Shadow Reapers

Kestrel blinked at him, unsure of what to think. "So... this challenge wasn't a test of my logic?" she asked.

"Actually, I wanted to test both your logic and your senses," Urahara said. "I deceived you into thinking the pearl was hidden somewhere among all the rocks and stones down here. If you had gone on the way you had when you began you would have never found it because you didn't know where to look. Of course, even with logic you wouldn't have been able to see the pearl if you had just looked at me. My spiritual energy is much stronger than the pearl's, so you wouldn't have been able to see past my aura and find it with just your eyes.

"The moral of this test is that your senses and your logic go hand-in-hand. You need logic to utilize your senses by thinking about how you will use them to find something. But, having a plan to find something but without the means to find it is just as useless as the first outcome. That's why it's important for, not only Shadow Seers, but death gods, too, to use both tools, whether it's finding a pearl in an ocean of rocks, or focusing your spiritual energy during a battle."

Urahara placed a hand on Kestrel's shoulder. "Now, I'm sure you must be tired. You can share the room your friend Stella is sleeping in. Tomorrow we can start your next test."

"I'm ready to start it now," Kestrel said.

Urahara smiled. "It's nice to see that you're so eager to learn, but the next test much more taxing than this one. Plus you're attending college and you can't afford to miss your classes." Kestrel wanted to protest but Urahara stopped her. "Don't overexert yourself, patience is an important discipline no matter what you're doing in life. I'm not going anywhere, you can come back after school tomorrow."

**Is no one else going to post?**

Kestrel

"As you wish... sir." Hesitantly, Kestrel bowed before reaching out to grasp the ladder and pulling herself up each rung until her hands found the floor and she lifted herself out of the basement. Ichidan and Urahara followed her up, both talking in low voices.

"Follow me," Urahara instructed, his aura stepping past her and leading the way towards Stella's room. Kestrel followed quickly, trying hard not to yawn. Even if they were not training anymore tonight, she did not want to appear exhausted or frail. She did not want to do anything that might delay her lessons. Tomorrow after school? Even that was much too distant! What if the hollows attacked before then? Well at least you'll be able to see if they're carrying pearls filled with spiritual energy, Kestrel thought wryly.

"Here you go," Urahara mumbled, pushing a door open and stepping back out of the way.

"Thank you," Kestrel replied. She closed the door behind her softly and crossed the room to where she could just make out Stella's aura, seemingly floating amongst the dark. That helped Kestrel to locate the bed and she climbed in and curled up beside her friend before closing her eyes and drifting into a light, gentle sleep.

Audra

I was comfortable, safe. I sighed as I felt Kai laying next to me, my head on his shoulder. I instinctively edged closer, hoping to go back to sleep. I shivered involuntarily. I then remembered that I had not put any clothes on after our love making, and I was actually cold.

I rose softly, careful not to wake Kai, and moved into the bathroom, where I quickly showered and got warm again. I let my hair down so that it would dry naturally - thus making it curly rather than straight - and returned to the bed to see him still asleep.

The past days have tested us all...but he carries the heaviest burden. It's up to him alone to protect us from Hollows, and it's wearing him out. I hate seeing him like this.

I sat down next to him, set my drawing pad and pencils within reach, gently lifted his head so that it rested on my lap, and began to draw while he slept. Yet, my mind wasn't with the picture. I couldn't concentrate.

How can I make it easier for him? How do I help him when I know no magic? What can I do? Is there anything TO do?

I sighed when I realized that my lack of focus was resulting in a poorly drawn anime character, Sesshomaru from Inuyasha. I tossed the book; it landed with a soft slap on the carpeted floor. I easily shifted so that I could lay down beside him one more time, and once more fell asleep with my head on his shoulder.

Kai was the first to wake up the next morning. The first thing he noticed as his body began to rise for the new day was the weight of something on his shoulder accompanied by the smell of Audra's hair. He looked to see his lover soundly asleep with her head on his shoulder. The sight of her like this brought up feelings that only she could invoke, feelings that he had never experienced before he met her.

He wanted to let her sleep, to stay like this as long as he could, but the clock on the wall said they only had an hour to get ready for class. He gently shook Audra's shoulder and said, "Time to wake up." Audra gave him a drowsy smile when her eyes finally opened. "Good morning sleepy head."

"Look who's talking." She climbed onto Kai's chest so their faces were in front of each other. Even though she was still half asleep she moved with the grace of a cat as she straddled Kai's body. They kissed and it was filled with the love and passion they had so eagerly expressed last night.

When they finally pulled away from the kiss Kai smiled and said, "As much as I'd love to go again classes are going to be starting in an hour."

Audra made a pouting face as she said, "You're no fun."

Just in case you don't know, I'll be in London for the next two days and then I have Via visiting for a bit so I'll probably not be posting much over the next week xx

Kestrel

Students stared in astonishment as the two girls dashed across the road, holding hands and giggling as they imagined how ridiculous they must look. The first had pale skin made paler still by the contrast of her long, black hair and the cornflower-blue night-gown clung to her attractive figure as she dragged her friend along, her bare feet slipping across the pavement and then onto the grass as they weaved in and out of the buildings, drawing closer to the college.

"Slow down, Kes! Slow. Down!" The second girl gasped, giggling and wheezing just as hard, her dark curls falling across pretty, grey eyes. Kestrel obeyed as they reached their dorm building and headed towards their rooms.

"I told you we could run all the way here in our pyjamas," Kestrel said in a mock serious tone before she giggled again. "So how long do we have to get ready?"

"Fifteen minutes!" Stella replied, dashing into her room.

"Fifteen..." Kestrel hurried down the hallway, entered her room and flung the wardrobe open. "Ummm, umm, jeans and, and this T-shirt and..."

"Ten minutes!" Stella called from the other room.

guys im so lost..i have no idea where my character went...help?

*Guys, I'm so sorry I haven't gotten around to posting, but I am in the middle of studying for major exams, which begin next Wednesday. Really sorry about this, but if I ever want to study in Britain I've got to do well in these, and considering the horror story our History teacher told us about a girl who couldn't do medicine in Ireland 'cause she was five points short, I've suddenly a different opinion about going across the water. So sorry, but I am going to be inactive...*

Sally stared at me.

"Where the hell were you?"

I shrugged. "Out."

"In your pyjamas?" she asked dubiously.

"Yup," I said happily, slipping on my drainpipes. Being late for breakfast every morning in school made me a fast dresser.

She shook her head. "Stella, sometimes you confuse me."

"Don't you mean all the time?" I said, splashing my face with water. My make-up was a mess. I checked the clock, grabbing an eyeliner pencil. "Ten minutes!" I shouted out the door, pulling a clean top on.

"I'm going to head, if that's okay with you," Sally said, taking her bag. "I'll talk later."

"See you!" I said, searching for shoes under my bed. I grabbed them, flattened my hair and ran over to Kestrel.

"Ten minutes flat," I said. "This should be an Olympic sport."

"Hold on," she said. "Has Sally left?"

"Yup," I said, relaxing for a minute against the doorpost. "So hey, did you find the pearl?"

"Yes," she said.

"It was in his pocket, wasn't it?" I said. "I was thinking about it. Only place it could have been."

She nodded. "You're good." She grabbed her bag.

"I know, right?" I said happily. "I'll talk to you later, 'kay?"

Professor Hill is currently at home. And that's okay, Stella, I'll be just as inactive as you while I'm taking my exams (which isn't far off).

**And I'll be completely inactive next week! I'll be off to ROTC Camp (Junior Army Mini-basic training, more or less).**

Audra

I giggled at his coy, mischevious expression and rolled over, off the bed, to my feet. I stretched lazily, arching my back as I finished waking. So we had an hour to get ready? Perfect.

I slipped my tennis shoes on, stretched one last time, and gave Kai a brief kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later, right?"

He nodded, rising and picking his clothes up, off the floor. "Don't be late."

"You don't be late!"

With that, I reluctantly passed through the door, walked along the hallway, to the exit, and ran back to the dorms.

okay..so how do I come back in..I'm really sorry that I havn't been active I have been in major study mode...I only have tomorrow before finals..eep..I get crazy about grades..so anyways what should I do?

*Try starting by getting ready for class. Hm?**

(Sorry for the late post, I wanted to get it up this morning but I ran out of time and had to save it on a Word document and finish it once I got home. I hope you have fun at that camp you're going to, Ayumi. I myself won't be posting on the weekend because I'll be camping with my family. I'll keep your character alive until you get back. Also, I've gotten away with not giving my character a last name for almost half a year now. I think I should give him one now, his last name will be Okami.)

Kai got dressed and left Urahara's shop a few minutes after Audra did. He was about to leave for college when he heard Ichidan's voice. "Kai, wait!"

"What is it?" he asked.

"I just got orders from Soul Society. A Hollow is going to appear nearby in a few minutes."

"What!?" Kai said, "You can't be serious! I'm going to be late for class!"

"Don't worry," Ichidan said, "I've got it covered." He reached into his pocket and pulled out something that looked like a Pez dispenser. He tossed it to Kai, who caught it with one hand. Both sides of the item said "Soul Candy."

"What's this?" he asked.

"Gikonga." When Kai gave him a confused look which meant he still didn't understand Ichidan continued, "Medicine that forcibly removes the soul from the body. If you swallow that, you can put in a fake soul and take out the real one."

"So does this mean you don't have to smack me anymore to get my soul out of my body?" Kai asked.

Ichidan nodded. "If, by chance, you encounter a Hollow when I'm not around use that to change into a death god."

Kai took another look at the item. "It says 'Soul Candy'..."

Ichidan's eyebrow twitched. "Well, that's because the League of Women Death Gods complained that the name gikonga wasn't cute, so now we all have to call it that."

"Tough break." Kai rotated the item in his hands to see it from every angle. "It just looks like a regular Pez dispenser to me."

Ichidan shot him a questioning look. "Pez?"

"You know, those little square candies that come in plastic containers. You pull back the top and one comes out."

Ichidan nodded. "Oh, those things. I remember now."

"I still don't quite understand," Kai said.

"Take one," Ichidan told him. "Once you do, you'll understand right away."

Kai lifted back the top of the dispenser and a small round green candy came out. He put it in his mouth and swallowed it. Once the candy made it down to his stomach he felt his soul being pulled out of his body. It felt much less forcible than when Ichidan hit him with his glove. He looked at himself and said, "Whoa, I'm really out."

"Surprised?" Ichidan said, "Plus, a temporary soul has already entered your empty shell of a body and he can attend your classes while you're away."

Kai looked to his left and almost jumped out of shock when he saw his own body staring back at him with an intelligence in its eyes. His physical body gave him a salute and said, "Pleased to meet you. My name is Kai Okami."

"Impressive, isn't it?" Ichidan asked.

Kai nodded. “Yeah, I guess it is…”

Ichidan’s phone began to ring in his pocket. He took it out and looked at the screen, his eyes widening when he did. “It’s almost time. Leave school to him, and let’s go to the action.”

Kai sighed and said, “I guess it can’t be helped.” He told the temporary soul occupying his body the address of Humber College and his classroom number. “You need to get there quick, and be sure to take lots of notes.”

The temporary soul nodded. “You can count on me, master.”

“Alright, let’s go!” Ichidan and Kai ran off to where the Hollow would appear. Once they were out of sight the temporary soul in Kai’s body made a sinister smile and whispered, “Have fun…”

(Just so you know, this temporary soul is, well, defective. The moment he sees a pretty girl he’ll make an attempt to get some ‘action’, if you know what I mean. And a quick not to kitty, when your character sees this temporary soul in Kai's body his aura is going to appear bright green.)

Kestrel

"Okay," Kes replied, lifting her bag onto her shoulder as she walked down the hall at a slower pace, listening to Stella's fading footsteps. She had her second English lecture that morning and her first music lesson in the afternoon but as she entered her classroom, she was amazed to see a bright green aura amongst her class-mates. What could it be? Had her powers advanced already, was this some other variation of a human aura, a human who had the potential to see ghosts perhaps? Or was this something else entirely, was this...

"Kestrel, there's a seat next to Kai. If you sit down, we can start the lecture," Proffessor Hill urged kindly. Kestrel gave him the briefest of nods as she headed to the seat, feeling very confused and vaguely aware of the sniggers and murmured comments around her. She blushed as she sat down in her seat. The only seat remaining in the entire room. The seat next to Kai, next to the green aura!

"What's going on?" Kestrel whispered, removing equipment from her bag.

"How do you mean?" Kai asked, edging his chair closer.

"Your aura is different..." She waited, wishing she could see his expression and trying to discern the tone of his voice when he spoke again. He sounded confident and casual:

"Oh that. It's nothing, I'll explain later. Actually, we should meet up, how about after the lecture? I can tell you about it over lunch?" Kai suggested.

"Okay. Thanks for helping me with this Kai, it's all rather new and hard to understand."

Kai, the real Kai, cut down the enemy Hollow with one final strike. It howled in agony as its body faded away into the air. He sheathed his giant sword and turned to Ichidan. "Come on, let's go back."

"What's the hurry?" Ichidan asked. "The temporary soul will take care of everything until you get back."

"I know, but I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen if we don't get back soon."


Meanwhile the Kai back at college had brought Kestrel to the cafeteria. As he sat across from her he kept thinking, Man, jackpot! This girl is pretty good looking, plus she's blind so she won't notice me looking at her body! His gaze was plastered to Kestrel's chest.

"Uh, Kai? Is everything alright?" Kestrel asked.

"Just great, why do you ask?"

"Well, you're being pretty quiet. I thought you were going to explain why your aura is so different."

"Oh, that?" He waved the thought away like an annoying bug. "Let's not talk about that, it's too boring. What I'm really interested in is you."

"What do you mean?" Kestrel was starting to get a little worried. Kai was acting differently than he usually was.

"You're a real babe, Kestrel, you've got a smokin' hot body."

"...Excuse me?" Kestrel was so shocked at what he was saying she couldn't think of anything to say to him.

"You heard me, you're hot, and I want to take you out tonight."

Kestrel was very worried now, this was not how Kai normally acted. Plus, he already had a girlfriend, Audra. "What about Audra?"

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend."

"Uhh... oh, sure, my girlfriend. Forget about her, it's you I'm really into." He reached over the table and took Kestrel's hand in his own. "So, what do you say?"

(I want this to stay in the cafeteria until the real Kai gets back. And just so you know, I want Ayumi's character to walk in on Kai and Kestrel before Kai arrives. Ayumi said she would be back on the 7th. But I still want you to post something in response to this post, kitty.)