The two of them looked on as not one, not two, but three more Hollows emerged from the trees. They were all as big as the one they had just killed, and of the same general body-type as well. Itachi struggled to his feet and prepared himself for another round, but he would not kid himself; with how hard it had been for the two of them to kill just one of those monsters, they didn't stand a ghost of a chance against three.
And that was when a feminine voice sweeter than the finest rice wine rang out from behind the two of them. "Looks like you could use little break, boys. Mind if we tag in?"
Turning around, Itachi saw what could only be described as a goddess and an angel standing before him. The former was a slender and well-endowed woman with rich brown skin, radiant golden eyes, and neck-length purple-black hair. She was clothed in a single black sleeveless and backless uniform, with matching wrist-guards and a ribbon tied around her neck. A wakizashi with a black hilt and golden circular guard was sheathed horizontally behind her lower back, and her right hand was hovering over the handle. There was an almost playful light in her gaze, and the way she was looking at the Hollows somehow reminded Itachi of how a cat might peer at its prey just before it pounced.
As for the angel, she appeared very much as an elegant lady of compassion and grace. Her long and lustrous raven hair looped around her neck and was tied in braid that ran down the front of her body. Her eyes were a gentle shade of blue, but there was glint within them that told Itachi this woman was not to be trifled with. The black robe and white haori she wore fit loosely but still did not completely conceal her curvy and athletic figure. A full-length nodachi with an oval tsuba and red handle was tied to a string that looped over her shoulder, and like her companion her hand was held just above the handle.
The angel gave Itachi and Jiraiya a warm smile. "You needn't worry. These Hollows will be dispatched momentarily, I assure you. Please, rest for a bit. I shall examine your wounds shortly."
"You know, Unohana," said the goddess, "I can take all three of these guys; you don't have to get involved."
The angel shook her head. "I'm well aware of that, but I need to swing my blade every once in a while. It wouldn't do for a Captain to grow rusty with her swordsmanship, would you not agree, Yoruichi?"
Yoruichi smirked. "True. All right, how about this? I'll take the one on the right and the one in the middle, and you take the one on the left. Deal?"
Unohana nodded. "Very well, then."
The two women stepped forward as the trio of Hollows crossed the river and headed straight towards them. Despite the danger, the pair of ladies were completely calm. No, it was more than that; they looked utterly casual about the danger that they were walking into. They were completely confident in their abilities, and Itachi was curious to see just what they were capable of.
The trio of Hollows roared at the duo as they charged. As Itachi and Jiraiya looked on, Yoruichi seemed to flicker for just a split second before vanishing from sight altogether. She reappeared a moment later with her wakizashi drawn and thrust up through the chin of one of the Hollows. The creature had only just begun to dissolve when Yoruichi had disappeared again. A split second later she was behind the second Hollow, and in less than a blink of an eye she had thrust her blade through the back of the Hollow's head.
Incredible, thought Itachi as the second Hollow disintegrated, It took everything Jiraiya and I had to take down one of those things, but she just killed two of them in a matter of seconds!
The third Hollow was rushing headlong at Unohana, who drew her sword in a single fluid and elegant motion. The smile on her face was that of a teacher about to knock a troublesome student down a peg or two, and as the Hollow lurched forward with a haymaker the raven-haired angel effortlessly took its arm off with a single swing. As the beast howled in pain, Unohana almost casually removed its other arm before administering the coup de grace with a clean swing right through the monster's neck.
To his right he heard Jiraiya whistle as the last Hollow dissolved. "Pinch me… I swear I'm dreaming…"
It was a sentiment that Itachi shared. He had seen his share of powerful Shinobi in the past, but these two women were in a league of their own. Blinding speed, graceful fluidity, lethal precision… Itachi had never seen anything like it.
Yoruichi sighed as she sheathed her wakizashi. "Ah, man, that's it? That doesn't even qualify as an after-meal warmup. Guess I'll have to work off those rice balls the old-fashioned way."
"Something tells me that you'll have little difficult with that," said Unohana, "Now, I believe I have a pair of patients to examine here."
Jiraiya grinned as Unohana approached. "Oh, yes, please! Examine to your heart's content, my lovely…"
Without the slightest bit of warning the raven-haired woman popped Jiraiya's dislocated shoulder right back into place. The Legendary Sannin let out a rather undignified yelp at the sudden and no-doubt quite painful field first aid.
"Ow, ow, ow!" he hissed as he rubbed his shoulder, "Hey, couldn't I have gotten a little warning first?"
"Work on your manners," said Unohana as she turned her attention to Itachi, "and next time you may just get that luxury."
Yoruichi smirked. "Face it, pal; you walked right into that one."
By contrast, her treatment of Itachi was much gentler, although he supposed that was in no small part due to the fact that he wasn't blatantly trying to hit on her. "Please, sit down and remove your shirt, young man. I promise that this will not hurt a bit."
Itachi did as he was told, and a moment later the woman knelt before him and placed one hand on his chest and the other on his shoulder. She gave him a warm smile, while over her shoulder he saw Yoruichi studying him closely.
"Try to relax your breathing," said Unohana, "This will not take long."
Itachi nodded, and a moment later he felt a sudden warmth flowing through his chest. Looking down, he saw that the hand on his chest was bathed in blue-green energy. It reminded him of medical ninjutsu that he had seen in the past, but it had its own distinct feel to it.
"That's it," said his healer, her voice as soothing as the whisper of a flowing stream, "Calm breaths, young man. Peace will encourage your recovery. You fought bravely, and I would not have you suffer for your courage."
"She's got that right," said Yoruichi with a smile, "You've got some serious guts. Your moves weren't half bad, either."
"How long were you watching us?" asked Itachi.
"Since just after the two of you started fighting the Hollow," Yoruichi replied.
"That's odd," said Jiraiya, still massaging his shoulder, "I never sensed so much as a hint of either of you. Usually I'm pretty good at picking up when someone's got their eyes on me, especially when it's a pair of lovely ladies."
Itachi nodded. "I, too, am normally able to detect when I am under surveillance. How is it that you were able to conceal yourselves so completely?"
"We've both trained to suppress our spiritual pressure," said Yoruichi, "Every Soul Reaper learns to control the energy they outwardly exert, but with practice one can go further than that. It's not one-hundred percent concealment, but it's still quite useful."
"If we did not suppress our spiritual pressure," said Unohana, "we would cause great harm to the people around us. We would also be walking beacons for Hollows."
Yoruichi smirked. "You say that second bit like it's a bad thing. If a few more came our way tonight I might be able to burn off those rice balls."
Unohana gave a warm laugh. "Come now, Yoruichi, we both know you better than that. You hardly need a fight for exercise."
Yoruichi nodded. "That's true. Actually, to be honest I'm a little worried. It's been a while since Hollows managed to get all the way to West Rukon 37."
Unohana sighed. "My thoughts exactly. The Head Captain will want to hear of this."
"Like we don't have enough on our plate as it is," said Yoruichi as she rolled her eyes, "I'm the Captain that's supposed to proctor the entrance exams tomorrow, and you're on call for the student physicals."
"It's my duty as Captain of Squad Four, after all," said Unohana with a smile, "I don't mind handling the report for this incident as well, though."
Yoruichi grinned. "Are you serious? You're the best, Unohana!"
"Just don't make a habit of asking it of me," Unohana replied, "A Captain that shirks her paperwork on a regular basis needs to reevaluate her position."
Unohana continued to smile, but there was a sudden darkness behind her serene gaze that Itachi found to be highly unnerving. "You would do well to think carefully should you wish to pass off your reports to me in the future, Yoruichi. Is that clear?"
Yoruichi sharply nodded, and Itachi could not help but notice her stance had stiffened ever so slightly. "Yes, Captain Unohana!"
Several lightbulbs began to go off in Itachi's head as he recalled his conversations with the shopkeeper. "So, you're both Captains in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?"
Jiraiya whistled. "Impressive."
"Oh, yeah, that's right; we haven't properly introduced ourselves yet. Sorry about that," said Yoruichi as she gave Itachi a friendly smile, "The names Yoruichi Shihōin. I'm the Captain of Squad Two."
The woman healing Itachi nodded. "And I am Retsu Unohana, Captain of Squad Four."
"My name is Itachi Uchiha," he replied.
Yoruichi knelt next to him and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Itachi!"
Itachi nodded as he accepted her hand. "Likewise."
"The same here, as well," said Unohana, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Itachi."
"So," said Yoruichi as she turned to Jiraiya, "What do we call you?"
Jiraiya grinned. "Oh, you lovely ladies can call me whatever you want!"
"So buffoon would suffice, then?" asked Unohana with a giggle.
"I was gonna say hedgehog," said Yoruichi with a smirk, "Seriously, look at that hair!"
The sage chuckled. "Well, I suppose I was asking for that one. My name is Jiraiya. I'd like to sincerely thank the two of you for helping us out here."
"Yes," said Itachi, "We owe you both our lives… or I suppose that would be 'afterlives' now."
"Ah," said Yoruichi, comprehension dawning, "You guys are new arrivals, aren't you?"
"That's correct," Jiraiya replied, "I'm not sure when Itachi got here, but my arrival was just a few weeks ago."
Itachi nodded. "Mine was precisely two weeks to this day."
"I see," said Unohana, "You are most fortunate that we found you when we did. With the way your spirit energy was fluctuating earlier, I imagine Hollows would find you to be most appetizing morsels."
"She's right," said Yoruichi, her expression quite serious, "In fact, I bet those Hollows were hunting you specifically. Your spirit energy drew them in like moths to the flame, and you can be damn sure this won't be the last time it happens."
"Damn," said Jiraiya with a grimace, "I was afraid that would be the case."
Itachi sighed. "It's not just that. When I'm near people, sometimes they collapse, and I've learned recently that it's because of my spiritual pressure. I've done my best to keep a safe distance from others to minimize harm, but still…"
Jiraiya nodded. "I think I know what you mean. I've had similar experiences since I've arrived here. So far things haven't been that bad, but I think it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt."
Itachi saw Yoruichi turn to Unohana. The two women stared at each other for a moment, and it seemed as if there was an unspoken exchange happening between them. A few seconds later they both nodded and turned to Itachi and Jiraiya.
"What if I told you that we could give you both the chance to control your spirit energy?" asked Yoruichi with a smile.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "What would this involve?"
"As I'm sure you heard her mention earlier," said Unohana, "Yoruichi is in charge of proctoring a series of examinations tomorrow. To be more precise, she will be overseeing the annual entrance examinations for Shin'ō Academy, the institution charged with instructing future generations of Soul Reapers."
Yoruichi grinned. "I'll put it to you straight; I want you two to enroll. You guys might not know how to properly control your spirit energy, but you still managed to take down a Hollow using nothing but teamwork, your bare hands, and some serious balls. You've got some major potential, and it'd be a shame to let it go to waste."
Unohana smiled. "She is quite correct. It's not every day that we see talent such as yours. If you enroll in Shin'ō Academy that talent will be nurtured, and upon graduation you will be able to put it to good use."
"It's no walk in the park," Yoruichi added, "The standard curriculum lasts six years, and advanced tracks can pack more into that same time period if you've got the aptitude for it. You'll be put through your paces, but if what you were capable of doing tonight is any indication I think you guys will put your fellow students to shame. What do you say?"
"Would we even be able to take the entrance exams?" asked Itachi, "As you guessed, we are new arrivals here. Our knowledge of the Soul Society and all its aspects is sorely lacking."
"Not to mention you said that the exams are tomorrow," said Jiraiya, "I'm all for a good cram session if it comes down to it, but the timeframe here might be pushing it."
Yoruichi shook her head. "The entrance exams are not your traditional academic tests. There is a written portion, but the ability to pass it is not determined by whether or not you studied beforehand. Someone can walk right in from the Rukon District with no prior education and still make it through. In fact, more than a few have done precisely that."
"That is not to say that the examinations are easy," said Unohana, "You will be pushed, but if you follow your proctor's instructions you will have a fair opportunity to pass on your own merits."
Itachi looked at Jiraiya. The Legendary Sannin was studying him carefully, and Itachi was all too aware that just because they had vanquished a Hollow together did not mean that he had completely earned the sage's trust. He had no doubt that Jiraiya would be watching him like a hawk if he enrolled in Shin'ō Academy, but he was willing to endure that extra layer of scrutiny if it meant learning to control his powers.
Finding out how to suppress and regulate his spiritual pressure was not the only reason he wanted to enroll, though. He turned towards Yoruichi and found that she was studying him just as intently as Jiraiya was. She intrigued Itachi in a way that he had not felt about a woman in a long, long time. Putting aside the fact that she and Unohana had saved his life, the abilities that she had demonstrated in that utterly one-sided slaughter of the Hollows had been nothing short of astounding, and Itachi was sure that what he had witnessed was but a tiny fraction of what she was truly capable of.
After a long moment Itachi nodded, his gaze still fixed on Yoruichi. "Very well, then. I will not presume to speak for Jiraiya, but I shall enroll in your institution."
Yoruichi was practically beaming at his response. "I knew you'd come around. Man, I can't wait to rub it into Jūshirō's face that I scouted the top student this year!"
"Hey, now," said Jiraiya with a smirk, "He's gonna have some competition for that spot; I'm in."
"Splendid," said Unohana with a smile, "I'm looking forward to seeing your results. As Yoruichi mentioned before, I will be in charge of the student physicals as well, so you can expect to see me once the primary examinations are complete."
"Oh, really?" said Jiraiya with a grin, "That'll be a physical to look forward to, I'm sure!"
Yoruichi chuckled. "You really might want to rethink that, Jiraiya. Unohana might be the greatest healer in the Soul Society, but if you get on her bad side they'll be picking up pieces of you across the Rukon District, and it'll take them at a least a century to find them all."
"Well, you know what they say," Jiraiya replied with a laugh, "Fortune favors the bold!"
Unohana giggled, but there was a hint of steel behind it that sent a chill down Itachi's spine. "Perhaps so, or perhaps not. Lady Luck is a fickle mistress, after all. You'd best be prepared for whichever way her mood swings, Jiraiya."
She turned her gaze back to Itachi, and it once again took on that maternal warmth she had blessed him with earlier. "I believe that should do it, then. Rub your chest and tell me how it feels, Itachi."
After she had removed her hand and he had put his shirt back on, Itachi did as she ordered and was surprised with what he found. "It… it feels good. The internal damage I took from those hits before… you were really able to heal it all so quickly?"
Unohana nodded. "Normally I would still advise that you take it easy for a few days, but since the entrance exams are tomorrow I fear you will not have that luxury. Do not worry, though; I shall take special care of you when the time comes for your physical."
"What about me?" said Jiraiya with a sly smile, "Will I get any of that special care, Lady Unohana?"
Unohana laughed. "Adding a noble title to my name will not aid your chances, but I suppose it will not hurt them either."
Yoruichi held out her hand. "Can you stand, Itachi?"
Allowing her to pull him to his feet, Itachi didn't feel any worse for the wear, which was rather remarkable considering the harrowing fight he and Jiraiya had gone through just a little while ago. "I think I'm all right. Thank you, both of you. I owe you my life, and I promise that I will find a way to repay you."
"Anytime," said Yoruichi with a wink, "and don't sweat it. It'd be a shame for a guy like you to end up as Hollow bait."
Next to him, Jiraiya switched gears and gave the two women a formal bow. "You have my gratitude as well. I won't forget this night. I'm in your debt."
"You are most welcome, Jiraiya," said Unohana.
"You two should find someplace safe and get some shuteye," said Yoruichi, "Exams start pretty early, and I know you two don't know your way around the Soul Society very well yet. Can you at least make it to the Seireitei by sunrise?"
Itachi nodded. "Yes."
"No problem," said Jiraiya.
"Good," Yoruichi replied, "Wait in front of the White Road Gate; that's the western entrance to the Seireitei. The Gatekeeper's Jidanbō Ikkanzaka. Don't let his size give you the wrong impression; he's actually a pretty nice guy once you get to know him. I'll have one of my subordinates waiting to escort you two to the Academy. Don't worry about knowing what she looks like; I'll give her your descriptions, so she'll know you when she sees you."
"Do be careful," said Unohana, "It would be a shame for either of you to get hurt on your way to the Seireitei."
"They'll be fine," said Yoruichi with a smile, "Come on, Unohana. We should get back before our Lieutenants start worrying about us."
"Hold on, Yoruichi," said Unohana, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Unohana simply nodded at her, and apparently that was enough for her to get the hint. "Oh, crap, my haori! I must've left it at the bar. I hope it's still there. Man, Kisuke would tease me for weeks if it got stolen!"
"You'd best go back and grab it," said Unohana with a laugh, "I'll meet on you on the road."
Yoruichi nodded before giving Itachi and Jiraiya one last smile and wink. "Sounds good. See you guys tomorrow!"
The two women disappeared a split second later, leaving Itachi and Jiraiya standing by the river. Itachi certainly had a great deal to mull over, but he couldn't help but notice that Jiraiya was looking at him again.
"What is it?" he asked.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "I'll let it go for now, but sooner or later you and I are going to need to talk about what you did back when we were both still alive. I'm not necessarily saying that I'll believe every word you say, but it sounds like you at least have a case to plead, and I'll let you do that before passing final judgment."
Itachi nodded. "I understand. I would expect nothing less from one of the Sannin."
Jiraiya chuckled. "Don't make us out to be saints. Hell, you met Orochimaru; you know full well how far we can fall."
"Agreed," said Itachi, "Still, two out of three isn't bad. The Third Hokage would be proud."
Jiraiya smiled. "Yeah… I suppose he would. Who knows? Maybe we'll run into him somewhere up here. It's a pretty big afterlife."
"That it is," said Itachi.
Jiraiya turned to go, giving a brief wave over his shoulder as he did. "See you tomorrow, Itachi Uchiha."
….
Yoruichi whistled with relief as she caught up to Unohana. "I lucked out; it was still draped over the chair right where I left it."
Unohana and smiled. "That's good to hear. Fortune really does seem to favor us tonight."
Yoruichi nodded and grinned. "Yeah, no kidding. Here I was thinking the two of us would just grab a friendly drink before getting buried in work from tomorrow's entrance exams, and we wound up not only taking out some Hollows but finding some star students as a bonus! Talk about a win-win, right?"
"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves," Unohana replied, "They still have to make it through the exams, after all."
Yoruichi waived her hand dismissively. "Come on, Unohana. You saw the way they handled that first Hollow. They had no control whatsoever over their spiritual pressure, but they still found a way to take it down. If they can pull that off, then they've got the entrance exams in the bag."
Unohana gave a soft laugh. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."
Indeed, we will, she mused, her thoughts lingering on the black-haired young man in particular, I can't wait to see what you can do, Itachi Uchiha!