I run as fast as I can through the empty streets. I could hear the hollow thundering behind me, getting closer. I panic and run faster, regretting my decision to go out tonight. I turn a corner into an alley and come to a dead-end. I quickly look around for away to get over the wall. I notice some crates stacked against it. I clamber over them and throw myself over the wall. I drop to the ground, hard. I ignore my throbbing knee and continue my escape. I hear the hollow stop and howl in frustration. I almost stop but then the hollow crashed through the wall and frantically searched for me. I can't call for help, who would believe me? "Oh yeah, a monster is chasing me trying to eat my soul. Did I mention only I can see it?"No, my only choice was to keep running and hope one of the shinigami on duty here would sense it and kill it, before it kills me.

I continue running. I feel as if a weight was lifted from my chest when I spot the shinigami. "Help!" I cried. The shinigami turned my way and I could see the surprise on his face.He quickly draws his zanpakuto; I notice its strange shape and huge size. "Look out, behind you!" He called. I didn't realize I had slowed down until I felt the hollow's claws wrap around me. I screamed as a felt the sharp pain of them piercing me. The shinigami slashes at the hollow and cuts me from its grip, setting me gently on the ground, but it is too late. I fade in and out of consciousness as I watch the shinigami slice the hollow in two. He runs over and leans over me. "Damn, why couldn't Rukia be here, she would've helped you..." He shakes his head. It's becoming harder for me to breathe. As my heart slowed and stopped, I couldn't help but notice his strange, orange hair...

I bolt up out of bed panicked. I shake off the dream, and look at the clock. I groan realizing I've overslept. "Damn, Sensei's gonna yell at me again."

I throw on my 6th year uniform for the soul academy. I brush out my hair and grab my zanpakuto. As I walk out the door I can't help but think about the dream of my death. I shivered, but not from the cold. "Today is not going to be a good day."

I yawn as I walk to class. My stomach rumbles and I regret not eating breakfast. I remember the twizzlers I hid in my sheath for emergencies. Rationalizing this was an emergency; I looked around making sure no one was watching. Satisfied no one was, I pulled one out and was about to eat it when I sensed someone approaching. I quickly put it away just in time. "Mizuuu~~chaaaan!" Maki tackled me from behind.

I had to restrain myself from drawing my Zanpakuto and stabbing her for ruining my snack. Maki spun me around to face her. She wiggled her finger and tsked. "Mizuru, you were eating sweets again weren't you?" She teased. "You know they're bad for your health, right?"

I calmly turned and started walking away. "I have no idea what you're talking about, now hurry up we're going to be late." Maki just giggled and followed me to class. All the way there I tuned her out as she babbled on about the assignment from sensei that's due tomorrow, another paper I forgot to do. Oh well, I'll get one of the first year students to do it for me. I continued walking on in silence as now Maki mentions something she overheard some of the other students talking about. "And so just because he's a prodigy means he automatically graduated and in a couple years was already a captain! You know if you actually work harder you could be like him Mizuru!"

"Huh? Be like who? Prodigy? What the hell are you talking about Maki?" The last bits of what she was saying caught my attention.

Maki frowned. "Where you even listening?" She shook her head. "No never mind I know you weren't. Anyway I was talking about the kid who's like a second year and he's already graduated. Supposedly he's a child prodigy of a sword that only comes along every hundred years or so."

"Ha, child prodigy my ass! He probably just knows the right people."

"Yeah, I would say the same thing but I've seen his test scores. They're amazing! I also hear he's really cute." She winks at me. "He also has a temper as bad as yours; you two are a lot alike you know"

I sigh and walk off; we had only a few more days before we graduate no need to miss class now. We walk in a little late but sensei was past caring, we take our seats and hear a couple snickers from the back of the class. I turn around and glare at them and they quit. I lay my head on the desk remembering my dream from last night. Very rarely will a soul remember its days when it was alive. I guess I'm just special. I sigh, something kept bugging me but I couldn't place it. While I was thinking I didn't notice sensei staring at me. Maki nudged me and I lifted my head. "Yes sensei?"

He sighed, used to my daydreaming. "Please the year is almost over. Just try to participate a little longer ok?" He shook his head and continued teaching about the bonds between shinigami and zanpakuto. I frowned, but I got through the rest of my classes without getting called out again.

At the end of the day I said goodbye to Maki and headed home. I wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone, falling to the ground with a thud. "Hey! Who said you could just stand there in the way like that?" I growled. I looked up to verbally assault the person, and gasped.

I stare up at the small, white haired captain. I scramble to my feet and quickly bow, my hair draping over my shoulder. "Gomen nesai! I'm so sorry I didn't know it was you!"

The captain scowled and looked down at me. "What kind of apology was that? Don't you know how to talk to authority?" He turned and started to walk away.

My head bolted up in shock, and then my face flushed with anger. Before I knew what I was doing, I shunpo'd in front of him, causing him to stumble backwards. I grabbed his collar and drew his face close to mine. "Yeah, I do have a problem with authority, especially ones who act like complete jerks," I spat. I could see a crowd growing but I continued on. "Just who the hell do you think you are? Just because you're some hot shot captain doesn't mean you can treat anyone else like dirt." I released him and he fell to the ground. A reasonable crowd of onlookers had gathered. I picked up on some of their whispering.

"Hey you see that? Mizuru's at it again."

"Wonder who pissed her off this time"

"Oh my, is he ok?"

"Ha, she's really done it this time. I mean really, getting into it with a captain!"

While the small captain picked himself up, I heard one last comment that really peaked my interest.

"Wait, isn't that squad ten's captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya?"

I almost laughed when I heard that. So this is the legendary prodigy? Ha he's not all that scar- I stopped mid thought when Captain Hitsugaya looked me straight in the eyes. There was intensity in those turquoise eyes that I have never seen before. Though my heart was racing, I met his gaze with an equally powerful glare. He didn't say anything just turned and stormed off. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding, and I don't think I was the only one. The tension was so thick in the air you could've cut it with a knife.

I sighed and rubbed my head, I could feel a headache coming on. Oh great, wait until Maki hears about this. She's gonna flip. I didn't want to imagine the lecture I was most likely going to get tomorrow. I sighed again and shunpo'd off, ignoring the whispers behind me.

I arrived in front of my house, but changed my mind. I headed in the direction of the town, I was still hungry.

~Toshiro's p.o.v. ~

"Damn her!" I shouted, slamming my fist on my desk, scattering the papers I was working on. Rangiku looked up startled. I cursed again and bent to pick up the papers. Why can't I get that girl out of my head? Was it her ability to meet my gaze with an equal challenge? Or was it even her eyes in general? The unusual silver coloring…I shook my head clearing my thoughts. No! Stop it; you're better than this Toshiro. And you have work to do; you can't keep daydreaming like this. I placed the papers back on the desk. Rangiku looked at me concerned. "Captain, are you alright?"

"I'm fine Matsumoto, just get back to work."

"But captain…"

"I told you I'm fine! Now leave it alone, it's none of your concern!" I snapped. Seeing her hurt expression, I turned away exasperated. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm just tired." I finished the last piece of paperwork. "I'm done here so I'm leaving. Can I leave this to you?" I walk out before waiting for her reply, slamming the door behind me.

"Of course." Rangiku replied to no one in particular.