I'm so happy! I've only just posted this story and I already have a review! Thankyou, Lady Azar de Tameran! Yeah, I did plan to post this chapter straight away, but I kinda got stuck part way through it, then forgot about it. Here it is! It's still short, but the next chapter will be longer. Oh, and I will endeavour not to make my OC into a MarySue, but to make her a realistic, well rounded character. Please, if anyone sees hints of MarySueness, tell me as that is the last thing I want for this story.

Ichimaru Gin still remembered the day that had changed his life. He had joined the Shinigami Academy due to boredom, something which did not abate within the first week or so. They barely got to do anything, some basic Kido, and very basic unarmed combat. He himself was remarkably strong in Kido and was able to complete each spell within two tries. This, to his annoyance had made him exceptionally popular; all of his classmates wanted his help. He would have helped them, really, he would, but he was just so bored with it all.

So, he kept to his routine, get up every morning, get ready, go to class, eat lunch, more class, home, dinner and bed. Oh, also to try and mess with as many people as possible. He sighed. So much fun, and so easy to do.

This day was a little different though. Not to begin with, true, but something felt different. If Ichimaru Gin had not been the cynical Shinigami-in-training that he was, he might have said that the world seemed to be waiting, and even fate was holding her breath. However, he was a cynical Shinigami-in-training, so instead he just passed it off as having eaten too much curry the night before and hurried away to his next class. He was, uncharacteristically, a little excited. Today, they were meant to be having their first lesson in fighting with a wooden zanpakuto. That was one of the main reasons he took up the offer of becoming a Shinigami-to get a nice shiny sword of his own. Oh, and to escape the hellhole he had lived in, but that was a reason he would not disclose to anyone.

Arriving, he was shocked to realise that he was a little early. The only other occupant in the training room was a girl whom he vaguely remembered was in his class. She was knelt on one of the mats at the side of the room, waiting for others to arrive. He frowned trying to remember anything about her. His eyes cleared (not that anyone could see enough of them to tell) when he remembered. She was one of the few who were not in his, he sneered, fan club. In fact, as far as he could recall, she had not said a single word since she had come to the Academy, except to teachers. Some of their classmates had taken on themselves to tease her into a reaction, but had soon given up. In fact, many of them were very curious as to why she was even in the academy. She had never been able to successfully perform a Kido spell, and she put the minimal required effort into hand-to-hand fighting. Yet, she never got disheartened; or disturbed by the doubtful and worried looks she received from the teachers. Gin tilted his head on one side and gazed thoughtfully at her. Here was a mystery that might keep him entertained for a while. He walked over and knelt on the mat next to her.

"Hi, what's ya name? I'm Ichimaru Gin" The girl raised her head and her shocked grey eyes fell on his face.

"Tsukari Hana" She murmured and looked back at the floor in front of her in dismissal, her black hair falling as a curtain across her face. Not to be deterred, he persisted

"So, I've been wondrin'. Why'd a pretty girl like ya decide to join the Shinigami?" Her attention remained on the floor, although she pushed her hair behind her ears as she replied

"To fight." Gin's brow creased. From what he had seen, she did not seem particularly able to do that. Before he could think to reply, Hana's bell-like voice cut through his thoughts.

"Just wait, Ichimaru-san, just wait." A light gleamed in her eyes as she changed tactics

"And yourself?" His smile grew

"Twas bored, milady. Needed something to amuse meself." She half glanced across at him as she asked

"And have you found anything?"

"I believe that I have, Hana-chan." She raised an eyebrow, uncomprehending as he smirked at her. She looked away and pulled out a hair tie. Pulling her hair away from her face into a neat ponytail, she spoke suddenly

"The others will be here soon, and then the lesson will start." His smile deepened as he took the hint to not reveal her sudden talkativeness. As she advised, he would wait, and he would see if his newest interest was indeed worth his time.