Author's note: Thanks for those who had reviewed the first chapter! Sorry that I didn't get this up sooner… actually, the first three chapters are actually on livejournal and I decided to move the story over here. Winter vacation just got to me, I guess, hehe. For those who have read this on livejournal, you'll notice that I added a little extra part to the beginning of this chapter because I thought my original beginning sounded a little weird. ; Thanks for all your support and enjoy chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Spring Breezes
Disclaimer: Bleach isn't mine. Boo. But I do own the character that I made up for this chapter.
Rukongai was usually very quiet in the morning. But there were a few times in the year when it sounded as though a whole parade of elephants stormed through. Actually, for those who cared, it was actually children who were aspiring to be shinigami. The school was located within Seireitei, so at the beginning and end of the school year and vacations, the four gate guardians would open the gates for the hundreds of shinigamis-to-be. Many people within Rukongai loved to sit on their porches and watch the children go to and from the Academy, and Hinamori watched them every year without fail.
The spring following her bed-wetting incident, Hinamori emerged from her home one morning to watch the students leave, only to be met with dozens of cherry blossom petals flying in the soft breeze. All the petals dancing in the wind; it was like watching snow fall, except that these 'snowflakes' were, well, pink. She let out a giggle as she opened her hand to try catch some of the petals, but stopped as she heard someone call out her name.
"Hinamori-chan!"
That was a voice that she hadn't heard in months. Hinamori turned to see a girl just about her age dressed in a uniform that she had seen some other children wearing over the past few hours. After a moment, Hinamori remembered who the girl was standing in front of her.
'Ah, Nakamura-chan!" Hinamori exclaimed happily.
"I'm gong to the Shinou Institute starting today to enter the Gotei 13," Nakamura announced proudly.
"Ah…So that's why I haven't seen you in a while," Hinamori thought out loud, nodding.
Nakamura nodded. "Ever since I found out that I had reiatsu last summer, I'd been studying for the entrance exam. I just took it last week. Do you have any reiatsu?" she asked eagerly.
Actually, Hinamori didn't know if she had any.
"Oy, Bed-Wetter Momo, you know that you have petals caught in your hair, right?"
Hinamori didn't even need to guess who just walked up to her. Smiling, she sifted just once through her hair and was rather delighted to see several pink, delicate petals in her hand.
Then Hinamori realized what Hitsugaya had just called her and her cheeks turned a darker pink than of the petals in her hand.
She turned away from Nakamura and turned to her neighbor, who was standing next to her and looking rather sour.
"Mou… I told you not to call me that in public, Shiro-chan!"
Nakamura could do nothing but awkwardly look on as Hinamori and Hitsugaya argued about the nicknames they had created for each other. It was just a weird feeling, she thought, but even though they were arguing, there was something about the two of them together that she just couldn't put her finger on…
A bell rang throughout the town, indicating there was an hour left before the Institute's welcoming ceremonies. Nakamura frowned. She had wanted to talk to Hinamori a little more and contemplate the relationship between the pair, but if she didn't leave Rukongai as soon as possible, she would be late.
"Sorry Hinamori-chan, but I'm going to be late," she said, bowing.
But she hadn't been heard; Hinamori and Hitsugaya were still bickering. Sighing, she stepped onto Hinamori's porch and tugged at Hitsugaya's sleeve.
"Is it possible that you stop arguing for a minute so I can say goodbye to my friend?"
Hitsugaya diverted his attention to Nakamura. "And who are you that you need to say goodbye to her?" he asked her coolly, his gaze hardening by the second.
Nakamura's eyes widened. How unfriendly he was!
"Shiro-chan!" Hinamori scolded, looking disappointedly at Hitsugaya, who merely glared back at her.
Hinamori turned and bowed apologetically to Nakamura. "Sorry; Shiro-chan usually isn't like this and he will apologize to you."
"For what?" Hitsugaya protested, looking up at Hinamori.
Nakamura shook her head and smiled cheerfully. "He doesn't need to apologize. But I really must get going."
Hinamori stood up again and smiled. "Thank you for coming by to visit! Have a good school year and visit when you have a day off. We'd love to hear stories!" she said, beaming.
Nakamura laughed. "Of course I'll come visit!"
She stepped off Hinamori's porch and started running towards the gate. Waving goodbye, Hinamori watched Nakamura until she disappeared amongst the many houses.
"What made you think I'd want to listen to her stories?" Hitsugaya asked Hinamori crossly.
'You don't want to know what life is like outside of Rukongai?" she asked curiously.
Hitsugaya shook his head. 'I like it here and I want to stay here until I die," he said firmly.
Hinamori sighed as she sat on the edge of her porch. Hitsugaya then did the same, sitting next to Hinamori. Almost immediately, he felt Hinamori's hand gently sift through his hair.
"Shiro-chan?' she said in a soft whisper.
"Mm?" Here we go, another confession, he thought.
"I wonder if either of us has reiatsu." Hinamori stated quietly.
Hitsugaya had heard about reiatsu somewhere, but didn't know the significance behind it. "Why would you think about that?"
"If we have it, we can become shinigami…"
Hitsugaya didn't answer, so she tried again. "I love being in Rukongai too, but I don't think I'd be able to stay in this town for the rest of my life. And admit it, Shiro-chan: you've thought about becoming a shinigami."
Hitsugaya jerked away from Hinamori and she drew her hand away from his hair as he glared at her. "Have not."
Hinamori looked at her friend in disbelief as the warm spring breeze blew past them.
We're going to part ways someday, won't we? Just as the petals fall off the tires and fly off wherever the wind takes them…
Remembering that she still had petals in her hand, she opened her palm and let the breeze carry the petals away.