Wow i just realized that what was a 24 chapter story is turning out to be only like 6 or 7 chapters...huh
you could probably tell where the chapters stop/start I like leaving cliffhangers ;)
"Hey stranger." I hugged the small blue-eyed, black-haired boy.
Hanataro smiles. "Hey Mizuru, how are you?"
"I've been better." Hanataro laughs. "So what are you doing all the way down here? I'm sure someone as important as you has no business with us lowly academy students." I teased.
Hanataro sadly shakes his head. "No, I'm still only a seventh seat nothing special about that." I raised my eyebrow and Hanataro stepped back waving his arms in front of him. "Ah…but…um…I'm the leader of the 14th Advanced Relief Team!"
"That's great! How well does the fourth squad treat you?"
"Eh, they still make fun of me but I'm getting through it."
"You just need to learn how to stand up for yourself; I can't keep kicking their asses for you."
Hanataro smiles. "I'll keep that in mind Mizuru."
"So really, why are you here?"
"Some kid fell off a ladder and they had no other available squad members so I got called to come out. Now I'm glad they did, it's really nice to see you again it has been to long." He hugs me again and leaves promising to keep in touch and wishes me well at graduation. I wave goodbye and turn to head home, bumping into something. Something feels familiar…
I looked up and, as I guessed, saw Toshiro's face looking down at me. I blush at him being so close and I back up a couple steps. "What are you doing here? Were you waiting for me?" I meant it as a joke but his expression told me otherwise.
"No." He lied. "But since I'm here, um…can I walk you home?"
"Sure." He's a horrible liar. I walk beside him as I set off once again for home. Toshiro made an attempt at a conversation. "So I hear you guys graduate tomorrow…"
"Yeah."
"You ready?"
"I guess…" I didn't understand what he was saying but I answered anyway. The conversation stopped there and we walked in silence the whole way to my house.
I stop in front of my door and turn to tell Toshiro goodnight. Before I can get a word out, Toshiro steps closer to me and gently takes my face into his hands. I should've died; I could swear my heart stopped. He pulls me close and closes the rest of the distance by softly kissing me. I couldn't help it; I close my eyes and lean into the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck.
The kiss seemed to last forever but when we pulled apart it seemed to have been only a second. Toshiro holds me a while longer but eventually he had to let go. "I have to go; Rangiku will flip if I'm gone again. I just want to let you know that…I really like you Mizuru. I hope you feel the same…" Without another word, Toshiro shunpos off leaving me there with my head, and my heart, reeling. I touch my lips, where his icy taste lingers.
~Toshiro's p.o.v. ~
I run into my quarters slamming the door behind me. I sit on the edge of my bed and bury my head in my hands, cursing myself. You ran! What the hell is wrong with you? You should've stayed; she's probably extremely confused right now thanks to you! I groan. "Why did I do that? She must hate me now…"
"Who hates you?"
My head shoots up to see Rangiku leaning in the doorway. She comes in and shuts the door behind her. "I'm sorry Captain if I'm intruding, but you've been acting strange lately and it was the last straw when you ran past me a moment ago, shutting yourself in your room. Now, tell me what's the matter Captain."
I look down, away from her accusing glare. "Why should I? It's none of your business."
She grabs my shoulders and shakes me roughly. "Damn right it is my business! You are my Captain and I am worried about you!" Her tone softens and I look up and see concern in her eyes. "Captain please, what is troubling you so much?"
I sigh and she sits down beside me. "It's silly, you'll laugh…" She glares at me so I'm forced to continue. "It's….it's a girl…" I blush furiously as she starts to laugh.
"HAHAHA, really Captain! To think I was worried over something so trivial!" She nudges me. "Soooo~ what's her name?"
"Himoto, Mizuru Himoto…" I squirm, uncomfortable discussing this especially with Rangiku of all people.
"'Water princess' huh? That's a really pretty name." Rangiku gushes. She keeps pressing me for details so I am forced to tell her everything I knew about Mizuru, well not everything. I keep some things to myself. Rangiku sits quietly beside me and smiles. "She sounds like a real catch, but what I don't get is why she would hate you?"
I groan. I figured Rangiku would've forgotten about that. "Er, well you see…" I explain what happened. Rangiku stares at me incredulously. She quickly regains herself and grins. "I know exactly what you need to do!"
I'm wary but I decided to listen to what she has to say anyway. She jumps up and puts her hands on her hips. "You are going to go to her graduation and tell her how you feel again and then listen to what she has to say, if she feels the same or not!" She spins around the room excited. I stay silent. I had considered this, I just wasn't sure if I should or not, but now I have made up my mind.
The next morning~
~Mizuru's p.o.v. ~
I groggily roll over onto my back, forcing my eyes open. I stare up at the ceiling waiting for my head to clear before I got up. I didn't get much sleep last night. Even though I had gone to bed I stayed up late trying to sort through exactly what happened. I close my eyes and touch my lips, remembering the events of last night. He kissed me then said he liked me, I understand that much… The real question is,
Do I feel the same?
My thoughts are interrupted by a loud banging on my front door. What the hell? I stumble out of bed but not before I hear a shout. "Mizu-chan! Get your ass up! Do you know what time it is? You're going to be late for graduation!"
My eyes widen and I stumble again, trying to get ready. Shit, shit, shit, shit! I quickly get dressed, grab my zanpakuto, and bolt out of the house running into Maki. "There you are! We have to go, now!" I nod and using shunpo, dash past her to the school. Maki scowls. "Lucky bitch, with that speed she's never late, no matter what time she leaves." With that she runs after me.
I stop in front of the auditorium doors. I let out a breath. Ha, I made it. Oh, wait, I think I left Maki behind…oh well, she'll get here. I calm my beating heart and compose myself, putting on my mask of indifference and walk through the door. The first face I see is, surprisingly, Kimori. "Hey Kimi!"
She looks around for who called her. She spots me and waves me over. I join her and two other people who I guess are her friends. "Good morning Mizuru-chan, I'd like you to meet my friends Firuki and Saida." She motions to each in turn. Firuki is a shy-looking girl with silver hair and intelligent purple eyes. She has a kind smile which she offers me as I shake her hand. Saida looks like a rash and outgoing kind of girl. She has auburn hair and blue-grey eyes. She grins as she shakes my hand. "It's nice ta meet ya Mizuru!"
"Thanks, it was nice to meet both of you." A bell sounds, signaling that it is time to begin. All the students bustled around each other crowding the auditorium. I quickly look around for Maki. I sigh in relief when I see her slip through the door, out of breath. I start to walk over to her but the graduation host, a small and bubbly woman, steps up to the stage. I focus my attention on her and promise myself to apologize to Maki later.
She coughed and launched into a long speech which I barely pay attention to. She first thanks everyone for coming and how all the teachers were honored to teach us and shape us into fine young adults. I yawn and she wraps up the speech. Thank god. She looks around catching the eyes of everyone in the crowd. "On this day a new pinnacle has been reached, admire all that you have accomplished in these six years. You all have been bestowed the power to become what you are now. You conquered your death and became stronger. But now you must look forward and anticipate the challenges that have yet to come. Because from this moment on I now pronounce you all full-fledge shinigami! Embrace this moment, for it is truly yours!"
There is such a loud roar of cheers you could barely hear what she said next. She patiently waited for the cheering to die down before she repeated it. "Ehem, well now when you hear your name called please continue to your designated exam room to meet your new captain. The captains have all seen your exams and just want to assess your skills before making a finial decision."
We all waited some more patiently than others, while she called our names and told us where to go. I was assigned to exam room 2b along with a group of other students. I again look for Maki and catch sight of her walking in a different direction. I'm disappointed; I hoped we would've been in the same squad. I remind myself that the decision isn't final and I cheer up. I continue with the others toward the exam room. We walk into an empty room. I bring up the rear and push my way to the middle of the spacious room. While the others murmur to each other in confusion, I observe my surroundings out of habit.
A glint of light in a corner catches my eye. My eyes widen realizing what it is. I shout a warning and draw my zanpakuto jumping in front of a small girl, blocking the attack. I parry the attacker with a blow of my own pushing them away from the panicking students. The attacker straightened and I saw they were wearing the full body uniform of the stealth force. I frown, confused. What the hell is the stealth force doing here? Even more than that, why would they attack us?
I hear a chuckle and I whirl to face it, zanpakuto held in defense. A lean figure steps out of the shadows. "Very impressive!"
My eyes widen and I quickly bow, the other students following my lead even though they still have no idea what is going on. "Your praise is an honor Captain Suì-Fēng."
The Squad 2 captain stands in front of me. "What is your name?"
"Mizuru Himoto, Captain."
"Well Himoto I am impressed with your skill. Not only were you able to see my subordinate, you also had the speed and the strength to block and parry his attack." She looks up and addresses the rest of the group. "As for the rest of you I am extremely disappointed. If this were a real attack, she would've died!" She motions to the small girl I 'saved'. "You also must be willing to lay your life on the line to protect your squad. This is exactly what Himoto did even though she had no idea who this girl was."
I don't turn around but I can feel envious eyes glaring at me. I keep my composure but on the inside I am dying. So harsh… Captain Suì-Fēng crosses her arms. "There is one thing I must admit, even though you were slow, most of you drew your zanpakuto. You backed up Himoto even if you had no idea the details, you knew there was an attack and got into the defense positions. That quick thinking is another thing I'm looking for."
I then turn around and, sure enough, I see about half of the group had their zanpakuto drawn with hard expressions on their faces. The rest were shuffling their feet looking away in shame. Captain Suì-Fēng motions toward the door. "I must ask the other people to leave, I don't want you in this squad." She waits for them to leave before continuing. "Congratulations, welcome to Squad 2."
