Hi, everyone!
This is my second attempt at a story on this site, so I'm hoping it won't fail like the last one.
I gotta warn you, this chapter will be boring. But, it's the first chapter, after all.
And I'm searching for a good beta. So, if you like this story, please send me a PM or something. And now for the exciting disclaimer! (drum roll please):
I do not own anything but my original characters and the plot. And some ham.
Graduating from the Soul Academy was not as fun as I thought it would be.
I mean, it was still fun. We were having that party afterward for everyone in my last class, which was sword handling. We were so close, and on the day the Captains visited our classes, everyone instantly adored Unohana-taicho, including me. From that day onward, I looked forward to graduation, so I could join her division. I put her down as first choice, and I was perfect for the job, anyway. I had a zanpakuto that heals, and I could do basic kido and swordplay. The only thing was, I couldn't shunpo. Well, I could, but most would consider it "running kinda fast"
But when I looked on the sheet that had everyone's name on it, the one that determined which division you would go to, it had me down as "Hitsugaya-taicho" instead of "Unohana-taicho". I was shocked, and sad. Most of my class got Unohana, which infuriated me.
Why couldn't I have Unohana too? I complained in my head. It's not fair! Just like a little kid. Eventually, I cooled off, but I was still ticked. Even during the party that turned out to be better than expected.
That's why when I went to the seating for Hitsugaya-taicho, I didn't like him. In fact, I hated him. For no particular reason at all. The only people who also had Hitsugaya as a captain were Ryu and Nami, my best friends. So as a group, we headed to the training room, where we were going to get our uniforms and become Shinigami.
Our training room was long, lit by strong sunlight filtering through the one window on the end of the building. There were exits on both ends, connected by a wooden floor. And that was it, unless you brought weights or something. But in the normally barren room, a single table stood, covered with soul reaper uniforms.
The three of us sat down, among the others anxiously waiting for our new captain to arrive. Most of them were girls that loved gossiping and were giggling hysterically. I pouted, crossing my arms.
"Don't be like that, Miyako," my friend, Nami, whispered. "Besides, I hear that Hitsugaya-san is really handsome!!"
"Is that all you think about?" I asked, joking. She laughed.
We waited in silence a moment longer before I turned to someone who wouldn't be biased - a guy. I asked this random person what he thought of Taicho. He looked at me oddly, then smiled and said, "Well, I haven't met him, but I heard he's really strict." When I questioned him about his looks, his smile faded and he vaguely replied that he hadn't seen him yet. And he added that his name was Kenji.
Five minutes later, all talking died down as a tall figure appeared in the doorway. Hmm, that was weird. I heard that Taicho was exceptionally short…
But as the shadow came farther in, it was revealed to be a strawberry-blonde, Matsomoto Rangiku. The vice captain for the tenth division.
"Hi! I'm Matsumoto Rangiku, and I'm your new Vice Captain!" she said, making her way over to the table. Another figure appeared, this one much shorter and spikier. It, too, walked over to the uniforms. Some of the girls started to squeal. It started to introduce itself.
"My name is Hitsugaya Toshiro, and I will be your new captain," he said, very monotone-ish. He had very white hair, despite him looking as young as me, and nice teal eyes. He had tanned skin, which went well with his eyes and hair. He was also extremely short. As short as me, maybe shorter. And I'm pretty darn short.
All in all, I had to admit he did look gorgeous, like the girls around us thought. But I didn't like him, simply because he wasn't Unohana.
He started to call up people for their uniforms. I wasn't as nervous as many others, who wanted the best seat possible, which was Third. Well, I wanted that seat, too, but not as much. At least it would put me in a powerful position, and it would allow me to sneak off to see Unohana more often.
"Miyagi Haruki," Taicho said. He stepped forward and got his uniform.
"Aino Maki" She was a giggler.
"Wakamoto Kenji" I was bored already and stopped paying close attention.
"Hirano Nami" That was my friend. She got fifth.
"Sato Ryu" That was my other friend. He didn't get a seat.
"Watanabe Sho" The list went on.
Bored out of my mind, I didn't realize that the only two people left sitting were some giggler and I. And the only seat left was Third.
"Sorry, but I'm taking that seat! My precious Taicho and I are going to be closer than ever!" she squealed. And I was pretty sure that 'closer than ever' meant she'd stare at him all day and not do anything. She'd bring down whatever glory 10th divisions had to offer. And I'd be part of that it. So for once, I finally was worried that he didn't choose me as a seated officer, and took back being mad at him. All I wanted was that seat, even if it was on an impulse.
"Fujimoto Rika," Taicho called. She smiled and walked up. My hopes sank. He handed her a uniform. "Regular Soul reaper" he said. Her jaw dropped.
"What!" she practically yelled. "Why?! Taicho, my sweet, don't you want to have me around?!" She was practically crying.
His answering tone surprised me.
"Do not beg," he said sternly. "It's pitiful."
She looked ashamed. Very quietly, she gathered her uniform and stepped into the shadows.
"Ohara Miyako, Third seat," he said, turning to me. I got up shakily - I had been sitting on the ground for too long. I walked over to the table and he handed me the last uniform there was. I couldn't help but notice that he actually looked as good as the others said, since I took this time to look at him. His teal eyes shone, and his silky hair glittered sliver.
"Congrats!" my new vice captain said, surprising me. I jumped a little.
"Okay, we're going to the rooms now. I'll take seated officers. Matsumoto, you take everyone else," Taicho commanded.
I met up with Nami and we followed Taicho out the door and into the 10th division barracks. He promised to pile us with more work tomorrow, and set up our rooms according to our seats. Luckily, I knew someone, and she was only two doors down. I changed into my uniform and met Nami at her door. She smiled.
We wandered down hallways aimlessly. Soon, we bumped into Matsumoto, our fukutaicho. She had Kenji, the fourth seat, in her grasp.
"I've been looking for you everywhere!" she said. "I'm taking you three out to lunch!"
We tried to refuse as politely as we could, but she didn't give us much choice. Finally, we gave up and followed her. She led us to a small ramen place. Lit by the cheery afternoon sun, it was nice, but I didn't have much time to admire it.
"I'm going to the bathroom," I announced. With that, I took off.
After washing my hands, I tried to fix my tangled mass of hair, but to my disappointment, it just got worse. I sighed. I've always wanted a different hair color, like Nami. She had chocolate brown hair that was never messy and always stayed perfect. And also like Nami, I'd wanted an unusual eye color. She had pretty orange eyes. All I had to call my own was long, tangled black hair, and really dark brown eyes. Probably the same shade as most of the population of Japan. But I learned to live with it.
When I came back to join everyone, the waitress came over. "Hi! What can I get you today?" She smiled. We all ordered and she left. Nami walked to the bathroom, too.
We talked about many things in our small group, finally settling on Taicho.
"What do you think of him?" Rangiku asked. I shrugged.
"I don't really know him, so…" I answered. I remembered what I thought of him before, just because he wasn't Unohana. My face became warm.
"Ooh! You're blushing! You must be lying!" she nearly yelled. I was too ashamed to tell them the truth, so I shrugged and said maybe, maybe not. Kenji looked away, but turned back when Matsumoto asked him a question. Nami came back after the table had quieted down some.
After we had eaten, we went back to our rooms and finished the work that Taicho had given us. I didn't see our vice captain until a week later.
After rounding up the group that had eaten lunch together, Matsumoto dragged us into Taicho's office. "This is the office!" she chirped, shoving the door open. Taicho had a very annoyed expression.
"Behind door Number one: angry over-achiever" I mumbled. I hadn't met Taicho yet, and I was still holding a grudge. After I walked in, I decided to let it go completely. I could already visit Unohana-taicho almost every day.
"Matsumoto, how many times have I told you to not slam the door?" he complained, with forced patience. Turning to us, he said, "You three shouldn't be here. But Ohara-san, stay for a minute, I have papers for you to deliver."
Nami stared at our Taicho with awe before skipping out of the room. Kenji smiled shyly at me and waved. Matsumoto couldn't go without a bang, though. Literally. She hit her head on the doorframe when she turned back to say goodbye. It made the most comical "thwack!" ever, the kind you hear in old cartoons. I was forcing back a laugh, clapping my hand over my mouth to keep from bursting with humor.
After that little scene was finished, I turned to Hitsugaya. He shoved some papers on his desk towards me, looking up from his work. "Ohara-san" he said, "go give these papers to the 13th division captain, Ukitake-taicho. Tell him he needs to sign these and bring them back here."
I took them and peered at his neat handwriting, skimming the small text. "What are these for?" I asked.
"None of your business. Don't question your superior," he ordered.
I blinked. "But, shouldn't I know what it is that I'm trying to get him to sign?"
"No."
"Why not?" I was really confused.
"Because I said so."
"If you don't want me knowing, why are you sending them with me? I could peek, or-"
"Don't mess up your first job," he cut in, annoyed. I gave up.
"Alright, I'll get them to him. Sorry. I just wanted to know why," I apologized, not happy with the result.
He sighed audibly, then went back to writing. "If you manage to not mess anything up, I'll tell you why when you get back," he promised.
I was noticeably more happy when he said that. Bowing, I left.
I found all three of them waiting outside, ears pressed against the wall, along with Ryu. They didn't notice me exit.
"You know, the door is easier to listen through," I joked.
They jumped, and fell back. "Geeze, Miyako-san, don't scare us like that!" Matsumoto wheezed. I raised an eyebrow.
"Me scare you? I don't know, Matsumoto, you're pretty ferocious yourself," I said, sarcastically.
"Sorry, Ohara-san," Kenji apologized.
"It's all right. Just don't do it again. And for payment, you have to come with me to the 13th division," I said.
So all five of us went to deliver the papers, whose contents were know to none but Taicho.
Okay, time to say a few things.
First off, sorry. This chapter was really boring, but I did my best! I promise it'll be more un-boring in the chapters to follow!
Also, most of you don't know this, but this is a remake of The Tides Never Change. I bet you've never seen it on this site. Wanna know why?
I only left it up for two days. Yes, that's it. But I took it off because I realized that I'd started it really badly, and I had no plot. There were other reasons as well, but it would take me forever to list them.
And, if you like this story, please review!