"So how was your day?" Kaa-chan asked, making herself comfortable on my bed.
Good. I replied, giving her a smile.
Kaa-chan stared at me intently and I wondered if she somehow knew something was wrong. She always seemed to know. Maybe I was easier to read than I gave myself credit for.
"Nothing happened at school today?" She asked and I shook my head.
I couldn't tell her that not only was I bullied but my digi-pad had been broken. We didn't have the money to replace it, I knew that. I saw how hard Kaa-chan worked just to keep food on the table, to keep a roof over our heads. I had already thought about what I was going to do, the hard part would be convincing her to allow me.
I've been thinking... I started, worrying my lip.
"About what?" She asked curiously.
About getting a job... I winced at the serious look in her eyes, quickly continuing, No really Kaa-chan! Think about it! I can't rely on you forever! I need to learn responsibility and... and... Please Kaa-chan!
"Kokoro... It might not... People aren't always so kind." She said, giving a sigh.
I know that! You don't have to treat me like a child! I'll be fifteen soon! I said angrily, fingers harsh and sharp.
You'll always be my precious baby girl. She signed and I could feel the emotion.
I sighed, allowing her to pull me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging back. We sat like that for a long time and I could feel her whispering breath on my ear. I didn't know what she said exactly but I was fairly certain. Whenever she hugged me like this, whispering, I knew it was something that she couldn't convey in signs. I had asked her once but she told me it was nothing to worry over. I wondered how hard it was on her, to have a daughter like me. Slowly, she pulled away from the hug, eyes tinged the lightest red but smiling none the less.
"If this is really what you want." She said eventually.
I smiled brightly, nodding my head, Yes, Kaa-chan! Really!
She smiled, eyes still watery, "You're such a brave girl, Kokoro."
Thanks, Kaa-chan. I replied, her fingers brushing over my hair.
I frowned, smoothing out the wrinkles in my skirt again. It was early Saturday morning and I was getting ready to go job hunting but my clothes refused to cooperate with me.
"I even ironed it! And I hate ironing!" I groaned, unzipping the evil garment, "Maybe nice pants?"
I shuffled through my dresser, searching for any decent pair that would match my purple shirt. I finally found my white dress pants and pulled them on, praying I wouldn't get them dirty.
"Now to do something about this hair!" I mused, fingering a strand loosely.
I plopped comfortably in front of my vanity, grabbing my brush to get rid of the tangles. My hair wasn't anything special, bone straight and black but it had a tendency to tangle in the most ridiculous of ways. When I was finally satisfied that it looked good, I clipped back my bangs and struck a pose.
"Not bad." I thought, getting ready to leave.
I walked down the stairs as quietly as I could, hoping not to catch my Kaa-chan's attention. Even though she agreed to let me get a job she was still very worried. I peaked into the kitchen, letting out a sigh of relief; she was nowhere to be seen. A hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder and I let out a scream, vibrations running through my throat. I turned towards the person to see my Kaa-chan laughing, clutching her sides tightly.
Don't do that! I snapped, sending her a glare.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't resist!" She said between laughs, hands still clutching her sides.
It wasn't that funny! I growled when she went to ruffle my hair, Don't! I just fixed it!
"It looks nice." She supplied with a smile.
Thanks... I'll be going now... I said making to leave.
She blocked my path, still smiling at me widely. I furrowed my brows in confusion, raising my hands to ask her what was wrong.
"Do you're best. I know you can." She interrupted, pulling me into a hug.
Will do! I nodded enthusiastically, I'll come home with a job, I promise!
"You better!" She laughed, giving me a small push towards the front door.
ASSHOLES! I signed angrily as I stalked away from yet another unsuccessful interview.
It had been like this for the better part of my morning. I had walked around Karakura, searching religiously for 'Now Hiring!' and 'Help Wanted' signs only to be turned away every single time. I knew it was going to be hard, maybe even impossible but I wasn't ready to give up. I also wasn't ready to get more pathetic excuses, half-assed attempts to run me off. The "I'm sorry"'s meaning nothing to me.
"I'm deaf! Not stupid!" I hissed to myself, shoulders slumping forward.
I continued to amble through the crowded streets, not even bothering to watch where I was going. It didn't really matter if I bumped into someone or not, I couldn't hear them tell me off. I came up to a crosswalk, briefly thinking of Hitsugaya as I waited for the light to change. I wondered if he had trouble getting a job, with the way he looked.
"Probably not. He's not "special"." I mused, feeling slightly jealous.
The crosswalk light flashed green so I shuffled across, making sure to pay attention this time. Being saved twice by the boy was lucky, a third time surely wasn't going to happen. Even if the saying went "Third times the charm", it definately didn't apply to luck. The phone in my pocket vibrated and I stopped walking, receiving glares from passing people. I ignored them, opening the device and read the text.
'I hope everything it going well! Love you!'
'Everything's fine, love you too.' I replied, tucking my phone away.
I huffed, blowing a strand of hair from my face and continued on. It wasn't long before the crowded streets began to thin, more and more house's taking the place of shops. I glanced around curiously, having never really been so far from home. Nothing looked familiar here and the street was devoid of people.
"I don't even know how to get back... Good job Kokoro! That's what you get for not paying attention!"
I turned right, hoping maybe to catch a glimpse of someone who could help me. This street was strangely deserted as well, giving me a creepy feeling.
"It's early. Shouldn't there be a lot of people out right now?" I mused, searching for any sign of life.
I watched carefully, peering down allies as I walked in hopes of finding someone, anyone.
"I can't believe I'm lost!" I thought, feeling slightly panicked.
I picked up my pace and soon I broke into a full sprint, turning randomly through the streets. In my panic I didn't notice how the sidewalk became uneven and tripped. I braced myself for the fall, palms and knees scraping in the dirt. Blood began oozing from my hands and I let out a cry as I tried to curl my fingers. I checked my knees, letting out another cry at the dirt stains.
"Kaa-chan is going to kill me!"
All of my anger, irritation and frustration with the day began to bubble inside of me, finally breaking free. Tears spilled over my lashes and down my face as I brought my knees to my chest, hugging them tightly.
"Just my luck! No one wants to give me a job and now I just had to fall and hurt myself!"
A large hand rested gently on my shoulder, causing me to look up. Hurriedly I wiped the tears from my eyes, squinting into the sun. Soft, grey eyes stared down at me under a weird green and white hat.
"Are you alright?" The man asked, giving my shoulder a squeeze.
I nodded carefully, feeling slightly uncomfortable. I thought I had been alone.
"Good, good!" He smiled, whipping a fan out of nowhere, fluttering it in front of his face.
I blinked in confusion, raising my eyebrows. The way his eyes shone I could tell he was speaking to me but I couldn't answer. For a few long seconds nothing happened, both staring intently at the other. With a sudden flick of his wrist the fan snapped shut, lips pulled into a slight frown.
"I asked if you would like to come clean your hands." He said slowly, carefully.
"He seems... unique but not crazy... well not violent..." I thought, nodding again.
"Good, good! My shop isn't far from here!" He smiled, offering a hand.
I didn't take it, I didn't want to dirty him as well and pushed myself off the ground. He continued to smile, pointing down the street towards a small shop in an empty lot. I frowned again, slightly unsure of my decision but the closer we got the more relaxed I felt. Two kids were standing outside, one with black hair, the other with fiery red. They seemed to be arguing and the boy brandished his broom as if he was going to hit her. The door to the small shop opened suddenly and I was sure I let out an undignified squeak as the biggest man I had ever seen grabbed the boy, lifting him up in the air.
"PUT ME DOWN!" He shouted, struggling in man's grasp.
I watched the scene with wide eyes, mouth gaping slightly in surprise. I'd never seen such a missed matched group that, for some odd reason, fit so perfectly in the few minutes I had met them. The man who found me lightly pressed on my shoulder, steering me inside to what seemed to be the sitting room. I glanced around curiously as he left, taking note that it was clean but empty of photos or anything to make it personal. Something was dropped into my view, eyes crossing slightly to see what it was. To my surprise it was a piece of paper and a pen. I looked up at the unique man, giving him a smile.
"I assume you can read lips?" He asked, to which I nodded 'yes', "Perfect! I'm Urahara, Kisuke but a humble shop owner! And you are?"
I frowned at my hands, raising them for him to see. He at least had the decency to look embarrassed that he had forgotten and left again, this time returning with the giant from before.
"This is Tessai-san! He'll clean your hands for you!" Urahara said, head tilting towards the man.
I gave a half bow of the head, allowing him to wipe a warm washcloth over my hands. It stung slightly but I bit my lip to keep from crying out and embarrassing myself farther. The scraps weren't nearly as bad as I had originally thought.
"That's a relief! My hands are really important." I sighed at myself.
Tessai wrapped my hands carefully in gauze, patting the back of one when he was done. I gave him a bright smile which he returned slightly before he left. I flexed my fingers to loosen them up and grabbed the pen next to me.
'I'm Oonishi, Kokoro. It's a pleasure to meet you! Thank you very much for helping me!' I wrote, lifting it for him to read.
"Ohoho! No problem Kokoro-chan! It was the least I could do!" He grinned, before a shadow passed over his eyes, "If you don't mind me asking, why were you out Kokoro-chan? You seemed to be lost."
'I was looking for a job but got lost because I hadn't paid attention to where I was going...' I wrote, cheeks twinging pink.
"And were you successful?" He asked after a moment.
'No,' Fingers tightening angrily on the pen, 'People don't want to deal with my... disability.'
"I wouldn't call it a disability, Kokoro-chan!" Urahara said waving his fan at me, "Are you still looking for a job?"
I nodded uncertainty, wondering what he was getting at, 'I'm not going to give up.'
"Mmmm. Are you a capable worker? Do you work hard?" He asked, shadow appearing again.
'I think so.'
"How old are you, Kokoro-chan?"
'I'll be 15 soon.'
"Mmm," He paused, looking me over, "Then I would like to offer you a job!"
Really? I signed excitedly and he laughed, waving me off.
"I'm not sure what you said but yes! You look like a decent child! I'm sure I can find something for you to do around here." He grinned widely.
'Thank you so much! It really means a lot! Please take care of me!' I wrote quickly, smile not fading.
"This is Ururu and Jinta!" Urahara said, pointing to the kids from before, "And this is Oonishi, Kokoro! She'll be working here from now on!"
I gave them both a bow and the pretty girl bowed back. Jinta on the other hand scoffed, probably irritated that another girl was here. I gave him a bright smile that he didn't return, causing me to frown. Urahara's fan fluttered in front of his face, blocking his following words.
"I wonder if he does that on purpose..."
Jinta's brows furrowed at whatever the man said, as he continued to stare at me.
"You're deaf?"
I nodded.
"You better make up for it then."
Of course. I signed, even though he couldn't understand.
Something drew their attention away and I followed their line of sight, grin plastering across my face as I waved stupidly. A group of people, including Matsumoto, Hitsugaya and a few other familiar faces, made themselves present. Matsumoto smiled, waving back with much enthusiasm. Hitsugaya didn't seem thrilled in the least, frown setting on his face.
"Kokoro-chan!" Matsumoto cheered, pulling me into a hug.
Hello! I signed when she let me go.
"I'll take that as a 'hey' or something," She laughed, ruffling my hair, "Look Taicho! Isn't she just the cutest!"
I blushed heavily, shaking my head to deny it.
"What are you doing here?" Hitsugaya asked, sending Urahara a rather nasty glare.
I turned to the shop owner for him to explain.
"Why, Hitsugaya-san! I didn't know you knew little Kokoro-chan here! I just offered her a job and she accepted!"
Hitsugaya's glare turned back on me and I frowned.
"What's his problem?"
"Is that true?" He asked rudely.
I made a face, giving him a curt nod as a reply. We held each others gazes firmly and if one looked close enough I was sure they could see sparks fly.
"Seriously! He's nice to me and now he's glaring!" I huffed, stomping my foot.
The other ginger haired girl of the group stepped up, causing us to break the tense gaze, smiling brightly at me. I recognized her as the 'Orihime-chan' Kazuki was always going on about. I could definately see why...
"It's a pleasure to meet you Kokoro-san! I go to your school! I'm Inoue, Orihime!" She said happily.
I accepted her hand, giving her a bright smile in return.
"Haven't I met you outside of school?" Kurosaki asked after he introduced himself as well.
I shook my head 'no' quickly even though I had. His brows furrowed slightly, thinking hard and I really hoped he didn't remember. Just as realization dawned on him he was shoved to the side by a short, dark haired teen.
"Kuchiki, Rukia! A pleasure to meet you!" She smiled.
As I lay in bed that night I went over the interesting day I had. Meeting Urahara had been the first plus of the day and I found that I instantly liked the man. Not only because he had given me a job but due to his eccentric mannerisms. I didn't know if he even noticed them himself but they made for an entertaining person to watch. Tessai and Ururu were instantly liked as well, both seeming kind and gentle. Jinta on the other hand... Well I was sure I would get used to him eventually. The very least I could do was try.
The second plus had been meeting the new (and old) students at Karakura High. In a weird way it almost felt like a dream, like I would wake up and suddenly they would all be gone. I hoped not. All of them had been extreamly nice to me, Hitsugaya and Kurosaki aside, eagerly giving their names. Inoue and Kuchiki had been especially nice. Ayasegawa had introduced himself next and though he gave off the vibe that he was really snotty, he hadn't been. Going so far as to compliment me on my "beautiful" eyes. After him had been Abarai and Madarame. Their look's alone intimidated me but their grins had made up for it. Even when Hitsugaya had announced, rather rudely, that I was deaf they didn't seem bothered.
"Jerk." I pouted, curling the blanket tighter around me.
My eyes caught the blue light of my nightlight and I sighed.
"I don't get why he was so rude." I thought in annoyance.
I understood why Kurosaki hadn't been so nice. I remembered the first time I met the ginger teen, frowning slightly. It had been on a weekend at the park, not too long ago. I was being teased by a group of boys at the time and he had all but beaten them up. I had ran away before he could even ask if I was okay, not wanting him to see me cry.
"Maybe he's mad that I never said thank you," I mused quietly, "I'll have to thank him sometime..."
I tried to go to sleep after that, not wanting to think of bad times but the issue with Hitsugaya pressed forward. With a heavy sigh, I kicked back the blankets and turned on the overhead light. The brightness made me blink a few times before I got used to it. I took a seat at my art table, pulling a blanket sheet of paper and some colored pencils towards me.
"One minute he's being all nice and the next he's an ass! I don't understand boys at all!" I growled, grabbing the black pencil.
I carefully began sketching the outlines, making sure to not make them too dark.
"Really though! Why would he sign to me then act that way later? Is he embarrassed to know me? I bet it's because I'm deaf! Bastard!"
Anger boiled in my stomach at the thought. I had really believed Hitsugaya was different from the other people I knew. Different from even my friends. How many people did you know going out of their way to help others? To learn a few simple signs the first time meeting a total stranger?
"He doesn't even realize how much that meant to me!"
Now I felt dejected, embarrassed even, for taking such a small gesture so seriously. For taking it so to heart.
"Of course he was being nice because Kaa-chan was there! And pity! That's what he must have felt when no one helped me at school!"
I let out a strangled cry, that probably didn't sound human, "I don't want pity!"
Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered how he walked me home after the park. He had demanded it even.
"Because "It's not safe". Whatever that meant..."
He was truly an enigma I didn't understand. I finished the sketch, setting my pencil down, looking it over carefully. It didn't seem quite done so I grabbed teal next. When I was satisfied I packed the tools away, blowing any extra color off the page. Staring back at me were the unique, cold eyes of Hitsugaya, Toushirou.
