Post by Shade Kawada on Jun 24, 2011 8:02:08 GMT -5
5:00 AM - Shade woke up after four hours of sleep. It mattered not what day it was. Every day of the week was the same for Shade Kawada, third seat of squad 11. The san-seki started his day by grooming himself. He took a shower, brushed his teeth, and got dressed in a clean set of shinigami robes. He pulled the black robes over his scarred, pale exterior with a callous, uncaring face. It was very important that those aspiring to high positions looked professional. Those who dressed poorly or those who simply didn’t care about their appearance were rarely looked favorably by those in command. If not for this fact, Shade would have abandoned the pointless act of grooming himself long ago and used the time to train instead.
With such mundane tasks out of the way, Shade grabbed his blade, Buraindo Kira, and sat on his bed in meditation. He searched himself for weaknesses which he would spend the day trying to improve. He also attempted conversation with his gluttonous zanpakutou. “Buraindo Kira...” thought the san-seki as his mind and essence flowed into his blade, “Hear your master’s voice... Buraindo Kira...”
“WHY IN GOD’S NAME DO YOU PERPETUALLY WAKE UP AT 5 IN THE FUCKING MORNING?!?!” screamed the zanpakutou in a tone similar to every morning prior, “WHY DON’T YOU FUCKING GET IT?!? LOOK AROUND YOU!!! EVERYONE ELSE IS ASLEEP!!! IF THEY DON’T WANT TO BE UP, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WANT TO BE UP?!?” Shade was used to such chastisement, however this was necessary if he wanted to become the best in the least amount of time. “What is it you want from me, Buraindo Kira? What do you suggest I do to gain more power?” replied the shinigami as he found himself in his inner world surrounded by darkness.
Buraindo Kira replied as he did every day to this question in a raspy voice, “Keep feeding me and you will gain power beyond your wildest dreams...” Shade continued meditating until the other shinigami had awakened and gotten ready to start the day. After emptying the bowl of blood that Buraindo Kira created overnight, Shade was ready to begin his day.
7:00 AM - Shade ate breakfast with the other shinigami in the common area inside the barracks. He sat by himself and ate the meal provided without a complaint. Occasionally someone would sit at his table and attempt to strike up a conversation, but unless they had earned Shade’s respect through their fighting, he ignored them completely. The san-seki typically ate a light breakfast, for he had a strenuous day ahead of him and he didn’t wish to vomit his stomach’s contents all over the ground in front of his superiors. This would not be the sign of someone who was ready to take on greater duties.
After finishing his meal the san-seki headed outside, his sword dripping blood behind him as he strode. Here was where the real training began. Without a word the third seat would begin his stamina training by putting on a backpack that was specially designed to hold ten gallons of water. After filling the backpack’s compartment Shade would start his routine with twenty five-hundred yard sprints which he preformed on the vacant streets of Seireitei. It was still the early morning, which meant that not many people were out and walking around. It was the perfect time for him to use the white stone roads. After this the third seat would jog around Rukongai for approximately half an hour before returning to his barracks. After doing another set of five-hundred yard sprints the san-seki went inside to his squad’s courtyard.
There was less room in the courtyard. Many other shinigami were training as well inside Squad 11’s walls so Shade quietly walked to the side and leaned against the back wall. However, Shade didn’t waste a moment and dropped to a wall sit position. He would hold this position, with the 10 gallons of water on his back, for quite a while. Usually, to pass the time, Shade would pull out a book on chemistry, anatomy, or some type of manual and read it while he ignored the searing burn in his legs. After this was over, Shade was immediately ready to move on to weight training
9:00 AM - Removing the water-filled backpack, Shade retrieved some dumbbells from Squad 11’s enormous stash of weights. The san-seki selected two that were each 200 pounds and took them to a bench near the middle of the courtyard. Such an immense amount of weight was nothing to the san-seki who was used to wielding a zanpakutou that weighed 120 pounds. With a heave the shinigami began curling the 200 pound weights. He did 10 sets of fifteen reps with each arm. Next he laid down on the bench and lifted the dumbbells above him. He benched each of the weights twenty times. He repeated this for 9 more sets.
Shade used these weights for multiple other exercises that worked his abs, triceps, quads, deltoids, and back. Shade aimed for multiple repetitions with such light weight rather than aiming for heavier weight. Multiple reps with a lighter weight were better than less reps with a heavier weight. Shade was aiming for lean muscle rather than bulk. The san-seki was naturally bulky, which is what helped him decide that he needed to aim for a more slender build.
After finishing with the 200 pound dumbbells, Shade moved on to simple things like pull-ups with weights tied around his feet, handstand pushups, and up downs with hundred pound weights in each hand. These type of workouts were easier, but the san-seki made them difficult by speeding through at a faster rate then he did everything else. There was never a moment for Shade to rest for the next twenty minutes. This was essentially combining stamina and weight training into one super workout.
10:45 AM - After blasting through his daily weight training the shinigami was ready to begin form training. This was certainly not the most strenuous part of Shade’s day, but it was one of the most important parts. Taking his sword, the san-seki headed over to a balance beam, located in the corner of the courtyard. After leaping up on the thin piece of wood, the san-seki closed his eyes. He began an invisible battle in his head with his opponent as he focused on preforming each move flawlessly. Each slash and stab was delivered with the utmost perfection, and often if Shade wasn’t satisfied with how a particular move went, he’d repeat it another one hundred times until he was satisfied he would not make the slightest mistake again.
Not only did this exercise test Shade’s control and form, but it bettered his balance as well. With such concentration on form, it was no wonder that Shade was bested only by his captain in regards to swordsmanship in his division. The san-seki practiced and practiced his form and occasionally took a break to go over various manuals on fighting and swordsmanship during this time. Shade learned extremely quickly and could master a technique simply by reading instructions that explained the maneuver in detail. This is what allowed the man to attain such a rank so quickly in life.
12:30 PM - The shinigami’s muscles rested themselves up as he focused on form. His focus was on winding down from his rigorous morning ritual and preparing himself for a large lunch that would propel him through the rest of the day’s activities. After leaping down from the wooden balance beam, the san-seki preformed slow, elongated Tai Chi movements that not only relaxed, but stretched his muscles and got rid of some of the lactic acid buildup. This was essential after doing such a rigorous workout to avoid cramping and tissue damage.
The san-seki focused his breathing and preformed his dance-like cool down as he prepared to go eat lunch. He cared not how he looked in front of his comrades who were mindlessly beating themselves senseless with wooden swords. Practice had to be thought out in order to be effective, and Shade had mastered his routine. The san-seki’s day was arguably the most productively in all of soul society. The soul reaper cooled down for a good half an hour before heading off to lunch.
1:00 PM - At 1 o’clock the soul reaper headed to the mess hall again where he served himself a larger portion than breakfast. He took plenty of proteins, fruits, and breads to help him get through the next stretch of his day. Any carbs that the san-seki took in would be burned off in only a few hours, and the protein would aid in muscle growth while the carbs would give him the energy to keep going. Shade finished his meal quickly and allowed for a few minutes of digesting as he flipped through an informative book or two. After this, Shade was ready to get up and head back to his division’s main training room.
2:00 PM – His nagging gullet was sated now, which meant it was time to train some more. One would assume monotony would set in eventually, as all the shinigami did was train. Day in and day out, even through the morning’s early hours, training was the only thing he did. And if he wasn’t, he was sleeping or eating, probably thinking of training. Yet, it was satisfactory to him. The same old routine would drive some mad, but it soothed him. For he knew with each repetition, he grew closer to his goal. Yes, he’d have true power some day. That was his purpose, the only reason he existed, for power, for growth.
He walked inside the barracks now, dark eyes skimming the horizon for his next opponent. What runt would he crush next? Who was to fall into his mighty jaws now? How tedious that only his squad members littered the barracks. He had destroyed them all a thousand times, and none of them ever seemed to improve. However, the sloppy lot of ‘warriors’ was all he had for now. And so, he stood and walked over to the fifth seat, blood leaking from Zanpaktou as he walked. The fifth seat was a sturdy fellow, though hardly anything Shade would consider a challenge. The man could never land a hit, but he could take them, making for a decent training dummy. Stopping beside the older man, Shade spoke in a calm, monotone voice, “Fight me, Takahasi-san.”
“Eh? We are having a fight, hm, Shade? WELL DON’T DILLY DALLY YOU PIECE OF SHIT! RIP HIS HEAD OFF NOW! I’M STARVING!” shouted Buraindo Kira. Shade did his best to ignore the irksome zanpakutou and instead gave his attention to Takahashi. The older man regarded Shade for a moment before turning to him entirely. He cracked a smile at Shade at gave a heavy nod of the head. In turn, Shade nodded his head as well and turned around, taking several steps away from his opponent. The older man responded in the same fashion. Both turned back to face each other. The fire burning in his opponent’s eyes…it was not reflected in the solemn mans. He hadn’t the time for such things. Drawing his blade, blood flicked across the ground, though it had long been stained with the red liquid. Takahashi drew his weapon as well, presenting a long katana. Shade had fought it many times before and won. This time would be no different. “COME ON! COME ON ALREADY! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE STARVING SHADE! AND UNLESS YOU WANNA BE STARVED OF POWER, YOU’LL END MY HUNGER NOW! TEAR HIM TO SHREDS YOU SHIT HEAD!”
“Shall we?” said the san-seki as he glared at his opponent. “Ah, no need to be all polite Kawada, let’s just it over with already!” said Takahashi with a smirk. “SEE! HE GETS THAT STALLING IS FOR DUMB ASS RETARDS! NOW MOVE IT PUSSY!” Hah, patience was a virtue, so it was only natural his sickened Zanpaktou spirit lack it. With a light grunt, he pushed off towards his opponent. He brought his blade across, slashing horizontally and upwards. His blow was blocked by his opponent’s smaller sword, just as Shade had hoped. Pushing upwards will all his might, his opponent’s blade flew from its wielders grasp. Shade locked eyes with his bewildered opponent, and it was all over…
2:45 PM– How could they all be so pathetic? In a mere forty minutes he had defeated a fair amount of people, perhaps five, and none of them proved even the slightest bit challenging. How he wished his lieutenant would show up. At least then there would be someone worth challenging around. But no, he was stuck with these insufficient maggots. This wouldn’t do, this wouldn’t do at all. Perhaps he’d find relief outside the barrack’s walls...
5:30 PM – His search was turning up nothing. The shinigami could not find a single person worthy of his time. Perhaps it would be most beneficial to return to the barracks and do some work by himself. However, just as this thought crossed his mind, a hulking figure passed through his vision. Dull eyes snapping to examine the sudden movement, settling on none other than Ranmyaku Youmei, the eighth division’s Taichou. This was just what he was looking for…. “Youmei-taichou…” said the third seat with as much respect as he could. The lizard looked down at him, scaly face blank and seemingly bored. Shade continued blandly, “Allow me to spar with you.”
An amused look claimed the reptile-man know, lips pulling back in to a grin, exposing teeth so sharp a shark would be envious. The large captain looked down at the new face curiously, as if contemplating if he were serious or not. However, Shade’s nonchalant gaze did not falter and the captain just nodded. The giant drew out his katana and grasped it tightly. Shade moved his own pale hand to Buraindo Kira’s hilt, who was happily talking away about how this would be his first time drinking lizard blood. Sliding the blade from its holster, he raised the hefty weapon. The lizard man’s tongue flicked out from his mouth, tasting the air before retreating back in to its warm, damp home.
“Ready?” the captain questioned, eyes slitting as the sun peaked from behind the cloud it had been hiding under. Shade didn’t bother responding, the reptile already knew the answer, and simply lunged forward. He tried a similar tactic to the one he had used on Takahashi earlier today, only to find himself shoved backwards with amazing force. The shinigami hardly caught himself before the reptile was charging at him, sword flying down at him. He raised his sword quickly and managed a sloppy block.
It continued like this for a while, Shade stumbling back and hardly managing a block while Ranmyaku slashed and spliced at him. Kawada knew if he continued like this for much longer the lizard captain would land a good blow. So when he saw his opportunity to slip underneath the gargantuan’s swingy arm, he took it. Stumbling out the other side, he caught himself on firm footing and turned around quickly, surprised to find that, in turning, he had made a small slice in the captain’s side. Buraindo Kira’s triumphant wails rung in his head, but he merely jumped back, creating a good distance between him and Ranmyaku.
Ah, he knew this wouldn’t be easy. Which made it all the better. Kira’s screams to feed grew louder and louder, and Shade knew what had to be done to properly spar with the lizard captain. Lifting his zweihander to his left arm, he pressed the blade on his own flesh. Ranmyaku looked at him curiously, eye widening when his opponent made an incision in his own arm. The captain drew back slightly, wary of what was to come, yet strangely he sheathed his sword. Shade closed his eyes and called out, “Drink, Buraindo Kira!”
Before the reptile, Shade’s zanpakutou grew a fleshy substance that covered it completely except for the sharp edge. Ranmyaku smiled at this development and whistled with what could only be described as patronizing awe, “Neat shikai you have there.” Shade didn’t say a word and charged the captain. His arms brought Buraindo Kira up, and then straight down at Ranmyaku’s forehead. He wasn’t dodging! Shade was sure that his blade would connect with the captain’s. Then suddenly the full realization of the difference in their power hit Shade like a train as Ranmyaku instantly stopped his sword in mid-air with his bare hands.
“That it?” he said with a toothy grin. No... No that was NOT it! His sword still in the captain’s hands, Shade pivoted his body and delivered a textbook roundhouse kick to the captain’s side. However, his foot was caught just as easily as his sword was by the reptile’s other hand. Shade stood, realizing the position he was in. Ranmyaku held on to Buraindo Kira by the sharp blade with one hand and grabbed on to the san-seki’s ankle with his other. Shade stood on one foot, afraid to abandon his blade. A twinkle seemed to glisten in Ranmyaku’s eye as he dropped to the ground and spun around in an instant. His massive tail swept Shade’s other foot out from under him and the san-seki began to fall backwards. His sword was somehow knocked from his hands. Shade didn’t even know when the reptile knocked his zanpakutou up into the air.
Shade watched his zanpakutou spinning in the air above him as the back of his head hit the concrete below. It appeared to all happen in slow motion. Shade watched as the massive form of Buraindo Kira came plummeting down directly at him. Was this the end? Luckily the sword stuck into the ground, just to the left of his legs, cutting through part of his flesh as it did. A foot more to the right and Shade would have been without a limb. “You okay?” said the captain, standing over the san-seki, “Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.” Gritting his teeth the san-seki forced himself to stand. The heavy blade had drawn as much blood as it possibly could. Typical of Buraindo Kira. “I’m fine...” said Shade as blood ran down his leg. With that, the san-seki bowed to the captain and limped off towards the 11th Squad’s barracks once again.
6:30 PM – “Hn!” he hissed through clenched teeth, muscles tightening sharply. He would never admit it, but that fight had taken a lot more out of him than the man had expected he would. Shade hadn’t underestimated the captain, but overestimated himself. The idiocy of that action was far larger than the prior one. Dark eyes glared down hard upon the deep gash in his left thigh as the shinigami wrapped it in gauze, a look of disgust was present in eyes that usually bare no feeling. How could this have happened? He had known winning was beyond him at this point but…losing so horridly had not been expected. It was a true embarrassment. That lizard would regret shaming him so in time.
The man was in his own abode now, faced with the familiar surrounding’s of his bland home. The lizard had urged him to go to the medical bay, but such was below Shade. He didn’t need help. Help was for the weak and pathetic, for those who couldn’t brave the world’s harshness by themselves. He was no such maggot, he was powerful and strong. No gash, no matter the depth or severity, would send him hobbling to the fourth division. If he absolutely needed some form of medical attention, he could do it himself. Those doctors and their fancy kidou could do nothing he couldn’t do with some hydrogen peroxide and gauze. Hell, he could do anything they could do without any supplies at all. Shade could just walk the pain away. Walk until he was ready to bare his fangs and fight again.
7:00 PM – It was always torture for the other eleventh squad officer’s when the Kawada cooked. The smell of his delicate dishes always managed their way out of his quarters and into the surrounding halls, proving almost like abuse to those who could not eat it. One man had asked for the third seat to spare some food one day…no one is entirely sure what happened to him, but it can be assume he received no delicious morsel. Each spent a moment lingering at the door before turning away, forcing themselves to part from what could have been the best meal ever…
Inside, Shade was preparing a simple Tsukimi soba, putting the finishing touches on the buckwheat noodle dish. Steam floated from the hot dish and brushed gently against the pale man’s flesh, its warmth in sharp contrast with his own prickling coldness. Turning from the dish, he chopped a few green onions, creating perfectly symmetrical chunks before removing the vegetables root and head and throwing the unusable material in its proper receptacle. He lifted the sliced pieces from the cutting board before dropping them into the warm broth and grey noodles. Shade’s large hand shot to the side and grasped a raw egg with surprising tenderness. He held the unfertilized oval with his pointer finger and thumb as he struck its center once on the bowls side. A large crack formed on the side before Shade grasped each half and separated the egg, leaving it’s innards to fall into the bowl, fluids mixing in the broth. He threw the halved shell into the garbage and grabbed the bowl and a large soup spoon before seating himself at the table. Preparation was complete and it was time to eat.
They same the home says a lot about a person. In some cases, this is entirely true. In others, it holds no basis. However, in the case of Shade Kawada, it would be entirely true. His quarters were averagely sized for an officer of his rank, but the furniture made it seem much smaller. Everything was bland and there was not a single thing that could be considered decorative or ornate. It was simple and efficient, and that was all the man needed. For example, the table he now sat at couldn’t possibly fit more than two people comfortably and was a simple square. It lacked a center piece and table cloth, proving to be as plain as possible. There was only one chair, the one Shade now inhabited, even though the table seemed to have been constructed for two. So might have gawked at the lack of another chair, assuming Shade to be some sort of shut in. But he really was, and so it didn’t bother him. Any business involving another person that needed doing would not occur in his own home, so accommodations for others seemed superfluous at best. It wasn’t as if he invited friends over for parties like the rest of the slacker world, so it truly didn’t matter that his home be only set up for one. Besides, it should be like that. It was his home and there was only one him, so it’s set up was perfect, just how he liked things.
Lifting a spoonful of soup to his lips, the man ate. He cringed lightly at the taste, dissatisfied with his own performance. It would have been splendid to even the second most critical person on the planet. Not to the first, however, as the first was Shade himself and he was not pleased. Standing abruptly, he entered his kitchen once more, dumping the failed soup. Turning back to the ingredients, he readied himself to begin again. He’d repeat the recipe a dozen times, and if each attempt wasn’t perfect, he’d do another dozen. If he ran out of ingredients, so be it, he’d get some more. Money was no object to him as long as he grew closer to perfection. And so, the rest of the barracks suffered for hours as the smells continued to permeate throughout the division.
9:00 PM – Done, he had finally satisfied his terrible obsessive-compulsive disorder. Shade had repeated the dish forty-eight times and had just finished cleaning the kitchen. Each dish was set back in its place once the man could clearly see himself in them and the counters shown brighter then when they were new. Smoothing his hair back with one hand, he grunted lazily. There was not many up at this hour with who to train and the light pain in his thigh still surfaced when he moved about. Perhaps it would be best if he merely practiced violin for the rest of the night. Yes, that seemed like a good idea. The man set off to his bedroom and began to feel through his closet. The clothes there were all the same, each the simple uniform he wore each day. His hand met a hard, wooden surface and he grabbed, pulling the object from the fabric. His eyes looked upon the violin case with little feeling and he popped it open. However, just as he reached his pale hands to grasp the instrument, an all too familiar voice echoed in head,
“What do you think you are doing, shitface? You had YOUR food, now it’s time for MINE! GET OFF YOUR FAT ASS AND FEED ME YOU IDIOTIOTIC CRAP!” Buraindo Kira was not amused.
Buraindo Kira’s raspy wails caused Shade’s eye to twitch ever so slightly. He exhaled slowly, with a firm intensity that could be translated as irritation or anger. Closing the violin case, he tucked it back into his closet before standing. Sometimes it seemed his zanpakutou got hungry at the most aggravating of times, but Shade new better. The zanpakutou was always hungry, and today had actually been a good day compared to Kira’s usual behavior. The creature had managed a few hours without throwing a tantrum. He should be happy about that. Well, if he could manage such feelings. Standing, the man nodded lightly before leaving his bedroom and, soon, his home. Walking about, he wondered if anyone would be there head to fight him.
11:00 PM – Two hours, but nothing. He could find not a single person to fight. Granted, he had come across a few unseated members running late errands, but they had skittishly denied him and run off. Cowards. They should have been excited to fight someone so much stronger. They could have learned so much. Had he been in there position, he would have leapt at the chance. But they all lacked his drive and hunger for advancement, and as such, they chose to remain weak and unimportant. Perhaps that was for the best. Every important leader and fighter needed someone to fetch them their paperwork and organize the mail. Some people weren’t just cut out for power. However, Shade wasn’t interested in them. He wanted a fight, even if the one he had gotten today had instilled a deep wound on him. He was over that now and the second it occurred and was reeling to tear and rip flesh once more and, on top of that, Kira’s whining grew worse with each passing second. Was no one awake?
“SHADE YOU WHINEY BITCH, I’M STARVING! FEED ME NOW OR YOU’LL FUCKING REGRET IT!” Shade winced as that irritating voice screamed out again. He stopped walking and drew his hand to his hair once more, smoothing it. Drawing to the roadside, he took a seat. The shinigami withdrew his blade and looked upon it solemnly, ignoring the screeches and insults it spat. Lifting his arm up, the sleeve fluttered down, exposing flesh so pale blue veins show proudly through. He set the blade against it before pulling down, not even bothering the flinch. The zanpakuto’s squalls and laughs were all but drowned out by the sound of Shade’s own eardrums pounding. If this was how it had to be…
“Drink, Buraindo Kira…”
…then so be it.
12:00 AM - Shade had been training for about an hour now. After feeding his zanpakutou some of his own blood, the sword spirit remained quiet as Shade used his shikai to annihilate training dummies in the division’s empty courtyard. He saved this type of training for when everyone had gone to bed. The honor of witnessing his shikai was reserved for those who were worthy in battle or those who would stay up late training. Shade focused on using impeccable form and a balance of power and speed. If he let too loose with power then he’d forfeit accuracy. One, two, three... The wooden training men were destroyed quicker then they were set up. Shade tested new moves and methods of killing people on these dolls. This is when Shade allowed himself to go over his full arsenal of martial arts and techniques to dispatch his enemies.
If someone ever were to watch the san-seki train late at night, they would learn exactly what he was capable of. For Shade held back against the other shinigami in his squad. Why would he go all out against such scum? He didn’t need to nor did he wish to reveal all his secrets to potential rivals for high ranking positions. However, Shade practiced alone at night. He was the only one who still remained awake, and he liked it that way. The san-seki cleaved a dummy in two with his immense shikai as he went over some calculations in his mind. Three fourths of the people in his squad weren’t even half as strong as Shade. If the remaining 25% were to advance at the same rate Shade did with a similar learning curve, then it would only be a few years until they were at the level Shade was now. This worried the san-seki, but he pressed on training. Sleep could wait.
1:00 AM - Finally it was time for the san-seki to call it a night. He had to get up in another four hours and start the entire process again. He hoped his thigh would feel better by morning. Maybe he’d find another captain to challenge. This was Shade’s life. All he lived for was getting stronger. Because of this routine it became more than possible for Shade to achieve such great things so early in life. His program had proved effective, so why stop now? Greater things were still in store for the san-seki.
With such mundane tasks out of the way, Shade grabbed his blade, Buraindo Kira, and sat on his bed in meditation. He searched himself for weaknesses which he would spend the day trying to improve. He also attempted conversation with his gluttonous zanpakutou. “Buraindo Kira...” thought the san-seki as his mind and essence flowed into his blade, “Hear your master’s voice... Buraindo Kira...”
“WHY IN GOD’S NAME DO YOU PERPETUALLY WAKE UP AT 5 IN THE FUCKING MORNING?!?!” screamed the zanpakutou in a tone similar to every morning prior, “WHY DON’T YOU FUCKING GET IT?!? LOOK AROUND YOU!!! EVERYONE ELSE IS ASLEEP!!! IF THEY DON’T WANT TO BE UP, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WANT TO BE UP?!?” Shade was used to such chastisement, however this was necessary if he wanted to become the best in the least amount of time. “What is it you want from me, Buraindo Kira? What do you suggest I do to gain more power?” replied the shinigami as he found himself in his inner world surrounded by darkness.
Buraindo Kira replied as he did every day to this question in a raspy voice, “Keep feeding me and you will gain power beyond your wildest dreams...” Shade continued meditating until the other shinigami had awakened and gotten ready to start the day. After emptying the bowl of blood that Buraindo Kira created overnight, Shade was ready to begin his day.
7:00 AM - Shade ate breakfast with the other shinigami in the common area inside the barracks. He sat by himself and ate the meal provided without a complaint. Occasionally someone would sit at his table and attempt to strike up a conversation, but unless they had earned Shade’s respect through their fighting, he ignored them completely. The san-seki typically ate a light breakfast, for he had a strenuous day ahead of him and he didn’t wish to vomit his stomach’s contents all over the ground in front of his superiors. This would not be the sign of someone who was ready to take on greater duties.
After finishing his meal the san-seki headed outside, his sword dripping blood behind him as he strode. Here was where the real training began. Without a word the third seat would begin his stamina training by putting on a backpack that was specially designed to hold ten gallons of water. After filling the backpack’s compartment Shade would start his routine with twenty five-hundred yard sprints which he preformed on the vacant streets of Seireitei. It was still the early morning, which meant that not many people were out and walking around. It was the perfect time for him to use the white stone roads. After this the third seat would jog around Rukongai for approximately half an hour before returning to his barracks. After doing another set of five-hundred yard sprints the san-seki went inside to his squad’s courtyard.
There was less room in the courtyard. Many other shinigami were training as well inside Squad 11’s walls so Shade quietly walked to the side and leaned against the back wall. However, Shade didn’t waste a moment and dropped to a wall sit position. He would hold this position, with the 10 gallons of water on his back, for quite a while. Usually, to pass the time, Shade would pull out a book on chemistry, anatomy, or some type of manual and read it while he ignored the searing burn in his legs. After this was over, Shade was immediately ready to move on to weight training
9:00 AM - Removing the water-filled backpack, Shade retrieved some dumbbells from Squad 11’s enormous stash of weights. The san-seki selected two that were each 200 pounds and took them to a bench near the middle of the courtyard. Such an immense amount of weight was nothing to the san-seki who was used to wielding a zanpakutou that weighed 120 pounds. With a heave the shinigami began curling the 200 pound weights. He did 10 sets of fifteen reps with each arm. Next he laid down on the bench and lifted the dumbbells above him. He benched each of the weights twenty times. He repeated this for 9 more sets.
Shade used these weights for multiple other exercises that worked his abs, triceps, quads, deltoids, and back. Shade aimed for multiple repetitions with such light weight rather than aiming for heavier weight. Multiple reps with a lighter weight were better than less reps with a heavier weight. Shade was aiming for lean muscle rather than bulk. The san-seki was naturally bulky, which is what helped him decide that he needed to aim for a more slender build.
After finishing with the 200 pound dumbbells, Shade moved on to simple things like pull-ups with weights tied around his feet, handstand pushups, and up downs with hundred pound weights in each hand. These type of workouts were easier, but the san-seki made them difficult by speeding through at a faster rate then he did everything else. There was never a moment for Shade to rest for the next twenty minutes. This was essentially combining stamina and weight training into one super workout.
10:45 AM - After blasting through his daily weight training the shinigami was ready to begin form training. This was certainly not the most strenuous part of Shade’s day, but it was one of the most important parts. Taking his sword, the san-seki headed over to a balance beam, located in the corner of the courtyard. After leaping up on the thin piece of wood, the san-seki closed his eyes. He began an invisible battle in his head with his opponent as he focused on preforming each move flawlessly. Each slash and stab was delivered with the utmost perfection, and often if Shade wasn’t satisfied with how a particular move went, he’d repeat it another one hundred times until he was satisfied he would not make the slightest mistake again.
Not only did this exercise test Shade’s control and form, but it bettered his balance as well. With such concentration on form, it was no wonder that Shade was bested only by his captain in regards to swordsmanship in his division. The san-seki practiced and practiced his form and occasionally took a break to go over various manuals on fighting and swordsmanship during this time. Shade learned extremely quickly and could master a technique simply by reading instructions that explained the maneuver in detail. This is what allowed the man to attain such a rank so quickly in life.
12:30 PM - The shinigami’s muscles rested themselves up as he focused on form. His focus was on winding down from his rigorous morning ritual and preparing himself for a large lunch that would propel him through the rest of the day’s activities. After leaping down from the wooden balance beam, the san-seki preformed slow, elongated Tai Chi movements that not only relaxed, but stretched his muscles and got rid of some of the lactic acid buildup. This was essential after doing such a rigorous workout to avoid cramping and tissue damage.
The san-seki focused his breathing and preformed his dance-like cool down as he prepared to go eat lunch. He cared not how he looked in front of his comrades who were mindlessly beating themselves senseless with wooden swords. Practice had to be thought out in order to be effective, and Shade had mastered his routine. The san-seki’s day was arguably the most productively in all of soul society. The soul reaper cooled down for a good half an hour before heading off to lunch.
1:00 PM - At 1 o’clock the soul reaper headed to the mess hall again where he served himself a larger portion than breakfast. He took plenty of proteins, fruits, and breads to help him get through the next stretch of his day. Any carbs that the san-seki took in would be burned off in only a few hours, and the protein would aid in muscle growth while the carbs would give him the energy to keep going. Shade finished his meal quickly and allowed for a few minutes of digesting as he flipped through an informative book or two. After this, Shade was ready to get up and head back to his division’s main training room.
2:00 PM – His nagging gullet was sated now, which meant it was time to train some more. One would assume monotony would set in eventually, as all the shinigami did was train. Day in and day out, even through the morning’s early hours, training was the only thing he did. And if he wasn’t, he was sleeping or eating, probably thinking of training. Yet, it was satisfactory to him. The same old routine would drive some mad, but it soothed him. For he knew with each repetition, he grew closer to his goal. Yes, he’d have true power some day. That was his purpose, the only reason he existed, for power, for growth.
He walked inside the barracks now, dark eyes skimming the horizon for his next opponent. What runt would he crush next? Who was to fall into his mighty jaws now? How tedious that only his squad members littered the barracks. He had destroyed them all a thousand times, and none of them ever seemed to improve. However, the sloppy lot of ‘warriors’ was all he had for now. And so, he stood and walked over to the fifth seat, blood leaking from Zanpaktou as he walked. The fifth seat was a sturdy fellow, though hardly anything Shade would consider a challenge. The man could never land a hit, but he could take them, making for a decent training dummy. Stopping beside the older man, Shade spoke in a calm, monotone voice, “Fight me, Takahasi-san.”
“Eh? We are having a fight, hm, Shade? WELL DON’T DILLY DALLY YOU PIECE OF SHIT! RIP HIS HEAD OFF NOW! I’M STARVING!” shouted Buraindo Kira. Shade did his best to ignore the irksome zanpakutou and instead gave his attention to Takahashi. The older man regarded Shade for a moment before turning to him entirely. He cracked a smile at Shade at gave a heavy nod of the head. In turn, Shade nodded his head as well and turned around, taking several steps away from his opponent. The older man responded in the same fashion. Both turned back to face each other. The fire burning in his opponent’s eyes…it was not reflected in the solemn mans. He hadn’t the time for such things. Drawing his blade, blood flicked across the ground, though it had long been stained with the red liquid. Takahashi drew his weapon as well, presenting a long katana. Shade had fought it many times before and won. This time would be no different. “COME ON! COME ON ALREADY! YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE STARVING SHADE! AND UNLESS YOU WANNA BE STARVED OF POWER, YOU’LL END MY HUNGER NOW! TEAR HIM TO SHREDS YOU SHIT HEAD!”
“Shall we?” said the san-seki as he glared at his opponent. “Ah, no need to be all polite Kawada, let’s just it over with already!” said Takahashi with a smirk. “SEE! HE GETS THAT STALLING IS FOR DUMB ASS RETARDS! NOW MOVE IT PUSSY!” Hah, patience was a virtue, so it was only natural his sickened Zanpaktou spirit lack it. With a light grunt, he pushed off towards his opponent. He brought his blade across, slashing horizontally and upwards. His blow was blocked by his opponent’s smaller sword, just as Shade had hoped. Pushing upwards will all his might, his opponent’s blade flew from its wielders grasp. Shade locked eyes with his bewildered opponent, and it was all over…
2:45 PM– How could they all be so pathetic? In a mere forty minutes he had defeated a fair amount of people, perhaps five, and none of them proved even the slightest bit challenging. How he wished his lieutenant would show up. At least then there would be someone worth challenging around. But no, he was stuck with these insufficient maggots. This wouldn’t do, this wouldn’t do at all. Perhaps he’d find relief outside the barrack’s walls...
5:30 PM – His search was turning up nothing. The shinigami could not find a single person worthy of his time. Perhaps it would be most beneficial to return to the barracks and do some work by himself. However, just as this thought crossed his mind, a hulking figure passed through his vision. Dull eyes snapping to examine the sudden movement, settling on none other than Ranmyaku Youmei, the eighth division’s Taichou. This was just what he was looking for…. “Youmei-taichou…” said the third seat with as much respect as he could. The lizard looked down at him, scaly face blank and seemingly bored. Shade continued blandly, “Allow me to spar with you.”
An amused look claimed the reptile-man know, lips pulling back in to a grin, exposing teeth so sharp a shark would be envious. The large captain looked down at the new face curiously, as if contemplating if he were serious or not. However, Shade’s nonchalant gaze did not falter and the captain just nodded. The giant drew out his katana and grasped it tightly. Shade moved his own pale hand to Buraindo Kira’s hilt, who was happily talking away about how this would be his first time drinking lizard blood. Sliding the blade from its holster, he raised the hefty weapon. The lizard man’s tongue flicked out from his mouth, tasting the air before retreating back in to its warm, damp home.
“Ready?” the captain questioned, eyes slitting as the sun peaked from behind the cloud it had been hiding under. Shade didn’t bother responding, the reptile already knew the answer, and simply lunged forward. He tried a similar tactic to the one he had used on Takahashi earlier today, only to find himself shoved backwards with amazing force. The shinigami hardly caught himself before the reptile was charging at him, sword flying down at him. He raised his sword quickly and managed a sloppy block.
It continued like this for a while, Shade stumbling back and hardly managing a block while Ranmyaku slashed and spliced at him. Kawada knew if he continued like this for much longer the lizard captain would land a good blow. So when he saw his opportunity to slip underneath the gargantuan’s swingy arm, he took it. Stumbling out the other side, he caught himself on firm footing and turned around quickly, surprised to find that, in turning, he had made a small slice in the captain’s side. Buraindo Kira’s triumphant wails rung in his head, but he merely jumped back, creating a good distance between him and Ranmyaku.
Ah, he knew this wouldn’t be easy. Which made it all the better. Kira’s screams to feed grew louder and louder, and Shade knew what had to be done to properly spar with the lizard captain. Lifting his zweihander to his left arm, he pressed the blade on his own flesh. Ranmyaku looked at him curiously, eye widening when his opponent made an incision in his own arm. The captain drew back slightly, wary of what was to come, yet strangely he sheathed his sword. Shade closed his eyes and called out, “Drink, Buraindo Kira!”
Before the reptile, Shade’s zanpakutou grew a fleshy substance that covered it completely except for the sharp edge. Ranmyaku smiled at this development and whistled with what could only be described as patronizing awe, “Neat shikai you have there.” Shade didn’t say a word and charged the captain. His arms brought Buraindo Kira up, and then straight down at Ranmyaku’s forehead. He wasn’t dodging! Shade was sure that his blade would connect with the captain’s. Then suddenly the full realization of the difference in their power hit Shade like a train as Ranmyaku instantly stopped his sword in mid-air with his bare hands.
“That it?” he said with a toothy grin. No... No that was NOT it! His sword still in the captain’s hands, Shade pivoted his body and delivered a textbook roundhouse kick to the captain’s side. However, his foot was caught just as easily as his sword was by the reptile’s other hand. Shade stood, realizing the position he was in. Ranmyaku held on to Buraindo Kira by the sharp blade with one hand and grabbed on to the san-seki’s ankle with his other. Shade stood on one foot, afraid to abandon his blade. A twinkle seemed to glisten in Ranmyaku’s eye as he dropped to the ground and spun around in an instant. His massive tail swept Shade’s other foot out from under him and the san-seki began to fall backwards. His sword was somehow knocked from his hands. Shade didn’t even know when the reptile knocked his zanpakutou up into the air.
Shade watched his zanpakutou spinning in the air above him as the back of his head hit the concrete below. It appeared to all happen in slow motion. Shade watched as the massive form of Buraindo Kira came plummeting down directly at him. Was this the end? Luckily the sword stuck into the ground, just to the left of his legs, cutting through part of his flesh as it did. A foot more to the right and Shade would have been without a limb. “You okay?” said the captain, standing over the san-seki, “Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.” Gritting his teeth the san-seki forced himself to stand. The heavy blade had drawn as much blood as it possibly could. Typical of Buraindo Kira. “I’m fine...” said Shade as blood ran down his leg. With that, the san-seki bowed to the captain and limped off towards the 11th Squad’s barracks once again.
6:30 PM – “Hn!” he hissed through clenched teeth, muscles tightening sharply. He would never admit it, but that fight had taken a lot more out of him than the man had expected he would. Shade hadn’t underestimated the captain, but overestimated himself. The idiocy of that action was far larger than the prior one. Dark eyes glared down hard upon the deep gash in his left thigh as the shinigami wrapped it in gauze, a look of disgust was present in eyes that usually bare no feeling. How could this have happened? He had known winning was beyond him at this point but…losing so horridly had not been expected. It was a true embarrassment. That lizard would regret shaming him so in time.
The man was in his own abode now, faced with the familiar surrounding’s of his bland home. The lizard had urged him to go to the medical bay, but such was below Shade. He didn’t need help. Help was for the weak and pathetic, for those who couldn’t brave the world’s harshness by themselves. He was no such maggot, he was powerful and strong. No gash, no matter the depth or severity, would send him hobbling to the fourth division. If he absolutely needed some form of medical attention, he could do it himself. Those doctors and their fancy kidou could do nothing he couldn’t do with some hydrogen peroxide and gauze. Hell, he could do anything they could do without any supplies at all. Shade could just walk the pain away. Walk until he was ready to bare his fangs and fight again.
7:00 PM – It was always torture for the other eleventh squad officer’s when the Kawada cooked. The smell of his delicate dishes always managed their way out of his quarters and into the surrounding halls, proving almost like abuse to those who could not eat it. One man had asked for the third seat to spare some food one day…no one is entirely sure what happened to him, but it can be assume he received no delicious morsel. Each spent a moment lingering at the door before turning away, forcing themselves to part from what could have been the best meal ever…
Inside, Shade was preparing a simple Tsukimi soba, putting the finishing touches on the buckwheat noodle dish. Steam floated from the hot dish and brushed gently against the pale man’s flesh, its warmth in sharp contrast with his own prickling coldness. Turning from the dish, he chopped a few green onions, creating perfectly symmetrical chunks before removing the vegetables root and head and throwing the unusable material in its proper receptacle. He lifted the sliced pieces from the cutting board before dropping them into the warm broth and grey noodles. Shade’s large hand shot to the side and grasped a raw egg with surprising tenderness. He held the unfertilized oval with his pointer finger and thumb as he struck its center once on the bowls side. A large crack formed on the side before Shade grasped each half and separated the egg, leaving it’s innards to fall into the bowl, fluids mixing in the broth. He threw the halved shell into the garbage and grabbed the bowl and a large soup spoon before seating himself at the table. Preparation was complete and it was time to eat.
They same the home says a lot about a person. In some cases, this is entirely true. In others, it holds no basis. However, in the case of Shade Kawada, it would be entirely true. His quarters were averagely sized for an officer of his rank, but the furniture made it seem much smaller. Everything was bland and there was not a single thing that could be considered decorative or ornate. It was simple and efficient, and that was all the man needed. For example, the table he now sat at couldn’t possibly fit more than two people comfortably and was a simple square. It lacked a center piece and table cloth, proving to be as plain as possible. There was only one chair, the one Shade now inhabited, even though the table seemed to have been constructed for two. So might have gawked at the lack of another chair, assuming Shade to be some sort of shut in. But he really was, and so it didn’t bother him. Any business involving another person that needed doing would not occur in his own home, so accommodations for others seemed superfluous at best. It wasn’t as if he invited friends over for parties like the rest of the slacker world, so it truly didn’t matter that his home be only set up for one. Besides, it should be like that. It was his home and there was only one him, so it’s set up was perfect, just how he liked things.
Lifting a spoonful of soup to his lips, the man ate. He cringed lightly at the taste, dissatisfied with his own performance. It would have been splendid to even the second most critical person on the planet. Not to the first, however, as the first was Shade himself and he was not pleased. Standing abruptly, he entered his kitchen once more, dumping the failed soup. Turning back to the ingredients, he readied himself to begin again. He’d repeat the recipe a dozen times, and if each attempt wasn’t perfect, he’d do another dozen. If he ran out of ingredients, so be it, he’d get some more. Money was no object to him as long as he grew closer to perfection. And so, the rest of the barracks suffered for hours as the smells continued to permeate throughout the division.
9:00 PM – Done, he had finally satisfied his terrible obsessive-compulsive disorder. Shade had repeated the dish forty-eight times and had just finished cleaning the kitchen. Each dish was set back in its place once the man could clearly see himself in them and the counters shown brighter then when they were new. Smoothing his hair back with one hand, he grunted lazily. There was not many up at this hour with who to train and the light pain in his thigh still surfaced when he moved about. Perhaps it would be best if he merely practiced violin for the rest of the night. Yes, that seemed like a good idea. The man set off to his bedroom and began to feel through his closet. The clothes there were all the same, each the simple uniform he wore each day. His hand met a hard, wooden surface and he grabbed, pulling the object from the fabric. His eyes looked upon the violin case with little feeling and he popped it open. However, just as he reached his pale hands to grasp the instrument, an all too familiar voice echoed in head,
“What do you think you are doing, shitface? You had YOUR food, now it’s time for MINE! GET OFF YOUR FAT ASS AND FEED ME YOU IDIOTIOTIC CRAP!” Buraindo Kira was not amused.
Buraindo Kira’s raspy wails caused Shade’s eye to twitch ever so slightly. He exhaled slowly, with a firm intensity that could be translated as irritation or anger. Closing the violin case, he tucked it back into his closet before standing. Sometimes it seemed his zanpakutou got hungry at the most aggravating of times, but Shade new better. The zanpakutou was always hungry, and today had actually been a good day compared to Kira’s usual behavior. The creature had managed a few hours without throwing a tantrum. He should be happy about that. Well, if he could manage such feelings. Standing, the man nodded lightly before leaving his bedroom and, soon, his home. Walking about, he wondered if anyone would be there head to fight him.
11:00 PM – Two hours, but nothing. He could find not a single person to fight. Granted, he had come across a few unseated members running late errands, but they had skittishly denied him and run off. Cowards. They should have been excited to fight someone so much stronger. They could have learned so much. Had he been in there position, he would have leapt at the chance. But they all lacked his drive and hunger for advancement, and as such, they chose to remain weak and unimportant. Perhaps that was for the best. Every important leader and fighter needed someone to fetch them their paperwork and organize the mail. Some people weren’t just cut out for power. However, Shade wasn’t interested in them. He wanted a fight, even if the one he had gotten today had instilled a deep wound on him. He was over that now and the second it occurred and was reeling to tear and rip flesh once more and, on top of that, Kira’s whining grew worse with each passing second. Was no one awake?
“SHADE YOU WHINEY BITCH, I’M STARVING! FEED ME NOW OR YOU’LL FUCKING REGRET IT!” Shade winced as that irritating voice screamed out again. He stopped walking and drew his hand to his hair once more, smoothing it. Drawing to the roadside, he took a seat. The shinigami withdrew his blade and looked upon it solemnly, ignoring the screeches and insults it spat. Lifting his arm up, the sleeve fluttered down, exposing flesh so pale blue veins show proudly through. He set the blade against it before pulling down, not even bothering the flinch. The zanpakuto’s squalls and laughs were all but drowned out by the sound of Shade’s own eardrums pounding. If this was how it had to be…
“Drink, Buraindo Kira…”
…then so be it.
12:00 AM - Shade had been training for about an hour now. After feeding his zanpakutou some of his own blood, the sword spirit remained quiet as Shade used his shikai to annihilate training dummies in the division’s empty courtyard. He saved this type of training for when everyone had gone to bed. The honor of witnessing his shikai was reserved for those who were worthy in battle or those who would stay up late training. Shade focused on using impeccable form and a balance of power and speed. If he let too loose with power then he’d forfeit accuracy. One, two, three... The wooden training men were destroyed quicker then they were set up. Shade tested new moves and methods of killing people on these dolls. This is when Shade allowed himself to go over his full arsenal of martial arts and techniques to dispatch his enemies.
If someone ever were to watch the san-seki train late at night, they would learn exactly what he was capable of. For Shade held back against the other shinigami in his squad. Why would he go all out against such scum? He didn’t need to nor did he wish to reveal all his secrets to potential rivals for high ranking positions. However, Shade practiced alone at night. He was the only one who still remained awake, and he liked it that way. The san-seki cleaved a dummy in two with his immense shikai as he went over some calculations in his mind. Three fourths of the people in his squad weren’t even half as strong as Shade. If the remaining 25% were to advance at the same rate Shade did with a similar learning curve, then it would only be a few years until they were at the level Shade was now. This worried the san-seki, but he pressed on training. Sleep could wait.
1:00 AM - Finally it was time for the san-seki to call it a night. He had to get up in another four hours and start the entire process again. He hoped his thigh would feel better by morning. Maybe he’d find another captain to challenge. This was Shade’s life. All he lived for was getting stronger. Because of this routine it became more than possible for Shade to achieve such great things so early in life. His program had proved effective, so why stop now? Greater things were still in store for the san-seki.
