Chapter Four.

It has been changed, obviously. Tell me what you think of this new version.

Thank you very much, KaRiSa and Okibimaru, for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

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As they walked to school, Takara and Hitsugaya discussed Arrancar tactics, Kei following carefully behind.

"So where are the guard stationed?"

"Around the most crowded parts of Karakura Town."

"Okay... Kei, hurry up. You're lagging; stop being such a snail." Scowling, Kei walked faster to catch up. She hated it when Takara had the nerve to boss her around.

A cell phone rang. Hitsugaya glanced down at the screen. Hinamori.

Hurriedly turning away, he walked into an alley and flipped the phone open. "You're not supposed to be making calls to this phone."

"I know, I know. But I miss you, Shiro-chan! Things have been so dull without you!" His childhood friend's voice sent tingles down his spine.

"Why are you calling?"

"Because I miss you! And I have news!" She sounded extremely excited about something.

"Momo, it's not just your news." To his horror, he recognized Kira's voice in the background.

His heart sinking, he tried to hide it anyway. "What? Make it fast."

"Okay. But first of all, I would like to apologize because I didn't tell you anything about it. Because I thought you don't care about that kind of thing anyway and I didn't know it was actually going to happen and-"

He sighed impatiently, attempting to squash the dread inside.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll just say it, okay? But I'm so nervous!"

"Just say it." The longer she dawdled, the worse he felt.

"Kira-kun and I are... TOGETHER!!!! A COUPLE!!! Isn't that wonderful??"

Click.

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The fourteenth squad members immediately noticed a change in the snowball when he returned.

"Something's wrong with him," Kei whispered to Takara, her navy eyes worried.

"Of course, Kei. Read his mind. See what happened?"

The dark-haired taichou stubbornly shook her head. "I won't, Takara. We barely know him and you're already invading his personal privacy."

"But you're dying to know, so I'll tell you. Hinamori got together with Izuru."

"But doesn't Hitsugaya-?"

"Of course."

"Poor Hitsugaya! We should-"

"No way are we going to go over and offer him sweet little words of comfort and offer him a box of tissues and a stuffed animal. Just ignore him. He'll get over it."

"You've never been in love, Takara.You don't understand. I'm going to help him, even if you won't."

"I hope you aren't going to coddle our squad like this."

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"Hello! You must be the new transfer students!" A brown haired woman beamed at them.

Hitsugaya already disliked her. Too-sunny smiles were never a good sign.

"Your names?"

"Hissori Takara."

"Seishin Kei."

"Hitsugaya Toushirou."

"Oh, very nice, very nice… but Toushirou, I would like that hair dye removed by next week, please. It's against the dress code and it looks silly on you."

Wrong move. A throbbing tic appeared on the prodigy's forehead.

"This is my natural hair color."

She ignored his comment. "Get rid of it, please."

"Did you not hear me, woman?" The room was rocked by a sudden chilly breeze.

"Hitsugaya-taichou…" Kei looked at him pleadingly. Mustering her courage to talk to him was extremely difficult, but she was even more afraid of making a scene.

He glanced around, rather shocked. She blushed bright red, so embarrassed she could barely speak. Takara rolled her eyes, knowing it had cost Kei a lot to utter two words.

The door suddenly opened. Everyone looked up expectantly.

There stood a girl, somewhat short for her age. Long blonde hair flowing around her, she stepped in, grey eyes coldly surveying the room. Her reiatsu followed, hitting the three Shinigami like a truck.

As she passed them, her lips curled into a smirk and spoke. "Nice to see you again, Takara, Kei."

Takara and Kei stared after her, eyes wide, mouths open. Sly smile still evident, the girl seated herself in a desk.

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I suppose this is a cliffhanger?

I probably won't continue without reviews, so please do!

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