Is it just me, or does Renji look even hotter in normal human clothes? Lol XDDD

New Student

Kimiko and Renji got up early the next day. It was a Monday, which meant school, so the girl also had to wake up her brothers.

After dropping off her siblings at school, Kimiko walked with Renji to Karakura High.

"Well…another day of school…" groaned Renji.

"Why do you hate it so much?"

"I got out of school years ago…and now I actually have to go back…"

"Well yeah. I mean, you are in the human world now, so you need to learn about this world's education."

"But am I really going to need it?"

"A lot of people ask that question, sometimes even me. But you're gonna have to pass the exams and get decent grades if you wish to graduate."

The redhead rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yeah alright…"

"You are going to graduate right? Because I am not going to support somebody who didn't pass high school, I'll tell you that right now."

Renji smiled. "Yeah don't worry. I'll pass high school. Although, you don't have to support me Kim. I can do that myself."

"How? You haven't worked at Urahara-san's shop in a while."

"Well…er…"

"Tell you what…the days I'm at my karate class, you go to Urahara-san's shop to work."

"But then who's gonna take care of your brothers?"

"Keitaro and Hiroshi know that if I don't pick them up, they go to my karate class. And if I'm not there, then they go home. I have everything under control Renji, don't worry."

"Well if you say so Kim…"

The two had reached the school and they met up with Ichigo and the others.

"Hey Renji."

"Hey Ichigo."

Toushirou had his arms crossed as always. "Well, I see that you two have finally arrived. I suggest we get to class before our teacher marks us tardy."

Kimiko smiled and hugged Toushirou. "Oh, you're so cute!"

The white haired boy blushed. "Please…let go of me…"

Matsumoto squealed. "Isn't he adorable Kimiko-chan?!" She too hugged the little captain.

"Ichigooooo!" Keigo yelled as he ran to his friend and almost tackled him before a fist connected with his face.

"Good morning to you too Keigo…"

"Ow! My face!" The boy rubbed his nose. He blinked when he saw the two girls hugging Toushirou affectionately.

"Man! How does he do it?! Girls love that little guy!"

"Excuse me?!" snapped Toushirou. "I am NOT little!" He was going to teach Keigo a lesson, but Kimiko and Matsumoto wouldn't let go of him.

"Keigo, don't ever call him little," Renji said. "He doesn't like it. And don't call him a kid or child either."

"Well what's wrong with being small?"

"Would you two please let go of me?!" Toushirou commanded.

"Oh…but you're so nice to hug!" whined Kimiko. Matsumoto agreed with her.

"Come on guys…" said Ichigo. "We don't want to be late."

--

"And as you can see, when you take the square root of a negative number, it is impossible to do so because negative numbers do not have square roots," said the teacher. "So that means that you'll have an imaginary number…"

Renji zoned out his teacher's lecture with his own thoughts. Well, at least he thought he was thinking.

"What the hell…imaginary numbers? It doesn't seem like math is that impressive anymore…it's like they keep making up new stuff to make it sound important…"

"Abarai-kun," said the teacher. "Do you have something you want to share with the class?"

Renji blinked and noticed that all attention was focused on him.

"Huh?"

"I said, do you have something to share with the class?"

"Oh…no sensei…"

"Then keep your mouth shut and pay attention." The teacher turned back to the board and mumbled under his breath.

"Stupid redheaded teenager…gets tattoos at a young age…and now he thinks he can mock math…"

Unfortunately for him, Renji heard. "What was that?!"

"Quiet Abarai-kun! I am trying to teach!"

"Well you're not doing a very good job at it! And teachers shouldn't say things like that about their students! I heard what you said you bastard!"

"Oooooh," said the students in sync. The teacher leered at Renji.

"Abarai Renji, you need to watch your mouth while in my class."

"And you need to watch yours too you damn geezer!"

The teacher growled. He didn't like being called old. "At least I didn't have tattoos all over my body and obnoxious colorful hair at your age!"

Renji glared. He had never been this ticked off in his entire life. Kimiko knew that he was going into a rage.

"Why you…" Renji got up from his desk and was about to charge at the teacher, who looked a little scared by the way, but Kimiko stood up and went after him.

"No Renji! Stop!" She wrapped her arms around his torso in an instant. This caught him off guard as well as the rest of class. He felt a blush grow up his face because of the close physical contact.

She whispered to him. "I don't know how your school was back at Soul Society, but you can't hurt a teacher! You'll get suspended, maybe even expelled! Please Renji…calm down…"

Renji looked at the teacher and Kimiko could tell he was still angry.

"Look…I know you're upset…but students don't attack teachers. We don't get many rights in our eyes…please Renji…" She rested her head on his back.

The redhead calmed down and sighed. "Alright…" He turned around and held Kimiko by the shoulders gently. "But I'll only stop because I need to finish high school…for you…nothing more…"

Kimiko smiled. "Thanks Renji." He smiled too and sat back down at his desk. The students were awed by what just happened.

"Thank you Kawasaki-kun," said the teacher.

"Sorry about that sensei," said the girl as she bowed. "Renji just wasn't thinking straight."

"You don't have to tell me twice. That guy is like a monkey or some other dumb animal."

Kimiko didn't like how he was talking about Renji. She could see from the corner of her eye that her friend was firing up again.

"Don't talk about Renji like that sensei. He's very bright and a lot greater than you think. He has hidden talents that most people don't know about."

"Your romantic life with Abarai-kun does not interest me Kawasaki-kun," said the teacher nonchalantly as he turned back to the board.

Kimiko blushed and said "I don't have that kind of relationship with him!"

"Yes yes. Now please sit down."

The girl walked back to her desk and continued to pay attention.

Renji made a mental note to thank her later.

--

The bell rang and the students rushed to lunch. Ichigo and Rukia walked to the lunchroom when Keigo bumped into them.

"Ichigo!"

"What was that for Keigo?!"

"Did you hear? Renji almost attacked a teacher."

The orange haired teen and Rukia looked at him bewildered. "What?"

"Apparently the teacher said something offensive and then Renji got angry. But Kimiko-chan stopped him and defended him, so everything went well."

Rukia smiled. "Well, at least she can keep him out of trouble while I handle this one." She pointed her thumb at Ichigo.

"You make it sound like I'm an animal or something…"

The girl only smiled. "Now what would give you that impression?"

"Anyway, we better meet up with the others."

"Yeah."

The two began walking away to find their friends, while Keigo tagged along with them.

Eventually, Toushirou and the others were found outside during the lunch period.

"Kurosaki," he said. "There you are."

"Hey Toushirou."

"It's Hitsugaya-taichou…"

He was ignored.

"So I heard you almost got in trouble Renji," Ichigo said to him. "May I ask why?"

"Stupid teacher…thinks just because he's in authority he can call us whatever he wants…that bastard…"

"Well yeah that's kinda what he can do. Teachers can't be attacked by students, but they can't hurt their students either."

"Tell that to our math teacher…imaginary numbers…what is this world coming to?"

Ichigo only raised and eyebrow and Rukia merely blinked, as did the rest of them.

Kimiko wanted to talk. "Anyway, I'm gonna go get a juice. Anybody wanna come?"

"No I already got mine with Ichigo," said Rukia. "We were coming over here so we decided to get one on the way."

"Alright."

The girl began to walk towards a beverage machine that was brand new in their school. Renji followed.

"He's getting attached to her really quick," Matsumoto commented. "There's never a moment they're not together."

"Let's just hope it doesn't get deeper," Ikaku said. "I don't wanna think about what would happen if they became more than friends."

"Why is that?" Yumichika asked.

"What would happen if by chance, Renji and Kimiko got so attached to each other that their friendship became more? I'll tell you what. They'll probably end up together."

"And what's wrong with that?" Matsumoto said putting her hands on her hips. "I think that would be cute."

"Not if Soul Society contacts us and makes it so that we have to return to our world."

Nobody said anything.

"I've never seen this side of you Ikaku."

"He's just saying that because he can't find a girlfriend so he's speaking in a depressing manner," Yumichika said. "That Asano girl makes a fool out of him."

"But I can't do anything because she's a girl and she puts a roof over our heads and food on the table…" Ikaku said with a sigh.

Toushirou said nothing because he didn't want to talk about these kinds of things. He merely just watched Kimiko and Renji from a distance, as the girls went to join their female classmates and as he stood with the boys.

"How do you use these machines?" asked the redhead.

"Oh, well you put money in and then select the juice you want." She took out her wallet.

"No Kim."

"Huh?"

"Here." He gave her some money from her pocket. "Use this."

"But I have my own."

"Yeah but I wanna repay you for defending me back there in class."

She looked at him and blinked. "Really? I didn't do anything though…"

"Just take it…"

"Oh…ok." She took the money from his hand and demonstrated. "Well, here's how it's done. First you put in the money, and then select the drink you want with these buttons." She put the cash in and then selected her drink with the buttons. Two cans of juice came out.

"Here you go Renji." She handed one to him.

"Thanks Kim."

She smiled at him. "You're welcome." There was a brief pause. "So I guess we should probably head back to the others now."

"Yeah."

The girl stopped and turned to see a small group of girls around another one.

"So what's your name?" asked one.

"Um…m-my name is…Kikyou…"

"Interesting name there," said another. This was probably their leader. "And just what were you doing talking to Akio?"

"Who?"

"The most awesome guy in the whole school! The one you were talking to in the hallway!"

"W-Well I was asking f-for directions to my class…"

"Yeah but you don't just go up to a guy like him! Who do you think you are?!"

"What are you doing?"

The girls turned around to see Kimiko standing behind them, Renji right next to her.

"Kimiko."

"Ami."

"What do you want?"

"I want to know why you're harassing this girl."

"She was talking to Aiko!"

"And that's bad because…?" She made twirling motion with her hand as if to tell her to continue.

"Oh shut up! You don't know anything about Aiko!"

"Yeah I do. He's just another guy in this school. What's so great about him?"

There was a group gasp.

"He is smart, cute, and popular!"

"So? There are a lot of other attractive guys here. Does half the female population in this school revolve around him or what?"

The glares she was getting told her the answer. "Pathetic. Simply pathetic."

"Well what do you know anyway Kawasaki?! You'll never understand!"

"Of course I won't because I'm not an airhead like you."

"How dare you!"

"Now leave that girl alone." She walked up to Kikyou who was hiding her face with her bookbag. Kimiko held out her hand. "Come on. You can sit with us." She gave a warm smile.

The girl shakily extended her hand and held onto Kimiko's. The two walked over to Renji who looked at the girl.

"Hey!" said Ami. "I wasn't finished!"

Kimiko walked up to her and showed the girl her juice can. She merely blinked but then screeched when Kimiko poured the remaining juice on the girl's head.

"Ah! My hair!"

"Now stop messing with the new kids." She walked over to Renji, and the three left as Ami and her subordinates ran to the restroom.

"Thank you so much back there," said Kikyou. "My name is Kanbara Kikyou."

"It was nothing. Ami is the most popular girl in school because of her looks and charm, so she gets jealous when she sees somebody talking to a guy she likes. Stupid really. Oh and by the way, I'm Kawasaki Kimiko, and this is my friend Abarai Renji."

"Hey there," said Renji to Kikyou. The girl blushed and shyly said "Hello…"

"So what grade are you in Kikyou?"

"Um…I'm new and I'm a first year in this high school…"

"Oh so you're a grade lower. I'm a second year. Why did you start so late? School began last week."

"Well…you see…I had moved to America when I was ten…and then back to Japan barely three months ago. I was afraid to go to high school because I didn't have any friends…"

"I'm sure you'll make many friends Kikyou."

"Well Kim," said Renji. "I'll catch you later. I'm gonna go hang out with Ichigo and the guys."

"Alright Renji."

He walked away towards Ichigo.

"Um…" began Kikyou.

"Yes?"

"That Renji guy…"

"What about him?"

"He's really…um…" She blushed. "He's really good looking…"

Kimiko smiled and let out a small giggle. "I guess. There aren't too many guys with red hair and tattoos all over his body."

"He has tattoos?"

"Yeah. He showed them to me and they look kinda weird…but I guess that's how he wants them to look."

"You and Renji seem really close."

"Well to be honest, I barely met him last week. We're friends though. I've never had that many…"

"Why?"

Kimiko stood quiet. "I'll…I mean…I don't want to talk about it."

"Ok."

"Hey Kimiko," said Tatsuki. "Saw what you did to Ami back there."

Kimiko chuckled and said "She was asking for it."

Tatsuki walked up to Kikyou. "Are you ok?"

"Oh yes. Kawasaki-san helped me out."

"Please," said Kimiko. "Call me Kim."

"Can I call you Kimiko?"

"Sure."

"Well," said Tatsuki. "My name is Arisawa Tatsuki. And these are our friends."

Each of the girls introduced themselves.

"Hello!" said Orihime. "I'm Inoue Orihime!"

"I'm Kuchiki Rukia," said the raven haired girl.

"My name is Matsumoto Rangiku!" said the woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Oh and I'm Chizuru!" The redhead eyed Kikyou. "You're so cute!"

"Um…thank you?"

"Don't mind her," Tatsuki said. "She's a little off."

"What do you…"

"I'll explain later," Kimiko replied. "Anyway, so why don't we get to know you Kikyou? Tell us about yourself."

The girls sat down in the grass under a tree and Kikyou joined them, introducing herself. She was overjoyed that she had made some friends.

Renji and the rest of the boys glanced over at the girls.

"Kimiko seems to be fond of the little people," Ichigo said. "Is that why she's always cuddling Toushirou?"

A vein grew on the little captain's head. "Watch your mouth Kurosaki."

"Nah, I think she does it because she dislikes people like that Ami chick," Renji replied.

"I think that's why she has a bad reputation to most," Keigo explained. "Kimiko-chan has always picked fights when she's not supposed to be involved. Usually it's with bullies harassing the younger students. She doesn't like things like that."

"Is that why?"

"I'm guessing. She defends the less popular people, like me!"

"Well at least he admits it," mumbled Ichigo.

"You're so mean!"

"Well," Ikaku said. "Maybe it is true what Tatsuki told us."

"Kimiko is tough on the outside, but sweet on the inside," Yumichika added.

"Yes," Toushirou said. "Kimiko sure has warmed up to us. Well, I suppose to Abarai more. For a person who has not had many friends, she seems to make them quickly."

Renji glanced over at Kimiko, who was laughing with the girls. He wondered how exactly a person like her couldn't have friends. She was independent, protective, fun, sweet and a great cook. Well, maybe there are some things I still don't know…but she'll tell me when she's ready I suppose.

It was strange, but he couldn't wait to learn more about Kimiko. Renji suddenly became so interested in knowing more about this girl.

He smiled at the thought.

Ok, that's it for chapter nine. More action will come later, like in the next chapter or so. :D And I didn't mention the other girl's names because I forgot what they were all called...

P.S. The Bount Arc sucks...the only reason I watch it is because of the opening theme and because of the Mod Souls, mostly Nova. X3