Chapter 9
As the days went by, I've gotten to know Hiroko more. It seems she has very little sense of responsiblity. Hiroko barely remembered to pay half of her rent, she'd never swept a floor in her life and she considered any piece of furniture or flat surface a place to leave her astonishingly large wardrobe. On the other hand, she wore the same size four that I did, and she was not averse to sharing. She was also single-mindedly determined to become one of the strongest soul reapers ever, and in pursuit of that goal she spent most nights away from our room, leaving me with a little more breathing room.
I lied down on my bed, staring at the shadows cast on the ceiling by trees. I was waiting for Hiroko to bring home dinner, since it was her turn this night to bring it home. It's been at least a year since I first enrolled. I have done pretty well in my Zanjutsu training, and my Kido has been going okay. I still need to use incantations for most of my Hado, and I can use up to Bakudo fifteen without incantations. Me and Hiroko have gotten along more. The more I got to know Katsu, the more we became friends. Although, the figure that I've seen hasn't gotten any clearer, at least, not yet. And, my visions haven't happened in a while.
"We've lived together for a good year now." Hiroko commented, setting the food on the table.
"Yeah? So what?"
"Well, I just wanted to say I'll be moving out next week." she confessed.
"What? Why?"
"I'm graduating. You'll be getting a new roommate, and I'll be a Soul Reaper."
It was really happening? She was leaving? I just got to know her. I don't want a new roommate either. I showed her a little frown.
"Don't worry, you'll see me around once you graduate. I promise."
Don't worry, I'll visit you guys every day. I promise.
Shit, with everything going on, I've forgotten to visit Tom, Miku and Kimmy! It's been well over a year. I wonder if they still remember me? I should visit them tonight, since I have some free time. I finished eating, and put on my uniform from the Academy. I wanted to show it off to my friends. As I began to leave, Hiroko stopped me at the door.
"Where do you think you're going? We have a curfew."
"Yeah, so what? I need to go see some people before it gets too dark."
"Who?"
"Some old friends from District sixty-three."
"You're not even allowed off campus, what makes you think you can sneak out of the Seireitei?"
"Well, 'cause you're helping me."
She looked at me, shocked and confused by what I said, as if I said it in a different language.
"I'm not helping you with shit!" she exclaimed.
"Calm down, all I need you to do is cover for me. If anyone asks I was in here with you all night." I averred.
She thought about it for a minute. I know it was asking a lot from her to just do that. If I was caught, she would probably get kicked out of the academy, along with me, but I needed to see them.
"Look, I made them a promise, and I didn't keep it. If you don't want to help that's fine. I need to talk to them regardless of what you say."
"Okay fine," she sighed, "I'll cover your ass."
I gave her a sly smile, and crept out of the room. I then snuck past all of the learning facilities, and into Division Two Barracks. I began to sneak around every corner, making sure I wasn't seen by anyone. I heard a foot step or two from behind me. I turned around, and saw nothing. I could see the ending of the Barracks ahead, only a short distance and I was home free.
I heard more footsteps behind me, and I grew anxious. My heart began to beat faster as I tried to make myself believe I was just hearing things. In a blink of the eye, about five men, dressed in black surrounded me. My heart jumped up to my throat. There movements were so fast, and silent. I would've only guessed that one was following me.
"You are trespassing on Second Division Barracks." said one man, "What is your purpose for this?"
"Er, I'm sorry I was just passing through."
"No excuses! No one should be in the Barracks unauthorized. You will have to take in up with the Captain."
The five men grabbed me, and lead me to the middle of the Barracks, where the captain was supposedly at. One of them knocked on the doors, and out popped a woman in her pajamas. She wore black hair that stopped short at her ears, and long braids in the back. She rubbed her left eye, and seemed annoyed she was being woken up, but it's only eight at night. How could anybody sleep knowing what time it is?
"Captain Soi-Fone! We caught an intruder inside the Barracks!" The man pushed me towards her, I winced in her direction. I waited. Listening for my punishment.
She looked at me, like she could care less.
"What is your reasoning for intruding on Second Division Barracks?"
"Ma'am, I am terribly sorry. I was just trying to get back to my dorm before curfew, and took a shortcut through here."
She shot me a sour glance.
"Wasn't the curfew over an hour ago?'
"Er, no! They changed it to nine. I would really like to get back please." I lied. She studied me. My heart began to hammer, as if she knew I was lying.
"Get back to your dorm. That's an order." the woman slammed the door in my face. The lights went off inside. I was safe.
The five men dropped me back off in front of the dormitory, and left quickly. I was trapped inside the Seireitei, unable to contact my friends. Unable to see Vera or Derek. I took in a long, deep sigh, and headed back inside the dorm. Up to my room. Then went to bed.
