Marked

The cabin was small and dark. The only light came from the open fire in the middle of the room. There was no one there either, except for the woman with black hair and blue eyes who was sitting at the fire trying to warm herself up.

The cabin didn't have much in it. There was a bunk bed in the one corner with old and ragged old sheets and blankets. In another corner were a small kitchen area and a door that probably led to the bathroom. Near the fire were two brown leather chairs with animal skins thrown over them. Furthermore there was nothing.

Hotaru found herself standing there watching the woman sit by the fire. This was the second time she saw the woman in one of her dreams. The first time being a long time ago. In that dream the woman was walking bare foot in the snow and was taken in by a bounty hunter….or maybe even a hunter.

Did this cabin belong to that man? Hotaru couldn't see him anywhere which probably meant he was out taking care of some business. Hotaru took a step closer to the woman making the wooden floor creak. The woman's head snapped up and Hotaru held her breath.

"I someone there?" the woman asked. The woman frowned and then looked back down at the fire. Hotaru let out a sigh of relief. It appears that the woman couldn't see her.

A knock on the door made Hotaru and the woman jump in shock. After calming down the woman stood up and opened the door to reveal a old man with a white beard and beady eyes.

"Is Han not home?" the old man asked in a gruff voice. The woman shook her head.

"No, sir, he left for a hunt just before," the woman replied. The man nodded.

"Thank you, kind lady, may I ask you your name?" the old man asked. The woman blushed and smiled. It felt strange for her to receive such kindness – never in her life has she been treated this way. Not even by her own mother.

"My name is Lihua, sir," the woman replied. The old man smiled.

"I see, well tell Han I stopped by, he'll know who I am," the old man said and then he left. Lihua closed the door and turned around and walked back over to the fire. It was getting hot in the cabin now so she decided to take off her Ruqun (Traditional Han Chinese garment worn by women) and maybe take a shower.

When she did start to pull off the sleeves of her Ruqun Hotaru was shocked to see a black tattoo on her chest. Hotaru's eyes widened when she realized the tattoo was the same one she saw in the dream with her Zanpakuto. The Kanji for "Seishin" (spirit) made Hotaru freeze on the spot where she was standing. She wasn't the only one with the tattoo? Why did this woman have the tattoo too? Was it a coincidence? Maybe Hotaru was having as some sort of nightmare since that tattoo scared her.

Well, whatever it was, it scared her and thus Hotaru forced herself awake.

Hotaru sat up straight in her bed. Just what the hell was that dream about? Why did Lihua have the same tattoo from one of her other dreams? The only difference this time of course was that the tattoo appeared on a different body part.

"You seem out of breath, had a nice steamy dream about someone?"

"Shut up!" Hotaru snapped at her Zanpakuto. The snow woman chuckled and hummed to herself.

"Oh I see, it wasn't a wetdream about Hirako-taicho….how sad, but you dreamt of Lihua instead."

Hotaru's eyes widened. "You know this Lihua chick?"

"Oh, I converse with her from time to time. You didn't just dream of her, Hotaru. Lihua was talking to you."

Hotaru frowned at her Zanpakuto's words. "What do you mean she was talking to me?"

"She was showing you the tattoo……look on your arm, Hotaru."

Hotaru did as her Zanpakuto said and she pulled the sleeve of her shitagi down and stared at her right arm in shock. The Kanji for "Sei" now sat on her arm.

"Where the hell did this come from?" Hotaru shrieked in her mind remembering that Emiko was fast asleep next to her on the other bed. Her Zanpakuto chuckled again.

"I told you, didn't I? You were born with it."

"You failed to mention that it will come back!"

"Well, now you know. Only half of it is there, which means you haven't fully awoken."

"I am awake, hate to break it to you."

"That's not what I meant, I'll explain later, right now you need to sleep."

Hotaru huffed and lay back down.

"Is Lihua the one who made me blood thirsty?" Hotaru asked out of the blue. Her Zanpakuto did not answer at first, it was almost as if she was debating if she should answer or not. Hotaru gave up and closed her eyes.

Just before she drifted off to sleep she heard her Zanpakuto reply: "Yes."

The next morning Hotaru checked her right arm again and sure enough just like she feared the tattoo was still there.

"So I wasn't dreaming," Hotaru mumbled to herself.

"Hm? Hotaru, did you say something?" Emiko asked as she pulled a pink kimono on. Hotaru shook her head and laughed although the laugh was forced so it sounded kind of weird.

"Liar."

"Shut up, no name!"

"Eh? What's with the no name?"

"Well, you refuse to tell me your name so for now I will call you no name. Or do you prefer to be called Snow Freak instead?"

"I'll burn you."

"Don't you mean freeze?"

"I'm not an ice type."

"Oh? So you're a fire type?"

"No."

"Oh, well….at least I know you that you're not an ice or fire type Zanpakuto. Very nice."

"Hotaru?"

Hotaru snapped from her daze and looked up at Emiko.

"Yeah?" Hotaru mumbled. Emiko looked at her in confusion and worry.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Emiko asked. Hotaru nodded.

"Don't worry about me! I'm fine!" Hotaru lied. Emiko looked unconvinced but dropped the subject and continued on with putting on her socks and waraji. Hotaru watched Emiko get ready for wherever she was going. Now that they were on vacation, the Shin'ou Academy students were a bit more free to go where they want. Emiko decided not to go visit her parents in Rukongai since the vacation was only two weeks but instead decided to go out with some of her classmates.

Hotaru on the other hand had no plans and was still thinking on what to do.

"Why don't you go hang out with Hirako-taicho?"

Hotaru glared in her mind at her Zanpakuto and then suddenly she remembered what her Zanpakuto said earlier when she awoke from her dream.

"Wetdream about Shinji?" Hotaru shrieked. Her Zanpakuto burst out laughing.

"Finally a reaction! I was waiting for that! Don't worry, Firefly, I was just toying with you."

"Very funny, maybe I should call you the PERVERTED Snow Freak now…."

"Ouch, that hurt, Hotaru-chan."

"Good."

Emiko waved goodbye to Hotaru and left the room. Hotaru sat down and tried to figure out what she should do.

-

Hotaru ended up going to the place where she met Shinji for the first time. She hasn't really ever been there during the day and she thought that maybe it was a good idea to go there.

When Hotaru arrived she saw some Shinigami pass her, they were talking about going to some new pub and then vanished around the corner. Hotaru jumped unto the roof and sat down. The wind was blowing softly but was cool and caused Hotaru to pull her legs closer to her chest to keep herself warm.

As Hotaru sat there and shivered while looked at the view of Seireitei she felt something being placed on her shoulders. It was a white haori and in an instant she was warm since the haori was warm already from being worn by someone.

She looked over her shoulder and saw Shinji with his usual bored expression and his upper row of teeth showing. He sat down next to her.

"A morning stroll?" Hotaru asked.

"No, running away from paperwork, Sousuke seems extra determined to make me work today….he even threatened to tie me up to the chair!" Shinji groaned. Hotaru burst out laughing and had to wipe away the tears she was laughing that hard. Shinji glared at her.

"Not funny!" Shinji groaned as he lay down on his back with his arms behind his head. Hotaru calmed down.

"Sorry," Hotaru mumbled as she too lay down. Shinji's haori fell off her shoulder so she pulled it up again and pressed it against her nose since her nose was freezing too. It smelled good. Like vanilla and sandalwood. Hotaru inhaled the scent again. Yep, it was the best scent she has ever smelled.

"Oi, how long you gonna smell my haori?" Shinji asked after awhile. Hotaru blushed and pulled the haori away from her nose.

"I didn't smell your haori," Hotaru protested. Shinji chuckled.

"Sure," he replied as he rolled unto his side and prompted himself up unto his elbow. Hotaru blushed even further at his intimate stare that she cowered and pulled the haori completely over her head.

"Oi, don't hide you little nosy pervert!" Shinji laughed as he started to tickle Hotaru on the side. She started squirming and giggling underneath the haori and tried to pull away from Shinji evil clutches but she couldn't. Eventually she poked her head from underneath the haori and stuck he tongue out. Then she started rolling away from Shinji. He seemed to enjoy this little game she started so he started rolling with her.

After a long time of rolling away from Shinji Hotaru grew tired and came to an instant halt only to have Shinji roll on top of her. Their eyes locked and they stayed like that for a few seconds. Hotaru felt her cheeks heat up and Shinji got a sly grin on his face.

"Uuuuh…." Hotaru mumbled. Shinji didn't get off instead he stayed exactly where he was and kept staring into her eyes. Hotaru tried to pull her gaze away but was failing horrible at the feat.

"Has anyone ever told you your eyes are beautiful?" Shinji asked without using slang at all….not even the accent was there. Hotaru blinked and she felt her cheeks grow hotter. She shook her head. Shinji smirked. "Well, they are."

Shinji then rolled off of Hotaru and lay on his back and stared at the clouds. Hotaru lay frozen where she was. Did he just say that? Hotaru felt herself blush even more.

"And here I thought I was the pervert. Wow, nice going, nosy pervert."

"Shut up, Perverted Snow Freak!"

"Tch. Did you see his eyes! It seriously looked like he wanted to kiss you."

"Yeah, right."

"I'm serious."

"Piss off, if you don't even want to tell me your name then please don't interfere with my love life."

"Oh ho? Love life? I knew it! You like him!"

"I do not!"

"Sure, you don't……you're just shy! Oh my….the violent Anjo Hotaru has a weak spot!"

"Listen here you……shut up before I strangle you!"

"As if you can."

Hotaru groaned inwardly in frustration. Stupid Zanpakuto. She never knew they could be so annoying.

"Ne, Shinji?" Hotaru asked.

"Hm?" was all that came in response from the blonde Shinigami captain.

"Does your Zanpakuto talk to you a lot? And annoy you?" Hotaru asked. Shinji who had his eyes closed opened the one and looked at her.

"Depends, my Zanpakuto is annoying me right now to be exact," Shinji replied. Hotaru sighed in relief. At least her Zanpakuto wasn't the only annoying one.

"Hey!"

Hotaru blocked out the Zanpakuto's voice and sat up. A few minutes later Hotaru lay down again only she hit her head in the process.

"Ow!" Hotaru groaned as she clutched her head in pain. Shinji chuckled and patted Hotaru's head.

"Careful, kid," he said. He was using slang again now…..Hotaru sighed. Looks like she won't be able to hear him talk without it again.

That afternoon Hotaru received a message that her grandfather wants her to attend the Captain's meeting with him that afternoon. Hotaru was shocked at first mainly because a) officers under the Fukutaicho never attended these events much less a student and b) he grandfather never involved her with his work. Hotaru knew that she should go, her grandfather ordered her to be there but still….she had a sort of bad feeling about this.

So Hotaru was heading for the First Division barracks now. When she arrived she took off her waraji and entered the building. Some of the Shinigami would once again bow and greet her in respect. Hotaru always said hello back. She also got a few compliments of her red kimono she was wearing. Since she was on vacation she wasn't really in the mood to wear her uniform.

She entered her grandfather's office only to see the First Division Fukutaicho helped Yamamoto put on his haori over his shoulders. The Fukutaicho then handed Yamamoto his cane.

"Ah, Hotaru, glad you could make it," Yamamoto said with a smile. Hotaru nodded and bowed in respect.

"I am honored that you asked me to accompany you, but Jii-chan, isn't this a bit…..well….different?" Hotaru asked. Yamamoto chuckled.

"Yes, don't worry dear, none of the captains bite. Neither does the vice-captains. They are all very good people……although, the Twelfth Division Fukutaicho might frighten you…she's has a bit of a temper," Yamamoto reassured Hotaru. Hotaru sweat dropped. That wasn't what she meant at all but all well.

"Taicho, they are all gathered," the First Division Fukutaicho said when he walked back into he room. Hotaru didn't even realized that he left. Yamamoto nodded. Hotaru ran up to him and locked her arm with his. She has never met any of the captains except for Yamamoto and Shinji…..so this was kind of nerve wrecking.

Yamamoto led her down a hallway and then the Fukutaicho opened a door and held it open. Yamamoto walked in and Hotaru followed. They entered a large plain room with almost nothing in it except for a chair and a few paintings. Hotaru could feel a mixture of different heavy reiatsu float through the air. Yamamoto sat down on the chair and when he did the group of people standing in two rows turned to face him.

Each man and woman's eyes widened when they saw Hotaru, except for Shinji he seemed too bored to even notice that the Sotaicho just walked in. Hotaru felt intimidated just by their gaze on her alone. Each person had a different aura to them and she could tell just by glance that each was very powerful.

Hotaru scanned each person with her eyes, analyzing their appearance and trying to figure out which Division they led.

"Welcome," Yamamoto said after awhile of silence. The Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13 snapped out of their daze on the strange little girl that came in with Yamamoto and concentrated on their leader.

"I merely gathered you here today, to tell you something," Yamamoto carried on. Hotaru's eyes landed on the Twelfth Division taicho….she suddenly remembered meeting her briefly awhile ago in her grandfather's office. If Hotaru could remember correctly her name was Hikifune….or something like that. Ok, so now Hotaru knew three captains.

"Don't you always want to tell us something, Yama-jii?" one of the Captains asked. Hotaru's eyes landed on the man who just spoke. He had long brown hair and on top of his head was a hat. Over his standard uniform the man had on a pink floral robe and he seemed laid back and lazy. Hotaru blinked at his nickname for her grandfather.

"Yes, Shunsui, I do, but this isn't a laughing matter," Yamamoto pointed out. Some of the captains frowned at this.

"What could possible be so important?" another captain asked. His hair was long and white and tied in a low ponytail. He had on a normal Shihakusho and judged from his facial expression Hotaru could tell he was a very kind and compassionate man.

"I would like you all to meet my granddaughter, Hotaru," Yamamoto said as he pushed Hotaru forward. All eyes landed on her and she panicked when she realized everyone was watching her now. Hotaru blushed and bowed her head.

"Nice to meet you," she mumbled.

"So she's the old man's daughter," another white headed Shinigami mumbled.

"You must be proud, Sotaicho-dono to have such a healthy granddaughter," a woman with long black hair tied up in front of her body said. Yamamoto nodded.

"So? Why introduce her to us?" a captain with an afro asked. Yamamoto cleared his throat.

"Starting in two days she will be assigned the new 6th seat of the 5th Division. She will graduate earlier than anyone else and join the Gotei 13 this week," Yamamoto announced. Hotaru's eyes widened and she turned around to face her grandfather.

"WHAT?" she shrieked, "Jii-chan, you never told me this! Why?"

"Hotaru, you are to powerful to stay in the Academy, Kasumioji Nobu and Namikaze Rei as witnesses told me of what you can do and we believe you are ready," Yamamoto explained.

"But I…..I'm not even fully trained yet!" Hotaru exclaimed.

"We know that, that is why I placed you in the Fifth Division, you are the closest to Hirako-taicho and his Fukutaicho and thus they will be able to guide you further," Yamamoto explained further. Hotaru stood there in utter shock. She was finally going to become an official Shinigami?

She surely never imagined it to happen like this.