DarkTaren
New Member
Contact Info: AIM; Teroniss
Name: Kusanagi Sanosuke
Age: 22 at T.o.D.; 164 Current
Persona:
When he was alive, Sanosuke was considered by his peers to be a bit of a hedonist, usually napping somewhere after drinking too much sake, or hanging around bath houses looking for pretty girls to flirt with. He also was easily confused, and any kind of complicated problem would easily frazzle him. He tries however; to be responsible when the situation calls for. Death hasn’t changed him very much, as he still prefers being laid back and relaxing in times of peace, especially when he’s not needed.
As for his personality, Sanosuke is easy going and friendly in nature. Always willing to share his sake, he is always looking to make new friends and comrades. He can often be found in a tree leaning against the branches in the morning to watch the rising sun. He will tell most that there is nothing more beautiful to him the sight of a sunrise.
Physical Stature:
As a samurai in charge of guarding Shogun Tokugawa, Sanosuke was in the peak of physical health when he died. His training in life has left him with a slightly muscular build, yet lithe enough that he could still dodge an opponent’s sword.
Standing at 5’11, Sanosuke was always slightly taller then his comrades. His face is broad and a little long, and he has a pointy medium-length nose. His hair is black and straight, and he wears it in a long ponytail that comes down to mid-back level which is tied with an ivory clamp.
His skin is a medium olive color and he has green-brown eyes.
Division and Seat:
Tenth Division
Zanpakutou:
Sanosuke’s Zanpakutou is in the shape of a standard katana. The sheath itself is dark red with carved scenes of rising and setting suns. The hilt is made of ivory and is long and curved. The ivory is wrapped in a cord the same color red as that of it’s sheath. The tsuba is in the shape of a long octagon and in the center is an embossed sun with its rays reaching out to the edges of the tsuba. When drawn, the blade itself has a yellow sheen to it in the light. Sanosuke wields this sword in either hand, having taught himself to be ambidexterous.
Biography:
Sanosuke was born in Edo, Japan in 1846.
Near the height of the 1800's, the Tokugawa Shogunate had reached a climax in power. With revolution evident and impending, there was much tension in the air for those who served the Shogunate in this period. Sanosuke was born during this period. He was the son of a prestigious samurai lord and he was brought up to be the next head of his house. His childhood consisted of training in both sword practice and war, but also in etiquette and mannerism of lordship. In his teens, Sanosuke often skipped his etiquette and protocol classes to go drink sake at a nearby restaurant. It was here that he met his first love, Haruka Miyo. For many weeks afterward, Sanosuke snuck away from home to be with Haruka, until his father found out about their relationship. Lord Kusanagi had Haruka murdered and told his son that nobility should not mingle with low class trash. Sanosuke continues to resent his father even now for his actions.
In 1868, Sanosuke, now in his early twenties, was one of many samurai called upon by the Shogun to defend Edo against the Meiji rebels. In one of the final battles before Edo fell, Kanosuke was struck down by a sword ironically belonging to the brother of Haruka. At the end of the battle, Sanosuke stood there, looking at a chain coming out of his chest, clearly confused. He felt his back, where the sword struck him, and could feel the large gaping wound that sealed his fate. Shocked, Sanosuke looked around the battlefield as he saw other people, both with chains similar to his and those without trying to deal with the aftershock of the battle. As he wandered aimlessly; Sanosuke came to realize that he, and the others like him, was now a ghostly being. That was when he first saw them; dark individuals dressed in black samurai robes. As he watched them go from ghost to ghost, placing the hilt of their swords upon the ghosts’ heads, a sense of fear filled Sanosuke. He wasn’t ready to leave this world, and so he fled.
For thirty years he wandered, a purposeless spirit, with no place in this world. Many times he saw those dark robed samurai reap the spirits of others, and always, he fled from them. There were other things he fled from as well, evil demons that ate the spirits of those the samurai did not take with them. One day, in 1898, Sanosuke was attacked by one of these demons. As it’s gaping jaws closed in upon Sanosuke a beam of light came down upon it slicing off it’s head. Shell shocked, Sanosuke watched as a beautiful woman approached him. As she came into the light, Sanosuke began to cry as a spark of recognition ran through his mind. The face of the one looking down at him was that of his Miyo, who had died so long ago. She smiled at him, telling him it was alright, that she could lead him to a place of peace, where the dead can finally find rest. That night, Sanosuke finally was sent to the Soul Society, his lost love close behind.
When Sanosuke reached the Soul Society, he was assigned to the 38th district of West Rukongai. As he adjusted to his new life or afterlife rather, Miyo often came to visit him, telling him all about the Gotei 13 and the Shinigami and her position with them. As for Sanosuke, he soon got a job in the 38th district as a bodyguard for a mob boss. Although extremely unfulfilling compared to his life as a samurai, it atleast gave Sanosuke something to do with his time. At first, Sanosuke realized that he didn’t get hungry as a spirit. However; during the course of seventy years, Sanosuke slowly began to get hungry every so often, and more often as time went by. He told Miyo about it during one of her visits, and she explained to him the hunger meant the presence of a decent reiatsu, or spirit energy. She told him that if he was beginning to show signs of an increasing reiatsu, he should try out for the Shinigami Spirit Academy.
Sanosuke did as she advised, and a few weeks later he was accepted as a student into the academy. As he trained, he found that he had a particular talent for what the sensei’s called kidou and zanjutsu. He continued to train for several years, continuously improving his abilities and spiritual powers. He soon reached the end of his training and he would soon take the final entrance exam. He sent a message to Miyo to let her know he would soon be a full shinigami like her, but his letter was never answered. He sent more messages over the course of a couple of days, and finally, the day before the exam, a shinigami from her division appeared before Sanosuke. He sat Sanosuke down and explained to him that Miyo’s unit had been sent to earth when it was ambushed by several gillian class hollows. Her unit was completely wiped out before the Special Ops unit could arrive.
Reiatsu: 100
Zanjutsu: 30
Hakuda: 0
Hohou: 30
Kidou: 40
Connection: 0
***Sample Chapter*** - 1870 Words
Sanosuke grinned, arms behind his head, as he walked back to his room. After six long and grueling years in the academy, he was finally about to graduate. He waved to a couple fellow students as he thought idly to himself, “Hmm, I should send Haruka a message and let her know I’ll be joining her soon. Maybe her Division has room for one more.”
His grin broadened even more as scandalous thoughts twirled around in his brain. He reached his room and went straight to his desk, reaching for some writing implements. As he twirled the pen in his hand he spoke aloud, “Now that I think about it, I haven’t actually seen Miyo in several days. I wonder if she’s still on that mission of hers in the living world. Ahh well; if not, she should get my message by tonight.”
Sanosuke leaned back in his chair and thought of what to write. When he was finally ready, he dipped his pen into an inkwell and began to write. When he was done, Sanosuke read through the letter, sealed it, and left his room. As he looked for a messenger, a classmate of his named Jino came up to him. “Heeey Sanosuke, how ya doin’ buddy? You took off in quite a rush after class today. Judging by that note in your hand, I’d say you were missing that lady friend of yours.”
Sanosuke chuckled and replied, “Yea, maybe so, but at least I’ve got a steady ‘lady friend’. Last I checked Jino, you were on a palm to face basis with all your lady friends. Anyways, are you looking forward to finally graduating?”
Jino pouted a bit before chuckling, “Aww, that not fair Sano, you know I’m nowhere near as smooth with the ladies as you are.” At that, Jino’s face cracked as he bursted out laughing at his own wit. “But seriously though, yea man, I’ll be glad when we can actually get some real action, and not all this simulated shit the sensei’s put us through.”
Sanosuke grinned, “Yea, I hear you; I’m hoping to join Miyo in the Tenth Division myself. Anyways, take care Jino, I need to go find a messenger to deliver this. Later!” With that, Jino headed off in the direction of a group of female students. As Sanosuke turned down another hall, he heard an audible smack behind him. Sanosuke finally found a messenger and handed it off to her, telling her who to take it to. The messenger headed off and Sanosuke went to the dining hall to get some food. The next day, as Sanosuke went through his routine training, he kept expecting a reply from Miyo, but none arrived. Concerned, Sanosuke sent another message to her that evening. After several days and no replies, Sanosuke began to worry that maybe something happened to Miyo. Finally, a day before the final exam, a Hell Butterfly sent by the Tenth Division appeared asking Sanosuke to come to the main quad.
Sanosuke ran a quickly as he could through the halls, ignoring other classmates and accidently knocking down some students as he rushed to the quad. There, he was met by a member of Miyo’s unit. He held a green ribbon in his hand. He looked at Sanosuke as he came rushing up. “Are you Kusanagi Sanosuke?” he asked.
Sanosuke replied, “Yea, I’m Kusanagi, what’s happened to Miyo? Where is she and why hasn’t she returned my messages, and more importantly, why do you have her hair ribbon?”
Clearly confused and panicked, the Shinigami tried to calm Sanosuke down, “Look take it easy, we shouldn’t talk here, where’s your room? I’ll explain everything there.”
Sanosuke gasped for air as he tried to recompose himself, “Alright, alright, give me a moment.” Sanosuke took a few deep breaths as he relaxed himself. “Alright, follow me; I’ll take you to my room.” Sanosuke and the Shinigami left the quad and headed for the students’ dormitories. “By the way, in the rush I didn’t catch your name.”
The Shinigami looked over to him and replied, “That’s not important right now, just concentrate on leading the way for the moment.” Although he had calmed down in the quad, Sanosuke was beginning to worry again.
After a few minutes, they reached Sanosuke’s room and entered it. Looking around the Shinigami told Sanosuke to take a seat, he would need it. Sanosuke sat on his sleeping mat and asked, “Now then, could you please answer me, why haven’t I seen Miyo in these last several days? Has something happened to her?”
The Shinigami’s cool demeanor finally broke as he looked at Sanosuke with sad eyes, “It is with deep regret that I must be the one to tell you this, but Haruka Miyo has been killed in duty.” Sanosuke nearly fell over at the shock of this, but managed to keep himself upright.
Closing his eyes he asked, “Tell me how, how did she get killed?”
The Shinigami nodded his head and replied, “It was during her mission in the living world. She had been sent to investigate an increase in Hollow activity in a certain area. The last transmission she sent was garbled, but in it, she spoke of several gillian class Hollows appearing nearby. She was told to await reinforcements, but we do not believe the message reached her. An hour later, the Special Ops reached the site, found and defeated two gillian, but did not find Miyo. What they did find was this.” The Shinigami handed the green ribbon he had been carrying to Sanosuke. It was tattered and had blood on it, but the embroidering was unmistakable. This was indeed Miyo’s hair ribbon.
Sanosuke stared down at his mat, his teeth clenched and his hands balled up into tight fists against the mat. His vision began to blur as tears formed. Once again, his love had been lost to him; once again, he had no power to stop it. He looked to the Shinigami whose face offered no signs of support, his eyes showing that he wants to help but the realization that there is nothing he can do. Sanosuke bowed his head to him and said, “Thank you for bringing me this ribbon, its presence is more then anything I could have hoped for in this situation. Now, could you please leave me, I wish to be alone.”
The Shinigami stood up and headed for the door. Reaching it, he looked back, “For what it’s worth, Miyo died honorably, doing what she loved. Be proud of that and try to carry on that memory.” With that he left, closing the door behind him. The next day, Sanosuke did not appear for the final exam. Jino asked around, but no one knew why he hadn’t shown up.
After the exam, Jino went to Sanosuke’s room and knocked on the door. “Hey bud, you in there? What's going on Sano, you missed the exam. That’s not like you man.” There was no reply and after a minute, Jino left.
That night, a sensei walking down the halls heard a clanging coming from one of the Zanjutsu training halls. Inside he found Sanosuke, feverishly attacking a training doll. As he approached, Sanosuke began yelling at the doll, “Damn it Miyo, why did you have to get yourself killed?! Why didn’t wait for god damned reinforcements to arrive?” Sanosuke began sobbing, “Why, why did you have to leave me again….?” At this point, Sanosuke drove his sword into the ground, no longer having the will to swing.
The sensei decided to announce his presence at this time, “Hmm, it’s a bit late for training isn’t it?” Sanosuke fell over himself as he turned around.
Looking up, he dried his eyes, sniffling, “I’m sorry sensei, I needed some way to relieve a bit of stress I am dealing with today. Please forgive my presence here.”
The sensei chuckled and offered Sanosuke his hand to help him up, “It’s alright boy, you need not hide the truth, I heard everything you shouted. Come have a drink with me so we can talk.” The sensei led Sanosuke to a private room for teachers and pulled out a bottle of sake and a couple of saucers. Pouring sake into the saucers, he handed one to Sanosuke. “Here you go boy, drink up, you’re too young to have that look on your face. Better, good, now then, tell me what’s troubling you.”
Sanosuke relayed the story to the sensei, about how he watched Miyo die when they were both alive, how relieved he was when he found her again, and how she was killed by the Hollows during a mission. The sensei listened carefully, keeping a stern, yet kind face the whole time. Near the end of the story, Sanosuke was almost in tears again, mixtures of sadness and frustration clearly visible on his face.
When Sanosuke finished, the sensei set down his saucer and replied, “I see, well that is truly understandable. Lost love is a terrible thing, but so too is foolish revenge. Think on this Sanosuke, Miyo became a Shinigami to protect others, both living and dead. As a Shinigami, she knew that the lives of others came before her own. From what you say, she was a smart woman, so I don’t think she would have blindly rushed into a fight with several gillian unless it was to protect someone. That is an honorable way die and probably the best way for a Shinigami to leave this world. Now you say Miyo loved you as deeply as you love her. If that is so, she would not want you to dishonor yourself by foolishly chasing after revenge and disregarding your duty as a Shinigami to protect. If you truly wish to honor her memory, then live how she lived and hopefully die how she died. Protect those who cannot protect themselves and protect those you truly care for.”
Sanosuke looked down and sighed, “You’re right sensei, I knew that from the beginning, but it was hard to just let her go like that. Besides, I’ve missed the final exam, I’ll be lucky if I’m not kicked out. At the least, I’ll have to wait another year before I can take it again.”
The sensei chuckled and took out a piece of paper, “Don’t worry lad, things will work out alright I’m sure of it.” Handing the piece of paper to Kanosuke, the sensei took the bottle of sake and left. Sanosuke opened the paper and read it. Written inside were a room number and the message, “If you really wish to honor Miyo’s memory, then show up at this room tomorrow at noon.” Sanosuke closed the paper and smiled, and finishing his own sake, he left.
The next day, Sanosuke went to the room on the paper and entered. Inside were the sensei from last night and another man. The sensei smiled brightly, “Ahh good, I knew you would do the right thing after all. I pulled a few strings and one of the headmasters of the academy has agreed to conduct your final exam. Don’t disappoint me boy, but more importantly, don’t disappoint Miyo.” With that, the present headmaster tapped his sword on the ground and a gateway appeared. The sensei grinned and said, “Now then, let your final exam begin.”
Name: Kusanagi Sanosuke
Age: 22 at T.o.D.; 164 Current
Persona:
When he was alive, Sanosuke was considered by his peers to be a bit of a hedonist, usually napping somewhere after drinking too much sake, or hanging around bath houses looking for pretty girls to flirt with. He also was easily confused, and any kind of complicated problem would easily frazzle him. He tries however; to be responsible when the situation calls for. Death hasn’t changed him very much, as he still prefers being laid back and relaxing in times of peace, especially when he’s not needed.
As for his personality, Sanosuke is easy going and friendly in nature. Always willing to share his sake, he is always looking to make new friends and comrades. He can often be found in a tree leaning against the branches in the morning to watch the rising sun. He will tell most that there is nothing more beautiful to him the sight of a sunrise.
Physical Stature:
As a samurai in charge of guarding Shogun Tokugawa, Sanosuke was in the peak of physical health when he died. His training in life has left him with a slightly muscular build, yet lithe enough that he could still dodge an opponent’s sword.
Standing at 5’11, Sanosuke was always slightly taller then his comrades. His face is broad and a little long, and he has a pointy medium-length nose. His hair is black and straight, and he wears it in a long ponytail that comes down to mid-back level which is tied with an ivory clamp.
His skin is a medium olive color and he has green-brown eyes.
Division and Seat:
Tenth Division
Zanpakutou:
Sanosuke’s Zanpakutou is in the shape of a standard katana. The sheath itself is dark red with carved scenes of rising and setting suns. The hilt is made of ivory and is long and curved. The ivory is wrapped in a cord the same color red as that of it’s sheath. The tsuba is in the shape of a long octagon and in the center is an embossed sun with its rays reaching out to the edges of the tsuba. When drawn, the blade itself has a yellow sheen to it in the light. Sanosuke wields this sword in either hand, having taught himself to be ambidexterous.
Biography:
Sanosuke was born in Edo, Japan in 1846.
Near the height of the 1800's, the Tokugawa Shogunate had reached a climax in power. With revolution evident and impending, there was much tension in the air for those who served the Shogunate in this period. Sanosuke was born during this period. He was the son of a prestigious samurai lord and he was brought up to be the next head of his house. His childhood consisted of training in both sword practice and war, but also in etiquette and mannerism of lordship. In his teens, Sanosuke often skipped his etiquette and protocol classes to go drink sake at a nearby restaurant. It was here that he met his first love, Haruka Miyo. For many weeks afterward, Sanosuke snuck away from home to be with Haruka, until his father found out about their relationship. Lord Kusanagi had Haruka murdered and told his son that nobility should not mingle with low class trash. Sanosuke continues to resent his father even now for his actions.
In 1868, Sanosuke, now in his early twenties, was one of many samurai called upon by the Shogun to defend Edo against the Meiji rebels. In one of the final battles before Edo fell, Kanosuke was struck down by a sword ironically belonging to the brother of Haruka. At the end of the battle, Sanosuke stood there, looking at a chain coming out of his chest, clearly confused. He felt his back, where the sword struck him, and could feel the large gaping wound that sealed his fate. Shocked, Sanosuke looked around the battlefield as he saw other people, both with chains similar to his and those without trying to deal with the aftershock of the battle. As he wandered aimlessly; Sanosuke came to realize that he, and the others like him, was now a ghostly being. That was when he first saw them; dark individuals dressed in black samurai robes. As he watched them go from ghost to ghost, placing the hilt of their swords upon the ghosts’ heads, a sense of fear filled Sanosuke. He wasn’t ready to leave this world, and so he fled.
For thirty years he wandered, a purposeless spirit, with no place in this world. Many times he saw those dark robed samurai reap the spirits of others, and always, he fled from them. There were other things he fled from as well, evil demons that ate the spirits of those the samurai did not take with them. One day, in 1898, Sanosuke was attacked by one of these demons. As it’s gaping jaws closed in upon Sanosuke a beam of light came down upon it slicing off it’s head. Shell shocked, Sanosuke watched as a beautiful woman approached him. As she came into the light, Sanosuke began to cry as a spark of recognition ran through his mind. The face of the one looking down at him was that of his Miyo, who had died so long ago. She smiled at him, telling him it was alright, that she could lead him to a place of peace, where the dead can finally find rest. That night, Sanosuke finally was sent to the Soul Society, his lost love close behind.
When Sanosuke reached the Soul Society, he was assigned to the 38th district of West Rukongai. As he adjusted to his new life or afterlife rather, Miyo often came to visit him, telling him all about the Gotei 13 and the Shinigami and her position with them. As for Sanosuke, he soon got a job in the 38th district as a bodyguard for a mob boss. Although extremely unfulfilling compared to his life as a samurai, it atleast gave Sanosuke something to do with his time. At first, Sanosuke realized that he didn’t get hungry as a spirit. However; during the course of seventy years, Sanosuke slowly began to get hungry every so often, and more often as time went by. He told Miyo about it during one of her visits, and she explained to him the hunger meant the presence of a decent reiatsu, or spirit energy. She told him that if he was beginning to show signs of an increasing reiatsu, he should try out for the Shinigami Spirit Academy.
Sanosuke did as she advised, and a few weeks later he was accepted as a student into the academy. As he trained, he found that he had a particular talent for what the sensei’s called kidou and zanjutsu. He continued to train for several years, continuously improving his abilities and spiritual powers. He soon reached the end of his training and he would soon take the final entrance exam. He sent a message to Miyo to let her know he would soon be a full shinigami like her, but his letter was never answered. He sent more messages over the course of a couple of days, and finally, the day before the exam, a shinigami from her division appeared before Sanosuke. He sat Sanosuke down and explained to him that Miyo’s unit had been sent to earth when it was ambushed by several gillian class hollows. Her unit was completely wiped out before the Special Ops unit could arrive.
Reiatsu: 100
Zanjutsu: 30
Hakuda: 0
Hohou: 30
Kidou: 40
Connection: 0
***Sample Chapter*** - 1870 Words
Sanosuke grinned, arms behind his head, as he walked back to his room. After six long and grueling years in the academy, he was finally about to graduate. He waved to a couple fellow students as he thought idly to himself, “Hmm, I should send Haruka a message and let her know I’ll be joining her soon. Maybe her Division has room for one more.”
His grin broadened even more as scandalous thoughts twirled around in his brain. He reached his room and went straight to his desk, reaching for some writing implements. As he twirled the pen in his hand he spoke aloud, “Now that I think about it, I haven’t actually seen Miyo in several days. I wonder if she’s still on that mission of hers in the living world. Ahh well; if not, she should get my message by tonight.”
Sanosuke leaned back in his chair and thought of what to write. When he was finally ready, he dipped his pen into an inkwell and began to write. When he was done, Sanosuke read through the letter, sealed it, and left his room. As he looked for a messenger, a classmate of his named Jino came up to him. “Heeey Sanosuke, how ya doin’ buddy? You took off in quite a rush after class today. Judging by that note in your hand, I’d say you were missing that lady friend of yours.”
Sanosuke chuckled and replied, “Yea, maybe so, but at least I’ve got a steady ‘lady friend’. Last I checked Jino, you were on a palm to face basis with all your lady friends. Anyways, are you looking forward to finally graduating?”
Jino pouted a bit before chuckling, “Aww, that not fair Sano, you know I’m nowhere near as smooth with the ladies as you are.” At that, Jino’s face cracked as he bursted out laughing at his own wit. “But seriously though, yea man, I’ll be glad when we can actually get some real action, and not all this simulated shit the sensei’s put us through.”
Sanosuke grinned, “Yea, I hear you; I’m hoping to join Miyo in the Tenth Division myself. Anyways, take care Jino, I need to go find a messenger to deliver this. Later!” With that, Jino headed off in the direction of a group of female students. As Sanosuke turned down another hall, he heard an audible smack behind him. Sanosuke finally found a messenger and handed it off to her, telling her who to take it to. The messenger headed off and Sanosuke went to the dining hall to get some food. The next day, as Sanosuke went through his routine training, he kept expecting a reply from Miyo, but none arrived. Concerned, Sanosuke sent another message to her that evening. After several days and no replies, Sanosuke began to worry that maybe something happened to Miyo. Finally, a day before the final exam, a Hell Butterfly sent by the Tenth Division appeared asking Sanosuke to come to the main quad.
Sanosuke ran a quickly as he could through the halls, ignoring other classmates and accidently knocking down some students as he rushed to the quad. There, he was met by a member of Miyo’s unit. He held a green ribbon in his hand. He looked at Sanosuke as he came rushing up. “Are you Kusanagi Sanosuke?” he asked.
Sanosuke replied, “Yea, I’m Kusanagi, what’s happened to Miyo? Where is she and why hasn’t she returned my messages, and more importantly, why do you have her hair ribbon?”
Clearly confused and panicked, the Shinigami tried to calm Sanosuke down, “Look take it easy, we shouldn’t talk here, where’s your room? I’ll explain everything there.”
Sanosuke gasped for air as he tried to recompose himself, “Alright, alright, give me a moment.” Sanosuke took a few deep breaths as he relaxed himself. “Alright, follow me; I’ll take you to my room.” Sanosuke and the Shinigami left the quad and headed for the students’ dormitories. “By the way, in the rush I didn’t catch your name.”
The Shinigami looked over to him and replied, “That’s not important right now, just concentrate on leading the way for the moment.” Although he had calmed down in the quad, Sanosuke was beginning to worry again.
After a few minutes, they reached Sanosuke’s room and entered it. Looking around the Shinigami told Sanosuke to take a seat, he would need it. Sanosuke sat on his sleeping mat and asked, “Now then, could you please answer me, why haven’t I seen Miyo in these last several days? Has something happened to her?”
The Shinigami’s cool demeanor finally broke as he looked at Sanosuke with sad eyes, “It is with deep regret that I must be the one to tell you this, but Haruka Miyo has been killed in duty.” Sanosuke nearly fell over at the shock of this, but managed to keep himself upright.
Closing his eyes he asked, “Tell me how, how did she get killed?”
The Shinigami nodded his head and replied, “It was during her mission in the living world. She had been sent to investigate an increase in Hollow activity in a certain area. The last transmission she sent was garbled, but in it, she spoke of several gillian class Hollows appearing nearby. She was told to await reinforcements, but we do not believe the message reached her. An hour later, the Special Ops reached the site, found and defeated two gillian, but did not find Miyo. What they did find was this.” The Shinigami handed the green ribbon he had been carrying to Sanosuke. It was tattered and had blood on it, but the embroidering was unmistakable. This was indeed Miyo’s hair ribbon.
Sanosuke stared down at his mat, his teeth clenched and his hands balled up into tight fists against the mat. His vision began to blur as tears formed. Once again, his love had been lost to him; once again, he had no power to stop it. He looked to the Shinigami whose face offered no signs of support, his eyes showing that he wants to help but the realization that there is nothing he can do. Sanosuke bowed his head to him and said, “Thank you for bringing me this ribbon, its presence is more then anything I could have hoped for in this situation. Now, could you please leave me, I wish to be alone.”
The Shinigami stood up and headed for the door. Reaching it, he looked back, “For what it’s worth, Miyo died honorably, doing what she loved. Be proud of that and try to carry on that memory.” With that he left, closing the door behind him. The next day, Sanosuke did not appear for the final exam. Jino asked around, but no one knew why he hadn’t shown up.
After the exam, Jino went to Sanosuke’s room and knocked on the door. “Hey bud, you in there? What's going on Sano, you missed the exam. That’s not like you man.” There was no reply and after a minute, Jino left.
That night, a sensei walking down the halls heard a clanging coming from one of the Zanjutsu training halls. Inside he found Sanosuke, feverishly attacking a training doll. As he approached, Sanosuke began yelling at the doll, “Damn it Miyo, why did you have to get yourself killed?! Why didn’t wait for god damned reinforcements to arrive?” Sanosuke began sobbing, “Why, why did you have to leave me again….?” At this point, Sanosuke drove his sword into the ground, no longer having the will to swing.
The sensei decided to announce his presence at this time, “Hmm, it’s a bit late for training isn’t it?” Sanosuke fell over himself as he turned around.
Looking up, he dried his eyes, sniffling, “I’m sorry sensei, I needed some way to relieve a bit of stress I am dealing with today. Please forgive my presence here.”
The sensei chuckled and offered Sanosuke his hand to help him up, “It’s alright boy, you need not hide the truth, I heard everything you shouted. Come have a drink with me so we can talk.” The sensei led Sanosuke to a private room for teachers and pulled out a bottle of sake and a couple of saucers. Pouring sake into the saucers, he handed one to Sanosuke. “Here you go boy, drink up, you’re too young to have that look on your face. Better, good, now then, tell me what’s troubling you.”
Sanosuke relayed the story to the sensei, about how he watched Miyo die when they were both alive, how relieved he was when he found her again, and how she was killed by the Hollows during a mission. The sensei listened carefully, keeping a stern, yet kind face the whole time. Near the end of the story, Sanosuke was almost in tears again, mixtures of sadness and frustration clearly visible on his face.
When Sanosuke finished, the sensei set down his saucer and replied, “I see, well that is truly understandable. Lost love is a terrible thing, but so too is foolish revenge. Think on this Sanosuke, Miyo became a Shinigami to protect others, both living and dead. As a Shinigami, she knew that the lives of others came before her own. From what you say, she was a smart woman, so I don’t think she would have blindly rushed into a fight with several gillian unless it was to protect someone. That is an honorable way die and probably the best way for a Shinigami to leave this world. Now you say Miyo loved you as deeply as you love her. If that is so, she would not want you to dishonor yourself by foolishly chasing after revenge and disregarding your duty as a Shinigami to protect. If you truly wish to honor her memory, then live how she lived and hopefully die how she died. Protect those who cannot protect themselves and protect those you truly care for.”
Sanosuke looked down and sighed, “You’re right sensei, I knew that from the beginning, but it was hard to just let her go like that. Besides, I’ve missed the final exam, I’ll be lucky if I’m not kicked out. At the least, I’ll have to wait another year before I can take it again.”
The sensei chuckled and took out a piece of paper, “Don’t worry lad, things will work out alright I’m sure of it.” Handing the piece of paper to Kanosuke, the sensei took the bottle of sake and left. Sanosuke opened the paper and read it. Written inside were a room number and the message, “If you really wish to honor Miyo’s memory, then show up at this room tomorrow at noon.” Sanosuke closed the paper and smiled, and finishing his own sake, he left.
The next day, Sanosuke went to the room on the paper and entered. Inside were the sensei from last night and another man. The sensei smiled brightly, “Ahh good, I knew you would do the right thing after all. I pulled a few strings and one of the headmasters of the academy has agreed to conduct your final exam. Don’t disappoint me boy, but more importantly, don’t disappoint Miyo.” With that, the present headmaster tapped his sword on the ground and a gateway appeared. The sensei grinned and said, “Now then, let your final exam begin.”
