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Chapter 11: Sever
Kirara's expression gave nothing away as she surveyed Kenjiro and his Zanpakuto. The handle was long and black, with the blade curving around to provide a long and dangerous reach.
"Lost for words, Commander? She is an unusual one," Kenjiro gave a small laugh as he lowered his Zanpakuto. Kirara's eyebrow rose very slightly.
"A Scythe. Explains the injuries inflicted on my subordinate," she finally spoke, sounding uninterested. "You shouldn't call your Zanpakuto unusual, however," Kirara told him.
"Oh?" Kenjiro smirked. "Are you saying that you have one similar?" he asked in amusement.
"No," Kirara gave an impatient sigh. "What I'm saying is that there is no Zanpakuto that could be defined as 'usual'. No two Zanpakuto are the same, after all," she pointed out. Kenjiro rolled his eyes.
"You are such a bore, Commander. I would have thought that one who dresses so provocatively would be a little more interesting," Kenjiro complained. Kirara didn't respond, hiding her irritation over his insistence on talking so much, not to mention his snide comment about her outfit. "Well? Aren't you going to release your Zanpakuto? Let's see how different it is," he told her, his murderous smile returning.
"No," it instantly dropped.
"No?" Kenjiro gaped at her. "Are you telling me that you can't release your Zanpakuto?" he asked incredulously.
"Don't put words in my mouth," Kirara groaned. "I'm telling you no, I won't release my Zanpakuto. I don't like to do it on a whim," she told him.
"Fine then...it's your funeral!" Kenjiro yelled as he leapt at her. Kirara dodged, but heard a rip as the scythe caught her shirt and ripped it.
'Kirara, be careful,' Kokoro no Kage whispered as Kirara leapt into the air to dodge again. 'You have no experience with a weapon such as this. We have no idea what her ability could be,' he warned her.
"I'm being careful," Kirara hissed back, flipping over Kenjiro's head and slashing across his back. He let out a cry this time as her blade caught across the other wound she had inflicted, and he swung backwards. Kirara managed to block, but was pushed back in the process. "I need to find a way to subdue this idiot," she muttered, dodging his next attack.
"What's the matter Commander? You don't seem to be having fun!" Kenjiro laughed, and Kirara took the opportunity to get in close. His eyes widened as Kirara swung up, and he moved his Zanpakuto to try and block, as if forgetting his blade's true shape. It bumped Kirara, who started, and her blade missed her target, instead slashing up his face.
Kenjiro's scream echoed as Kirara landed several metres away, breathing heavily. That had been close. If he had been a little more careful, he could have done her some damage. Kenjiro clutched at his face as blood ran through his fingers, splashing into the grass under his feet as he staggered.
"Now to finish this," Kirara whispered, and shot in again. However, Kenjiro reacted quickly, blocking her strike. Kirara grunted, and leapt back.
"You bitch, you'll regret this!" Kenjiro hissed as he followed her, swinging wildly. Kirara was forced to go on the defensive to block his attacks, which were hard for her to predict not only because of the shape of the Zanpakuto, but also due to his completely random attack pattern. It was sloppy; the moves of someone whose mind was clouded by anger.
"Just give up Shirobara! You can't win this!" Kirara warned him.
"Shut the hell up!" Kenjiro shrieked, finally bouncing his blade against Kirara's and knocking it up. He struck before she could, and Kirara crashed to the ground, gasping for breath as her body screamed in pain. She clutched at her chest as blood flowed freely, pouring from the cut down her torso. If it had been any deeper, she'd have been dead. "I'd love to let you live Commander, and see what Reikonsatsu can do, but not after what you've done," Kenjiro's voice was low as he landed in front of her. Kirara grunted, glaring at him as she grabbed her Zanpakuto tightly.
"Well done," she suddenly gave a chuckle, and Kenjiro frowned, confused. "You've forced my hand," she told him.
"Wha-" Kenjiro's eyes widened as she tossed her Zanpakuto into the air.
"Confuse My Enemies, Kokoro no Kage!" Kirara suddenly used Shunpo, grabbing her Zanpakuto as it began to change. She then used Shunpo again, disappearing from view.
"What? Where'd you go?" Kenjiro growled. "Come out Commander, let's not make this last any longer than it has to!" he shouted. Feeling her Reiatsu, Kenjiro rushed in the direction it was going, only to scream as Kirara suddenly appeared to his side, cutting down his arm. "You bitch!" he swung again, but she disappeared. "Coward!" Kenjiro roared, and launched himself across the clearing as he felt her presence again. However, a powerful kick landed right where the two wounds on his back met, and he was thrown to the ground as he choked in pain.
"What's the matter? I thought you wanted to finish this now?" Kirara asked as she appeared behind him. She was breathing heavily, and sweat was running down her face from the strain of keeping going. Blood was continuing to pour from her wound, and she was almost completely covered in it by this point. Her vision was spinning, and she was growing weaker by the second.
"That's a nasty Zanpakuto you've got there," Kenjiro breathed as he pushed himself up. Kokoro no Kage's shape had changed from the short katana, to a long blade that was slightly curved.
"You're one to talk," Kirara replied, trying to keep her indifferent tone, but her voice was just as strained as her body. She had to finish this quick, before she passed out from the blood loss.
"I suppose so..." Kenjiro nodded, before slashing at her quickly. Kirara disappeared again, and he looked to his left when he felt her coming from that direction, only for her to appear from the front and slash across his front. Kenjiro shrieked in pain, and lashed out again. Kirara disappeared before he could land a strike, and this time when he felt her approach from the left again, Kenjiro turned in a different direction, only for Kirara to strike from the left. "Just what are you doing?" he growled as Kirara stood several metres away.
"I'm not going to explain it to you if you're not intelligent enough to catch on," Kirara told him, her vision swimming. Before she realised it, she'd dropped Kokoro no Kage, and was falling to the ground, breathing heavily. "Dammit...I won't...I won't lose...to you..." Kirara pushed herself into a sitting position, breathing heavily.
"Too late!" Kenjiro rushed at her. Kirara's eyes widened as she frantically thought of what to do.
'Kokoro no Kage...I'm sorry...' Kirara closed her eyes, only to hear a thud and a shriek. Her eyes shot open, and she looked up in shock as Kenjiro landed in a heap several feet away.
"Just what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time, Princess?" Shinji asked, glancing over his shoulder at her. Kirara's eyes were wide as she stared at him. "You weren't about to give up, were you?" he asked.
"Of course not," Kirara spat, looking away.
"You'll regret crossing paths with me, Commander," Kenjiro hissed, before turning and running off.
"Stop!" Kirara pushed herself to her feet, only for her legs to immediately give in. She fell, only for Shinji to catch her. "Don't let him escape! I'll be fine, I-"
"You're bleeding to death, idiot, so take it easy," Shinji snapped at her, and Kirara whimpered as he lowered her to the ground. She leaned against the tree she had her back to, wincing in pain as it hurt to even breathe.
"But...he'll get away..." Kirara mumbled. "Why are you helping me instead of catching him?" she demanded weakly.
"That's not my job," Shinji rolled his eyes. "Yoruichi asked me to come along to help with keeping you idiots safe, remember?" he pointed out. Kirara sighed heavily.
"Thanks. I owe you one," she admitted.
"I'd say we're about even now," Kirara's eyes widened, and before she realised it, she was laughing as tears stung at her eyes.
"Seems so," she agreed with a giggle. "Yet I'm still the one covered in blood," she couldn't help but laugh.
"Well...not entirely," Kirara looked up, and realised that Shinji was now covered in her blood.
"Oh...sorry," she apologised, making him blink.
"I think that's gotta be the first time those words have ever left your mouth, Princess," he smirked, making her frown.
"Oh I have lost way too much blood for you to-" before Kirara could even think of snapping at him, Shinji leaned in and kissed her. Kirara froze, taken completely by surprise by the action. When the blond pulled away, she stared up at him with wide eyes, and he kept his face impassive, meeting her gaze evenly. Before she realised it, Kirara grabbed the front of his robes as tightly as she could, pulling him back in, returning the kiss as it grew more fierce.
Kirara could barely process what was going on, becoming more light-headed and dizzy by the second. She needed to breathe, but nothing seemed more important than by keeping Shinji close. Her heart was pounding painfully as part of her demanded to know what she was doing, while the other side didn't care in the slightest. Finally her lungs won out, and she broke the kiss, both of them breathing heavily as Kirara's eyelids grew heavy.
"Hey, don't you dare pass out," Kirara groaned when Shinji slapped her face lightly.
"Shinji! What happened?" he looked around as Yoruichi appeared, followed by someone from Squad 4.
"That guy's Shikai was a damn scythe," Shinji replied, untangling his robes from Kirara's grip so he could move out of the way. Yoruichi quirked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything as the healer began to work.
"Sorry Cap'n...'e got 'way," Kirara's voice was a mumble as her eyes began to close. Her face was pale, and her breathing laboured.
"You'll get him next time," Yoruichi told her confidently, before Kirara's eyes completely shut and she passed out.
"That was a pretty interesting fight," Shinji looked around to one of the young men who had been watching him spar with Kirara. Most of the class had dispersed as soon as their Sensei had dismissed them, but a few were lingering. Kirara was back speaking with a few young men, giggling at what they were saying as she fidgeted with her long hair that was lying loose.
"What can I say? I'm an interesting guy," Shinji just shrugged with a smirk. The young man – Ryoji, Shinji recalled – gave a small laugh.
"I can't argue that. One of the only ones here who knows the name of their Zanpakuto, you've gotta be," Ryoji nodded, folding his arms. "So, listen. A couple of us are thinking of going out to the forests tonight, to take it easy and have some tonight. You in?" he asked with a grin. Shinji raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, sounds good," he nodded, but there was a bad feeling niggling at him as he accepted.
"Great. See you there!" Ryoji grinned, jogging off. Kirara glanced after him, her smile fading as she looked around at Shinji.
"You can't be serious," Shinji opened one eye, having decided to get some more sleep in the grass before their next class.
"Care to elaborate, Yamada?" he asked, yawning loudly as he closed his eye again.
"Going to the forest tonight. You realise that place is crawling with Hollows, right?" Kirara folded her arms as she raised an eyebrow.
"I'm well aware. I did grow up in the Rukongai as well, you know," he reminded her.
"And you're still going? What if something happens?" Kirara tilted her head.
"I think we can take a Hollow if one shows," Shinji just yawned widely again, and Kirara shook her head.
"That's what everyone thinks, till they actually face one," she muttered. "Well, it's your funeral," she shrugged, turning on her heel and walking off. Shinji opened an eye again, watching her stride off. She had the nerve to tell him what to do?
"You guys never mentioned how far out we were going," Shinji commented as he and a group of other students walked through the forest.
"Careful Hirako, you sound nervous," Taeko, one of the girls there, teased him.
"Not nervous. Cautious. There's a difference," Shinji muttered back.
"Relax, we're here to have fun away from those stiffs," Ryoji waved a dismissive hand. "We deserve a chance to have some fun," he shrugged.
"Speaking of, did you strike out with Kirara?" Taeko smirked at him, and the faintest blush showed on Ryoji's face before he could hide it. "The girl will flirt with pretty much anyone, but she's kind of a tease. And way out of your league, Ryoji," Taeko taunted.
"Oh shut up Taeko," Ryoji muttered.
"Her loss," Hideo scoffed. "She was way too scared. She even has her own Zanpakuto, and she's terrified of this place," he laughed mockingly, and the girl beside him giggled as well. Shinji was starting to wonder why he'd gone with them. If he was honest, he hadn't intended on going, until Kirara had called him out on it. It had only made him want to go.
"There's nothing even scary about this place. It's just a stupid forest. The elders just made crap up to keep us from coming here," Ryoji scoffed, before freezing as he heard a roar.
"Nothing, huh?" Hideo's laughter was gone as they looked around. Hearing the thuds of heavy footfalls, they looked around, just in time to see a bipedal Hollow emerge from the trees, narrowing glowing eyes on them.
"A Hollow..." Kana, who had been glued to Hideo's side, whimpered. Shinji growled in frustration as he drew his Zanpakuto. Just their luck to actually come across a Hollow.
"H-Hado #4! Byakurai!" Taeko cast a Kido, but it missed by miles, striking a tree. The Hollow moved faster than expected, and Taeko was slammed against a tree with a scream.
"Let her go! Hado-"
"Stop, you might hit Taeko!" Kana screamed at Ryoji as he went to fire a Kido of his own. "Do something!" Kana turned to Shinji, who ignored her. He shot at the Hollow, slashing down it's arm and making it roar in pain, releasing Taeko. It lashed out with its other arm, and Shinji was knocked back.
"We should run for it," Hideo whimpered as the blond was thrown to the ground, his Zanpakuto flying out of his hands. The Hollow then roared again, swinging out and hitting Ryoji as he went to help Taeko.
"Dammit..." Shinji groaned as he pushed himself up. The Hollow slashed across Hideo's front, making him scream in pain as Kana shrieked in terror. The young man fell to the ground as blood ran from the deep wound.
"We're dead, we're dead!" Kana wailed, as the Hollow turned to Shinji, whose eyes widened. It lashed out, before another figure leapt in the way and slashed the Hollow's arm, knocking it away from him.
"Everyone get up and run for it!" Kirara yelled at them.
"Hideo's hurt!" Kana wailed.
"Then help him!" Kirara shouted, dodging the Hollow's attack and slashing down. Blood splattered her uniform, and she kept moving as the Hollow focused on her. Shinji stared at her in alarm, not only amazed by the speed she was showing, but her calm attitude as she faced off against the monster that had to be at least five times bigger than her. They were only first years, but Kirara was holding her own easily. The others managed to get up, helping Hideo before rushing off.
"Watch it!" Shinji got to his feet, grabbing his Zanpakuto and blocking a strike that would have hit Kirara.
"Damn Hollow is fast," Kirara muttered, jumping back and pointing her Zanpakuto at it. "If we can take out its legs, we should be able to get away," Kirara suggested.
"Good idea," Shinji nodded, and the pair rushed at the Hollow again. Both got past its attacks, and slashed its legs. It crashed to the ground, and Shinji smirked, before hearing a cry. Looking around, he saw Kirara slam into a tree, and hit the ground hard as blood spilled from a wound down her back. "Dammit!" racing around the Hollow, Shinji hauled Kirara into his arms, making her whimper in pain as he ran off, away from the still shrieking Hollow.
"You're an idiot...you knew what this place was like," she whimpered as she curled up against his chest, blood soaking through both of their uniforms as he ran back to the Academy. Shinji didn't respond, and soon the pain overwhelmed the girl, making everything go dark.
"I'm not going until she wakes up," when Kirara slowly came round, she was greeted by the controlled voice of her fellow student. "I need to make sure she's okay," Shinji argued. "She saved my-"
"Hirako, know your place," Kirara recognised their Sensei's warning tone. "Yamada has been treated by the best the Academy has to offer. They have told us she will be find with rest. Leave, now," he told Shinji.
"I-"
"There will be serious consequences if you do not leave now," a voice that Kirara didn't recognise spoke up. With a growl, she heard footsteps as Shinji stormed off. Kirara managed to open her eyes, and squinted at the light that stung at them.
"Ah, she's awake!" the healer standing beside her called out. Kirara glanced to him, before looking to the three men who approached her.
"Miss. Yamada, how are you feeling?" her Sensei asked as he watched her.
"Like someone took a poker to my back, Sir," she replied, ensuring to sound polite in front of the two men standing with him who looked rather important.
"Yes, I imagine Hollow claws would cause pain like that," one of them commented. "Would you care to explain what happened last night in the forest?" he asked.
"Can't it wait until she's a little better?" her Sensei asked irritably.
"Best for her to explain now, while it's still fresh in her memory," the other man replied.
"It's fine," Kirara spoke before her Sensei could argue it. His eyes darted to her, and he frowned, but stepped back as the two men looked to him expectantly.
"Okay, so tell us what happened. We have heard the story from the other's point of view, but we'd like to hear it from yours," the first man told her.
"I..." Kirara started, and sighed. "I thought it would be interesting to test my skills in the forest. I suggested we go out," she told them.
"Yamada!" her Sensei started, alarmed, but was hushed.
"Oh? Because when we questioned Hirako about it, he said you were the one who refused to go, and saved them from the Hollow that attacked," the second man commented.
"He's lying," Kirara hated the idea of lying to the teachers to cover for the idiots who were responsible for her being out in the forest in the first place, but it wasn't in her nature to throw people to the wolves. "He beat me in the training, so I wanted to show off against a real enemy. Do you really think I'd get so hurt, if I was helping them?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. The two men exchanged looks. "It was all my idea," she lied.
"I see..." the first man mused.
"This poses an issue," the second continued. "Either way. If she's lying, then she's a liar who will jump into random fights. If she's telling the truth, then she's reckless and too eager for to fight. I think we should consider her placement here. We cannot have someone so reckless within the Gotei 13," he mused. Kirara's breath caught in her chest, and she stared at him. Did he really mean what she thought he did? Were they going to kick her out?
"Enough," they all jumped and looked around to see a woman walk in. Her arms were folded over a black Shinigami uniform; her dark purple hair cut short and her golden eyes on Kirara.
"Lady Shihoin!" the two men exclaimed in alarm. Kirara stared at her with wide eyes. She was the head of one of the Five Great Families. She never expected to meet such a high-class noble, especially not in the medical bay of the Academy.
"There's no need to go so far. This is a simple mistake. Nobody was killed, and I have witnessed far worse happening," she told them firmly.
"But-"
"Are you arguing with me?" her eyes flashed, and the man flinched.
"Of-of course not, Lady Shihoin," he bowed his head quickly.
"Good. The three of you are excused," she told them, and the three men quickly left. "So. You're Kirara Yamada, am I right?" Kirara nodded, her eyes wide. "I'm Captain Yoruichi Shihoin of Squad 2. I've heard quite a lot about you," the noble commented. Kirara swallowed, and shrugged as best she could.
"All glowing remarks, I imagine," Kirara smirked at her, and Yoruichi grinned back, amused by her already.
"But I suppose that's why last night is such a surprise. Nothing in your file shows that you would be so reckless," Yoruichi continued, and Kirara's smirk faded. "Disrespectful and rude, yes, but not stupid," she mused. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone the truth," she smirked.
"In return for what?" Kirara watched her warily. Yoruichi's eyes gleamed.
"You're only a first year, but I have to admit, your reports so far are quite interesting. And you've already learned your Zanpakuto's name. I'd like you to consider joining the Onmitsukido," she requested. Kirara's eyes widened, her jaw falling open. "And hey, if you do, not only will I keep your little lie a secret, but I'll also not tell anyone about your little crush on that guy who was here earlier," Kirara's face went bright red.
"You're crazy! I don't like Hirako! He's an asshole!" she exclaimed. "It's his fault I-" she stopped, realising her slip. Yoruichi just chuckled.
"Leave your application with your teacher, he'll be sure to pass it onto me. I look forward to working with you in the future, Kirara," Yoruichi smirked, leaving Kirara to it. The student groaned, putting a hand to her face. Just how in the world did she end up in these situations?
Waking with a start, Kirara opened her eyes and was greeted by the plain white ceiling of the Squad 4 Healing Rooms. Her mind was still lingering on the dream; a memory of the past. It had been at this point that even looking at Shinji had pissed Kirara off. Because she'd insisted on going after him and the others, she'd almost lost everything. She'd known it was stupid to blame him for her own stupidity, but after a while, it became habit to pick fights.
Confused and disorientated, it took a moment for Kirara to remember what had happened. Inhaling, Kirara awoke the pain that was still stretched across her chest.
Biting back the groan of pain, Kirara clamped her eyes shut as tears formed from the pain. She took small breaths, trying to even out her breathing and lower the level of pain that jolted across her torso. From what she could remember, it was a long wound, and would leave a nasty scar. She put a hand to her head, cursing herself for being careless.
"Oh, you're awake," she looked around as Seinosuke approached. "You really do go to extraordinary lengths to avoid going home, you know that?" he asked, and Kirara gave a weak grin.
"You know me so well brother," she told him. Seinosuke snorted. "How bad is it?" she asked as he stood beside her bed.
"You'll live. So it's bad," Seinosuke told her. Kirara blinked.
"Was that...a joke? Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" she demanded incredulously. Seinosuke rolled his eyes again.
"Oh shut up," he told her.
"There's the bedside manner I expect from the Lieutenant of Squad 4," Kirara giggled.
"Anyway," Seinosuke cleared his throat. "The wound is deep, and goes from your collar, to your waist. Honestly, you're lucky to be alive. It didn't go deep enough to do lasting damage to any of your organs, the main point of concern was how much blood you lost," he told her, getting back to business. "You'll be bedridden for at least a little while, and then there'll be even longer before you'll be cleared for duty," Seinosuke told her, and braced himself. Sure enough, Kirara let out a whine.
"Oh come on! Don't bench me without telling me how long for!" Kirara whined. "I'll die from the boredom!" she complained.
"Yes well, better you die from boredom, than from reopening your wounds and dying from blood loss," Seinosuke told her flatly. "These orders come from the Captain, so take it up with her if you want to go back sooner," he challenged her. Kirara hesitated, and huffed.
"Not a chance," she grumbled.
"That's what I thought," Seinosuke smirked. Kirara glared at him as she threw her childish tantrum as best she could with limited movement. "Get some rest. Undoubtedly those who have been pestering me to let them visit will be back soon, so get some sleep until then," he instructed, walking away.
"You're loving this!" Kirara shouted after him.
"Having to tend to my sister, the worst patient in the Seireitei? Hell no!" Seinosuke called back, but there was the smallest of smirks on his face as he disappeared out. Kirara sighed, and her gaze went back up to the ceiling as her mind went back to the forest, to the battle with Kenjiro. Her eyes then widened very slightly, and her hand lifted to touch her mouth.
"Was that...did that really happen?" she whispered, her memory fuzzy as it was linked with pain and blood and dammit Shinji's mouth on hers and nothing else mattering. "What the hell is going on with me?" Kirara groaned, putting her arms over her face as she let out a whine.