A.N. This took a long time because I scrapped the first version of this chapter which was half as long as this and utter crap. To make up for the wait here is a 14k word chapter. Enjoy.

Thanks to Ceebee for edits.

Ninjas?

She was standing on the balcony outside the second story floor of the hotel waiting for Harry. As always nighttime was lively in the first district. It was usually too hot during the day to do more than work and wait for the sun to set. She fanned herself feeling the glare of dozens of lamps strung across the roofs lighting up the street.

Harry's friend's hair was easy to spot because of the way it shone under the lights. She'd brought Harry from the bar they had met in to the hotel rooms Retsu rented for the night. She turned and went inside the room. The thought that the girl, Matsumoto Rangiku, was more than Harry's friend crossed her mind again. She wondered if she was creating an awkward situation by waiting in his room. She smiled to herself, amused at her own uncertainty about her friend. She forgot how comfortable she'd become living in Seireitei and never meeting someone who would dare take offense to something she did.

It was heartwarming to have someone close to her who wasn't in awe of her. She sat down on the bed folding her legs under with a mischievous smile. She wondered how Harry would react.

The door slid open, and Harry stood framed in the doorway. The look in his eyes showed deep weariness and some need she couldn't identify. She knew her expression betrayed her worry and confusion at the way he was looking at her. He walked to her and sat on his knees in front of her. Before she knew he'd taken her hands in his own and bowed his head.

"Merlin, Retsu..." he trailed off.

She took one hand from his grasp and raised his face so she could look in his eyes. She felt pained at what she saw, she understood that look at a second glace. It was someone seeking forgiveness, looking for deliverance. There wasn't a true warrior who wouldn't recognize the agony bare on his face.

"Lie down," she said, guiding his head to her lap. He resisted only for a moment before lying on his back and pillowing his head on her thighs. "Well, and here I thought a strange woman waiting on your bed would bother you," she teased. "My dear friend, what have you been up to all these months to be used to the sight of a young maiden in your bedroom?"

"Nothing, I swear," he protested but then scowled at her grin when he realized she was playing him. "I forgot I transform into an idiot whenever you're around," he groused and shut his eyes as if he was too tired to be upset with her.

He was still holding her left hand and so she was able to tell from his spirit power's state that the brief levity between them hadn't eased him. She put her other hand on his cheek and prepared herself to mend him like she had so many times in the outlands of Rukongai.

"It's alright, Harry. Let me help you," she whispered quietly. For once she fully braved the strangeness of his spirit and plunged herself into it without caution. And then she was gone from the surrounding world into a place of darkness and intangible sensations.

It was with a shock she realized that she didn't feel any discomfort she usually associated with Harry's reiryoku. She was welcomed wholly and that river she always thought of Harry's power to be lapped at her legs in reality and became steady at her presence. There were footsteps in the suddenly shallow water and as they came closer the darkness inside her mind began to give way to light.

The eldritch brightness worried her. Over the many centuries of her life she had healed thousands by going into the depth of their reiryoku; there should have been nothing but the sensation of someone else's power. Actually feeling a real river that was meant to be only in her imagination and then seeing light was worrisomely new. As the light got closer she saw it emanating from a creature. She walked to it, feeling the wetness of the water and hearing the sound of ripples going out from her.

The animal was made from liquescent white light, pure and soft. It towered over her as a giant but bowed its great antlered head when she neared. She caressed her fingers at the joint of the antler to the head amazed by the feel of warm fur and smoothness of bone. Each eye of the stag was larger than her arm and gazed serenely at her. Looking at it she felt she was in the presence of a divine guardian spirit like she used to read about in mythologies.

"Heal me," a voice said inside her mind. She had no doubt it came from the stag.

At its words she saw the rivulets of red blood running down its flanks. She made a noise of dismay at the wounds on the magnificent creature. The stag sat down so she could reach its sides. Magically the wounds healed under her hands quickly as if all they needed was her touch. She moved from place to place stemming the flow of hot blood unable to discover what had caused the injuries. When she was done she rested against the being's side with her fingers smoothing the fur.

"Who are you?" Retsu asked standing up because her clothes were getting too wet and clinging to her.

"His resolve, his hope," the voice said in her mind.

"Are you his Zanpakutō spirit?" She came around to face him so she could look into the magnificent opal eyes.

The stag snorted, sending water spraying in all directions from the force. "I touched him before her. She is a different creature and I am another. He has forgotten me in the Hell of Rukongai, but he remembered me when he saw you again. Do not leave him," It said and nudged Retsu with its head. It was a gentle gesture but Retsu was pushed back being only a fraction of the creature's size. When she tripped over her feet she found herself returning to the real world.

She blinked a few times to orient herself. The moonlight was streaming in through the cracks in the shutters and the town had gone to sleep. It was almost as peaceful as Seireitei at night. It must be many hours later, she thought to herself at the lack of noise. In her lap Harry was sound asleep. Whatever his worries, they had been washed away. She sighed to herself, releasing the anxiety she'd felt for him for the last four months. He was safe, even if he had been hurt.

His sword laid by his side, she picked it up ignoring the fact she hadn't asked his permission. Harry was too familiar with her for her to feel hesitant about handling his most private possession.

The sword was shorter than she remembered it to be. The handle was wrapped in a traditional design with woven green silk. She was amazed how comfortable it felt in her hand, even though her own sword was far longer. Then her eyes moved to the guard; it looked like it was made from three thin sheets of metal welded on top of each other. They were formed in the shape of a water lily. As the moonlight played on the guard it seemed the black petals moved. She learned the petals were sharp when in a fancy she caressed them. She hissed at the unexpectedly deep cut on her fingers but soon quieted, watching in fascination as the blood on the petals travelled of its own accord to disappear in the small space between the guard and scabbard. She unsheathed the sword to see where her blood was going and felt a chill run through her at the sight.

Her blood was seeping through the surface of the blade into what looked like veins. She watched as the blood traveled up the sword and disappeared underneath the blade collar. When the blood vanished so did the veins that had appeared, leaving a normal looking sword behind. A symbol on the blade collar had glowed a dull red and she fixed on that trying to decipher its meaning. An ornate triangular shape held a circle inside it with a line running through the center. She memorized it before continuing her scrutiny of the sword.

She recognized it to be an uchigatana, straighter than the katana and curved at the point. The length in this case was shorter than the katana. It would not have a great range but it would be quick, she thought to herself. She mused that it would cause a stir when she'd start teaching the sword to Harry; few remembered that her specialty was sword fighting. But even with all her experience she was not familiar with the forms of the uchigatana.

She sheathed the sword in its scabbard, admiring the intricate and lifelike water lily guard on it one last time. It was then she noted that the cut across her fingers was healed. She made a soft noise of surprise staring suspiciously at the deceptive lily. "A sword that drinks blood and heals. I hope your identity crisis isn't reflected in my friend, Zanpakutō-san," she whispered, putting aside the sword.

She sat there wondering for a long time about the guardian spirit, the strange sword that had come to him, and the pain she'd seen in her young friend. She thought back to the divine spirit's reaction to Harry's sword spirit and was not assured.

The heat from the vast flagstones distorted things on the horizon. I shifted from foot to foot trying to relieve my baking soles. Beside me Rangiku shot me sideways looks every now and then as she had been doing since morning. I hadn't asked what was bothering her; I was disquieted by Retsu's absence when I woke up in the morning.

Rangiku made an impatient noise I was all too familiar with. I caught myself sighing before she'd even launched into her whining. "The suspense is killing me. They could at least have refreshments out or a notice on the gate or someone to say if the exam is cancelled," she said.

I shrugged. "Sounds to me like they're the type who think people should wait on them. We're just rabble from Rukongai, Rangiku-chan," I said, feeling tense myself.

There was a great clear space around the walls of Seireitei; the home of the Shinigami and where the Academy was located. It was there Rangiku and I had arrived at the crack of dawn to wait. At first I'd been worried when no one else showed up, but slowly as the sun climbed the sky more and more people joined us. They were standing in separate clusters based on how well they were dressed. Obviously some of us rough types made residents of the nicer districts nervous. That said, no one was talking to Rangiku or me. She had a bloodstained cloak on and I was wearing western clothes...also bloodstained.

"What makes them so important?" Rangiku huffed.

I knew she knew the answer to that question but I indulged her anyway. "Probably because they live in the best part of this Hell, have super powers, and are convinced they're gods."

Rangiku snorted derisively, a sound which made me smile. It was so at odds with her soft features. "Harry-kun, being reasonable makes you very difficult to like. You should let go and bitch a little."

"You've got that covered for both of us and then some," I shot back with a smile.

She laughed. "I need a partner." But right after that she quieted and lost her good humor.

I'd been happy to see her acting normally again after her weird behavior that morning, so I finally asked, "Who died?"

She gave me a look. "That's my line, Harry-kun. The insensitive thing doesn't suit you."

"Fine. What's wrong then?" I asked.

She gave me that smile she had which was more brilliant than any other and meant that she was desperately trying to hide something. "Don't worry, Harry-kun, I was just thinking it had been fun traveling with you."

I arched a brow in confusion. "And that upsets you?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's over isn't it? You're going to pass and I..."

It took me a moment to understand and then I pinched her arm hard. She yowled in pain. Before she could hit me I said, "I promised you we'd go here together. So why would I be here if you weren't going to pass too?"

She rubbed her arms and said sullenly, "You never promised that."

"I did. You just didn't hear it above the sound of your own whining." I smiled at her but inside I was kicking myself for again making a dangerous promise. I had no idea if she'd pass and I wanted to move on. I needed to make it into the Academy. But even as I thought that I felt sad at the thought of separating from her.

She smiled and leaned on me. "If I have to stand so long, I should get comfortable."

I pushed her away. "It's too hot, just sit on the ground."

She leaned back again. "The damn flagstones will cook my pretty white butt."

And like that I kept pushing her from me and she kept rocking back. I suppose it was one way to pass the time.

I watched my competition. For one there didn't seem to be an age limit. There were children and white whiskered old men in the different circles, all looking away from their conversations now and then to the closed gate. The gate was immense; it was at least four stories tall matching the height of the walls. I wondered what the Shinigami wanted to keep out; if it was just the denizens of Rukongai it seemed a little much.

Rangiku stopped rocking on her heels into me and suddenly walked off. I followed her to the sounds of something that was causing a stir. In just moments the groups that had been keeping a distance from each other were forming a circle around the source of the noise. Rangiku maneuvered through bodies taller and shorter than her showing a skill learned from her thieving days in busy town cities. I wended behind her best I could. I lost sight of her but I did get to see what the hubbub was about. Two men were circling each other with others cheering them on. At the edge of the circle a Japanese girl with wild black hair was squatting like a man taking bets. She had a wide insolent grin on her face. I disliked her immediately.

In a few seconds it was apparent the two men weren't evenly matched, one of them was obviously better trained and was toying with the other. Cries of dismay went up in the air as the match came to an end. The girl laughed and started calling out something I couldn't hear over the din. I stepped ahead to get a better look and noticed that she was heckling a group of wealthy men and women pretending they couldn't hear her. Soon the crowd started helping her get their attention. I saw the color rise high in a delicate woman's cheeks, apparently so did the ill mannered girl, if the increasingly sexually inappropriate bent of her words was anything to go by.

"Very well, I will show you you're just dust in front of nobility!" the svelte woman shouted and entered the empty space.

"Oi, oi, don't get those pure white noble panties of yours in a knot. The men wouldn't forgive me if something bad happened to the pretty little flower you're saving down there," the short haired girl teased to uproarious laughter.

The woman was wearing a traditional dress that restricted her legs; she didn't look like someone who should be in the middle of an impromptu arena, but her enraged face was fierce enough for the venue. "Going to send another dog of yours or will you fight yourself?" the noblewoman asked as she drew a short stick from her voluminous sleeves. She flicked the stick which suddenly extended to a full-sized staff. I 'oohed' along with the crowd at her weapon.

In answer the brash girl sprawled on the ground, resting her head on her hand. "Nah, you're not worth my time. You'll fight my maid."

"As if the likes of you have maids." The noblewoman smiled. "It's alright, I understand you want to keep your hands on the money, but let's change the bet. If I win you will fight me, if I lose, well you get to keep my money and I will give you this staff that was a gift from my father. It's more valuable than anything in the pockets of anyone here."

"Done!" said the girl with all too much enthusiasm.

The noblewoman narrowed her eyes, as if distrusting the girl's enthusiasm. "You remind me of someone very unpleasant. I very much would have liked to beat sense into her, but never got the chance. Maybe putting you in your place will be a consolation."

The sprawled girl sat up giving the noblewoman the full force of her arrogant smile. She looked younger than even Rangiku. "You remind me of someone also, I wanted to beat the hell out of the prissy bitch. I'll enjoy seeing my maid make you dirty up that pretty yukata you're wearing." She turned her head to a woman waiting by her side who was older than her. She motioned her to go ahead.

Her 'maid' looked like any number of women I had seen in Rukongai, plain faced and plainly dressed. She bowed deeply to the noblewoman and apologized for her 'mistress.' The noblewoman didn't return the courtesy but swung the staff in a blur. The maid ducked and swept the legs out from under the noblewoman even faster than the staff's movement. The noblewoman fell in a heap but brought her palm up and began to call out the incantation for the fireball spell. The maid was on her in a second with a small knife pressing at the neck.

The noblewoman went still and said something foul about the maid's parentage. The maid flinched back and stood away. The noblewoman stayed on the ground and stared up at her. "That mark on your shirt, you work for the Shiba clan?" she demanded angrily. Looking past the maid she glared at the girl with choppy hair sitting on the ground. "I did recognize you, you uncultured whelp, finally sunk low enough to be with the dirt of Rukongai like you always -" Whatever she was going to say next was cut off by having her own staff clipping her across her mouth.

The maid was holding up the noblewoman's weapon. "Forgive me, madam, but please just insult me and not my mistress."

At that whatever restraint the noblemen were showing broke, they surged into the clearing and soon it was a free for all. It was hot, people were tense, and after all it was Rukongai. Somehow an all out brawl between the different classes in the Hell of an afterlife was not shocking at all. What was a surprise was that almost immediately another heckling cry had gone up asking for bets.

"Rangiku?!" I tried to shout above the noise. Craning my neck I found her in a clump of people who were trying to place bets as fast as they could. My dear friend was between them grinning like a fool and greedily collecting coins.

It took me a long time to shove through the press of people. By the time I made it to her side the fighting had wound down. People were arguing with Rangiku about who'd won; they weren't making much headway with her considering how badly she was browbeating them. I was sweating from the heat and getting irritated with all the people pushing and pulling around me. So when I finally came to stand behind her I was irritated and letting my spiritual energy escape enough to give people a clear 'don't mess with me' message. At my presence the crowd arguing with her quieted. After giving me wary looks they made their way.

"Oi! This is my gig!" the girl from before appeared with some of her goons. Her maid was with her and had a swollen lip but was otherwise fine.

Rangiku arched her brow and shoved the money in the folds of her robes. "So?"

I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "Let's go. Don't start anything."

"Not so fast! Your girlfriend owes me my loot!" the dark haired girl snapped.

"Like Hell!" Rangiku shouted back. "Let's do this your way, I bet my friend can beat you and all of your servants under a minute. You prove me wrong you get the money, you fail and I get that pretty necklace."

"No!" I said. Just what I needed, two little girls deciding to have a bitch-out and pulling me into it.

The girl shrugged and smiled. "Fine by me, but my brother gave me this necklace. I'll die before I let you have it. Get him!"

I put my hands up. "Wait!" It didn't do me any good.

Her goons and goonettes came at me. Luckily they were only five because they were too good to just brush off. I ducked and weaved; trying to stay out of their reach. I began to unsheathe my sword then thought better of it. Even if they had blades releasing Izanami on them would be too cruel. Some of Isshin-sensei's lessons on 'respecting' the Zanpakutō had also made an impression on me. I hardened my skin so their weapons didn't cut me and decided to put them down quickly with magic.

But I didn't have to. Someone else did. The girl's servants were suddenly on the ground with their arms locked by magic behind their backs. The girl herself was yowling in pain as a Shinigami was twisting her ear and pinning her arms down. I was shocked to recognize him.

"Kukaku-chan," he said sweetly. "What the flying fuck are you doing?"

"Just having a little fun, big bro. Let me go!" the girl, Kukaku, growled out.

He shook her by the ear making her howl again. "Don't 'big bro' me. I sent you to take the test and this is what you're up to?"

"I'm sorry nii-sama, Let me go!" she begged. 'Nii-sama' was a very respectful way to call him elder brother. Rangiku was chuckling beside me. I elbowed her lightly to shut her up.

The Shinigami with choppy black hair like his sister had released his reiatsu; I could tell he was pissed and because of it everyone was keeping a healthy distance from us. I was glad to see Rangiku unaffected by the spiritual pressure. But she had suffered through the full brunt of mine twice and fought at my back for months while I was using my reiatsu as a weapon, so she really should have had a tolerance.

He looked over to us and changed his expression so he didn't look like he was out to kill someone. "Forgive my sister for bothering you. It won't happen again. Apologize, Kukaku." He forced her head down so she was bowing to us. She muttered out a sorry.

I waved my hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. Don't worry about it. Besides I owe you for helping me out some time ago," I said.

The tall Shinigami frowned. "I don't remember you."

"You told me what Hollows were and gave me some food to eat at the abandoned shrine in District 4. You'd wanted me to find a safe place." I smiled. "Well, I did."

His expression cleared in remembrance. Leaving his sister he came to me to thump my shoulder forcefully with a smile. For a thin guy he had a lot of strength.

"Glad to see you're alright. I wondered what became of you. But we never found a Hollow so I thought you'd be okay. You remembered me? That was a year ago!" He laughed.

I felt something cold settle in my stomach; 'a year?' It had been that long?

"You were kind. Rukongai is a cruel place, so I remembered. Thank you," I said and meant it. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to thank someone who'd helped me when I was a beggar. I couldn't help the blush that crept up my face from the shame.

"Wow!" he breathed. "And now you're here to try out for the Shinigami Academy." He patted my shoulder a little awkwardly. Maybe he was as uncomfortable with me thanking him as I was. "Hey," he said suddenly. "Do me a favor, watch out for my little sister when you get in?"

"Please take care of me." Kukaku bowed, giving me a shy and sweet look.

Her brother scowled at her and lowered his head to speak to me in a whisper, "Be careful with her, she's a demon. If she's acting nice, she's up to something. You can't trust her. Keep a tight leash on her."

"What?" I blurted. I couldn't believe he was pushing off his belligerent sister on me.

Her brother ignored my outburst and put out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Shiba Kaien."

"I'm Potter...Harry," I said shaking his hand. It was still odd for me to hear people give their last name first. "I'll watch out for your sister, sure," I said, even though I had disliked the girl at sight. "But you don't even know me."

Shiba Kaien shrugged and pointed to my sword. "You didn't take out your sword even though you reached for it. You moved fast enough to avoid my household guards and used your reiatsu marginally even though you could've used more. You could've injured them, I can tell. Someone who practices restraint with his enemies is someone I can trust."

"Yeah, 'restraint,' that's our Harry," Rangiku said in a loud whisper. I couldn't help agree with her but I scowled at her anyway.

I looked over to Kaien's sister and the sullen face she was making at Rangiku. She had her head cocked to the side and hip thrust out. She looked like she was spoiling for a fight.

"It's nice to meet you Kukaku-san. I hope we pass the test," I said, trying to be nice.

"Great!" Kaien said. "I have to go now. No more fighting." And with that he jumped in the air and was running off somewhere before his sister could get a scream in, and she was trying very hard as well.

It was a little awkward when we were left alone. We stared at each other for a moment before Kukaku saluted and said, "Can't believe I'm stuck taking care of you."

"Bad hairstyle and hearing too, you poor girl," Rangiku sighed dramatically. "No wonder your brother handed you off to a stranger."

Kukaku lifted her chin. "Watch it, ginger, or I might steal your boyfriend. I've a thing for glasses."

Rangiku suddenly cooed, "That's sooo cute. But Harry-kun isn't into boys, Kookoo."

I stepped between the two before Kukaku could jump at Rangiku. "Rangiku, stop baiting her. Kukaku-san, I've had enough."

Kukaku smiled brightly. "Whatever you say, Harry-kun."

"That's Potter-sama to you, brat," Rangiku snapped.

I was really at my limit and couldn't help but reveal some of my spirit pressure. It didn't scare Rangiku but she knew I was being serious so shuffled off. Kukaku whipped back as if someone had slapped her. She looked at me warily, then bowed and muttered something about needing to go check on her servants. I walked away and motioned to Rangiku to come. She caught up to me with a skip in her step.

"If you run to the shops you can get us refreshments. See?" she said holding up fistfuls of coins. "I wish we had more time. It'd be nice to buy clothes. We haven't had money for so long."

I smiled lightly. That's my Rangiku, ever the survivor. I hoped I didn't have to see Kukaku too much. Her and Rangiku weren't a pair that would be fun to be around with whether they became friends or stayed enemies.

I watched Kukaku and was impressed to see her helping her goons. The idea of servants was strange to me, but then again some people might find the idea of houselves odd too.

"Hey, look," said Rangiku pointing up.

The sky was full of black butterflies flying towards us. They started landing on people and taking off again to sit on others. Pretty soon everywhere I looked there was a butterfly as big as my hand flitting about. They looked more like small birds than butterflies. When one came to rest on the back of my hand I gazed at it mesmerized for a long time. I wanted to touch its soft wings but held back seeing how delicate they were.

"Harry-kun, what's it doing?" Rangiku whispered. Her eyes were screwed upwards. She was trying to look at the butterfly that was nesting in her orange-red hair.

I ginned. "It's laying eggs."

She made disgusted sounds but didn't move. She tried to swat me when I told her I was joking, but her hand stopped mid-swing. "It's saying something," she said.

I frowned in confusion but then I heard it too. "All Shinigami Academy candidates, give your name to the Hell butterfly."

Around me a chorus went up of people saying their names. But I noticed there were others who were looking around in confusion. I guessed they didn't hear the message. Maybe the butterflies' words were a test as well.

I said my name and it flew off.

Finally the exam to enter the Shinigami Academy began.

It was late at night. The small number of us whose voices the black butterflies heard were ordered to go to a valley in the cliffs behind the walled off city. I remembered the cliffs; somewhere along them I had met Unohana Retsu for the first time. The valley had a strange quiet quality to it. And the cave yawning at our feet did nothing to ease the sense of impending doom.

Beside me others who the butterflies had selected shuffled every now and then. The sounds of their clothes flapping in the cold wind were like loud whispers. I wished someone would crack a joke and break the oppressive atmosphere. But even Rangiku was solemn and tense.

It had been a while since I'd seen her like that. She'd had the chance to go back to being carefree once we left District 80. But she was once again ready for battle. What she said next made me realize she was being more careful than I was.

"There are others here, watching us from the trees. I think I can sense them. Am I feeling their reiatsu, Harry?" she asked. She had dropped the 'kun' soon after Kukaku had used it with my name.

I shut my eyes and reached with that other sense I had trained so hard which helped me feel out people with spiritual power. Rangiku was right, there were places in the blanket of power I sent out which resisted my faint reiatsu - people were definitely hidden in the trees. "There are quite a few," I confirmed.

Rangiku unsheathed her short sword in answer and moved to my back as naturally as she had done it for months. My hand went to the hilt of my sword but I didn't draw it. Instead I prepared my mind to do magic. The other candidates made surprised sounds at our actions and gave us room or tried to follow what our eyes were seeing. Both Rangiku and I were scanning the trees tops.

"Relax," said a voice next to us. I looked quickly to see Shiba Kaien's sister looking at the trees with her hands crossed. "If they wanted to attack us they would've done it by now," she said.

"Unless they're waiting for the stragglers to show up before they ambush us," Rangiku answered seriously.

Kukaku shrugged. "I don't think anyone else is coming. It's been just us for the last hour."

It seemed people were thinking it was better to be safe than sorry and were following Rangiku's lead. A lot of weapons were shining in the starlight.

My little flower, you haven't spoken to me in a while, my sword, Izanami, spoke suddenly.

Now's not the time, I said.

Now is the best time o' Master of Death, she said, losing the teasing tone and reverting to the mocking one. These Death 'gods' of yours are about to attack. They were just waiting for someone to notice. If you can't see them, listen for their swords. You are the master of the Resurrection Stone, you will hear the words of their spirits.

Are all swords as chatty as you? I asked sullenly.

No, she said in a quiet whisper, and neither are they as sharp as me. Do not disappoint me, my sweet flower.

"Disturbing as always," I said out loud and then felt them moving. "Here they come!"

()00000----

Unohana Retsu was touring a ward while half listening to her lieutenant. Her mind was on Harry. It was the day of the entrance exam and she was anxious for him. So when the summons came to report to Commander's office she was relieved. It would take her away from her needy lieutenant and give her something else to focus on than her worry.

It was a beautiful sunny day like it usually was in Seireitei. The city, like many districts of Rukongai, had its own distinct weather. It hardly ever snowed or rained and was always pleasantly warm. Retsu knew she was of the few who liked variety and found those rare off weather days charming. She was thankful for the monotonously fine day because it let her quickly travel the far distance from her division to the headquarters of the Captain's Commander.

The first division under the direct command of the Captain Commander made her a little melancholy. For some reason it always felt deserted. In front of the great doors that led into the meeting hall Retsu wondered why the most important place for the Shinigami Divisions gave off the stench of abandonment. She opened the doors and entered knowing that the old commander did not believe in soldiers being doormen.

As expected she found him alone in the marble floored hall. He stood in the middle of it leaning on his gnarled staff as if he'd been expecting her for the last hour it had taken her to reach his division. She was under no misconception that the man had been unaware of her since she'd gotten within a mile of his hall. He was the greatest and oldest amongst them. She was old herself but was a mere child in the face of more than two thousand years the Captain Commander had been alive.

She bowed respectfully and followed him when he moved to a low table. She sat across from him and not for the first time wondered why the healers from his warring days failed to erase the dozens of scars on his body. Two scars crisscrossed to form an X on his bald head over white brows so long they trailed past his eyes. He studied her from under half closed lids.

"Captain Unohana," he belatedly greeted.

Retsu gave a short bow. "Captain Commander," she said. Even after being a captain under him for three hundred years she still found him distant.

"Today is the Spiritual Arts Academy's entrance exam," he said.

Retsu became wary but managed to keep her expression blank. "It is, sir."

The Captain Commander looked out of the long windows marching along the east and west walls of his hall. Retsu wondered if he had found out about Harry and her involvement with him. Her thoughts ran to Isshin but she knew if anyone betrayed her it wouldn't be Isshin.

"Scions of the noble families still resist coming to the Academy or leave soon after entering it. The exam is not too trying for someone raised in a noble family," he mused out loud.

Retsu breathed in relief. It was an old matter they hardly spoke of but in vague terms because it was a politically volatile subject. She indulged the Commander by repeating what she knew of the situation, "The child arrives at the exam with knowledge of the spiritual arts more advanced than anyone else taking the test. And when they enter the academy the first few years are so easy they leave, using the influence of their family names to gain entry into the army."

The Commander nodded. "They aren't trained how I want them to be. They only know what their families have taught them. They spread the falsehood that the Academy is easy to get out of finishing when they realize how difficult the later years are."

Retsu smiled humorlessly. She understood the true reason why the Commander didn't like the nobleborn to skip the Academy he had set up more than 2000 years ago. "And the influence of the noble families stays strong, despite your best efforts to subsume them properly in the Thirteen Divisions."

The Commander harrumphed but did not correct her. "Their young often don't know the history that led us to the place we are and are too stubborn to learn the hard lessons only taught at the Academy. I can trust you to be discrete, Captain Unohana. Out of the current captains you are the only one who remembers the wars and conflicts caused by the noble families when control of Soul Society was still in their hands. "

"I do," Retsu said, her mind flashed back to dark memories and she soon forced her inner eye away from those visions. "But as great as the reputation of the Spiritual Arts Academy some noble families will stay true to the old ways. Can it be helped?" she asked.

The Captain Commander ran his hand through his long beard. "It's always been an informal practice to coach differently those who are stronger and more gifted than others at the Academy. We are always short of soldiers so it's understood that anyone talented should join the Divisions even while he or she is completing studies."

"Ah, yes," Retsu nodded. "Shiba Kaien is the best example of such a student. A nobleborn who completed the six years in only two, and didn't he pass the entrance exam in only one attempt?"

"He did. It's because of his success that I am about to do what I have been planning for so long. I have even arranged for his sister to attempt the test this year. It was good fate that someone of the four most noble families chose to attend the academy and passed through with such accolades, and now another of his house will be in the inaugural class that should attract all noble houses," said the Captain Commander.

Retsu motioned for him to explain more, she didn't hide her curiosity. Over the academy's long history many great events and changes had seen to it that more and more of the nobility were choosing to attend it, but it had never completely replaced the ancient system of noble houses training Shinigami and sending them to join various divisions.

"I have asked the head teachers to begin an accelerated class. New students will be sorted by their skill and strength level. The best going to the accelerated class where they will be challenged each day. They will be the best to enter the Academy and they will be the best graduates of the Academy. And for them the entrance test to the Thirteen Divisions will be waved," he said.

"For the entrance test to the Gotei 13 to be waved they would have to be exceptional," Retsu said, wondering if the Captain Commander wasn't bowing to pressure from the noble families.

The Captain Commander nodded in agreement and continued, "I have ordered the head teachers to devise such a program that will break even scions of noble families raised learning the spiritual arts from childhood. It will become a matter of pride for the noble families to have theirs accepted in what I call Class One, first amongst all." The Captain Commander stomped his staff once on the floor, indicating the passing of a decree as was his manner.

Unohana Retsu arched her brows and said, "Impressive." It had been a long time since she'd seen the Captain Commander speak at such length or with so much passion. But the Academy was one of his greatest achievements in the history of Soul Society and a symbol of the peace he had forged. "It has been needed for a long time. I'm certain the nobles will feel that they finally have a place in the Academy which maintains their superior status," she found it difficult to keep the bite of sarcasm out of her tone. She was surprised to see the Captain Commander smile.

"Oh, and they will pay for that place, Captain Unohana, and that's why I've called you," he said. "Today's exam will be more brutal than any other. I need a few of your best healers at hand. Some will need to be saved right at death's door."

Unohana wondered how the test could be made even more difficult. Even powerful and skilled candidates failed it every year. It was rare for anyone to pass the test on the first try. Most who were admitted to the academy were testing at least for the second or third time. "May I ask what you're planning, Captain Commander. The exam has always been quite difficult, regardless of what some noble families might say."

"This year I've invited some of those very noble families to watch the exam. I intend to prove once and for all that the Thirteen Divisions are no place for spoiled brats who have nothing but the 'noble' recommendations of their sires to back up their skills," he said and stroked his beard again, apparently having forgotten Retsu's question.

"And how will you prove that, Captain Commander?" she prompted.

He opened his half lidded eyes all the way giving her a piercing look. "I will make them walk the Bridge of Regret."

Unohana Retsu's heart skipped a beat. "In that case I shall accompany you myself, Captain Commander. I presume you will be attending."

"I knew you would understand, Captain Unohana," he said.

Retsu smiled. The oldest and most powerful Shinigami had finally succumbed to dementia, and there was no one to stop him. So she smiled some more and prayed for Harry.

So it wasn't a coincidence we were told to stop by a cave mouth. When they came out of the trees like a storm of wasps we were pushed back into the yawning opening in the ground. It sloped slowly down and buried us in utter darkness. They had been hard enough to see when we were outside, once inside the cave we couldn't see anything. If they didn't get us, the wildly swinging swords, spears, and edged weapon of the nervous Shinigami candidates would slice us up.

"Rangiku lead the way, I'll watch your back!" I shouted over the din of shouts and shoved back whoever was pushing me in the darkness. We had locked hands behind our backs so we didn't get separated.

"Are you nuts? You want to go deeper in the tunnel?" she shouted. I heard her sword go snickt snackt in the blackness, I wondered if she was making any distinction between the attacking Shinigami or the other poor sods getting attacked with us.

"No other way, we need room to fight!" I shouted. I raised my palm and a huge fireball erupted from it meeting the rushing Shinigami at me full in the body. It threw him into the tunnel ceiling.

Others decided that was a great way to get some light into the cave we'd been forced into. Soon several fireballs and other flashy Kidō spells lit up the darkness.

"What the Hell?" I cursed, getting pulled backwards by Rangiku. "Ninjas? We're being attacked by ninjas? Izanami, you said they were Shinigami."

They are, my pet, she said.

I couldn't believe my eyes; in fitting black uniforms with veiled faces and short swords there were ninjas in our midst taking down people or flying at them. They made quick work of the ones using magic to light up the cave. In quick flashes I saw one sweep the legs from under a man and bring down his sword in the same movement to leave a gash across his chest. All the Kidō spells were useless, they were all bright and flashy. I was going to have to rely on my own magic or my Zanpakutō if I was forced.

So far Rangiku and I had escaped battle, knowing the value of a quick retreat. But the debacle with the Kidō spells had reduced the numbers that were acting as human shields for us. I could sense fast moving people from the spiritual pressure they exerted everywhere.

"Duck, Rangiku!" I shouted in the inky blankness. "Wadiwashi!" I incanted blindly thrusting out my hand and my sheathed sword. I sensed the spiritual pressure of the Shinigami running to attack me halt and then get blasted back. I didn't wait to hear him crash, I just grabbed Rangiku and began running away. Thank Merlin, I knew invisible spells.

"How can they see us but we can't see them?" Rangiku asked breathing hard by my side.

"They're ninjas," I said.

"Harry!" she shouted just as I felt the Shinigami at my side. His blade felt dull against my hardened skin but it was still a powerful blow. I scratched Rangiku's hand as I failed to be torn away from her.

Use me, o' Master of Death. With me you will feel their presence. Do not fear them, there is nothing more terrible than me in the night! she intoned in my mind.

My hand went to the hilt of its own accord and I freed Izanami. I didn't call her name, I didn't want anyone to see her truly unleashed. I was trying to pass the test not end up being executed for having a monster for a sword. An edge scratched across my face, I took a knee or a blunt steel weapon to my ribs, and got thrown from side to side as my enemies used me like little more than a football.

I could sense where they were, I could feel them coming at me, but it didn't do me any good. They were too fast and too many. They were ninjas, it was futile. The best I could do was keep feeding my spiritual power to my body to harden it against injury.

You still can't wield me, my stumbling flower, Izanami said in disappointment. This is degrading. Cast your magic, something wide reaching and dramatic. I will not be satisfied otherwise.

I was on the ground and then kicked so hard that I went flying into the walls of the cave. I didn't come all that way or beg and steal in Rukongai to lose this close to my goal. "Arresto Momentum!" I shouted.

My Zanpakutō glinted in the inky darkness and the kicks and blades stopped raining on me. "Lumos," I cast to find the blade of my sword come aglow with a blinding white light. "There you are," I said smiling from my cut up lips. They were suspended in air or frozen on the ground, staring at me from the narrow slits for eyes in their veils.

Rangiku got to them first. She was cut up badly but with an enrage scream she sliced into the chest of a Shinigami. He could do nothing more than stand frozen and bleed. I rushed to her and held back her arm. "Don't kill them. We're not in Rukongai. We might fail the test."

"Fuck the test! They're trying to kill us!" she shouted back and ripped her sword arm from me.

I grabbed the front of her robes and pulled her to my face. "Don't kill them. I want to get in, I'm not going back to Rukongai. Knock them out, cut up their arms or legs, but don't hit a vital point."

She pushed me away and I could see she was injured badly, but she just went to the next Shinigami, a woman, and stabbed her through her leg. The Shinigami moaned but couldn't do anything. I knocked her out with a spell and cast stupefies at the other five before Rangiku could drag herself to them. In the next moment we heard running steps. Rangiku turned to face the threat as did I, but it was just the press of other candidates who were running from the Shinigami.

The herd had been thinned. It looked like they'd gone through a meat grinder, not a face or body was free of injury and blood. I noticed Kukaku in the middle, trying to keep herself from being trampled on by people taller and bigger than her. I stepped into the middle of the stamped and released spiritual pressure in the shape of a large spear head. It forced the people coming at me apart. They fell to the sides, running past me but too worn to take me on. I used the flash steps technique to get to Kukaku's side in a moment.

She took my hand and matched my speed to run back to Rangiku who was leaning against a wall. Both the girls were wounded badly. I put my hands on Rangiku's side and began casting healing spells. "They're really trying to kill us," I said in late hitting shock.

"It's not supposed to be this hard," Kukaku said in a shaky voice. "Big bro said it's a killer, but he wouldn't have told me to come if he really thought I was gonna die." She slumped next to Rangiku keeping her arm tight across her chest and a cut up hand in her lap.

"You're not going to die," Rangiku said, surprisingly softly to the younger girl. "Harry will take care of you. Any more of those bastards coming behind you?"

She shook her head. The bright light from my sword made strange shadows on her face. "They disappeared suddenly. My strength is Kidō so I was using that but when they started targeting the Kidō users I just started running. They were picking us off as they liked. I couldn't see shit! I don't know where they went off to."

I shared a look with Rangiku. She cursed. "Damn, those fools."

"What?" Kukaku demanded.

"Kukaku-san," I said gently. "They pushed us into this cave and made us run through this tunnel. If they stopped chasing you, it means only one thing…"

"I don't understand," Kukaku said.

"You've never been in a real battle have you?" Rangiku asked, again not unkindly. "It's an ambush. Whatever is ahead at the end of the tunnel is going to try to finish us off."

Kukaku was pale skinned anyway but she looked whiter after Rangiku's words. "Here," I said, taking her arm away from her chest. She couldn't hold back the whimper of pain. "Shit," I cursed.

"Tsk, they tried to cut your tits off," Rangiku said. "Bastards!"

"Kukaku-san, you'll be alright. It won't even scar," I said. With that I put my hands over the wound and cursed inside at how deep it was. That she was still alive was amazing. At once I felt her spiritual power and understood why she had survived, she was very powerful, and her reiatsu was helping her stay alive.

"Oh god, that feels good," Kukaku said. Rangiku snorted by her side. "I was sure I'd be disfigured for life. Thank you… Potter-san," she said with a lot more respect than I expected from her.

"I promised to look out for you, no need to thank me," I said. From the corner of my eye I caught Rangiku rolling her eyes at me while making sure Kukaku saw her doing it. "Your hand," I said taking the mangled thing. "What happened?"

"Some idiot is using a hammer. He thought I was one of the secret forces," KuKaKu explained. "I hope he's alive so I can break his hand."

"Harry, you should heal yourself too," Rangiku reminded me. "Here I'll hold your sword over you so you can see better." She took the naked blade before I could say anything. Rangiku hadn't handled my Zanpakutō unsheathed since Izanami had wakened. I was afraid of what was going to happen.

Hmm…her blood might be sweet, she loves you so, little flower, Izanami said.

With a lot of concentration I buried the fear. Please, I said in my soul.

Shush, why would I harm someone who is tending to my pet. Heal yourself, o' Master of Death, the truly powerful are ahead of us. Run less and kill more next time. With those words of 'wisdom' she quieted and I healed my wounds in silence while Kukaku admired how well I had healed both her and Rangiku.

"That is really high level Kidō. Where'd you learn, looks like you had an amazing master, how many years did it take you?" she asked rapid fire.

"Harry's a natural. He learned fighting rapists and murderers in Rukongai, and while taking over whore houses in Districts 70 to 80. I think it took him two years," Rangiku answered.

I could've told her to shut up but I didn't think anyone would believe her when she told that story in that ditzy cheerful tone she used to confuse people. Looked like it distracted Kukaku well.

"He's amazing for a kid isn't he?" Rangiku said.

"I'm older than you," I said moving to my face to cast the spells.

"You look older," Kukaku corrected. "But you feel younger. Even I'm older than you. Though you act older than both ginger-chan and me."

"What?" I mumbled, feeling the cut on my lip disappear.

Rangiku sighed. "He's a genius, but he's an idiot when guessing people's ages. He's only been in Rukongai for a year or two, his sense hasn't developed yet. He probably thinks I'm thirteen because I look thirteen."

Kukaku ohh'd in understanding. I was still lost.

"Whatever, I thought you were fifteen," I said. "It's time to go." I put out of my mind Rangiku and Kukaku's conversation about ages.

Rangiku twirled my sword in her hand making a blurry circle of white light. "Ha, this is fun," she said.

"Yeah, I'm the kid," I said sarcastically, taking Izanami back before she decided she didn't like getting dizzy.

"I didn't even want to be here, I don't want to walk into an ambush," Kukaku complained but started walking in the direction where others had run off to.

"Then go back," Rangiku said following her leaving me in her wake.

"And put a stain on the Kaien clan name? Brother would kill me," she said.

"Let's get this over with then," I said. "I'm sick of being pushed around."

"Finally!" Rangiku cheered and flash stepped away disappearing from sight. She was releasing her reiatsu to harden her skin and it gave her a reddish glow, enough to light her way.

"Is that ginger of yours insane?" Kukaku looked over her shoulder at me. I liked her better without her arrogant smile.

I shrugged and smiled. "Yeah, she's going to bait them, let them spring the trap and then I will turn the tables to ambush them."

"And my brother trusted me with you? You're crazier than I am. You two have done this before?" she asked.

"Many, many, many times. Let's go, she's gotten faster in the past few months." I flash stepped to her and picked her up bridal style to run on air.

I honed on Rangiku's reiatsu trail and caught up with her within a few seconds. Kukaku shouted in my ear, "I'll help ginger-san, put me down!"

I hadn't thought of what I was going to do with her once we go the tunnel's end, so I stopped to let her down. She didn't wait a breath and flash stepped away rushing behind Rangiku. I was impressed, the girl was much faster than Rangiku to have caught up with her so fast. She stayed one step behind her, letting Rangiku take the lead. I already knew she was strong, I just hoped she knew how to use that power and trailed both girls.

Within a couple of minutes I saw a half circle of light far ahead and guessed that was where the tunnel stopped. Rangiku shouted back to get ready. I slowed down so I didn't burst through the opening too soon after her. The plan would only work if the trap was sprung before I was caught in it.

Kukaku was chanting something as she was running. I guessed she was preparing a Kidō spell from the weird incantation. "Burn the cicadas of the third heaven, fiend god king, let the south wind color the face of man …RED!" she shouted as she shot through the opening behind Rangiku.

There was a tremendous burst of sound, red and gold light exploded as flames hurtled past the opening.

I wasn't pleased last time, my pet. Something more dramatic than just freezing them in place. My son will not be shown up by a tom girl, Izanami said as I passed the sparkling flames of Kukaku's Kidō spell.

I smiled suddenly in a good mood. "As you wish, o' Goddess of Death."

Unohana Retsu's team was already healing the ones who hadn't made it out of the tunnel. They had all failed the exam. The Spiritual Arts Academy wouldn't accept anyone who didn't make it out of the tunnel. The ones who did would be divided up based on how they fared against the challenges awaiting them. No one had yet made it to the last stage, the Bridge of Regret. The Captain Commander had acquiesced to her request to let her heal the ones who made it past the ambush at the end of the tunnel before they attempted the final exam.

She stood in the air overlooking the cave mouth opening and the beginning of the bridge. She couldn't believe she was standing once again after centuries of having forgotten the place where Shinigami who had betrayed Soul Society met their end. To walk the bridge was to die an agonizing and slow death. The stone of the bridge sucked the spiritual power of a Shinigami like some beast drinking the blood of its kill. The bridge was the fate of someone they hated, someone they reviled, someone for whom a quick death was an undeserved mercy.

The greater the spiritual power the longer a Shinigami could walk the bridge that touched the edges of the widest canyon in all of Soul Society. There were days that clouds would be so thick together that it was impossible to see the end of the bridge and it seemed to just disappear into space. Retsu turned her mind from bad memories of the bridge to her more immediate worry. Harry hadn't appeared from the tunnel. Had he failed? Was he injured? Was he alive?

A Shinigami from the secret corps appeared kneeling in front of them. He addressed the princess of the Shihoin clan. "We found seven of ours trapped in some kind of paralyzing Kidō field, they were wounded and knocked out. We have taken them to the healers. There don't seem to be any left in the tunnel."

The young princess nodded seriously. Retsu worried that the dark beauty's golden headdress was too heavy for her, but admired the way she was able to stand with the proper poise as expected of someone of her station. As a princess of the Shiohin clan which traditionally headed the secret corps of soul society outside of the Thirteen Divisions, Retsu had no doubt that she was a skilled warrior. Just then wrapped in golden and peach colored robes she didn't seem the deadly woman she must have been trained to be.

"Check again," the princess said. "I sense something approaching the cave mouth. Kuchiki-dono, I think your men haven't noticed," she spoke to the captain of the sixth division, the head of another of the highest noble families in Soul Society. Retsu knew the Captain Commander had requested Kuchiki's division to help with the test because his grandson was one of the 'brats' who'd refused to take the test. If the Kuchiki clan itself was part of the examiners they could no longer disparage the test.

Retsu watched as the Shinigami from Kuchiki's sixth division followed the signal to ready themselves. They were ringed around the cave mouth and covered the sky above, packed around in a sphere of bodies with weapons turned inwards. Everyone who had escaped the cave mouth had faced a world of swords pointed towards them. Very few had broken through, even though the Shinigami had been ordered not to fight at full strength.

"Are you enjoying yourself Byakuya-san?" Retsu addressed Kuchiki's grandson who had tagged along to watch the entrance exam. Little did he know that the show was being put on to convince people like him to join the Academy instead of using noble status to enter the Thirteen Divisions.

"Seems like no one talented tries out for the Spiritual Arts Academy, Unohana-sama. It's disappointing," he said in a bored manner. Retsu hummed in answer and pretended not to notice when the princess of the Shiohin class slapped the back his head with her golden plated fan.

"Whoever these stragglers are, are probably at the end of their endurance. I doubt we will see anyone worthy of taking your final test, Captain Commander," the white mustachioed captain of the sixth division spoke. "We could move on to the last test for the ones who performed well against my men."

"If it pleases you, Kuchiki-dono," The princess spoke before the Captain Commander could, though Retsu knew the old Commander was going to ignore Kuchiki. "My friend, Shiba Kukaku, hasn't appeared yet, and I sense her reiatsu. If there are any worthy of the last test, she is one of them. You won't be disappointed."

The old patriarch of the Kuchiki clan bowed shortly, giving way to the princess's request. Retsu's eyes snapped away from the nobles around her to the cave mouth; she'd felt Harry's spiritual pressure. A redheaded girl shot through and halted in the air seeing the Shinigami awaiting her. Retsu noted the glow of her reiatsu and knew Harry must've been teaching his friend. She recalled fondly watching Harry make a fool of himself in the outlands while glowing silver or white. Right behind her another girl appeared wearing the symbol of the Shiba family. She cast a Kidō spell that formed twirling lights on her legs and rushed up her body to explode from her arms out at the Shinigami in brilliant gold and red.

"Ah, Kukaku, the greatest fireworks Kidō expert in Soul Society!" the princess laughed.

The fireworks created two holes in the crucible the Shinigami of the sixth division had formed around the cave mouth. The relatively harmless Kidō spell did nothing more than startle them out of the way and they soon attacked the girls. Retsu felt a spike in spiritual pressure and knew Harry was through the cave mouth before she saw him blur into existence in front of the girls to take the sword strikes on his body.

Rangiku moved under his outstretched arm and struck at an attacking Shinigami's leg. Her sword missed and Retsu watched as Harry pulled both the girls down to the ground using flash steps. Before they could close in on them Harry raised both hand in the air and shouted "Way of Destruction, sixty-three!"

Twain twisters of yellow energy burst from his hands towards the sky, the twisters hurtled past them where they were standing in the sky to pierce the cloud cover. The same energy crawled down to his arms and shot off to the sides in lances of burning power. The attack formation of the Shinigami broke into disarray as they were slammed with the magic or repelled by the release of Harry's oppressive spiritual pressure. It was a grand display of power. Retsu sighed inside, Harry had made sure several squads of Kuchiki's division would have to be bedridden.

The afterimage of the yellow energy hadn't disappeared when he rose into the air and targeted the largest two groups of Shinigami who'd broken off from the main formation. This time he didn't shout out the spell. There was a moment when there was only a blip of white light in his palms and then suddenly blue lightning bloomed from his arms in wide spreading cones. A moment later the deafening thunder roll wed to that particular spell assaulted their ears. Just the power of the sound was enough to make Kuchiki Byakuya stumble where he stood. Tendrils of azure lightning chased down and struck the Shinigami before they could flash step away or shield themselves. Dozens of Captain Kuchiki's Shinigami fell from the sky. Retsu worried for their lives, and Harry's fate if they died. The magic he was casting was merciless.

"I can't believe it! He cast the Thunder Canon, a level 88 destructive spell without an incantation. Who is he?" Retsu's lieutenant blurted. She didn't appreciate the question so she ordered him to go help the injured Shinigami. The Captain Commander had expected the candidates to be at death's door not his soldiers, she wondered what he thought of the situation now.

"Well, I didn't expect that we would actually need the back up my men were to provide yours, Kuchiki-dono," the princess said. She was frowning and searching the battlefield with her eyes worriedly. "Do you mind if I order them in?"

"Eh, no need," Byakuya spoke before his grandfather could answer the princess. "No one is watching those two silly girls, they're just focused on that guy. I bet if I take out his friends he will lose his fighting spirit," he said and shot off from the air to join the fight.

Captain Kuchiki was stuck in mid motion of stopping him. He composed himself seeing that his grandson was too far to hear him and said, "Forgive his impetuousness, he's young, and I believe he will learn his lesson."

The princess's frown deepened. "As long as he doesn't tangle with that young man. Byakuya hasn't fought anyone of his level before. One of those 'silly' girls is Shiba Kukaku, for Byakuya she is more than a match."

"He isn't going for her," Retsu said while her eyes were focused on Harry who was fighting the Correctional Squad of the special forces. His hands were aglow with pulsating magic of swirling colors. He was sending destructive and binding spells of differing powers at them. But the Correctional Squad were the elite and used to fighting in close. They got inside his defenses and flitted out of the way of his spells with ease. Harry's long ranging magic was not helping him.

Retsu turned her eyes from him to look for Rangiku who Byakuya was targeting. The young Kuchiki scion was diving with his sword at Rangiku who hadn't noticed him. She was busy with other Shinigami who were punishing her badly. Retsu was amazed how the girl could stay standing after taking so much injury.

Retsu didn't have to look to know everyone around her was following the Kuchiki grandson. Byakuya yelled some war cry. The redheaded girl finally noticed him. She took two long flash steps behind to get away from her duel and threw her sword in the air. "Wadiwashi my Wakizashi!" she shouted. The thrown sword moved so fast it disappeared from sight and pierced right through Byakuya in the air. He bowed and dropped to the ground with a pitiful cry of agony.

"Oh no," Retsu whispered. She moved to go to him but the elder Kuchiki stepped in front of her.

"This is the price of arrogance. My grandson must learn this lesson, Captain Unohana," he said with his back to her.

"Your grandson will be too dead to learn any lessons, Captain Kuchiki. Despite your wishes I have a duty I am sworn to perform. Don't stand in my way again," Retsu said quietly and stepped so fast around the other captain she knew he wasn't able to follow her. Her gentle manner made her colleagues forget sometimes that she was the oldest of the captains still in command. She wasn't some nurse they could order to stop.

"It's too late, that other man is there," the princess said.

Retsu saw Harry by Byakuya's side. He had pulled the sword from the little boy's chest and was holding him in his arms and performing healing Kidō. The two girls were desperately trying to protect Harry and fight the Shinigami. Retsu was sure that at the sight of their captain's grandson's fallen body the Shinigami of sixth division were in a vengeful fury. In their anger they weren't holding back anymore and with quick, cruel attacks they threw the girls on the ground. Their life's blood was mixing with the dirty earth.

Then the blades started raining down Harry and Unohana Retsu couldn't take it anymore. She took off the white cloak signifying her captain status and rushed to the ground with her reiatsu flowing as freely as she could allow without causing damage. She landed by Harry who looked up startled when the Shinigami fell back from her. She took Byakuya's small body from him, noticing that the boy was healed and just weak.

"Walk the bridge and you'll win," Byakuya said to Harry. "Thank you."

Retsu cradled the eleven year old boy in her arms and nodded to Harry, hoping her distant expression warned him away from saying anything. "Do as the boy says. If you can make it to the bridge and cross over you will pass the exam. Good luck."

"Take care of him. He shouldn't have been here," Harry said to her. She hardened her heart knowing that if she didn't the look of his bloodied and worn face that would make her betray herself.

"Don't forget to hope. Use the power inside you," Retsu said, giving him permission to release as much of his spiritual power as he needed. She knew he'd understand her message. She flash stepped away into the sky where the nobles and the Captain Commander were standing.

The princess moved to her to check on the boy immediately. His grandfather stood stoically and watched the battle below. "How is he alive?" the princess asked.

"That young man healed him, at the peril of his own life. His two companions fell while protecting him so he could heal him. My healing squad should be taking care of the girls now," Retsu said and cast her eyes to the ground where she was shocked to find that Harry had a hand on the chest of each girl and was healing them while the Shinigami attacked him. He had taken her casual mention of using Reiatsu to strengthen his skin to a ridiculous level. He was bearing the strikes without moving or letting up the healing Kidō, the girls were shimmering in the green light of his spell.

The princess followed Retsu's eyes to the ground and sucked in a breath. "Captain Commander, allow me to call this off. It's gone on long enough," she demanded.

The Captain Commander stroked his beard. "The test doesn't end till he falls. That is the measure we have used for every other candidate today and that is the measure we will use for him."

Retsu could see that the princess was taken aback. She herself was surprised to see such compassion from the head of the clan who was responsible for the assassins employed by Soul Society. "The Commander is right, it wouldn't be fair to the others if we choose to say that this young man has done enough. We took them to the end of their limits, so we must take him to his breaking point as well," Retsu said, knowing the credibility of the Spiritual Arts Academy was on the line. She wanted to spare Harry the pain but by appealing for him then she would betray the Captain Commander's purpose for the show and he would become very suspicious of Harry.

"As you wish then," the princess said haughtily. "If he must fall for this to stop, then I will ensure it." She raised her hand in the air and made an unintelligible hand signal.

"Wait," Retsu said. The situation on the ground had changed.

Harry was levitating the two girls with his magic to his sides, they were still aglow with healing Kidō. He was walking slowly to the foot of the Bridge of Regret. The Shinigami of the sixth division had given up attacking him. They struck out at him half heartedly. Retsu was glad that no one of true power was down there to break through Harry's reiatsu enforced skin. It was the only defense he had. But he still stumbled and fell when one of them idly thought to cut him. There were cracks in his defense, evidenced by the tears of blood running down his body here and there. He looked like a dying man, and that was perhaps why the Shinigami had stopped attacking him in earnest.

"Looks like the young man knows to walk the bridge," the Captain Commander commented.

"I told him," Byakuya admitted weakly from within Retsu's arms.

"Tsk, not one of those children down there forced him to use his sword. He's shown proof of every other quality we might look in for a Shinigami, endurance, strength, loyalty, talent, but can he even hold a sword?" the Captain Commander continued. "Hmm, pathetic fools, making me test him myself." In the next instant the wizened commander of the Gotei 13 disappeared from their midst and appeared by Harry's side.

"Bloody hell," Unohona Retsu echoed one of Harry's curses.

Blood was streaming in my eyes. Every step I took felt like torture. I wanted to jump in ice water so it numbed my body and there was no more pain. Instead I dragged myself to the edge of a narrow stone bridge with no railings to hold on to. The Shinigami had stopped attacking me, even to them I looked dead on my feet. I felt much worse.

I wish I could've listened to Retsu and released my spiritual strength, but I had to heal Rangiku and Kukaku, and healing Kidō doesn't do well with my reiatsu going crazy. So I opened the tap as much as I could and let it flow in my body and to them.

Suddenly an old man with a short staff appeared beside me. He was older than any man I'd ever seen. Even his bald head had wrinkled skin.

"So young man, do you plan on carrying your friends over the bridge?" he asked.

I was so tired it took me a few second to come up with the answer, "Yes."

"It's not going to happen. I've decided to fail you," he said.

"Why?"

"You haven't fought with your sword yet," he said.

"Go to Hell," I said wearily. "You're going to fail me for just that?" I said and stopped because we'd arrived at the foot of the bridge. I noticed for the first time that while before the other Shinigami were dogging my heels now they were following at a distance.

"I will wait at the end of the bridge for you. If you don't die on the way you will have to fight me with your sword there and if you're satisfactory I will let you join the Academy," he explained. "Curse at me again and I will rip your tongue out and put it to fire."

"Fine, as long as you allow Rangiku and Kukaku into the academy too," I said.

The old man turned his face to me for the first time and opened one half lidded eyes slightly. If I was less exhausted I would've stepped away from the menacing reiatsu he released. Any thought I had that he would be easy to beat because he was old was dashed to pieces.

"You don't negotiate with me, boy. But if you wake up those two and bring them over the Bridge of Regret with you, I will allow them in, regardless of how you do with a sword. But you…you will have to impress me to get in," he said and disappeared from sight. I couldn't even follow the trail of his reiatsu.

"Just have to cross that bridge? That's easy," Rangiku muttered from the ground. She was slowly coming to her feet.

Kukaku grunted and got up too. "It's the Bridge of Regret, it drinks spiritual energy. It will weaken you so much that you will fall and then die. It's supposed to be painful."

"I wish you'd stayed asleep," Rangiku said.

"So we just have to run fast?" I asked.

Kukaku snorted but she was too weak to sound arrogant. "And have great, massive, enormous spiritual energy. They used to kill people by making them walk on this. "

"Get on my back, Rangiku," I said.

"It won't work," she said but climbed my back all the same. I turned around and picked up Kukaku who was too tired to resist me.

"I'm going to give you my spiritual power. It will hurt, but right now I'm the strongest of us, this is the only way. Rangiku, don't be afraid of me," I said, knowing she couldn't stand it when I let go of my control.

"Why would she be scared?" Kukaku asked.

I released the power inside me and felt the ground around me depress at the force of my spirit power. I ran onto the stone bridge and howled in pain. It felt like rods of steel punctured the soles of my feet to tear into the muscles of my leg. The stone was like a vampire sucking blood.

Keep running, o' Master of Death. If you truly understood what you are this wouldn't even be child's play. Reach deep inside you for the will to win, to survive. Run, my little flower. At the heel of Izanami's words I felt my strength triple and soon I was rushing over the bridge drunk on pain and adrenaline.

I could feel the stone draining reiryoku from the girls and fed them constantly. My feet began to slip as blood made my soles slick. There was no sensation in my legs but pain. My chest burned and my eyes teared. Next to me clouds roiled making me wonder how far up we were. It may have been a fantastic view but all I could take in was the grey stone that made the bridge and the darkness that flanked the corners of my vision.

Rangiku and Kukaku weren't saying anything. I thought they'd passed out. If I allowed myself a moment of doubt I would've fallen over and feinted as well. But whenever I weakened Izanami chastised me or encouraged me. It was the first time I came to rely on her.

Finally the bridge that had been rising began to slope down. I was past the crest and the halfway point. The pain had crossed to my hips and into my ribs. I'd pounded my bones to dust, I was sure, and I began to wonder if I would have enough reiryoku to make it to the end.

Is there an end to death? Only death is the end, Izanami answered my question in her typical fashion.

I lost my concentration and fell to one knee. I became stuck. I didn't have strength to get up with Rangiku slumped on my back and Kukaku boneless in my arms. I screamed and pushed my leg up, but my muscles trembled and crashed. I wept in frustration and felt my throat tighten. I couldn't lose, not so close.

Unohana Retsu hung in the air with the nobles and looked down on the Bridge of Regret. They had followed in the air above Harry, watching him run at incredible speeds. When he crested the halfway point of the bridge even Captain Kuchiki commented that he didn't know of anyone who had performed that feat. But Harry was three quarters of the way and had fallen to his knees.

"To think he's come this far while feeding his reiatsu to two others, if he wasn't burdened with them he would've run the length of the bridge," the princess said. "He has strength still but he's too worn to use it."

Retsu was impressed with the young princess to have that kind of discernment at her age and experience. She must be powerful and skilled far beyond her years. The Captain Commander appeared on the bridge in front of Harry, and took Retsu's attention. With the same mind the nobles and Retsu dropped closer to hear what was going to be said.

"So you've given up. Is this all you can do after you struck a bargain with me? Children, pathetic! Thinking they can be Shinigami. You've lost, go home," the Captain Commander said. "No, stay here and die, there's no way you can move from here."

Retsu saw the light forming around Harry before she felt the pressure of his spiritual power. There were many powerful in her company that day but Harry still managed to make them take notice. He levitated Kukaku and Rangiku away from him, each was suspended in the same white light that surrounded him. He was still on his knees as the light grew and the spiritual pressure became volatile and wild. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Retsu noticed that he was now wearing his sword in iaido style like Isshin.

As his hand touched the Zanpakutō the spirit pressure exploded, making wind scream around him. Some nobles moved back but Retsu kept her place watching intently the shape that was forming from the light of his reiatsu. The tempest of force Harry kneeled in took the shape of a great antlered skull of a stag. The white antlers seemed to be lowered ready to gore the Captain Commander while green flames licked around the points and lit up the skull eyes. It's come to his aid, Retsu thought to herself with relief.

"So you've found your resolve," the Captain Commander said. "Come at me then, toddler, or do you need me to lift you off your feet."

The spiritual pressure disappeared and sound died as if they'd been transported into the emptiness of space. Retsu saw Harry draw his sword and move simultaneously, sound returned full force with his reiatsu choking the oxygen in the air. Harry struck the Captain Commander in a smooth motion, moving diagonally from the right to the left.

Sadly the movement was easy to predict. She knew he'd lost before the sword even fell. At the end the Captain Commander stopped the blade with the palm of his hand, and Harry fell to his knees breathing heavily. His blue pants were soaked with blood starting at his hips, the soles of his shoes had torn off to show his mangled feet. The sores on the soles made the princess next to her curse under her breath.

"He should be dead," the princess said. "Or he will be soon. If he survives I will bring him into my special forces. He has the pain threshold needed for the training my house will give him."

He's mine, Retsu thought to herself, not responding to the young princess.

Retsu followed the Captain Commander's eyes to the see the two girls were still floating in the air cocooned in Harry's reiryoku. He threw away Harry's sword from himself with a jerk. He was looking at his palm.

"Hmm, I'm impressed, he gave me a paper cut. Someone needs to teach him how to hold a sword though," the Captain Commander said, addressing them all.

"So we passed the test, sensei?" Harry groaned from the ground where he was on all fours.

The Captain Commander harrumphed. "Impertinent toddler, calling me sensei before I've taught you anything. Yes, you've paid in blood and soul the price required to be a Shinigami. I will be watching you closely Potter Harry."

Retsu breathed in relief. She motioned to the healing squad waiting behind her to take Harry and the girls. The Captain Commander appeared beside her. "I was thinking of a Class Zero for this child, a double accelerated class, something for those nobleborn brats to aspire to who will make it into Class One."

Retsu smiled and prayed for Harry.