Teacher knows best (Muffin)

[Ogihci]

It was a bright and sunny day in the Seretei with a light breeze but warm just the same. Class had just gotten out and the class had left but Michael had stayed behind and was picking up his stuff. In the room was also the teacher a Captain which Michael was honored to be taught by someone like herself. Captain Gemma a new captain in the ranks which was still an honor. Gathering the rest of his things he walked to the front of the room. "Thank you Captain Gemma for teaching me this fine day," he said saluting.

Michael is a fairly short young gentleman standing at only four feet and five inches tall. He weighs about one-hundred pounds with a small but fairly muscular physique. His muscles have a lean appearance making him look weaker than he actually is. His hair is black in color with blood red highlights. It would be shoulder length if it were straightened but it is wavy and slightly combed back. His eyes are green colored and give him the appearance of wisdom that seems to surpass someone of his age. His skin is fairly tan but not to the point were a little more sun might hurt him.

He does not wear the standard shinigami outfit as he is still currently in the shinigami academy. Since he is still in school he wears the academy uniform. This uniform consists of many parts that though are similar to the standard uniform are different in color. His uniform consists of a blue shitagi (under shirt) along with a white kosode (shirt) over it that has singular blue stripes down the sleeves along with two circular symbols on each breast area. Also part of the uniform is a blue hakama (trousers) with white socks and a pair of sandels. He wears a shinigami academy issued katana on his left hip.

[Muffin]

The blonde had her back turned to the students' desks, noticing that as soon as class ended, a flurry of students left in a rush, eager to get out of school. She smiled inwardly; she had been the exact same when she was in their position. A few lingered, but soon, only one remained. Gemma had been sorting out the sheets of marking and reports that only added to the enormous pile of paperwork she had been neglecting since her promotion when the student walked up to her. In fact, despite having larger stacks of forms and reports that were far more important that student marking, she'd probably get to the marking first.

When the student thanked her for the lesson, she turned and, almost quite literally, towered over him, with her nearing the six foot mark, and him barely passing four. "That's a first. Not everyone appreciates 'Tactics and Battle Ethics'." she replied, leaning on the desk and crossing her arms. She gave the student a once-over, noticing that he looked like someone who enjoyed learning. "You're Michael, aren't you?" she asked with a small smile, a rare smile without any hint of her usual bitchiness, "You're graduating soon. Have you decided on where to go?"

[Ogihci]

"Well I believe tatics and battle ethics are and important thing to learn as it can be used to end a battle quickly," he said thinking that it was odd that others would not find it interesting. The captain than said his name. "Yes it is my full name is Michael Angelo Captain Gemma," he said bowing. She then asked were he wanted to go after graduating. Now this Michael had given a lot of thought to. "Well I was hoping the Kido Corps as i prefer Kido over other types of combat," he said a little proud of his decision. "So i have to ask what is it like to be a new Captain of the Gotei Thirteen," he asked. Michael had always been fasinated by three things arrancar, Kido, and the Captains of the Gotei 13.

[Muffin]

Gemma smirked and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Michael Angelo. Like the artist, right?" she remarked, "Your thoughts on this subject is understandable, but when you think about it, why would you sit and get lectured when you could learn it hands-on? That's how most students think."

She looked up when he asked her about being a Captain. She'd only been promoted a few months ago, and while she adored the position, there were things about it that she wouldn't mind disappearing. "Captaincy is a lot more work than I expected," she replied, "Not do I have years worth of back-logged paperwork, but Seireitei Communication comes out next month. I'm also solo, I don't have a lieutenant yet. I don't even know why I agreed to this."

When he told her that he wanted to join the Kido Corps, she had to admit that she wasn't expecting that answer. "When I ask that question, I usually get a number. Kido Corps, hm? I assume your Kido is good then? Care to show me some? I think there's an empty Dojo across the hall."

[Ogihci]

"Yeah I suppose my name does seem to sound like his," he smiled though he wasn't much of an artist. "Well I like to think that if you learn from both lectures and hands on you learn better than those who just do one," he said thinking about it. It was true most preferred hands on but Michael could do either of them. Michael listened admiringly to the Captains story understanding that she had a lot of work as was the response he had gotten from most Captains. "Well what if I became your Litenant after I graduate to you know help out before I go to the Kido corps. Since the experience will be helpful as well it won't be a problem for me," he said giving her a reassuring smile. "Though you might not want a students help its just sort of a suggestion," he said thinking about it.

He then heard about her rresponse to him being part of the Kido corps. "Well I guess I set my sights a little higher than most students atleast thats what Captain Ukitake said more or less," he said smiling. "I would be honored to show a Captain such as yourself my ability in Kido, though I am still learning," he said happy to be showing a Captain non the less his skills. He bowed and allowed to take the lead.

(Sorry for the short post but I hope I gave you something to work with)

[Muffin]

"Lieutenant?" Gemma asked with a snicker, "Master your shikai first, dear. And then we'll talk about seats. But if you have some free time, you could work for me. I'll pay you for your services." With her family's almost endless bank account, she could more than afford it.

She nodded and followed the student to the Dojo. Usually, Kido was one of the hardest Shinigami arts to learn. Most students had trouble with it, so it was always refreshing to find students who were adept at Kido. "All right then, Michael, let's see what you can do. But before that," she said, pointing a finger at him, "Hado #1, Sai." she said, using the weakest Kido she knew, with barely a fraction of its potential. "There. I've trapped you in my Kido. What do you do now, Michael?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You should always remain on guard. It's not good to be paranoid, but one should always understand your surroundings. Fortunately, I'm a Captain. But what if I wasn't?"

[Ogihci]

Michael supposed she was right it was probably a good idea to learn shikai first or even get his zanpakuto in general. But he did say he set his sights higher than most students. It seemed to him most students just wanted to get into the Gotei 13 but Michael wanted just a little more than that. Heck if he could he would try to reach the seat of Captain in the Kido Corps. "Hm," he said this idea intrigued him. "Sure I'll help but you don't need to pay me I'd be more than happy to do it for free," he said. The reason he would was he had kinda developed a thing for the Captain as soon as she had walked into the room and started teaching. He then walked with her to the Dojo.

He was surprised that she used a binding Kido on him as his arms were pulled behind his back. He was a little embarrassed because she was right he shouldn't have let his guard down and he turned a little red and hoped she didn't notice. With a little bit of strain he was able to break free from it though this only meant she didn't use full force which probably would of broke his arms maybe. I'm sorry Captain Gemma I'll remember this lesson and follow it wisely," he said bowing to her. He new he looked kinda like a newbie to her but that was to be expected after all she was a Captain. "So is there any particular Kido you would like me to do or would you rather I pick," he asked her his guard up this time.

[Muffin]

Gemma shrugged and waved her hand dismissively "Don't worry about it, dear. It's a lesson everyone must learn once in a while. Fortunately for you, most people learn it much too late, usually right before coming face to face with a hollow."

She looked at Michael, "Pretend I am an enemy. Try to catch me with a Bakudo, or hit me with a Hado. Hit me with everything you have. Don't worry about hurting me, I'm sure I can handle it, especially with the gap between us. Consider this a training exercise for battle. If you really want to be in the Kido Corps, then you need to be confident in your abilities. In fact, that goes for any Division." Gemma said, crossing her arms over her chest. It was one of the first lessons she learned as a Shinigami, and by God, it was the most important thing that she was taught.

She brushed her hair back, "And do stop apologizing so much, my dear. Get some backbone in there."

[Ogihci]

Michael had heard about times when some shinigami got over confident and lost there lives because of it. But luckily his guard was up and he was ready to go. Wait she wanted him to fight her. This Michael wasn't sure he could do but she did have a point the difference in there power was huge. Not to mention she was not even using her full potential. Michael was confident in his abilities in fact he saw himself the best Kido user who was a student if not ever then for currently. He was pretty sure of this. "I'm sor-, I mean yes Captain Gemma," he said correcting himself from saying sorry again.

OK how could he start he thought for a minute. Then it hit him. He then shunpoed to her right. "Hado 4 Byakurai," he said firing a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from his right finger. He then shunpoed above. "Bakudo 4 hainawa," he said in an attempt to stop her. Though he didn't really think she would be fooled he was hoping she would at least be taken off guard. He shunpoed back down to the ground ready for retaliation.

[Muffin]

Gemma gave Michael a small smile as he appeared on her right, firing off a Byakurai. She stepped back, letting the electricity fly past her. "Good. Attacking straight on is predictable." she said, "And your shunpo's pretty good as well."

Looking up, she saw that Michael had disappeared again, and moved above her, where he fired a Hainawa. She raised her arm and let the rope wrap around it, before swinging her arm down, shattering the rope. "Excellent. Quick movement from place to place is a good tactic for distraction." she remarked. She pointed her finger at Michael, "Hado 1, Sho." she said, firing a burst of reiatsu at the student. Of course, it was only a fraction of it's power, as she didn't really want to hurt him, but it was good enough to send the boy back a few feet or so.

[Ogihci]

Michael was a little disheartened that his byakurai missed. But that was to be expected and Captain Gemma had even complemented his strategy and his shunpo. This gave him a good feeling though it was hard to explain. Having more confidence in his second attack he was extremely happy it managed to hit. But that victory was soon dashed as she easily tore from it. Reappearing on the ground she seemed pleased that he was using speed to try and get her though she was obviously faster. The compliments would seem to have gone to his head as she surprised him by using a Kido spell again. He felt himself pushed back a few feet. It seemed she was still going easy on him which was probably a good thing considering there difference in strength.

As he was push back he he said. "Hado 4 byakurai," launching another concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from his right finger. Then without hesitating he said. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo 9 Geki," he yelled trying to engulf the Captain in red light, to completely paralyze her well he didn't really think it would work but maybe slow her down. He then shunpoed again appearing a few feet to the right. "Bakudo 8 Seki," he said Creating a round shield that seems to temporarily paralyze and repel whatever strikes it. He hopped this would prevent her from using Kido on him again but didn't hurt that he was paying attention behind himself as well.

[Muffin]

Gemma side-stepped again, dodging another shot of Byakurai, letting the electricity fly past her and hit one of the practice mats hanging on the wall. It left a decent-sized burn on it; she'd have to replace that. Still, a burn that size coming from an Academy Student was pretty impressive. But as she turned around to face Michael again, she heard him chanting a spell for another Bakudo, Geki. She turned fully to face him as he shot the kido, allowing herself to be caught within it. She tried moving her arms, noticing that she still retained mobility, but it was slower than usual. "Not bad, impressive, actually," she remarked, slowly leaking her reiatsu, breaking free from the kido, "You used a Hado to distract me from the Bakudo, right? How deceptively sneaky. If you didn't recite the chant, you might have actually surprised an opponent of lesser power. Of course, it would have been much weaker."

The red light around her shattered, just as he cast another Bakudo. Seki was useful if expecting an attack from one particular direction, but it did very little to protect other sides an enemy might be coming from. With the swishing sound of shunpo, Gemma disappeared, only to reappear behind Michael soon after. "Are you watching your other sides too?" she asked, placing her index finger on the middle of his back, "Hado 1, Sho." she said, before disappearing again. She appeared in front of him, in the direction she sent him with the Kido, just in case she made the shot a little too strong, she would be able to catch him. "Enough with Byakurai, Michael dear. How about a Shakkaho?"

[Ogihci]

Michael saw the Captain as she dodged his byakurai which seemed to catch her attention and she seem pleased with the power behind it. Then turning around it seemed his ruse was not as helpful as he would of liked. Though he did catch the Captain in the bakudo he assumed she allowed that to happen as she seemed to easily break free even though it was at full power. But, this was to be expected as there was a major gap in there power. The Captain also seemed pleased that he used the two Kido in unison the Hado to distract and the bakudo to trap. Even if she did manage to get out it was nice to hear her say that it was good.

After putting up the shield the Captain shunpoed behind him but he was watching his back and sides and when she placed her finger on his back and said hado he tried to shunpo out of the way but was just barely nicked causing him to down one roll forward before he regained his footing. Then the Captain shunpoed in front of him. She seemed to be getting impatient by him only using byakurai and asked him to try shakkaho. But the very reason he had been using low level Kido was so he could at least attack and try to keep up at the same time however much of a failure that may be. Though he would comply with the Captain's request.

"Alright Captain Gemma," he said backing up a little. OK now he needed to remember the chant to it though he was very good at Kido higher up ones were not used by him a lot do to how they drained him. Though other students would go gun hoe and wast there reistu on Kido that they really shouldn't have been performing usually ending in explosive results. "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south," he stated remembering the chant which was kind of a long one he had to admit. "Hado 31 Shakkaho," he said firing a ball of red energy at the Captain.

After that Kido Michael began breathing a little harder. After all, it was hard work successfully firing Kido that was a lot harder than say Byakurai or Sho. Though it was always good to try and do the harder ones sometimes. "How was that," he asked eager for an anwser though keeping his guard up just in case she was gonna test him some more.

(WOOT! My muse is back. ^^)

[Muffin]

Maybe asking for a Shakkaho was a little too much. It was one of the most basic spells Academy Students were taught, but it was also quite taxing. She remembered the first time she tried using a Shakkaho; she had put too much power into it and it exploded in her face.

Not like she was going to reveal that little fact to anyone.

When the familiar glow of the red Shakkaho was fired in her direction, she pointed her finger at it, "Hado 1, Sho," she said, casting another Sho at the ball. The kido shot a hole straight through the ball, causing it to explode around her. If that was all that it took to destroy it, then it wasn't that powerful to begin with. Still, being able to fire a Shakkaho was an impressive feat by itself.

"You actually managed to fire a Shakkaho. I am very impressed with you." she said, clapping her hands. "I had honestly thought that it would backfire and explode in your face. Fortunately, it didn't."

At that moment, the familiar ringing of a Hell Butterfly appeared, flying around her head. Gemma waved the butterfly away, sending if fluttering back the way it came. "Yes, yes, I'm coming. Goodness, can't I have some time for myself?"

With a sigh, she turned back to the student in front of her, "Well, it looks like I'm needed. This was a very interesting exercise, I must admit. Continue working on your Kido. You'll excel in it." she said, walking up and placing her hand on Michael's head, "Now, is there anything you need before I make my leave?"