Chapter 21 - Emeralds and Iron
"How long do you need to have a wash?" Kimi snapped, jumping up and grabbing for her sword that was leaning against the inside wall of her room. Ever since the one time she had over slept a training appointment with Hatsu back in the old day's tardiness and punctuality had always put her on edge.
Rukia recoiled and the exasperated looks they gave her as she exited the steamy room and hurriedly lobbed the damp towel onto her bedroom floor "Sorry! I was enjoying myself, I've never felt this clean before" she said glancing at herself in a mirror as she passed and beaming. In its reflection she spotted Kimi. "Wait, why are you taking that?"
"Huh?" she followed their eyes down to the sword in her hand and realised. "Ohh...uh... old habit I guess, I'm just so used to carrying it around everywhere with me" she laughed awkwardly and put it back down.
"Did you expect to be attacked on our way downstairs?" Momo giggled as they jogged out of the door and she locked it behind them.
"Who knows, anything could happen in this place" she grinned.
They made it just in time. As they walked through the large double doors of the main hall just off the downstairs foyer someone called the standing gaggle of first years to attention. At the front of the room was a stage and podium, on which stood an elderly woman in long white and black robes. Kimi could barely see over crowd, being so short, but from what she could tell the woman looked slightly like a nun because of her attire. Her only visible flesh was her face and hands, her hair was covered by a hat with trails of long white fabric hanging from it, almost like a cape.
"Good afternoon ladies and welcome to the Shin-o spiritual arts academy for aspiring Soul Reapers" she spoke very slowly and croakily. Kimi gave Rukia and Momo a look that she quite plainly: Make yourselves comfy, we'll be here for a while.
"I am the head matriarch, representative of female faculty and students and owner of the ladies' dormitories. You may not know much about this prestigious school now, but after you take your history lessons you will find that female soul reapers did not always belong here. Over these long years we have fought for the school to become what it is today, a fair and family like community with one common goal: To raise and train young people like you" she waved her hands across the crowd "Regardless of gender, colour or background into respectable young warriors." She paused to give a kindly smile down at them all.
"As the head representative of women, I specifically deal with major matters concerning the women of this academy, such a financial and disciplinary matters and therefore it is very unlikely that we will meet. I would like to congratulate each and every one of you on successfully entering the academy and I hope that over the next six years, you all work hard and achieve your goal of being soul reapers, but most importantly, you enjoy your time here.
Let me introduce you to your Head Girl of the Emerald Pavilion, Head of the Student council and Head of the Disciplinary Comity, 6th Year Tsuchiko Kanisawa" The matriarch bowed and tottered off the stage with a wooden cane to allow the girl from earlier to take the stage.
Before even speaking or introducing herself, Kanisawa took a moment to stare across crowd. Kimi got the vibe that she was x-raying each of them in turn, kind of like the gargoyles stationed high up in the hallways and shivered at the thought of being watched.
"Good afternoon. As your Head Girl of the Emerald Pavilion, Head of the Student council and Head of the Disciplinary Comity it is my job to watch over the girls of the Shin-o academy and represent you in all of your affairs. Allow me to explain my rolls:
My three different rolls do have interlinking responsibilities. As the head of the Disciplinary comity" she jabbed a thumb at the red band on her upper left arm that Kimi had not noticed before as it blended in well with the red strips on her uniform. It had a golden hand with its palm facing flat up as if you tell you to stop. "I am in charge of all disciplinary matters for all students, including hearings.
As a member, I will patrol the corridors and I have authorisation to issue detentions and other disciplinary punishments to any wrong doers. Me and my members are also authorised, under extreme circumstances, to apprehend students by force or take them into custody for severe or illegal crimes. These are included in the handbook we gave you on your way into the room so please read it carefully." Kimi looked around the saw Momo scoop a spare handbook from a table next to the door and start flicking through it. "I will not allow foul behaviour on this campus. Within my presence or without, be assured i will hear of it."
The room was deadly silent. It felt like the room itself was holding its breath... Too scared to even creek a floorboard. No one daring to exhale in case Kawisawa pounced on them. Evidently Kawisawa saw the effect that her speech had made and gave a heavily forced, awkward smile.
"On a lighter note, as the Head of the Student Council" she showed the smaller golden C shaped pin besides her Emerald pin. "I am in charge of the students in general. Me and my team will be holding ceremonies, making announcements and sending messages and updates of things going on around the campus regularly, including shows and events. Also if you wish to notify us of any problems around campus we have an office in the main building.
As the Head of Emeralds" she jabbed her thumb again at the emerald pin on her chest, "I have the similar job as head of the school council but specifically within this dormitory. I am in charge of the building and all of its residents; I guess you could call it my turf. If you wish to host any club or social events in our halls or you have any ideas for structural improvements, you must submit a formal request document to be reviewed by me and my small council. If you have any problems regarding the building, your room mates, another student, your classes or another matter... please feel free to come and speak with me or one of my team confidentially. We are here for you and I will try to help in any way possible."
She paused and it seemed as though she was done speaking. She had done a decent job at lightening the mood after her first, rather threatening speech. There was a polite smattering of applause and she spoke again.
"Now there are a few things we need you to do before your first day tomorrow. In the few rooms along the corridor are some station I would like you to visit in order to receive your uniforms, ID, maps and timetables. And once again, Welcome to the family." she bowed and walked off the stage.
The crowd finally released its breath and began speaking again.
"Wow." Momo said bluntly her nose still buried in the booklet looking just as shocked by what she was reading as what she had just heard. "This place has strict policies."
"No kidding... She is not one to cross..." Rukia said folding her arms with a frown
"Well as long as we don't do anything wrong we won't cross her" Kimi said logically, but Rukia didn't look convinced.
"You try telling that to my brother..."
Kimi's stomach leapt. She had temporarily forgotten about that idiot, but it dawned upon here that their meeting would be inevitable, and the chances of her getting into trouble for ripping his throat out were high... suddenly she wasn't convinced either.
"Let's just be ourselves" Momo smiled.
"And what if it's in your nature to misbehave?" Rukia asked cringing.
"You're screwed" Kimi grinned. Aaahh, let's hope that have a no tolerance policy on cheating in sword classes she thought, imagining seeing Renji kicked out of the school and smiling in evil satisfaction.
"Let's go sort out these timetables and stuff" and they left the room, Rukia and Kimi snatching up a pair of hand books as they went.
"'I'm curious as to what Kanisawa considers an 'Illegal crime'"
Rukia made a Tsk sound and looked over both shoulders sarcastically. "Probably talking in the corridors" which made Momo giggle again.
"Oh stooooop" she sang back "I think she's just misunderstood; I don't think she is really that obsessed with discipline"
"Come on Momo, she has every badge of honour possible, she obviously one of those people who is obsessed with power and being the almighty ruler of the universe, I mean come on who in their right mind actually wants to be the head of 3 major societies, especially in their last year of school? Do you even release how much responsibility that is?"
"Her, obviously" Kimi shrugged, "just stay as far away from her as possible-"
"Is there a problem, Ladies?" a far too familiar voice asked from behind them. Kimi froze like a statue and stared wide-eyed at the other too, who looked equally as scared.
She turned to Kanisawa with the air of someone trying not to step on an angry snake. Now that they were face to face she didn't look so Intimidating. She was barely taller than all 3 of them and she was wearing a curious expression, not her x-ray glare.
"N-no, everything is fine Ma'am! No problems at all!" But Kanisawa raised an eyebrow, sensing the lie by her sudden nervous jitter.
"Kimiko was just talking about my older sister! They met before and didn't really get along well, nothing serious though!" Rukia said jumping in front of Kimi defensively.
Kanisawa raised an eyebrow. "And your sister's name is?"
Kimi could almost hear Rukia's brain ticking away furiously to come up with some unreadable lie. "Oh she doesn't come to the Academy but she lives nearby in.." she shot a fleeting glance at Momo for inspiration. Momo's lips moved a fraction of an inch and Rukia blurted out "District one! A town not even ten minutes away, we were going to visit my home soon you see..."
Kanisawa held up a hand to stop her and Rukia stopped immediately almost biting her tongue. "Very well. As long as it is not a matter that threatens the peace of this school or my students. Run along now, you have things to do." and with that she bowed and strode past them into a room at the far end of the corridor.
They held their breath as they watched her retreating back but when she was out of sight they let out long sighs of relief.
"That... was close" Momo said.
"Rukia... why did you do that? If she'd have seen through the lie you would have got into serious trouble!"
She shrugged. "It was only partly a lie, I mean, I have may not have an older sister who you don't get along with but I do have a brother" she grinned.
Kimi beamed. At that moment she let any awkwardness between her and Rukia slide. She instantly felt as though she could trust her from now on and had a feeling that this had been Rukia's way of truly making amends.
"Thank you"
"I take back what I said, maybe she has listening devices in the walls" Momo said as they walked into the first room.
"Let's not say any more on it for now... her accomplishes are listening" and she glared up at the nearest gargoyle in suspicion. "I'm watching you!"
The three of them took it in turns to get themselves measured and weighed for their school profile record and have their uniforms fitted.
Kimi's was a little too long in the arms and baggy around her waist, even with her Hakama trousers as tight as possible. They were also given a grey shoulder bag to carry their swords around in. Momo read out relevant captions from the handbook aloud as she waited for them.
"All students must turn up for lessons wearing their Uniforms. Full uniform is required. Any item of clothing on show that is not part of Uniform must be removed.
Exceptions: Sweatbands (for sports activities), any type of protective apron, hair ties, any activity uniform such as protective martial art gear, etc. Look at page 3 for full uniform list.
"Wow, they tell us not to wear our own things then give us a pretty broad list of expectable stuff... that doesn't help at all..." Momo complained, waving her wrist in the air. A number of decorative bead bracelets glinted back at her. Kimi noticed that she was wearing small flower shaped stud earrings too.
"Doesn't bother me, I don't really wear jewellery, what else is in that book?"
Momo mumbled as she scanned the paragraphs for relevant information. "Ah! 'Students are authorized to carry wooden swords around with them on campus as long as they are sealed inside the supplied grey sheath-bags.
Weapons are not to be used outside of lessons except for authorized club activities, I.E: Kendo club or Archery club. (see page twenty for rules on recreational clubs)" she muttered that last part, it not being relevant yet. "Any students caught in possession of unauthorized weapons or seen using a weapon outside of clubs or classes will be reprimanded. Any student caught using a weapon against another student or member of faculty will be restrained and taken into custody.'"
They stared at each other. "So that is what Kanisawa meant by extreme circumstances..."
Just then Rukia emerged from the fitting room with her own uniform on. "See Kimi, it's a good job you didn't bring your kendo sword down with you, Kanisawa would have had a heart attack and arrested you" she giggled.
Kimi made a panicked 'sssssshhhh' noise and glanced over both shoulders. "You'll summon her!" and Momo burst into giggles again.
Now that they had their uniforms they needed to have their photographs taken for ID cards.
Kimi had never enjoyed photographs and smiled a large awkward grind while sitting on the stool in the booth where the photographer stood, she soon regretted it when her ID card was ready.
It was a small plastic card with her information and picture on it in a protective sleeve.
Murasaki, Kimiko.
First year
Emerald Pavilion
A*
Her grin was so forced it was almost frightening, like the voices in her head were telling her not to kill someone. She cringed and turned her attention to the appearances of the A* once again but Rukia reaction to the camera took her mind off it.
Rukia had never seen or heard of a photograph before and was confused when the man told her to smile, but fascinated with a small snapshot of her face came whizzing out of the bottom of the machine.
"This is amazing" she was muttering to herself in awe behind them while Momo read another caption from the handbook.
"All students must keep their ID cards on their person at all times, especially while on site outside of school hours without uniform. This is for security purposes, you may be asked to produce ID. If you cannot produce ID you will be assume as a trespasser and removed from the campus."
"At least we know we can't fake our identity if we ever do get into trouble with the disciplinary squad" Rukia chuckled rubbing her head guiltily as if that was one of her masterplans had just blown up in her face.
Kimi made another hissing noise to stop her. Traumatized by their first meeting and how Kanisawa seemed to pop up out of the floor, she was convinced that any talk involving her could summon her to your exact spot. "Don't even joke!"
The next and last thing on was their timetables which came as a bit of a surprise for all of them and finally answered Kimi's nagging question of what A* meant.
The title at the top of the sheet was:
Murasaki, Kimiko - First year - A* (Advanced class)
Momo gave a little squeal of excitement. "I'm in the advanced class!" She said pointing it out on her sheet, Kimi replied by pointing it on hers and Rukia did the same.
Momo gave another squeal and started jumping up and down drowning the eyes of some bystanders.
"Whoaaa! Ssssshhh! What the he'll is the advanced class?" Rukia said flinching as her squeaks reached sound barrier breaking levels.
"Ops sorry! The advanced class is a group of the thirty most top scoring students from their exam, that means the 3 of us are among the thirty best in our whole year! The best out of over 2000 competitors... Imagine... the three of us getting into the top thirty places and the same dorm! What are the chances! I can't believe it! Wait till I tell little Shiro!" She said in one overly excited breath.
Instead of feeling proud Kimi felt a pang of guilt, knowing then that Hatsu would have been in that class with her. They would have spent their years together; he would be one of their group most likely. Then she shook herself out of it and reminded that she wasn't supposed to be thinking like that. She was number one now, it was time to think of herself not others.
"No way" she said not surprised that she had got in, but surprised for Rukia after being witness of her combat exams. But she had been better than her brother which gave her assurance that he wouldn't be in their class. "I'll have to write home to my family tonight, they'll be really proud of me"
Rukia on the other hand looked worried.
"Renji?" Kimi asked simply.
She nodded. "I didn't want to leave him... We've always been together"
"You never know, he may have made it too, wait until you see him Rukia." Kimi bit her tongue trying not to comment on how unlikely that was.
She nodded again looking down hearted.
The followed some of the older students to one of the main canteens for dinner that afternoon after going back upstairs and changing back into their comfy clothes.
The canteen, or rather the biggest of the 5 canteens on campus, which was like a massive dining room with a lot of small circular tables scattered around was already full of boys when they got there.
"Seems the other girl's dorms finished after us... Oh well more food for me!" Kimi said picking up a plate enthusiastically. "I wonder what they're serving..."
"Smells like lamb... Oooh I can't wait; I didn't eat much this morning out of nerves"
"Me neither" and the two stood in line discussing situations that had almost caused the. Nervous breakdowns in the past, like the exams. Kimi was pleased that she and Momo had so much in common but couldn't help but notice how preoccupied Rukia looked.
She wasn't really paying attention to their conversation but scanning the crowd. when they were near the front of the queue she suddenly called "Renji!" started bouncing up and down, waving over the crowds.
Kimi saw an unmistakable watermelon coloured spikey head turn in their direction and move towards them. She was surprised to see how much Rukia's mood changed just knowing that her brother was in the room, but coming to think of it Kimi would probably be a lot happier if her sister popped up too.
"Rukia! How's it going? Did everything go well?" He asked after navigating through the crowds and hovering next to them out of the line, already holding his meal.
"Yeah great, I'll tell you everything I'm a minute"
"Gotcha, I'll go find us a table" and he vanished again, not even paying the slightest bit of attention to her or Momo.
"So that's your brother" Momo said comprehendingly. "I don't see the resemblance"
"Not by blood, it's a long story" Momo gave an understanding smile and moved on to accept her meal.
By the time they finally got to the table Renji had chosen over the other side of the room the three of them were practically drooling. Rukia sat down and shovelled her mash in like she had never seen food before in her life.
"I see you brought friends" Renji said through a mouth full of peas.
"Yeah these are my room mates, Momo Hinamori" Momo waved happily but there was an awkward pause before she said Kimi's name.
Kimi didn't look up, already sensing the dirty looks she was getting from him directly across from her... She kept her head down and cut away her meat calmly.
"I see. Nice to meet you Momo." That made Kimi's blood boil. Blatantly pretending she didn't exist. She clenched her knife and fork harder and saw into her lamb with more force.
Take it out on the meat, take it out on the meat she willed herself.
"How did your day go?" Momo asked attempting an ice breaker right away.
"Not bad. The guys in the Iron dorm seem decent enough but it's a bit awkward not knowing anybody"
"So you're in Iron dorm? We hit it off right away, didn't we?" Momo asked not directing the question at one of them in particular.
Rukia nodded furiously with her cheeks full of food. "We're in Emerald Pavilion, seems nice there" she mumbled with difficulty.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kimi who was still quiet, intently examining her broccoli. "Oh. That the last thing I expected from you" he said in a sly tone and Kimi knew he meant her.
"She can be friends with whoever she likes" she snapped back. She felt a knock against her leg under the table and stopped. Renji did the same so she assumed Rukia had kicked him too.
There has an awkward silence for a few moments.
"Oh by the way Renji, where's your timetable?" Rukia asked, taking her own out to compare them. All she needed was one glance at the title and she cheered. "Yes you're in the advanced class with us? Well done!"
Kimi actually choked on her carrots, spitting one out accidentally on top her plate and struggling to swallow the rest. She couldn't hold herself. "Excuse me? YOU got into the advanced class? After that abysmal performance?" she snatched his timetable from Rukia and tsked indignantly throwing it back at him.
"You might wanna go find management, there's been a serious mix up."
Renji stood up knocking the table slightly and Kimi stood too.
"You wanna go? I don't mind a second fight to prove myself" he spat in anger.
"I don't need a second fight with you, I saw how terrible you were the first time. If you're one of the 30 best in our year I dread to think how bad the other 2000 were"
"Why you little-"
"STOP IT! NOW!" Rukia shouted over them standing too Causing more alarm in the people around them. The room seemed to hush suddenly. "Sit." She hissed through gritted teeth and they did. "Both of you stop this now! It's in the past, let it go and move on. Kimi you already promise me you would-"
"I said 'Forget about it'. I didn't specifically say I would forgive him" and Rukia looked somewhat betrayed.
Kimi sighed and sat back down, feeling that Renji's malevolent gaze had still not left her.
"Look, we have to spend six years together in the same class and I won't put up with constant arguments between you two so cut them out before they start"
"Fine. Just keep out of my way and I'll keep out of yours." Renji said leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.
"Fine. But if you provoke me I won't hold back. Remember, I know what your capable of, you don't scare me so don't try to intimidate me."
"You-"
"Enough." Rukia said bluntly looking really annoyed now. "Not another word from either of you."
"Fine."
"Fine."
There has more awkward silence then Kimi stood again. "I'm sorry for arguing across you two. I'm gonna go and get some fresh air to calm down, I'll see you back at the room if I'm not already asleep. And me leaving early doesn't mean you've won, Renji." With that she gave an apologetic bow and left.
She flash stepped away once outside, not wanting to spend another second in his presence. She knew full well that she would be the topic of conversation now and already felt her ears burning, but in the words on granny Chie: Words are wind, not weapons.
If Renji Abarai was so atrociously bad with swords his words could be no worse. None the less she spent some time sitting on her balcony calming down. Her anger was triggered by the slightest of things these days and she knew that being around him would be difficult. She didn't want to cause a scene with people she did not yet know and would have to live with. She took a deep breath, lay back with her legs between the bars of the balcony and thought about something else.
This time last night she started out at the starry skies like this was when she was suffering from insomnia before moving here.
It felt so surreal. She was finally here. After so many years of dreaming of these moments, the exams, arriving at the academy on her first day, meeting new friends, moving into her room… being given her uniform… The luck of getting what seemed like one of the best rooms in the whole academy… all of the simple things… they had finally happened.
It was too much to absorb at once. She didn't really feel anything, none of the excitement she had expected or nerves, because it hadn't had chance to sink in. All she felt was slowly fading anger and she resented Renji more for putting a damper on her first day.
She had never truly expected to hit it off with her room mates straight away either, but it had never even crossed her mind that they may meet again. It was inevitable for her and the pineapple headed idiot to hate each other but she was pleasantly surprised that she and Rukia got along... Unless Rukia's opinion for her had changed after the fiasco at dinner.
She gave a sigh and starred out over the moonlit grounds. "I hope things get better... I hope we can just grow to be civil with each other over time...for their sake" She muttered.
She heard quiet talking in the apartment. Seems they're back. I wonder how much was said about me she thought grudgingly.
Not wanting to attract their attention she crept back into her room and into bed in complete darkness and lay there thinking. Her body was exhausted but mind was wide awake as usual.
Now that she thought about it, getting into the advanced class had given her a small spurt of hope. Being put into a class of the strongest and most talent students in her year meant she had a chance to prove herself with the best training that the academy could provide. It was a chance to get stronger and make her family proud, as well as showing the idiot how superior she was to him.
With the satisfying imagine of her repeated besting him a fight, she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.
A/N: I guess from watching so many school based animes I think that just writing about classes is a bit bland. Kimi has a whole new life full of new people and new stories opening up, and cmon Japanese school have all sorts of weird people lurking around so it makes sense to include the clubs and such, more of those coming up I guess xD
These chapters are subject to change slightly when I spot the inevitable spelling mistakes and snippets that don't make sense ._. Wish I had a proof reader -.-
Hope it wasn't too long winded though. More Kimi and Renji rivalry coming right up, show him what you're made of!