Bleach ( Reader Insert )

Not Ready

      Bankai, A skill only a Captain classed Shinigami could possess. Strangely enough, those who aren't captains have been able to achieve this ultimate technique, for example, Ichigo Kurosaki. Even some Lieutenants have been strong enough to achieve this great power.

Now, it was your turn.

" So, you want to learn Bankai. Are you sure you're ready?" Kisuke asked you. You nod back in response, " I'm ready,"

     This whole process was going to be tough and require tons of time, but you'll do whatever it takes to stop Utachi and Avenge your Captain. For days, you spent your time training while at night you ate to your hearts content and rested to restore your energy. The training wasn't one for the weak or the faint of heart. You needed to Learn Bankai as fast as possible.

Lucky for you, Ichigo and his friends have come by to help and keep you company.

" So, any progress on your Bankai?" Ichigo asked as he took a sip of his drink.

     You looked at him as you chewed on the rice in your mouth with a shrug. Then you swallowed your food and looked down at your bowl of rice and eggs, " I think I'm getting there," you reply.

" I'm sure you'll achieve Bankai, just keep training," Ichigo said as he set his can down on the table. Orihime smiled softly at you, " Yeah, and we'll be here to help you,"

     A small smile formed on your face, glad to have them here with you. At first, you didn't like Ichigo, but recently, he's been around more often. You wonder if it's because you've lost someone close to you and maybe he knows how it feels and doesn't want you spiraling into depression or anything.

     Your expression then began to change thinking about your captain's death, wishing she never sacrificed herself. You suddenly got up from the table and began watching away.

" (Y/N)?" Orihime softly called out.

     You ignored her and continued on, heading down to the training area. You wanted to get revenge, but you also wanted to end this fight and move on. It would hurt too much to lose anyone else. The people who have made you feel welcomed and give you that feeling that everyone, whether you liked them are not, are like family.

     Standing in the middle of your room, you looked down at the ground. Thinking about Haj and the events that happened during bad training was really difficult for you to the point you didn't have the heart to tell the truth to the others. The real reason why you were taking all this time to learn Bankai.

" Trying again?" Your zanpakuto spoke.

" I have to, I can't fail... I can't afford to," You glance away, clenching your fist.

" You've already failed twice. I thought you would be ready for Bankai, but it seems like you're holding yourself back," It told her, making your eyes widen.

" No! I need to keep going, no matter what it takes!" You shout.

     Your Zanpakuto spirit sighed heavily, " It's not your time yet. Take a break, kid," it said before disappearing.

     All you could do was stand there, a bit shaky, and clearly pissed off that Jaakuna kopī has given up on you. Not Ready? How could you not be ready? Ever since Utachi has first shown his face, you've been ready to take him down, no matter what the cost was. But it seems that the cost of trying to stop him has done more harm than good.

     Suddenly, you felt something wet run down the side of your face. Your hand shakily reached up, touching the liquid before realizing it was your tears. You were crying. But why? You weren't making any crying noises, yet your eyes just started pouring tears out.

" Damnit..." You grumbled as he started to wipe those wears with your arm and hands.

     For a moment, you stood there, struggling to pull yourself together. It sucked feeling this way.

" Yo, (F/N). Why are you crying, you big baby?" A voice called out.

" I'm not crying..." You angrily responded.

" Pull yourself together then. You're a part of the fourteenth division. We don't fall apart when things get tough. We push through it and keep going with a smile on our faces!" The voice proudly exclaimed.

     Your eyes begin to widen, recognizing that voice.

" Captain!?"

     You looked back to where the voice was coming from but no one was there. An annoyed smile formed on your face. " Heh, looks like I'm losing my mind..."

      You laugh to yourself while struggling to calm yourself down. You felt like crap at first but now you feel like you lost your mind. It was bad enough that the image of your Captain dying replayed in your head, but now you could hear her voice. NO wonder your Zanpakuto Spirit said you weren't ready. You just can't move on.

" (Y/N)? Are... you okay?" You hear.

" Great, she's talking to me again..." You mumbled.

" She? Were you talking to someone?" The person asked.

      Then it started to register. That was a pretty masculine voice. When you turned around, you saw the one person you didn't expect to see. The strawberry. Quickly turning back, you wiped your tears away and cleared your throat before standing up.

" Kurosaki, what are you doing here?" You asked him.

     A gentle smile formed on his face. " Well, from what I saw, you looked like you needed someone to talk to," he said and walked up to you.

     You turned to look at him just as he approached you and he placed a hand on your shoulder, making you raise a brow.

" Why don't we train together? You can let off some steam," He offered.

     You debated his offer for a moment. But then decided that it couldn't hurt. Maybe that's what you need. You grabbed the hilt of your Zanpakuto and looked at him, taking a stance.

" Alright then,"

     Ichigo chuckled a bit and took a few steps back before grabbing the hilt of his Zanpakuto and removed the blade that rested against his back.

" Let's see what you got, (Y/N)" Ichigo smiled. You narrowed your eyes and then the two of you ran at each other. Blades Clash.