Soaring on Broken Wings

[DarkPulsar]

Brief pre-backstory ooc: My first thread/attempt, so if I did something wrong, feel free to let me know and I'll fix it! And with that, on to the beginning back-story of my character.>>




In the first district of Rukongai, Junrinan, the Maine family resided, a house of well accord in the area. They lived in a manor, large, to be sure, but not overly flashy. The size and home screamed functionality much more so than exorbitant riches. James and Julia Maine were the current heads of house, and they ran the place quite smoothly. The family dealings and affairs were always kept quiet and in house, and as a result, they had earned the acclaim of nearly everyone in Rukongai as a good example of how a high ranking family should operate.



So far, James and Julia had five children. The first four were boys: John, Peter, Tom, and Greg. Recently, they'd had a fifth child, a small girl named Erin. The Maine's had long wanted a little girl, and they had one now, all of three years old. Their motives for wanting a little girl were far from pure. These were not the sort of parents that cherished a daughter out of love, or adoration, or anything of the sort. When they heard they were going to have a daughter, their eyes lit up at the same thought: profit. They had planned Erin's life before she'd even been born. She would be a cultured girl, raised to be quiet, composed, shy, and reserved. She would be taught the arts at an early age. She would learn the piano, she would be an artist, she would draw, paint, and play music. She would be cultured, privately tutored and educated, she would have the best of everything they could get. But again, it wasn't for love.



The plan, in reality, was to make her a very attractive wife. They wanted to enhance their status by marrying their daughter into a noble family residing in the seireitei. They'd found a suitor, and when she was of age, she'd be married, and the Maine family hoped to then be of high enough rank to move into the seireitei, among the elites of noble families. They didn't know at the time how miserably their plans would fail. That very day, in fact, they made their first and biggest mistake. They failed to realize the intelligence of their daughter.



**********



The weather was perfect. The sun was out, shining gracefully throughout the district, and a gentle breeze cooled all of its inhabitants. People everywhere lined the sidewalks, making sure to keep the streets clear. This was truly a special occasion. A captain and his vice captain of the Gotei 13 were visiting the area today for some as yet unknown reason, and everyone wanted to get a peek. It wasn't often that they left the seireitei, so everyone lined the streets waiting for them to make their brief appearance.


Erin was sitting on her father's shoulder so that she could see, when out of the corner of her eye, she spotted them walking down the street. With an excited squeal, she shrieked "They're here!" and pointed frantically at the approaching shinigami. She was mesmerized by the sight of them. She didn't know what it was at the time, but she felt their power, and she wanted it. The way they walked with such grace, and confidence, the way they carried swords at their side, she wanted all of that for herself.


After the spectacle had passed, the Maine family headed back to their manor. Erin was so excited she totally wore herself out, running around, and talking about the shinigami. She soon fell asleep. Julia came, picked Erin up in her arms, where she and James carried her up to put her down for a nap. As they were leaving the room, she stirred.


"Mama, daddy.." she said.


"What is it sweetheart?" her mother asked.


"I'm gonna be a shinny-gummy someday!" she exclaimed with a huge grin on her face as she fell back to sleep. James sighed, not yet knowing that the resolve of his daughter would cause him more grief and annoyance than he could possibly imagine.


********Eight Years Later********



Erin sat dutifully in front of the beautiful mahogany piano. It was made of the finest wood by the finest crafter in all of Rukongai. Tuned to perfection, the ivory keys sparkled with each ray of sunshine that poured in through the adjacent window. Her mind wandered, she was thoroughly bored, she decided. She loved the piano, indeed had even a great talent for it. However, the instructor her parents had hired to come and privately teach her was a total bore.


He was old, Erin guessed that he looked around sixty or so. His rectangular shaped wire-rimmed glasses slid down to the tip of his nose every time he looked down to mark a passage on the music sitting in front of her. He liked to talk, and she could tell he was about to go off on another of his random tangents when she heard the doorbell ring. Being a polite, quiet girl, she asked him for permission to use the restroom, so she could secretly see who was there.


He granted it, and she quietly closed the door behind her. She rushed down the hall way, being careful not to make a sound, as she peered around the wall in front of her, looking into the main lobby of the manor. She saw her father talking to two men, but she couldn't quite make out what they were talking about. Slipping gingerly around the corner, she hid behind one of her mother's small lemon trees she kept. On closer look, she thought, the two "men" actually appeared more like a man and a boy not too much older than she herself was. A few years perhaps. And how extravagantly they dressed! Though as yet naive to the ways of soul society, she knew she was from the most well developed and richest districts of rukongai, and never had she seen two men dressed as nicely as the ones her father was talking to. They must be from the seireitei, she decided. She concentrated on trying to make out what it was they were saying.


"How is the...culturization coming along, Mr. Maine?"


"Quite well indeed, actually. I believe you'll be quite pleasantly surprised. She's a very intelligent girl, a real knack for the piano. Rather eloquent young woman she's becoming. Quite the looker too, eh son?" he said with a wink and an elbow to the younger of the two men. The boy blushed and politely nodded his head. Knack for the piano? Eloquent? Are they...talking about me?

"Very good. I'd better be. I won't have my son marrying any...thing," he said with distaste, "from rukongai if she's not. My son will have the best, and she'd better lack for nothing." he said condescendingly. "How old is she now?"


"Eleven, sir."


"Very good, seven more years and they can be properly married." <i>Married?! I'm eleven...they really ARE talking about me!</i> She was livid, jumping out from her hiding spot.


"Married my ass! What are you talking about? I'm not marrying anybody when I turn eighteen, I'm going to the academy to be a shinigami! Daddy, you can't just sell me off to some other family like that!" He looked uncomfortably back and forth between his daughter, and the noble man he'd been talking to.


"Um, sweetheart...why don't you go back to your lessons, and we'll talk about this later?" he begged her.


"...Fine." And off she went.



****Later that Evening****


She heard a knock on her door, sure it was her father, by now ready to chastise her for her earlier outburst in front of the nobles. She ignored it.


"Sweetheart, it's me, can I come in?" came his muffled voice from the hallway. When she refused to answer, he opened her door and walked in on his own. It had been awhile since he'd seen her room. To be completely honest, he was rather impressed. Bookshelves lined the entire western wall of her room, completely filled to the brim. There must have been a thousand books on them, he thought. All in all, the place was very neat. Not an article of trash or clothing anywhere in sight. Her light blue carpet was pristine, her desk neat and orderly, full of the notes she'd been taking from who knows how many books she had on kidou and reiatsu sensing techniques. She lay on her bed, hands behind her head with a light scowl on her face, waiting for him to speak.


"Sweetheart, you know I love you, but you were way out of line today. That discussion was none of your business, it was between me and Mr. Tamigawa. What were you doing eavesdropping on a private conversation?"


"Gee daddy, forgive me if I'm being out of line again, but I rather thought that conversation BECAME my business the moment you mentioned you were culturizing me so that you could marry me off to a noble family in seireitei in order to increase your own social status!" she fumed.


"It's not like that, you wouldn't understand!"


"Then what IS it like? I'm a child daddy, but I'm not stupid! So don't treat me as if I were." She said the last sentence painfully soft, full of hurt. He paused to consider her words.


"Fine then," he said softly. "That boy you saw today, he's your future husband. Your marriage has been arranged since you were five years old, as long as we meet certain circumstances. I'm sorry sweetie, but that's just the way it is. It's for the good of the whole family, and you'll just have to deal with it." His eyes were cold...so cold.


"The good of the whole family you say? What about me then? This is good for you. And mom. Not for me. So don't say its for the good of everyone. Sorry dad, but that's NOT how it's going to be. I'm going to be a shinigami. I'm going to the academy, and I'm going to enter the Gotei 13. And THATS the way its going to be. You'll just have to deal with it," she said, throwing his words right back at him. "Now, get the hell out of my room," she finished with such finality that he decided he'd best comply for the time being.


"Don't think this is over, because it isn't."

[DarkPulsar]

It's been two years. Two long, stressful years that she's spent preparing for this very night. She spent the entirety of the last two years doing all she could to escape from her parents, from her arranged marriage. She smuggled many books from the family library, daring only to study them in the dark of night, out back in a secret nook in the gardens. She'd done all she could do, and now her only hope was to escape the Maine manor and get to the Academy before anyone knew she was gone. Tonight, she was going to run away.


There were of course guards stationed at all the gates leading into the manor. Escaping through one of them would simply not be an option. Fifty foot walls surrounded the entire complex, too high to climb or jump over. To make matters worse, a pair of guards stood outside of her bedroom. She was trapped. There was only one option: she would have to escape via the balcony from her room, and she'd have to somehow get over the walls surrounding the manor if she had any hope of getting out of there. For that, she studied, and she practiced.


Most of the books she smuggled out of her family library were related to tapping into and controlling one's reiatsu. For two years she worked ever diligently on being able to control it, knowing if she had any hope of escaping, her ability to do so would be her only hope. She was far from an expert of course, but she felt like she had a decent chance of succeeding. If she really focused, she had enough strength and control that she could just barely manage.


She quickly packed everything she could into her smallest suitcase, taking only essentials. She packed a single set of spare clothing, two canteens, a few snacks, and a few books for study into a small suitcase. Zipping it up, she looked over her shoulder at the nearest clock. It was 3:07 in the morning. Slightly behind schedule, she hurriedly grabbed her things and headed for the balcony. Turning the handle as quietly as she could, the door slid open soundlessly. She slipped outside, closing the door as silently as it opened, and waited briefly. She peeked inside, thanking the stars the the guards outside her door heard nothing, and stepped quietly past her patio furniture to the ledge of the balcony.


Okay Erin...concentrate...concentrate...she kept muttering in her head. This was the tough part. She took control of her reiatsu, forcing it underneath her feet. She lifted one leg, and placed her foot in mid-air, pressing down as though climbing invisible stairs, and lifted herself into the air. She let out a sigh of relief, nearly slipping and falling three stories down, but managed to catch herself. Alrighty....now all I have to do is make it all the way up and over the wall a hundred yards away and I'm good. No sweat.


Carefully stepping her way through mid-air, she'd gone gotten about twenty yards from her balcony when she made the mistake of looking down. She had to stifle a scream, and nearly fell again before instinct kicked in and just barely managed to keep her afloat. Don't look down, don't look down... she kept repeating to herself. She felt warm, reaching up to wipe the sweat off her brow before trying to continue onward. This isn't good, I'm getting tired and I'm only halfway there...I don't know if I'm going to make it! She panicked, and tried sprinting the rest of the way to the wall. She slipped, just barely managing to hang on to the edge of the wall, climbing back up to sit at the top. She paused to catch her breath, feet dangling over the wall. Deciding she'd better hurry to avoid being spotted by the night watch, she leapt from the top of the wall, pouring reiatsu below her to slow her descent. Shit, it'll be a miracle if nobody felt that!


But it appeared that nobody did. Nobody came after her anyways. She looked at her watch, saw that it was now nearing 3:30, and she decided she'd better head for the academy. Slipping past the sleeping gate guardian, she made her way into the seireitei, and she hoped, her future in the academy.

[DarkPulsar]

Erin was in her final year at the shinigami academy, top of her class. Though physically she wasn't very strong, she still excelled in both hakuda and zanjutsu, somehow managing to subvert her blatant lack of brute strength with some impressive battle tactics. When it came to kidou and hohou though, she was peerless amongst her class. It was clear that she was quite talented, and also incredibly bright. Which is why she was completely flabbergasted that she couldn't figure out just what the hell was going on.


For the past two weeks now, every night as she lay asleep in the dormitory, she'd been having the strangest dreams. They weren't identical per se, but they all had two things in common. First, they were always in the same location. She had no idea where it was, though she admitted it was astonishingly beautiful. The sky was always a mixture of oranges, pinks, and purples. Twilight. There were a couple of rushing waterfalls, loud, and crystal clear. The grass was amazingly soft, and the lushest, fullest green she'd ever seen. Though she was barefoot, it almost felt as though she were walking on carpet. The other thing the dreams had in common was a person. Or rather, a creature. She didn't know what to call it, but it was always there. It appeared to be a woman, maybe 10 years or so older than she was, but it was hard to tell. She was surrounded by the most beautiful, blindingly bright white light that Erin had ever seen before. She could only really see that this creature had a pair of angelic wings mounted on her back, and that her eyes were a deep emerald green color. She appeared to be hovering in mid-air. Erin saw she was about to speak.


"Hello, dear child," she said, an ethereal air to her voice. "I thought you'd be coming soon. It is good to see you. Though it is beautiful here, I'd been rather lonely." Erin was startled that this woman seemed to have been expecting her.


"H-Hello...do I know you?" she said, very softly.


"That is a difficult question, child. You both know me, and yet you do not know me at the very same time," she cryptically replied. Okay, now I'm intrigued, Erin thought.


"What do you mean?"


"Dear, sweet girl, this is the first time we have met and spoken, so of course you do not know me. Yet you know me more intimately than any other ever could, for I am a part of you. I am part of your very soul."


"P-part of my soul? What are you talking about?" she asked, thoroughly confused. She clasped her hands together, holding them in front of her stomach, just at her waist, looking quizzically at the angelic figure waiting for a response.


"You will know what I mean, when the time is right."


"Well, whens that going to be? For about two weeks now, you've haunted my dreams. I've hardly been able to rest at all, and graduation is coming up. This really isn't a good time. Couldn't you haunt me some other time?" Erin asked, frustrated. The figure chuckled briefly.


"It is not I who haunt you, dear child. You've brought yourself here, whether you know of it or not."


"Why would I bring this on myself? I've got graduation to worry about, and researching and joining the Gotei 13, I've got so much to do, why would I do this to myself in my own sleep?"


"Rest easy, child. All will be okay. Let us end this conversation here for the night, if that is okay with you?"


"More than okay..." (I'm really going insane. They'll put me away for sure.) The angelic figure smiled softly, nodding. She turned her back and begin to fade away, when Erin shouted after her.


"Wait! Just one question."


"Yes, child?"


"May I ask your name?" The angelic figure smiled more broadly this time, as though she thought Erin would never ask.


"Of course you may. It is after all, quite lonely without one. My name is--" But Erin heard nothing. Perplexed, she asked for the woman to repeat it.


"I'm sorry, I didn't hear your name. Say it again for me please?" The woman lowered her head, frowning slightly at the news.


"I see. So you are not yet ready to hear it after all," she said, her dreamy smile returning. "That is all right. You hath not the power just yet to hear my name. It is my hope that the next time we meet, you shall be able to hear it. Farewell, dear child, until next we meet," she said as she faded away.


***


Erin shot straight up in her bed in the academy, panting heavily, eyes wide open. Her heart was pounding, and she could've sworn she just heard the same voice in her head, urging her to calm down, that everything was alright. But her eyes were still wide with shock, as she began to realize the implications.


(She said she was part of my...soul, and she was trying to teach me her name, the recurring dreams, the..the way she knows me, and the familiarity I feel with her...is this...could she be...my zanpakuto?)

[DarkPulsar]

Erin walked through the seireitei with gusto as she headed towards the gates which lead into her hometown: western rukongai's first district, Junrinan. Inside, she was a bundle of nerves, butterflies flittering in her stomach, knees feeling weak, but you wouldn't know it from looking at her. She walked with a grace and dignity one wouldn't expect from someone going to visit the family they ran from seven years ago. Her mind wandered, as she approached the gate, thinking back just a few hours earlier, when she was handed her shihakusho during the academy's graduation ceremony. Before she knew it, she'd reached the city limits, and she was scrambling to grab her gate pass from her pocket. She held it up ceremoniously for the gatekeeper to see.


"Hello," she waved with her free hand, a serene smile on her face.


"Ahhh, little Maine-chan?! Is that you?!" he practically shouted, his eyes tearing up. "Why, I haven't seen you in--!"


"Yes," she said peacefully, "it's been about seven and a half years now!"


"Th-that uniform! You're…a shinigami now? You must've graduated! Congratulations!!" he shouted as he enveloped the tiny girl in a massive bear hug.


"Ah, yes, well I--" she stammered, as he finally let go. "I graduated earlier this morning. I wanted to visit home, and see whether or not I'm still disowned, and to gather my things."


"I see, I see," he said thoughtfully, scratching his chin. I'd best not hold you up then!" Erin nodded as she began to walk off, turning around to see the gatekeeper waving frantically. She smiled gently and waved back, before heading on her way.


She thought that the town looked exactly as she remembered it as she walked through the streets, occasionally greeting old shopkeepers and residents who remembered her. It was the first time she'd worn her shihakusho, her zanpakuto tucked neatly onto her left hop, bobbing slightly as she moved. The streets were dusty, but filled with well dressed semi-nobles, browsing the finest shops rukongai had to offer. Soon, the buildings became slightly more upscale, and less densely populated, as she approached the Maine manor. (I'm finally here,) she thought grimly, as she stepped forward to greet the gatekeepers.


"Hello," she bowed politely. "Erin Maine, requesting permission to enter the premises," she announced formally. The guards recognized her instantly, and looked quite awkward at her request. It wasn't too long ago they could remember her playing in the gardens, freely running around the entire campus, and to hear her announce herself and request entrance was rather strange.


"A-ah, one m-moment please," one of them said, having finally gathered his wits. A few moments later, the gates opened, and she was ushered through, the gatekeepers bowing as she passed. She left them with a gentle wave and a quick thank you as she made her way up the stone walkway towards the main building.


Boy, this sure is nostalgic. This place hasn't changed a bit! she thought to herself. She giggled at the memory of her escape. Ah, there's my bedroom window, my balcony. Oh, and there's the wall where I nearly fell to my death! She hadn't realized she'd already reached the front doors until she heard the ominous cough of the doorman.


"Ah, right, sorry about that," she apologized. "Got lost in thought there. Please show me in," she requested, bowing.


"Of course," he drawled condescendingly, showing her into the main chamber. The doorman left, closing the front doors behind her. She didn't know what she was expecting to see when she got inside, but it certainly wasn't this.


"U-um...hi, everyone," she squeaked out. Her entire family was there in front of her, some glaring with murderous intent like her father, others with admiration and pride, and a few in between. She was about to speak again, but her father cut her off, seemingly answering her next question before she even had the time to spit it out.


"How dare you come back?!" he shouted, snarling. "You are NO longer part of this family!" Her face betrayed no emotion. Not so much as a twitch of disappointment, even though she felt as if her insides were shattering. Some of her siblings, and her mom as well, she was surprised to see, looked away from her, as if ashamed of themselves and of her father.


"I see...well I guess that answers that," she said, bowing humbly. "Please grant me one last request then."


"You have no right--" he started to shout, but was cut off by a surprising source.


"Enough James!" Erin's mother Julia shouted, before turning back to Erin. "What is it?" she asked softly. "If it's within our power, I'd be happy to help." This time Erin couldn't keep a straight face, in absolute shock that her mother stood up for her. It was a few moments before she regained the wherewithal to speak.


"U-um...I just wished to gather my things, and take one final tour around the manor, if it's not too much trouble." Her mother smiled.


"Of course dear, you go right ahead."


"Thanks mom," Erin smiled. It had been a very long time since she'd had any feelings towards her mother that weren't completely negative, but she was grateful at the moment.


She cautiously opened the doors to her room, surprised to see that everything was exactly as she'd left it, and that it seemed to have been well maintained. There wasn't a speck of dust anywhere, the carpets were clean, even the bed was made. She smiled inwardly as she walked to her bookcase, almost lovingly caressing the spines of her books as she went from shelf to shelf. She went to her closet, pulling out her rather large suitcase, opened it, and sat it on her bed. She walked back to the bookcase, pulling down all of her favorites and organizing them neatly into her suitcase. She had her uniforms now, so she wouldn't need much in the way of clothes. Still, she packed some of her favorites, just in case, and took all of her pajamas. The only thing left was her favorite vase, which sat crystal clear and sparkling on the table next to her bedside. She carefully wrapped it in her clothing, placed it in the suitcase, and closed it, finished packing. She placed it gently on the ground, pulled up the handle, and pulled it along on its wheels as she left her room, surprised when she heard a voice.


"Allow me please," the servant said, as he took her suitcase. "We'll have it waiting for you at the front gates ready when you leave. Please enjoy the grounds," he said with a bow.


Erin smiled and decided to take a shortcut, for old time’s sake. She walked back into her room and out onto the balcony, stepping up onto the railing. She looked to the garden, and leapt towards it, landing softly on her feet. She padded her way back towards her favorite spot in the entire complex: the rosebushes. Deciding she wanted something to remember, she focused some of her reiatsu into the thumb and index finger on her right hand, sharpening it considerably. With a quick snap, she'd used her reiatsu to cut herself off a single rose, which she then carried with her to the front gates. She grabbed her luggage and sprinted off at top speed, a virtual blur as she ran through the streets of Junrinan and back through the gates of seireitei. Next stop, the Gotei offices. Time to apply for Fourth Division, she said to herself. It's true that I've heard the captain is a bit crazy, but that's alright. I wouldn't want to be coddled; it should be a good place for me. She smiled as she reached the offices, certain of her decision, and eager to begin the rest of her life.

[DarkPulsar]

Erin waved her thanks to the secretary with a gentle smile, her new life outlined in the piece of paper she held in her left hand. She'd yet to look at it, and set off to the many open chairs in the lounge not far away. She was garbed in the standard shinigami academy student’s uniform for girls, the red hakama, along with the white and red trimmed top, complete with the academy's insignia. She reached the lounge, and plopped herself ceremoniously into one of the luxuriously padded chairs nearby as she unfolded the slip of paper, beginning to read:


Dear Maine-san,

Congratulations on your acceptance into the Seireitei's Shinigami Academy! Below you'll receive the scores of your entrance exam, and how you fared in comparison to others. You've also been placed into your classes based on the aforementioned exam scores. In this letter you will also find the address and directions to your dormitories and classrooms. Your exact room number can be found later in the document, along with the identity of your roommate. But first, your test results. Let me preface this by saying that these values are not percentages, but percentiles. They relate you to your peers. A score of 60% means that you scored higher than 60% of other applicants. If there are any questions, feel free to ask any staff member in the central office building.


Reiatsu - 97%

Sensory Abilities - 100%

Reiatsu Manipulation - 98%

Tactical Decision Making - 99%

Footwork - 100%

Hand to Hand combat - 99%

Sword Combat - 99%


Another brief explanation about the categories: 'Reiatsu' simply measured the amount of reiatsu we estimated that you have. 'Sensory Abilities' refer to the ability to sense the presence and fluctuation of reiatsu. 'Reiatsu Manipulation' refers to the control you have over your reiatsu. The other categories should be self explanatory. Though your physical strength registered as below-average, your tactical knowledge and technique allowed you to fight in melee combat at a level higher than 99% of your peers. As a result of your outstanding pre-examination, you've been placed into the following classes:


Advanced Kidou, 1st Year - Setsuna Sakura

Advanced Hohou, 1st Year - Kuroshi Ayame

Advanced Hakuda, 1st Year - Yamada Mizuki

Advanced Zanjutsu, 1st Year - Ise Kenta

History of Soul Society - TBD


Congratulations on a job well done! As for the rest, you can find your dormitory hall by taking a left once you exit the main office. The signs will point you straight towards the female dormitories, and you'll be staying in the one assigned to first years. Your room number is 1167, which as you might imagine, is on the eleventh floor. The name of the roommate assigned to you is Itsumi Miyuki. As a reminder, no changes can be made, so please do your best to get along, for both of your sakes. That should cover everything. As I mentioned above, feel free to go to any staff member with any questions. Good luck in the upcoming school year! I look forward to the day of your graduation. Great things are expected of you!

Sincerely,
Headmaster Minamino Yusuke



It took her awhile to exhale the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. A smile lit up across her face as she re-read the letter just to be sure. These scores! Can it be real?! They're amazing! And I'm in all the advanced classes! she inwardly squealed, containing herself to a cheesy grin on the outside. Deciding she'd wasted enough time indulging herself with the contents of the letter, she stood and hurriedly rushed out the main office doors, following the signs which led to the female dormitories. She took note of a few quiet, shaded areas that looked like they'd be nice to lie out and study in as she walked.


She arrived at the dormitory building, hastily entering and taking the elevator to the eleventh floor. She stepped out, and saw 1101 on her left, so she figured she was in for a long walk. She kept her eyes out until she reached 1167, and pulled the key out of the breast pocket on the inside of her shirt. She slipped the key in and turned, opening the door. She hadn't heard any noise outside, so she wasn't expecting to see what she assumed was her roommate standing half naked with a towel around her head.


"Ahhh!!!" she screamed. "Don't just stand there with the door wide open, hurry up before someone ELSE sees!" She grabbed Erin by the arm, ripping her inside and quickly slamming the door, locking it behind her.


"Um, could you put something on?" Erin asked, a tinge of crimson rising to her cheeks. "It's kind of uncomfortable…"


"Gah, you're one of those types, probably a noble then? Don't worry, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's really no big deal," she shrugged. "I ain't got anything you don't see every time you get a shower," she reasoned.


"Well, yes but--" Erin started, but was cut off.


"Anyways, ya might as well get used to it. I'm happy enough to oblige you in here of course, but looks like we only get community showers," she said with a sideways look. "So unless you plan on never showering, it's really unavoidable." Erin looked aghast, shock etched on her face.


"B-but...t-that can't be right! Community showers?! But then...everyone will see...isn't there anything more private?!" she squeaked. Miyuki smirked.


"Afraid not hun, sorry." Miyuki noticed Erin's blush and her nervous look. "Hey, don't worry about it!" she said, placing her hands on Erin's shoulders. "It'll be alright, you'll get used to it soon enough and it'll be no big deal. Like I said, ya won't see anything ya don't have yourself," she said with a shrug. Erin was still nervous, but shrugged it off with a smile.


"Um, thank you... Itsumi-san, right?" she asked, unsure.


"Ahh, that won't do at all. You nobles and your formalities! Just Miyuki is fine. Or if you insist on honorifics, Miyuki-chan will do."


"Alright, Miyuki-chan. It's nice to meet you," Erin said with a bow. "My name is Erin Maine. I hope we'll be good friends!" Miyuki smiled, dropping the tough exterior she'd been putting up.


"I'm sure we will." Miyuki looked at the clock she had hanging on the wall. "Ahh, crud. Got my first class in like twenty minutes," she said, noticing Erin perk up. "What, you too?" she asked.


"Yes, Advanced Kidou, 1st Years with...Setsuna Sakura-sensei," she said.


"Well I'll be damned; we're in the same class!" Miyuki exclaimed. "Hey, can I see your schedule?" Erin nervously held out her letter and Miyuki took it, eyes widening as she read.


"H-holy crap..." she whispered, and Erin's head dropped dejectedly until Miyuki spoke again, "You're a friggin genius!" she shouted, tackling Erin in a fierce bear hug (yes you pervs, she's dressed by now.) “And we have all the same classes! You can do all my..." Erin glared, and Miyuki recoiled. "I mean, you can HELP me with all my homework!" she said, grinning.


"Yes, I'll help you, assuming I know what I'm doing," she muttered under her breath. "Anyways, we should be going, I don't know how far it is, and I don't want to be late. Plus I bet it's a large class, and I'd like to be up front where I can see." Miyuki grinned. Aw, the nerdy type. She's pretty cool, for a noble. She act's more like a little kid!


"Alrighty," Miyuki said. "Let's get outta here roomie," she said, placing her arm around Erin's shoulder, leading them out the door.


"You'n me are gonna be best pals!" Miyuki proclaimed prophetically.

[DarkPulsar]

Erin and Miyuki strolled leisurely out of their dorm room, taking the elevator to the front lobby and heading out of the building. Erin had practically just arrived, and hadn’t taken a look around the place just yet, but luckily for the pair, Miyuki knew where she was going, and had already visited all the classrooms the girls would be in. Thank goodness for that much, Erin thought with a sigh. That’s one less worry out of the way. The pair had barely made it out of the female dormitories when they were accosted by a male voice.


“Oi, you there with the white hair,” he called Erin. “What say you and I skip class and get to know each other?” he asked. He leapt down from his perch in the tree he’d been sitting in, landing gracefully in front of the two girls.


“U-um…you’re…talking to me?” Erin asked shyly.


“You see any other chicks with white hair around here?” he said snarkily. “Yeah, I’m talkin’ to you.” Miyuki was silently fuming behind her new roommate, just waiting to pounce. Meanwhile, Erin remained oblivious.


“Well…I can’t skip class, especially not on my first day…is there something I can do for you?”


“The name’s Suzuki Sentarou, and baby, there’s a whole world of things you can do for me!” he said with a wink, smirking madly. That was the last straw for Miyuki. She gently moved Erin aside, and leapt at the boy, right fist cocked and ready to strike. He noticed too late, and Miyuki let fly with crushing force a punch that connected squarely with his jaw, causing Sentarou to go flying backwards, landing in a nearby bush.


“You friggin’ perv!” Miyuki fumed, attempting to charge him and do further damage, but luckily for Sentarou, Erin had regained her senses and was restraining her friend.


“Miyuki, what—“ she started, “what’s come over you?” Miyuki looked at Erin in stunned silence.


“Oh man, you nobles sure are naïve. He was bein’ a pervert, tryin’ to get into your pants and all that stuff. Clear enough for ya?” she said annoyedly.


“Wait, you mean that—“ Erin’s hands shot to her face, covering her mouth as she began to blush furiously, the implications of Sentarou’s words hitting her in the face with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. “Oh my gosh…” she trailed off, still in shock. She vaguely felt a pair of hands (Miyuki’s) on her shoulder, guiding her back on track towards their class. Neither of the two noticed that Sentarou was back on his feet and trailing them both, pissed as all hell, holding his jaw.


“Oi bitch, the hell was that for? You should mind yer own damn—“he shouted, stopping only because he once again neglected to see the charging Miyuki, who kicked him square in the gut before walking back off again with Erin towards their kidou class.


“Just ignore him honey, he’ll go away if you kick him enough,” Miyuki stated plainly, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You just gotta learn the ways of the Rukongai, you nobles are too soft ‘n naïve.”


“Oh, um…I’ll try. Thanks Miyuki-chan,” she said with a smile. “And um, he’s following us again. I can feel his reiatsu.” Miyuki smiled.


“Nicely done, some keen senses you got there! I couldn’t feel a thing. Looks like them test scores o’ yours weren’t lyin’.” Miyuki turned around to face Sentarou, again ready to attack. “Back fer more already, ya perv?” His arms immediately crossed in front of himself as he cowered in front of the girls.


“N-no, just don’t hurt me anymore! I’m just going to class, honest!” Erin tapped Miyuki on the shoulder, pointing to the sign outside of their classroom, which they’d arrived at after a rather eventful trip. Erin walked over to the cowering boy, grabbing his arms and helping him to stand up.


“Are you in Advanced Kidou for first years too?” she asked. He simply nodded.


“Well, come on then,” she said. “You can sit with us, if you like. Let’s not be late!” Miyuki harrumphed her displeasure at Sentarou’s inclusion into their little group, but she wasn’t going to speak up about it. As long as he kept his hands, eyes, and pervy comments to himself, she’d suck it up. She didn’t want to piss off the girl she figured she’d be mooching off of for the next seven years this early.


They headed into the classroom, among the first to arrive, and took three seats in the third row from the front. Erin strategically placed herself between Miyuki and Sentarou, for which the both of them were secretly grateful. They chatted idly, exchanging pleasantries and small talk while waiting for the class to begin. Erin gave Sentarou her name, and was about to reveal their dorm room number before Miyuki covered her mouth and told her to shut up unless she wanted to be sleeping naked out in the hallways. Erin shut up. The classroom was full now, and moments later, in walked their professor, a rather homely, kind looking woman who appeared to be in her mid to late thirties. She walked to the podium, addressing the class.


“Good morning everyone!” she said with a very warm, welcoming voice. “Congratulations to all of you on your wonderful test scores, and welcome to Advanced Kidou for first years! My name is Setsuna Sakura, and I’ll be your teacher for the upcoming year,” she said with a smile. “Now, are there any questions?” Nobody raised a hand or made a noise. “Well then! Let’s jump right into it!” she said excitedly.


“Now, for our first lesson, we’re going to start out very simple. After the theory portion of this class is over, we’ll head out back here to the firing range, and put what we’ve learned into practice. We’ll be starting with Bakudo no. 1, Sai, and Hadou no. 4, Byakurai. Now, these are very simple kidou to use, but I think you’ll find that they require your full concentration. First of all, when using a kidou, you have to use it with a purpose! You don’t just aim generically and fire. When you use “Sai” you need to picture your reiatsu surrounding the target and binding its arms to its side. Likewise when you use “Byakurai” you need to picture the reiatsu gathering in your finger, you need to visualize what it looks like before you fire it, and see it hitting its target,” She explained. “Now, I want you to read the selections in your book on each spell, and in thirty minutes we’ll head outside to see what you can do.”


Erin pulled out her book, intensely studying each passage. There didn’t appear to be any incantations for either of these two spells, which was good. All you needed was the ability to harness your reiatsu. Erin continuously visualized her reiatsu binding the arms of her target, and the shot of white lighting exploding from her finger and demolishing it’s target. She sincerely hoped all of her training in reiatsu control would help her, and she was about to get her answer.


“Alright everyone, let’s see what you’ve got. Follow me!” Setsuna-sensei said, heading out the back door. As Erin walked through, she let out a softly audible “wow” at the site of the firing range. She was quite impressed at the wide open grass field, seemingly in the middle of the school-grounds, surrounded by massive walls with huge target markers on the far end. “Now now, enough gawking,” Setsuna-sensei said mirthfully. “Line up and take note of the scarecrows in front of every marker. Your goal for now is to take that scarecrow, and bind its arms behind its back using Sai. Now, get to it!” Setsuna rifled through the stack of papers she’d had in her hand, the preliminary exam scores for all of her students. She’d heard there were quite a few that they had high hopes for. Her interest was piqued when she came across Erin’s. Impressive, she thought. I’ll have to go hard on this one, she said with an inward smile, eager to see if the girl would live up to these numbers. Based on the exam scores, this exercise ought to be a piece of cake, even for a first year.


Erin looked around as students began to attempt the binding spell. A few seemed to miss the target altogether, despite being no more than twenty feet away. Some managed to bind one arm successfully, but not both. Little did any of them know that these scarecrows weren’t just limp dolls, but were actually enchanted objects that provided a bit of resistance, so as not to make things too easy. Erin took a deep breath as she prepared her first attempt. Alright, relax. Focus your reiatsu, not too much, but not too little…Visualize my reiatsu clamping together around it’s torso, binding both of its arms, she chanted to herself. Her head shot up, as she began to fire. “Bakudo no. 1, Sai!” she shouted, launching her attack. Almost instantly, the scarecrow’s arms were pinned to its side, straining against the kidou briefly before going limp. Erin smiled in triumph, arms shooting into the air in celebration, as Miyuki tackled her into a big hug. Setsuna smiled. It’s a bit weak, but the technique was flawless. She must’ve figured out the trick. Smart girl, she mused. Miyuki meanwhile, was squealing.


“Wow, you did it perfectly! And in just one try! You’re so awesome, teach me how to do that!” Miyuki praised, drawing the attention of nearly everyone, including their sensei, much to Erin’s dismay.


“Yes, well done, but don’t get complacent! Back to work, all of you!” she shouted, eliciting groans from all the students. A few more minutes passed, and Erin told Miyuki to visualize her reiatsu as if it were an open handcuff, and to close it around the scarecrow. Miyuki nodded and fired.


“Bakudo no. 1, Sai!” she cried. The scarecrow exploded into a huge pile of straw, overwhelmed by the force of the spell. Setsuna looked on in shock. Good lord, what power! This is going to be an interesting class indeed!


“Alright everyone, moving on. Your targets are on the far wall. You’re to fire a shot of Byakurai, aiming for the center of your target. There’s not enough for everyone, so you’ll have to line up and take turns. Now, hurry up, we don’t have all day!” she urged. A few moments later, everyone was in their lines. The first row fired uneventfully, most missing their targets short. The second row was a bit better, some hitting the wall behind the markers, and a couple actually taking out the corners of the targets. Erin stepped up, eager to try her luck, Miyuki and Sentarou silently cheering her on.


“Hadou no. 4, Byakurai!” she cried, the thin beam of white lighting exploding from her finger. Her aim was good, hitting just to the left of center of the target. Her power was slightly lacking. She didn’t destroy, or even break through the target, leaving a nice, circular singe mark where it hit. She wiped her forehead, a gentle smile on her face as she tried to catch her breath. She decided she was going to close her eyes for just a moment. Nothing more than a blink, really. But they closed, and didn’t re-open, as her legs gave way and she toppled forward onto her stomach, unconscious.

[DarkPulsar]

Her brain regained consciousness before the rest of her did, seemingly. She had no idea where she was or what she was doing. All she knew was that it felt like her head was resting on something soft and feathery, and that she felt warm. She tried moving her arms, though they felt heavy. Blankets? she wondered. She decided she ought to open her eyes and see where she was. The trouble was that the felt so damned heavy! She didn’t remember what she’d done to put herself in this type of condition, but she was sure paying for it. Slowly, and with much effort, her eyes fluttered open.


It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the flood of light. Before long, she could vaguely see she seemed to be in a bed in what looked like an infirmary, though she had no idea why. She was about to strain herself trying to remember when four people entered the room.


“Ah, it looks like you’ve woken up,” the doctor said. The other three she recognized as her roommate Miyuki, Sentarou, and the kidou teacher, Setsuna-sensei.


“What happened? Why am I here?” she choked out, her voice hoarse and raspy. Miyuki chimed in.


“You fainted after that Byakurai spell you fired,” she explained. “Which was super friggin’ cool by the way,” she added with a grin. The doctor shook her head, stepping forward and placing her palm on Erin’s forehead.


“What happened was you completely exhausted your reiatsu supply, and it caused you to faint. What on earth caused you to use all of your reiatsu?” the doctor asked. And then it hit her.


“Ohh…I remember now,” Erin said. “Last night, or this morning I guess, I used up most of my reiatsu to escape from my home and get here…and then I took the preliminary exams, and basically went right to class,” she explained. “I guess I was a bit reckless, but I thought I could handle it. Or more accurately, I kinda forgot about it,” she muttered under her breath.


“Well whatever, just don’t do it again. I’ve given you a pill to restore it, so you’re free to go. Your next class isn’t until tomorrow anyway. Get some rest, I don’t want to see you back here again,” the doctor said with a dismissive tone. Miyuki rushed over to Erin’s bedside, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and placing a hand on her waist, lifting her gently to her feet.


“C’mon,” she said, “let’s go. Here, just hop on my back, I’ll carry you back!” she said with a smile. Not being energetic enough to resist, Erin wordlessly hopped on Miyuki’s back, wrapping her arms around the taller girl’s neck as they began to leave the office. Erin almost forgot about her teacher having come to check on her.


“Thank you for coming Setsuna-sensei, I appreciate,” she said with a lazy smile.


“Of course dear, you just rest up and get better. And next time I expect that target to be blown clear off its moorings!” she said, mirth in her voice. She looked up, but it appeared as though Erin had already fallen back to sleep. Miyuki carried her slowly out of the infirmary and towards their dorm, ready for the rather eventful first day to be over.

[DarkPulsar]

Dear Diary,


Forgive me if I don't start with the usual pleasantries, but I'm horribly nervous. It's about five in the morning right now, I can't sleep. Just seven hours left in my academy career. Graduation starts at noon, and being the valedictorian, I have to give a speech in front of the entire hall. Sooooo sooo nervous. I hate big crowds and speaking in front of too many people. I begged and pleaded with them to let me out of it, but they refused. "They" being the school administrators, of course. I believe their exact words were: "This is part of your duty as valedictorian. It's good preparation for your future career in the Gotei 13 as well, you won't be able to simply beg off of your missions, so prepare your speech and steel your nerves."


Of course they're right, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I've got the entire thing written out already. It's way too long to write it all out for you, but I suppose I can give you a general idea of what I'd like to say. Well, of course I've got the old standard. Welcoming everyone and their mother, and thanking them for everything, etc etc. Kind of ironic considering that my parents disowned me for coming here and all of that, but I digress. After that basic welcome stuff, we have the tried and true "this is not an ending, but a new beginning" speech. Yeah, I know diary, I'm lame. Please don't you abandon me too. I'm also actually planning to talk a bit about how much work and effort it takes to be successful, in my eyes. All those nights training until I'd pass out. How I wish Miyuki and Sentarou were still alive...


Sorry about that, I'm just reminded of the time I passed out in class, and those two carried me to the infirmary. The only two friends I had here at the academy, aside from you of course, and they died...in our first year...


Okay, totally not going down that path right now. I'm already tearing up. And I can't afford it right now. Anyways...well on that note, I guess I'm in no mood to continue anymore. I'm sorry diary, but I need to catch some sleep before graduation starts. Of course I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Remember always, you're my best friend!


~Erin

[DarkPulsar]

Hi again diary,


Well, graduation is over. Remember how nervous I said I was earlier? Well, it's nothing compared to what I felt standing up there in front of everyone. I think I even saw a captain or two from the Gotei 13 in attendance, but maybe I was just imagining things. In any case, it's over now. In retrospect, I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday that I was rushing to my room for the first time and walking in on a half-naked Miyuki. ...I'm going to be so glad to get out of here. *tear drops stain the paper* There's so many memories here. I know it was only for a semester, but they were...my only friends...and they should've been here graduating with me! If only I weren't so weak and stupid, maybe they'd still be alive...


I hope they don't hate me. I try not to think about it, but sometimes I can't help it. All I can really do is get stronger. I promise to get stronger, for both of them. Next time I won't allow anyone else to be hurt or killed. I'll protect my friends for sure, if I ever have any. But anyways...


I'm going to head home briefly. I'd like to grab a few things and say my goodbyes, since I'm pretty sure this will be the last time I ever get to see the manor. It's been such a short six years, and I hardly even thought about my family. I guess that sentiment alone says about as much as anything on the whole situation. But partly it was just because I was so busy all the time. I'm very grateful to have been able to throw myself into classes so easily. After I go home though, it'll immediately be back off to seireitei to join the Gotei 13. I've been recruited a bit already by a few squads, actually. I guess thats pretty normal for the valedictorian of the graduating class, but I still have a hard time believing it. I'm pretty certain of where I want to go though.


I'm 99% sure I'll be entering fourth division. I want to heal people, and I want to protect people. I want to show Miyuki and Sentarou that I've grown and won't be letting anyone else be hurt anymore. I think they'd like that. I've heard that the captain of the fourth division is a little bit crazy, but I'm not really too worried. Maybe that's not the smartest thing in the world to admit to, but I'm honestly not. I bet she has a sweet side just like everyone else. Maybe we'll even be friends! That's another thing. Fourth Division is full of healers, they should be people like me. I'm hoping I'll be able to make some friends there. It's already after 2 pm now, so I think I'd better get going. I don't want to be too late in getting to my squad, and I still have to visit home first. Hopefully that won't take too long...


~Erin


P.S. I wonder if I'll be a seated officer right away? That'd be really cool. Someday I'll be the strongest shinigami in Soul Society.

[DarkPulsar]

Dear Diary,


Hi. I think that's a decent start. To be completely honest with you, I almost forgot I even had you. I don't know what made me grab you from my room as I was escaping the manor, but something did, and here we are. It's kind of funny, really. I remember the day I first got you. I think I was seven at the time, and you were a gift from my parents. I remembered thinking "what use do I have for this thing?" Well to be frank, probably not much, at least then. After all, what use does a mere seven year old child have for a diary? What deep, dark secrets does one have at that age? What does one of seven have to confide in to anyone?


At the time, absolutely nothing. And as the time passed me by, soon enough seven turned to nine, and then eleven, when I had my first real contact with depression. I learned my entire life, what I'd been dreaming of, striving for, was all for naught, that my future was already planned out. That's the first time I thought of turning to you. Yes still, even then I resisted. I so hated my parents, and after all, you were a gift of theirs. It was just too ironic. But again, here we are. I grabbed you as I was leaving the manor, and now here we are. First day of classes at the academy, and quite an eventful day it was. Let's recap.


Well, after the escape (sorry diary, but I don't really want to go into detail about that) I ended up here in seireitei at the academy gates. The term was starting today, but there was still time left. I went in and took the preliminary exams. They were exhausting! There were so many exercises. The first thing they had me do was track a reiatsu signature from tree to tree with my eyes closed. I guess they were testing my senses, and I did very well on that. They tested my reiatsu level, handed me a sword and made me fight against an instructor. Same thing with hand to hand combat. They were way too strong for me, but I think I handled myself well. I must say, all those nights I stayed up til four or five in the morning training my ass off really paid off.


Well, after all of that, and a few other things, I got my scores back, and headed off to my room. There I met my new roommate, Miyuki Itsumi. She says hi, by the way. I'm laying in my cot writing this as we speak, and she's making some funny faces at me. She's already making me laugh and smile more than I can remember having done in my entire life as a quasi-noble. But our initial meeting was actually somewhat awkward. I opened the door and there she was, in all her glory. I don't really remember what she had on, since I closed my eyes so quickly, but I can say that it wasn't very much. And she was soooo modest about it too. Insert eye-roll here. Well, we got along pretty well though, and then we headed off to our ADV ANCED kidou class! Yeah, that’s right, who's awesome? I'm in all the advanced classes! I'm super excited. Anyways, back on topic.


We left the dorms and headed out to class, and like as soon as we were out the door, this guy jumped out of a tree and started hitting me. Well, not physically. I don't really know the term. Ahhh Miyuki! She's reading over my shoulder! And for the record, she says the term is "hitting on." I don't really know what it means, but she likened it to "courting" which is a term I'm all too familiar with from my days at home. Anyways, she beat him up pretty good before I forced them into a truce. Then we got to class.


Our instructor is pretty cool, her name is Setsuna-sensei. She teaches kidou. She's pretty strict, but also very kind. She's the perfect kind of teacher for me. Well, to put it simply, we read a bit, and then went out to the training grounds out back. They're pretty amazing by the way. We practiced a couple of basic kidou. Bakudo no. 1, Sai, and Hadou no. 4, Byakurai. I was able to do them both, but after such a long day, the Byakurai I fired ate up all the rest of my reiatsu, and I fainted. Apparently Miyuki and that Sentarou guy (he's the one she beat up earlier) put aside their differences long enough to carry me to the infirmary. I woke up, the healer popped a pill in my mouth and sent me on my way. And here we are back in the dorms! It's about to be lights out, but I wanted to tell you all about my first day. Hopefully you and I can be friends, diary. I'd never really had any before, but after meeting Miyuki, I wish I had. But it's never too late to start! Until next time!


Your friend (hopefully)

~Erin

[DarkPulsar]

"Good mooooorning Rinny-chan~!"

"Noo," I mumbled groggily. "Lemme go back to sleep."

"Nope nope, you promised to train with me this morning!" Miyuki reminded me. "So get up!"

"What time is it?"

"Five fifteen in the morning." I froze, the instinct to kill rising closer to the surface.

"Miyuki..." I whispered dangerously. "If you ever wake me up before eight on a weekend again, I swear in the name of all that's holy that I will kill you. Understand?" So sue me, I'm cranky in the morning.

"Ne, you're just cranky in the morning," she said as she ripped the blanket off my bed. Ohh, the bitch was gonna die!

The cold air of the room hit my body like an anvil, and I instinctively shot straight up to try and take back my blanket. I wish I would've remembered that these were bunk beds, and that I was in the bottom one. And the distinct lack of space between them. With a thud, I smacked my head off the bed above me, clutching my forehead in pain as goose bumps began to spread across my skin from the cold. That's when I heard the laughing. And I froze all over again.

"Hahaha! N-nice...p-pa-pajamas!" she stuttered out between hysterical fits of laughter. Just what the hell is wrong with a girl enjoying a pair of silk hello kitty pajamas anyway? They're cute damnit. Once again, I could feel the urge to kill coursing through my veins. I fixed her with my best death glare.

"And what about them?" I gritted out.

"Th-they're...I'm sorry, you just look like you're about eight years old or something." I groaned and stole my blanket back, glad for the warmth.

"What're you doing up so early anyway?"

"I'm not up early. Just haven't gone to bed yet!"

No wonder she was so cheerful. "And why not?"

"It's the weekend! Why go to bed so early? I went out to a party."

"So go to sleep then. We'll train when you get up." She stuck her tongue out at me. Damn this girl could be irritating.

"Ne, fine. But don't blame me when you want to go and I'm still asleep."

"I'll drag you out of bed when I'm ready," I said.

"Hmm, well you can try, but I'm a pretty heavy sleeper. Doubt you'll get me up before I'm ready."

"Yeah, whatever," I said with a yawn as I rolled back over. Revenge was going to be sweet.

***

This time was so much better. I woke up gently and peacefully with the warmth of the sun's rays caressing my face, and the few birds that remained chirping outside my window. I glanced over at my alarm clock and saw it was 11:30. It's been so long since I've had such a nice lie-in, it was well overdue. All the murderous thoughts from six hours ago had completely vanished and I felt back to my normal cheery self. Still wouldn't want to have to deal with me in the mornings if I were you though.

With a yawn, I kicked off my blankets and swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly as my bare feet hit the cold tile floor. I figured it'd be a good idea to grab a quick shower and breakfast before I woke Miyuki to go training, which I was really looking forward to. The shower was really nice. Not sure if I mentioned it before, but it's November now, and it's getting to be awfully cold. A nice hot shower is like heaven. It was noon by the time I got down to the cafeteria. It was a bit disappointing that the breakfast shift was over, since I'd been looking forward to some hot eggs and bacon, but I settled for a pretty nice sandwich instead. For cafeteria food, this was really pretty good stuff. Even the academy students lead better lives than the citizens of Rukongai. Now that I'd been properly groomed and fed, I was itching to go train, so I went to go wake up Miyuki. Revenge was going to be sweet.

Honestly I tried everything. Kicking the door open, kicking her bed, kicking her, but she wouldn't wake up. I ripped off her blanket, hoping that the cold would wake her up, but all I got was an eyeful of skin and the knowledge that she liked to sleep naked. I stopped to think of what else I could try, and to my chagrin she chose that moment to wake up.

"Ah, Rinny-chan~" she said sleepily, "I didn't know you were interested. Checking me out while I sleep, ne?" My face lit up crimson with a combination of a blush and anger as I threw the blanket at her.

"Idiot, I didn't know you slept like that! I was just trying to wake you up so we could go training!" I shouted. She recoiled slightly, a frown appearing on her face for just a split second. Was she disappointed?

"Yeah yeah, I'm up..." she said.

"You're very pretty by the way..." I mumbled incomprehensibly. She perked up a bit.

"Oh? What was that you just said? I couldn't hear you!" she sang as she began smiling again. Sometimes I hated myself for being too nice. The desire not to make her sad opened me up to endless teasing. Definitely wasn't going to live this down anytime soon.

"I said you're very pretty," I repeated with a blush. "Now quit teasing me, get dressed and lets go, I don't wanna wait all day."

"Alrighty, gimme just a few mins and I'll meetcha out at the training grounds." I gave a brief wave of acknowledgement and headed out. She sure knew how to drive me crazy.

[ooc: Dizzy, decided to try something new and write in first person for a change. Critique meh on IRC if its no trouble.]

[DarkPulsar]

The young girl looked almost regal as she padded gracefully down the main street in the first district of Western Rukongai, flanked by a pair of guards. She didn't want them there, nor did she think she needed them, but it was family policy that none were allowed to leave the manor unaccompanied. As the eldest daughter of the Maine family, this rule was strictly enforced, especially for her. Her parents certainly weren't going to risk the well-being of their prized project, the white-haired beauty that by way of arranged marriage was going to elevate them into the ranks of Seireitei nobility itself. Not a chance.


The day itself was beautiful. The sun's rays warmed Erin's face, her silky white hair cascaded down her back, and her flowery lavender kimono billowed slightly in the cool spring breeze. It couldn't have been more perfect. The whole thing was so serene that it wiped her mind blank, nearly causing her to forget the reason she'd needed to go out in the first place. The sudden remembrance put a bit of a damper on her cheery mood. Stupid party, she thought bitterly.


In three days time, she was to be attending a party hosted by nobles. In Seireitei. She'd never actually been in the Seireitei before, and she had to admit that her intellectual half was curious to see it. Her emotional half completely and utterly loathed it. First time I walked through those gates was s'posed to be when I was entering the academy, she thought, somewhat sadly. In any case, her parents decided she lacked proper attire for the party, and insisted that something new be bought for the occasion. Luckily for her own sake, after much yelling and arguing, Erin had at least convinced them to let her go out and pick the outfit herself. It was bad enough that she'd been forced into attending this stupid party, the least they could do was let the poor girl enjoy the task of shopping for her clothes. Ah, but if only the party were the worst of it! No, of course it got worse. She was supposed to escort her betrothed, a man (a boy, really) she neither liked nor trusted, and was expected to hang off his arm and fawn like a fangirl the whole night. Bullshit. Like hell that'd happen! What was the guy's name anyway? She didn't even know.


Her angry inner musings came to an abrupt halt as she noticed the pair of guards flanking her drop unceremoniously to the ground. Dead or unconscious, Erin didn't know, but she didn't like the looks of the men currently eyeing her. She turned to run, but before she could even see what hit her, her world turned black as her consciousness faded away.


***


The white-haired girl awoke to a sunset-laden sky and the sound of running water. Her first thought was how marvelously peaceful it was. Her second thought was that she must be dead, and this was heaven. But it seemed a bit...unpopulated for that. In fact, until the voice behind her spoke, it seemed like she was the only one to exist in the place. It was an odd sensation.


"So we meet at last," spoke a voice that seemed to surround her. She couldn't see where it was coming from, or if it was actually coming from anywhere at all. The eldest Maine daughter wondered if the voice was entirely within her head, or if she was just imagining it completely.


"Very good observations," the voice rang out again. "I am speaking from inside of you because I've yet to manifest. Though it seems as if it's time for me to do so, am I correct?"


"Whoa whoa, hang on a sec. Talking voice in my head? Manifest? What's going on, where am I?"


"Easy there child, no need to rush. You were knocked unconscious and now here you are."


"What? Why am I here if I'm unconscious? You're not making sense."


"You're here because this is the world you've created for yourself inside of your unconscious soul. You don't yet know of it. I've been trying to reach you for quite some time, but this is the first I've been able to."


"Why now?"


"Because you were knocked unconscious, the part of your soul where this world and I exist have become accessible to you. Though as soon as you wake, this world and I will disappear from your mind again."


"What if I want to remember?" She thought she could feel the voice smile, if that were possible.


"You won't even remember that you want to remember it. Don't worry though, we won't disappear. This world and I will be here for you, waiting for when you're ready. Eventually, you will be able to travel here of your own accord. I wait for that day with much enthusiasm. You're going to wake up soon, go quickly now. Trust in your power. Trust in me. Draw forth your strength, and I'll appear in your hands. Together, we'll defeat these thugs, and you'll be just fine..."


***


Erin heard the voice trail off as her eyes fluttered open. She tried frantically to hold on to the fleeting memories, but it was as if she were trying to grab air with her bare hands. Instinct took over, and she took note of her situation. One of the thugs was carrying her bridal-style. She needed to get away from him first. Erin swung her right elbow backwards, landing a solid blow to the man's head. In his surprise, he let go, grasping at his head, while Erin quickly got back up to her feet. The emerald-eyed girl didn't know what it was, but she felt a power surge within her, seemingly originating from her stomach. Filled with an odd confidence she couldn't explain, she spoke with a soft calm, sounding strange even to her own ears.


"Who are you guys and what do you want with me?" One, two, three...four. There are four of them, she noted.


"Che, little girls ain't s'posed ta talk, yer s'posed ta shut up, be good, and listen ta yer elders!" the first said. Another was going to speak up when silenced by what Erin could only assume was the group's leader.


"Since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you. We're from Zaraki. You're Erin Maine, eldest daughter of the Maine family, set to become a noble of Seireitei. In short, you're worth a lot of money, and you're going to make us rich."


"Like hell I am," she spat back with a fury she didn't know she had. The welling up of power continued, and she felt it grow. The young girl didn't know what it was, but seemed to know instinctively what to do. "You don't know who you're messing with," she snarled. Erin extended her right arm, focusing on the well of power building within her. The man who'd been carrying her before seemed the weakest of the four. She'd attack him first.


Though no match for any shinigami, Erin was a blur to the four brutes from Zaraki. As she leapt at the first of the attackers, the one she judged to be weakest, a flash of light appeared at her right hand. She closed her fist reflexively and felt the solidity of a sword hilt. She didn't know how, but she knew this was her zanpakuto. The cloth felt silky smooth in her hand, but she'd admire it later. Erin quickly unsheathed it and sliced at the first man, cutting from his left shoulder all the way down to the hip bone on his right side, being greeted with a spray of blood. The others quickly regained their senses after the initial shock and began to attack. Erin quickly angled her blade towards her own stomach and thrust it backwards, gutting one of the men. She ducked a punch aimed for her face as she removed her blade from one man and swung it upwards in a wide arc, beheading the third attacker. Only the leader of the troupe from Zaraki still remained, his eyes wide as saucers as he stammered out a few words.


"Y-you...you're a monster!" he screamed, backing slowly away.


"You're the monsters. If you'd left me alone this never would've happened. You were supposed to be the leader of your group, right? The smart one? It's a pity for you."


"W-what do you mean?"


"Since you're the leader, I have to kill you too."


"N-no! Let me go!"


"I'm sorry, I can't. You corrupted these men with promises of riches and fame and glory, didn't you? I can't let you go. Not after these men lost their lives because of you. It's not fair to them."


"Look, I'm sorry, please! Just stay away--!" he saw a brief flash and her blade pierced his heart, killing him instantly. Erin removed her zanpakuto from the man's torso and swung her blade once more, cleansing it of the blood. The young girl walked shortly over to the nearest tree, leaning her back against it and sliding downwards until she was sitting against it's trunk. Her hands were covered in crimson. What once was the soft milky color of flesh on her arms and legs was now bathed in crimson. Where Erin's lavender kimono was once decorated with pretty flowers, it was now decked out in blood. Exhaustion began to set in as reality struck. She'd just killed four men, she was lost somewhere in the woods, and she was so hungry. With a heaving sob, a large wave of guilt, fear, and loneliness washed over the twelve year old girl, and she covered her face with her arms, as her body toppled over, crying herself to sleep.

[DarkPulsar]

By the time the pair of guards woke from their battle with consciousness, the night sky was in full bloom. Stars glittered beautifully above them, and the night air now held a distinct chill that was quite the contrast to the warmth provided by the sun's rays a few hours ago. The pair stirred, clambering to their feet as they observed the scene around them.


Erin was long gone, that they knew. How long ago she'd been taken, and how far the brutes could have gotten was quite another issue. From the look of it, the citizens had dared not to interfere, wary of the consequences, so the thugs probably made a pretty clean getaway. Wonderful.


"Oi, you know how long we were out?"


"Not a clue."


"Well shit. We gotta find the brat."


"Yep. Can't go back without her or those guys might as well have killed us here. We're as good as dead if we return without her."


"Yeah," the first guard said, rubbing the back of his head. "Let's ask around, see if anyone saw anything."


"Gotcha."


***


Somewhere in a nearby forest, a young white-haired girl lay shivering in the cold, sobbing uncontrollably. A murderer. That's what she was. Alone. She was that too. She felt so...dirty! And it wasn't just the now dried blood caking her hands, her legs, her clothing. She felt completely and utterly disgusting, clear to the core of her soul. The poor thing was inconsolable, still unknowingly clenching the hilt of her zanpakuto as if her life depended on it. Eyes still streaming a rivers worth of tears, she again fell asleep.


***


The guards mentally thanked their informants again as they reached the edge of the forest where Erin was last seen. From what they knew, which wasn't much, she should be here somewhere. The pair doubted that the attackers would've strayed from the trail, and to avoid getting lost themselves, they followed it along. Twigs snapping and leaves crunching beneath their feet, they walked for about ten minutes before stumbling onto a scene they could never have been prepared for.


"W-what the hell?! What is this?!"


"N-no way! What happened here?!"


Erin finally woke from her slumber, and for the first time since it had originally manifested, she let go of her zanpakuto, which was now sheathed. She ran to the nearest guard, startling him when she leapt into his arms. The other guard saw her arms and clothing and legs caked with blood, and could only imagine what had happened. The wounds on the bodies of the men were clearly inflicted by a sword, so how...?


And then, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw it.


"Oi, is that a zanpakuto..?" he mused aloud, padding over to the trunk of the tree it lay next to. The man picked it up, admiring it. The hilt was covered in a silk navy blue cloth, every so often there was a hint of lavender showing through. Heart imprints ran up either side of the hilt up to the guard, which was rectangular shaped and adorned with what looked like a pair of angels wings on it. Though sheathed, the blade was quite long, it took the form of a nodachi. It was unmistakable. Definitely a zanpakuto. He grasped the hilt and began to slowly pull the blade from its sheath.


"DON'T YOU TOUCH THAT!!!!" the unstable girl exploded, leaping from the first guard's arms and snatching her sword, hugging it reflexively to her chest.


"It's MINE! And DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH IT AGAIN!" Tears again began to stream down the poor girls face. She was so confused! Hugging her sword more tightly, she spoke again.


"Take me home," she said, her voice barely a whisper. The guards stood there a moment, still shocked at her explosion and appearance. They forgot to respond when she screamed yet again. "NOW!!"


"Y-yes ma'am, right away!" one of them said, the other hastily scooping up the fragile little girl in his arms. They headed back down the trail towards the forest exit, but Erin was asleep again before they reached the city.


***


The gates to the Maine Manor slid open with a ceremonious creak as the trio entered. The white-haired young girl leapt out of the first guard's arms, head held high and seemingly back to normal, for the moment. She tucked her zanpakuto into her obi against her left hip as she walked up the stone pathway to the house. After an uneventful walk, she pushed the door open, kicking off her bloody sandals as she entered the house and padded inwards.


"Do you have--!" her father started, stopping immediately when he took in her appearance. "What the hell happened...?" he asked, shock evident in his voice. For her part, Erin simply ignored him completely, as if he didn't exist. She never once looked his way, eyes staying strictly in front of her as she walked by him and up the softly carpeted stairway to her room.


To say it was odd for the perpetually cheerful, emotional girl to be so robotic would be an understatement, but robotic she was. The moment she entered her room, she grabbed her zanpakuto and untied her obi, shrugging off her kimono with an expressionless face. She set the sword on her bed as she walked calmly into the shower. The white-haired child turned on the water, almost to scalding hot levels, and stared at the drain, looking disinterestedly at the crimson shade that the water took after washing away the blood from her normally milky skin. Erin stood like that for a half an hour before finally reaching up to turn off the water and step out. She gently dried herself with a fresh towel and slipped into her pajamas before walking to her bed and admiring her zanpakuto for the first time. The eldest Maine daughter felt no emotion as she picked it up and placed it in her closet before jumping into bed. Her face buried in her pillows, she lay motionless for the rest of the night. She didn't sleep.

[DarkPulsar]

It was a cold and dreary day, large, dark cumulonimbus clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, blotting out any chance of seeing sunlight. Rain poured, and lightning crashed in the distance, the thunder loud enough to seemingly shake the very ground. But the small, white-haired girl remained oblivious to it all, as she lay calmly on what she had to admit, was a rather comfortable couch. For a psychiatric clinic.


***


~The Previous Night~


"Do you have--!" Mr. Maine started, stopping immediately when he took in her appearance. "What the hell happened...?" he asked, shock evident in his voice. For her part, Erin simply ignored him completely, as if he didn't exist. She never once looked his way, eyes staying strictly in front of her as she walked by him and up the softly carpeted stairway to her room.


He turned to the two guards.


"What happened?" was all he could manage. The older guard stepped forward to speak.


"Sir, we took her to look for her garments, as requested. En route to the tailor, we were attacked and knocked unconscious by four men from Zaraki. They took Erin and ran off."


"Ransom?" James interjected.


"We believe so. When we woke, it was nearly dark, and we asked some locals if they knew what happened. Eventually, we tracked her down to the forest where she was last seen entering. About ten minutes later, we found her."


"Found her? What of the four men?"


"That's where it gets a bit, er...more complicated."


"Explain."


"Well, they were there with her, technically. But...they'd been slaughtered. Sword wounds, all of them. One was beheaded, one was pierced through the heart. But the weirdest thing..." he trailed off. James' interest was piqued.


"What?"


"Well, we found a sword at the scene. A zanpakuto, unmistakably. And when we tried to pick it up...Erin went nuts. She attacked us, and claimed it was hers. And she was covered in blood...I...I think she may have..."


"You think my daughter killed them? With a zanpakuto?"


"I believe so, sir."


"Nonsense! Where would she get her hands on one anyway?"



"I don't know, sir. All I know is that she's been acting extraordinarily strange. Constantly crying, hugging that sword to her chest, and lashing out at us. Not to mention she was covered in blood...you know, I can't imagine her playing in it after they died. I can only think she must've killed them herself. We looked for tracks, and only found five pairs. I don't believe anyone else was there."


"This is troubling...she must be ready for the party in two days. Contact that psychiatrist in Hokutan, set an appointment for first thing in the morning. If she's acting strange, it must be fixed before then, my future depends on it."


***


~Present Day, Psychiatric Clinic~


The office itself was fairly dull. Various authentication certificates hung from the walls, which were a very light, pale blue. The carpet was an interesting mix of many colors, mostly pastels. Pinks, greens, purples, oranges, all light colors so obviously meant to put forth a more soothing atmosphere. For her part, the white-haired little girl didn't care. She was vaguely able to hear the thunder from outside, and the rain pelting against the roof and windows, and thought it oddly appropriate. Though she wouldn't know it at the time, it perfectly matched what was going on in her inner world as well.


"Now then, let's get started shall we?" he said. The man was rotund and jovial looking, and seemed very pleasant. On some other day, Erin may have cared, but today... "Alright, so what seems to be the problem?" He was met with silence. "Hm, different question. What do you think of your parents?"


"I hate them," was all she said. How cheerful!


"Now, why would a beautiful young lass such as yourself hate her parents?" Ah, finally an easy one.


"Because they control my life. I have dreams and ambitions they don't want me to fulfill. All they want is to use me to get into Seireitei."


"I see...what exactly happened last night?"


Silence.


"You need to talk to someone about this."


"What's to say? One minute I was peacefully shopping for clothing to go to a party my parents are forcing me into, and the next some guys knocked me out and carried me off to the forest." He tapped his chin thoughtfully, curious as to how to proceed.


"And what happened after that?"


"I killed them all."


"E-excuse me? You what?"


"I killed them all," she repeated emotionlessly.


"How? These were grown up men, were they not? You expect me to believe you killed them?"


"My memory is a bit fuzzy. But I did kill them. I woke up, hit the guy carrying me, and he dropped me. For awhile it seemed like time stood still, and then the next thing I knew, I was charging one of the guys with a zanpakuto in my hand. I gutted one man, beheaded another, and sliced the next into tiny ribbons. The leader begged for his life, for mercy. But I didn't give it to him. He was the reason they died, so it's only fair that he died too, right? So I killed him. Stabbed him right through the heart." The old man was completely at a loss for words, as the girl emotionlessly finished her story in the same monotone voice she'd spoken with on every response. He was unsure what to do.


"That...that must be very hard on you," he said sympathetically.


"No, not really. The other part is scarier."


"What other part?"


"It felt good to kill them. I'm happy about it. That's the scary part. I kinda wanna do it again."

[DarkPulsar]

Erin Maine ~ Age 5


The words “Erin Maine, Age Five” were superimposed on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, as Julia, Erin’s mother, popped in an old home video. Her memories of the day’s events were as vivid as ever. Then again, who could forget? It’s not every day your runaway child comes home at sunset, riding on the shoulders of a captain in the Gotei Thirteen.

The room was quiet, aside from the squealing laughter of her children emanating from the television screen. Ah, how she longed for those days to return! It was a much simpler time, a nicer existence, when she could watch her children all laughing and playing together. To think that she’d somehow allowed the family to be ripped apart over her husband’s selfish desires ate her up inside. And though she threw the blame about, guilt still riddled her heart. She knew she was as much to blame as James was.

Scented candles burned on the bedside table, emitting a wonderfully relaxing aroma, and the liquid wax pooled around the wick, ready to spill over the edge. Julia curled up under her bed sheets, trying to find warmth to wash away the emptiness she was feeling. The beautiful raven haired woman had no explanation for why she did this to herself. It was torture, really. She loved her daughter, very much. And she hadn’t seen her for so long now…

Julia’s attention was suddenly grabbed by the old video playing across her television screen, ripping her from her self-loathing. The boys had decided to gang up on her little white-haired girl. A smile splayed across Julia’s pink lips as the scene continued to play itself out.


***


“Grrrr, you little brat! I’ll get you for that!” John, the oldest of her brothers cried.

“Wahhh, mommy!” the little girl screamed, running in the direction of the camera. Before she could make it, she was tackled from behind, as John grabbed her ankles, forcing young Erin to topple over. It wasn’t long before her other three older brothers had screamed “dog pile!” and jumped on top. Julia had set down the camera, and one by one, began to pull the boys off her then only daughter.

“John, you should be ashamed of yourself!” she rebuked him. “Attacking such a small girl! And not only that, but she’s your sister!” As she’d finally plucked the last of them off of Erin, she was met with bright emerald eyes, shining with unshed tears. Slowly they filled to the brim, spilling over her bottom eyelid and steamed down her cheeks. Her mother bent down to pick her up, but Erin pushed her hands away as she clambered to her bare feet and sprinted off for the gates, crying loudly.

It would still be awhile before the Maine family realized if they wanted to keep their daughter on the grounds, they’d have to station guards at the gates. Luckily for the white-haired little girl though, she had a clear and easy escape. Her hair glided gently, bouncing with each tiny stride of her legs as she ran. Oh she loved to run! Erin couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so free, just running like that. As her mind wandered, she lost track of how far she’d come, and had no sense at all of her surroundings. She was completely unaware, for instance, that she was about to crash right into a man walking down the streets of Junrinan.

“Whoa!” the tall, lithe man cried out in surprise. A tiny bundle of lavender and white had crashed right into his legs, tripping him up and knocking him to the ground as a five year old Erin remained oblivious.

“Well now, this is new!” he exclaimed with a genuine smile. “Here, let me help you up,” he said, offering his hand.

“Um, thank you mister. Sorry I knocked you down. But you must be pretty wimpy if a little girl like me can knock you over,” she said haughtily, taking his hand and hopping to her feet. He gave her an amused glance.

“Yes, weak indeed,” he chuckled. “What’s a darling little girl like yourself doing out on these streets alone?”

“Oh, I’m running away. My family is mean.”

“Is that so? I don’t think I’d run away though, it can be awfully dangerous you know.”

“Well, I can take care of myself!” she proclaimed, emerald eyes fierce with determination. He didn’t know what it was, but something changed in the little girl just then, and she stared at him with gaping eyes.

“What, is there something on my face?” he asked, looking confused.

“Are…are you a shinigami?” she asked in awe.

“That’s right, quite astute of you to notice!” he said with a smile. “I’m surprised a little girl like you knows about shinigami already.”

Erin got excited. “Well I’m gonna be one someday, so I hafta know all about ‘em! But I’ve never seen a shinigami in a white coat before! It looks so cool!”

He shrugged, pointing to his haori. “You mean this thing? Well, yes, I suppose you could say it’s a special part of the uniform. Very few people get to wear them!”

“Really? What kinds of people? I want one of those!”

He chuckled in response, as warm, chocolatey eyes looked upon the girl in amusement. “It’s called a captain’s haori. Only captains get to wear these. Now, if you don’t mind,” he continued, “I don’t believe I’ve gotten your name yet? I’m Takahashi Toshirou, but please, call me Taka-chan. Anything else makes me feel old!” he said with a hearty laugh.

“Oh, but that long white hair makes you look old anyways mister Taka-chan! My name is Erin Maine, pleased to meet you!”

A bright, lively smile lit up his features at the girl’s words. “Your hair is white too you know, though it doesn’t make you look old…” he mumbled quietly. “Well then Erin-chan, how would you like to come with me for a bit? I’m going to go visit with my family in town here.”

“Okay then! How far away is it? Can I have a piggyback ride?!” she spat out excitedly. With a jovial laugh and one smooth motion, he lifted the girl from her feet and plopped her up on his right shoulder.

“How’s that?”

“Cool! I feel so big!”

He chuckled again and smiled warmly. “Alright then, let’s get going. Don’t wanna be late, after all.” With the small white-haired girl perched atop his shoulder, a smile flittered across his face as an idea came to mind. She was going to love this!

“Hang on tight!” he said as he shunpoed off at top speed towards their destination.

[DarkPulsar]

The First Encounter, Part II

“Wow~!” the small, white-haired girl squealed as the pair came to a stop. The trip wasn’t very long, as Taka-chan lived in the first district also, but that didn’t have Erin any less excited. Her first time traveling at the speed of shunpo! How wonderful it was! The small girl loved the way the wind whipped through her silky ivory hair, how the moving air stung her emerald eyes, causing them to water, and how the pit of her stomach dropped as if she were on a roller-coaster ride. What a thrill! I really have to learn how to do that, she thought.

Takahashi grinned brightly. “Ah, enjoyed that did you? I thought you might. The first time is always quite neat.”

“That was awesome! Can we do it again?” she asked excitedly. The tall man chuckled, and gently lifted her from his shoulder, placing her on the ground.

“Perhaps a bit later, but for now, we should get inside,” he said. At his words, Erin looked up, taking in the surroundings for the first time. She thought this place looked familiar, and it probably should. It wasn’t very far from her own home, and she’d often walk by the area whenever she left the manor grounds. The house itself was rather large, but not overwhelming. It looked to have three stories, and was painted a soft, light blue color that was very easy on the eyes. There must’ve been fifteen sets of windows on the front of the house alone, and large French doors in the back opened up to a beautifully lush, green garden and huge backyard. Just then, a soft, firm voice interrupted the child’s observations.

“Come on, I’ll show you around.” A large hand was placed on Erin’s back, ushering her up the long stone pathway to the front porch of the house. It was a rather picturesque scene, the long winding stone path lined with azaleas and lilacs leading up to a large, beautiful looking house with a forest as its background. Add in the small child being ushered forward by a relatively elderly looking man, and it looked like one of those old paintings of a grandfather and his grandchild returning to their country home after an afternoon away.

Having made their way to the entrance, Toshirou grabbed the doorknob and twisted, pulling and holding the door for young Erin to enter. She wiped her already bare feet on the rug outside the door before sprinting inside and staring in awe at the home’s interior. What looked like three stories from the outside was not quite true. There was a staircase off to the left of the entrance, but the living room itself was just one large room with a huge ceiling, that was three stories tall. A large, elegant golden chandelier hung from a large chain, seemingly lit with some sort of endless kidou. It was furnished quite beautifully with leather couches and chairs, but the true hallmark of the room had to be the book-case on the far wall. To say that it was massive would be an understatement. It stretched from wall to wall, and floor to ceiling, completely and utterly filled to the brim with countless volumes of text.

“Ah, Toshi-chan, is that you?” a feminine voice called from the kitchen.

“Yes mother, it’s me. And I’ve brought a guest! You’re always saying I should bring women home to meet you more often!” he said with a snicker.

Toshirou’s mother got excited. “Oh goodness, you’ve brought a guest?!” The kitchen door swung open, and a rather old, plump matronly looking woman stepped through, wearing her favorite sunflower apron. “So who’s the lucky –” she paused in mid-sentence, as she saw the small girl waving politely with a lively smile on her face. The elderly woman smiled, and sighed in fake annoyance.

“Toshi-chan, you shouldn’t tease me like that!” she chided.

He smiled brightly. “Sorry, sorry, I just couldn’t help it.” She waved a hand at him as if to shrug off his apology.

“Nonsense dear, you know I’m just playing around.” She turned her attention to Erin. “And who might you be, young miss? I dare say I’ve seen you before, playing around in the streets!”

The small girl smiled again as she nodded excitedly. “Yup, my name is Erin. I live nearby so you might have seen me before.”

“I see, and how did you come to meet my son here?”

“Well, I was running away and out of nowhere he stepped right in front of me and knocked me down.” Takahashi’s eyebrow quirked up at this.

“Oi, that’s not how it happened!” he mumbled. The old woman laughed hysterically as Erin continued to elaborate on how they’d run into each other, sometimes omitting and adding details as she saw fit.

“Well, I just baked some cookies, so why don’t you hop on over to the kitchen and help yourself, I need to talk to my son about how to watch where he’s going!” she said with a snicker. Erin squealed out a “Yay, cookies!” as she ran off to the kitchen, leaving the mother and son alone for the moment.

“So what really happened?” his mother asked.

“It’s mostly as she says, I think. She said she was running away.” He reached into his pocket, grabbed out an envelope and handed it to the old woman. “I was walking home to give you that, and all of a sudden this little ball of energy got tangled up in my legs, knocked me right over. She’s quite keen, for such a young one. And she’s interested in becoming a shinigami someday. I thought I might bring her here and loan her some things.”

“Ahh, so that’s it. Sure, sure, go ahead. Just make sure you take note of whatever you loan her.”

“Of course. Well then, it’s getting a bit late. I’ll show her upstairs, grab some books, and see her home. I still have a lot of work to do at the office,” he said with a sigh. Taka-chan walked to the kitchen and called for Erin, quickly showing her upstairs.

“For the most part, it’s pretty boring up here,” he explained. “But there is a special room.”

Erin’s interest was piqued. “A special one? What’s so special about it?”

“My family has a long standing line of men and women who’ve served in the Gotei Thirteen. We have a room full of pictures, information, histories, you name it, and we’ve got it. It’s a room dedicated to my family’s service in the Gotei protection squads.”

The ivory-haired girl looked up in awe, her emerald eyes shining brightly with anticipation. “Can I see?” His warm brown eyes looked down at the child fondly, thinking she’d make a good shinigami someday. Especially if she was this eager to learn.

“Yep! That’s why we’re here!” he said cheerily, opening the door. This would definitely not be something the young child would soon forget.

[DarkPulsar]

The First Encounter, Conclusion



The door creaked and seemed to move in slow motion as it slowly and tantalizingly slid open. Erin stood up on the tips of her toes, somehow hoping that it’d speed up the process. A silly reaction, but she couldn’t really help it. It was exciting! Sure, she was a young child still. Merely five years old, but how many five year olds can say they knew exactly what it was they wanted out of their life? But this one did. From the first time her emerald eyes happened upon a shinigami, she’d been enthralled by the whole idea. It was what she lived for. And now, here she was meeting one for the first time, a captain no less, and was merely moments away from a veritable treasure trove of shinigami books, items, and history. It was a wonderful chance she’d relish for the rest of her life.

After what seemed a lifetime of waiting, the door was open, and she bounded happily inside. The tiny child took a moment to look around, making mental notes to remember exactly what it was she saw. To her right was a monstrously large bookshelf, stacked from floor to ceiling with tomes of information on all sorts of things. Deciding the rest of the room could wait, Erin headed over to the bookshelf. Running her fingers along the spines of the books, she made out a lot of words that seemed foreign to her at the time. Most of the books had titles including the words Reiatsu, Kidou, Shunpo, Zanjutsu, and Hakuda. Others appeared to contain a history of Soul Society’s laws, information on the Central 46, the Shinigami Academy, the Gotei Protection squads and their history, specialties among each of the divisions; it looked as if this lone bookshelf had more information about her future than she could’ve ever dreamed for.

For his part, the former 13th Captain simply stood in the doorway, curious as to how the small child would react. A smile crossed his lips as he saw her first head for the bookshelf, the same thing he himself had done as a child.

After having felt she’d thoroughly looked through the book titles, it was as if a light went off in her head, and Erin remembered that she’d only looked at a very small fraction of the room. Turning around with curious eyes, Erin surveyed the rest of the room. Directly across from the bookshelf was a curved wall, forming a semi-circle. Paintings lined the wall from end to end, pictures of former Takahashi men and women who served in the Gotei 13. But perhaps the neatest things of all were the mounted zanpakuto. Under the name of each painting hung their zanpakuto. They were clearly not replicas, or models of any sort. These were the real zanpakuto of former shinigami.

Walking closer, the white-haired girl noticed something. In none of these paintings did anyone have a white coat like the man who brought her here, and every single one of these shinigami were enrolled in the 13th Division. This struck her as somewhat strange.

“Hey, how come nobody has a white coat like yours? And how come they were all in the same division?” she asked. His smile brightened even more.

“Ah, so you noticed! Being in the 13th Division is sort of a family tradition, because of the division’s values. You see, the 13th values kindness and friendship. It’s like a large family. And because of that, our family has always aspired to be in the 13th Division.”

“Oh. But, what about the coats? How come nobody else has one?” He chuckled, as Erin looked to him with confusion.

“Well, that’s because it’s very rare to be a captain. To be a captain means to be one of the thirteen strongest men or women in all of Soul Society. You have to be born with a natural talent, and you have to hone your skills from years of hard work and training. Not just anyone can become one, you see?” Erin stood in a mixture of awe and excitement at the realization that she’d met one of the strongest fighters in all of Soul Society. It only reaffirmed her desire to someday join the ranks. And to someday take up a Captain position herself.

“Wow, that’s amazing…” she trailed off. Takahashi stepped forward with a grin, heading to a closet Erin hadn’t noticed before. He opened it up and pulled out a rather large trunk, which appeared to be empty.

“I’ve got a gift for you? Come over here, and place your hand on the top of the trunk.”

“Okay, what for?”

“We’re going to calibrate it to react to only your reiatsu.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, that just means we’re going to make it so that you’re the only one who can open it,” he said with a smile.

“Cool! How do we do that?”

“Just place your hand on the top of it, and close your eyes.” The small girl stepped forward and placed her hand on the trunk. “You’ll need to focus. Just relax, and try to reach your reiatsu. You know what it is. Just focus it into your hand, and the trunk will recognize it. That’ll be how you open it.”

“Okay, I’ll try.” The small girl closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on finding her inner power. It didn’t take long before she found it, the problem was how to get it to do what she wanted. Maybe if I ask it nicely? Hey, reiatsu! Will you please go move to my hand? It didn’t work. Pretty please? Still nothing. Hmph, fine then! I’ll just have to make you!

With a surge of adrenaline, the small girl took hold of her power, forcing it into her right arm and hand. A few moments later, she opened her eyes to see a soft blue glow emanating from her finger tips. Taka-chan smiled again, as the trunk seemingly absorbed her reiatsu, glowing blue itself for a moment before Erin collapsed forward, exhausted. Before she could hit the floor, the tall man grabbed the neck of her clothing, setting her down gently. With the trunk open, he quickly filled it with all the books he’d spotted her eyeing earlier. Tomes of information on reiatsu, kidou, shunpo, law, history, everything she’d looked at, he added it in. Once it was completely filled, he closed the lid, and carried the unconscious girl down the stairs, using a kidou to lift and float the trunk along behind him. Erin began to stir as they arrived downstairs.

“Waaah, I feel so tired!” she said.

“Ah, so you’re awake already! You probably ended up using all of your reiatsu at once, and it caused you to faint. You’ll need to eat something to recover.”

“Okay. Is there a way that I can only use a little bit of it at a time?”

“Of course! But you’ll learn all about that later. I’ve filled your new trunk with all the books you were looking at earlier. They’ll teach you all sorts of neat things. Controlling your reiatsu is just one of them.”

“Oh, goodie…” she said as she fell back to sleep. Takahashi chuckled, as he called out to his mother.

“All right, I’m taking her home; I’ll see you again next month!” He stepped out the front door, and with a few quick shunpo steps, found himself at the Maine Manor. He woke Erin long enough to get her to mumble and point towards her balcony, where he dropped off her trunk. After that was taken care of, he rang the doorbell, placed the sleeping girl on the porch, and quickly sped away. Moments later, the tiny girl was pulled inside, ushered up to her room and laid to bed by frantic parents who cared only for their own futures.