xxxDisclaimerxxx

All books, items, chracters except for the several OCs mentioned in this fanfic belong to their respective owners.

Yukishiro was not of my creation. She is a character created by Evanescences Angel (thankies by the way!)

xxxDisclaimerxxx

Summer Snowflake

Chapter Six: Awakening

I made my way back to our apartment, still feeling a little pissed off at what those girls said. I mean, they deserved it right? Right? Ugh. I felt a headache coming on. I was a little brash to them I guess. But, it's not like I've ever knocked out anyone without proper reason, so maybe them insulting me might've been reason enough?

I sighed. Ok, what I did was impulsive but, in a way they deserved it… right?

"I-I'm confused," I voiced.

I've never deliberately hurt anyone unless there was proper reason but I guess I do owe them an apology anyways… I guess.

Suddenly, I heard the faintest of sounds echoing in the back of my head,

Tch, why do you care? They're PMSing bitches who deserve it. Puhshaw, Hyuuga.

My brow furrowed and I looked around the room. What in the world was that? I waved it off. It must've been my imagination. Yeah, that was it.

I licked my dry, chapped lips and made my way to the kitchen. Comfort food. That's what I need right now.

Flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, salt, eggs, brown sugar cream, and cinnamon. Yeah, that's about it

Back at the Academy

"Oh Kami! What the hell did she do to them?"

After the thump Sora instinctively went down to examine the two young girls before him. Although it is not uncommon knowledge for a shinigami to know how to knock them someone out, a first year student?

"Uh, well um… You guys, go see Hitomi-chan and she'll… do something, yeah…"

He sighed to himself after student after student reluctantly left.

"Sensei?"

He looked up to see a girly-looking boy there with a sheepish looking smile plastered on his face, "Do you need help bringing them back to the fourth quarter?"

Sora, dumbstruck looked back down and immediately realized what the young man had been referring to. There were two of them.

He pursed his lips for a moment in though then chuckled a little, "Yeah, I guess I do, thanks… uh?"

"Momochi Haku," he responded, giving a small bow.

"Ah, hai. Arigatogozaimasu, Momochi-san."

He offered his sensei a curt nod then gingerly picked up the girl before him while his sensei picked the other one and slung her over his shoulder.

"They were being rude you know," stated the young boy.

"Ah, I know."

After a couple of quiet minutes of walking Haku spoke up, "Sensei?" he asked.

"Hai?"

"What was the name of the girl that knocked these two out?" His eyes were still trailed out in front of him a serene expression over his visage.

"Hyuuga Hinata," Sora responded.

A brow furrowed on Haku face at the mention of Hyuuga, "She's an excellent runner," he offered.

Sora gave a curt nod to the boy beside him and looked at him through the corner of his eye.

"You could say she's a special case," he said in a quiet tone, barely audible.

"A special case?" Haku echoed.

He nearly smacked himself for letting his student hear that. Sora simply nodded to himself and gave no response trying not to let the conversation of the young Hyuuga go on. It probably wasn't a good idea to be spreading the word about where Hinata had come from though it was probably just Sora being paranoid.

Hyuuga. Hyuuga. That name and the eyes. They both seem so familiar. His eyes snapped open, Hyuuga! That's it. That's one of the noblest clans in Konoha! She, she looked about fifteen years old, and that speed… only a ninja could achieve such speed... It's possible! … and Naruto should be around fifteen by no…

"So I can become the best ninja in my village! Then everyone will know who I am and they'll all respect me. There's also a certain person, a kid I have to prove something too."

A charming smile painted his features.

xxx

A waft of sweet air filled my nostrils. Just a little longer, I prepped. I kept on washing the sticky pans in the sink while my mouth watered at the thought of the delectable cinnamon buns waiting in the oven. I let out a wistful sigh as I dry off my wet hands and walked to my bedroom. Grabbing a pair of knee-length black shorts and a baggy red t-shirt, I made my way to the bathroom.

I plugged the tub and let the warm water run. I pulled my silk-like into a high bun and undressed. I then squirted some lavender-scented bubble bath into the balmy water. The bubbled formed, and I stepped into the tub. The lavender scent emitting from the water wafted to my nostrils while the sweet smell of the cinnamon mixed into the air. Just a little longer.

After a couple of relaxing minutes I heard a ding from the kitchen. I stood up and rinsed my body. I dried off and changed into the crisp, clean-smelling clothes and walked into the kitchen. I carefully removed the pan from the oven. I grabbed a spoon and grabbed the bowl of icing I had made earlier.

I slopped and spoonful of icing onto the buns and started spreading the sugary concoction evenly on the buns and giggled to myself about how childish I was being. I reluctantly waited a couple of minutes letting the bunds cool down and went on a search for something to read in the apartment.

I stepped into Nanako's room looking for a bookshelf or something for some reading material. I found various items scattered on the ground and her desk and I saw a group of books on her nightstand.

Vampire Hunter D, The Saga of Darren Shan, Twilight, Harry Potter, The Outsiders, The Dark Half, The Telltale Heart, A Series Of Unfortunate Events, and Wuthering Heights.

I decided on The Outsiders. I clutched the book in my hand and made my way back to the kitchen. I sat on the couch, leaning against the armrest with my legs pulled against my chest. I finally sunk my teeth into the sugary, moist buns. And let my mind be absorbed into the book.

By finishing the first chapter I had to admit it. I had no clue what the hell was happening. I mean, "What the hell is madras, a hubcap, Mustang, or a Corvair?" I voiced aloud. I sighed and hugged my legs. I looked at the now empty plate.

"Maybe just one more," I smiled.

You're seriously gonna rot in your teeth if you keep eating that shit.

"Nanako?"

I looked around the room trying to see if Nanako had arrived. I furrowed my eyebrows. Just my imagination, I thought. In truth, I had a feeling it wasn't her. She doesn't use much slang and she rarely cussed. Just my imagination.

xxx

She walked at a leisurely pace towards the academy. Hinata should be getting off right about now.

She hummed to herself and made her way back to the academy. Several Shinigami students were exiting the academy, just supporting Nanako's suspicion.

Nanako tapped her foot impatiently on the hard, wooden floors of the hallway. What was taking Hinata so long? She turned to the opening of the door and Professor stepped out of the room.

"Ah, Hoshi-san," he addressed her.

"Hmm?" She turned to the elderly man, "Ah professor," she gave a curt bow, "Is there something you need to report any of the captains?"

They rarely ever talked unless it was about business between the Gotei 13 and the academy.

"Iie," he responded, "it isn't that. It's about Hyuuga Hinata. The instructors that she was assigned to, Tsubasa Sora and Yuzuki Hitomi, well, Sora would like to have a word for you in the court yard."

She quirked an eyebrow and gave another small bow to the professor, "Well, I'll go see what they're up to then."

Nanako walked away, but broke into a small jog after turning the corner. Once she reached the courtyard, she say Sora standing not to far away.

"Sora-san," she greeted.

"Hoshi-san. It's true that Hyuuga Hinata is under you supervision as of now, am I correct?"

"Yes she is," she responded, a little slowly.

"Then I would find it that she is your responsibility."

She nodded.

"Well, it seems that Hinata is a little too… bold for my tastes... Just like you," he muttered the last part almost inaudibly.

She gave another nod not hearing the last part. Nanako unconsciously quirked an eyebrow. Hinata wasn't bold. She also didn't like the tone he had been giving her. Sure, she had known Sora for a little bit but that never meant she liked him. He was her class' heartthrob. The pretty looking boy, that was practically perfect at everything that every girl in her class desperately wanted to get to know… and he insulted her... and he was better at her in swordsmanship and agility… and kido… So he sucked.

"Anyways," Sora said, "Hinata knocked out two girls in my classroom."

She accidentally let out a snort and an amused expression crept onto her face, "Sounds like something I would do," she chuckled.

"Hardyhaha."

"Oh c'mon Sora! Hinata's one of the kindest girls I've ever seen! She probably did it because these girls provoked her, am I right?"

"Yes, they did provoke her," he reluctantly said, "but that doesn't mean she should've of handled it the way she did. And yes, it probably is something you would've done."

"So? What's the big deal, they provoked her! In fact, enlighten me," she added dryly, "tell me what innocent little thing they did," she asked sarcastically.

"I was timing them," he said, "she beat them they insulted her, calling her a 'freak concoction of Mayuri-taicho,'"

Nanako scowled, "Well I'm very glad she did knock them out. Those girls had no right to insult her! Jealous, that's what those girls are. If it were me, I would've bashed their faces in!"

"Tch, I have no doubt you wouldn't have done that. I bet the Hyuuga only did this since you're such a bad influence."

"Oh c'mon! Don't tell the wittle itty bitty Sowa can't think of anything better than that?"

"Ugh! You're so immature Hoshi! You're no different from what you were in the academy days!"

"The academy days?! Of you've got to be kidding me! You're bringing up seething that happened over twenty years ago?! Oh," an amused expression fell onto her face and a mischievous glint tinted her eyes, "You're still angry! You're still angry about that time when I slugged you and your nose broke, aren't you! Haha!" she clapped her hands, "that's why you've been hounding me all that time! 'Cause you couldn't be perfect in hand to hand combat."

"Uh! Just that one subject Hoshi!"

"Oh kami, you're not even denying it!"

"I could've beaten you and we both know it!" he yelled.

"Oh, yeah," she said sarcastically, "It's because YOU WERE TOO BUSY FLEXING YOUR MUSCLES FOR THE FAN GIRLS!"

"That's not true and we both know it! I was just very well muscled!"

"Ah whatever Sora… you're a bitch!"

"… a bitch? That's all you can come up with? That is totally irrelevent to whatever topic we were speaking of!"

"Well you are anyways! …bitch," and thus, she resorted to fingering Sora and running off. Lovely.

xxx

"…what's a coke?" I wondered out loud. I had no idea what the hell was happening in this book. I sighed. What was the point of reading if I have no clue what in the world was going on? I know absolutely nothing about the material world!

I huffed and felt myself becoming restless. I wanted to train but I barely knew how to get to the academy, much less any of the training grounds around here.

I suddenly heard the door click open.

Sly and graceful like a cat, Nanako entered the room.

"So," she casually started while looking and her red polished nails, "I heard about your little incident back in the academy…"

'Tch, more like Sora ranted to me 'bout it!'

"I-If you're going to tell me how w-wrong I was to do it, just… don't. I already understand it w-was brash and rude," the words slicked off of my tongue like honey. It was hard saying something like that.

"Tch," she scoffed, "I wasn't going to bash you – I was going to congratulate you! I'm so proud!"

I turned around to seeing her squealing, giddy like a schoolgirl. I rubbed my red, puffy eyes in disbelief, "Y-you're n-not mad?"

She grinned like an idiot, "Yeah right! Those bitches deserved it! So, what do you want? You deserve an award… eugh," she placed her hand underneath her chin and started pondering, "Want a... kitten...?"

"Ano, it's… ok," I said bluntly, "I don't really want... a kitten…"

"Eh, I guess you're right," she scratched the back of her head, "We wouldn't even be able to pay attention for the poor thing. Oh!" she turned to her side and laid down the shoulder bag on the couch. She searched the capacious bag and found what she was looking for. She produced a thick, navy-blue hardcover book from the bag, "Here, Matsumoto-san gave this to me while I was working today," she handed it over to me. "It's a text on how to provoke the awakening of your zanpakutou. She said it'd be handy for you"

"Ano, Nako-chan, what do you mean by 'provoking the awakening of your zanpakutou'?"

"Well," she started off, "each zanpakutou resembles a sword to some extent and each weapon holds a part of the owner's soul, so you can try connecting with it. It usually starts as a little voice at the back of your head… or at least it was like that to me."

'Tch, why do you care? They're PMSing bitches who deserve it. Puhshaw, Hyuuga.'

'You're seriously gonna rot in your teeth if you keep eating that shit.'

I simply nodded to myself and walked back into my room while Nanako occupied herself by munching a cinnamon bun in the kitchen. Was it my zanpakutou? Was that what I heard earlier today?

No duh bakayaro, it snickered.

I looked around and I gulped to myself. I felt like I was going crazy. I mean, talking to your spirit?

K-konichiwa

Eugh, that incessant stuttering. You really need to work on that Hyuuga.

Great, I thought, I've barely spoken a word to it and it's already pointed out my flaws, I remarked bitterly.

Haha, not my fault your so easy to read. Not to mention your memories were pretty juicy too, it chuckled.

I furrowed my brow, Ano… what's your name?

Tisk, tisk, formalities, formalities. Might as well invite you into my cozy little home.

I blinked and I found myself in totally different place. The air was still frigid but the sun was out, shining. I stepped forward and heard a slosh underneath my feet. Piles of snow were scattered around the meadow but they were slushy, melting.

"Well," a clear voice said, "here it is. My home and the recesses of your mind."

I turned to the person to whom the voice was coming from. I saw nothing.

"Boo."

I shrieked a little and turned around to see a woman behind me.

Her hair was pitch black, long and silky running down her head and just barely touching the slushy ground. Her skin was tan and her eyes were completely blue, a light blue, even the sclera. She had scar running down each of her light azure-blue eyes. The woman wore a long, white cloak that heavily contrasted with her ebony hair. She placed her hand on her hip, pushing the cloak away from her body. By doing so, you could see the girl was wearing a pair of tight, black shorts and a matching yenta with bandages covering her chest.

"Well," she started, "there isn't much to say. My name is Yukishiro, your 'zanpakutou.'"

I nodded lamely. I was at a loss of words.

She sighed, "Baka, you're not much are you? Hmph, guess not."

Yukishiro examined Hinata a little more closely, making said Hyuuga heiress fidget a little.

She huffed and walked away, "I don't thing I'm wanting to lend you my abilities. I want to see what you can do if you're worthy of me… I can't lie to say the fact that we've been communicating so easily surprises me but… I'm not impressed.

Before disappearing into the thick wood she sighed again, a wistful look in her eyes, "I'll be watching you," she whispered.

I felt dizzy and blackness invaded my vision. I found myself back in my room. It was real, I convinced myself. It wasn't a dream.

The woman… Yukishiro. One look at her and you could tell she was deadly, but for some reason… she just seemed so mysterious, and graceful.

I wish I could be like that. Only I'm too' innocent' to kill, I can be read like an open book and if possible, I could trip over my own two feet.

She said she'd be watching. I just need to impress her. But how? I bet I couldn't learn much from the academy. They seemed to have pretty low standards for the first years but maybe… I could take an advanced class? But it didn't seem enough. My zanpakutou seemed to want to see a demonstration of strength, but where in the world would I be able to do that? Even if I found the right opportunity, I couldn't fight with a katana! Only ANBU and rarely jounins knew how to handle a sword so skillfully.

I timidly walked to the living room where I found Nanako sprawled on the couched reading the same book I had been struggling with earlier.

"Nanako-chan," I asked.

"Yu-huh?"

"A-ano… w-well.. I-I wanted a-a f-favor of y-you."

She looked up from her book, "What is it Hinata-chan?"

"I-I was wondering if you could help me out with my swordsmanship. I-I've never fought with a katana before and I doubt I'd do very well."

She offered a sheepish grin to her, "W-Well, about that... I can't say I'm very good either."

If you looked close enough, you could see her eyebrow twitching.

"Hontoni?" I asked a little surprised.

You've seen my Shikai! I'm a long range expert Hinata-chan. I'm rarely ever needed to perform close quarter combat… and I pratically failed that class," she muttered to herself.

"But… I could arrange something between one of my friends… aha!" her eyes lit up, "Ikkaku should be able to help you."

"I-Ikkaku?"

She nodded gleefully, "He's AMAZING with a bow staff so he should be able to teach you a lot about handling close-combat weapons!

I smiled a little. Half of me desperately wanted to jump for joy, while the other half scolded herself for being so selfish. Said man probably didn't want me to be occupying his time. I furrowed my brow, "Be a little selfish Hinata," I said to myself.

Review Please :) I'll update when I get as many reviews as the previous chapter (-insertevillaugh-)

xxxA/Nxxx

Ok, I seriously think I rant WAY too much on these but… IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SORRY!! I took FOREVER just to update. And trust me, I felt stuck. I typed up the chapter and realized how it sucked so much. It was like a crack fic, so I retyped it and voila! Anyways, again, I am so sorry! I mean, I luff you guys :3 You were so pwnsome last chapter :D But do you know what would be even more pwnsome? If everyone in my little favorite and alert box reviewed… -hinthint-

Anyways, seriously guys, do you think Hinata would know ANYTHING about the material? i'm looking forward to that chapter -.-; 'Cause were gonna see how she reacts to a car xD

xxxA/Nxxx

xxxThankies!xxx

DarkSmile, TheFirstHokage, Rikkamaru, KakeruTenshi, HeartBrokenHinata, cooliocows215, Punkey-Monkey, Shadow Zeranion, Akira Thorn, Raven's Familiar, HinataDelDesiertoUchija, kibagaaralover18, mizxpiggy, mizxpiggy, Kaylyn0706 (even if you don't get it xD), Gaahina, fesfisgbf13, Angel-eyes56 and Spammy –huggles-

And all the rest of you who faved, alerted, and/or C2d :)

xxxThankies!xxx

By the way, if you review this chappie, I'll let you hug Gaara!

Gaara: Heck no! That girl tried to rape me once –points-

Nanako: -shiftyeyesandwhisper- I'll let you rape Gaara xD

Oh what a poor guy. Not our fault he's so damn hot.