Chapter One:
Hinako stared at the entrance gate of the Soul Society: Soul Reapers HQ. It was overwhelming. First she worried she'd be the only American there, then she worried that maybe she would get in trouble a lot and get kicked out. And finally she worried about saying the wrong thing. She had no worries about dying within line of duty. No, that'd be a death worthwhile. She would never want to die any other way. But in her first life she did die another way. She died an honorable way still. She died having tried to protect her family from being slaughtered by a robber. She had taken a bullet for her older brother, Clay. She surprised everyone and the police entered directly after that. Too bad she'd already died. A bullet to the heart can do that. And after about a week of wandering she'd been found by a soul reaper. He consoled her and she ended up here, set in a white kimono. She was to report to duty as any person who'd died an honorable death was. She could live and die again.
Hinako played with one of the blond pigtails that stood on top of the rest of her flat hair. The two ponytails were pulled up with black ribbons and blond wisps fell into her face. "I am weird," She muttered as she stepped through the gate and into the grounds. "Hinako Mana?" A rough voice asked. Hinako turned to see a small boy with ice blue eyes and white hair in a Captain's uniform glaring at her. He was at her height. Hinako may have had a Japanese name but she was still an American girl. She still had blue eyes, blond hair and a very slim figure. Hinako began to play with the black studded choker that seemed to have followed through with her. "Yes, Captain," She said.
Hinako POV-----
I stared at the Captain. I could tell by his uniform. I'd been told in detail about this path that I would take as a soul reaper. It was a dangerous path and the soul reaper who consoled me had asked whether I wanted it or not. I told him yes. A definite yes. I would live an honorable way even in my death. "Well, I am Captain Hitsugaya. I will be your mentor until you are assigned a squad." He said. I nodded and fiddled with the choker that seemed to have followed me through. The small silver spikes stuck out at every end all the way around beside the buttons on the back. I loved it and the black ribbons. "Yes, well, thank you," I said. He nodded and began to lead me off. "You will find your uniform in your room." Captain Hitsugaya said as he led me towards a small Japanese style building. "Don't you worry of dying even in death?" Captain H asked. (AN: Captain Hitsugaya is too long and my computer says its spelled wrong. I don't care!!). I shook my head. "I died taking a bullet for my brother and I'm willing to do the same for anyone. Everyone is just as important." I said and blinked. Captain H smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your heroic actions. Though we find you honorable, your brother might be a little harder to handle." Captain H said. I laughed and nodded. "The uniform you have now is just for the ceremony. You will be run through with the Zanpacto you are assigned."
I found that quite a shock. I was going to be 'run through' with a Zanpacto? Isn't that a sword?! "That's the ceremony?" I asked, my voice reaching a higher pitch. "Yes but I swear it will be painless it is just so you have the abilities of a Soul Reaper. Your Zanpacto will then take the form that your spirit allows it to." Captain H said. I nodded. I followed Captain H, talking and laughing with him until we reached what was going to be my room. "Do you mind if I decorate a bit?" I asked in distaste as I glared at the bland white room. "It is your room, you may do as you like to it." Captain H said. "Thanks; you've been a huge help," I said. "Your ceremony is to take place tomorrow morning. Be at the ceremony grounds at promptly seven o'clock." Captain H said and began to walk off. I nodded and entered my room. First thing was to get this place looking at least a bit homier. I closed the sliding door and tapped my foot with my hands on my hips. It was my thinking pose. "Hmm," I hummed and stepped towards the desk. It already had paperwork. I groaned and checked out the paperwork. I purposely spread it out so I could look at many papers at once. I had been just declared 8th seat of the tenth division. Captain H was in my captain!! I was really happy about that. My Zanpacto would be declared after the ceremony. That was because they didn't know what form it would take.
The rest was just boring rules and policies that I probably wouldn't listen to. I found the temporary uniform of mine. It was a long white kimono. Very dressy. I sighed and wondered what I could do. I pulled on the kimono and looked at myself in the mirror that hung on the back wall of my closet. "My God, you're so plain," I said and began to shift it so that it would seem better. I pulled the partial front so that it created a sort of slit along my leg. I loosened the front so it showed just below my collarbone and I let the sleeves roll just slightly so they were farther spread out. I looked at myself now. I placed my hands on my hips and pursed my lips. Absolutely; I would definitely take this version over the first one. But then again, would this be suitable. I fixed it just in case it affected my official uniform. I would run myself with my Zanpacto soon enough. I looked above my door at the ceiling in boredom. I noticed something. Above my door was a pair of bells, tiny but jingly. It was to signal someone coming in but I took them down and placed one bell in each of my ponytail. I looked at myself in the mirror now and nodded. I took off my choker so it wouldn't disappear in the change. I looked more suitable now. I twirled and pirouetted in front of my mirror. I felt brilliant and soft. The kimono was soft on my dead skin and I really enjoyed it.
Ceremony Day-----
I walked towards the ceremony grounds, fixing everything about me with Captain H by my side. "Captain H, do you really think this is alright?" I said. I was wearing version 1 of my kimono. "Absolutely; it's stationary uniform." Captain H said. I nodded and then remembered something. "Ooh, wait," I said and stopped. I quickly pulled out the bells from my kimono and began to tie them in my hair. "These bells would be excellent and personal." I said and smiled at him. He nodded politely.
He just always had to be so formal, didn't he? Sigh. I rolled my eyes and finished the bell tying. When I was done and I walked along, the bells jingled in a special song of my own. Captain H gave a tiny smile. We arrived at the ceremony grounds. There was a clear space wide enough for me to walk through. I'd been practicing how I was going to do it and Captain H had given his comment. It was fine. On each side of the walkway was a long line of people. I gulped as Captain H stepped into the end of the line on the right. He nodded and I began to walk on. I stepped up to the front where I was supposed to and licked my lips nervously. "Ms. Mana," An old man said and held out a dull sword in his open palms. I nodded and took the sword gently. He smiled at my carefulness and I held each hand on the handle with the blade pointing to my side where I would stab myself. I let out a deep breath as I plunged the sword into my side. For a second a small burst of pain erupted at the breaking point then nothing but light. When the light subsided I was standing on my own in front of all the people. I wore a black uniform with a long black pants and a short kimono top. The top was tied tightly to my chest with a white sash and my feet were now covered with straw sandals and a pair of socks. It was a regular Soul Reaper uniform. But the sword in my hands was no ordinary sword. The handle was a deep crimson red with a silver colored hilt and a long slim pointy blade. It wasn't large like anyone else's or slim like Ichigo's bankai sword. It was just a long slim black with a reflection so clear it was a definite mirror.
Everyone gasped at the sword in my hands and I stared at it in shock. "What is your Zanpacto's name, child?" The old man from earlier asked. I knew it. I knew the name. "Jousho," I said. "Behold, Hinako Mana and her Zanpacto, Jousho!" He cried out, holding up my hand that held the Zanpacto. My bells jingled and everyone burst out clapping. Some of the younger members cheered loudly and some whooped. I laughed slightly and smiled widely. I was let go now and was told to follow Captain H to the mess hall. "A celebratory breakfast is in order," he had said. I nodded, my smile still on and went over to Captain H. "Congratulations, Ms. Mana," He said politely. I nodded again and yawned. "May I?" He asked and held out his hands for my Zanpacto. I gently placed the sword in his palms. "It's a very rare Zanpacto," He said. "One that calls for the ability of an empath. I researched it very thoroughly when I was to battle a certain empath." Captain H said and began to tell the story. I listened intently, genuinely intrigued by his stories as we entered the mess hall. I got some congratulations from passing people and some who wanted to make some training sessions, etc. It was all very comforting to know I was accepted. Each time I nodded, my head played that song with my bells. No one objected to them and I was glad. The bells were my comfort. I sheathed Jousho and smiled as I began on my breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, and bacon. I was completely full by the time I was finished. Then I was forced out of my seat by the sound of clanging outside. I pulled myself out of my seat and looked out the window, others soon at my side. Outside a boy with long red hair and black tattooed eyebrows was fighting a boy with especially ORANGE hair (AN: Guess? Guess!!)
I watched in awe as the two fought it out. The boy with the red hair was fighting furiously while the boy with orange hair seemed to be fighting mockingly. "That's Renji Abarai fighting Ichigo Kurosaki." Captain H said. Renji was the red-head while Ichigo was the mocking fighter. I leaned against the window frame and watched in adore as the two fought. It was extremely intriguing. I loved it!! "I will beat you, Kurosaki! Stop mocking me!" Renji cried out. Ichigo fought seriously from then on. They were both breathless and out of their wits at some point and decided to call it a draw. "I would've beaten you if I wasn't so damn tired!" Renji cried out. "No, you wouldn't have! You never beat me! What makes you so damn cocky that you'll beat me this time?!" Ichigo yelled back. And then I couldn't help it. I laughed. That set off some laughter from some other people that I didn't know. Both boys looked towards me and glared. "What are you laughing at, Shorty?!" Ichigo and Renji both yelled at me. I stopped laughing immediately and glared at them. "What did you call me?" I asked quietly. I really hoped he hadn't called me--- "Short, pint-sized, squirt, get the picture?" Ichigo smirked. I growled furiously and tried to lunge out the window at him but Captain H held me back with several others. "She's new," One of the girls said. "New? Who is she?" Ichigo asked curiously. "Hinako Mana, meet Ichigo Kurosaki," Captain H told me. I growled and glared at him. I lunged at him again but there were too many others. "You missed the ceremony this morning," Captain H said. "She arrived yesterday." He added. Once I had stopped trying to lunge at him the people let me go. "Mighty strong there, kid," One of the guys laughed.
I stared at Ichigo's chest, which was the only place I was up to, pointlessly. I didn't want to be known as a squirt or a weak bit! "Thank you," I said. "Picking a fight on your first day, huh, squirt?" Ichigo said. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away, making my bells jingle. "Hey, don't ignore me!" He started yelling. No one bothered stop us as we got into it. "Call me squirt again and see what happens!!" I threatened. Some people sighed, some watched, some laughed but I just yelled at everything offending he said. "Squirt, kid, pint-sized shrimp!!" Ichigo yelled. I swung my leg back and kicked him down-right in the shin. He growled and grunted in pain. "What'd you do that for?!" Ichigo yelled. "I warned you!! Next time I'll kick you harder!" I yelled back. Ichigo didn't start again seeing as Rukia Kuchiki pulled him away. Then they got into it! I walked back to my seat angrily. "Breakfast is about to be over. Meet me at the training grounds in ten minutes for training," Captain H said with a sigh and stood up and left. Rukia Sadako followed him. I ate absently and then rushed out after them.
Fifth Month-----
I yawned again, my bells jingling over again and went to meet the rest of Division 10. Today we were to do a recon mission for a missing Soul Reaper in Hueco Mundo. Why anyone would go to that Arrancar hell-hole is a mystery to me.
I was heading off when I remembered something. Today was the first day I'd wear my choker. I picked up the dusty choker and buttoned it around my neck. My bells jingled with every movement. The sixth and tenth divisions were going out together to Hueco Mundo. I loved the chance to work with the sixth division. This wasn't going to be my first mission but it was going to be my first mission in Hueco Mundo. My song of bells played as I walked towards where we were meeting. "Sorry, I was so close to sleeping in," I whispered to Captain H. He nodded. "Well, hello, Hinako!" Rangiku said and gave a huge hug, deciding to envelope me in her breasts. She let me go and I gasped for air mockingly. Byakuya did not find it funny. I blushed fiercely at his lack of humor. We followed him and squad six through the portal then broke into a run through the portal. We needed to get through this portal before the cleaners got out. I was faster than most but I held back so I didn't seem too show-off like. I ran faster than some of my teammates but not faster than any of the captains or vice captains. We exited through the portal and dropped into the rough hot sand of Hueco Mundo. I spit out sand and held my hand out to some teammates to help them up. Two grabbed at a time and let me help them get up. In the process I nearly fell over.
We began to trudge through the sand to make our way across the desert of Hueco Mundo. I walked behind most of the teammates but next to Renji. Since our rough beginning things hadn't really gotten much better. But we were on a mutual grunt of acknowledgement basis. I would save his life if it was in desperate measures and I had no doubt he'd do the same for me. I decided to allow this. He finally said something. "Must you have those damn bells, Mana?!" He growled at me. I glared at him then decided to avoid an argument. "Fine," I said and began to untie the bells. Without my bells it was silent seeing as they were tucked away between my breasts in my uniform. "Thank you," He choked out in astonishment. "I just want to avoid an argument," I muttered as we trudged on. We began to approach the plant-like building. (AN: That's nuclear plant or business plant, not stuff like trees or flowers). Then a loud roar broke the silence. A large over-sized hollow literally grew from the sand of the desert around us. I began to unsheathe my Zanpacto but Captain H stopped me. "We need you later on if anything happens," He told me. Rangiku nodded and Byakuya didn't say a word (as usual) but the rest were shocked. However, no one said a word about it.
I nodded and popped the hilt back onto the sheath. I looked away and sighed. First I had to take off my bells then I couldn't fight. That was just sick punishment for nothing done wrong. I crossed my arms over my chest as I watched Renji take on the over-sized Hollow. "Right. Fine," I said. That was when the wind blew.
