The Challenge

It started with a few light drops, the first wet splodges darkening the colour of the dry earth in the streets. As the heavens gave an abrupt threatening grumble however, the sky could no longer hold in the rain and the laden clouds above burst, releasing a shocking downpour onto the Seireitei. The sound of the pounding water against the roof of her apartment drew her gaze out of the open window. Stirred from her imaginings, she expected relief, but the only emotion her body would let her feel was anxiety.

The torrential weather seemed to coincide with her current mood. She had been studying her reflection pensively in the mirror on the wall of her small bedroom, wondering how she could possibly hope to accomplish the impossible feat that she knew her heart was set on. Her heart desired the lieutenant position by Shunsuis side fiercely, yet she knew she had at best a dull glimmer of hope against the current lieutenant, the fearsome warrior Aoide Sato. But for all the seeming hopelessly, she knew she had to take her chance.

She had been working her way up through the ranks for the past century, Lisa had primed her for this position, and she felt it was her destiny. She had to try. She knew she could perform all the necessary tasks, she had been stacked with ridiculous amounts of paperwork before, but it wasn’t the administration responsibilities she wanted, though she would admit that she took pleasure in keeping order in the division. No, it was more the need to prove her loyalty to her Captain, to fight by his side, and perhaps gain a little more than his admiration. Her cheeks coloured slightly even at the thought of it, but she put such feelings aside. This was what she was destined to do and she would damn well try her hardest to claim her perceived, rightful position.

Exhaling, she took one last look in the mirror, ignoring all of her features except her dark, lavender eyes, framed behind her stylish glasses. Yes, she could see the passion burning there, the intense concentration as she recalled the incantations for the powerful kido spells she had mastered during her training. Of course it would not be easy, but she had to try, for Lisa, for Shunsui, and for herself.
With a graceful sweep she gathered herself from the floor and exited her apartment. Cursing the rain now, she stepped out into the downpour to search for Aoide, knowing that at least the rain would be there to wipe the blood from her face.