I woke to what seemed another regular day in soul society.
Sighing I turned to my side, four years had passed and my reason of being here seemed non-existent.
I had no idea how much longer this would take and even though I was aware what I had signed up for I was getting fed up.
Wiping the fog of the mirror I stared at my reflection my orange curls dripping on the floor, another sigh escaped me before I could stop it.
Drying it with a towel before getting dressed in my standard uniform followed by carefully putting my hair up just a few strands framing my face.
I snorted at the mirror, four years had passed, I was fifteen but my reflection seemed to still be the same, maybe the whole time and other dimension thing was screwing with me, after all my real body was still in the human world.
The door slid to a close behind me as I started making my way to the barracks of squad, not once had I been late and I couldn't afford to either.
Sometimes I wished our captain would be a little more laid back.
Laughing at the mental image of Kuchiki Taichou actually relaxing and lounging in his office chair I hurried down the streets of seireitei.
I leaned my head on my hand hopping my foot to a rhythm that did not exist, I was bored out of my mind and my paper work had all be neatly signed and ordered, all that was left was handing it over to my captain, who was freaking absent.
Though I was cursing on the inside my expression betrayed no such thing, heavy outbursts and obvious present discontent were one thing that was not tolerated, okay one of the things and the list was endless.
Fortunately for me most of the time I was quiet and collected, I was well mannered and carried myself gracefully, well as gracefully you could looking like a eleven year old girl.
My thoughts trailed of, I cocked my head as I wondered what I would look like, surely I would be taller and my hair would be longer.
He better be taking good care of my body or I would have his head.
"Is there a reason you are staring into empty air Shiba?" a chilling voice shook me out of my thoughts.
With a not so graceful squeak and a poorly coordinated movement the small stack of papers took flight and scattered everywhere.
Scrambling around with a red face to collect them all and put the back in order I mumbled
"My apologies taichou, I was already finished with my work but you were absent so I couldn't hand them to you"
Rising from the ground with my cheeks still flushed although now pink instead of red.
Without saying a word he turned away and made his way to his office with long graceful strides and I just stared after him.
"Why aren't you following Shiba" his cold voice rang out.
With a jerky movement I quickly stumbled after him, I wanted to die out of embarrassment.
After stepping inside the office I closed the door and slowly made my way to the desk as he took a seat behind it.
He held out his hand for the papers without looking at me and I handed them over.
An awkward silence passed forcing me to clear my throat.
"Was there anything else sir" I heard myself ask in a unsure sounding voice, mentally kicking myself for it.
"Yes, take these and deliver them to the correct captains" He sill didn't look at me an his voice only seemed more distant.
" Yes sir" quickly I took the small stack from him and hurried out of the office.
Sliding myself down a wall neatly plopping down on the floor with my butt, I took a few breaths to steady myself.
That man seriously was scary, no not scary intimidating was a better word.
"Had an early run in with the captain?" I heard a voice followed with a low chuckle.
I turned my head to its source and narrowed my eyes and pouted.
"Not funny Abarai Fuku-taichou" I mumbled.
"He really gets to you doesn't he" he laughed again.
"He is just intimidating" I explained as I rose from the floor.
"I get it kid" He said sticking out his hand to ruffle my hair.
I simply evaded the movement.
"Not a kid" I complained as I walked away from him.
Looking at the papers I noticed they were addressed to several different captains and I sighed.
He had me running errands again, apparently Abarai Fuku-taichou was not the only one who thought of me as a kid.
I went from barrack to barrack to deliver the said papers saving Hitsugaya Taichou for last.
Out all the people he seemed to understand the struggle of being viewed as a kid when it was not necessary.
I had only knocked once when the door flew open revealing an overexcited Matsumoto Fuku-taichou.
"Mai-chan" She squealed pulling me into a suffocating hug.
"Matsumoto-san" I gasped politely.
"I have some papers for Hitsugaya Taichou from Kuchiki Taichou" I mumbled smothered by her overly large chest.
She released me so I could hand them over to the captain who looked at me with understanding and it nearly made me laugh.
I couldn't consider the captain a friend but he surely understood.
"Thank you Shiba" he spoke as he took the papers from me and I merely nodded at him before taking my leave.
Those were the last ones I smiled to myself I could finally return to our barracks.
I turned the corner and almost wished I had taken a different route I stood rooted to my spot as Ichimaru Taichou and Aizen Taichou headed my way.
I bowed my head eyes glued to the floor as they approached.
"Shiba-san" Aizen spoke pleasantly.
"Aizen Taichou, Ichimaru Taichou" I croaked and cleared my throat, fortunately they did not stop and just walked passed me.
I shivered as I looked over my shoulder, now my captain maybe intimidating but Ichimaru Gin was just plain scary.
