Ceremonies & Celebrations

Each member of the Academy sat in their respective places inside the Parade Hall; everyone except Kyousuke, that is. Apart from the distant, back row which he normally sat in, Kyousuke had been instructed to sit down in the very first row; a row reserved for the Academy's most promising students...

Finally, Kyousuke appears in the room, thankful to see that he wasn't late. All eyes were immediately glued to him as he quietly made his way to his seat, wrapped heavily in multiple bandages and ace wrap.

"What in the world happened to him?'' A sandy-brown haired girl whispers to a short, red-haired girl sitting next to her.

"I heard someone from the Gotei 13 came to give him his test." The red-haired girl replied.

Some snickered, some gawked, some even decided to tease him; asking if the method he used to pass had been to fall down a flight of stairs. Kyousuke ignores them all and takes his seat, noticing a small handful of the women were checking him out, admiring his injuries.

"All right..." A strong, male voice declares as the Head Instructors of each class filed in and stood side by side, facing the class.

The classroom fell silent, but Kyousuke noticed one student sitting next to him, a perky, lime-green haired girl, couldn't keep completely still as she kept bouncing in her seat...

"I'm so excited. I'm so excited!" She squeals, "I can't believe it! This is it!"

Her attitude had been that way every year. She was also one of the fastest, and most gifted kido users, so Kyousuke thought it was appropriate that she also be graduating with a seat in the front row.

"First of all," began the Zanjutsu Head Instructor, an older-looking man with a head of short, gray hair, "congratulations to each and every one of you here."

"You've all proven yourselves worthy of joining the ranks of the Shinigami in the Seireitei." The Kido Head Instructor, a tall man with a long head of sky-blue hair adds.

"And you've all displayed the potential to be the Soul Society's future." Said the Hakuda Head Instructor, a slender woman of average height, lean build, short-cut blonde hair and a tender smile.

"However, one of you here has shown talent and skill that has surpassed our own expectations..." The Hoho Instructor, a tender-eyed, middle-aged, black-haired man spoke, which causes the entire class to begin looking around in wonder...

"The person we are about to name, has endured an unprecedented trial that we have not heard accomplished in our decades of teaching and training students." The Hoho Instructor continues.

"While the majority of you here will enter the Seireitei as unseated Shinigami; joining on regular patrols and simple details..." Started the Zanjutsu instructor...

"This student has proven themselves to possess such potential that it has not only qualified them to graduate from Shino Academy, but has earned them a seat inside one of the 13 Court Guard Squads." The Hakuda instructor finishes, causing the class to look around even more with hopeful anticipation...

After giving the students a moment to guess on the identity of the mystery prodigy, the Zanjutsu Head Instructor looks over to Kyousuke and smiles, "Junichiro Kyousuke..." He says, gesturing him to come forward, "Would you please come up here?"

The words and moment sounded almost surreal to him as the classroom fell silent, now starting to understand the significance of the bandages encasing his body...

Rising from his seat, Kyousuke made his way up to the Training Instructors, feeling all eyes on him. He stops, centered before all 4 Instructors as each smiles brightly at him. The Zanjutsu Instructor approached him, laying a wrinkled, yet firm hand on his shoulder. In spite of his elderly appearance, the students had learned first-hand, that of all of the Instructors, he was by far the strongest...

Soft-blue eyes twinkle as the Instructor looks from Kyousuke, up to the rest of the class, "This student has shown that his skills and power are something to aspire to." He announced proudly to the rest of the students, "For he was tested by the legendary Captain of Squad 12, Koga Wolf; both in combat skill, speed, raw power, and instinct, and showed a level of excellence rarely seen in even some of Seireitei's own seated Squad members."

"For his efforts, the notorious Captain has personally approved his graduation, and assigned him a place within the Squad 12 Barracks." The Instructor continues on, informing the other students of his accomplishments.

'He makes it sound like I blew through the Captain's test.' Kyousuke thought to himself, keeping his silence even though the events of the battle were still fresh in his mind, 'If the Captain had decided to continue that battle for at least another 5 minutes, I'd probably be dead right now.'

Kyousuke looks up at the classroom full of future Shinigami, noticing the admiration and shock in some of their eyes, and the jealousy and ire of others.

"I believe he has earned our respect, and a big congratulatory applause." The Zanjutsu Instructor suggested before he suddenly begins clapping his hands together.

The other 3 Instructors quickly join in, as well as most of the students in the room; even some of those he could tell didn't want to.

The ovation falls silent after a few long minutes, and the Zanjutsu Instructor turns Kyousuke around to face the other 3 Instructors, "Congratulations, son." He whispers to him.

"You've made us all very proud today." The Kido Instructor adds.

"You know, as experienced as we are, even we wouldn't last long against Captain Wolf's Shikai." The Hoho Instructor informs him next with an ever-lasting, soft smile on his face, "You did well to survive."

"But don't start thinking it gets easier from here." The Hakuda Instructor remarks. She always preferred to make sure all of the student's maintained a sense of focus and humility, "Captain Wolf does not select his squad members carelessly. You have high expectations you will need to meet if you are to survive."

These were things Kyousuke had already determined; after all, the Captain chose to battle him even after alreadu signing him on with Squad 12, yet he remains silent still, letting their words sink in deep.

"But today, you've earned all of our respect." The Zanjutsu Instructor comments, "Now go out there and make us all proud."

"And try not to die on your first mission." Said the Hoho Instructor, jokingly, yet he was the only one laughing at such a serious comment.

"As for the rest of you," The Zanjutsu Instructor says, facing the rest of the class, "Congratulations! You've all graduated from Shino Academy!"

The entire room suddenly erupts with cheering and celebration. Many students grabbed and hugged each other in excitement, others shook hands, and the more rambunctious stormed out of the room, cartwheeling down the hallways, hooting and hollering.

At last, it was done; Kyousuke was now a certified Shingami...