Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for being so patient with me. My computer had a meltdown while I was in the middle of writing this chapter and writing its prequel Take a Chance on Me . I'm very sorry for the wait. I should be done with TCM soon. And ha ha! Despite my fear of having a C on my midterm report I managed to get all A's and two Bs that were both in the 90's. I'm kicking 8th grades a**!
I woke up the next morning extremely excited. Today was the day of the opening ceremony and our boys first scrimmage game. For any type of game, the cheerleaders had to wear their uniforms to school.
I got up a little earlier than usual so I could put on my uniform which consisted of a black and silver mini skirt, a black sleeveless turtleneck top that ended in a V near the bottom with SHINIGAMIS printed in silver letters across the top, just showing off a bit of skin, some long sleeved silver under armor which we had to wear during the school day, a pair of white cheerleading shoes and black and silver socks.
I pulled my long silky brown hair into a high pony tail, wishing that I had a silver ribbon. Good thing I had planned as shopping trip in the city soon. I fixed my bangs so they framed my face, and applied a little bit of makeup. Just some light glitter shadow, eye liner, mascara, and lip gloss. Nothing too big.
I did my usual breakfast routine, also grabbing a banana on the way out. I stepped out the door, locked it behind me, and turned towards the stairwell where Hitsugaya-kun was standing in his usual school uniform and backpack. The only difference was the black and silver sports bag that was slung over his shoulder which must have had his uniform in it.
"'Morning Hinamori." He said in his ever cool voice, but when I looked into his eyes I noticed a spark that I'd never seen before. He was excited.
I grinned. "Morning Shiro-chan," I said teasingly. I didn't think it would but it still got to him. His eyebrow twitched just slightly.
"It's Toshiro-kun, geez."
I laughed and started down the stairs as he followed.
"You look nice in your uniform," Toshiro-kun said.
"Thank you. Can't wait to see you in your uniform." I answered and we fell into a comfortable silence, walking past Urahara's shop, Yoruichi-san stuck her head out.
"Good luck, Momo, Toshiro!" She called. I smiled and waved. Toshiro gave a polite nod in her direction.
"Thanks!" I called back. We kept walking and I started to think back to our conversation yesterday. She'd said that she'd heard some girls gossiping and saying that Maria-chan was the one behind the rumors.
"Hey Shiro-chan," He grunted irritably. I ignored him. "Did you hear any funny stuff yesterday?"
"What do you mean funny stuff?"
"Rumors about us. I was talking to Yoruichi-san yesterday and she said she overheard some girls gossiping. Twisted around what happened Wednesday into something about us living together, and me cheating on Kira-kun."
Toshiro-kun made a face. "Well…yeah. I ignored it, but some girls were talking and I heard that it was some girl named Maria that they got their information from."
"No way. Yoruichi-san said the same thing."
"Who's Maria?"
"Takahashi-san."
"That girl with the curly black hair in our science class?"
"Yeah, weird huh? She's really nice."
Just then we passed the corner that we usually met the Kurosaki's at. Karin and Yuzu called a good morning.
"Good morning everyone," I said cheerfully.
"Morning Hinamori. You two excited about the game?"
"Yup!"
"I don't see why they glorify the boys' games more than the girls' games," Karin sniffed indignantly.
"Because the boys have gone to regional's 3 years in a row and the girls haven't in 4 years." Yuzu said flatly
"Plus, they're boys. The people that make the most fuss are the girls because they go to see them simply because the guys on the team are all hot," I added also deadpan.
"That's true," Karin said with a sigh.
"Uh hello, we're right here," Ichigo-kun said waving his hand.
"What? You know, I know, we all know it's the truth," Karin said shrugging.
Ichigo-kun sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, Karin, the girls get introduced just like the boys do at the opening ceremony tonight,"
"Speaking of the opening ceremony, whose house are we going to get ready?" Yuzu asked.
"Rukia's. Her house is the biggest." I answered.
"Plus her big sis is pretty good with fashion herself. Isn't she a stylist?" Karin asked.
"Yeah, Hisana-nee's a stylist," Ichigo answered. "So should we pick you girls up at Rukia's?"
We walked into the school yard at that moment and walked to where the rest of our group had gathered.
"What are you guys talking about?" Jinta asked.
"If the guys should come pick us up at Rukia's or not." Karin answered.
Rangiku-san looked thoughtful for a moment. "Why don't you guys come and pick us up and then we go to Urahara's to get some food."
"That sounds good," Ishida-san said.
"Okay! It's decided," I said smiling cheerfully.
And at that moment Rangiku san decided to notice me. She squealed. "Momo-chan, the uniform looks so good on you!"
I blushed slightly when the others took a good look at me.
"You do look cute," Orihime said.
"That uniform really suits you," Rukia said. Ururu nodded.
"It does look good," Hisagi said. Renji and Ichigo nodded.
"Thank you," I murmured, embarrassed. "You look good in yours too Rangiku-san."
She flipped her hair and smiled in response.
"I—" I turned around at the sound of that voice. "I'll meet you guys at Urahara's," Kira-kun said.
I looked down, and then back up at him. "Of course," I murmured.
"I'll see you guys later," And he turned and walked off silently. The group was cutting glanced between me and him.
"Oh, uh, wow, would you look at the time! If we don't get going we'll be late for class," Renji said nervously.
My head snapped up. "Yes," I said a bit more forcefully than necessary. "We'd better get going," We split up by grade again and headed for our respective section of the school. I have to thank Renji later for the save.
That afternoon was the scrimmage against Seyio Acadamy. The Matsumoto, the rest of the girls and I were in the cheerleaders locker room getting ready. I was standing at a mirror fixing my make-up and hair when a group of girls that were having a conversation moved closer to me.
"I can't wait! This game is so going to rock! We have a ton of good people on the team this year." Said one girl.
"Yeah, and on top of that, they're all really hot!"
"Yeah, and most of them are single!" said another
"You mean all of them," said the first girl.
"Aren't Kira and Hinamori still together?" the second girl asked? I froze immediately.
"Probably not after what I heard," she lowered her voice and whispered what she knew to the others.
"No way!" the second and third girls said in unison. Then they all looked at me. I made myself busy by brushing a strand of hair out of my face.
Rangiku floated up to where I was. "Momo-chan your ponytail is coming loose, let me fix it." She grabbed a brush and pulled the rubber band out of my hair and started brushing my hair.
"Ignore them," she said in a low voice. "They don't know anything."
I shook my head. "But it must have looked awful. They're never going to stop," I whispered back.
"Yeah, and have you noticed, she's like all over Hitsugaya," I heard another girl.
"I mean, I feel sorry for Kira, but can you blame her? He so freaking gorgeous!"
"Yeah, but Kira's a really nice guy. He shouldn't have had to put up with that. I mean where does she come off? She's new here and all she does is act like a slut!"
I flinched. That one stung. What exactly were the rumors that were being spread about?
"Now, now ladies. I'm a pretty understanding captain, but you know I don't like gossip. Stop," Rangiku said in her ever cheerful voice. However, you could hear the undercurrents of authority in it. The girls clamped their mouths shut.
She finished with my hair then turned and said, "The game starts in five, let's get going everyone!" She said and pumped her fist in the air.
The girls followed suit, and squealed, "SHINGAMIS!" We grabbed our pompoms and dashed out.
We made our way onto the field quickly. I took the time to check out the stands. Even though it was just a scrimmage, the stands were filled with people.
The crowd cheered as we ran out. We made it to mid field where the other teams cheerleaders were. We fell into a V formation with Rangiku, the captain, in the lead. Maria and I were the two directly behind her. She walked over to the Seyio academy's squad captain and shook hands.
The captain of their squad was a tall, slender blond. The two girls behind her were a pink haired girl and a short girl with honey blond hair.
"Matsumoto Rangiku. I'm the captain. It's nice to meet you."
"Hoshina Utau. It's nice meeting you. I assume we've agreed to play fair?"
"As cheerleaders?" Rangiku said with a little laugh, "I wish,"
Hoshina-san smiled. "Of course."
We walked to our respective sides of the field as the soccer players stormed out. I caught a glimpse of Kira and Toshiro, and my heart ached. I knew exactly what I had to do tonight.
The referee stood by, tossed that ball in the air, and the game began.
The end of the game came rather quickly (We won of course), and I raced home to go and grab my clothes and make-up. I had to catch a ride with the Ichigo-kun, Karin and Yuzu because I wasn't old enough to have a license but Ichigo had already gotten his.
"Thanks for the ride," I said as I hopped into the car.
"No problem squirt. I have to take these two anyway."
"And that's why your awesome Ichi-nii," Karin said as she relaxed in the front seat of the Toyota Camry.
"I just don't get why all of you have to get together to get ready. Geez, can't you do all of that at home?"
Yuzu sighed and shook her head. "He just doesn't understand. You see we have to get an opinion on how we look from people we know will tell the truth."
"Why not trust your own opinion?"
"See, then we wouldn't be girls. It's just the way we are Ichi-nii. Don't try and understand a woman's mind."
"Right, giving up now."
"Oh, I love this song!" I said as Aqua Timez's Velonica came on. "Please turn it up.
There are mountains, valleys, cliffs"
Dust is piling up
In the middle of my endless journey, I stop by at the edge of a town
I throw down my tired legs softly
If I lie down, I'll end up repeating my shallow sleep
I'll see that same profile over and over; hear those same words over and over…
"Am I the only one who thinks just living is sad?"
We all started singing along, Yuzu's and my soprano's mixing in with Karin's alto and Ichigo's tenor.
By the time that song and the next was over, we'd made it to Rukia's house. Or rather, the Kuchiki estate.
You see, the Kuchiki were actually an old (and I do mean OLD) clan. They'd continued living in a huge estate, with many houses all sitting on huge pieces of land. From what Rukia had told me, her older brother was the head of the family, so of course they're house stood at the top of the hill overlooking all the other houses.
This wasn't the first time I'd been there, but the sheer size of the place never ceased to amaze me. Karin, Yuzu and I all hopped out of the car and walked up to the front door and rang the door bell.
A pretty woman, who I would have mistaken for Rukia, but for the fact that her face was a bit more heart shaped, her lips were fuller, and her hair was a bit longer than Rukia's. But other than that it was hard to tell the difference. She had the same large purple eyes, the same calm, calculating gaze, and her eyes held that same toughness that told you that this wasn't someone to mess with.
She smiled gently. "Ah, you're here. Please come inside, Rukia and the others are upstairs."
Karin and Yuzu smiled. "Thanks Hisana-san."
I panicked for a moment. This was the first time I'd met Hisana-san. At the last minute I regained my wits and bowed.
"It's nice to meet you, Kuchiki-san. My name is Hinamori Momo."
"Now, now. There's no need to be so formal. Please call me Hisana."
"Y-yes."
She smiled warmly at me and then looked over my shoulder. Her face fell into the same look that Rukia had on when she thought you were doing something silly.
"Really Ichigo, are you just going to stand there like a deer caught in the headlights, or are you going to come in?" I turned and saw Ichigo hanging back a few steps.
"You know you sound just like Rukia when you say that, Hisana-nee."
"Of course. She got it from me." She smiled cheekily, and then turned back to us. "Come on ladies, we've only got a 2 hours to make 7 girls beautiful. That's a stretch, even for me."
"Don't worry; you have Rangiku-nee-san as your assistant."
"That's true…I wonder if she would like to get into fashion when she gets older…Oh, there you are Bya-kun."
I blinked and began looking around for a 'Bya-kun' when my eyes settled on Kuchiki-sensei. Karin and Yuzu stiffened.
Karin, Yuzu and I all bowed stiffly. "Good afternoon Sensei!"
"Yo, Byakuya," Ichigo said casually.
"Good afternoon you three, and Kurosaki," He sneered on the last part.
"You're in a good a mood as always, Byakuya," Ichigo sighed. Hisana-san sighed through her nose.
"And you're just as impertinent as always Kurosaki,"
"Can't you two attempt to get along?" Hisana-san asked exasperatedly.
"We are getting along,"
"Coulda fooled me," I muttered. But when I looked at the two of them as they started to chat, or rather argue, I could tell there was no real hostility in the air.
"Come on girls," Hisana said again as she walked to the sliding door and opened it. Let's go."
It was an old fashioned Japanese home, with some of the hallways being open air. They had some Sakura trees that were in bloom, and the petals were floating freely on the late afternoon breeze. I stopped to stare out at the rest of the compound.
It was as beautiful as it was traditional, and I loved it at once.
"The sakura are always beautiful this time of year. Bya-kun loves to come out and look at them," Hisana said with a smile.
I couldn't help it. I giggled. "Somehow, the name 'Bya-kun' just doesn't fit someone as stern as Kuchiki-sensei,"
"Yeah," Karin agreed.
"Well the name's actually from Yoruichi-san. She was his baby sitter way back when, and I met him through her," Hisana-san said with a small smile.
"Wait, Yoruichi-san was his BABY SITTER?! That can't be! There's no way she's that old!" Yuzu exclaimed.
"No one knows exactly how old Yoruichi-san is," Hisana-san answered lightly.
Karin, Yuzu and I shared a look, and then shivered.
"Here we are," Hisana-san said as she came to another sliding door and opened it. We stepped inside to see the other girls sitting around chatting excitedly.
"Karin-chan, Yuzu-chan, Momo-chan! You're here," Orihime said excitedly and bounced over to where we were. "Come on come on! Let's get our dresses on!"
"Hurry up ladies," Matsumoto said as she pulled her dress out of her bag. "We don't have much time."
Five minutes later we were all in our dresses and standing around while Matsumoto and Hisana-san bustled about.
The turned around after a few moments.
"Welcome to Karakura exclusive beauty salon, take a seat, and we'll take care of the rest," Hisana-san said with a smile. "Who's up first?" Rukia was shaking her head and muttering the rest of us were looking around nervously.
I walked over and sat down. "I'll go."
Yeah, I know I didn't got into any real detail of the game, but I didn't want to (cuz I'm lazy and) I'm going to put in a very detailed game later. So keep reading.
Thank you so much for all the encouraging reviews!
OH! And if you haven't read Phenioxsong4232's Frozen Secret, you have to check it out. Its just so cute!
