Excuse my very long absence. I'm back! And guess what? Despite my struggles I've managed to keep all A's first quarter! Woot! Thank you for all the well wishes in the beginning!

Okay, awhile back I got a comment from Moonlight-Milkyway commenting that Jinta had a crush on Yuzu even though he/she originally thought of Jinta and Ururu being a couple.

You want drama? You got it.

And yes, Senna's first appearance is here. Honestly I haven't watched Memories of Nobody but she seemed like a cheerful, bubbly, a bit eccentric character. I have on the other hand watched Fade to Black: I call Your Name. That was practically an Ichiruki romance. However I noticed a surprising lack of Hinamori.

I also watched Diamond Dust Rebellion. That blew my mind how Hinamori failed to show up in a movie entirely about Hitsugaya. I mean yeah, that guy did give a little ship-tease there when he asked if Hitsugaya stayed in Serieti for Hinamori and he snapped back "Leave her out of this!" But seriously.

Okay! This incredibly long author's note is finally over!

I sat down in the chair fearfully. I had never liked to be poked and prodded with anything, which is why I preferred to do my make myself.

"Relax," Rangiku said reassuringly. "You know, that we know what we're doing."

I shut my eyes and tried to relax. Within seconds, I felt a brush on my face spreading something on it. Not too long after that Hisana-san pried my eye open and put on eye liner, then gently shut it with the pad of her finger.

While Hisana went for my face, Rangiku went for my hair.

"So girls, how should we do her hair?"

"I think a high side ponytail would be cute," Orihime said thoughtfully.

"Oh, and the hair should be curled slightly," Rukia added.

"You should use some blue or silver accessories too," Yuzu added.

This went on for about 20 minutes before Rangiku said, "Done! Wow Hisana-san, you really are good,"

I opened my eyes to see my reflection. I honestly couldn't believe that was me. My skin looked flawless, my eyes looked deep-set and mysterious with a darker eye shadow then I usually used. My lips were pinker and seemed a little fuller. I looked good.

"Wow," I murmured at the girl that was and wasn't me. "I do look nice." Rangiku and Hisana had already pounced on Ururu by that point, but Hisana said over her shoulder as she put pink eye shadow onto Ururu's eyes, "Of course you do. You thought we'd make you look ugly?"

I smiled.

"Of course not," I walked over to where the girls were making observations on Ururu. Rangiku was pulling her hair down from its usual pigtails and brushing it until it was glossy.

"We'll let your hair stay in its natural waves," Rangiku said, "But the bangs," She grabbed a silver pin with a pink flower on it, "Have got to go." She pinned back Ururu's bangs.

"That looks good!" Orihime chirped.

"Why do you always have your bang in your face Ururu? You're so pretty, what are you trying to hide?" Karin asked.

"I—I don't know…"She said softly as she opened her eyes. Her dark eyes widened.

"Junta's going to be blown away," Rangiku said with a smile. Then she turned a wicked smile on Rukia. "Your turn."

Rukia flinched but sat down.

This process was repeated for all of the girls over the next two hours. In the end Rukia's dark hair had been pinned up and her eyes sparkled with silver eye shadow, Orihime had straightened her hair so it fell in a silky red-orange wave over her shoulders, and brought out the red in the dress. Because Yuzu's hair was so short it ending up just having a few hair pin in it. Karin had changed the part in her hair so all of her bangs were on one side, which made it look like she'd gotten a new hair cut.

Rangiku had pulled her hair into a loose bun at the top of her head. Tendrils of hair fell around her face, framing it.

"Looks like we switched hairstyles for the night Momo-chan,"

I smiled. "Yeah, guess so."

Hisana poked her head in door. "Hey, you girls ready? The boys are in the living room."

Rukia took a deep breath. "Let's go ladies."

"Are you nervous Rukia-san?" I asked noting that she'd sighed an abnormal amount of times. She sighed again.

"Is it Ichi-nii and Renji?" Karin asked quietly. Orihime stiffened.

"Yeah," She said then hesitated. "I think that…I might—never mind"

"Rukia? You can tell us…" Ururu asked.

"I don't know. I mean, Renji and I have been friends since we were 2. I only meet Ichigo in middle school, but we've always gotten along really well and he understands me, but at the same time whenever I look at him I see…"

"Kaien-san," Orihime finished for her.

"Who's Kaien-san?" Rangiku asked.

Yuzu shook her head quickly and Rangiku dropped it. I narrowed my eyes. Why was this guy a taboo subject?

"Well," Hisana said breaking the awkward silence. "Shall we get going? We don't want to keep the boys waiting,"

"Yeah," Rukia said. "Let's get going."

We walked back down the hallways, but now it was getting dark outside. The garden looked even more beautiful with the setting sun as a back drop.

Hisana stopped outside of the sliding door leading to the living room. "Are you ready?" She asked one more time. We all nodded. "Okay then," she opened the door. "Alright boys, your dates are ready.

The boys turned toward us from whatever conversation they were having. A lot of jaws dropped for a few moments before they recollected themselves.

Some of the jaws that dropped were the girls. I forgot how good looking our group of friends are. Everyone could pass as a model if we tried. I even noticed Kuchiki-sensei, who was chaperoning the shindig, had on a casual white turtleneck and dark blue jeans with a black jacket to top off the ensemble, and still looked like he'd just walked off a runway.

Ichigo turned and raised an eyebrow when he saw Rukia. He had on a simple collared shirt and black dress pants with a blazer jacket thrown over his shoulder. "Well midget, you clean up nicely."

"I could say the same to you, strawberry," Rukia retorted with a small smirk as she walked to his side.

Orihime glanced in their direction for a split second then turned to Ishida-san. He smiled gently at her, and she blushed bright red. I raised an eyebrow. Was Orihime experiencing the same problem as Rukia…?

Matsumoto smiled at Hisagi as she walked out. The smile turned into a small smirk when Hisagi raised his eyebrows.

Now the real trouble started when Yuzu and Ururu walked in. Jinta's eyes didn't head straight for Ururu like they should have. No, they lingered a bit longer than necessary on Yuzu. His slight blush didn't help matters when Ururu caught the glance between the two. She shrank back and pulled out the clip in her hair, letting her bangs fall back into her face.

Karin frowned at her, but she looked away quickly.

I noticed a shock of white hair sitting near a window. Toshiro-kun's face was turned to look at the setting sun. The light hit his eyes and lit them up, making the blue-green color even more vibrant.

"Shiro-chan," I said softly. He turned around quickly, as if I'd startled him.

"Wha—Oh, wow…" He murmured. Then quickly, "I mean, you look pretty good, Hinamori."

I smiled, knowing full well that was the most I was going to get out of him.

"Thank y—" I was cut off as my phone rang. I fished it out of my small purse, glancing apologetically in his direction. He nodded, and I pressed the send button.

"Hello?"

"Momo-chan!" My cousin Senna's voice nearly burst my eardrums. "Guess what! Guess what!!"

I sighed softly. "What?"

"I'm here in town already!! Where are you? I came to your house and you weren't there…"

"I'm at Rukia's house."

"Rukia who?"

"Kuchiki," I answered automatically. By that point everyone in the room was looking at me.

"Kuchiki?! As in THE KUCHIKI?! The really famous and rich clan around here?!"

"Ah…yes…"

"I'll be right there! Are you in the head house?!"

"No wait! We're getting ready for an opening ceremony! You can't—"

"That's just fine! I'm all dressed up!"

"No! Senna!"

"Bye, see you soon!"

By the time I gotten off the phone, I was sweating bullets. Senna was coming. To Rukia's house. Uninvited.

Oh boy.

Now I remember why I hadn't seen her in 5 years. She was just too much to keep up with.

"Hinamori? What's wrong?" Ichigo asked.

"She's coming," I whispered.

"Who's coming?" Rangiku-san asked confused.

I looked her straight in the eye and whispered shrilly "Her!"

Rangiku-san snorted, "Senna? There's no—" The door bell rang and Hisana-san stood up to go and answer it.

She came back a few moments later with someone trailing behind her. "She says she's looking for Hinamori-cha—"

"MOMO-CHI!" Senna burst out and rushed me. I barely had a second to react, before she'd tackled me.

"It's so good to see you again!!" She chirped, then pulled back to look me in the eyes. She gripped my shoulder and smiled.

I'd forgotten how pretty Senna was. She was a few inches taller than me, and was as willowy as I was. Her hair was so black, it almost looked purple, and her eyes were a very vivid orange. She was wearing a red halter style dress that reached to just above her knees.

"Hi, Senna," I said weakly. Then shoot Rangiku-san an 'I told you' look. She shook her head and sighed.

"So these are your friends?" She said looking around. "Oh, I haven't even introduced myself," She let go of me and bowed to everyone. "It's a pleasure to meet you! I'm Hinamori Senna, Momo's cousin on her dad's side! I'm in my 1st year of high school, or for your school 2nd, I'm 16 years old, blood type b, my birthday's November 18th, and I love the color's red and orange. I hate the color yellow,"

Everyone just stared at her in pure shock. Renji, to my surprise was the one who broke the silence.

"Ah, yeah. It's nice to meet you too. Any family of Hinamori's is a friend of ours…"He trailed off.

Senna whirled around to look at him. Her eyes widened and she marched right over to Renji and caught hold of his braid (he'd worn his hair low for the occasion.).

"You have such pretty hair!" She said softly. Renji blushed.

"T-thanks." She turned to survey the rest of the group, as they stared back at her wearily.

Rukia stepped forward, "I'm Kuchiki Rukia. What in the world are you doing, barging into someone's house uninvited?"

"Rukia, relax," Hisana said firmly. "She's already told us she's Hinamori-chan's cousin."

"And isn't that my line?" another voice said lowly from the doorway. "How troublesome, having to chaperone a crowd of kids," He muttered. "And this is…?" He said arching an eyebrow and narrowing his eyes in Senna's direction. I gulped and jumped in front of her.

"I'm sorry. This is my cousin Senna; she came into town for a visit and came here when she couldn't find me at home."

He grunted softly in response before checking his watch and asking, "Isn't it about time you kids left? You won't get anything to eat at this rate."

"Right!" I said "Time to go and eat!" And pulled Senna towards the front door. "Are you crazy?" I hissed when we were out of earshot of everyone else.

"Of course I am. Haven't you noticed?"

"Jokes aside, you could have waited until I got home! The opening ceremony's big! And I need to get some things done tonight, uninterrupted!"

"So you don't want me around," Senna asked quietly, finally getting serious. I felt guilty.

"No, it's just that tonight is a bad night for this."

"Alright, I'll get going. You're serious. I can see that," she said softly back. And I smiled. I forgot how understanding she could be when she wasn't on a war-path.

"Thanks Sen-chan."

"Of course Mo-chi," She said using my old nickname. She hugged me, before turning around and calling, "I'll take my leave of you for now, but we should hang out tomorrow!" She glanced at me. I nodded. "Till later!" Then she hopped out the door and disappeared.

"Well, she's…" Ichigo started.

"Crazy?" I asked.

"Wacky?" Jinta said as well.

"Eccentric?" Hisana supplied.

"Familiar, actually," Ichigo said. He frowned. "I feel like I've met her before…"

"I don't remember her," Karin said. Yuzu nodded.

"And we've met all of Ichi-nii's friends."

"Yeah, must be my imagination," He said, though he looked doubtful.

I shrugged. "Senna gets that a lot. People just get déjà vu feelings around her. Anyway, let's go to Urahara's!"

"Yeah," Rukia said. "We can't afford to waste anymore time around here."

So we piled into our respective cars, Rukia taking my spot in Ichigo's car and me going to Hisagi's to ride with him Rangiku-san and Toshiro-kun.

We made it Urahara's were we greeted by a feast. Jinta whistled lowly. "Tessai-san really went all out didn't he?"

"Of course. Did you expect anything less?" Urahara-san said while fanning himself with a green fan and white fan.

"Oh, you guys are already here?" I turned and saw Kira-kun walking in…with Maria-chan on his arm.

My eyes widened to a size that would resemble saucers. Rangiku-san's breathe caught, the twins stiffened simultaneously, Rukia-chan narrowed her eyes, Orihime's grip on her clutch tightened ever so slightly and Ururu bit her lip. The boys all blinked, only a bit shocked.

"Maria-chan," I asked finding my breath at last, "What are you…?"

"Oh, are the two of you going together tonight? I'm sorry, I didn't know," She said assuming a face that would have put bambi to shame.

"No, it's not that—" I said.

"Then it's alright then!" She said smiling so broadly her eyes squinted shut.

"Yeah, sure…"

The other's turned back to the food obviously not wanting to add fuel to the flames, but when I glanced back at Maria-chan, she was still smiling.

But it wasn't a smile that was laced with remorse, the way it should have been, but one laced with malice.

I looked away quickly.

When we finished eating we hopped back into our cars and drove to school. When we entered the gym the place was already filled up with people. The DJ already had some music playing so the couples went to dance while I mingled for a little while.

I caught up with Isane-san, a senior girl who planned on going into the medical field and was often seen in the company of Unohana-sensei, the school nurse. She was a nice person and very easy to talk to.

"It's been a while Hinamori-san, how's it going?"

"Pretty well, actually. I've managed to not get hurt while cheerleading anymore,"

"That's good. Oh, Hisagi-kun," She said turning as Hisagi walked over.

"Oh, hey Isane," The two fell into conversation as Rangiku-san walked over to me. She glanced at the two of them before gently pulling me away.

"Look like a couple don't they?" She said. I nodded half-heartedly. It seemed that everyone was starting to pair off. "So, what are you going to do?"

"About what," I turned now paying full attention to her.

"Kira."

"Actually, I was planning on breaking things off officially with him tonight," I said softly.

Rangiku-san slowly closed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I whispered. "All I'm doing is hurting him right? He's too nice a guy for me to do that to him. Not to mention, he has Maria-chan now."

Her eyes narrowed at that name. "That snake. I had a bad feeling about her from the beginning."

"What are you talking about? Maria-chan's a nice person."

"She's got more faces then Cerberus. She's the one who's been spreading the rumors."

There's just no way that could be true. Maria had always been a very nice a quiet person. But both Rangiku-san and Yoruichi-san were saying the same things.

"I don't know—"

"Hey," Ichigo said as he and Rukia walked over. Rukia was holding a cup of punch and sipping it delicately.

"Oh, hey," I said.

"What's going on with Hisagi and that silver-haired chick?"

"Oh Isane-san? She's a really nice person."

"Yeah. She helped me wrap my shin splints when I got them during a track meet," Rukia said.

We glanced in their direction just in time to see Isane-san laugh at something Hisagi had said as he flashed a stunning grin.

"They look good together," Rukia murmured.

Ichigo drifted off to chat with some of the other soccer players. We continued surveying what was going on when Rukia suddenly murmured "Uh-oh."

"What's up?" Rangiku asked.

"Jinta and…Yuzu?"

"What?!" I squeaked. But sure enough Jinta and Yuzu were dancing to a slow song not too far from where we were standing. I opened my mouth to say something when I spotted Ururu watching the two of them as well. Her bangs had fallen into her eyes and she looked sad as could be.

"Jinta…" I murmured. "You idiot."

The song finished playing and the two of them separated. Yuzu was blushing faintly.

Then the principal, Chairman Yamamoto voice echoed throughout the gym.

"Before we continue we tonight's festivities, we'd like to introduce the cheerleaders and soccer players, the reason for the occasion. If you could all gather on the stage,"

Rangiku-san and I waved to Rukia and began our walk up to the stage. We smiled and waved at people on the way up there. I caught Karin's eye as she was walking up as well and she drifted to our side.

When all the cheerleaders and soccer players were assembled up there Hisagi, Rangiku-san and Karin went up and gave their captains speech, then the cheerleaders, girls' team and boys' team were introduced in turn. When he called Hinamori Momo is smiled and waved to the crowd as they clapped and cheered.

When the introduction was over I walked off the stage by myself. As I glanced around I saw Kira and Maria talking quietly. I took a deep breath, steeled myself and walked over to the two of them. They both stopped talking as I got closer.

"Kira-kun, I need to talk to you," Maria raised a bored eyebrow. "Alone," I finished, letting some steel enter my voice.

"Fine," He said and started walking towards the gym doors. I followed him out the door into the empty hallway.

"What is it that you want to talk about?" His voice was extremely cold and quiet. I'd never heard him so angry before.

I shut my eyes and bowed my head slightly. "Kira-kun…I'm sorry that I'm doing it this way but I think we should go our separate ways—" Before I could finish what I had to say, Kira grabbed my wrists and pinned me against the wall.

"Kira what—" He lips smashed against mine. I fought his grip, yanking at my wrists and squirming. When my knee collided with his, he let go and stepped back.

I touched my mouth. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "There's nothing there, is there?"

I shook my head sadly. He sighed and stepped closer. Then he reached over, touched my face gently and pulled away before turning and walking back into the gym.

I stood there in absolute shock for awhile just thinking. He still liked me didn't he? He wanted me to feel something when he kissed me. Tears filled up in my eyes. I was such a terrible person.

I walked back into the gym quietly. My friends were standing nearby.

"Hinamori?" Rukia said. "What's up? I just saw Kira come tearing by. He looked pretty upset…" She trailed off as Ichigo placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.

I smiled weakly at Ichigo as everyone gathered around me.

"What happened Momo?" Rangiku-san. I shook my head.

"I'm just not feeling well," I murmured softly. "I think I'm just going to head on home," I turned and began walking towards the doors. Just before I walked out I turned and waved and forced a smile then walked out into the cool crisp early spring night air.

It was only about 9 o'clock on a Friday night so the town was pretty lively. I watched a group of kids a few years younger than me talking excitedly before walking into Urahara's shop.

I thought about going in and having a talk with Yoruichi-san when I heard a soft high-pitched voice say "Hinamori Momo,"

I started looking around and walking faster towards home. As I was walking I heard the same voice say again. "Hinamori Momo!"

I suppressed a scream and started to run despite the fact that I was in heels.

"Hinamori Momo!"

My apartment came into view and I sprinted into it, flew up the stairs, ran to my door, unlocked the door with a shaky hand and locked it behind me. I then ran around the apartment closing curtains and making sure windows and French sliding door was locked. I sat on the couch in silence for what felt like hours but must have been fifteen minutes, I finally calmed down.

Shick, click clack. The sound of a key being inserted to the door's lock. I panicked, suppressing a shriek; I raced into the kitchen and grabbed the first sharp thing I saw, which happened to be a knife.

If I was going down, I was going down fighting. I stood facing the door, knife in hand.

When it opened I lunged at the door with a quiet grunt. The door flew open to reveal a shocked Hisagi and Rangiku-san. The knife posed at Hisagi's neck.

"Whoa, hey peace! It's just us!" Hisagi said holding up the spare key I'd given him. "Momo what in the world—" I dropped the knife and threw my arms around him and started to sob.

Yeah, she's a little freaked out. We'll find out who the voice is next time (^^)

I sorta felt sorry for Kira being the loser in this love triangle. But he'll be alright...I hope. However, if you started to get a bad vibe from my OC Maria to begin with, you were right! She's the evil b**** in this chapter. And no, she won't get any better.

Thanks so much for all of your support, and I'm sorry you've had to wait so long. Hopefully it won't take so long next time. But hey! As a treat, I made it over 1000 words longer than usual ^^

Go ahead an press the pretty green and white button that say "Review"!