After the fight with the hollow the Soul Reaper gave me his weapon. A Zanpakuto is what it was called, it looked like a regular blade. On the outside, but beyond that was a power I didn't know how to control. I hadn't used a blade in years so I would have to relearn what I knew.
Unsheathing the Zanpakuto it was nicely balanced, the hilt was decent not flying out my hand anytime soon. Swinging to test it the weight didn't cause any nuisance or trouble as said. Focusing my energy on the blade it began to glow again, then something unexpected happened my eyes had changed. Using the blade I saw them the familiar formation of the Sharingan in both my eyes.
"How?"
I had thought the ability would leave me when I died. Calming down the glow fainted and my eyes reverted back to normal. Getting a drink from a stream looking at my reflection. How did the Sharingan continue to be with me? A question I couldn't answer.
'You're interesting"
A female voice spoke causing me to grip my weapon. Scanning the area I didn't see anyone, releasing the hilt thinking I was going crazy. Calming down splashing a bit of water on my face I left.
Thoughts were focused on that voice I had heard. Whoever spoke that I didn't sense them, but as I walked down the trail I saw a group of unwelcoming men. Most likely highwaymen looking for quick money from travelers. Getting close they surrounded me as the largest glared me down.
"Look at we got here" he grumbled as his men chuckled
"Excuse me"
"What was that? You should really speak up, it's not polite to talk like that" he mocked
Before one could strike I struck first slamming my fist into one, another attempted to do the same redirecting putting him on his back. Others began to charge each one falling to the ground. I was a bit winded it felt like it had been a century since I fought.
"Very interesting"
That same voice spoke again, but it was faint that it was more a whisper. Again looking around I didn't see no still, but they felt right in front of me. Looking at my still sheathed blade ignoring the feeling I continued down the trail. Seeing the sun begin to set I decided to make camp in the wood.
Looking at the blade once again, something attracted me. It bothered me like an important note forgotten, and the need to remember. Sliding it back into its sheath I lay my head down as my eyes closed.
As my eyes slowly opened I found myself in a strange place. Cloudy skies covered the sun, lightening and thunder echoed. No rain, just the continuous storm. Only the split second of the lightening to light the way. Searching for any sign of something to give me an idea of where I was.
"Once again, I find myself in a place I don't where I am"
Then a flash of blue lightening crashed in front of me. Covering my eyes so not to blinded, the earth underneath me shook. Clearing my vision I came face to face with a large wolf made of pure lightening, its eyes red staring right at me.
"What are you?"
As if I had offended it bared its teeth, and charged at me. Barely escaping I turned to see the beast growling. Getting on my feet I stood my ground, its stance went from hostile to curious. In that moment it charged only to strike me.
Morning
My eyes shot open to see the bright sun shining down. Sitting quickly my head ached terribly.
"What was that supposed to be mean?"
Walking into town my head still felt in a daze. Sitting down just to get a moment, still feeling hard pounding in my skull. Til two pair of feet stood in front of me, looking up to see men one with an eyepatch another with toothpick in his mouth.
"Boss wants to see you"
Staring for a moment longer, I shook my head as response.
"Listen its impolite to ignore an invite"
"Unfortunately for your boss I have a headache and am in a foul mood" I responded as my headache worsened
"And unfortunately for you we can't leave without you"
Internally groaning at the predicament I stood up.
"Lead the way" I sighed as they smiled walking with me behind
People seemed to fear these men, but from the sight of them I wouldn't. We came to one of the largest in the district. Men surrounded the place gaurding the entrance, with farming tools. Being ushered in I was greeted by the man who was assuming to be the 'boss'. He sat smoking a pipe, he was overweight, and bald like most who claim such titles as 'boss'. Sitting down in front of him the man eyed me then my weapon.
"So you're the man who beat my men yesterday"
"I don't remember, I have a headache and your men bringing me here isn't helping"
"Well you have something I want"
"Oh and what is that?"
He then pointed to my Zanpakuto, I glanced down at the sheathed weapon.
"Your sword there it's a Zanpakuto, and I can do a lot with such a blade" he explained
"Why not get your own?"
"You're obviously new to the afterlife, Zanpakuto are only allowed to be carried by Soul Reapers in Seireitei" he chuckled
Now I knew what was behind the wall, but now was not the best time.
"So now give me the blade and I'll let you leave unharmed" he chuckled as did his men
Thinking back on how I got the weapon, and as I did.
"Sorry, it's mine no one else's"
The mans face went from amused to angered.
"Well then I'll just have to take it by force then"
Nodding to the others they readied their makeshift weapons. Seeing out the corner of my eye I saw one charge. Striking him in the jaw, others charged at me, parrying their strikes and knocking out whoever attempted to challenge me. It ended quickly only leaving a scared fat man.
"Now do you really want it?"
"Y-you know what...nevermind"
"Good" I said with an unseen smile
Taking my leave my headache and arms hurt now.
"I overdid it" I said rubbing my shoulder
If I was going to be fighting on a daily basis, I needed to retrain my body as well. Seeing a cliff in the off distance, that was where I would train.
Cliff Side
Cliff was massive, but ideal for climbing.
"Might as well start"
Grabbing a ledge I began my steady and slow climb. My muscles might be aching, but I had to encase I needed to fight once again. Reaching for another ledge my hand slipped dangling by my other. Sweat came off my brow, and muscles were screaming to stop. Looking up I saw the top of the ledge, with small bits of grass on top.
"Just a little further"
"You're persistent"
Again this voice haunted me, and again unable to find the source. As I got up on the grassy ledge, scanning looking for anyone who might've said that. No one was seen til a faint ringing coming from my Zanpakuto that hit my ears. Pulling the blade just enough to see a faint glow.
"Strange"
Resheathing it I lay on my back contemplating the unexplainable occurrences. My dream, a voice, the glow of my Zanpakuto all had to mean something.
"Shinji said 'it was my power' that defeated the hollow, but what does that exactly mean?"
Many of these questions would only be answered by a Soul Reaper. Though they lay in the Seireitei and that is unaccessible to me. If I forced my way I would be killed by those who are far stronger than I.
"Troublesome"