Okay, so here's the beginning of my next story! :) I'm still willing to writing an IchiRuki fic while I'm writing this one if anyone's interested, but updates will be much slower, I'm guessing. It just depends on how well the story sparks, I suppose.

Also, I'm going to have to jump around with POV's again, so I apologize. It just...is going to make this story a lot easier, so sorry if it bothers you.

Anyways, here it is! :)


Mina's POV:

I'm Mina Aburamai and I'm a new student at Karakura High School. My mother and I had to move to Karakura Town after losing the house and moving into a small apartment, so I was forced to leave the friends I've had since first grade to attend an over sized public school. I wasn't bitter about it, it wasn't my mom's fault, but you can imagine how I felt.

It wasn't my first day of school, I had been going to Karakura for four days now, but everyday seemed to be like my first day. Having to hear people repeat their names, unable to focus on the lessons, getting funny looks in the hallway. It was hard to overcome the deep stage of mourning I was still in, due to my father's sudden death. That's why Mom and I couldn't afford the house, because Dad was in an accident four months priar to me changing schools.

Anyway, it was Thursday morning and I was walking into my first hour, fifteen minutes late. Everyone stared at me as I slowly crossed the room, sitting down in my assigned seat.

"Aburamai-san, may I ask why you're so late?" the sensei asked, placing her hands on her thin waist, staring at me along with the rest of them.

I looked up at her timidly, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I-uh...I slept in, Ma'am, I'm sorry," I answered, trying to avoid my classmates' gazes.

"You've interrupted our lessons everyday since you've arrived at Karakura High, Aburamai. I'd appreciate it if you could join the class at the same time as everyone else. That is if you think you can handle it," she said sarcastically, obviously being in a worse mood than usual.

I nodded in response, muttering an incoherent apology. Finally everyone turned their attention back to Sensei, allowing the heat to escape my cheeks.

As I scanned the room I noticed that there were notes that Sensei had scrawled on the chalkboard. I assumed we were supposed to copy them down, but soon realized that not only had I come to class late...but I came unprepared also. I sighed, blowing my bangs out of my face.

I glanced over at the boy I was seated next to, trying to avoid his glare, and attempting to recall his name. Everything about him was unique, his permanent scowl, his bright orange, spiky hair, but his name was impossible to remember.

Ich...Ichi-something, right?...Ugh! Why can't I remember?!..., I thought, glaring in concentration.

"Ichigo!" I whispered loudly, snapping my fingers. He glanced over at me, his glare still present as he cocked his eyebrow.

"Uh...yeah?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, my face turning red slightly as I gained more glances. "I uh, can I barrow some paper and a pencil, please."

"Oh, yeah, sure," he said, seeming to be less irritated now. He pulled out a notebook from his school bag and ripped out a piece. He handed the paper to me along with a pencil, catching the sensei's eye. She approached our desks, looking down at me dissappointedly.

"I see the extra fifteen minutes this morning wasn't enough time," she stated, her hands still glued to her hips. "You were already late, why didn't you bother taking a few more minutes to bring your materials?" she barked, seeming even angrier.

"I'm sorry, I just-" I began, surprisingly enough, Ichigo cut me off.

"Hey, Sensei, calm down," he said, his eyebrows knitting even further together. "She's been through a lot, give her a break," he whispered to her understandingly.

The teacher attempted to stare him down, Ichigo returning the steady gaze before she sighed. "Fine," she stated, turning back to me. "I apologize for snapping at you, but make sure you get your act together soon. For your won sake." With that she returned to the front of the class, continuing the lesson.

I leaned closer to Ichigo, seeming to surprise him, and whispered in his ear, "Thanks a lot, that was really nice of you."

He nodded curtly, his face still in it's sour state. "No problem," he said. As I pulled away from him I caught a glimpse from another one of my classmates, the girl who always seemed to be at Ichigo. She didn't look happy.

I sighed, not wanting to make an enemy, especially so soon. I pulled my long, curly hair up in a sloppy bun before stretching an elastic band around it. My long, light brown bangs fell back into my face, covering my eyes. I absently brushed them aside and focused on copying the notes off of the black board. Things are gonna turn around soon, I told myself. They just have to...


The bell announcing the beginning of the lunch period rang, students quickly escaping the room. For the last two days I'd been eating alone, so I took my time gathering my things from my desk.

I noticed Ichigo and that short girl talking in the back of the classroom, standing close to each other and whispering. I wouldn't have paid much attention to it, except that the next thing they did was approach me. Ichigo was closer, Short Girl keeping her distance, it seemed.

Before Ichigo began to speak he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, Rukia and I wanted to know if you wanted to eat lunch with us," he said, absently gesturing toward the petite girl. She nodded, her expression softening at the surprise that crossed my features.

"Uh...yeah, sure. That sounds great. Thank you," I said, glad to have someone to talk to. I was just hopeing they weren't going to ask about why I moved here.

The rest of the day was nice. We ate lunch with a large group of mixed boys and girls. They all told me their names for the third time, but this time I made more of an effort to remember. Ichigo and Rukia were the friendliest to me, other than that creepy Keigo kid who seemed to be overly friendly. But other than being a little uncomfortable around all these new people, I was glad I was making some friends. Things already seemed to be turning around, but I still didn't feel at home with my new school.


Renji's POV:

I had returned to the world of the living to help Ichigo and Rukia guard their area. This meant I had to go to school with them, unless I wanted to waste all day at Urahara's Shop. So I decided I'd deal with sitting in the classes, pretending to listen. It was better than being forced to help run Kisuke's shop.

I arrived Thursday night, calling Rukia and letting her know I'd be at Ichigo's before school. The next morning was normal, Ichigo and Rukia bickering like they were brother and sister or something, Rukia talking non-stop as we walked to school, asking about how my duties as lieutenant were going.

As we entered their classroom, though, I noticed someone I'd never seen before. I'd been to Karakura High enough to know that they didn't get new students often, but that wasn't what surprised me. It was just...her that caught my attention. She was sitting in the seat next to Ichigo's usual desk, reading some book, her bright purple eyes skimming across the page quickly as she bit at one of her fingernails. She pushed some of her long, brown hair out of her face absently, revealing more of her features, causing me to raise an eyebrow unknowingly. I'd never seen a human so capable of...catching my eye before.

That's when I felt Rukia's small elbow nudge me lightly in the stomach. "Rude much," she said, smiling up me.

Now gaining my attention, I laughed, shrugging. "Who is she?" I asked.

"She's a new student who just lost her father a few months ago, so I wouldn't try anything if I were you. The last thing that poor girl needs in her life right now is more complications, and you'd surely be one," she said, her smile growing.

"What makes you think I'm even interested?" I asked defensively.

Ichigo didn't seem to be listening until he jumped in. "Rukia's right. Besides, she's so timid she'll probably be afraid of you," he answered. Before I could respond he continued. "Just drop it for now," he said, approaching his desk and sitting down. She tore her gaze away from her book unwillingly, it seemed, and looked over at him.

"Good morning, Ichigo. Rukia," she said without even looking in Rukia's direction. She must have already noted that they're never away from each other.

"You're here early today, good job," Ichigo said, smiling back at her.

She nodded eagerly. "I know. I really didn't want to be disrespectful to the class or to Sensei, so I made sure to get her earlier. I just sort of got here too early," she finished with a small laugh. She looked up at Rukia, noticing me standing beside her, and her smile left her face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. I don't believe we've met, I'm Mina Aburamai, it's nice to meet you," she said, slowly holding her hand out to me. She really did look scared of me.

I smiled at the thought and shook her hand absently. "I'm Renji Abarai."

"Have you been sick?" she asked, causing me to cock an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"You haven't been here for the last few days, have you?" she asked, looking concerned.

I shook my head. "No, I just...don't come very often," I said, not knowing how to explain my poor attendance.

"Oh, I see...," she said, awkwardly looking away before returning her gaze to me, a nervous smile back on her face. "It was really nice to meet you."

I nodded, about to reply before the sensei came into the class and told us to sit down. I did so and started my day of pretending to pay attention. I found it much harder to do so, now having this girl as a new distraction.


Okay, so I'm finally done with the rough first chapter. I know not a lot of people like OC's, but I love this one of mine. Well, actually, she's my sister's, but we've both developed her personality.

Anyway, please review! :D