Chapter 2

Karakua town had not changed one bit. In the sunlight I could remember why I loved this small town so much, why I had not wanted to move in the first place. I had hated Paris. I'm not fond of learning new languages, plus the culture is completely different. It was loud there.

It's quiet here, and I enjoy the peace and quiet.

It was still quite early, the sky was a pale orange and the streets were somewhat deserted- apart from teenagers, who, like myself, were off to school. This was not something I was looking forward to. I would become centre of attention, the new girl, the one everyone wanted to know everything about.

I grimaced at the idea, and almost found myself falling over a stone on the pavement. I let out a long sigh, straightened myself out and carried on walking. It was cold, as far as the temperature here goes, but I was still warm. It would take some adjusting to, but it would happen and eventually I would complain how cold it was right now.

The high school was a half hour walk from where I lived. I had set out earlier than perhaps needed, but it meant there would be less people around to peer at me as I walked through the corridors, getting odd glances as I tried to find my way.

The area was already swarming with students, most of the loud and sounding somewhat care free. I felt strange, in the middle of all of these unknown people to be by myself. Not one person glanced at me and I was happy.

That would change, of course, when it was brought to peoples attention that there was a new student and it wouldn't' take them long to recognise my face being the new one around. My slight accent would also give me away.

It was too loud here for my liking. Nothing about it had changed, apart from everyone had gotten older... louder. I sighed to myself, brushing some of my hair behind my ear as I took a brave step into the classroom.

All eyes turned to me instantly. Most of them were appraising me, trying to figure out if I would be worth anything to any of them and then in turn if I was worth spending any time getting to know. A few of the students went back to what they were doing, confirming that I was indeed nothing special to them.

A few eyes stayed fixed on me, mostly the quieter students. Most of them were uninterested stares, their eyes only stuck to me because there was nothing else to stare at. A few of the stares were anxious.

I shifted awkwardly under the scrutiny of those gazes, hid under my fringe and walked to the teacher. She didn't make me stand in front and introduce myself, she sent me straight to my seat. It was next to one of the kids who had been staring at me. He was rather intimidating to look at. Quite big, bright red hair and a permanent scowl on his face.

A few other students had odd coloured hair, there was one boy- quite short, a few seats in front of me, who had white hair. A strangely very well endowed woman was sat next to him talking quite animatedly with a red haired girl beside her. They were both smiling a lot, and it bugged me.

There was one other boy with the same shade hair as one of the girls, and even one of them was bald. It was the ones with the... strange coloured hair- or lack of hair, that had been staring at me so curiously before.

I felt the boy beside me shift, and turn to look at me. I did not look up to meet his gaze, I stared down at my desk and then he looked back in front. His gaze would shift to mine every now and then.

This stayed the same most of the lesson. Sometimes one of the other's would glance at me instead, and then they'd all share the same look. It bugged me. I absolutely hated attention, and I did not like the attention I was getting from them. It did not seem like good attention to be getting, either, and I felt increasingly anxious that I would get attacked or mobbed as I headed home.

When the bell went, I scurried around for my belongings, throwing them into my bag and dashing out. I tripped on my way out and almost fell over, but I managed to steady myself. My pace did not slow, even as I went down a flight of stairs- knowing I should because I would most likely trip if I didn't.

I was anxious to get away from their stares, but even more anxious to be alone. What if that was what they wanted?

I gulped and held my book closer to me. I would be safer in a crowd of people, they wouldn't' do anything then, right?

It took me a few moments to calm my nerves and then I headed outside. It had warmed up a lot, and most of the students seemed to be eating lunch outside. I had a single piece of fruit for my lunch, and even so... I did not feel very hungry any more.

My stomach churned up.. Crumpled up like a ball of paper. I could feel their whispers. I couldn't' help myself this time, I glanced at them as I walked by, then snapped my head forward. The short one of the group, the one with white hair, had been staring at me. It wasn't the same stare as before, scrutinising... It was curious. His eyes were full of unanswered questions, and it made me more nervous.

Now instead of feeling like I may get attacked or mugged for my personal belongings, I felt like I would be robbed for answers. I hated speaking about myself, and this made me more anxious.

I found a shady spot to sit under one of the trees, as far away from all the others as possible. No one had tried to talk to me yet and I was thankful. I didn't' want to be alone, but I didn't feel like having company either.

"Your name is Shiori, correct?"

Apparently my wish wasn't coming true.

I gulped down the bile which had brewed in my throat when I'd heard the voice; it was one of the women from the group. There had been three of them, a short dark haired girl- who was small in the extreme rather much like myself. An average height one with red hair who was rather busty, and then the tall blonde who stood in front of me.

She was quite beautiful, and I felt a little anxious being in her presence. "T-that's correct."

She chuckled softly and I looked up.

"There's no need to be shy," there was an amused smile on her lips as she crouched down in front of me. She probably thought herself innocent, but she was like a dragon to me. Her attention shifted to me would surely kill me, and the burning in my cheeks was caused by the scorch of her fiery breath.

I shuddered.

"I'm Rangiku," she introduced. "Why don't you come sit with us?"

I looked back down to the book I had opened to distract myself; so I had looked busy and people wouldn't disturb me.

"I'm okay on my own," I whispered, hoping she would leave.

I could hear the pout in her voice. "Well... that's okay, do you mind if I sit here?" She sat down regardless and I moved over to give her more space, and to more of a gap between us. "It's quiet here."

I didn't reply.

She huffed lightly, resting back against the tree and resting her hands behind her head. She did not like me ignoring her. "I don't bite, you know." She went silent and I turned the page in my book. "I don't mean any harm at all, but you were all alone. You haven't spoken to anyone today. Are you new in town?"

She was asking questions. Questions about me which I'd rather not answer, as harmless as they were. I had a theory if I answered these, it wouldn't' be too long before she asked me the ones which had lingered in the other boys eyes.

She clicked her tongue.

"I used to live here, I just moved back."

I could almost feel her pleased smile that I had replied to her.

Rangiku went silent, and I had hoped that was all the questions she had. My hope was in vein, just as I started getting into my book, and went to turn the page; her voice broke the silence.

"You should sit with my friends and I," she smiled more. "None of us bite, Ikkaku can be a bit brash, so can Renji. But they're boys! Rukia and Inoue are quite nice, I'm sure you'll like them."

I did not reply, and she growled.

Rangiku had a short temper. That was apparent when she pulled my book from my hands.

"What is so interesting about this anyway?" She flicked through it looking for answers, but with the speed the pages were going, she couldn't possibly have been looking seriously.

"I really just want to read my book, Rangiku-san."

Rangiku tutted twice then handed my book back. "You really should come sit with us, having some friends will do you good." She patted her skirt down as she stood up. I looked up at her and sighed; her cleavage was practically bursting out of her shirt. I didn't know if I felt embarrassed FOR her, or because compared to her, I really was quite small.

"Why are you trying so hard to get me to sit with you?" I frowned, closing my book and slipping it into my bag.

Her eyes lit up; apparently she took this as a sign that I would be joining them.

"No one else has made an effort, and I can't stand seeing people alone."

I didn't quite believe her; she sounded like she had an ulterior motive and I moved my eyes up to stare at her. I could see the curiosity in her eyes. "If you have a question, please just ask it."

She sighed and folded her arms. "I have no other questions, I don't even have another motive. You're such a pretty thing, it's sad to see you alone."

The dragon made my cheeks burn again, and I gulped. Coming from her, being called pretty... "I don't mind. I quite like being alone... It makes it easier to think."

Rangiku shifted weight from one foot to another, let out a long sigh and her shoulders slumped. "Well... okay. But, if you want company..." She smiled invitingly. "Please feel free to join us. The others don't mind at all."

I went to say that it wasn't likely to happen, but she had already turned and walked away to her friends. The other two girls turned to stare curiously at me for a few moments, then the white haired boy's glare shot at me. It wasn't angry, it was curious, and more like he was annoyed. He seemed to bark something at Rangiku, I saw her reply and then the group burst into laughter. He fumed at her, folded his arms, pouted and looked away.

I didn't understand the feeling in my stomach as I watched them. It did not, crumple it's self up like it had earlier when I had been positive they would rob me. Instead it felt rather deflated and empty.

I stared at my uneaten apple, but didn't feel hungry.

Rangiku felt my stare and looked up, a large smile on her face. She waved me over and I was close to taking a few steps towards them. I shook my head, giving her a small smile, before ehadign back into the building.

I did not usually crave attention from people, and I did not seek company of others outside of my mother. I convinced myself I was not jealous of their strong friendships. They were loud, something I detested vehemently. They seemed to know each other very well- they teased each other, but not enough to hurt their feelings. I was uneasy with having others know much about me. It probably could change, I probably could change if I wanted to.

Years of social exclusion, social isolation- all on my own part, poked at the back of my mind and I sighed. I could change, if I wanted to; but I did not want to. I enjoyed my quiet little bubble.

But, where was the harm in spending one lunch time with them? To see how it was? Perhaps Rangiku would not bug me again if I tried it once. She should have no objection to that.

I sighed deeply and shook my head as I returned to the classroom.

Rangiku and her friends had returned and they all snapped up to stare at me as I entered. I stuttered a quiet hello and hid beneath my fringe. I heard the blonde tut and sigh as I walked to my seat.

The boy with the red hair beside me chuckled, shook his head and started speaking with the bald guy in front of him.

I was thankful he, and the others- including Rangiku, did not try to speak with me. I could tell she had wanted to, but the boy with the white hair had glared at her and she'd stayed in her seat. I was curious of the group, and I felt sick at the feeling of wanting to know more about them.

Mostly I was curious about the look in their eyes as they stared at me. The stares went from hostile, to friendly, to curious quite quickly. Like they could not make up their mind who I was, and why I was there.

The day dragged on slowly, Rangiku spoke to me once in between classes- trying to get me to slow down so she and I could walk together, with her other female friends, but I kept my pace ahead of her. Something told me she could have caught up with me easily; but she chose not to.

It was raining when I went home, and my mother was cooking dinner. We spoke little as we ate, she asked about my day, and I told her it had been good. I mentioned nothing of Rangiku and her friends, nor of the glances from the other's.

I exiled myself to my room after dinner with the excuse of homework, but I had little to do. Sleep found me before it grew dark outside, and for the first night I could ever remember; sleep was not peaceful and quiet.

The rest of the week passed much in the same way. Rangiku would approach me on my own at lunch, and would try to convince me to sit with her, before she fluttered off back to her friends. The curious glances stayed the same from them; but I had become indifferent to the other students by the end of the week.

I wondered how long it would take before Rangiku would give up trying to talk to me; she seemed persistent and I thought again how she could not argue if I tried it once. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

The following Monday, after spending a weekend of spring cleaning and stocking the house of edible food with my mother, I woke up to a hacking, coughing sound. I thought at first someone had decided to chop wood in our back garden.

It took me a few moments to realise the sounds were coming from the bedroom downstairs. I let out a small sigh, shook my head and hurried downstairs.

My mother was sat on the edge of the bed, looking the most sickly and frail as she had in a long time. I didn't mind looking after her; but I did wonder how long it would be before they would find a cure. Her cure.

There was no doubt in my mind, that she would survive.

Instead of heading off to school that morning, I took her around the corner to the small doctors clinic. She'd already been there a few times the previous week to introduce herself, but I hadn't been there myself.

Doctor Kurosaki was flamboyant, and his small clinic was empty. I wondered if he was really any good at his job for things to be so empty, and I pondered why his name was familiar. I didnt' listen to much he said, my mother would need to stay with him for a few hours so he could keep an eye on her, and then she'd be able to go back home- but she would need to rest.

I made arrangements with her to pick up groceries on the way home from school for dinner, and I was in the middle of making my list when the door opened.

It wasn't the front door to the clinic, but rather the door which joined the house next door to the clinic.

Two people stepped through. A boy- almost twice my height with wild orange, spiky hair and a girl, my height and size with short dark hair.

I realised why I recognised his name, and sighed softly. It would figure, my mothers doctor was the father of one of my class mates.

Ichigo stared at me curiously, then to my mother and his eyes softened. I did not want any pity, but he didn't seen to give it to me. "Rukia and I are off," he said firmly to his father.

Doctor Kurosaki stood up, grunted at his son, the smiled at the girl. She was not in the family, but I could not figure out why she was staying with them so openly. Perhaps she and Ichigo were together- in which case, why would his father and mother knowingly let them live together?

My mother would have a funny turn before she allowed that.

Rukia left first, and Ichigo lingered by the door way as he slipped his shoes on. He picked his book bag up and then turned. I thought for a moment he'd forgotten something. "Are you coming or not?"

I blinked in surprise, there was no one else he could possibly be talking to. "I-I have to stay with my mother."

"No, you go ahead, sweetie. I'm quite able to walk myself back, as hard as that is to believe."

I grit my teeth together and sighed.

I had a feeling Rangiku would be over the moon at this sudden turn of events; I, however, was not. Perhaps if it was Ichigo alone, things would not have been so bad; he didn't seem as chatty as h is friends... but Rukia had quite the penchant for conversation. I answered her questions politely, but with as small an answer as I could find.

Ichigo found that amusing, and Rukia seemed oblivious.

I hoped, with all the energy I could muster, that this was not going to be my new morning routine. The fact she was paying so much attention to me... made me feel uneasy, and yet somehow warm.

I did not like these unknown, and most definitely uninvited feelings and I tried to push them aside and ignore them. It was not easy to do, and as we approached the school I walked faster than them and lost them in the swarm of students. Maybe I would give eating lunch with them a try. I sighed at the thought of how absolutely over the moon Rangiku would be at this and shook my head.

Throwing myself into a pit of lions definitely seemed the favourable option to this, and most likely the less painful.