shuhei began to address the candidates the moment we reached back to the wall.
"We will be going to the next section of the exam now. It's Hoho." He informed us. "Those who have failed, follow the two shinigami at the door."
Awesome. Hoho means time for a break.
After the three ex-candidates exited the dojo looking rather depressed, the rest of us followed Shuhei along more passages and corridors to end up at an indoor field. It had a skylight, and it was huge, about the size of two football fields. There were two people already there, whom I assumed were the examiners for this exam. Again, it was male and female.
Maybe they're trying to promote anti-sexism or something.
"I am Instructor Hajime, and I'm in charge of your Hoho examination." The rather unremarkable man announced.
"And I am Instructor Shimizu. I am here to record your marks." The woman informed in a clear, yet quiet voice.
"The rules here are simple. As I understand it, there are 18 of you left. All of you will be divided into groups of 3. There will be a game of 3 on 3 tag lasting 10 minutes. The rules are simple."
"This," he held up a red sticker-like object, "is a tag. There will be 3 of them in the game. All of them have reiatsu detectors which indicate which team has the longest time with the tag. The tag is automatically passed on when you tag someone, including your team members."
"Before I place you into groups, remember one more thing. Your marks here are distributed on both your individual and teamwork skills." He warned.
"Now Gendo, Himura and Suzuki, you're in the first team." He went on. The indicated people nodded and huddled together to discuss strategy.
The organisation of groups continued.
"This should be easy for you and me." I turned around, and recognized the speaker as the girl who won the first match at Zanjutsu by her distinctive layered raven black shoulder-length hair. Her face was structured like doll, and she had porcelain white skin. Startling blue eyes shone on her face, and she looked lithe and slim. No doubt about it, she was beautiful.
"I guess." I replied. I felt surprised that she would even talk to me in the first place, seeing as she ignored most of the other candidates.
"Where did you learn to shunpo like that, anyway?" She asked, with a curious expression on her face.
Should I tell her, elf-lady?
Do what you wish. I could almost hear her rolling her eyes in my mind.
Deciding on the truth, I described to her how I learned to shunpo, omitting the parts where I fell into the mud a few times. No point looking bad in front of someone you just met, right?
She chuckled amusedly. "Yours is the first case I have heard of, learning shunpo from a zanpakuto. I, on the other hand, learnt it from my brothers." So she can shunpo as well. I suspected as much.
"What is your name?" She continued. I mentally kicked myself. How could I be so impolite, especially to a girl like this?
"Shiro Aragaki. Pleased to meet you." I answered. I can only hope I didn't make too much of a bad impression. "And yours?"
"My name is Ayame Mochizuki. The feeling is mutual." Holy crap she's formal. Is she nobility or something? Impoliteness plus nobility equals to-
"Mochizuki, Aragaki and Sanada, team 4." Instructor Hajime announced, interrupting my train of thought.
What a joke. Our team will win for sure.
…Unless Sanada keeps 3 tags on him at all times.
A/N: Sorry for the update delay. Busy with school and whatnot. -.-
He did not win. He drew, and if had continued fighting the lieutenant, he would've lost for sure.
Hope you enjoy reading! PLEASE REVIEW!
It would be extremely appreciated. ;P