"So, regarding the groups..." Golde continued. "We can only keep track of a few of you, and if you run off...there will be severe consequences." He chuckled. Nobody bothered to ask what the consequences were, exactly. "Now, onto the groups..."
~~~
Golde escorted the 6 groups into the designated area where six portals were opened. Just a second later, six groups stepped through into the world of the living. The portals closed, leaving only an astonished and envious crowd.
~~~
"Don't you just love this?" The Sotaicho asked, holding his arms out and take a long inhale.
"Uh, yeah..." A young, dark skinned man said from behind them. He was shocked at the informality of the head captain.
"I love it here, it's beautiful, especially at night!" He walked out, away from the structure they had been standing on.
"So," A young girl started while testing her balance in the air "Where are we, exactly?"
"What? I thought they taught you about the World of the Living in the Academy...look at what we're standing on."
The two walked out, new at the whole, "walking on air thing". When they turned, they realized exactly where they were.
"The Eiffel Tower!" The girl exclaimed.
"Yep."
"So, Paris, right?" The boy asked.
"Uh-huh. And over there is the Seine River...ah, but we're not here for sightseeing, are we? Let's go."
The Sotaicho dropped unexpectedly, falling a few hundred feet, before landing softly on the grass below. More so than the students.
"So, of course you know my name..." Golde began as he started walking, "And I know yours...you're Luppi, and you're Jordan Inferno, right?"
"Yes," said two voices, simultaneously.
"So, tell me a bit about yourselves."
"You remember me, Captain!" said Jordan.
"Of course I do, but indulge me."
"Uh, Ok...I plan on becoming Captain one day...uh...I like to train I guess..." Jordan didn't really know what to say about that.
"Good, and how about you, Luppi-chan?"
"I'm good. To be honest, I was really hoping for some experience with Squad 11 though, that's what I plan on joining when I graduate!"
"Ah, Joubu-chan, eh?" He chuckled. They were on the street now, people passed, completely unaware of the shinigami walking beside.
"So, does anyone remember what we're doing here?"
"A training exercise, right?"
"Yes, involving what, exactly?"
"Hollows, obviously."
"Good. So, anyone see any?"
"...No." They said, simultaneously.
"So, new technique. Since you cannot see them, try sensing them."
They stopped. Both students closed their eyes and began to focus.
...
Blackness. They could see only blackness. Then they began to feel what the Sotaicho was talking about. First, the overwhelming soul of the Sotaicho. When they began to block that out, they became aware of the soul next to them...then...
Luppi got it first. "Sotaicho! That way, there's a small bit of spiritual pressure that way!"
"Good job! Now, is everyone prepared? Off we go!"
~~~
They shot over rooftops, as quickly as they could. He had read Luppis file. Apparantly, she had some trouble mastering her Reitsu...this should be a good exercise...hehe...
~~~
They stopped on the roof of a local food store, looking ahead at what lay before.
A grotesque figure stood there. It's face was hidden behind a bleach-white mask. Its face was upside down, and its four arms seemed twisted in a horrifing manner.
"Well, well, it seems we have a live one." Golde-sama chuckled. He stood for a moment. "Luppi-chan, I'd like you to try this one alone, is that OK?"
She looked back with a blank stare. "Uh, do you think I'm ready, Sotaicho-sama?"
"Heh, I think so." He chuckled. "Just remember, use your Kido, and don't forget the Shunpo."
A gulp. "Right." She took a step.
"Wait. Take this" Golde through a small object at her.
She caught it. A chocolate bar. "Eat." He instructed.
She opened it and took a bite. "Thanks." She walked slowly to the edge of the buildingg, eating. When she finished about half of the small candy bar, she tucked the rest insider her robes, and jumped down.
~~~
Luppi was shaking with excitement and fear as she ran toward the angry hollow. it's blue body didn't stick out well at night, and she was wondering exactly why the Sotaicho had sent her out alone.
She stopped, hiding her Reitsu as best as possible, and gathered as much as possible into her fist without attracting its attention.
"Hyah!"
A blast of explosive energy shot from her palm, blasting off a huge chunk of the hollows shoulder. Angered, it turned and lunged, claws fully extended. Luppi quickly shunpoed away.
A second arm shot out, barely missing Luppi, who quickly jumped back. She drew her sword. As she began to strike, a fist struck her, sending her flying left.
She lay there, only for a second, before getting up.
~~~
Hmm, it's advancing nicely, he thought, looking into her soul...
"Hey, wait!" Jordan exclaimed, "Aren't you going to help her?"
"Shush. Watch closely"
~~~
She had blood running down her arm, but she wasn't giving up yet.
The hollow now fully recognized its injury. It grabbed at its arm, before ripping it completely off. It threw it at Luppi. It made contact, and she rolled backwards, before her and the arm both smashed against a wall.
"Dammit," she said, coughing up blood."I'm going to be in Squad 11! I'm not giving up so easy!" Her Reitsu grew, forming around her sword. A hand shot out. She blinked.
...
The darkness engulfed her. She lay floating, surrounded by complete and utter blackness.
"Wh-what?" She could move her body, but couldn't move in any direction. She moved into what seemed like an upright position.
Suddenly, a light appeared, forming a silhouette. It moved towards her slowly. She could feel it...it's power...it was immense.
"You want power, don't you?" said a deep voice, supposedly emerging from the radiance.
"Y-yes...Who are you?" Luppi questioned
"Then you must look deep within your soul."
"What?"
The form lunged and engulfed her, and she shuddered from the feeling. But, within seconds, she could feel her power grow almost instantly.
"Wh-what's going on?"
"You wanted to know my name, right?"
"Yes, please, tell me what's going on!"
"Remember this." The form said, fusing with her body.
...
"Taifugaan."
~~~
She opened her eyes. The fist was coming closer.
She slowly prepared her sword. Holding it at her side, she called a command.
"Hageshi no Raiu!"
Her sword changed, becoming rugged, looking heavily used, its bladed edge looking like a row of jagged teeth. The fist was close now.
"He-yah!"
She thrusted, bringing the sword down from above her head. A wave of almost liquid looking Reitsu traveled through the hollows fist and arm, quickly and efficiently cutting the hollow clean in half.
It let out a final roar as the two pieces faded into nothingness.
She sighed, dropped to her knees and released the sword. It turned back into its original form. "Wow..."
The Sotaicho approached, helping her up. "Wow! Nice job!" That reitsu-filled candy bar probably helped too, he thought...
"Th-thanks..." She said, stumbling to her feat, and sheathing her sword.
"Well, now that we've finally gotten you to release your shikai, we should let Jordan-kun have a turn, shouldn't we?"
"Sure, I'll let him have a shot."
~~~
