[Flashback] The Legend of Shizuka Rindo

[Rindosan]

Deep into the evening some 500 years ago, a dastardly experiment took place in the Research and Development labs that were owned by Squad 12. Flashing lights and an angry voice could be witnessed by any who were looking towards the building that evening. "Failure! Nothing but failure!" says an angry sounding voice. "This subject has utterly failed my experiment!" "This trash could ruin me if it was found out!" The voice rings out once more in the dark research and development room. It seems that his experiment was going poorly, and his test subject was reacting poorly in his machine. Sparks and lights began to erupt from the head piece of the machine, as smoke began to pour from the other various parts of the machine as well.

"Grrr. I'm stopping this experiment and getting rid of this disgrace of a test subject!" The machine purrs to a stop as the awkward looking man pulls a lever down in anger. The smoke in the room clears, and one could see that the test subject appears to be a blank-minded looking young woman with brown hair wearing an over-sized lab coat. The man conducting the experiment scratches his head as he looks over at the woman in disgust. He stares at the subject for a small amount of time lividly, before his train of thought is cut out due to a voice behind him. "Captain Kurotsuchi, you should examine the test subject to see the results." Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi turns around to see his lieutenant speaking to him about the experiment. He glares at her before scuttling over towards the machine and pulling his test subject off the table.

"Subject is unresponsive, breathing normal and bodily functions all working properly." He mutters under his breath as he examines the unmoving woman. He taps her head and then moves a scanning machine over her body. "Subject seems to have contracted a brain disease as a result of the experiment too, tch! Pathetic! It's that one we can't cure... If this gets out, I'm ruined!" He quickly picks up the young woman and tosses her into another machine. It covers her up and after awhile, spits her back out onto a table. This gigai should slow down the process, but you can't stay here, nope nope. With that being said, the man opens a gate in the middle of his lab, and tosses the young woman through it. "Hehe, that's the last we'll be seeing of Shizuka Rindo, the failed experiment."

-Continued in next post.

[Rindosan]

A week goes by after Shizuka had been dumped into Mayuri's storage closet. Her days in this closet were spent being force-feed food by Mayuri's lieutenant on a daily basis, while being monitored by her as to discern her condition. Mayuri himself opens the closet after a week, with his trademark scowl. He places his hand under her chin and stares into her face, muttering to himself about how Shizuka seems to be utterly unresponsive, with her mental capacity reduced to that of an infants. I'm going to get rid of you for good now! This won't go on my record! Mayuri grabs the young woman in a rough manner and throws her out of the closet. She coughs weakly upon impact with the wall, and slowly sides onto the floor like a rag-doll. Mayuri walks over towards her and picks her up by the neck, saying his final words to her. You were a perfect researcher, quiet and diligent, ready to undergo experiments when I needed a test subject, but in the end you were weak! A disgrace to this squad! I can't use you anymore, so I'm going to throw you away like the trash you are!

The girl is thrust backwards into the senkaimon that Mayuri opens up in the wall behind her, and disappears from the laboratory. Mayuri claps his hands together and mutters "Out of sight, out of mind." before closing the gate and going on about his duties. On the other side of the portal, Shizuka seems to have appeared in an empty lot in the middle of a small city at night. She slowly lifts her head and attempts to understand her surroundings. She can see the rough outlines of buildings in the distance as well as several moving shapes that her brain is unable to register. She closes her eyes and curls up into a fetal position while the feeling of slumber comes down upon her.

A few hours later, Shizuka awakens to find herself in a different location. Underneath her, she feels the comfort of a mattress, so her brain registers the word "Bed." When she looks around to examine her surroundings, her brain is able to register "room." She briefly wonders how she got there, but as soon as the thought enters her brain, it leaves. She closes her eyes in frustration, but soon forgets her frustration as well. Her eyes open again, with a blank look encompassing her entire being. Soon enough the door opens and a man in a hat and clogs wanders into the room. He looks her over for a small while and then pulls a pill out of his jacket, which he helps her swallow. After a few seconds, Shizuka feels amazing clarity, and sits up in bed. Wha-what's going on? She asks the man confusedly. This place is...? Who are you? How did I get here? Who.... am I?

All in due time, miss. For now, you need to relax and let that drug take effect. The man says quietly while placing his hand on her forehead and gently forcing her back into bed. Drug... th-that pill? What did it do? I don't... re-recall anything... The man chuckles at Shizuka's stuttered response and places his hand under his chin while he begins to explain. "Well, it seems to me that you contracted some form of brain deterioration disease. If left untreated, it would've been fatal. For some reason, when I found you out there your spirit was stuck rather clumsily into a gigai. It looks like that gigai rendered your systems stagnant so that your deterioration would be halted for a small while." Shizuka looks at him confused for a little before asking him another question. So... your medicine cured me? So... why can't I remember anything?

The man lowers his head so that the brim of his hat casts shadows over his eyes. "While I was able to restore damaged brain cells to working condition, I can't exactly recover your memories. Your old life is gone, except for one thing." He falls silent for a small while, as if he were thinking about how to piece together what he was saying next. Shizuka Rindo, your name. That's all you have left." These words cause Shizuka to fall silent in order to start trying to piece together everything that has been said.

-Continued in next post

[Rindosan]

Shizuka's mind fluctuates between despair and confusion as she tries to process the information that she's received up to this point. How can her previous life be utterly unknown? Why didn't someone come help her when she was in trouble? How come nobody came to find her? She places these thoughts aside and gazes into her savior's eyes. He seems to be deep in thought still, apparently trying to figure out what to do next. "Sir. I never... caught your name." The man looks over at her and chuckles, having totally forgotten to introduce himself. He places his hand behind his head and in a goofy-sounding voice says his name. "Kisuke Urahara, whoops! Totally forgot to tell you my name, that probably would've been the best way to start out." Shizuka nods and asks another question. "Are you going to kick me out after this?" She says in a somewhat shaky voice. This causes Urahara to chuckle and place his hand on her shoulder again. "No no, you're not going to get kicked out if you don't want to go. I've been needing to hire new workers or an apprentice or something for awhile now. That's how you're going to repay me." Shizuka smiles at him and chuckles a little before having a coughing fit. When she stops coughing, she sputters out another sentence. "Yes, I think I have to stick around here.... otherwise I'll get lost." Urahara bows and exits the room, while Shizuka steadily falls asleep.

When she wakes up later in the morning, she finds that a note has been taped to her face. She removes this note and reads the contents, which informs her that her basic survival instincts and her cognitive functions were restored, but her memories are forever lost. So starting today, new ones will be made. Starting with the wardrobe. She chuckles at how cheesy that note sounded, and crawls out of bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices there is a wardrobe with another note on it to her right. She opens the note, which says go ahead and wear whatever's here, and opesn the wardrobe to look at the clothes inside. "I'm not even going to ask where this guy gets all these girls' clothes." She says as she picks out something to wear, a long top, a skirt, a winter jacket, a scarf and a nice hat, quickly changing into this outfit and looking herself over in the mirror that is also located into the room. "This'll have to do. It just feels right." She then exits the room to see that Kisuke is sitting at a table reading a few sheets of paper he has strewn about the table. She observes him for a few minutes before he changes his attention over towards her. "Y'know, it's creepy when someone just stands there staring at you. Good morning, no time for very much hubris this time, we're going to get started on your training right away. Oh, by the way, nice choice in clothing." Shizuka doesn't really react to this, instead standing quietly and paying attention to what he'll say next.

"You never know how to train these kids. I guess we'll just go downstairs and see how well you react to dummy hollow." He says as he stands up and walks over to another room. Shizuka wonders for a moment what a Hollow is, but follows him as he walks behind a counter and opens a trap door, which he steadily climbs down. Shizuka follows him down the ladder and when they reach the bottom, she looks in awe at what she sees. An entire arid desert landscape is down here, clouds and all. She walks forward and outstretches her hand in attempt to feel the heat, which is also down here. "Wha.... what? How does this place...?" She is utterly dumbfounded as she blusters around in awe of what she's seeing. Urahara informs her that he built this place many years ago, and it serves as a personal training ground for him. He presses a button that he was holding in his pocket, and a small monster wearing a white mask appears from the ground. "You have a Zanpakuto, don't you? Try to kill it." (Zanpakuto? Kill? What is this man talking about? I have no idea how to fight... I don't even know what this thing in front of me is.) Shizuka tries to register what this monster is, but seemingly can't piece together what she might be fighting against. But she can't think for long, as the masked monster immediately attempts to pounce at her!

-Continued in next post

[Rindosan]

As the hollow pounces at her, Shizuka's eyes widen in shock. She is utterly unable to react to a situation she has no idea how to comprehend. Shizuka steps backwards awkwardly and falls over on her rear as the hollow soars over her. Guh... Get away from me! Shizuka rolls over on all fours and stands up as the hollow turns around. She stares into its mask with a worried expression on her face. What am I supposed to do? I don't have any weapons... or any idea how to use them! A voice behind her confirms her fears of this little experiment. "You'll die if you don't pull out your Zanpakuto and fight it, you know!" The voice obviously belongs to Urahara, who seems mildly enthused by the whole ordeal. Several thoughts race through Shizuka's mind as she tries to figure out what to do. ("How on earth could a single man be so sadistic? Why does he seem to be getting such a kick out of watching me scamper around like a scared rodent? How come he won't help me..?") Lost in her thoughts, the Hollow takes advantage and leaps atop Shizuka while she was unaware.

("Augh... this is it, i'm screwed.") Shizuka thinks as the hollow that is atop of her opens its mouth and licks her face with a long, green tongue. "That's not hygenic." Shizuka says dejectedly as she closes her eyes and waits for the worst. "I thought this one might have had something in her, but I guess I was wrong." Urahara says on the side as he watches what transpires. Shizuka takes this as an admission of her failure, and her thoughts race again. "He saved me for a reason. I can't let that go to waste, can I?" Shizuka's eyes begin to glow, which gives the hollow pause as it curiously examines what's happening. Suddenly, an explosion occurs which sends the hollow flying away from Shizuka. She gets to her feet and examines the dust cloud that resulted from the hollow thudding on the dirt floor. What did I just do...?

"Hohoho! This one's got a latent talent in Kido! I never would've guessed she was more compatible with my style than anyone would've thought!" Urahara chirps delightedly as Shizuka's hand begins to glow white. When the hollow leaps suddenly out of the cloud, Shizuka points her hand towards it and releases Reiatsu again. An unseen force strikes the hollow and sends him flying backwards yet again, this time crashing into a cliffside. "Sho." Says Shizuka after releasing her energy. For some reason, the word just happened to have popped up in her mind and it felt right. Maybe I have a chance... maybe with this, I can win.... Her confidence raising, Shizuka points her palm again toward the hollow, and uses the same technique. The hollow is pressed further into the cliffside with sudden force. Shizuka does it again, causing the hollow to be sucked further in the cliffside. She uses the technique once more, causing a dust cloud to be created as the hollow is pressed even further into the cliffside. Shizuka lowers her hand and begins to breathe heavily. "Did that technique use up all my energy? I feel so... so drained."

-Continued in next post.

[Rindosan]

When the dust clears, Shizuka notices a sharp spiritual pressure. It seems that the hollow had not died yet. It dashes out of the cliffside and races toward Shizuka. In response, she raises her palm again and attempts to use the previous technique, but nothing happens. "Augh! Now here! Not now! I can't believe this is happening!" An alarmed Shizuka yelps out as the hollow moves closer. Shizuka realizes that she needs to make some space if she wants to keep alive, maybe she needs to summon that item that Urahara had mentioned before; the Zanpakuto. Shizuka has no clue what it is, but finds herself strangely familiar with the term. "Za-Zanpakuto? If you're out there, I really need a hand right about now!"

A flash occurs, blinding everybody in the room, and causing Shizuka to fall to her knees. When it ends, a figure clad in red stands facing Shizuka. "Are you my master?" The crimson-clad figure asks of a wide-eyed Shizuka. "Za-Zanpakuto? Master? What are you...?" The person stares into Shizuka's eyes without skipping a beat and repeats the question. This person's presence seems to have halted the hollow, which is now staring curiously at the crimson figure. "Are you my master?" Shizuka stands on her feet and nods, figuring that it's worth taking a gamble. "You seem different than before. Empty inside. Even your inner world has changed, Master." The figure says in a voice that somehow gives off an aura of royalty. Is this figure perhaps some form of nobility from another world? Is that what Zanpakuto are? Summoned servants from another existance entirely? Shizuka thinks, but it seems that the figure had read Shizuka's mind. "I come from within you. I am you as much as you are you. Though I can't seem to remember just exactly how I remember you at all." The hollow, finally losing interest in the red figure pounces at this moment, and is cleaved in two by the figure, who didn't even turn to face it. "Now that the obstruction is out of the way, I feel compelled to introduce myself to you, Master."

Shizuka nods at the figure, confused as to its origin. When she opens her mouth to speak, the figure cuts her off with its introductions. "I am Chihime, the zanpakuto spirit that resides within your inner world." Shizuka looks over toward Urahara looking for some kind of response from him, but is met with silence. She turns back to Chihime with a confused look on her face. "Zanpakuto? Inner world? I don't know what any of this means." Chihime's eyes seem to express disappointment, despite that her face remains stoic. "Hmph, a master who knows nothing. Nevermind, I am tired right now and desire rest." Chihime says as she disappears into the air, leaving nothing behind but a red umbrella with a strange handle. Shizuka picks this up and tugs on the handle, which reveals that a katana is inside it. Surprised, Shizuka sheathes the sword back into the umbrella and walks over toward Urahara. Wha-what now?

Urahara looks over at her and places his hand atop her head, showing her a goofy smile. "You had a bit of a rocky start, but I think we can work with this. Keep that sword you've got there, it'll be your partner for the rest of your life." He says as he removes his hand from Shizuka's head and places it under his chin. "You look exhausted, why don't we get something to eat and continue later?" Hearing these words, Shizuka perks up and nods furiously, as she realizes that she's starved. Yes, I'm so hungry I could eat a bus! Urahara claps his hands and a table suddenly appears. Two more claps and the table suddenly fills up with food. Shizuka takes a seat and begins eating like mad, utterly unaware of her manners.

-Continued in next post

[Rindosan]

When the two finish eating, Urahara claps his hands twice and the table disappears. He stands up and pulls out a paper fan, which he opens and uses to fan his face for a small bit before speaking. "Now that you've got your zanpakuto back, we can start doing actual training. The purpose behind the previous experiment was to throw you into a life-endangering situation in which you would have to reach into your soul and pull the zanpakuto out in order to survive. I never would've guessed that Kido would be the first thing that would come out though." Shizuka listens to him intently, understanding the reason behind the training. An amnesiac such as herself would need all the help she could get relearning her skill-set. "Kido... that thing I was doing earlier that made the monster fly backwards?" Urahara nods, and goes on to explain what it is. "Kido is the technique that Shinigami use to focus their Spiritual Energy into a wide variety of magic spells that can serve many purposes, such as healing, defense, or combat. There are four basic forms of combat for a Shinigami to master, The aforementioned Kido, Zanjutsu or swordplay, Hakuda or hand to hand, and Hoho or quick movement. By the time I finish with you, you should have mastered all four branches of combat. But for now, we're just going to work on the basics."

This was a lot of information to take in, Shizuka wonders to herself if she will ever be able to learn all of those things, let alone master them. Regardless, Shizuka nods her head in understand and waits for her master's next words. "That one from before? The grumpy looking one in the red? That was your Zanpakuto spirit. I want you to meditate for a period of time and have a conversation with that spirit. You'll never understand your power without first understanding your zanpakuto." Urahara says in a cheery voice. as he continues to fan himself off with his paper fan. "Is there a specific way i'm supposed to do this?" Shizuka asks with a confused look in her eyes. "Sit down and put a bucket over your head, that always worked for me." Urahara says while giving out a small laugh. Shizuka giggles a little while she sits down on her knees and holds the umbrella out in front of her. She focuses her mind and thinks about the red figure from before. Sure enough, she finds herself feeling sucked away from reality. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in the middle of what appears to be an old roman-style Colosseum.

"It seems the master has entered my theatre." Says a familiar voice that comes from behind Shizuka. When Shizuka turns around, there's Chihime, sitting in a throne on an upper level of this place. Chihime stands out of the seat, and disappears from her spot, gracefully landing in front of Shizuka. "If you are here, it means you wish to speak with me, master?" Asks Chihime in a voice that sounds a little too proud to be calling someone else a master. "I thought it would make sense to visit my.... inner world and get to know the spirit that resides there. Maybe we could be friends..." Shizuka's words cause the spirit to smile. Chihime turns around so that her back faces Shizuka, and speaks. "Yes, this is quite strange for a master to refer to their servant as... friend." Chihime turns around again to face Shizuka, this time her face blushing a little bit. "Yes, I feel that I would enjoy that. The idea makes me feel as though... you are a person well-deserving of my power... though you are not yet strong enough to be able to handle the power I have to offer." The spirit's expression returns to being serious, and it begins to release spiritual pressure into the world. Suddenly, the world feels as if it is a hundred times more oppressive towards Shizuka, who is struggling to breathe. She curls up in a ball and tries her hardest to maintain her ability to breathe, but not quite being able to overcome the oppressive atmosphere. Chihime steps over Shizuka, and addresses her. "Until you are able to be one with this place and withstand the atmosphere, you will never wield my power. Friend or not, I will not lend power to a weak master. So learn to focus your energy, young master. With that, Chihime disappears from the spot and reappears back in her throne, watching Shizuka's every move.

-Continued in next post.

[Rindosan]

"Gh-ghah... fine way to kill a person, choking them to death in their own minds." Shizuka says snarkily while struggling to adapt to the environment. Chihime seems amused from her throne as she watches the splendid show that Shizuka is giving. "Mayhaps you would do well if you were to witness crimson." With a snap of her fingers, a gate opens and what appears to be a giant bloody suit of armor strolls out of the gate. "If you do not adapt to this place within five minutes, I will become bored. In this world, things that bore me have a very small life expectancy." Hearing these words, Shizuka shakingly removes her hands from her neck and attempts to stand on her feet. After a few failed attempts, Shizuka is able to stand.

"Wait, isn't this... my world? That means I have control over what happens in this world, doesn't it? Well, I guess it's worth a try." Shizuka closes her eyes and focuses her energy on making the area more livable. Soon after Shizuka begins releasing energy, the air becomes less oppressive. She strolls to the bloody suit of armor and knocks it over with a kick, signifying that her movement has returned. "It seems that my master isn't as weak as I had thought." Chihime says in a haughty voice that gives off the impression that Shizuka had performed as expected as she uses some ability to leave her seat and appear in front of Shizuka. "It is rare that someone remembers that their own inner worlds belong to infact, themselves. However, spirits such as myself make our homes within your souls, lest we disappear." Says Chihime, who speaks with her eyes closed in a way that signifies superiority. "So, what was the purpose of that exercise?" Asks Shizuka, who is honestly confused about the whole ordeal. Chihime smiles and places her palm on Shizuka's chest, and then sends energy into Shizuka, knocking her off her feet and sending her into the seats of the Colosseum. "I am about to put on a show for you, master. Behold my graceful yet terrible techniques and understand your power. There is no artisan greater than I, afterall."

Shizuka blinks in bewilderment. She knows that Chihime is powerful, but how can someone so delicate looking be so confident in their martial prowess? But all Shizuka can do in this case is watch and see what Chihime is planning on doing. Chihime raises her hand, and the gates open once more. Out of the gates comes an exceptionally fierce looking lion that roars upon being revealed in the sunlight. A smile creeps across Chihime's face as she announces her plan. "This beast, a magnificent example Panthera leo shall be felled by my beautiful swordplay. Swordplay so magnificent that it is considered art!" Upon hearing this, Shizuka chuckles to herself about how ironic Chihime's namesake is. A woman such as her who is so fascinated by bloody works has a very fitting reason to be called as such, blood princess. "Okay, lets see what you can do!" With that, a sword appears in Chihime's hand. Examining this sword, it seems to be a fairly fancy Chinese Dao, a perfect weapon for a more graceful fighter.

Chihime approaches the lion, which stands before her fiercely and unmoving. She raises her sword arm and slashes the lion across the back while spinning to the right. The lion swipes his large paw at her, which she gracefully avoids with a twirl backwards. "When scarlet elixir rests upon the blade, does Chihime begin to show her true strength." Sure enough, the once bright yellow tassel seems to be turning orange, no doubt due to the influence of the blood that seems to be seeping into the cloth. Chihime swipes the blade once more and scores a hit against the lion, which roars in anguish as Chihime brings her blade upon it once more. By this point, the tassel has turned from orange to very bright red. "And now the show will really begin."

-Continued in next post

[Rindosan]

The lion, thoroughly annoyed pounces in attempt to gore Chihime, but is deflected by the sudden appearance of a crimson sphere. "Foolish beast, nothing can pierce such a perfectly elegant blood sphere." Chihime says as she dissipates the sphere. With a flick of her wrist, a crimson blast of energy erupts from the blade and engulfs the lion within it. The lion roars in pain for but a moment, but is eviscerated so soon that all that is left is a skeleton that used to be a lion. Chihime flicks her wrist, releasing another blast of energy into the sky that explodes colorfully in the air as she announces her victory. "Master! It is not strange to be in awe of my magnificent prowess. I have defeated the beast in a way that can be considered nothing less than true artistry." Shizuka claps, feeling that it would be wise to praise this individal. It seems that Shizuka had made the correct choice, as Chihime immediate appears before Shizuka with a haughty smile on her face.

"One day, when you are deserving of my powers, I will share those abilities with you. For now, return to the living world and learn to control your abilities." Chihime says as she flicks Shizuka on the forehead, causing her focus to break. Shizuka opens her eyes, and she's back in Urahara's secret training place. A look on the left reveals that Urahara had been staring at her the entire time. When he realizes that she realizes, he begins to chuckle. "Learn anything in there?" He asks in a playful way. Shizuka stands to her feet and starts to stretch, and then informs Urahara of what happened. When she finishes, Urahara nods his head and begins to explain what will happen next. "It seems to me like you witnessed your Zanpakuto Spirit using it's powers. Probably the Shikai level abilities.... I haven't heard of a zanpakuto that would simply... show off all it's abilities on the fly. But I suppose we can work with that." Urahara snaps his fingers, and out comes a fairly humanoid looking monster wearing a mask.

"This is a simulation of a stronger hollow. Nowhere near Arrancar level, but this one might be able to give you a run for your money. It most certainly will be able to kill you if you don't draw out your powers." Shizuka immediately objects to this. "Hey! I don't even know how to swing a sword around yet!" But it's too late, the hollow immediately extends his powerful claws and dashes forward to attack Shizuka. She immediately turns tail and runs away, pulling her sword out of her umbrella sheath as fast as she can before turning to face the hollow. "This guy is beyond crazy... Shizuka runs forward and attempts to slash at the hollow simulation, but it grabs her by the wrist and lifts her in the air. "Well, I should've guessed something like this was going to happen..." Shizuka says in a dejected tone as she struggles to release herself from captivity.

The hollow lifts Shizuka higher, and then tosses her aside as if it were losing interest in her. She scrambles to her feet and attempts to attack it again, but is slashed across the torso by its claw. "Augh... this... this is no joke..." Shizuka says as she grasps her stomach area with her free hand. "Maybe....I should... ask Chihime to bail me outta this one...."

-Continued in next post

[Rindosan]

"You don't have to, master. Now is the time for you to overcome your weakness and display the prodigious talents that are latent inside your being." Announces Chihime's voice from nowhere. Shizuka's sword suddenly begins to glow, and words form in her mind. "Guide me, Chihime." The words announced, Shizuka's katana changes into a Dao with a colorful tassel. The very same sword that Chihime was holding in the mental world earlier when she slew the lion. "This is... Shikai? Doesn't this normally..." But Shizuka has no time to speak, as the hollow turns around and slashes at her with its large claw! Shizuka blocks the attack with her sword, and takes a few steps backwards to gain distance.

"Woo, you're doing fine! Why don't you try Kido again? Something might happen!" Says an impressed Urahara from the sidelines. Shizuka nods while pointing her palm at the hollow and sending reiatsu through her arm in order to knock the hollow of its feet with a basic spell. She takes advantage of his vulnerable position in order to slash it with her sword. "I did it! I hit it!" Exclaims Shizuka in joy over her small triumph. The celebration is short-lived however, as the hollow recovers its footing and dashes forward to attack with its large teeth. Shizuka responds in turn by placing her palm forward and knocking him off his feet again with the previous spell. "I think... I think I can do this." She says as she holds her sword above her head with two hands.

She brings the sword downwards and suddenly a wave of red energy erupts from the blade and destroys the hollow upon impact. Blood Raid! After the hollow is destroyed, Shizuka drops her sword and falls to her knees in exhaustion. Her labored breaths serve as a cue for Urahara to stop the training program for a short while. "Very good, very good indeed. You did so well that I'm amazed about your progress, really I am. " He says as he lifts Shizuka in his arms and then carries her back upstairs to her room. After he's tossed her into her bed, he explains to her what happened during the training regiment. "You had a little bit of a bumpy ride, but you succeeded in not only recalling your zanpakuto and discovering a knack for Kido, but in the very same day you managed to unlock your Shikai. I surmise this is because before you lost your memories, you had access to Shikai, but that was about it. Tomorrow, we're going to work on improving the abilities that seem latent, maybe you'll become very very strong." With a goofy smile on his face, Urahara tips his hat and exits the room, leaving Shizuka to rest in her bed.

Over the span of the next few days, Shizuka undergoes another training regiment in order for her to better be able to fight with a blade, given her clumsy swordsmanship. Sure enough, Shizuka discovers that her preferred style of swordsmanship is very similar to Urahara's own, so her training progresses very smoothly. A few years pass, and Shizuka now feels confident in her swordplay to the extent where she can consider herself a master of the art, as well as undergoing a personality shift, to the extent that she seems to be a carbon copy of her master. On the next day of routine training, Urahara surprises her by telling her to put the zanpakuto away, as it's time to practice Kido instead.

"Well this one's a hoot, what do the kooky scientists think of next, eh?" Shizuka says cheerfully as she sends away her Zanpakuto and prepares for a lesson in Kido. Urahara smiles, and begins to explain the fundamentals of using Kido, and facts about its application.

-Continued in next post.