Chapter 6

Ichigo and I ran through the trenches as war raged around us. I peaked around the next corner and several bullets flew by. Damn trenches! I hate it here. I looked at Ichigo and the flash of recognition went by. It was like we had some sort of connection like we could read each other's minds. I readied my gun and Ichigo readied a grenade. I shot randomly around the other side and dove across to the other corner. While the Germans were behind the corner Ichigo tossed the grenade. Boom! We both peaked again and saw the dead bodies, then charged forward again.

I had seen some god awful things on the battlefield but the trenches were even more horrid than the stories. Whether it was the smell of rotting flesh, the sleepless nights, or the noise constantly filling the air, it was just the worse. We barely got any information on the war out here. One day the war was over and we won. The next they said, "Say your prayers. The Germans have taken over". Our group was pretty elite, or so everyone said. It was me, Renji, Ichigo, and a few new guys including this giant guy named Chad and this dork Uryu. It finally quieted down and Ichigo and I paused to take a break. I heard a footstep and I whipped out my knife and went around the corner. I found captain Kuchiki under my knife, unamused. "Sorry captain," I muttered pulling away.

"It's alright. Better safe than sorry," the captain said, brushing himself off. The others finally caught up and caught their breath.

"Damn Hana. You and Ichigo kicked ass," Renji said.

"We make a pretty good team, huh Ichigo?" I asked.

Ichigo nodded, still somewhat dazed. This war was getting to him, I could tell. "It's getting late. Let's head back to camp," captain said. We all nodded and began jogging back to base.

I looked over and saw Ichigo was running funny. I looked down and saw one of his boots was coming apart. "Damn Ichigo. You might as well go barefoot in those things," I murmured.

"You know how much a new pair of boots costs over here?" he asked back.

"Red Cross?" I asked.

"Heh. You and I both know how full of shit they are. They get free donations from the states then you have to pay for it over here," Ichigo said frustrated.

"Come on. How much is it?" I asked.

"$5," he muttered.

"Fucking highway robbery. You could get a pair for $2 back home."

"Yeah well, I've got $1.50 so no boots anytime soon," Ichigo said depressed.

I was going to say something but Renji grabbed Ichigo and they walked off towards the medic tent. Fortunately for Ichigo I still have $10.27 leftover in my savings. I walked over to the red cross tent and stepped inside. "Kisuke? What are you doing here? I thought you were out in the trenches," I said glancing through the merchandise.

"Twisted my ankle," he said lazily, holding up his cane.

"I think you just want to keep hitting on your sweetie nurse Yoruichi," I said with a smirk.

Kisuke coughed awkwardly to my delight. I set the boots down on the table. "$5 then Hanataro," he said.

"Listen you and I both know this is bullshit. Give me the boots and a bar of soap and I'll give you $3.50," I said.

"You know I can't do that Hanataro. I'll get in trouble," he said. I sighed angrily. $5 for boots is crazy talk. "Hey wait a minute! You came over in April right?" he asked.

"Yeah. After six months with captain Kenpachi. Why?" I asked.

Kisuke smiled and walked around, grabbing a couple chocolate bars and set them down. "What's all this for?" I asked.

"You survived a year. I'll give you three chocolate bars, the boots, and the bar of soap for the $5," Kisuke said.

I sighed and thought it over. Still complete bullshit. Back home you could get all this for $2.50 tops. But Kisuke was doing me a serious favor here. I reached down my shirt and pulled out a five. I put it in his hand and shook it. "Thanks Kisuke."

He simply smiled and nodded so I grabbed my things and went out. Crossing camp you saw all kinds of soldiers. Dead, injured, blind, insane, everything. It was like each of us was a jellybean, each of us a flavor of crazy. I entered out of the little tent and found the guys. Thankfully I hid the presents in my bag before lying out on my mat. Just as I had sat down, captain Kuchiki came in. We all hopped to our feet and stood at attention. "We're heading out tomorrow for a special mission. Prepare to leave at dawn," was all he said before departing.

"Come on guys, let's hit the showers. Last one we'll get for god knows how long," Renji said.

"I've got to clean my gun. I'll head there later," I said.

"What's the matter with you? You never want to shower with us. Scared of dick or something Hanataro?" Renji asked with a laugh.

"Fine. I guess you don't get a present," I said with a smirk.

"Present? What present?" Renji asked.

"I guess you'll just have to find out," I said.

Renji left with a huff followed by the others, but Ichigo remained. "So what'd you get him?" Ichigo asked.

I smiled and pulled the boots and other stuff out of the bag, tossing them to Ichigo. "I had to basically beg but I got a good deal," I said.

Ichigo eyed the boots wide eyed. They were brand spanking new, still shiny. In fact, I was feeling a tad bit jealous now. But Ichigo deserved it. He's saved my ass more than once. Ichigo looked up again. "I don't know what to say," he muttered.

I sighed and took my helmet off, tossing my hair back and lying down, eyes closed. "Don't say anything. I owe you for not telling anyone…about my secret. There's a congratulatory chocolate bar there too. It's for surviving for a year. One for you, me, and Renji," I said.

There was no response. Damn, I could fall asleep right now. I sucked some air into my stale, dirty mouth and sighed in relaxation, the gunshots in the distance in the back of my mind. You forget the little things in life during war. Like a tooth brush for example. Or soda. Oh how I could go for a soda. A nice coke on ice. I smiled at that thought. Sitting on the porch back home in springtime, watching mom work on a quilt and dad and Hanataro play football. I opened my eyes again and Ichigo was looking at me. I gave him a questioning look. "Your hair is growing long again. Want me to cut it?" he asked simply.

I sat up and nodded. Ichigo pulled out a knife and I put my hair in a ponytail. He sat behind me and I closed my eyes. "Keep it long enough for a pony tail. It will look like shit otherwise," I said.

Ichigo chuckled and nodded. A moment later I felt the knife go through my hair and felt the weight fall off my shoulders. "What should I do with this?" he asked.

"Toss it. My hairs a fucking mess," I said.

"No it's not. I think it's soft," Ichigo said. I turned and saw he was stroking the locks. I sighed and took the clump of hair away and threw the hair away but keeping the hair tie. The others came back then and Renji found the chocolate bar.

"Happy anniversary," I said jokingly. Renji laughed and tousled my hair then took a bite of his chocolate, a look of ecstasy on his face making me laugh. Soon we were all in bed, ready for another long day tomorrow. Though the tent was dark, faint flashes of light from the guns shone through. The silence was constantly broken by thunder like sounds but we all knew they were guns. But this has become our lullaby in a way. I woke an hour or so later and went to take my shower. Oh soap, how I have missed you. After the shower I headed back and finally went to sleep, excited and scared for tomorrow.