Chapter 14

Yuzu Kurosake had always been good with her hands. Ever since her mother died she'd used her hands to cook, clean, sew, mend wounds, and herd her family from here to there. She'd never once knicked her finger, or burned herself. She could work a needle as well as any homemaker and could treat a wound just as well as her father if not better. The first time she picked up a sword at the Academy it came as no surprise to her that she could handle it as deftly as she could a frying pan.

It was odd having more skill with a sword than her twin. Karin was always bolder, stronger, more outgoing. Yuzu had imagined that Karin would prove the better swordsman of the two, but unfortunately her dark haired, dark eyed twin was not nearly as skilled with a sword as she was with a soccer ball. Yuzu had always envied Karin's strength and freedom, now Karin had cause to envy Yuzu as well.

It was the dead of night and Yuzu found herself in one of the several courtyards at the Academy. The yard was vibrant, bright green grass sprouted beneath her. Flowers of red and yellow and orange bloomed in the bushes. Deep green leaves rustled in the cool spring breeze and the stars were twinkling pearls in the navy ocean of the sky. This place, the Soul Society held so much beauty that sometimes Yuzu would lose her thoughts in it. It was so radically different from home.

For the first few weeks Yuzu had hated it. She'd cried and cried and wished and prayed that she could go back home, but she didn't know the way, and the only thing worse than being separated from her father and friends was the thought of being separated from her twin sister. She'd never been apart from Karin for more than a few hours, and the thought of being away from her was inconceivable. Karin loved it here, and so Yuzu tried her best to do the same. In time, she found that it was growing easier and easier every day.

Yuzu had always been a very social, popular girl, but she'd never experienced the kind of treatment that she had found at the Academy. She was loved instantly by the students, all of whom wanted to know more about the world of the living and her brother. Even Karin had managed to attain popularity here at the Academy, and that was no easy feat. It wasn't even just the students, her professors held her in high regard as well, especially those responsible for her training in Zanjutsu. Slowly, she began to love her life at the Academy, and she thought of home less and less.

Yuzu heard approaching footsteps and turned to see her sister. Karin Kurosake wore a pair of soccer shorts, sneakers, and a t-shirt. Her hair was loose, falling just short of her shoulders. Her face was serious.

"Sister." She called out as a greeting.

"Karin!" Yuzu jumped up from her grassy seat and hugged her sister. They'd just returned from their trek to the world of the living the previous evening. It had been an odd experience for Yuzu. Everyone in her class thought the world of the living was strange and exotic, but to Yuzu it was just home. The training exercise took place outside of Tokyo, where Hollow were plentiful. Yuzu slew the most, cutting down ten Hollow with her blade. She had been afraid at first, but with every kill her confidence grew.

It was odd how Yuzu felt when engaging in combat. Everything occurred naturally; she planned very little and just acted on instinct. It was almost as if her arm followed her sword instead of the other way around. Sometimes at the climax of the battle she could hear strange sounds, sometimes the ocean, other times an ethereal voice mumbling incoherently.

"Are you nervous?" her sister asked her. She was referring to the tournament that was scheduled to take place the next day.

"Anxious, I just want it to be over. I just want to graduate and see brother again and finally be done with all of these classes."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Karin replied. She took a seat in the grass beneath an ancient fir tree. Yuzu sat down beside her. "Sister," Karin said, her voice suddenly serious. "if we should face each other tomorrow, promise me you won't hold back." There was an edge in her eyes, and her tone gave Yuzu pause. Yuzu cared nothing for winning the tournament and her sister knew it. Karin was by far the more competitive of the two.

"I promise." Yuzu said hesitantly. Karin was very proud, and more important to her than winning was earning the victory. If Yuzu were to throw the match for her sisters' benefit, it would wound her deeply.

"Swear it." Karin said. Yuzu picked up her Zanpakuto from where it rested in the grass. She unsheathed the sword carefully and rose to her knees. She held the blade firmly in her right hand and extended her left palm up. In one smooth swipe, she cut her hand shallowly, red blood rushing to the surface of her pale skin. Karin rose to her knees directly across from her sister. She extended her hand, and Yuzu sliced it in the same manner as she did her own. The two wounded hands clasped and Yuzu stared into the eyes of her other half as they swore the blood oath.

"I swear, I'll give it everything I've got."

"You better, or I'll wipe the floor with you." Karin grinned confidently.

The next morning went by in a flash. Yuzu woke early, as she always did. It was odd for her not to have to cook, or clean, or care for anyone other than herself, so she just practiced her swordplay. After an hour or so of drilling herself in the movements her instructors taught her, Yuzu found herself in the cafeteria. She was one of the first students to arrive so she sat alone. It wasn't very long before she was surrounded by friends wishing her good luck and asking what she thought of her competition. She responded modestly, saying that she would do her best.

After breakfast, Yuzu formed up with the rest of her class. One of the instructors was wishing them good luck and reminding the class that scouts from the 13 Court Guard Squads would be present. All morning Yuzu had been feeling calm, sure of her abilities, though she was slightly anxious. Now she felt a rush of excitement. She savored the feeling and couldn't help but wonder if this was how her brother felt before battle.

The matches were to take place in an arena just outside of the Academy. Each of the 92 students would participate in a one on one battle with an opponent chosen at random. The victor would move forward, and the loser would be allowed to spectate. The process would continue this way until there was only one student standing. Yuzu had every intention of being that student.

Yuzu was the thirteenth match, in the time leading up to it she made sure to stay hydrated and searched the crowd for a familiar face. If her brother was present, she couldn't see him, nor could she see Renji or Rukia. The matches were progressing quickly, and before she knew it Yuzu was in the ring. The battle was to take place on a stone floor raised one foot off of the grass below. The field of battle was much larger than the training circles she was accustomed to, but that worked in Yuzu's favor every bit as much as it did for her opponents. Yuzu made her way to the center of the circle where her competitor was waiting for her. She was a tall woman with long flowing hair that looked to be of spun gold. She stood a full head and shoulders over Yuzu. Yuzu bowed before the woman, she returned the courtesy.

A whistle was blown and before Yuzu could even draw her Zanpakuto, the tall woman leapt back, distancing herself from her competitor. Yuzu slowly unsheathed her sword, her eyes never leaving her opponent. The woman stood still, bracing herself for any attack that might be forthcoming. She would be a worthy adversary, Yuzu could tell. She felt a tingling sensation creep up her arm, a small wave of spiritual pressure emanating from her Zanpakuto, as if it was in agreement. The sound of ocean spray tugged at Yuzu's ears and the humid salty scent of ocean air filled her nose.

Yuzu rushed forward, Shunpo augmenting her speed. The woman brought her Zanpakuto up just in time. Steel on steel filled Yuzu's ears, but she hardly heard it over the distant sound of the ocean. The woman countered with a slash, then side-stepped to avoid retaliation. Yuzu deflected the blow easily, moving swiftly to cut off the woman's path. She brought her sword up vertically, but just as the woman brought hers up to block, Yuzu redirected the blow, swiping at the woman's feet. Just in time, the woman leapt backwards. Yuzu followed, slashing relentlessly, pushing her farther and farther back, until she was at the edge of the ring.

When the woman realized she could retreat no further she changed tactics. She began to push back, hacking and hammering at Yuzu. Her face was calm and determined, but her strokes were desperate and frantic. Yuzu stood her ground, deftly blocking and dodging, never allowing the woman even one step from the edge. After a minute or two, the woman's attacks became slower and less precise. Yuzu waited for the right moment to make her move.

The woman brought her sword up high for another slash, this one taking more than twice as long as some of her previous attacks. Quick as she possibly could, Yuzu smacked the woman's sword hand with the flat of her blade. The woman gasped, chocked back a scream and dropped her Zanpakuto. The blade clattered loudly on the stone floor. Yuzu took a step back. The next thing she knew , the referee had her free hand in his and raised it above her head. The crisp soothing sound of the ocean faded from her ears, and was replaced by the roar of the crowd. "Kurosake!" they chanted. Yuzu could feel herself blushing.

Yuzu looked over to the golden-haired woman. She was clearly upset. Dropping one's Zanpakuto was the most humiliating defeat in the arena. It was never Yuzu's intent to embarrass her, she just did what felt natural. Yuzu pulled her hand free from the referee and walked over to the woman. She extended her hand, and the woman cautiously took it.

"It was a good match. You're very skilled." Yuzu said warmly.

"Thank you Yuzu Kurosake. She replied hesitantly. She would never get used to everyone knowing who she was here.

Many of the matches that took place before and after Yuzu's weren't quite as exciting as her own. This was a tournament of students, not experienced Shinigami. Yuzu was sorry that she'd been paired with such a strong opponent so early on. How far would the golden-haired woman have progressed if Yuzu hadn't taken her out so early on? Skill with the sword was a rarity in this arena. Skill with Kido was even rarer.

Yuzu watched her sisters first match earnestly. Karin went charging in, sword waving wildly. Her opponent was no better. They danced around the arena for minutes, neither one of them gaining an advantage. Yuzu noticed her sister was murmuring something. Karin lowered her sword and raised her free hand. Bright blue lightning rocketed out of her fingertips and collided with her opponent. He was knocked out of the arena but the force of the Hado, wisps of smoke rose from his limp body. Yuzu would have to be on guard when she entered the ring with her sister. Kido was not her strong suit, and the only surefire defense against it was Kido with more power.

The matches continued, on and on. Yuzu watched opponent after opponent fall, some by her own blade, and some by her twins. Finally all of the participants had fallen except for the Kurosake twins. Yuzu entered the ring one last time. Her resolve from earlier in the day was failing her now. Could she actually fight her own blood? This was all just a game, she knew, but Karin took it very seriously. The referee whistled. Neither sister moved.

"Sister…" Yuzu called, her voice full of doubt.

"Remember what you swore." Karin said firmly. Yuzu thought back to the tall fir tree and the blood oath she swore beneath it. Yuzu took a moment to swallow her emotion. When she was ready she took a deep breath and gave her sister the slightest of nods. "Come at me with everything you've got." Karin said. Yuzu did.

She ran forward, Zanpakuto held low, the tip inches from the ground. Mere feet away from her twin, Yuzu flash-stepped behind her sister with every ounce of speed she had. She slashed at her twin, but struck only air. Yuzu could neither see nor hear Karin, but instinct told her to move.

"Shakaho!" the cry came from above her. Yuzu had no time to look, she could feel the heat from the fast approaching fireball. She moved swiftly and heard the explosion as the ball of flame collided with the stone floor. When did Karin become so fast? Yuzu had never seen her sister use Shunpo. What other abilities had she been concealing?

Yuzu turned to her sister, taking care to keep her in her sights this time. The familiar scent of ocean air invaded Yuzu's lungs. The sound of distant waves crashing filled her ears. Barely audible was the sound of a woman singing, her voice impossibly high and incredibly alluring. Yuzu could not make out the words.

Karin came rushing in again, her sword slashed high. Yuzu blocked it easily. Just as she was about to counter, Karin kicked her in the chest hard enough to knock the wind out of her. Yuzu leapt back, trying to put some distance between herself and her twin. "Byakurai!" White hot lightning shot towards Yuzu. She was nearly struck by the bolt in mid-air, but she managed to land in a crouch, the bolt soaring just above her head. Yuzu decided it was time to turn the tables.

Karin came rushing in yet again. The song grew louder in Yuzu's ears. The words were crisp and clear now, though they were in a language Yuzu did not understand. Karin struck high again, this time Yuzu ducked under the blade. She swiped low with her own. Yuzu quickly lunged forward, stabbing with her Zanpakuto. Karin dodged, but the blade knicked her cheek. Blood rushed out and covered the left side of Karin's face though the cut was shallow. The voice grew louder still, high and beautiful and inhuman.

"Shakkaho!" Karin yelled, she came dashing in. Yuzu side-stepped the ball of fire and deflected Karin's blow. Yuzu shoved Karin's sword out wide with her own, then moved in close, bringing the point of her blade just beneath her sisters chin. Karin leaned back, out of the way of the sword and shoved her sister with her free hand. Yuzu stumbled backwards, but kept on her feet.

"Shitotsu Sansen!" Karin yelled. Yuzu barely had time to look up as the spell hurtled toward her. Three beams of light crashed into Yuzu, knocking her onto her back, one beam pinned each arm and the third pressed against her stomach. It was all she could do to hold onto her sword. She tried to move out from under the beams, but her efforts were fruitless. For many moments Yuzu laid there pinned beneath the Bakudo, staring at the sky above. Karin's labored breathing could hardly be heard over the swelling song in Yuzu's head. The voice reached a crescendo as the song climaxed. Yuzu stared up at the clouds, defeat imminent, though in truth it didn't feel like defeat. She blinked.

When Yuzu opened her eyes the sky and clouds were gone. In their stead was a deep blue, much too dark to be the afternoon sky. Yuzu took a deep breath and her mouth filled with salty ocean water. She panicked, tossed and turned. Her body seemed heavy and sluggish, hardly moving at all despite her efforts to climb upwards to the surface that was too far away to be seen.

"Calm yourself." It was the same voice as before, only now Yuzu understood what was being said. A woman came forward through the gloom, gliding gracefully through the water whereas Yuzu was thrashing in the depths. "Breathe." Her presence calmed Yuzu, something about her was reassuring. The woman had long, wavy brown hair that reminded Yuzu of her mothers. Her face however was nothing like that of Yuzu's mother though. It was every bit as beautiful, but it was hard and solemn, Masaki Kurosaki had always had a warm and loving face. The beautiful brown locks moved with the current and flowed off to one side, exposing an ample bosom. Her bare skin extended down to just beneath her naval, where scales began to form. She was covered in scales on the lower half of her body. Where legs belonged, Yuzu saw a tail with a wide translucent fin at the base.

Yuzu opened her moth again, and it filled with water again, but somehow this time her lungs filled with oxygen. "Who are you?" Yuzu asked.

"You know who I am." The woman said, her voice high and beautiful. "The question you should be asking is 'what is my name?'." Her eyes locked with Yuzu's and the girl knew at once that the woman was right.

"You're my Zanpakuto." The woman nodded somberly.

"What is your name?"

"I am Ma-Meido." The name resonated with strength. "Go now and call upon my power."

Yuzu blinked, and when she opened her eyes, the clouds were above her once again. She could hear her sister's approach, her breathing labored.

"Ma-Meido." Yuzu cried. There was a massive release of spiritual pressure. For a moment Yuzu felt as though she was caught in a whirlpool. She was soaked head to toe, she was being pulled this way and that by a crippling current, and then she was standing before her sister. Yuzu was dripping wet, staring her sister in the eye. In her swordhand was a golden trident, where the three prongs on the tip met the rod portion of the weapon was the intricately crafted face of a solemn woman.

"What is this?" Karin asked, disbelief in her voice.

"This is Shikai." Yuzu replied.

"You weren't kidding when you said you'd give it your all…" Karin hesitated, then she raised her sword. "Ready?"

"On three." Yuzu said. "One…"

"Two…" Karin called out.

"Three!"

"Three!" they called out simultaneously. Yuzu dashed toward her twin. She brought the tips of the trident down low and brought them up in a broad upward slash at her sister. Karin brought her sword down to meet the trident. The blades rang out as the clashed. Karin was the stronger of the two, but the length of Yuzu's Shikai gave her leverage. Yuzu put all of her strength into the clash, and succeeded in knocking her sister to the ground. The sound of Karin's katana clattering on the stone floor filled Yuzu's ears. Her sister lay on the ground, unmoving. The next thing she knew Yuzu's hand was in the air, held there by the referee. She was being bombarded by a cacophony of cheers. She was the champion.

A/N: It's come to my attention that i've lost track of my smutty beginnings. A lot of my more recent chapters have little to nothing to do with Ichigo and Renji's relationship, and most of the other characters are straight in the fic. : / The next chapter is going to be from Renji's POV, so i'll be sure and give you all a little something ; ). Most of the chapters are going to be from Ichigo, Renji, Orihime, or the twins POV, so there's not a lot of room for smut, but in the chapters to come expect more pairings, more death, new life, betrayal and more. thanks for reading, plz let me know what you think.