A.N. This chapter is dedicated to Lutris who drew a gorgeous Unohana Retsu for me and a Harry Potter that banished Daniel Radcliffe's image from my mind.

As always much thanks to Ceebee for edits and Jon for content proofing.

-Bzzz-

They put me in a small dusty room after breakfast. I sat with my legs tucked under me in the Japanese style. Empty vases adorned low tables set in neat rows around the rooms. Some vases still held remains of flowers, leaves, and branches. There was an odd beauty in the decay; someone had taken a long time to arrange the flora, now long dead.

Tension built up in my thighs sitting in the formal style expected of us. It was one of the first lessons I learned about etiquette at the Spiritual Arts Academy. I appreciated the hearty breakfast, but I didn't enjoy eating it while my legs felt like they were burning. I sighed, realizing I was trying to distract myself; first contemplating dead flowers, then the 'seiza' way of sitting.

I'd been given ink and a brush to write my will. Not surprisingly I wasn't rushing to the task. I pulled out the scroll and unfurled it on the ground in front of me. Inspiration didn't come like I hoped. So I sighed again and instead traced my gaze over the dried stems of some plant jutting out forlornly from its pot.

I was suddenly aware of someone else beside me in the room. With a jerk I snapped my head left where I'd heard breathing. There was a young girl dressed in a Victorian era gown in the color of sunflowers. She was sitting to my side facing me with her head slightly bowed. Waves of snow white hair cascaded down to the floor matching her brows and the fairness of her skin. She raised her eyes looking both enchanting and alien with her long absolute white lashes.

I didn't know what she was but I knew with the certainty of someone schooled in Hogwarts for six years that someone magical was visiting me. And she was magical unlike the Shinigami; she was the same kind of 'strange' as me.

"Master, I am Annette. Please forgive me for disturbing you," she said in barely a whisper. Her voice was so sweet and small that the need to protect her blossomed in my heart. She couldn't have been older than ten.  

A moment later I realized she hadn't spoken to me in Japanese. I didn't even know I would be able to tell the difference after mysteriously learning to speak the language of the afterlife. I was so stunned I didn't say more than repeat her name, "Annette?"

She met my gaze for the first time and I was taken aback by how her faint irises seemed to dissolve in the whites of her eyes. "You saw me in your soul, Master. Do you remember? My lady Izanami said you thought me 'sweet,'" she said with a slight blush. I finally noticed the tiny tips of fangs when she spoke. Waves of nervousness and worry buffeted me. Her emotions were tangible and I felt them like they were mine. It was very confusing.

"But you're a statue." I frowned at her with confusion. But I understood why I felt that we were magical in a more similar way than I was to the Shinigami. She was a vampire and she was part of my world. I wanted to hug her for joy.

She smiled and even her small fangs couldn't spoil the childish happiness on her face. "You are the Master of Death, you gave me life. Please, my lady Izanami awaits us," she said and reached forward to put her cool fingertips on my hand.

In another breath I was in the immense hall with the floor covered in luminescent water and where walls disappeared into Space. Annette stood ahead of me with her rippling locks touching the surface of the water. "Please, follow me," she said with her hands clasped in front of her. Her heavy gown flowed behind her gliding over the green lit water.

We walked past the obsidian statues of creatures and beings I knew to be the many faces of Death, but this time I looked at them warily. I remembered thinking Annette was a cute looking girl but had never expected her to come alive. What if the Grim Reaper or the vicious wolf started moving as fluidly as the child vampiress in front of me? 'Sweet' wasn't a word I'd use for either of them.

Annette climbed the steps and curtsied before Izanami's throne before walking right through the immense mosaic of the white oak. I goggled at her as she became part of the painting. She sat with her back to the trunk and waved at me. She looked happy and indistinguishable from the marble whiteness of the tree. Once again her emotions flowed into me, I felt her pleasure and contentment.

"She's a vision isn't she?" Izanami whispered.

I didn't turn to look at her. Her voluminous gown was visible from the corner of my eye but I didn't want to see her face. No, I didn't want to see her wearing my mother's face. "She's not as frightening as the books make out vampires to be," I said, still watching Annette. She was feeling at peace and even in Izanami's presence it put me at ease. White leaves were shedding from the giant tree to fall like snowflakes on Annette's sunflower colored gown. The last time I'd looked at the mosaic it was nothing like a magical painting. But now the rough stone on which it was painted seemed to be a doorway to a different world.

"I judged correctly. She's the best for what you need. Do you still fear yourself and me if we can raise this child from oblivion to breathe and smile again?" Izanami said. I didn't really hear the question, I only wondered if her voice sounded like my mother's as well.

It was too much. I turned and walked down the steps thinking to get away from her.  She laughed ruefully behind me. It was a shockingly sad sound and it made me freeze, but I still couldn't get myself to look at her.

"My husband's love died for me because my body had become ravaged in the underworld. And, you, my supposed master can't look upon me because I remind you of the beauty of your mother. I wonder what fate brought you and I together. To rise from dust and be remembered again only to be spurned yet again…" She scoffed. "A goddess can fall very far it seems."

I was bewildered by the emotions I felt inside me. Was I feeling Izanami's heartache like I felt Annette's happiness? I put it out of my mind to answer her.

"Izanami, I'm sorry, but even I have my limits, though everyone thinks otherwise. I can't be your husband, and if that is what you want from me then…we have nothing," I said. I felt cruel and evil, but I'd read much on Zanpakutō spirits since my first meeting with her and I wasn't going to allow her to rule me.

She hummed as if something amusing occurred to her. "It repulses me to admit but you and I are really reflections of each other."

"We're not!" I said with some heat.

"I hate you, you hate me. I love you, you love me. Look at me, I have veiled myself for you," she said. I wished I could feel something from her when she said that so I could make sense of it, but I could sense nothing.

I looked over my shoulder up at her. She was standing at the top of the vast marble steps. Her head and face was hidden under a yellow shawl with a green trim. Only her chin and lips were visible. She wore the same shade of yellow as Annette's gown, except her robes were of an impossibly elaborate Japanese style. I counted five different layers made of silk and embroidered with silver thread.

"I don't love you and you don't love me…and I don't really hate you either," I said, staying in the middle of the steps.

"You forget, I am wrapped in the love your mother has for you. I am trapped in this alien devotion to you. And you, you love me because my every breath, every lilt of tone, the quirk of my lips, and even the smell of my skin is your mother's. Isn't that so, o' Master of Death?" she asked.

This time there was pain, anger, and maybe even affection in her, but all that was blanketed by the storm brewing inside me at her words. It was a bitch having someone sitting inside your soul, able to understand you that well. I felt like she'd slapped me and embarrassed me. I could feel my face heating up but I had no words for her.

I suppose she saw she had my attention and so went on baring my soul, "You fear me not for my blood lust, you fear me because you're afraid you're too weak to remember that inside I am Izanami, Goddess of Death." She walked slowly down the steps to reach me. The gold in the ringlets of hair escaping her veil jingled with her descent.

"You're right, I do hate you," I said tonelessly. "Anything else you want to declare? Want to tell me more what I am and what I feel?"

"Do you remember the story of your nemesis's mother?" she said.

I frowned not expecting the subject change. "Merope Gaunt? Yes. But what does she-"

"She trapped the father of her child with a love potion. Reprehensible, was it not?" her words rang in my head and my blood chilled at the accusation.

"My mother didn't mean-"

"What does it matter what she meant, I am still shackled," she interrupted me again and raised her hands joined at the wrists as if some invisible rope tied them together.  

I couldn't look at her. I turned my face from her and glared at the steps. "Is this another trick? You're playing the victim now? What happened to the proud 'Goddess of Death?'"

"What pride do I have left if I cannot even show my face? If I have been brought back only to be made a tool to a boy who is disgusted at the sight of me?" She tossed her head in anger. "What I want from you is simple. Kill me or forget me. Do not call on my power and shatter the blade. Return me to forgetfulness. I cannot abide by the insult upon insult you make me suffer. If there is a shred of decency in you, end me," she said in a whisper and whirled away.

Her many layered gown kicked up the water. I felt the spray on my face and found it warm against my suddenly cold skin. I couldn't handle the maelstrom in her soul. It was as if I had two hearts, one that was Izanami's heartbreak and the other mine. The spirit of my sword, the being supposed to help me through my fights, was suicidal. Did I really treat her that bad?

It didn't take me too long to answer the question. I'd been repulsed by her, afraid of her. I ignored her and often wished something else was my Zanpakutō. I resented her for looking the way she did. I cringed every time I remembered her hugging me and how wonderful it had felt.

I was walking up the steps long before my mind was made up. Izanami was sitting on her throne with the blade of my sword naked upon her knees. Her head was bowed and her hands rested in her lap. I stood in front of her for what felt like eternity.

I couldn't believe my stupidity but reached forward to raise the veil off her face. She looked up at me with familiar eyes and a face devoid of expression. "I don't want this," I said. "I don't want to kill you. I'm sorry for making you feel like you had to hide yourself. It's just… it's difficult."

She nodded and didn't taunt me. So far it was an improvement. "If you take care of my honor and pride, o' Master of Death, I will take care of your heart. I promise to lend you my power if you promise to lend me yours."

I nodded. "Just don't call me your son and then try to marry me, okay?" I smiled.

Her eyes glinted and she smiled softly. "It's a promise. Will you give me your word as well?"

"I'll honor you and lend you my power. I'm sorry I treated you badly," I said.

Izanami smiled and this time it was that wicked smile of hers. "Annette, sweet child. You were right, this was a much better way to deal with my little flower." She stood up with liquid grace. "Ah, but it's tiring to play the damsel in distress."

I drew back from her feeling the burst of triumph in her. "What the hell?"

Annette was suddenly next to us. She curtseyed and spoke in Japanese, "Thank you, my lady." Then she looked to me with contrite eyes. "Forgive me, master," she said in English. "The tree was dying and you hadn't come to an understanding with lady Izanami. I will accept any punishment." She kneeled in the flowing water.

"You know, she was called the queen of the night in her time," Izanami said, snaking her arm through mine. "I was right to awaken her. With her relationship to love and blood, her advice was invaluable."

"You tricked me," I said quietly, surprised to find how little anger I felt. I smiled to myself and took pleasure in Izanami's confused look at my reaction. Maybe she didn't realize I could feel what she felt. But I had promised to take care of her pride. To tell her now that I knew her trick was no ruse would make her lose face.

"You were distant, my little flower. My voice did not reach you. You need me in the world you've entered. I merely called someone close to your time and culture who could explain to me your mind," Izanami said pressing me to her. My head rested in the hollow of her neck and I was assaulted by that familiar fragrance again that I feared would be my undoing.

I pulled away against my will, thinking that if I didn't I would stay in her arms forever. "Don't forget you made your promises too."

Izanami inclined her head and invited me to sit on her throne. It was large enough for two, as she sat against the armrest and put her feet on my lap. I shot her a look expecting her half smile but she wasn't even looking at me. She'd motioned Annette over who sat on the ground at next to my legs. Izanami lazily trailed her fingers through Annette's luxurious hair.

"You are wondering if Annette is your sword spirit as well," Izanami said. I nodded, inviting her to go on. "All these are aspects or instruments of death, you remember?" she nodded to the sea of black statues below us.

"Yes, and Annette was one of them," I said.

Izanami nodded with a pleased smile. "They serve me and they serve you. To be true to your title, o' Master of Death, you will have to understand each face of death. Your power is great enough right now that I can borrow it to wake Annette. You should get to know her, you will find…surprising rewards." This time she graced me with her wicked half smile.

Annette looked up to me with her nearly colorless eyes and once again I could feel her emotions. She wanted something desperately. "Thank you, master, I'm happy to live again. I'm not your Zanpakutō but I wish to be of service. May I stay with your tree?"

I smiled at her, she was so earnest and lovely. "You can stay. I'm glad Izanami woke you up. But please call me Harry not 'master.'

She bowed. "Yes, master. Thank you."

I frowned and Izanami laughed warmly. It was surprisingly attractive. She shook her head at Annette with an indulgent smile and said to me, "She's a vampiress, my little flower. Her power is in death and blood, she understands her place in relation to you too well. Even a queen like her has a master." Izanami locked eyes with me and pointed a polished nail at me. "You."

I grimaced but accepted it for the moment. I planned on talking to Annette away from Izanami. "So can we wake up all these statues? I don't think they will all be as nice as Annette." The little white haired girl flashed me a grin. Somehow the fangs looked natural on her happy face.

A serious look appeared on Izanami. "If you can master them. Annette is your first test. I spoke to you of the old Shinigami who I cut. He has immense power, my pet. You are far from realizing your strength. Without that he will destroy you and my dreams with you. He intends to watch you and if you don't master me he will put you away for eternity." She shifted her legs on me making me very aware of where her feet were on my lap. It distracted me for a moment from my worry and I scowled when I noticed the glitter of mischief in her eyes. She was playing with me.

"You can learn about a Shinigami from drinking his blood?" I asked.

"Mhm, incidentally your darling Unohana Retsu is of no little power herself, and you will be happy to know she is not disappointed in you. There, there, that should lift your spirits," she mocked me.

"You attacked her?" I asked in a bare whisper, furious beyond measure.

Izanami arched a brow. "I healed her as well. She was fondling me, so I returned the favor."

"Fondling?" I demanded losing my anger to confusion.

Annette looked up and offered, "She was caressing my lady, trying to learn her secrets. My lady satisfied her curiosity. Do you not want Unohana Retsu to know you, master?"

"Hush, Annette," I said frowning at Izanami who was grinning. "When did you do this and why?"

Izanami sighed dramatically. I watched her, fascinated by every new expression, wondering, always wondering, if my mother would make those kinds of faces. "It was the night you slept on her lap, and why I did it is just as Annette said." She gave me open honest eyes but her pleased smile gave her away.

"You just called Annette to double team me," I accused.

"I wouldn't do that to you, my sweet flower." She stared at me from half lidded eyes and her voice dropped an octave, "If I wanted to…double team…you, I would pick someone older than Annette. I know your tastes." She laughed throatily when I jumped to my feet throwing her legs off me.

"Damn it! Izanami! Stop saying things like that," I shouted. "Annette, take me out of here," I said striding away taking two steps down at a time. I didn't care how undignified I looked.  

Annette appeared ahead of me as if she'd apparated there. She held out her hand for me. As soon as I clasped it I was back in the room in the Academy.

00000

I kept my eyes shut and breathed slowly in and out of my nose to calm myself down. If I was less worked up I would’ve sensed someone had entered the room while I was visiting Izanami.

“Bzzz- What a weirdo. Bzzz- I can’t sense his reiatsu –bzzz – how is he making things float? But he’s young and wears glasses –bzzz – fits your fetish,” something said in a very tiny voice.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw a ghostly dragonfly hopping in the air around me. I felt a wave of nostalgia as I remembered playing with dragonflies on hot summer nights in the park. I reached for it with an outstretched finger and like any normal dragonfly it landed on the tip.

“Hello, what’s your name?” I asked the dragonfly before I noticed the woman sitting off to the side. She had the wide eyed look of surprise. When she saw I noticed her she schooled her features to look aloof. At the same time I saw the vases levitating off their low tables and realized I’d performed accidental magic when I’d been tense. As soon as I saw them they floated back to surface and set themselves down.

“I’m Haguro Tonbo, the Zanpakutō – bzzz – of the pervert sitting there,” the dragonfly said. It felt lighter than air on my finger. I was mesmerized by its four translucent wings and how their buzzing affected the way it talked.

“Oi, don’t call me a pervert. You’re the one putting your feelers all over him,” the woman said in a bored voice. She looked very serious and businesslike with her rectangular red glasses, thin lips, and slightly frowning eyes. She had long bangs that framed her face and two tight braids that tied off her hair in the back. Her black Shinigami robes were strange; it looked like she was wearing a skirt instead of the proper full length billowy pants.

“It’s nice to meet you, Haguro Tonbo,” I said as it took off from my finger and went to buzz around the young woman.

It wings flapped very fast suddenly as if it was excited. “No one’s ever seen me before – bzzz – the jig is up. If he can see me – bzzz – I can’t find the weakness in his reiatsu for you, Lisa,” it said and dived, disappearing in the hilt of her sword.

“Che,” the young woman scoffed to herself. “You didn’t have to tell him your ability.” She flicked the hand guard of her sword in annoyance, but the dragonfly didn’t make any more sounds.

“Hello, Lisa-san,” I said, feeling a heaviness in the air. It’s hard to predict how people’s reiatsu will feel. But there is always some physical sensation that shouldn’t be there. Lisa’s reiatsu felt like being out in a terribly humid day.

She inclined her head barely. “Hello,” she said and locked her disinterested eyes with me. It was a little uncomfortable but a staring contest was nothing new to me. I put her age at later twenties and her power at something to be wary of. She cocked her head to the side so her bangs fell into one eye. “My Zanpakutō is chatty,” she said.

“But you’re not,” I said with a serious look of my own.

“No,” she agreed. “Are you?” Her question sounded less casual than it should have. The pressure of her reiatsu dropped off, I guess she wasn’t trying to intimidate me like she was before.

I cocked my head so I mirrored her; for some reason I couldn’t resist mocking her. She was so expressionless it was funny. “I’ve never given up a secret,” I said and was impressed she didn’t change her pose. She wasn’t going to let me embarrass her.

“Good. Then you won’t give away Haguro Tonbo’s ability and I won’t tell anyone you can hear and see Zanpakutō spirits.” She drew her blade suddenly. I was impressed she could do it so fluidly while sitting in that knee ruining Seiza position. She sliced her hand open.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?” I yelled.

She offered me her blooded hand to shake. “A blood oath. Do you want me to cut you? I don’t mind if you’re skittish.”

“Are you insane?” I said pulling back from her hand that was dripping on my will.

Don’t be foolish, o’ Master of Death. You’ve given yourself away. Use me to cut your hand and seal the oath. Don’t forget, blood is your power. Izanami’s voice took on a sinister edge as she said, What better insurance of her silence than your blood mixing with her?

“I’ll use my Zanpakutō,” I said, wondering what Izanami was up to and how crazy this Lisa woman was.

I clasped her hand and tried to pretend that her very feminine hand wasn’t crushing me. She released my hand and sat back, apparently unconcerned about the cut on her palm. I healed mine without further ado gaining an arched brow from Lisa.

“You are interesting,” she said as I was a specimen in a lab. “Well no point in teasing you with the sight of blood anymore.” Her wounded hand glowed green and slowly healed. “So, what’s your name, boy?” she asked.

I frowned. I never liked being called ‘boy.’ “I’m Potter Harry.” I gave a short bow as was the proper way. Again a lesson in etiquette quickly taught during breakfast.

“I am Vice Captain of the 8th Division, Yadomaru Lisa,” she said and gave a shallower bow than I did. Ah, she wanted to make it clear she was my superior. I was excited to meet a Vice Captain. That meant she was close to the highest echelons of power in the afterlife.

“It’s nice to meet you Yadomaru-san,” I said when she continued to assess me with her eyes.

“Is it?” she asked with that unchanging stolid expression.

I shrugged. “I like making new friends.”

Her lips quirked for a shadow of a second as if she was going to smile. “Oh? We are friends now?”

“I don’t know about us but your Zanpakutō and I are.” I smiled at her as a loud buzzing and tiny laugh came from her sword.

She flicked the hand guard again with a curse under her breath.  “So what are you doing in the flower arrangement club room?” she asked.

“Oh, that’s what this is?” I motioned to the scroll sitting in front of me. “They asked me to come here and fill out my will.”

She nodded as if that was the most normal thing in the world. “Ready for your first real Hollow extermination mission?”

“I don’t know. It’s my first day at the Academy. Guess things are different for me. I’m in Class Zero. Whatever that means,” I said, hoping she’d enlighten me. She arched a brow which I realized was her standard reaction to anything that didn’t bore her. She was a woman of very limited expressions. It was hard to figure out what she was thinking or feeling.

“Ah,” she finally said. “So you’re who everyone was talking about in the teachers’ lounge. Well I better help you then,” she said and adjusting her glasses on her nose took the will. She looked it over once. “This is the standard form. Did they just hand this to you and put you here?”

“Yes.”

She hummed to herself then met my eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ve advised many subordinates when this time came for them. Try to think of the ones who will miss you when you’re gone. Leave a message for them or a token. The will isn’t for you. It’s for those you leave behind. Do you understand?”

Her words sobered me. “Oh,” I said. “I can’t think of anything to say but I know who I want my things to go to…if anything happens. Actually, I have one message.”

She smiled at me and it transformed her into an attractive woman.  “Go ahead.”

I dipped the brush in the ink and clumsily wrote what I wanted. Rangiku would get anything I left behind and I asked Retsu to take care of my friend. I wanted to say much more to Retsu but memory of what Isshin had told me was too fresh for me to think too long about her. I rolled the scroll but before I could put it in my robes, the vice captain took it from my hands. She had a thread on her with which she tied a knot around my scroll.

“I’m your witness. I will have this put in the right place. It’s best that you think of other things now,” she said, slipping the scroll in the flap of her robes.

“Are you going to read it?” I asked.

“Unless you want me to, no,” she answered softly.

I bowed expressing my thanks. “Are there other vice captains teaching here?”

She shook her head. “No. Ranked Shinigami hardly ever teach. Our duties keep us very busy. But sometimes we will teach an extracurricular class. I’m substituting for Captain Unohana of the healing division this week to lead her flower arrangement club. I was president of this club when I was a student here long ago,” she explained. My mind had frozen when she said ‘Captain Unohana.’ Did she mean Retsu?

“Oh, will Captain Unohana be coming back?” I asked.

“I expect so,” she answered suspiciously. “Don’t pester her. It’s very annoying when new students try to butter her up. Your skills won’t even register at her level of power. She’s sweet and kind, so don’t take advantage of her gentleness.” She frowned at me.

I answered in a hollow tone, “I won’t.” Maybe Retsu and Captain Unohana were just related and not the same person. They had the same last name and from what it sounded like the same personality. I noticed she was still watching me suspiciously, especially because I was spacing out. “I was just excited to meet a real captain,” I said hoping to explain away my odd reaction.

“Hmm,” she looked me up and down. “What do you think, Tonbo, is he worth my time? Recruiting the first ever Zero Class student into our division before others get to him might piss them off. Think it’ll be fun?”

“Bzzz – you just want him to train for you with – Bzzz – his shirt off, pervert. But I like – Bzzz – my new friend too,” Lisa-san’s Zanpakuto spirit spoke.

“Stop calling me pervert,” she said heatedly.

I was surprised to hear Lisa-san curse so much. She didn’t seem the type. “I want to join a division right away. Does it matter which division I join?”

“Of course,” she said. “Mine is the best. My captain is one of the senior most captains of the Gotei 13. He was also one of the first graduates of the Spiritual Arts Academy to be made a captain,” she said proudly. “There’s only one problem…” she said with a frown to herself.

“What?”

She crinkled her nose. “He’s a lecher.”

I just blinked at her not knowing what to say.

The dragonfly spirit appeared. It made a beeline for me and settled its ghostly shape on top of my head. Lisa san tracked it but didn’t say anything. “Bzzz – let’s keep him close, pervert. He knows- Bzzz – my secret. Join us – Bzzz – friend, I will make this pervert show you her smooth – Bzzz – virginal skin.”

“Uhh, I-” I began.

“I’d keep my mouth shut unless you want me to tear your shorthairs out,” Lisa san said with her expressionless face. I believed she was deadly serious so I just nodded my head. “Come on. Let’s go see where you’re supposed to go next. I will observe you today. My captain isn’t ambitious enough to stick it to other divisions but I am. Let’s go,” she said.

With her Zanpakutō buzzing around me happily and making lewd comments about its master we went off to find my first class.

00000

Unohana Retsu personally oversaw the release of members of 6th Division who’d been injured in the exam. She’d made certain her best healers took care of them, so they felt their wounds couldn’t have been so bad that it only took a night to heal. A few sweet words here and there convinced them that, of course, if they hadn't gone easy on the boy he’d never have hurt them that badly. With the pride of the 6th Division restored she retired to her office for a few quiet moments.

She smiled wryly to herself, wondering how well her machinations had worked out. A suggestion to the principle of the Academy that perhaps her flower arrangement room would be best to sooth a young boy’s nerves at finding out he had to write a will would be honored as if it was a request. For once she took pleasure in knowing no one would dare deny her. After that remained arranging the encounter.

She had requested Yadomaru Lisa to prepare the room as soon as possible for club activities in the morning. That should mean that the meeting she’d planned was taking place. Yadomaru Lisa was vice captain to the only male Shingami Retsu knew to have a female Zanpakutō like Harry.  Knowing Lisa-san’s competitive nature and…private curiosities, Retsu expected the vice captain to take an especial interest in Harry. And what took Yadomaru Lisa's attention would inevitably attract her captain as well.

So far, Retsu thought, she'd done very well in setting Harry on the path to mastering his odd sword. Isshin-san would teach him the way of the Zanpakutō and Lisa san's captain would teach him to control the soul of the sword.

"I hope he can make some friends," she spoke out loud, staring pensively into space. Suddenly she laughed. "Doubtful, when the upperclassmen show up to test his mettle, he'll only make more enemies. Poor boy."

00000

A.N. I've gotten busy and it's taking me some time to write. That's why this chapter is on the shorter side. I've found most people appreciate regular updates over longer chapters, so I am posting what I have. Enjoy.