Prologue . . .

In the early hours of the morning . . .

The barracks of squad 12 were quiet as a ghostly figure stepped into the Research and Development building. Large metal machines and tanks occupied the room. Their lights beeped faintly. The figure walked through the room ignoring it all. There was only one thing he wanted and that was located on the very bottom floor.

He walked out of the room touching the door frame. Slime was left in his wake. He turned to the right. The object was calling out to him. It was only a faint calling but he heard it none the less. He stopped as he heard footsteps coming from behind a door to his right. He stepped into the shadows just in the nick of time. The door opened with a low groan. Lieutenant of squad 12, Kurotshuchi Nemu, walked out carrying a pink box in her hands. She stopped and looked behind her. The ghostly figure stared into her green eyes. He concentrated on the the color; he made her see what he wanted her to see. She turned back around and continued on her way.

As soon as she was out of sight, he moved. He went down the levels one by one. The downer he went the darker it became. Kurotshuchi Mayuri, Captain of Squad 12, really knew how to keep his little weapons secured. The stairs were not a bother at all. His feet didn't even touch the floor. He was truly a ghost. At the bottom floor, the figure stood before a white croissant in a class cylinder. It was the only thing in the dark room.

"It is truly a magnificent sight," the figure said to himself. "Who knew that such a small thing could bring forth the destruction of the Soul Society."

He walked up to the glass cylinder, drawing his katana. It was a dark blade with a blood red hilt. With a slash of his Zanpaktou, the glass cylinder was cut in two. The top half fell to the ground shattering. The figure waited strainging his ears to hear any sign that someone had heard him. When nothing happened, he picked up the croissant with a smile on his face. He would have his revenge if it was the last thing he did.

A siren shrilled through the air. The figure placed the croissant in his pocket. He leaped into the air and flew straight up. The air rushed past his ears. He crashed through the tower's rooftop. The wood fell down to the ground. Cries and yells of alarm could be heard from down below. The figure grinned. It was time to set his plan in motion.

Later that day . . .

A hallway stretched out before me. All the hallways looked the alike. I couldn't remember if I had passed through here or not. Yes, I, Hikari Kagami was lost. I bit her lip unsure what to do. I couldn't just scream until someone found me. That would be too embarrassing and childish. I was a shinigami now and I had to act like I knew what I was doing.

I changed me bag to my left hand. There wasn't much in there but it was still heavy. This morning I had been assigned to the Eleventh Division. Five minutes later I had packed my bag and gone to squad 11's barracks. Now, I was helplessly lost. No one had been there to great me at the entrance. I knew I should have waited but I hadn't wanted to appear like an outsider. I couldn't even come to understand why I had been placed in the Eleventh Division.

I sat down in the middle of the floor crossing my arms across my chest. No matter what situation I was in, I always managed to get lost. I was angry at myself. What use would I be to my squad if I was hopeless? I wanted to cry in frustration. I was so busy being angry at myself, I didn't sense the shinigami behind me until a foot kicked me in the back.

"Aaargh," I yelled in agony.

My back felt like a hammer had been knocked into my back. I jumped up facing my attacker with a hand on my lower back. I couldn't even stand straight. I was going to demand an explanation.

"Watch where you're going you big, stupid, ugly, idi-"

The last word got stuck in my throat. My eyes went wide with horror. The one before me was none other than Captain Zaraki Kenpachi and his lieutenant Kusajishi Yachiru. The pink haired lieutenant looked down at me from the Captain's left shoulder with a smile. My stomach dropped.

"Ca-Ca-Ca-Ca-Captain Kenpachi!" I gasped with fright. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest.

He was so tall, broad and dangerous looking with his black, styled, spiked hair, his torn haori and the look that said 'I don't give a damn'. He towered over me like a giant before an ant. Even with his eye patch over his right eye, I could feel his reiatsu coming off of him. I couldn't believe I hadn't sensed him before. I was such an idiot. I had insulted him. I wouldn't be surprised if he killed me at that instant.

"Eh?" My Captain said. "What's this?" Captain Zaraki seemed to notice me for the first time.

"My-my name is Hikari Kagami," I stammered. "I was appointed to your squad, . . .sir."

The Captain looked unimpressed. "Get out of the way," he said.

"Right away, sir," I said. "Sorry for being near you, Captain."

I grabbed my bag and moved out of the way. I stared at the ground. My light brown hair-currently in a long braid down my back-fell over my shoulder. He hadn't even noticed me in front of him. Captain Zaraki walked past me without a second glance.

"Bye, bye, mizetto," giggled Yachiru.

My face reddened. She called me a midget, I thought. Compare to the Captain, I'm too small to be noticed.

I heard voices coming toward me. I didn't know what to do. I wanted someone to show me where my room was but then again I was scared. I hurried down the hallway. At the end, I turned to the right slipping on the turn. I regained my footing; my hands held out for balance. I found my room five minutes later. I had actually came across it by accident. It would seem that being lost allows you to find things, I thought.

My name was carved into a plate on the door. I had been expected after all. I went in and closed the door behind me. The room wasn't much. There was a set of drawers on the left wall and a wardrobe on the right wall, beside it was a hanging mirror. A cot was along the left wall. Everything smelled so clean and it was tidy.

"Home sweet home," I said happily.

I placed my bag on the bed and left the room. I would have time to unpack later. All I wanted to do now was to meet my comrades. I walked deeper into the barracks, or so I thought I was. I was still lost but I could hear sounds of mock combat.

I found the training grounds easily enough. I stopped before the door and slid it open. I peaked inside. There were twelve shinigami in the room. Two of them were fighting in a mad frenzy. There seemed to be no room for mistakes. The bald guy was dominating the fight. He twirled the kendo stick expertly. There was no mercy in his strikes. That man loved the thrill of battle. To me, he seemed so bloodthirsty.

I walked into the room and knelt behind a black-haired man. He was, like the others, starring intently at the fight. I didn't want to interrupt him but I had to know how the bald man was. It seemed fair for me to want to know the name of my comrades.

"Excuse me," I said. "Who is that bald man?"

There was silence in a heartbeat. Every pair of eyes turned to me wide with shock. I didn't what I had said wrong. It was a simple question after all. A tic worked in the bald man's jaw. He looked extremely angry. I could almost see steam coming out of his nostrils.

"I am Ikkaku Madarame," he announced." Did you just call me bald!"

I straightened; my hands in front of me in surrender. I didn't understand why Ikkaku was so angry. Sweat rolled down my neck. My confrontation skills weren't the best. What did I do wrong?

"I'm so sorry," I said. "I'll get you a wig. You don't have to be so angry!"

Ikkaku's face turned red with anger. "What did you say?" he roared.

He was in front of me in a flash. Ikkaku grabbed the front of my robe and pulled me closer. I felt completely small. I leaned away from him trying to get free. I was in so much trouble.

"Who the hell are you?" he growled.

"I'm H-Hiraki Kagami," I said nervously.

"Well then, Hiraki," he said. "I challenge you to a duel."

I gulped. I didn't want to fight him. I didn't like hurting anyone. Why did this had to happen to me?

"I-I haven no intention of fighting you, Ikkaku-san," I said. "I humbly apologize for your baldness." I hoped my apology would calm him down.

"I'm not bald!" he yelled. "I shaved my hair off!"

He dragged me onto the mat. Everyone scrambled out of Ikkaku's way. No one could make him change his mind when he was angry. I tried digging my heels into the floor but he was stronger. He shoved me away. I stumbled back and fell hitting the mat with a soft thud. I stood up as Ikkaku stood at a stance. I tried one more time to reason with him.

"Ikkaku-san please," I said. "I'm sorry that you're bald. I promise to find a wig. No one will know the difference."

"Shut up!"

He came at me swinging his kendo stick at my head. I jumped back narrowly missing his attack. This is bad, I thought desperately. I don't want to fight him. Ikkaku swung again but this time at my neck. I followed the motion of his swing. The stick past harmlessly above me.

"Stay still, damn it," Ikkaku growled. "I'm going to show you who's bald!"

He kept attacking me but every time I dodged. I had become an expert on not fighting anyone. Even if I got hurt, I would never fight back. Besides, Ikkaku was letting his anger from allowing him to think properly. It wouldn't be fair if I beat him.

We switch places. Ikkaku was in the place I had started from. I glanced behind me. I didn't have enough space to maneuver. I have to get out of here, I thought. I need to get far away and possibly change squads.

"If you don't pay attention, you'll die!"

At the last moment, I looked at Ikkaku. I wasn't going to dodge. I needed to end it. I caught his kick right in the chest. The breath rushed out of my lungs. I smashed right through the wall and kept on flying backward. I couldn't form a coherent thought. My eyes were wide with shock. It seemed to take an eternity to blink.

I couldn't even remember through how many walls I crashed through. Then, I stopped. The impact of the obstacle threatened to knock me into unconsciousness. I groaned. It hurt so much to breathe. I shook my head trying to stay awake. I could still think so I was still alive.

I felt pressure from underneath my arms. I noticed that my toes weren't even toughing the ground. I looked up in dread.

I had crashed into Kuchiki Byakuya, Captain of squad 6!