Outsider Chronicles: Mask of the Dreamer
I had no idea what to expect when I died, but I certainly wasn't expecting to find myself in what could either be a dream...or a nightmare. Fortunately, I make a good Hunter.
And we're back. I know that Isshin wasn't Captain during the Past Arc, but I'd forgotten that when I was writing the first chapter and can't be arsed to go change it. So, for the purposes of this story, he was Captain at the time. With that said, Enjoy!
Chapter 2
So yeah, I should probably back up a bit, right? My name is Yumeji Fujiwara. Or rather, that was my name now. I had long forgotten what my old name was, before I died and found myself in the Soul Society. Truth be told, I don't remember that much about my life, but I do remember watching an Anime called Bleach. That's why I was so taken aback when I realized where I was, not to mention the fact that I quickly figured out I had a large amount of Spirit Energy after I nearly collapsed from hunger the three days after I woke up. That put me in a bit of a bind as I wasn't sure what I should do. I mean, I could just try and live a good life in Rukongai, especially as I was in District 2, meaning that the quality of life was pretty damn good.
On the other hand, knowing what I did meant that I knew that that was likely a terrible idea. Remaining weak and powerless seemed like a good way of meeting an untimely demise at some point at the hands of any one of the number of crazy people who would be attacking in the not too distant future. With that in mind, I entered the Shinigami Academy.
It was then that I found that the 'not too distant future' was a lot further away than I thought. Why? Well, considering my classmates included Mashiro Kuna, Kensei Muguruma and Hiyori Sarugaki, I was at least a full century out from the start of Bleach, if not more. I just hope I won't end up getting sent out to deal with the disappearing Souls incident...oh, who am I kidding, I'll almost certainly end up getting dragged into that!
Anyway, back on track. I was no genius, so it took me the full six years to graduate. However, despite that, my marks and skills were enough that I was able to enter the Gotei 13 as a Seated officer in Squad 10 under Captain Isshin Shiba. I wasn't aware that Isshin had been Captain back then, but I brushed it off as irrelevant. I could be remembering it wrong after all. I was only ranked 18th, but it was better than some of my classmates and it didn't take long for me to start climbing the ranks, especially after I gained my Shikai. Yumemirahito was an absolute godsend, even if she could be a tad annoying at times and the fact she was a Duel type got me a fair amount of attention, especially from Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake. Training to use her Shikai was a right pain in the neck, but I managed and my sheer skill with a sword saw me jump from Tenth Seat right the way up the Third Seat. Five years later, the Lieutenant was forced to step down after losing a leg to a Hollow and Captain Shiba jumped at the chance to make me Lieutenant.
Naturally, I jumped at the chance, only to promptly regret it. Shortly after I'd joined the Squad, Captain Shiba had taken me under his wing (I have no idea why) and, after I had been made Lieutenant, he decided to up his game in teaching me...by launching sneak attacks whenever he could. Now I know how Ichigo feels.
On the other hand, he did help me get started on Bankai training, so that was something. Like I previously mentioned, I was no genius, but my Zanpakuto's ability to manipulate dreams and reality gave me a leg up on learning to manifest Yumemirahito in the real world and I managed it in eight years, a record time for mastering Bankai. Once I managed that, it was simply a matter of passing her test...which, as mentioned, was playing what amounted to Bloodborne in VR while being completely unaware of the fact it was basically a glorified training session.
And with that, it brings us back to the present and me jumping out the window after my Captain to give him a piece of my mind.
"DAMN IT CAPTAIN, WHY THE HELL DO YOU INSIST ON WAKING ME UP LIKE THAT?!" I yelled as Captain Shiba got to his feet, probing his bruised nose where I'd kicked him.
"Haha, its for your own good Yumeji!" said Captain Shiba, "You must always be ready for a sneak attack!"
"Not while I'm in my own bed, in the middle of the Seireitei I don't," I growled, "Or at least, I shouldn't!"
Captain Shiba just laughed, before he looked me up and down with a raised eyebrow.
"By the way Yumeji, you really should have thought it through before you jumped after me," he said.
I blinked, before I became aware of the draft and looked down. A moment later, I went bright red and dove back in through the window. I didn't sleep naked, but I was currently wearing nothing but my underwear.
"I really hate you," I growled as I stalked into the Squad 10 mess hall with Captain Shiba, studiously ignoring the many blushes and appreciative looks I was getting from the female squad members.
"I fail to see how this is my fault," said Captain Shiba as we took a seat with breakfast, "Your the one who wasn't paying enough attention to his surroundings."
"And your the one who tried to kick me in the stomach!"
Captain Shibai just laughed and held up his hands in surrender as I meniced him with my chopsticks.
"So, other than giving the entire Squad a flash, how was your night?" asked the Captain.
My anger immediately dissolved. I knew what he was asking. I grinned and gave a thumbs up.
"Done and dusted," I said, "I managed to pass the test."
Captain Shiba grinned.
"Thats great news!" he said, "Now we just need to get you trained in using it and you'll be shoe in for a Captains post when one opens up."
I grinned.
"Yeah, sounds good," I said, before sobering, "Actually, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Hmm?"
"Why me?" I asked, "Out of all the new recruits that have entered since me, why did you pick me to train?"
Captain Shiba shrugged.
"Why not?" he asked.
I blinked.
"So what, you picked me at random?" I asked.
"Well, not exactly," said Captain Shiba, "The truth is, I don't really like 'geniuses'."
"Eh?"
"You know, kids like that Ichimaru guy?" asked Captain Shiba, "The kid who graduated after just a year at the Academy?"
I resisted the urge to scowl at the mention of Gin. Sure, the guy turned out to be against Aizen in the end, but just like the fact he 'loved' Lily didn't make Snape a good person, that didn't mean Gin wasn't creepy as fuck! And this is coming from the guy who went through a literal nightmare to learn Bankai! Still, I hadn't met the future Squad 3 Captain, so I kept my face in a neutral setting as best I could.
"I've heard of him," I said.
"Kids like that are both boring and dangerous," said Captain Shiba, "People who are good at everything and advance to quickly sometimes start to look down on others or let their skills dull because they think they're better than those around them. People like you on the other hand are a bit different. You worked for your skills. I know for a fact that you trained until your hands were bloody after you unlocked your Shikai and even now, after reaching the rank of Lieutenant, you continue to push your limits, on top of helping the new recruits. It takes more than a lot of power and a Bankai to be a Captain ,Yumeji, and I think you have what it takes to be a good one."
I blushed at the complement and looked down at my hands and the many scars that littered them and my forearms. Captain Shiba hadn't been kidding when he said I trained till I dropped, both at the Academy and now. A lot of my old classmates believed that I was incredibly talented, but that wasn't the case. In reality, I had trained hard to reach the level I was at now, often to the point that I collapsed or fell asleep in class due to exhaustion. Still, I managed good grades because of my hard work and still made time for my classmates who were struggling for whatever reason. Incidentally, that included Kensei, who was now a Captain, so I had to be reasonably good at teaching.
I was broken out of my thoughts by a large hand landing on my head and ruffling my hair.
"Aww, don't look so glum Yumeji!" said Captain Shiba as he ruffled my hair, "Now is a time to celebrate!"
I growled and batted his hand away, but before we could start another argument, a Jigokucho flew through the window. We immediately stopped as the black butterfly fluttered down towards us and landed on my fingertip. I furrowed my brow as I listened to the message, before my eyes widened.
"Whats the message?" asked Captain Shiba.
"Apparently tomorrow they'll be a new Captain inaugurated," I said, "Captain Hikifune's replacement has been chosen."
Captain Shiba let out a breath. Apparently I hadn't been the only one worried that the Jigokucho had been bearing bad news. They were generally only used for important messages after all and, unfortunately, that tended to mean we would be going into combat shortly.
"Well, thats good news," said Captain Shiba, "In fact…"
I blanched as he jumped up on the table, drawing all attention to us.
"ATTENTION SQUAD 10!" he roared, "In light of the announcement of a new Captains promotion, lets get a head start and have some fun!"
The room erupted into cheers and the booze was quickly broken out. Let it never be said that Squad 10 was ever without boozehounds.
"Just remember that we'll have to go tomorrow," I said as Captain Shiba downed his first cup of Saki, "Plus, its nine in the morning!"
"Aww, its never too early to drink!" said Captain Shiba, "Come on Yumeji, have some fun!"
"Maybe later," I said as I got to my feet, "For now, I'm gonna go do some training."
I grinned.
"That way, next time the celebration might be more personal."
Captain Shiba smiled and tipped his glass.
"Let me know if you need any help," he said.
I nodded and left the Mess Hall.
It didn't take me long to reach an area of the Seireitei that was well out of the way. It was a place I'd found shortly after I joined the Squad and had used it as a training ground ever since. It was isolated, well hidden and the rocks had a large concentration of Sekiseki, which meant that it was difficult to sense my Spiritual Pressure from the outside. It was a good place to practice with my new Bankai. I took a deep breath and drew my sword.
"Alright, lets get started," I said, "Ban-kai!"
My sword erupted into a black and silver explosion.
And thats where I'm gonna leave it. Its a tad short, but thats as good a place as any. Plus it has you on tenterhooks for when I actually have him use his Bankai in combat...or you could just go look him up on my profile if you don't mind some spoilers.
Incidentally, the Harry Potter comment is not an indication I'll be adding it, it was just an observation Yumeji made.
By that same logic, although I based this Yumeji on the one from Dream Eater Merry, he's not the same character. I just like his design and thought it was appropriate for a character with powers over dreams.
Like I mentioned, I am making a few slight alterations, mainly the fact that Isshin is Captain at the same time the Visords are active in the Soul Society. Like I mentioned up top, thats because I forgot he wasn't and I can't be bothered to change the entire chapter and the last one.
Anyway, that'll do. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!