Chapter 1: Flashback

It's been about ten long years since I last saw them. It's been so long, that I forgot how he looked like. Well, I wouldn't say I forgot how he looked liked, so long that the only memories I have of him are starting to fade away from my memory. And it really bothered me. Why? Hmph, that's simple. I love him.

There were only three things I was absolutely positive of. First, he was -was because he died already ten years ago- the leader of The Band of Seven. Second, his name is Bankotsu. And last but not least, I was in love with him.

And it has been ten years. I am now sixteen years old. You're probably wondering: "How can a six year old fall in love with an older guy?". Well technically, I'm not so sure of it myself. Honestly. Maybe it was because he was the first person in the world, besides my mom, to actually stand up for me.

You see it all happened ten years ago. I was minding my own business playing with my ball until these two guys named Soshi and Kenjiro, major bullies, took my beloved ball and started playing with it themselves! I tried to get the ball from them but those meanies pushed me to the ground and got mud all over my new kimono. I was about to cry, but I didn't.

"Ha ha!! That look suits you since you're such an ugly girl!" Kenjiro said pointing at me.

"You're right!! This ball is ours! You'll never get it back!!" Soshi said as he slowly started to walk away, bouncing the ball up and down.

Then, I snapped. Those buffoons have been bullying me for so long that I erupted. I got up from the ground and ran at Soshi. I tackled him to the ground and I started to punch him uncontrollably, but he didn't do anything about it. A mob of other children started to surround us. I mean of course they would, two boys and one helpless girl.

As I continued to punch Soshi, Kenjiro grabbed my hair and pushed me to the ground, again. He held me down as Soshi started punching my entire body. I remember that when he did that I started to cry. Since I was trying to block myself Kenjiro then let go of me and started to choke me!!

Then that's when they came. The Band of Seven. All seven of them. Even when they came the mob of children paid no attention to them until they yelled out, "HEY!!" I don't know which one of them yelled it out, but it was one of them. I think it was the feminine looking one. I'm not sure. Anyways when he yelled out the entire mob stopped cheering and looked up at them with fear in their curious eyes.

"Jeez. The lord called us here just to stop a little five-year-old fight? What a waste of time." The feminine looking one said. He wore a kimono, which started to make me laugh. A lot.

Everyone's eyes were drawn on me. Literally. Even The Band of Seven's.

"What? Why is she laughing?"

"Is she okay?"

"Those people scare me!!" The children started to whisper.

"Why is she laughing? She almost got herself killed…" The one with the ENOURMOUS halberd said to the one who wore a scarf on his head, probably bald.

"I'm not so sure Big Brother. Maybe it's because of what Jakotsu is wearing. The bald one said looking over at the one who wore a kimono, Jakotsu. Jakotsu pouted.

I got up from the ground and looked them over. The youngest looking one with the huge halberd was probably the most normal looking out of all them from my point of view. I then looked over at the baldy. He had odd eyes….

My attention then caught on to Jakotsu. I giggled softly hoping that no one would hear me. Fortunately no one did. I then looked at the one with messed-up spiky hair. He had these weird claws that reminded me of a cat (I thought that he was trying to be a cat back then). Then I saw the little toad thing. It wore a robe, and I could smell it from where I was standing. I started to cough a bit because it smelled so bad. I closed my eyes and covered my mouth as I coughed.

When I opened them the normal looking one was right in front of me. My eyes widened. I mean I was freaked out here, a guy who was like a couple of feet away from me was now right in front of me!! I didn't even hear him!

"Are you okay?" He asked with a bored expression on his face. This started to get me emotional. I started to cry. I wasn't sad or anything, its just that no one ever asked me, not even my mom, if I was okay after getting bullied.

"Did I say something??" The one with the huge halberd asked pointing at himself.

"I think that those boys hurt her." The bald one said though my eyes were closed. I could already recognize their voices.

"Alrighty then, I see now." The one with the halberd said. I opened my teary eyes to see that he got up and was walking over to Kenjiro and Soshi.

They both started walking backwards and fell, so they crawled backwards. They looked horrified as if their lives were coming to an end as the boy with the halberd walked over to them.

"So, I see that you boys have been bullying this girl." He squatted at their level.

"N-no we weren't!" Kenjiro and Soshi stuttered.

"Well then if you two kids don't want to die, I highly recommend to stop bullying this girl here- hey whats your name?" He asked me.

"Huh? Me?" I swallowed, "Um, Rika Hitsugaya (A/N I know what your thinking, Bleach. Lol. I couldn't think of anything else. )." I said wiping my tears.

"Yeah," He turned back to Kenjiro and Soshi, "If you don't stop bullying Rika, you will die…" He said giving them a glare, which made them shudder.

"…AAAAAAAAH!!! MOMMY!!!!" They yelled as they stumbled over each other as they ran for their lives.

I then noticed that the entire mob of children fled when the boy with the halberd threatened Kenjiro and Soshi. The way Kenjiro and Soshi ran desperately was kind of funny, so I laughed a bit.

Now this got their attention. Before I knew it all seven of them were surrounding me.

"Why is she laughing again?" The one with the halberd asked scratching his head with his finger.

"I don't know Big Brother. Sheesh…woman are so complicated…" Jakotsu said, "Brother Bankotsu why don't you ask her what's so funny?" Jakotsu said with a heavy sigh.

Bankotsu hesitated, then shrugged. He was in front of me, again.

"Rika, what is so funny? Unlike the other children who fled you stand here and laugh. Why?" He squatted, reaching my level since I was shorter than he was.

I giggled before my answer, "You people are funny!" I smiled.

The Band of Seven looked at each other, with puzzled expressions on their faces. The toad-like one that smelled unusually bad then said, "What a charming smile that young girl has…" He then eyed me with an expression that made me feel very disturbed.

" Mukotsu, you sickening man, she's too young for that." Baldy said.

" I know Renkotsu. When she gets older is what I'm saying." Mukotsu said with a grin.

Renkotsu and Mukotsu kept talking but I was too distracted by my kimono that was covered in mud. I started to get teary eyed once more.

"Gssh?" A thing said. It looked part human, and part machine. One of its eyes were covered with a metallic square. The thing made me wonder about something, how does it pee?

They all stared at me. "Just what we need again!" Jakotsu exclaimed waving his arms all over the place, "She laughs, she cries, she laughs, then she cries!! UGH!! I have had it with this woman!! Big Brother, please, may I end her pain?" Jakotsu begged.

Bankotsu held a hand at Jakotsu telling him to be quiet. He then said, "Rika whats the matter?" He held my chin up, which, for some weird reason, made me stop crying.

"My kimono is all ruined thanks to those stupid meanies…" I said sadly looking at my ruined kimono. "It's all ruined thanks to Kenjiro and Soshi…" I thought of my mother, and imagined how she would punish me this time.

"Why don't we just get her a new one? We have the money so they can make Rika a new kimono." Baldy said.

"If it'll make her to stop crying…" Jakotsu mumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Okay then. We'll go to the … uh… place that makes kimonos. Yeah. Okay then." Bankotsu said as he stood up.

We went to order a new kimono for myself. The wannabe cat-like dude slid the door open. The lady at the counter jumped a bit, "H-how may I be of an assistance to y-you?" She stuttered, obviously frightened since The Band of Seven was in her shop, and they can slaughter her anytime. Bakotsu nudged me, "Order it." He whispered. I stepped forward, "I would like to have kimono made for me." I said not meeting her face.

"Okay then sweetie, let's take your measurements. Come over here," She said pointing to a room. She then turned around to the others, "This will only take a few," She smiled frantically. I could have sworn that when I walked into the room that I heard Jakotsu saying, "Can we just leave the girl here? She'll be fine ya know."

I couldn't hear what he said after that but I thought a heard a noise like smack. I shrugged the idea off.

When the lady was done measuring me, she asked me what design I would like. "One with blue and green squares! ( A/N Shorta like Rin's except the yellow is green and orange is blue)." I said as I slipped into my shoes.

"Okay then, for you're height it will be ready in about a hour so you can wait if you want."

"Okay sure." I said running to the door

As I was about to open the door, it slid open and I slammed into Bankotsu. I fell to ground whining. I rubbed my nose.

"Eh? Oh, are you okay?" He offered me his hand, which I took since it was practically his fault that I fell.

" Way to go Big Brother." Jakotsu said. He was sitting outside the small room with his legs crossed.

"Be quiet Jakotsu… Now how much will the kimono be?" Bankotsu asked the lady.

"Well, since she was very polite and sweet, no cost."

"Nothing? At all?"

"Nope." She nodded her head to the side.

"Okay then, well when will it be ready?"

"It will be ready in fifty minutes."

I tugged onto Bankotsu's pants, "I'll be fine waiting by myself." I said shyly.

"You sure?"

I nodded. He then said, "Okay then have it your way. Oh If you have any problems with those kids Kenjiro and Soshi again, I-" He pointed at him self with his thumb, "-will personally beat them up for you." He gave me a wink which made me made me feel happy.

I felt secured.

A/N That's the end of the first chapter hoped you liked it!! Next one will come out some time next week. ;] Please review!