Ugh. I looked through the second chapter of the original Shinigami Trilogy and cringed so much. My writing was horrendous.
Enough of the negatives. Everyone, thanks for the original characters! Every chapter, I'll give credit to the authors at the end. Also, expect weekly updates, not daily updates like I once promised in my original fanfic. It takes time for me to write a chapter, and this being the Beginnings Arc, will take a lot more time than it did with the old version.
Another thing: I'm still accepting original characters. Those of you who already submitted your original characters, you already know that you can't, but to new reviewers, check the first chapter for more details. I'll probably accept original characters until I finish the Beginnings Arc, which will approximately end in five to ten chapters.
Anyways, enough talk and enjoy reading! There's a batch of original characters being introduced here, and just in time for the first chapter of the sub arc!
Ch. 2 Beginnings: A New Mission
Opening: "Rocks" by Hound Dog
"Oi, Chotaro!" Suda yelled. "Dodge to your right!"
"Ahhh!" Chotaro screamed, jumping as far as he could to the right. The Hollow's fist barely nicked him as he dodged, landing head-first into a trash can!
It was just another normal day in the life of a Shinigami. Today, in the town of Japoni, 8th Squad, 20th Seat, Suda Tsubaki and 19th Seat, Chotaro Naramichi were fighting a powerful Hollow. And right there, they were having trouble.
The Hollow looked like the rest that they have fought before, with a huge, pitch-black, humanoid body with a white mask marked with red lines and short black hair. It's body and screams were that of a human's, albeit a corrupted one, so Suda and Chotaro assumed that it was holding a grudge to allow it to stay in the human world. And they were right. Within minutes of arriving in the human world, they found the Hollow lunging towards a schoolgirl. They immediately threw themselves at the beast to keep it from devouring her.
"No! She's mine!" The Hollow screamed. "She's my childhood friend! We were supposed to get married when we grew up! Why is she dating someone else?!"
"You are already dead!" Suda yelled, running up its back to the top of its head. "Just realize that!"
He jumped off and twisted around, slicing it's mask off! The Hollow roared, dissolving into black particles, and eventually disappeared.
"Phew..." Chotaro sighed, going to lean against an alleyway. The chubby Shinigami had short brown hair and pale skin, with dark bags under his light-blue eyes, a result of staying up all night playing games. He sheathed his Zanpakuto, a katana with a blue hilt and white wrapping. "That was crazy."
"I'll say," Suda replied. "That Hollow was very intelligent and it almost got to the girl. Man, this is one of the missions that I actually did and I almost failed!"
Right after saying that, Suda subconsciously placed his hand on his chest. He blinked in surprise, then sighed sadly.
"You said that some Hollow ripped your chest open and put some of it's Reiyoku into you, right?" Chotaro asked. "Did you tell the captain about it?"
"I decided not to," Suda responded. "I thought it would attract a lot of unnecessary attention towards me, and they might kill me if they knew that a Vasto Lorde infused some of its power into me."
"Can you use it?" Chotaro asked. "The power, I mean."
"No," Suda said, his hand still on his chest. "And I don't think I want to."
"You want us to go to a meeting?" Suda inquired to the captain.
"Yup," He replied.
Keruno Zaizen, captain of the 8th Division, talked to Suda and Chotaro after their mission. His skin was dark black, with golden eyes and short black hair cut into a fohawk. Besides the Shinigami shihakusho, he wore the captain's haori with a red cape and silver shoulder-pad armor. In his hand, he held his sheathed Zanpakuto with a crimson hilt and gold butt, missing the shield and guard.
"Why?" Chotaro asked. "We just came back from a mission! Don't we get some rest?"
"Nope," He replied with a fierce demeanor, though Suda and Chotaro knew to not take him seriously. "Now, GO!"
"Alright, alright," Suda said. "It better not be for a mission."
They watched as he walked away from them and turned the corner. Suddenly, they heard his voice roaring with laughter. Their bodies shuddered with fear, but they decided to head to the meeting anyway.
Arriving in an office in the 2nd Division's area, they saw three Shinigami, one they recognized and the other two, they didn't.
The first one they saw was the one they recognized. He had the standard Shinigami uniform on with no accessories to make it unique. He was the same height as Suda, but his black hair stretched down to his neck and he had darker brown eyes. Like most people, his Zanpakuto was a katana, but his had a yellow hilt with black wrapping. This young man's name is Yushi Yanagi, Squad 8, Seat 18.
A silver, spiky-haired young man was pacing around the floor with an annoyed expression on his face and gray eyes. He wore a sleeveless Shinigami uniform with bandages wrapped around his biceps and hands. Strapped to his back was a nodachi long katana with green wrapping around the hilt and a round guard with four spiral markings detailing it. His name is Saburo Kazuya, from the 11th Squad, Seat 4.
The third was the only female of the group, with her black hair tied into a ponytail. She had olive-colored skin and reddish-brown eyes. Unlike the Shinigami there, her Zanpakuto was a broadsword strapped to her back. Her name is Ryo Yamura, of the 4th Squad, Seat 3.
"Why the hell were we called to this meeting?" Saburo questioned, continually pacing back and forth. "And why just us? Are we in trouble?"
"Calm down, Kazuya-san," Ryo responded, sitting on the bench opposite of him. "Perhaps they want to discuss a possible mission?"
"But why members of different squads?" He demanded. "This is too strange!"
"You're letting your emotions get the better of you," Ryo said.
"Shut up, 4th Division!" Saburo snapped. "We're probably scapegoats for some big mission the captains are going to do, and we'll be sacrificed for their victory! But you! You'll be in the rear, healing the wounded while I'll be doing all the work!"
"You be quiet, 11th Division!" Ryo shouted back. "We're the only reason you guys survive! If you were gravely injured, you wouldn't even be alive without us-"
"Why you-"
"Dang. The rivalry between the 11th and 4th Squads are as hot as ever," Suda said, then he turned to Yushi. "You were called over here, too?"
"Yeah," Yushi replied. "I was the one first one here. The captain told me to come here for some top-secret mission, though I could've sworn he was laughing behind my back."
"Yeah? He did that with us, too!" Chotaro interrupted. "I have a bad feeling about this mission."
Suddenly, the door slid open, shutting Saburo and Ryo up. A short, pale-skinned man walked into the room with a blank stare. They assumed he was a man through his facial features, but his skin seemed rather fleshy, as if he had been turned inside out. His thin body and his snake-like arms made him look inhuman, and the necklace of fangs really stood out. But the feature that everyone in the room recognized immediately was the red armband, signifying the lieutenant position in the Gotei 13.
"Who's he?" Yushi whispered.
"2nd Division Lieutenant Hebito Watakushi!" Ryo exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
He slowly came to a halt, then turned to Ryo without moving his eyes. Then he shifted his eyes towards her slowly, causing a chill to run down Ryo's body. "I've been assigned as leader of this team for the special mission. Everyone, please sit down."
Yushi, Chotaro, and Suda all exchanged glances, then sat down on the bench behind the other two Shinigami. Ryo and Saburo glared at each other before sitting down on the front bench on opposing sides.
"As most of you know, you five have been called for a special, secret mission," Hebito said with a quiet voice, causing the five Shinigami to lean closer to hear his words. "None of you are in trouble. You've just been specifically called by your captains to partake in this mission."
"Phew..." Saburo sighed in relief.
"Most of you probably aren't aware of this, but yesterday, three hundred citizens of the 98th District were slaughtered by Hollows who have infiltrated from outside of Rukongai," Hebito said, causing everyone - especially Saburo - to gasp in shock. "While not being able to catch up, some of the Omnitsukido were able to track the Hollows to a cave in the wastelands in the outskirts of Soul Society. Our mission is to infiltrate that cave and destroy those Hollows so that the balance of souls may be restored."
"Wait a minute!" Saburo interrupted him. "The 11th Division is in charge of that district! How come they didn't take action?"
"You don't remember?" Hebito said, slightly chuckling. "Yesterday was also the 11th Division's infamous Grand Sake Party, where they drink all day and night non-stop until they drop. In the middle of their drinking, they failed to notice the district was being attacked."
"What?" Saburo groaned.
Ryo snorted. "Ha! The 11th Division fails again!"
Saburo's face flushed a dark red and was about to erupt, but was cut off by Hebito. "Anyway, because the 11th Squad is recovering from their "Grand Hangover," they are not able to respond immediately to this emergency. And since no squad was willing to do it, a makeshift squad was made to fulfill their objective instead."
"Huh?" Suda exclaimed, standing up. "Why would they choose us?"
"It was each captain's decision to choose who they wanted to do this," Hebito replied. "Plus, no one wanted to send their soldiers' out to do this stupid mission, so they chose each of you for different reasons.
"Different reasons?" Chotaro asked.
"Chotaro Naramichi and Suda Tsubaki, the lowest ranked seats in the 8th Division," Hebito read aloud from his clipboard. "Apparently, your captain chose you two because you are lazy and he wanted to send you two out on a real mission, or so he writes."
Chotaro gulped. Suda sank back on the bench, sighing.
"Yushi Yanagi, ranked 18th of the 8th Division," Hebito continued. "You were chosen because, while your intelligence exceeds most seated officers' capabilities, you are cowardly and unskilled at combat."
"Whatever," Yushi said, turning away.
"4th Squad, Seat 3: Ryo Yamura, you were chosen because we need a healer in case someone got injured on the job," Hebito read. "Your captain seems to have great faith in you, so don't let your captain down."
"Yes sir," She replied, flashing a glance at the enraged Saburo before looking back.
"11th Squad, Seat 4: Saburo Kazuya, you were chosen because among all your peers, you were the one least in a hangover after the Grand Sake Party."
"I don't drink a lot," Saburo grumbled.
"Finally, I, Hebito Watakushi, 2nd Squad Lieutenant, volunteered for this mission," He concluded. "So not ask me why."
"You've gotta be kidding me," Suda groaned.
"I don't like this!" Saburo snapped. "Why are being forced to go on this stupid mission that we aren't responsible for?! Don't we get a say on this?"
"No," Hebito replied, his dark expression fixed on Saburo with no emotion. "We leave in one hour."
"One hour?!" Chotaro gasped.
"Seriously?" Yushi said.
"Yes," Hebito answered. "Meeting adjourned."
"HOLD ON!" Saburo roared, slamming his fist against the wall. "No! NO! This is complete bullshit! I don't have to do this! I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"
"Kazuya-san-" Ryo began.
"Questioning a superior?" Hebito said, locking stares with Saburo. "Do you know the consequences of this?"
"I don't care! You aren't my superior!" Saburo snapped back. "I am not doing this!"
He stormed towards the door, but when he reached his hand out to open it, a sword's glare flashed straight into his eyes. A dagger with a rectangular tsuba, a tanto, instantly appeared next to Saburo's wrist, causing the 4th Seat to freeze. Everyone gasped, as Hebito was previously seven feet away from the door, and he had suddenly appeared next to Saburo!
"Interesting," Hebito commented, licking the corner of his mouth. "You have a foul mouth, yet you're seated high in your Division. I have a proposal for you. We will spar outside, and if I surrender, you do not have to take this mission. But if you surrender, you will be taking part in this mission, and will be expecting a punishment afterwards."
"Hmm?" Saburo's eyes glinted with excitement, and his mouth curved into a smile. "Now that's more like it! I accept your proposal!"
"Dang!" Suda exclaimed, before whispering, "Kazuya's dead."
"Second that," Chotaro said.
"Yup," Yushi agreed.
"Shut up!"
They stood outside in front of the office building, on white tiles. Saburo and Hebito were facing each other, while the other four Shinigami watched.
"Are you ready?" Hebito asked, wielding his tanto in a reverse grip.
"Sure am," Saburo replied, bringing his fists up.
"Not going to use your Zanpakuto, eh?" Hebito commented, sheathing his blade and getting into a battle stance. "Fine. I'll take you on."
"Don't mock me!" Saburo yelled. "I'm part of the finest warriors in the 11th Division, known for prowess in hand-to-hand combat!"
"Alright then!" Suda shouted. "Ready... go!"
Immediately, Saburo lunged towards Hebito, fists flying. Hebito stood his ground and dodged or blocked every punch. Angered, Saburo leaned forward and tried to uppercut, but Hebito simply jumped back.
"Stop dodging and fight me like a man!" Saburo snapped, leaping towards him. "Take this! My Raioken!"
Saburo landed a punch on Hebito, but he simply blocked like last time. But unlike last time, Saburo began unleashing a flurry of punches, faster than his last attack. This time, Hebito had a harder time blocking the attacks and was forced to jump back. Saburo quickly landed on the ground, then threw himself forward, catching up to the lieutenant. He planted his feet firmly on the ground before striking with his two arms, yelling, "Sokotsu!"
"You'd do well not to yell your attacks before actually attacking," Hebito commented, side-stepping away.
"Hmph!" Saburo growled, smirking. "We'll seee about that!"
Saburo twisted his body and delivered a roundhouse kick, but Hebito blocked with his two arms. But then, Saburo twisted his body again, flinging himself into the air. "Gatling Jidanda!" He unleashed a flurry of kicks at Hebito's arms, causing him to release his guard and jump back,
"Why don't you stop running?!" Saburo roared.
"Dodging is a strategy too," Hebito replied.
"Holy crap," Suda exclaimed. "This is like watching an episode of Dragonball Z!"
"Both of them are good, but I believe Kazuya-san's Hakuda surpasses Lieutenant Watakushi's," Ryo observed. "I don't think Lieutenant Watakushi's skill lies in Hakuda, though. Especially because he comes from the 2nd Division."
"Oh... I get it," Yushi realized.
"I don't," Chotaro said. "What are you guys talking about?"
"It looks like I can't underestimate you," Saburo announced after chasing Hebito around the area. "I'll have to deliver a fatal strike."
"I'd like to see you try," Hebito replied.
Seeing Hebito's arrogance, Saburo used the momentum from his step to sprint towards him, appearing right in front of him. Hebito raised his arms to block, but this time, Saburo grabbed Hebito's arms and moved them away. Hebito's eyes widened and he tried to get away by kicking him, but it was too late.
"Chohigezutsuki!" Saburo roared, striking Hebito's head with a headbutt! The lieutenant flew back quite a ways before Saburo appeared next to him, raising his fist, and punched straight down! An explosion occurred, with Hebito presumably having got caught in the vicinity of the punch.
"No way!" Chotaro exclaimed. "He beat a lieutenant!"
"I don't think it's over yet," Yushi said.
"I win," Saburo flaunted, raising his fist in the air.
The brown smoke dispersed, revealing the crater that Saburo created as a result of his insane punch. But much to all their surprise, Hebito wasn't in the crater! Saburo's eyes widened as a tanto appeared right in front of his neck, sensing the presence of a Shinigami behind him.
"Your Hakuda is superb, but it's nothing if your opponent's Hoho renders it unable to make contact," Hebito said, withdrawing his blade. "In your case, your fists just couldn't catch up to me."
"What kinda Shunpo was that?!" Suda exclaimed.
"The 2nd Division is known for being closely tied with the Omnitsukido Stealth Corps," Ryo said. "As a result, most of the higher seats in the 2nd Division are the fastest members of the Gotei 13. Lieutenant Watakushi is one of those people."
Saburo breathed slowly, dropping to the floor in defeat. Hebito offered a hand and said, "From here on, don't question my authority. You are going to participate in the mission, whether you like it or not."
"Yes sir," Saburo replied, surprisingly with no rage added to his voice.
"Lieutenant Watakushi earned his respect," Ryo observed.
"I think it works the other way around also," Suda said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "He's the kinda guy I want to be like."
"Because of that distraction, we leave in thirty minutes," Hebito announced. "Get ready, now."
"Yes sir!"
Ending: "Homework ga Owaranai" by Matsuko Mawatari
Unlike the original Shinigami Trilogy's second chapter, this one actually makes sense! The original chapter had my old OC Akira and two Shinigami meeting aliens. This chapter is the first of a small sub arc in the Beginnings Arc to get people accustomed to the characters and have time for more people to submit more. To the authors whose OCs were introduced, I hope I got the characterization down. Here are the credits:
Suda Tsubaki, Chotaro Naramichi, and Yushi Yanagi - Flame Dragon Suda
Hebito Watakushi - TheTurneyvore
Saburo Kazuya - Barrett M107
Ryo Yamura - Aristomacho
Keruno Zaizen - K Entertainment (Special Request)
There are still plenty of positions for captains and lieutenants, so everyone has a fair chance. Those of you who haven't done this, look to the first chapter for details.