Trial of Fire

Chapter 6
Resurrect

The month of community service went by fairly slowly. Even at the end Ikkaku’s office was still ¼ full of un-filed paper work. Ggio was finally permitted out of his restraints, to which Rangiku actually seemed slightly disappointed in. Kinomi did NOT want to know why.

Ukitake was an amazing teacher when it came to actual technique. As awesome as Grimm-ji was, he was still more of a fighter like Kenpachi-sensei or her Otousan. Maybe more like Otousan because Grimm-ji had no qualms what so ever of launching Cero’s and Bala’s all over the place and Kenpachi-sensei would consider them too close to Kidou.

The usual assaults on Kenpachi-sensei also continued and last for two year before it got to the point that the spiritual pressure from the three of them were putting half of the 11th, and anyone else near by, into the 4th with headaches from trying to survive it.

After that they moved out of town to continue during their third year. Both of them could draw blood from him and Grimm-ji now and both men had stepped up their training, although the chances of Kinomi, and more so Taka, getting to see the later was exceptionally rare.

They had tried to get Stark up to train them but he had just raised one eye brow, turned over, and went back to napping, although he had moved himself enough to assist Zan and Leon on summoning their own Zenpakuto’s out of their bodies as both boys were essentially arrancar. Azucena would be joining them in the academy next semester.

There was talk that Zan and Leon, although a few years too young, might also be admitted simply because they had the skill and reiatsu to be on par with their class mates at this point and they had learned from Kinomi and Taka that simply waiting until they were at age would really just be a waste of time, and Ichigo really wanted to go back to the living world so the sooner Zan was done the better.

Kinomi had been pleased when the boys achieved their Zanpakuto’s. Now her and Zan could spar in the evenings, and she had to admit he was no easy prey. She hadn’t been practicing her martial arts much in the last two years but it seemed Zan and Leon had stepped it up, both by training with Ggio-san, who didn’t need his reiatsu to train them that, and Soi Fon-taichou.

To her surprise Zan’s Zanpakuto ended up being twin katar, black as sin with crimson crescent moons and a single blood drop in the centre of each moon. Leon’s was a simple staff with a pride of lions etched on to it.

Since the two boys were more Arrancar than Shinigami they didn’t have to go through hell to learn their Zanpakuto’s names. It was whispered in their minds when they pulled forth their weapons. Kinomi pouted for a week.

It was Ggio who took it upon himself to teach the two boys how to release, and Kinomi and Taka were watching, eager to see what the two of them would look like. Apparently Stark informed Taka he would help her next week with hers.

“Any idea’s?” Kinomi asked Taka.

“Well I can sort of guess what Leon might look like. I mean I am sure it will be something like Ggio-san’s but more lion like. Zan is all up in the air though.” Taka guessed.

“I wonder if he will look like Grimm-ji.”

“That would be cool.” Taka agreed.

It looked like the two boys were just about ready to try and Ggio had finished explaining what to do and expect. Ggio joined the two girls and nodded his head for the boys to try.

“Morder, Leon Melena.” Leon called out.

He was washed with power and his staff disappeared. Once the smoke settled it turned out their prediction was right.
Leon’s mask had disappeared, but his Lion like features were definitely there. His hair was replaced by a think, but not bushy, mane. Golden fur covered most of his body and each hand sported four long, claw like blades.

“Woot, you go Leon-kun.” Taka cheered.

“Yep, just like you, Ggio-san.” Kinomi laughed as Leon turned around for them and studied the weapon on his hands.

“Very good, Leon.” Ggio smiled at his son, studying the release.

Leon frowned and then sighed with a muttered ‘crap.’

“What is it?” Kinomi asked.

“I can’t use any of my kidou spells or Shunpo.” He grumbled. “I just tried to use ‘Sho’ to move this rock,” he nudged a rock with his foot, “but nothing happened.”

With a bang Leon disappeared then reappeared quickly.

“Sondio seemed faster in this form. And…” Leon frowned, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“No not smoke.” Kinomi realized in shock. “Ash.”

Zan yelped in shock and Taka gasped. Ggio seemed amused. Leon reformed a moment later.

“That is rather weird.” He commented. “I wonder.”

With a look of concentration the claws on his hands dispersed into ash. The ash just seemed to float there though and didn’t move much before he reformed his claws.

“Don’t try to do too much at once.” Ggio ordered. “Alright Zan, you are up.”

“Right.” Zan nodded, crossing his twin katar’s.

“This I can’t wait to see. Oh I hope he looks like Grimm-ji.” Kinomi clasped her hands and leaned forward eagerly.

“Subir, Luna Sangre Gemelo.” Zan declared.

When the smoke cleared there was silence, and then Kinomi and Taka fell over laughing their heads off. Ggio sighed and chuckled softly.

“Oh god.” Kinomi gasped.

“Oh dear.” Taka added.

“He looks fine to me. In fact I think I am jealous.” Leon pouted.

“Oh god, this is too rich.” Kinomi gasped. “Grimm-ji is going to have a fit.”

“Oh god is he ever.” Taka agreed.

Zan frowned at them. He did look awesome like Leon stated, but they were right. His Otousan was going to have a fit.
His clothing had completely changed to a red trench coat with a black leather belt. Under it was tight fitting black suit. His Katar’s were now split into three blades instead of a single blade.

One look at him and all Kinomi could think of was how close to HER Otousan’s Bankai he looked. Oh yeah, Grimm-ji was going to have a fit and her Otousan was going to have a riot. The next play time the two men had was likely to get bloody, or rather more bloody than usual.

“He is going to be a very sexy man when he is older.” Kyattsuai commented.

“Indeed.” Kinomi agreed with a giggle. “The girls are going to be all over him.” She chuckled.

“Darn it, I can’t use Kidou or Shunpo anymore either.” Zan complained, bringing her focus back onto her brother.

He disappeared and reappeared in a bang like Leon had done.

“Aw damn it your Sonido is even more power then mine.” Leon grumbled, crossing his arms, weary of the blades now adorning them.

“Yeah.” Zan agreed.

“Stop.” Ggio suddenly shouted as red energy began to form at the tips of Zan’s blades.

The energy dispersed in a small shower of sparks.

“No special moves, Cero’s or other such things here.” He commented. “Remember what happened last time?”

“Oh right.” Zan looked sheepish.

“Today we are only focusing on the basics. Now lets see how tuff your Hierro is and then you two boys can spar a bit to get use to those bodies and weapons.”

They stood still as Ggio walked up to them with what appeared to be a knife with a pressure gage on the end. No doubt something the 12th came up with.

Leon went first, holding his arm out while Ggio pushed the blade down until a small trickle of blood appeared and Leon winced.

“Not bad. On par with mine.” Ggio commented.

Leon grinned, pleased.

“You're next Zan.”

Zan nodded and pulled his sleeves back. Ggio pressed the blade down, and kept pressing until a crack appeared. Frowning, Ggio dropped the now broken tool and asked Kinomi to try and slice through her brother.

Nodding, Kinomi drew Kyattsuai and pressed the blade against her brothers arm before asserting pressure slowly, and she kept asserting until she started swinging. Her blade just bounced off of her brothers arm as if it was hitting a steel wall.

“Holly hell Zan.” Kinomi gasped.

“Oh this sucks.” Leon pouted. “You wont even need to learn how to parry and dodge at this rate.”

“Hitonomi, Kyattsuai.” Kinomi suddenly called, then took another swing.

Zan yelped as a small trickle of blood was drawn.

“Stronger then Grimm-ji’s, but not by a lot yet.” Kinomi smirked.

“Some days I wonder about you Neesan.” Zan grumbled. “What if you had cut my arm off?”

“Hime-chan could just heal it and you and Grimm-ji would have something more in common.” Kinomi just smirked.

Zan looked at her in disbelief and the others had to hold back a chuckle.

“Well, Taka and I are going to go meet up with Kenpachi-sensei and Yachru-chan. Apparently this fresh batch of recruits needs a good run through. We’ll leave you boys to train.”

With that Taka and Kinomi disappeared with a flash/bang of Shunpo/Sonido. The recruits that were turned out may have been near the top of their combat class, but only because Kinomi and Taka were in a private class. They had a long way to go before becoming proud members of the 11th division, if they even made it past the first month.

Kinomi and Taka just grinned at the looks of horror that passed the new graduates faces when they spotted the two girls standing on either side of Kenpachi, somehow having claimed Yumichika and Ikkaku’s old places.

It was an enjoyable afternoon indeed. The new recruits were not bad, but Shinoreijutsuin had lacking combat standards when it came to what was expected in the 11th and what the girls had grown up with.

By the end of the day both girls had a good work out and the 4th divisions new recruits were getting their practice in. Apparently it was a rather old tradition, or at least had been since Zaraki had become head of the 11th.

Right now Kinomi was headed home, excitement running all over her body in waves. The semester was over which meant they would be going back to the human world to visit with friend and family for a month before returning, when Zan, Leon and Azucena would be joining them in school.

The best part in her mind though was that she would get to see Grimm-ji and that Taka might be joining her for the full trip.

“I can’t wait to see Grimm-ji.” Kinomi sent to Kyattsuai. “Maybe he will even bring Nel-neesan, or better, bring Taka-chan and I to Hueco Mundo to do some real training.”

Kyattsuai chuckled, but their was definitely an undertone of purring that leaked through that caused Kinomi to smile.
Kinomi may not have been the first to learn her Zanpakuto’s name in her class, but she was much further along with the relationship. Many others complained about their spirits, even Galgo who complained his was always wanting to move, move, move. As far as Kinomi was concerned though, she loved hers to death, and not just because her spirit was like having her very own version of Pantera.

“Am I ready to learn Bankai yet?” She asked as she had been for the last several months.

“You are getting closer.” Kyattsuai answered, just as Kinomi knew she would.

She was lucky compared to her class mates though, having been birthed and raised around Shinigami she had a huge head start on them with knowing what to expect from her blade and had back ground training they could never even dream of.
Before she could announce she was home, a wave of Reiatsu followed by howling laughter reached her from the back yard.

“That would be Zan showing Otousan his Resurrección.” She guessed correctly.



Kinomi sat silently as she watched Stark talking to both Taka, and to her surprise, Azucena, at the same time. She wondered why Azucena was here seeing as how she had no hollow powers, only pure, low level Shinigami ones. Kinomi had been informed she would only be permitted here if she remained silent and was vowed to secrecy about what she might witness.

She wondered about that because Ggio hadn’t demanded any vows from them. Lilinette was also here, why though she wasn’t sure. Unohana was watching silently, as was Shunsui-taichou and Ukitake-taichou.

She knew the other two captains were here so that Stark’s reiatsu restraining bracelet could be removed. Apparently both men were already familiar with what was going on and Shunsui was snoozing while Ukitake shared his thermos of tea with her.

Taka and Azucena looked thoroughly confused and even a bit shocked. It was killing Kinomi to know what it was Stark was telling them but she didn’t dare ask Lilinette if she had any ideas for fear of breaking her silence vow and not being permitted to watch.

The explanation seemed to be over and Stark called Lilinette over before turning his attention to Kinomi.

“Kinomi, what you are about to see here must remain a silent fact. The only reason I am letting you watch is because I got a feeling Taka will tell you anyways.” Stark smiled softly down at his daughter.

Kinomi nodded her head vigorously. With a nod of acceptance, Stark rested a hand on Lilinettes shoulder.

“Kechirase, Los Lobos.” Stark declared.

Once the smoke cleared Kinomi could only gasp. Lilinette was apparently gone, a fragment of her mask covering one of Starks eyes. His outfit had changed to a more western style and he held twin guns in either hand.

“I hate this.” Lilinettes voice came from one, if not both, of the weapons.

Kinomi just gawked in shocked disbelief, before turning her attention to Taka and Azucena, both of who were staring at their parents in confusion. With a small frown, Taka rested her hand on Azucena’s shoulder.

“If I mess this up, I just want to let you know now I love you.” Taka commented to Azucena.

Azucena nodded her head, looking a little nervous herself.

“Volar, halcón.” Taka called out.

There was a flash of light and an explosion. When the dust cleared Kinomi gapped at Taka, and then cheered, forgetting about her silent vow, though she had a feeling it was lifted now.

Taka was amazing. There was no other word to describe her.

Taka had molted brown wings, ears, and tail. Her hair had also became feathers, although the braid with the bell she had earned from Kenpachi seemed to have remained intact. Azucena’s hollow mask fragment remained as an eye piece covering her eye, much like Lilinette and Stark.

“Well done.” Unohana complimented her daughter.

“Oh thank god.” Taka laughed in relief. “Azucena’s still here. I can hear her.”

Taka flapped her wings a few times, before launching into the sky and returning after a quick circle. She had no apparent weapons yet but with the merger Azucena seemed to recall all of her abilities and was listing them off to Taka.

“Oh, I got to try this one. Pantera-chan.” Taka waved her over.

Kinomi shot a quick look at Stark/Lilinette, who gave her a small nod to indicate she could move.

“What do you want me to do, Taka-chan?” She asked.

“Hold on a sec… Okay got it. I want you to hide.”

“Hide?” She asked confused.

“Yes, hide. I am going to close my eyes and you are going to go hide.”

“Alright.”

Taka closed her eyes and Kinomi quickly hid herself, making sure to conceal her reiatsu. After a moment Taka opened her eyes and then pointed right at her. Kinomi frowned in confusion. They played the game several more times before stopping.

“How?” Kinomi asked.

“It’s cool, It’s like some sort of tracking ability. I simply marked you with a cross hairs and I knew exactly where you were.” Taka tilted her head side ways a moment, as if listening to something only she could hear. “Azucena-chan says it only works on one person at a time.”

“Cool, did she tell you anything else you can do?” Taka asked.

“Yes, but they are attacks and probably not a good idea to try here yet. My vision is a lot sharper it seems as well.”

“Oi, Stark, can we release now?” Lilinettes voice caused both girls to jump and chuckle as they looked at the twin guns holstered on his hips.

With a grimace of annoyance, there was a flash and then the two arrancar were once again standing before them.

Taka also closed her eyes and in a flash the two girls stood there, a little in shock. Taka gave Azucena a huge hug, dancing up and down in excitement.

Kinomi was starting to feel left out. Zan, Leon, Taka, and if rumor was right, Reina all had their Resurreccións now. She was falling behind.

Stark and Lilinette held out their wrist as Ukitake and Shunsui put their bracelets back on, sealing their reiatsu once again.

“Kyattsuai?” Kinomi called softly.

“Yes, Pantera-chan?”

“Am I ready to learn Bankai yet?”

“Almost.”

Kinomi sighed. She was going to start falling behind, granted she doubted even with this revelation that Azucena would suddenly start hanging out with them around the 11th or would be following them everywhere.

Still.

“Kyattsuai?”

“Hmm?”

“What do I need to do to get even more prepared?”

“You are already on the right path, Pantera-chan.” Kyattsuai assured her. “A huntress must wait until her prey is in the right spot.”

Kinomi briefly wondered if her Otousan had to put up as much of a fight earning his Bankai.

“No, Otousan got his in three days and that was not long after becoming a Shinigami. Of course he sort of cheated and I don’t want to earn Kyattsuai Bankai that way. I want to do it right.”

The only consolation was that she would be going to the living world in a few days, and Taka was coming with her. In a few days she would get to meet up with Grimm-ji and see the family left behind.

“Hmm, I wonder if Toshiro-taichou will be our escort again. He has every other time. I swear there is something going on between him and Karin-Obachan rather Otousan acknowledges it or not.”



Her prediction was right. Toshiro stood ready to escort them to the living world and Kinomi was sure he had taken a shower that morning and had his uniform pressed. He also seemed to be rather nervous.

Taka joined them with a warning from her mother to behave. The gate opened and they rushed through to meet their friends waiting on the other side.

A lot had changed in the three years they had been living in soul society. Ishida and Orihime eventually married and had a boy, now 1. Yuzu had also married a young man and was now four months pregnant with their first child. Chad was now an instructor at the local college teaching Spanish as a second language and was rumored to be dating one of the librarians.

All three still fought hollows as well as Karin, much to Ichigo’s annoyance but it was an old argument and he had long since giving up knowing just how stubborn a Kurosaki could be on account of being one.

The Vizard did what the Vizard did, and only Shinji and Hiyori were there to meet them. Zan was quick to announce he had learned his Resurrección and would show them later. Kinomi smiled and hugged her aunts and nodded to the others, her senses searching for only one thing.

There. She knew it wouldn’t take long.

Kinomi grinned as she grabbed Taka’s hand and the two raced away from the gathering to head a block over, Zan quickly on their heals, and than ahead of them.

“Stupid Sonpo.” Kinomi growled.

Taka and Kinomi caught up quickly though, grinning to see Zan talking to his Otousan a mile a minute.

“Nel-chan.” Kinomi called happily.

“Hmm. Oh, hello, Pantera-chan, Taka-chan.” Nel greeted them with a large excited wave.

“Oi.” Grimmjow protested.

“I was saving the best for last.” Kinomi grinned as she shared a quick hug with her Otooji and they broke apart before anyone could notice, stealing Pantera in the process and giving the blade a quick hug for old times sake before returning the blade to her rightful owner.

“Grimmjow-sensei.” Taka greeted warmly.

“Taka-chan, you sure have grown.” He nodded.

“Soul Society is getting boring.” Kinomi complained. “I mean it’s cool that Ukitake-sensei is teaching Taka-chan and I specifically, but other then Kenpachi-sensei no one else is willing to spar with us.”

“Well, Ikkaku-taichou does on occasion, but he is so far behind paper work he doesn’t get much time.” Taka added.

“And they wouldn’t let us go on the field training trip the fifth and sixth years do, even though we can wipe the floor with them.” Kinomi added.

“Ah, so you are looking for some real combat huh.” Grimmjow asked.

Both girls nodded, as did Zan.

“Leon-kun and I are suppose to be starting soon, but with all the training we got from Ggio-san and playing with Soi Fon-taichou and from what Taka and Kinomi tell me, it will be too easy.” Zan sighed.

“Well, combat anyway.” Kinomi corrected. “All those stupid law classes and such, ugh.” She stuck out a tongue.

“Oi, Grimmjow, kidnapping my kids are you.” Ichigo’s voice interrupted the conversation.

They looked up to see him leaning over the side of the building, grinning down at them with a look Kinomi knew was going to spell disaster.

“I was thinking about bringing them to Hueco Mundo and showing them what real fighting is about.” Grimmjow answered.

That caused the three kids to perk up in clear interest.

“Hay Zan, show your Otousan your Resurrección.” Ichigo smiled.

“Oh right.” Zan jumped back and drew his twin Katars.

Kinomi and Taka shared a look, and then retreated.

“Subir, Luna Sangre Gemelo.” Zan called out.

There was a moment of silence.

“Oooo, Zan-chan, you look awesome.” Nel exclaimed.

“Oh fuck no.” Grimmjow shouted.

Ichigo was just laughing.

“Is something wrong, Otousan?” Zan asked confused.

“You are so dead Kurosaki. What the hell did you do to my son?” He demanded.

“Nothing you didn’t do to my daughter.” Ichigo shrugged.

“She doesn’t turn into an image of me.” He pointed out.

“She might as well.” Ichigo pointed out with a grumble.

“So were you serious about taking us to Hueco Mundo for some real training?” Kinomi asked to break up the situation before it turned into a fight and ripped up half the city.

“Yes.” Grimmjow answered.

“No.” Ichigo said at the same time.

“My son.” Grimmjow pointed out.

“Rukia’s as well.”

“She gets him most of the time. I am sure I am owed several hours, if not years, of parenting time.”

“You want to bring my son where?” Rukia asked calmly, coming onto the scene.

“Grimm-ji offered to bring us to Hueco Mundo for some real training. Can we go, please Okaasan, please, please, please.” Kinomi begged.

“No.” Ichigo stated firmly.

“Why not?” Nel asked. “How old are you now Pantera-chan?”

“15, turning 16.” She answered.

“How old were you when you raided Hueco Mundo, Ichigo?” Nel asked.

Ichigo scowled. “I had my Bankai and Hollow forms.” He pointed out.

“You were also fighting Espada, and the only three left are not going to be eating your brats.” Grimmjow snorted.

“Two days.” Rukia said.

“What?” Ichigo gasped at her.
“Nel does have a point. The big threat is gone and you know they can easily take out anything up to, and probably including, an Adjucas. However,” Rukia glared at the two former Espada, “if they come back with anything more then a minor scratch or odd bruise there will be two less former Espada.” She threatened coldly.

“Awesome, you rock Okaasan.” Kinomi cheered.

Zan simply hugged her. Taka cheered next to Kinomi.

“But not tonight. We have friends and family to please. You can go next week.” Rukia added.

It put a bit of a damper on the celebration, but not by much. The group split up, the Kurosaki’s heading to Isshin’s place for dinner while Grimmjow and Nel returned home for the time being.

Stay Tuned for Chapter 7: Lights Shadow

In the next chapter the kids get to play about in Hueco Mundo with Nel and Grimmjow.

Of course all the kids with Shinigami powers will get their final releases, but it wont be right away. In fact Kinomi will be the only one to get it before she graduates; she's the only one really working on it and it will not be easy.

As usual thank you for all the reviews. Now that most of the releases have been revealed I will offer you the translations. The hollow releases are in Spanish, the shinigami in Japanese. Once again this is due to the fact the Shinigmai are based on Jap. origins where the Hollow were based on Spanish.

Kinomi: Hitonomi, Kyattsuai: Bite, cat's eye
Galgo: Samesaseru, Garou: was made to wake up, hungry wolf (Samesaseru is the verb, Sameru, Not going into details)
Taka: Volar, halcón: Fly, Falcon
Akata: Not yet revealed and will remain hidden for now. I'll give the translation when he uses it in chapter 8.
Reina: Warihane, Tenkou: Split feather, Queen of Heaven
Barbo: Ginkiri Namazu: Silver mist catfish. See below.
Azucena: See Taka
Leon: Morder, Leon Melena: bite, lion’s mane
Zan: Subir, Luna Sangre Gemelo: rise, twin blood moon. I don't know Spanish, but I do know it is similar to French, which us poor Canadians are FORCED to take in school. In French the noun is followed by the adjectives, so while we will say blue car, they say car blue, so the literal translation would actually be: moon blood twin.

Kudos to anyone who can guess what Barbo's Zanpakuto is going to be like.

Isane's second child is simply known as 'tsuki at this point. You wont see her because Kinomi and the others don't want her dragged into their war. You'll get to learn more about her in the second part of part 3.

Oh Kazes, I'll send you an email with those ideas in a moment here, going to eat lunch first.