Hey guys! No real excuses on why I stopped writing other than that I lost interest in Bleach after a while. I apologize for that and am happy to say that I've begun re-watching it from the beginning and it's renewed my interest. Plus, I had already started working on a different story that isn't up yet and that kind of got my creative spark lit. Well, at least I hope so. Been a while since I wrote and posted, so hopefully this won't be too bad. Feel free to say just how bad it is and your general opinions. Please enjoy and look forward to more!

Bleach is property of Tite Kubo. Every last bottle.

Chapter 5: A Gift Given

The sound of wooden strikes resonated throughout the air, breaking the otherwise quiet atmosphere that settled over the District of Sabitsura. Following each one like an echo were the grunts of exertion from the causes of the noise, a young man with otherwise smooth hair aside from an unruly tuft and an old man with a grizzled beard of a pepper coloration. The older of the two was in his usual blue robes, while the younger was wrapped in a new dull green set of robes with a white cloth belt. As the younger man's thrust was quickly smacked aside by his mentor's own weapon, Michi raised an eyebrow in question. "Holding back Takeshi? I don't think you're quite ready to be doing something like that yet. At least, not against me."

Stepping forward forcefully, Michi delivered a powerful downward stroke that forced Takeshi to hurriedly block, their weapons making a loud smacking noise as they met. Gritting his teeth, Takeshi stepped to the side and push his masters sword away before smiling again. "I'm sorry Master, it's just that I don't want to have to carve another sword again." He then retaliated with a slash toward Michi's side, which the old man intercepted with his own weapon, pushing forward until he was face to face with his student.

"Too bad. Carving is just as important as Zanjutsu lessons. Now let's see how strong this sword of yours is!" Taking a step back, he swung his sword in a powerful arc. A loud crack followed and Takeshi groaned as his latest wooden sword was broken in two. "You call that pathetic piece of wood a bokutō? Back to the bench Takeshi!" Pointing to the carving bench, Michi went over and sat on the back porch of his house, which came to be when Michi decided that he suddenly wanted one. This was partly to teach Takeshi a little about carving before he began training him how to create a training sword.

Resigning himself to his fate, Takeshi dropped what was left of his sword and slumped down in front of the bench. "Yes Master." He sighed, selecting a slender log and began the arduous task of creating a sword that would hopefully not break.

It had turned out that all of the practice swords in the closet were not quite for his personal use. In fact, they were Michi's. After Takeshi learned that he would be making his own swords to practice with, he had been forced to take up carpentry as a hobby. Thanks to that, his hands were currently in bandages from the times he'd cut himself although he proudly didn't slip up quite as much now as when he started. "Agh, dammit." He said quietly, bringing his thumb up to his mouth as he nicked it. Of course that would happen.

It had now been nearly six months since the incident with the Soul Reaper. Thanks to that, Michi had taken it upon himself to literally beat some manners into Takeshi. He would constantly insult him in every way imaginable and if Takeshi showed even the slightest hint of annoyance or anger he would be rewarded with a good thrashing from his mentor's walking stick. This led to the younger man adopting a false politeness that he was told would keep him alive. "You don't want to get on the wrong side of someone more powerful than you. Many of those people could kill you if they felt insulted and nobody would even reprimand them for it." Michi had told him countless time that he was to attempt to be as respectful as possible, even if he didn't mean it.

Aside from furthering his skill in Zanjutsu, learning how to carve, and being taught how to properly act; the biggest change in their regular routine was that Michi would now finally call him by his name, which made the young man feel unusually happy. He hadn't known many people who would refer to him in such a way and the new sensation was one he found he enjoyed. It showed him that Michi was finally accepting him as a person and might even be somewhat fond of him. The old man was still harsh as ever, but Takeshi could feel that it was now done in a way to build him up rather than break him down. Speaking of breaking, Takeshi had broken more swords than he could count during the last six months. Michi had told him that it would be teaching him a valuable skill, but the youth had yet to understand the importance of this lesson. "Ouch!"

"Take your time Takeshi. Rushing will only make the final product weaker, less perfect. You've really got to put your soul into it." Speak of the devil, his teacher had quietly moved behind him, smacking him quickly on the back of the head to drive his point home. "Otherwise it'll break after all that work. Idiot." He turned around and began to walk back to the porch.

Rubbing his head painfully, Takeshi nodded. "Thanks for the advice Master. I keep trying but none of my swords seem to make it past a day. I wonder if I'm missing something?" He grinned back at his teacher's retreating back. "Eh, Master?"

Stopping in his tracks, Michi looked over his shoulder. "Are you trying to say that I didn't teach you correctly on how to carve a bokken?" He growled angrily, blue eyes boring into Takeshi's back as the youth turned around.

"Of course not. Just wondering if you had any more useful advice for me. Guess not." He smiled mischievously, which is why he'd turned his back to his irritated mentor.

Turning completely around, Michi planted his walking stick firmly in the ground. "What was that you little shit eater? I don't think I like the way you said that!"

Pausing from his carving, Takeshi turned around with his hands on his lap and bowed. "I apologize if I've angered you Master. It was not intentional."

His eyebrow twitching, Michi adopted a rather intimidating smile. "You know you're just asking for it. Don't push your luck, smartass."

Rising, Takeshi laughed nervously. "Ehehehe, please don't do that Master. That face is a rather scary one."

Both of the men's attention was suddenly diverted as a loud disturbance was heard coming from the streets. Looking in the direction of the sound, they both stood up and hurried over to the front of the house, Takeshi pausing to take his half-finished bokuto with him. This caused him to be somewhat late, running up beside Michi as the old man stood unmoving. "What is it Master?"

Michi groaned and inclined his head down the main road. "Kusajishi trash." Seeing Takeshi's uncomprehending look, he sighed. "Kusajishi is a dangerous district even farther out from us. As such, it's living conditions are absolutely terrible and the inhabitants are no better. They kill others as if it's second nature. Occasionally they come to districts like ours to create trouble and generally raise hell. In other words, they're not savory people."

Tilting his head at this new information, Takeshi smirked. "Unlike you?"

Michi glared at his from the corner of his eyes. "You're getting rather talkative again."

Turning away, Takeshi ceased pestering his master. He then looked in the direction his master gestured, where three rough looking men were steadily walking past the nervous people of Sabitsura. Dropping his head slightly, he turned his head so that he couldn't see them out of his left eye. Looking through the strands of his hair, Takeshi's right away swiveled from man to man, assessing them. They seemed rather malnourished but not in a way that suggested they were weak. The clothes they wore resembled rags more than anything and he was also interested to see that they were carrying weapons. One held a wooden club limply by his side, the left most one had a spear, and the one in the middle seemed to be the only one out of the trio unarmed. He watched as they began to harass a fruit vender, yelling angrily at him when he voiced his objections at them taking his produce as they pleased.

"Kusajishi huh? Makes me a bit curious." Suddenly stepping away from his masters side, Takeshi strode forward, only to have his arm caught in his Masters strong grip.

"Don't be stupid Takeshi. No good will come of you trying to fight them. They'll try to kill you if you do anything foolish." He stared hard at his who student, who didn't turn to meet his gaze.

"Master. You've been training me for eight months now. I'm just curious to see how much I've improved, also…" he finally turned and smiled at his mentor. "I'd like to know what kind of people come from Kusajishi." The two sat still for a few seconds before Michi released his grip.

"Fine. Just watch your back."

Laughing, Takeshi began to walk away. "Is that concern in your voice Master?"

"Just be careful you moron. Don't want all of my hard work to go to waste."

PAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGE

Stopping a short distance away from them, Takeshi raised his hand in greeting and smiled at them. "Good afternoon. Are you guys from Kusajishi?"

The three slowly turned and looked towards him, seeming confused that he'd address them so casually. "Yeah, what about it?" The middle one, also the shortest said. He had somewhat long brown hair that completely covered one side of his face. The others were somewhat larger than him, one with a grizzly beard and middle length raggedy hair that fell down both sides of his face in uneven spikes. The third had a rather long and pointy nose, all but bald except for a small ponytail that laid down his back.

Opening his eyes, Takeshi grinned, his hand relaxing on the rough bakuto inside his belt. "Well then that explains your bad manners. You see, in Sabitsura, you have to pay for the food before you eat it."

The other men gave him a dumbfounded look, baffled that he had the nerve to so openly insult them. "Are you being serious?" The leader said, looking at his two companions and motioning for them to move to either side of Takeshi. "Well maybe we'll have to show you how we do things in Kusajishi then!"

The size of Takeshi's smile increased and he slowly pulled his bokken from his belt. "That's very kind of you. Perhaps you're not as bad as everyone makes you out to be." He looked to his sides, not seeming to mind that he was surrounded. "Let's start the lesson then, shall we?" He suddenly ran forward, catching the spear user off guard. Getting close, he forced the other man to block his strike with the haft of his weapon.

"Uncomfortable?" He said, grabbing the spear between where the man held it, and pulled it down, thrusting the butt of his weapon into the man's nose. While his first opponent fell back, he released his hold on the man's weapon and quickly turned, ducking hurriedly as the second man swung his club where his head had previously been.

Takeshi then sprang forward, swinging his bokuto from below and slamming it across the man's jaw. The bearded man's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed, his club falling to the ground with him. Taking a step back, Takeshi raised his weapon to deflect the incoming spear strike, pushing it to the side. Again taking hold of the spears handle, he pulled himself forward and delivered a harsh strike to the mans fingers, which caused him to let go of the weapon with that hand.

Grunting, Takeshi roughly pulled the weapon out of the man's weakened grip. He then took a quick few steps towards the spears previous owner and smacked the butt of the spear across the man's face, then spun and crashed his wooden sword into the man's chest. The man clutched his chest in pain as some of his ribs could be heard cracking and fell to his knees, coughing wildly.

Chuckling, Takeshi dropped the spear and began to turn towards the third man, his weapon hanging loosely from his hand as he opened his arms and closed his eyes in a disappointed gesture. "I have to say that I expected more from people from Kusajishi. Really, I was expecting more."

He opened them and they suddenly widened in surprise as the long haired man was closer than he thought, closing in on him with a small knife in his hands. Attempting to react, Takeshi realized that he wouldn't make it. He gritted his teeth at his mistake. Damn, he had a knife hidden on him? Idiot!

As the sharp blade homed in on his chest, it was suddenly interrupted as a wooden sword came from below, pushing the man's arms up and causing the blade to miss it's target. Sweat had erupted on Takeshi's face and he gasped as he saw Michi standing between them, one of his beautiful swords held in an upward position. "I'll take it from here, Takeshi." He said quietly, eyes not leaving the other man as he lowered his sword.

Swallowing nervously, Takeshi nodded and stepped back. "Yes Master."

PAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGE

The man with long hair laughed. "You're pretty quick for an old man, but that was just luck on your part. I wasn't paying attention to some stupid bastard like you."

Michi stood straight and put his sword in front of him, one hand over another as he gripped his weapon tightly. He neglected to answer and instead slowly slid one foot forward. Eyes narrowing, his opponent growled. "Damn old man. Don't think you're too good to not answer me!" He ran forward and attempted to stab his knife past Michi's guard.

Reacting instantly, Michi snapped his sword down, knocking the attack away. At the same time he stepped forward and smacked the man on his left arm, another step was then followed by a strike to the collarbone, and one more brought him closer as he dropped a heavy blow on the stunned man's exposed side. His opponent stumbled, eye wide in pain and mouth hanging open in surprise. Taking a final step forward, Michi spun and delivered a crushing blow to the side of the man's skull, who's head snapped to the side and carried his body to the side as he dropped to the ground.

Quickly withdrawing his weapon, Michi calmly and in an almost reverent manner slipped his bakuto back into his belt. "I hope that you three will not be dirtying our town with your presence when I come back out. Stay here and I won't be so gentle the next time." Turning around, he began to walk back to his house. "Takeshi! Quit dawdling, come!"

Shocked into action, Takeshi nodded, running after his teacher. "Yes Master!" He looked at the unconscious men and smiled before leaving.

As they entered the house, he quickly ran up to his teacher and clapped him on the shoulder. "That was amazing with how you made such quick work of him Master. Have you been holding back on me during our sparring? That's unfair Master!" He said happily, seeming excited at his Master's recent show of skill.

He was then surprised as Michi roughly brushed his hand off his shoulder. "Keep quiet boy! You do remember that you just nearly died a minute ago don't you?" Spinning around, he smacked Takeshi across the face, causing him to fall back a few steps before steadying himself on a wall. "I told you to watch your back you complete and utter IMBECILE!" he shouted the last word forcefully, throwing his hands up in desperation.

The words hurting him more than the blow, Takeshi massaged his bruised cheek. "I'm sorry Master, but I took care of the others rather well, right? I even used that spinning move you taught me."

Michi laughed sarcastically, crossing his arms over each other as if to stop himself from strangling his idiotic student. "Oh sure! You definitely took care of them you did, but that doesn't mean a DAMN thing if the last one gets you! You can't relax like that when there are still enemies around you. Doing so is just asking them to take advantage of it, idiot!" Forcing himself to calm down, Michi sighed.

"If I hadn't intervened you would be dead right now Takeshi, get it? Gone, no longer here. That would be the price for your foolishness." He sighed again and went to sit on a chair, closing his eyes and holding his head in one hand in an irritated manner. "Leaving me alone."

Staring in shock at his teacher, Takeshi realized that Michi had been sincerely and obviously worried for him. Gritting his teeth, he walked from the wall and stood in front of his mentor. Dropping to his knees, he put his fists down before him and slammed his forehead to the ground. "I am sorry for causing you so much trouble, Master! Please, forgive this foolish man!"

Opening his eyes, Michi allowed a softer expression to show as he looked down at his pupil. Hardening his features again, he spoke. "Look up at me Takeshi."

Slowly, Takeshi did as he was told, revealing the tears that had forced their way out of his eyes. Michi smirked, placing a wrinkled hand on the boys head. Of course, like me he can't bear to show his deeper feelings. Stupid kid. "You did well, except for that last part. Good job."

Takeshi quickly wiped his hand across his face before bowing his head again. "Thank you, Master!" It was the first time Michi had actually complimented him, causing him to again hide his face as fresh tears dropped to the floor.

"Michi."

Looking up again, Takeshi's eyes widened in confusion. "What?"

Smiling, Michi stood up. "I said when we first met that you were to call me Master until I say so. Well now I'm saying that you are only allowed to call me Michi. Understood?"

Standing up with him, Takeshi grinned back and nodded. "Understood, Michi."

The old man smirked before turning back to his closet and removing an object. "Here." He said, tossing it towards Takeshi.

Catching it in both hands, the young man looked down and saw a masterfully carved bakuto resting in his hands. Obviously, it had been made by Michi, and it was of excellent quality. It looked more or less the same as all of the ones Michi made, save for one obvious difference. A tall rectangle with a horizontal line intersecting it, along with a dash mark at the top of it. The kanji symbol had been both carved into the blade and painted in black. "What does it mean?" Takeshi asked confusedly.

Eyes bulging, Michi looked at him in shock. "What, you can't read that? You're just now telling me that you don't know how to read!?" Shaking his head in wonder, he groaned. "Great, one more thing on the list. Regardless, that symbol means 'Shiro'. I'm giving it to you, both the sword and the name. This way we can spar with less interruptions. You can take it as your first name and your own as your last, since it's more important. If you'll accept it that is."

Shiro ran his hand over the bakuto's beautiful surface and smiled. "Of course I'll accept it! I'm honored to not have to carve any more wooden swords!"

Laughing, Michi grinned evilly. "Didn't say that did I? You'll still learn to carve efficiently; it's an important skill to have. You'll also have to learn how to read. Can't have everyone thinking you're an idiot all the time. We'll also be needing some paper, ink, and a few quills for your writing lessons. I don't have that much here and Sabitsura doesn't specialize in such things. You'll probably going to need to run to one of the farther in districts to find some." Going to his room he pulled out a small sack of money, returned and deposited it in Shiro's hand. "Best get going."

Blinking rapidly in surprise, Shiro grimaced. "So do I have to actually run the whole way?"

Nodded sagely, Michi turned him around by the shoulders and pushed him out the door. "Of course, it wouldn't be a good exercise if you didn't. If you don't come back covered in sweat and exhausted I'll give you some lessons in defending against weapons barehanded. Now get moving!"

"Michi, you bastard!" Shiro yelled as he began to run, his new sword tightly stuck inside his belt.

PAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGEBREAKPAGE

So even though it's been a while, I would like to feel that I didn't do to horribly on this chapter. Again I can't really apologize enough for the wait but I've changed my profile name back to show that I'm going to be writing again. I hope you all(or more likely my empty audience seats complete with cobwebs) enjoyed the chapter. If anyone is slightly interested in why Michi gave Shiro the name he did, then try to find out what meaning it has in this situation.