Chapter 12 – An Unexpected Birthday

Winter seemed to get gradually worse and worse over the next few weeks. Kimi's enthusiasm for the snow had been overwritten by excitement to begin training; so when the weather didn't improve at the end of February, which was the general time of year for winter to fade out, she was certain that the karma was out to jinx her.

One week in the beginning of February the snow was so deep that they couldn't open their doors without it spilling inside.

Kimi had been passing through the halls of the manor as a cheerfully unsuspecting Shin had opening the main door to pop into the town and been swallowed by an avalanche falling on top of him.

He had come sailing magnificently past her as she descended the stairs, waving his arms and squealing, into the hall to an uproar of laughter from everything including Grandma Chie and the maids.

Every time Yuu had seen her father since then she had done an impression that looked something like a puffer fish with flailing frog legs.

So Kimi was stuck indoors once again. Her injuries had finally healed but she couldn't even send mail by carrier pigeons due to the gale force winds and not being able to leave the Manor.

In this time, she took to controlling her spiritual pressure in her dismally boring bed room again Seeing as there was nothing else to do, not that she really needed to, it was just something to pass the time and surely it would help in the long run.

She also found, entirely by accident, that she could stand on walls and vertical surfaces. One evening the door to her bathroom seemed to be jammed shut. She rested one foot against it and pulled, but it didn't work. Apparently subconsciously, she rested the other foot and found herself standing vertically without support, her feet glowing a pale white. Then she realised she was turning the handle the wrong way and pretended the whole thing never happened.

She also once swore that, in her deeply concentrated meditation state that she had sensed Granny Chie passing her bedroom via the inside corridor, which they were now using instead of the outside hallway.

Then she reminded herself that Granny Chie probably had a very small amount spiritual pressure it had been entirely by coincidence that she had noticed her, she probably wasn't improving in that sense at all.

In Mid-April winter finally ended, three weeks later than forecasted.

Kimi awoke one morning and got a real shock. Her outside door was ajar as if someone had recently entered. A sliver of warm spring sunlight crept through the gap... onto a huge pile boxed at the foot of her futon, wrapped neatly in colourful, patterned washi paper. She was completely bewildered for minute until she read a small card attached to one of the gifts, a long, rectangular box.

Happy birthday Kimiko, With lots of love from Yoshino.

"Birthday? What the-" then it dawned upon her. This time last year, she had been waking up in this very same room for the first time. She remembered Shinsetsu's exact words at dinner that night.

'I guess you could call it a birthday, today is the day you joined us.'

She got up and opened her door fully. The day wasn't quite the same as last year. The winter had been so harsh that many plants, crops and flowers had been killed, and the cherry blossom in her garden was only just beginning to bloom. But the warmth of the sun was the same as that time. "Today... Is my birthday..." She mumbled. Then smiled brightly and began to unwrap her presents. She had so many thoughts flowing through her head as she unwrapped the smallest ones first. She soon found herself having a small identity crisis.

Was today really her birthday? It couldn't be her real birthday; she couldn't remember anything from her previous life... Did she really deserve all of these presents?

A little voice that sounded like her conscience spoke. Yes, yes you do deserve them. That was then and this is now, today is the day you arrived here, the day this life began. That life no longer exists.

"Yeah... Yeah you're right." She agreed with the voice.

Then another thought crossed her mind. How old am I? Seventeen years old? Or One-year-old? Or less, as you age slower in this world.

She tapped herself lightly on the cheek. "Stop overthinking things idiot!"

Then a shadow passed her outside door and knocked on the wood. "Kiiimiii, are you awake?" Yuu sang.

"Yeah, come in"

Yuu entered looking bright and cheerful in a pale lemon yellow Kimono, and without warning dived on top of Kimi. "D'aaaawwh! Haaappy birthdaaayy!" She cheered, smothering her with hugs.

Kimi laughed and hugged her back. "Thanks Yuu"

"Have you opened your presents yet? Can I watch?" She asked excitedly.

"Of course, c'mon let's get these open, there's a lot to go through... Who could they all be from...?"

"Tsk. They are from the villagers, dummy!"

Kimi looked at her, startled. "Why would the villagers send her presents?"

Yuu sighed "Oh I don't know, maybe because you've helped everyone out so much over the past year," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "They like you"

She was indeed correct. She was given a huge violet coloured birthday cake with a lemon sponge and raspberry jam filling by the woman at the bakery, a bouquet of beautiful purple and blue flowers and a small bonsai tree to take care of by the florist (she set these aside as she felt her eyes watering and nose beginning to itch) and a set of black and red hair pins by the tailor.

The physician gave some tea leaves that were said to have energy restoring properties, he had advised her to only take them on particularly busy days when you really needed a boost of energy in his birthday card.

There was a P.S: 'Good luck, we know you can do it!'

Kimi glowed at this. It was so nice to have the support of so many people. She put the herbs in the top draw of her desk and continued on.

She also got many sweets and savouries from other people which she was determined to eat responsibly, only when she needed energy. She left the larger presents till last.

The rectangular package in pale pink paper from Yoshino turned out to be an exquisite Kimono, in a pale teal blue with magenta and white flowers and petals and pale green swirling vine patterns. The Obi was a vibrant orange with the same swirling vines in a darker orange and magenta padding underneath.

"Wooow..." Kimi sighed, lifting it out of the tissue paper. "This is beautiful... I think I'll be too scared to wear it..."

Yuu laughed. "Yeah, I was too" she said raising her arms to the side so that hanging sleeves of her kimono hung down. "Mom bought this for me too. You don't have to wear it right now, save it for a special occasion if you like, but I just love mine so much I wanted to wear it right now" she laughed giving her a twirl.

"Yeah I'll save it" She smiled, packing it back up carefully and putting it on a high shelf in her closet.

She had been eyeing up the last two packages curiously. The first one left her stunned. The carpenter had offered to carve her something as a thank you, and now she knew why he hadn't given her anything. He had evidently spent months carving a large wooden model of the Soul reaper academy for her.

All of the buildings, lakes, training grounds and trees were in, she assumed, in the correct place. She stared at it in awe. It was so incredibly detailed that Kimi knew he had gone out of his way to visit the place itself in order understand what it really looked like. The only bit she had seen for herself was the monumental front entrance and courtyard, and it was exactly as she remembered it. "Wow, that's amazing... How did he know though?"

"He called me and mom over one day while you were shopping and asked what sort things you liked, we told him and mentioned your birthday... But I must say he really out did himself"

"No kidding, I really need to thank him when I go into the village... And everyone else too"

Then she came to the last one, though the shape of it gave her an idea of what it could be.

"Who's it from?" Yuu asked curiously, shuffling closer on her knees.

Kimi read the card attached to it aloud:

Happy birthday. I apologise for not keeping in touch, but I'm sure you understand. This should aid you in training; perhaps it will boost your confidence? Take care of it. Reply when you are ready to begin.

-Hatsuka.

Inside, as she had guessed, was a kendo sword; But not like the one Hatsuka had been using. His was a simple light brown kendo sword with white rubber handle, rubber caps along the sword and a leather cap at the end. This one had been specially made.

It was sheathed like a real sword, with a plain black, shiny sheath that had a white ribbon tied at the top below the hilt. She unsheathed it slowly and saw that it was made of a darker coloured bamboo and in the shape of a real Soul reaper's Zanpakuto, including the black hilt and black Ito braid on the handle.

She couldn't take her eyes off it. It actually felt like she was holding her own, real Zanpakuto.

Being made of bamboo, it wasn't very heavy. She lifted it and swung it lightly, but not too much in fear of breaking anything or poking Yuu in the eye.

She suddenly felt more professional, stronger and in a way more grown up? Had this been what Hatsuka had meant by confidence? If so it had certainly worked.

Yuu had been gazing open mouthed at the sleek sword.

"Wow Kimi! That's so nice of Hatsu, you must thank him!"

"I know, of course I will. Pass me some paper, top draw to the left" she instructed and Yuu dipping into her desk, retrieving some plain paper.

Hatsuka, thank you so much for the present, I am amazed and grateful! Ready whenever you are.

-Kimiko

She scribbled hastily and passes it to Yuu who was now examining her academy model with great interest.

"Can you go and send this to Hatsuka for me please?"

"This place is huge" she mumbled to herself. "Kimi you're going to get lost when you join is place! Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'll go now" she snatched up the letter and left.

At Mid-Day a knock Kimi's bedroom door announced the arrival of a maid, who had bought came to tell her she had a visitor.

Of course she knew right away it was Hatsuka and sure enough he stood in the front entrance to the manor, hovering awkwardly as though he was cautious of touching anything.

"Hatsu" Kimi said as she approached "I didn't expect you to come some early"

He simply smiled. "I am as eager to train as you are so I came along right away. Shall we?"

Kimi nodded and led him through the inside hallways and out onto the courtyard in front of her bedroom. He sat on the steps while she quickly ran in to retrieve her sword.

"Oh, before you come out change into these" Hatsuka instructed her, slipping a neatly folded purple and white package into the edge of her room.

Kimi glanced at him questioningly. "You don't expect to be training in that do you?" he asked with raised eyebrows. Kimi had slipped on a short orange Yukata before coming to meet him. "You won't be able to move well. Comfort and ease of movement is critical in kendo. Those will give you much more freedom."

Kimi quickly changed into the Hakama. The dark purple trousers were a little loose around her waist and the light violet shirt was a little baggy under her arms, but nothing too serious to affect her.

"That's much better. You can keep that set; consider it another birthday gift from my mother, she didn't know it was your birthday until I left the house, she insisted I give you those."

Kimi grinned. "My favourite colours too, thank her for me would you?"

Shehad been disappointed to find that she wouldn't be learning any moves just yet.

Hatsuka spent what felt like hours in a long explanation of Kendo. He started by saying that kendo is not something that can be learned and mastered overnight. It takes years of intense dedication and training, and even then there will always be someone who is better than you and there are always ways to improve.

The then reminded her that Kendo was just a starting point for her, as Zanjustu (the lesson of sword fighting at the academy) would be a lot different and more brutal.

"When you are fighting as a Soul Reaper you will not be following the rules and techniques of kendo, though perhaps the will come handy. Kendo only has one type of sword for instance. Also, the swords do not have powers and stages of power"

This completely threw Kimi off course. "Whooaa whoa whoa, what do you mean by different types, powers and stages?"

"You mean you do not know? Have you not done any research into Soul reapers?"

"Of course I have but I just researching things that I already knew in more detail. I can't research things that I don't know even exist…"

He gave a deep sigh. "There are some books in the library on the subject that can give a better explanation than me, but for now I'll give you the basics. Sit-" he said pointing to a particularly large rock next to the pond. He settled in the stairs in front of her door putting his sword beside him, as though it was higher ranked than Kimi and deserved a seat much more.

She scowled at it as though it had done a great wrong to her.

"Where should I start… Right. As I'm sure you know, every officer of the thirteen court guard squads has to go through the academy before entering a squad. Upon entering they are given a sword, which with my training becomes their Zanpakuto.

To put it plainly, these swords contain a piece of their owner inside. Their mind, soul, power, spirit energy, personality and etc. It is part of them, at one with them. Each Zanpakuto is unique with its powers and abilities. These powers are unleashed by calling on the spirit inside the sword, though there are two stages. Bankai, the last stage, can only be achieved by powerful and talented officers, usually those of captain rank.

There are different types of swords that require different fighting styles. So swords may be more like daggers, some may not even be swords at all, but clubs, spears or something entirely different. Some swords require ranged combat as a pose to close combat and some are entirely Kido based."

Kimi's brain was spiralling out of control now. There was so much to take in at once…

"Kido?" she asked hesitantly.

"Uh… Spiritual based powers, Kind of like magic. There are set kido's with set ranks and numbers that require incantations to cast. If you have a Kido based Zanpakuto you may never have to actually strike anyone with a sword. And this is why I will warn you know, that you may practise Kido and then find when you get to the academy, or finally get your Zanpakuto, that the techniques you have learnt are useless to you."

Kimi stared at him. Was he trying to discourage her?

"But wouldn't it be best to just learn anyway? If I do have a Kido type Zanpakuto then at least I know other techniques. They could come handy at some point. If I don't bother learning and then find that I do need to learnt to use a sword… I would be behind… Either way it benefits me"

"Correct. I'm just giving you pre-warning so that you aren't shocked or disappointed unexpectedly."

Kimi smiled again. Suddenly Yuu wondered into the hall and leaned against a wooden pillar in the corridor opposite them, munching on a Rice ball, her cheeks inflated like an overweight hamster.

"Yeez, Jou guyz awe awll tawk no ackshun huh?" she mumbled. She swallowed and almost choked.

"Yuu, small bites dear" Kimi chanted, imitating Yoshino's usual dinner time lectures to Yuu about not stuffing herself and having some table manners.

"Oh shut up." She said blushing slightly. Hatsuka was staring determinedly at a Koi fish that had just surfaced in the pond. "I thought the idea of training was to actually pick up those sticks and beat each other up with them, not sitting around gossiping"

"Training isn't all practical. You need to be mentally prepared too, which includes knowledge. I have been explaining of a few things to Kimiko"

"Uhm." Kimi agreed. "These things aren't as simple as they look Yuu"

"Ohhh?" she asked curiously "I may come and listen in on a few of these training lessons. They sound interesting" she Said, tilting her head slightly as she gave a bright smile. The effect was instant. Yuu suddenly looked much… sweeter? Even cuter than before… just by tilting her head. She could even swear that Hatsuka had noticed this then continued staring at the unchanging pond in fascination.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. I'll check to see if you're both still alive later" she said with a wave as she turned away.

"Bring food and drinks with you"

Yuu raised her hand again, her back still turned to acknowledge Kimi's request.

"Lady Yuuga is right to some extent. I have given you my warning and I will help you find those books in the library, but for now we should actually get on with some training."

Kimi's hopes suddenly soared but were once again shot down.

Hatsu began their 'Physical training' by showing her how to stand and how to hold a sword correctly.

Kimi was sure he was just being really picky. Constantly altering her stance and the position of her hands, shoulders and the height of her outstretched arms. She personally couldn't see what difference it made; but she kept her patience and did as he said after all he knew what he was doing and had many years of experience.

Yuu came with more rice balls and fruit juice as the sun began to set and by the time it had finally set, Hatsuka announced the end of today's training.

"Well, that's it for today. A little progress is better than none at all, but it will be useless if you don't keep it up, even when I'm not around. You must not slack off or lose interest, understood?"

She nodded "Yes… Sir" she added quickly. Hatsuka actually smiled sincerely at this, brighter than he ever had before. It seemed that he had quite enjoyed the company and the fact that he was her superior and in charge of her.

"Well then, same time tomorrow?"

"Sound's good to me. Don't worry I'll be up way before you arrive" she added, knowing what he was about to say.

"Very well. Goodnight. Good bye, Lady Yuuga" he said bowing to them both and leaving. They watched his retreating back and Kimi had to pull Yuu out of the way so she could shut the door, apparently startling her out of a daydream.

"What's up with you, woman? You've been half asleep all day"

"Oh… Oh it's nothing. I'm sleepy, yeah, bad night's sleep" she mumbled then wondered off to her room absently mindedly. Kimi stared at her, shaking her head and wondered off too.