Resurrection

Just so the readers know, I didn’t include the professors names in Nnoitra’s POV last chapter because he doesn’t seem the type to care. I will, however, include them in Ichigo’s POV this chapter.

Classes taught- Instructor’s names- names’ meaning

Kido- Mahou sensei- magic

Kendo- Surudoi sensei- sharp

Foot Work- Handou sensei- kick

Hand Combat- Sentou sensei- punch

I know that these are simplistic and probably need to be congregated based on sex, but I don’t know Japanese and these characters really aren’t that important other than being necessary for talking about classes. I’m also not always going to include the proper ‘sensei’ address all the time. Sensei means teacher or master.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This chapter will contain a lot of detail on the actual classes since we don’t really know what the reaper academy is like. I’ve done a lot of research to make sure it is as realistic as possible, but mistakes will probably be made.

Resurrection: Chapter 3

Ichigo’s POV

I hate Kido.

I have achieved bankai in three days. Defeated Gotei 13 captains. Took on some of the strongest espada. But I could not for the death of me, figure out how to correctly do the spells. I understood the concept of kido, to condense my reiatsu into a physical form, but I was still having problems with it. Not only did I feel ridiculous saying the incantation- it reminded me of what Urahara always made me do- but whenever I did manage to condense my reiatsu, the spell was so powerful that it was dangerous for those around me.

The only way it seemed safe to do it was without saying the incantation, and therefore making it weaker, but in order to pass the class I had to do it with the incantations. Which was stupid. None of the other students would come near me after my first failed attempt- which destroyed half of the practice are- and Mahou sensei was very frustrated with my inability to lower my spiritual pressure.

Nnoitra appeared to have much of the same problem, although he managed to concentrate his power a little bit. I was beginning to think that it would be next to impossible, but it’s not like I had to get it on my first try. I scowled at the completely destroyed target and brushed the soot from my shihakusho as I glanced over at Nnoitra. He was glowering at Mahou sensei and resting his hand on the hilt of his sword while the professor stuttered out his critique.

I couldn’t help but grin as Nnoitra glanced over. He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. The professor took a few steps back and quickly moved onto another student. Nnoitra walked over to me and smirked as he took in the destruction.

“Yo! Not so good with it, are you?”

“Like you can talk.” I responded grumpily.

“It’s only a matter of time.”

“I thought you would be good with it, isn’t it like cero?”

Nnoitra laughed, making me scowl. “Hah! Not even close. Even the weakest hollow can perform cero, it’s nothing special.”

“Oh.” I scratched my head, not really understanding. Luckily the class bell finally rung and we could leave. I brushed my clothes off the best I could, not commenting as Nnoitra walked with me to our next class. Hopefully Kendo will be a lot better than Kido, since I pretty much have the way of the sword down pat.

I was somewhat right…but Kendo was not what I thought it would be. First we were expected to kneel in absolute silence while a drum boomed throughout the large dojo. We gave a bow to Surudoi sensei and only then did class begin. He first took us through basic exercises and sword strokes that the class did as one. We had to wear a specific outfit that was like padded armor with a head piece that covered the face, thus removing the ability to sense the intent of our opponents from their eyes.

We eventually would not be using that equipment, but for now it was to protect the students from injuring each other. We also were using practice swords made of bamboo strips called a shinai, which was also temporary until Surudoi sensei felt we were adept enough in the way of the sword.

Nnoitra and I were paired together, of course. My right foot forward and left foot back, the heel slightly raised as I gripped my shinai with both hands. Our practice swords rested against each other in a cross-shape as we waited for the go ahead from the teacher. Surudoi gave a shout and we began. Nnoitra advanced first, both of us sliding our feet in a shuffle so we wouldn’t lose our stance. I forced him to retreat with practiced movements, still slightly unused to the two-handed grip we were forced to use.

There were specific attacks that the instructor wanted us to use, striking the center, right, and left side of the head; the wrist of either hand; the left or right side of the torso protector; a thrust to the throat. Practiced, simplistic movements that were to be repeated again and again and again. By the end of the class the bottoms of my feet were sore from endless sliding movement we had done. Luckily my hands were not as bad as the other students since I was used to holding a much heavier sword.

Nnoitra appeared to fair the same as I did, his face twisted in a frown as he glowered at his feet. I could tell that the endless repetition had gotten to him, but at least it wasn’t some complicated thing, or boring. Luckily lunch was after Kendo, and we got to sit and relax as we ate. I didn’t see Nnoitra during lunch, but that could be because I escaped outside to eat by the pond instead of sitting with the chattering students. I assume that he also found a spot where he could eat without anyone else around; it probably irritated him as much as it did me.

I saw him again in our next class as we stood by each other, listening to the professor however unwillingly. Foot work with Handou sensei went pretty much like I assumed it would. There were apparently three types of foot work we would be learning in his class: linear, triangular, and circular. While we wouldn’t actually be attacking our opponent- such as a hollow- with our feet normally, the idea of footwork was how we moved out feet, not attacking.

Linear was the first one we would learn, and the more basic. The idea of linear footwork is that the quickest way to an opponent is a straight line, of course. It would focus on rigid stances and on the speed of advance and retreat of our opponent. Triangular footwork focuses on advancing or retreating at a diagonal to one's opponent, so we can set ourselves into a superior position or attack or defense. Circular uses the same idea as a triangle network to come into an angle at the opponent and reach a "blind spot" where you can hit him more easily while it becomes harder for them to hit us. Only after we were able to successfully master all three would Handou start to teach us flash steps, shunpo.

After Handou sensei finished explaining all of this, we had barely enough time to start a little on linear footwork when the bell rang. Nnoitra walked with me again, neither of us talking. Thankfully it was the last class of the day. Hand to hand combat. Although- as Sentou sensei explained- hand to hand combat could also include fighting with a hand-held weapon, the class would not be working with that. Since each Soul Reaper possess a unique sword that is their primary fighting weapon, it would be ridiculous to teach a Shinigami to fight with a dagger when their zanpakuto is a spear.

I was bored. I had learned all this stuff when I was younger and from my dad throughout the years. I could see Nnoitra yawning in my peripheral as she talked about offensive and defensive attacks, flips, and parrying. I sighed deeply and tried not to watch the clock as the class slowly passed by. Go figure that the most boring class would be the last. Finally it was 20 minutes until class got out and she reminded us that after two semesters another class would be added in which we combine all of our skills in a fight simulation.

I couldn’t wait to graduate.

I sighed as I slipped my body into the hot springs. It felt so good. Unfortunately they weren’t private, but who am I to be picky. I didn’t even bother to look up when I felt the water slap up against my skin as somebody got in.

“Enjoying yourself, Shinigami?” A familiar drawling voice asked.

I cracked my eyes open to see Nnoitra sitting across from me, his arms resting on either side of the edge with a smirk.

“Yes, I am.” I said in response. “Although I could do without a few of the classes.”

“Got that right. Like //I// need to fucking know how to parry an attack.”

I snorted. “Fuck yeah.” I look over at him, curiously noting the appearance of a large scar that slashed diagonally across his torso. “Is that from when Kenpachi killed you?”

“Huh?” I gestured at his chest in clarification. He glanced down and snorted. “Yeah, the bastard. Next time I see him I’m going to kick his ass.”

“Good luck on that.” I mumbled, resting my head against the edge. I felt his eyes staring at me and I lifted my head again to see Nnoitra staring at me through slitted eyes. “What?”

“I’m just trying to figure out why you have so many idiotic Shinigami checking you out.” Nnoitra said with a smirk.

“What Shinigami?” I ask in confusion, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

“Hah! You’re so naïve. That red-head for one. Not to mention all those giggling girls and drooling guys that hound your step.”

I furrowed my eyebrows more, trying to think about what he was talking about. “Red head?”

Nnoitra laughed and settled deeper into the hot springs. “You really are naïve. It’s a wonder you made it this far in life.” He stopped, then snickered again. “Well I guess you didn’t, did you?”

“Fuck off.” I mumbled and tried to relax again. I growled as I heard the laughter of approaching students and stood up, stepping out of the hot springs. “Later, Nnoitra.”

“Later.”

LINE

Nnoitra and Ichigo’s relationship is going to be slow, gradually turning so they don’t hate each other, than progressing into something that could be classified as a friendship, and then finally a romantic relationship.

I’m sorry for any OOC-ness!