Character List::Chapter 2
Tamaya Aramaki: 6 year old from Karakura, Japan. Born on April 10, 1993, died June 12, 1999. Entered the Soul Society at age 6 by Toshiro Hitsugaya. Joined Sayuri and Takuya Watashi's makeshift family. On the back of her left shoulder are the words "Bachiatari Tamashii" which literally means "Cursed Soul." She has shoulder length orange hair with cheek-long bangs that fall into her face and big reddish-brown eyes. Tamaya has a huge dream of becoming a Shinigami and is a magnet for danger and trouble.
Takuya Hiroshimi: 5 year old originally from Tokyo, Japan. He was born on July 19, 1994 and died on May 12, 1999 in a gruesome car accident. He stubborn and tends to be selfish at times, showing no respect for Tamaya and ignoring her all together. He his light blue eyes and messy blonde hair with falls into his face
Sayuri Watashi: Sayuri is an intelligent blue-haired girl with magnificent green eyes. She's very educated on the ways of Shinigami and doesn't approve of Tamaya's dream, but is loving all the same of both Takuya and Tamaya. She once had a brother who was murdered by Shinigami for doing something 'inappropriate' to the society. It was her blood brother who died from cancer, she joined up with him in the 75th District, which is rare. Sayuri herself died from loneliness from loosing her brother.
Old Lady Seion: The elderly in Tamaya's part of the 75th District. Old Lady Seion is an expert with healing herbs and sells them to make a living. Sayuri get's a discount on them, also being a healer, Takuya spends a lot of time around her little shop and Tamaya usually runs errands for Old Lady Seion.
Yutaka Masahiko: A little 14 year old brat of the 75th District of the Rukongai falling in "Puppy Love" over Tamaya, who loathes him. He's richer than most in his district, and gets everything he wants which makes him full of himself.
Toshiro Hitsugaya: A 13 year old white-haired Shinigami with turquoise eyes. He reaches about 4 foot 4 and has a deep interest in Tamaya, being the one who sent her to the Soul Society, and also a Captain-rank genius.
Izuru Kira: Lieutenant of the 3rd Division. A blonde with one long bang falling in his face and a slender trim to his face with high cheek-bones. He seems to act like a kid around Renji Abarai.
Hisagi Shuhei: A spiky black haired Shinigami with various tattoos on himself. He's lieutenant of the 9th Division and a little more mellower than Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira.
Renji Abarai: A red-head idiot Shinigami whose hair is pulled into a ponytail. He has various tattoos all over his body, more than Hisagi, and seems to be short-tempered. He's Lieutenant of the 6th Division.
Chapter 2
Acquaintances or just Idiotic?
As they say. Life goes on. My life went on for sure. Seven years passed since I entered the Rukongai. I'm a Soul Reaper expert and I know the 75th District of the Rukongai like the back of my hand. Though my life went on, it seemed to abruptly stop when I met a pig-headed idiot of a Shinigami, he's just like Takuya…
March 31, 2007 - Age 13 - 75th District Rukongai
"No you idiot!" Tamaya cried out, watching her woven basket fall to the floor, Sayuri's herbs splattering everywhere. She glared up at the dark, spiky haired boy with dark blue eyes, "Such an idiot Yutaka!"
"Ooh, c'mon Tamaya-chaaaan!" Yutaka whined in a childish voice, "I just thought I'd help you before April 10th comes in 10 days!"
"Just bug off!" Tamaya spat, "I told you I didn't need your help and I never will need your help!" Tamaya jumped back, blowing her orange bangs out of her face when Yutaka jumped forward to grab her arm.
"Your mine Tamaya!" Yutaka growled, "I get everything I want and I want you!"
Tamaya growled and stuck her tongue out at him, holding her hands out in front of her in a guarding-style. "Well today your dream can go down the drain!"
Yutaka smirked. "Your so annoying. See why I love you so much Maya-chan?"
Tamaya snarled. "Don't call me that!" she spat, "And talk about annoying, have you had an attitude check lately!?" Tamaya glowered at him, and spun around, kicking dust up at him and running off. Tamaya grinned, hearing Yutaka curse out loud and run after her.
I've always loved to run. There's always been a tingling, running feeling in my veins that ran through my legs. Wherever I go, I love to run. When I'm in danger I even love to run. Running isn't my life, but it's part of it. As you know, my life hasn't been fulfilled yet.
"Run, run, run, run!" Tamaya chanted, skipping a step in a jumping pattern to speed up. She kept up her even pace, which was pretty fast for a normal soul in the Rukongai. Yutaka was behind her, catching up, but she didn't feel like going faster. "Run, run, run!" Tamaya closed her eyes and grinned, only to loose her balance and trip over her own feet. Tamaya was sent tumbling towards the ground, stirring up dust. Some of the older people around her cursed as she covered her head to avoid any injury.
Tamaya sat up and coughed, shaking the dust from her orange hair. Finally noticing her surroundings, she glanced up at the familiar white sleeveless haori.
"Get out of my way kid!" Yutaka growled, loud for him.
"Do you think you own this girl or something?" The second voice growled, a familiar voice that used to be gentle towards Tamaya. Tamaya looked up, studying the male that was standing in front of her protectively. White haori, black kimono and hakama, white sash, white spiky hair, shortness…
"Toshiro?" Tamaya wondered aloud. The white-haired boy glanced over his shoulder down at her with a curious, but guarded expression.
Yutaka growled. "Tamaya-chan you know this…kid?"
Tamaya jumped up out of anger and rubbed her head, blinking the dizziness away from her mind. This feeling again? She thought to herself, glaring at Yutaka. "He's probably older than you bakayaro! Toshiro is a Shinigami! The Shinigami that sent me to the Soul Society! Now stop calling me -chan and leave me alone like I've told you to!"
Yutaka growled and took a running step forward, only to be blocked by Toshiro's unsheathed sword. "No farther. Tamaya asked you nicely beforehand to leave her alone." Yutaka glared up at him and snarled, Toshiro returned it by glaring menacingly.
I'm a Soul Reaper expert. In Japanese, Soul Reapers are actually known as Shinigami. A Shinigami wears the traditional uniform, a shihakuso. A shihakuso consists of a white undershirt (the white that appears underneath of the black sleeves), a black kimono (the top), the black hakama (the pants), and a white sash (the belt). Lieutenants are also required to wear an armband with their division's insignia on them, especially to meetings. Captains wear white haoris with their division's insignia on the back. Captain's uniforms are personalized, example, the haoris are sometimes long-sleeved and sometimes short-sleeved. Their swords are known as zanpaku-to. Zanpaku-to are part of a Shinigami's soul, they're one with them.
Tamaya reached forward and tugged on Toshiro's haori. "C'mon. Leave the idiot be. I'm going to become a Soul Reaper anyways, then I won't have to deal with his crap anymore, ne?"
Toshiro lowered his zanpaku-to and sheathed it. "Hai. I believe you dropped your herbs back a ways?" He said, keeping an eye on Yutaka who finally started to retreat.
"Hai, I did Toshiro-dono," Tamaya said with a nod, she watched as his solemn face turned into a slight smile.
"Let's go get you some new herbs then," Toshiro said holding his hand out to her, Tamaya took in gingerly and let him lead the way off. As soon as they were at the site of the incident, Toshiro bent down and picked up Tamaya's woven basket, brushing off the dirt. "Hmm. Still good," he said with a nod, holding it out to Tamaya. He nodded towards the shop. "Maybe you should go in. I don't know if many people enjoy a Shinigami in the 75th District Rukongai, not with all of the murderers and bad people. I'll wait here."
Tamaya studied Toshiro curiously and nodded slightly. She pointed at him, then the ground. "Stay, puppy," She said witha grin. Toshiro laughed and Tamaya skipped off.
Tamaya stared up at the bell as it dangled when she walked through the door. Old Lady Seion appeared from the door on the opposite side of the store. Now that it was daytime, and a good day, Tamaya loved this shop. It didn't appear as gloomy as the night of her mishap.
"Your back, Little Tamaya?" Old Lady Seion said with a hint of surprise in her voice, "And your basket is empty?"
Tamaya nodded with a sigh and set the basket on the counter next to the cash register. "Hai. Yutaka wouldn't leave me alone…he ended up dumping the herbs everywhere. I have a friend picking them up."
Old Lady Seion smiled. "I'll give you this batch for free. Don't tell Young Sayuri now."
Tamaya smiled. "I wont. Sayuri-nee would have Yutaka-baka's head off." Tamaya sighed in relief when Old Lady Seion disappeared with a laugh and watched the door closely. Soon, the elderly lady reappeared. "Now, don't let him do anything rash," she warned, handing the basket to Tamaya. "Now, who's this friend of yours?"
Tamaya nodded. "I won't," she said, adding, "my friend is that Soul Reaper who helped bring me to this world. Toshiro, remember my story of him?
"Oh hai, hai!" Old Lady Seion said with a smile, "Don't go falling head over heels for him now!"
"Oi!" Tamaya whined, running out of the store playfully, "Meanie Seion-chan!" Tamaya smiled and skipped over to Toshiro, Seion's happy laughs echoing in her mind. It's as if Old Lady Seion has never laughed so peacefully. Tamaya waved slightly when Toshiro looked up from where he was leaning against a wall. She hopped to stop in front of him. "You moved," she accused.
"Was I really expected to stand in the street?" Toshiro wondered, Tamaya rolled her eyes playfully. "I see you got some new herbs."
"I didn't have to pay. If I make Old Lady Seion laugh, she gives me anything," Tamaya said, adding lightly, "she's like family."
"I'm glad your fitting in here well, for the 75th District," Toshiro sighed, "who's your family?"
Tamaya smiled. "The 75th District isn't all that bad. But I live out near the woods," she followed Toshiro as he started to walk, "my family consists of Takuya, he's 12 years old and has blonde hair with blue eyes. Don't get him mad he has a real good aim! Sayuri is my older sister like figure. She's really good and cooking and healing with herbs. She's also very pretty with her blue hair and green eyes. Old Lady Seion is like the second mother. If we ever have problems we go to her."
"Hmm. How old are you now?" Toshiro wondered aloud.
"13. I'll be 14 in 10 days," Tamaya sighed, "when you found me that day I was 6 years old."
Toshiro nodded. "Do you like it here, although your dead?"
Tamaya nodded enthusiastically, swinging the basket back and forth. "Of course! I love it! I've already decided that I want to be a Soul Reaper. I'm going to get a form on my birthday, I heard they've been handing them out. And when I become a Soul Reaper, I've heard they can go to the Material World, I'd like to go back and visit, see how much Karakura has changed. But I've decided to lock my memories of my old life away because I have a good life here, and my sister has always claimed to see ghosts, I don't want to open any wounds."
"Your very intelligent," Toshiro muttered darkly. Tamaya grinned innocently and stopped, glancing around. Toshiro looked up. "Oh, we're already at the forest?"
"Hai. A mile ahead is where I live…where will they be handing out the forms?" Tamaya said, looking up at the 5-inches-taller Toshiro.
"Just outside the gate into the Seireitei. Of course the gate hasn't been put down in ages, so really, it just outside the Seireitei," Toshiro explained, ruffling Tamaya's hair, "I'll see you later. Maybe I can stop by later in the day on your birthday?"
Tamaya smiled and lifted he basket close to her chest. "Hai. I'd like that. You're a good enough birthday present for me." She watched as Toshiro rolled his eyes and disappeared.
When a Shinigami disappears, they literally don't disappear. They use what's called Shunpou, or Flashstep. It's a technique basic Shinigami can do for easier, and faster, transportation. Like walking, but at a high-speed.
"Onee-chan!" Tamaya squealed jumping over Takuya who was spread across a blanket in the front of their cottage, reading a book, outside.
"Oi watch where you're going!" He growled, lifting his head up from his magazine. Tamaya stuck her tongue out in return, making Takuya turn hot with anger.
Tamaya tip-toed through the open door of the cottage taking a left into a small hallway with a few pictures, then a right through a doorway and into the small kitchen. The kitchen was small, consisting of a tiny table in one corner, a fridge, a stove and oven, and very limited counter space with a tiny island in the middle where Sayuri worked with her herbs. Tamaya placed the basket on the island and took a short look at the random herbs spread across the island, taking up most of the room. She turned to Sayuri, who was at the stove stirring. "Onee-chan guess what?"
Sayuri glanced over her shoulder and smiled. "Yutaka bothered you again today?"
Tamaya sighed in exasperation. "Yes of course he did. That's why I'm late, gomenasai! But it's something better!"
Sayuri nodded, the blinked in confusion. "You saw Toshiro?"
Tamaya nodded and clapped her hands together. "He helped get rid of Yutaka and then he walked me to the edge of the woods. After that he said he'd try and stop by on my birthday!" Tamaya watched as Sayuri turned back to her cooking. "Onee-chan?" she paused, "Ano…why don't you like Soul Reapers?"
Sayuri lifted the pot off of the burner, placing it on one that was off. She turned the one on off by turning the dial and turned to face Tamaya. "Gomen. I know how much it means to you…becoming a Soul Reaper…but not all Soul Reapers are loyal in my eyes. One killed my brother. My blood brother. I was very close to him. I died from loneliness. It's very rare to come across a loved one in the Soul Society once you join as a Lost Soul. The problem was, he was standing up for a little girl who was being beaten by some old man…I don't know the facts, but the Soul Reapers accused my brother of 'disturbing the society'," Sayuri sighed, "and they executed him. I think of it more as a murder."
"Oh…" Tamaya murmured, looking down at the tiles on the kitchen floor, Tamaya stumbled forward in surprise when Sayuri embraced her in a hug.
"Don't worry," she whispered in Tamaya's ear, "I'll always love you. You'll be the best and most loyal Soul Reaper there is!" Tamaya giggled and wrapped her arms around Sayuri.
"Arigato."
April 10, 2007 - 75th District of the Rukongai
Tamaya tapped her foot on the step outside of the cottage, staring blankly up at the darkening sky. Is it really going to rain on my birthday? Rain is good. It cleanses the Earth. Plus I love rain…but today isn't a sad day.
Tamaya flinched, coming out of her trance and glancing over her shoulder at the glaring Takuya. "Finally you hear me! What the hell do you think about all the time?"
"Oi! Takuya! No saying 'hell' in this house. Only 'heck'!" Sayuri's stern voice came.
Takuya rolled his eyes and mocked her works. "It's not like you'll ever teach us. Seriously everyone in this district curses!"
"Damatte-yo bakayaro," Tamaya sighed, standing up and turning to face Takuya, "Mou, nan-"
"Tanjyoubi omedetou gozaimasu (happy birthday), Onee-chan," Takuya muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.
Tamaya blinked in confusion. "Oh…arigato…patsukin (dumb blonde)," Tamaya giggled.
"Oi! Baka otoko onna (tomboy)!" Takuya retorted.
"And proud of it yowa-mushi (weakling)!" Tamaya snarled.
"Yowa-mushi?" Takuya echoed, "Burakumin akage (Outcast carrot-top)!"
"OI!!" Sayuri growled, appearing in the door, "Yamete-yo (stop it)! Your at it already?"
Tamaya sighed and Takuya glowered, walking off. Sayuri rolled her eyes. "Baka. At least he said happy birthday, the least he could do. Anyways, go out for a while Tamaya and have some fun, Ii-desu (okay)?"
"Hai," Tamaya sighed, glancing down at her blue dress then up at her hair which was pulled into a ponytail with the blue ribbon Sayuri had given her from her ribbon collection. "I'll be back soon!" She said, skipping off.
Tamaya ran at full speed, the running sensation in her legs again. She knew where she was going, but at the same time, she didn't. A few miles down by the river North of her cottage lay a river, and on the other side of that river, a Sakura field. One patch of the whole forest was full with Sakura trees, the most peaceful place anyone can think of. Tamaya came here often for privacy, or when Takuya was being annoying.
Tamaya jumped up on a log on the shore, staring at the river blankly. It was less calm than usual, which meant a storm was coming in. Tamaya sighed inwardly. So it is going to rain today. On my birthday too, she thought to herself, jumping off the log and onto the rocks of the river bank. She glanced around at the thinning trees on both sides of the river, then walked to the edge. The barely visible rocks that made a passageway to the other side of the river were underwater. Tamaya held her breath. I can do this!
Slowly, Tamaya lifted her right foot and felt around, under the water, for the first rock. Feeling it, Tamaya set her foot down slowly and pressed her weight on it, making sure it was stable. She exhaled her held breath and pulled her left foot and the rest of her weight onto the rock. Tamaya ignored the churning of the water around her and the slightly roaring thunder in the distance. Lifting her foot out of the water, Tamaya repositioned herself on one foot and with her right foot, felt forward for the second rock. Once found, she set her foot down and pressed with her weight, making sure it was stable also, then lifted the rest of her weight up and onto the second rock.
They say the third time's the charm. With the little luck I have, third time is the death of me. Though I never give up and I always think about that saying "The third times the charm." With that saying, I'm able to pick myself up again. But I rewrite that saying: "Third times the death."
Tamaya glared down at the churning water in front of her. The water was pushing at her legs put she kept her balance steady with firm determination. The third rock seemed to be deeper underwater, which was why the water seemed crazier there. Tamaya closed her eyes and inhaled, then exhaled, keeping herself calm. Slowly she lifted her right foot out of the water, then back into the water in front of her, feeling around for the third rock. Tamaya sighed in relief, finding the hardness, and planted her foot down.
"The third time is the death."
The last thing I remember was being pulled into the water from the pushing and pulling of the churning waves. The third rock really was deeper underneath the water. The thing that never occurred to me though, was that the deeper under, the easier you can be pulled in. That's exactly what happened to me.
What's happening? Tamaya thought. She waved her arms around desperately and gagged for air. Cool, freezing liquid entered her though and nose, running calmingly against her skin. Am I going to die? Tamaya gasped for air when she broke through the surface, only to have another wave pull her down and under the water. She waved her hands and arms around wildly, looking for something to support her. Is the storm really getting bad or does water have a mind of its own? Tamaya thought running her feet on the bottom of the river. Some of the pebbles moved under her and she gasped, letting all the air she had held in, out. I'm in the deep part of the river! Tamaya reached forward, as if something was there, and clamped her hands closed as if she were grabbing onto something. The weight on her eyelids slowly made her close her eyes into an even worse darkness. She gasped for breath one last time, only to fail.
"Wake up!"
I know that voice… Tamaya though, gasping, Air? Tamaya inhaled, the exhaled. The stinging in her throat worsened from the coolness. The air seemed chillier and Tamaya shivered.
"Your alive! Yukata!"
"To…shiro?" Tamaya rasped.
"Hai, hai," Toshiro sighed. Tamaya felt him stroke her orange strands of hair out of her face, "demo, this isn't much of a good birthday for you is it now?"
Tamaya smiled, knowing that if she laughed it would hurt. She blinked her eyes open slowly, for once her dizzy feeling wasn't there. Slowly she sat up and looked at her surroundings. They were on the river bank at where she had first fell in.
"Ogenki-desuka (How are you)?" Toshiro asked, leaning back as Tamaya sat up.
"Ii-desu…" Tamaya sighed rubbing her head.
"You sure?"
"Sou omoi-masu (I think so)," Tamaya laughed, Toshiro sweat dropped and stood up, pulling out an envelope from his haori. Tamaya tilted her head to one side. "What's that?"
"Your birthday present," Toshiro admitted, holding it out to her. Tamaya took it from his hand and fumbled through the envelope. "Just fill out the paperwork and turn it into whichever Shinigami you see tomorrow."
Tamaya stopped dead in her tracks and looked up at Toshiro. "Your kidding!" she grinned when Toshiro shook his head. "Domo arigato gozaimasu (thank you very much)!"
Toshiro sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Do itashi mashite," he muttered, "demo I may get in trouble…don't worry about it though, if you achieve your dream." Tamaya nodded and held the envelope close to her chest, still grinning. "Mou, go home now though. I don't want you falling in the river again. I have to go."
Tamaya sighed and stood up, balancing herself. "Again, arigato," she smiled and held the envelope in the air, "I'll be the first one to turn it in! Sayonara!" She cheered, turning and running off the way she came.
"How did you get so wet!?" Sayuri squealed wrapping a towel around Tamaya, who wasn't shivering at all.
Tamaya sighed inwardly. This is such a mess! "Gomen nasai. Hai, genki desu (I'm fine)!" Tamaya watched as Sayuri shook her head back and forth. She clutched the envelope close to her, glad her sister hadn't noticed it yet.
"Just go get changed, kudasai (please)," Sayrui whispered in a worried voice, "I don't want you to get sick…"
"Genki desu! Genki desu!" Tamaya cheered, punching the air to lighten the mood. She smiled slightly, "Really I am fine Sayuri-nee. I'll be right back." Tamaya shrugged the towel off her shoulders and ran through the front door, taking a right and skipping up the stairs to the second floor. Tamaya dropped her hand holding the envelope away from her chest, clutching it harder as she felt it slipping from her grip. She spun around to glare at Takuya.
"You look like a drowned cat," Takuya snickered, waving a hand at the envelope, "what's that?"
Tamaya rolled her eyes. "I happen to know what I look like thank you very much, because I feel the same way," she paused, "it's none of your business, but it's my present from Toshiro."
"An application to the Soul Academy?" Takuya guessed with a shrug, "Mou, we got you some better things anyways."
Tamaya scowled and slipped through the doorway to her room. "Nothing is better than being entered into the Soul Academy!" she growled, slamming the door into Takuya's face when he tried to follow after her. She set the envelope delicately on the dresser next to her door and grabbed the brush off of the vanity, throwing it on the bed along with a white summer dress. Tamaya picked her belongings off of her bed and went into the adjoining bathroom to her room.
"Did I worry you?" Tamaya asked, clutching the envelope in her hand, propping herself on a counter while Takuya lounged in the corner sitting in a chair.
"Just a little," Sayuri sighed, "you were gone so long, then you return cold and drowned."
"Actually I wasn't cold at all, just confused," Tamaya admitted, smiling to show Sayuri she shouldn't worry.
"How did you escape the current of the river anyways?" Takuya hissed. Tamaya shot him a glare, but he continued. "Because it sure looks like that envelope has something to do with your Soul Reaper friend."
"Damatte yo, Takuya," Tamaya snarled, "I don't want to mess with you today."
Sayuri sighed, finishing slicing the vanilla and chocolate marble cake. She set a plate on the counter next to Tamaya and one on the table in front of Takuya. "Just stop fighting, kudasai." Takuya rolled his eyes in return and Tamaya sighed with a nod.
Tamaya propped herself on the arm of the couch, staring at the ground blankly. She listened to Sayuri speak absentmindedly. "I'll be right back, going to get the presents. By the way, how was the cake?"
"Yoi (good)," Tamaya muttered, blinking away her trance and lifting her head slowly. Sayuri had returned with a long brown box in her hand, Takuya with a smaller box. "You guys are fast," Tamaya muttered, taking the smaller box from Takuya and fumbling with the ribbon too big to fit on such a small box. She exhaled and pulled on the loose string to the ribbon, making it fall to her lap. She silently tore the paper off of the small box. It's a jewelry box? Tamaya wondered, throwing the paper at Takuya's head playfully, though he swatted it away. She grinned and stuck her tongue out at him, the flipped the jewelry box open to reveal a lilac stone on the end of a gold chain. "You can afford this?"
Takuya shook his head. "When I died I was coming home from the jewelry store. I had that necklace with me as a present for my mom…but she never got it. I've had it for a while now, so I cleaned it up a little."
Tamaya set the jewelry box down next to her on the arm rest of the couch, and jumped up, tackling Takuya in a hug. "Arigato! It's pretty!" Tamaya leaned back away from the hug and giggled at Takuya's reddening face. She turned to Sayuri and took the box from her sister.
Tamaya bit her lip to hold back her grin and slowly lifted the lid off of the brown box. She closed her eyes and pushed the lid off once she had one end up halfway. Tamaya opened one eye slowly to take a peek, and gasped, studying the present.
A sword.
"You want to be a Soul Reaper, migi (right)?" Sayuri asked, unable to hold back her smile. Tamaya nodded with a grin, Sayuri continued, "Well, that's your zanpaku-to."
Tamaya looked down at the sword. It had a velvet-looking blue hilt. The guard was very small and round with add-on wings going downward towards the sword. Carved into the blade near the guard was the word "Seika (sacred fire)."
Tamaya smiled up at both Takuya and Sayuri. "Arigato."
Tamaya twirled Takuya's necklace, which was latched around her neck, in her fingers. She gazed up at the clear blue sky dreamily. She had just finished filling out the form to become a Soul Reaper. The one question that bothered her though, as well as her answer, was asking if there was anything else they should know about you. Tamaya had answered, and told them about the mark on her left shoulder blade, which she usually forgot about. Tamaya sighed and used the envelope as a fan, blowing her orange ponytail and bangs out of her face, which was pulled back with a light blue ribbon to match her blue dress, which she had worn and fallen in the river with yesterday. Tamaya held her breath. She felt a strong presence coming from the gate closest to her house, and figured that it was a Soul Reaper she could turn the envelope into. But what did Toshiro mean by he could get in trouble for this? Tamaya shrugged the thought away and settled down by a tree, closing her eyes.
By the time she woke up, the sun was setting. Tamaya blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked at her surroundings. She was still by the tree she had sat down by. I fell asleep? Tamaya thought with a sigh. She muttered something under her breath and pulled herself into a standing position. The strong feeling is still a few miles away. Tamaya smiled to herself, and ran off towards the Seireitei's gate.
Tamaya lingered for a few, looking at the table sitting in front of the gate with its three Soul Reapers sitting at it. She held her breath, but started forward slowly. As soon as she was in hearing-distance of the three men, they all lifted their heads up.
The Soul Reaper sitting in the middle of the other two was a red-head. He had his hair pulled back into a ponytail and various tattoos all over himself with a very muscular build and a slender face. He wore the usual shihakuso that Tamaya had gotten used to, and wore a patch on his arm with the number six on it.
The one on the left of the red-head was a smaller blonde. His hair reached to the back of his neck and had one long bang falling over his left eye. He had a slender, more gentle face and broad shoulders. On his left arm he wore a patch with the number three.
The third Soul Reaper sat on the right of the red-head. He had dark spiky hair and broad shoulders with a muscular trim. On his left arm was a patch with the number nine. On his face he had a band-aid over his nose and under his left eye. Under his left eye the number '69' was tattooed and around his neck a film-like tattoo. His right eye was squinted closed thanks to three scar marks going down that side of his face. The sleeves of his shihakuso were rolled up.
Tamaya lifted up her envelope to show them all. She held a straight face though the feeling she got around Toshiro was twice as strong now.
The red-head spoke first. "Now where'd you get that?" He asked, glaring at the envelope instead of her. Tamaya watched as the blonde elbowed him in the ribs and the spiky-haired rolled his eyes at their behavior.
"Show some manners she's just a kid," the blonde hissed through clenched teeth.
The spiky-haired sighed in exasperation, but piped up into the conversation. "Yeah, kid, where'd you get that? We were the ones handing those out."
"Remember we can't reject any applications," the blonde sighed.
Tamaya glared at them and lowered her hand that was holding the envelope up. "That's my business. I'm just here to turn it in."
The red-head growled, "Well your business is becoming pretty interesting to me." Tamaya raised an eyebrow in answer.
The blonde sighed. "Since these two don't have any manners, I'll take the envelope," he said and Tamaya handed it to him, making sure to watch that he placed it into the box, which he did. The blonde raised his hand after he placed it inside. "My name is Kira Izuru, lieutenant of the 3rd Division."
The red-head rolled his eyes. "Show off," he muttered, "Lieutenants of the 6th Division, Renji Abarai."
"Show off!?" Kira echoed, "What do you mean you said it more formal that I did!"
The black-haired Soul Reaper slapped his forehead. "I'm Hisagi Shuhei the lieutenant of the 9th Division."
Tamaya sweat dropped and nodded. "If it matters much, I'm Tamaya Aramaki." She pointed at Renji and Kira who were face-to-face in their own little argument. "Do they always act like that?"
Hisagi nodded and hummed. "Well, they have a past relationship," he explained, "they get into arguments often."
Tamaya coughed. "When you say 'past relationship' that just sounds wrong…" she muttered, "like they're gay or something."
"NANI!?" Renji burst out, turning to glare at her, "WHAT THE HELL!? Not like that little girl!!! I ain't a gay bastard no where near it!" Tamaya laughed and Kira glanced at her.
"You know she's shorter than you Renji, but only 4 inches shorter than me. She's not that young."
Renji scowled at Tamaya, who stuck her tongue out at him. "How old and tall are you?"
Tamaya crossed her arms over her chest. These guys are like the angel versions of the men who were chasing me that night. "As of right now, I'm 5 foot 4 and I just turned 14."
Renji cursed under his breath. "Dammit I was hoping Kira was wrong…"
Kira raised his fists into the air. "I KNOW HOW TO MEASURE AND DO MATH BAKA!!" Tamaya flinched at his abnormally loud voice.
Renji scowled. "I never said that dumbass!"
Tamaya sweatdropped. "Idiots these days…"
Renji turned to glare at Tamaya. " 'Scuse me? What'd you say?"
Tamaya shrugged and pointed at her head. "Short term memory loss."
Shuhei and Kira snickered, holding in their laughs. Renji turned away from Tamaya and started to glare at them.
Tamaya sweatdropped, shaking her head and changing the subject. "So how many days until I get a reply back?"
Shuhei turned to Tamaya speaking up first, "Well we haven't had any problems in the Seretei for a while, so not that long."
Tamaya nodded and turned around to walk off, she waved at the three.
"Oi!" Renji called, jumping over the table. Tamaya turned around and looked up at him, her bangs falling out of her eyes and her ponytail falling backwards. "There's something different about you. I hope to see you in the Sereitei soon enough." Renji grinned and patted Tamaya on the head, waved at her and ran back over to the other two leiutenants.
Tamaya tilted her head to one side making a confused face. "Wasn't he just acting like an idiot a second ago?"