Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.

Hikari walked along the hallways of the squad 3 barracks, led silently by the squad's third seat a few paces in front of her. It did not take long for her to be aware of the hushed whispers coming from the other members standing along the same corridor she walked. Most of them were going on their day duties of cleaning the barracks, passing messages, or carrying stacks of paperwork, but as soon as they saw her, they paused, staring at her with eyes full of distrust. To avoid the stares she's getting, Hikari lowered her head and walked the rest of the way, staring at the floorboards apprehensively.

She followed her guide through a maze of corridors before he stopped and led her into a wide, empty room, requesting her to wait for the captain there. She thanked him, and giving her one last cautious stare, he left, sliding the door shut behind him.

It was a traditional Japanese-style room, reflecting the meiji era soul society is based upon. Opposite the door was a window overlooking some persimmon trees, its leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

Left alone in the room, Hikari patted down her shikasho, the shinigami uniform, ensuring any visible creases were straightened out. After she has done so, she re-tied her hair, trying to look as presentable as possible. With nothing else to do, she then took several deep breaths to calm her nerves.

Isn't she a full-fledged shinigami now? She wondered. She isn't any different from the other shinigamis in Soul Society, unlike in the past. Why couldn't they come to trust her?

"Hey!" Hikari jumped at the voice. Apparently she was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she did not notice someone enter the room.

She looked at her visitor. He was tall, had bright orange hair which matched his dark amber eyes. On his face he carried a permanent scowl, eyebrows knit up together, making him look as though he was pissed off at something. He had a black buckle slung over his body, meant to secure a hilt-less sword as tall as himself to his back. He looks about 20 years of age. Hikari realized he was glowering at her.

"Ah! I apologise!" She hastily bowed down to his direction, and still bowing, introduced herself: "I am Yuuno Hikari, and I have been posted to your squad as vice-captain, sir."

She then stole a glance towards him. He was studying her closely, his face showing an overwhelming sense of curiosity towards her. She stood frozen in her place, not daring to move a single muscle for fear of angering him if she did.

All of a sudden, without warning, he broke into a wolfish grin. It contrasted sharply with his still knit-up brows.

He indicated himself using his right thumb. "Kurosaki Ichigo, captain of the third division. Welcome!"

Hikari found herself relaxing her shoulders at his greeting before catching herself. "Thank you, Kurosaki-taichou!" She bowed again.