HELLO ALL! (avoids pitchforks and flaming arrows) Thank you for being so patient! (gets arrow in forehead)... yes well... I've finally finished the 23rd chapter and the 24th wont be too far off! Because now that it is summer I have nothing to do ^_^ HAZZA! so enjoy the latest chapter and REVIEW! if I don't get reviews I start thinkin people aren't interested so I don't feel compelled to write regularly ^_^ ENJOY!
The alarm on Hoshi's nightstand went off at 7:30, but the soul reaper didn't move from her spot. She was curled into a ball on her side, the blankets wrapped tightly around her small body. Hoshi let the alarm blare for about 10 minutes before she reached out her hand and pressed the snooze button. Her interaction with Ryuken Ishida the previous night was still playing in her head, making old buried memoires resurface. The nightmare she had didn't help either. Hoshi had been tied up with rope, her arms behind her back, and a piece of duct tape covering her mouth. She was alone in a dark, cold room. Or she was alone until a door at the far end of the room opened. She couldn't see who it was, the light behind the door shadowing him. Before the person got to Hoshi she woke up screaming in a cold sweat.
As much as Hoshi just wanted to stay where she was and forget about the outside world, and her past, she knew she would be in even deeper trouble if she didn't get up and get to school. Slowly she got up and went about her morning routine. She showered and brushed her teeth quickly, and fixed herself a pot of coffee as she dressed. Her hair was in disarray even after the shower. It took her 20 minutes to get all the tangles out and by that time she had to sprint to school. Hoshi did manage to get to class just as the bell rang, but she was exhausted.
Hoshi simply felt horrible, there was a huge knot in her stomach and the fact that she hadn't gotten more than 3 hours of sleep didn't help matters either. She was having a lot of trouble focusing on her mission, and everything else. By the time the lunch bell rang Hoshi was ready to pass out. Surprisingly enough Orihime 'rescued' her. The strawberry blond girl walked up to Hoshi and gingerly nudged her.
"Hikari-san," Orihime said, a worried tone in her voice. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Ah? Oh, yeah.." Hoshi said with a fake smile. "I'm fine, just didn't sleep well last night! My uncle didn't come home and I was really worried." Hoshi completed the act with a fake laugh. Which, unfortunately, sounded a little hysterical and Orihime continued to give her a worried look. Sighing Hoshi stood and linked arms with the teenager. "C'mon, let's get something to eat. I'm starved."
That was enough to get Orihime's mind on a different track. She started to describe what extremely odd concoction she had brought for lunch that day. When she offered some of the eel and pickled squash curry to Hoshi as the group of girls sat outside Hoshi readily refused. Hoshi had ended up spending some of her 'mission money' on a lunch she barely touched.
"So what does your uncle do anyway?" Tatsuki asked between bites.
"Um, he works for an insurance company..." Hoshi said hesitantly. She hadn't thought of what occupation her fake uncle would have. Insurance broker seemed as good as any other job. "He gets really busy, so I stay at home alone a lot."
"Oh really. What one?" Tatsuki pried.
"I'm.. not really sure. When we do get to spend time together, he doesn't like to talk about work. He told me once, but I forget." Hoshi lied like a rug. It was a good lie though and it seemed to get Tatsuki off her back.
Damnit what does this chick want from me? She must know somethings up with me or she wouldn't be asking all these questions... no wait... it's normal for someone to ask questions to a new student. Hoshi thought becoming more and more irritated with the tomboy. If Tatsuki asked her one more probing question Hoshi swore she would snap.
The rest of their lunch period went on smoothly without Hoshi having a mental breakdown and murdering everyone within a 50 foot radius of herself. The only trouble came as they walked back into class and some unfortunate soul made a pass at Hoshi.
"Hey sweet thing," a freshmen with carefully spiked hair catcalled as Hoshi walked down the hall. "You looking fine today."
Hoshi halted, a dark look growing on her face. The group of girls noticed her expression and rigid stance but the poor boy didn't he continued to try and pick up the older woman. Her eye was literally twitching as the nameless freshman took a few steps closer to her. The shinigami raised her eyes and glared daggers at the boy. She also rose her foot and kicked him in his ribs, sending him down the hall and into a set of lockers. He barely made a noise it was so fast, his head connecting with the metal lockers and knocking him out.
"I really don't appreciate little boy's barking up my tree," Hoshi said coldly, regarding the now unconscious boy even more coldly. "You girls wont rat on me I hope."
The girls violently shook their heads, except for Tatsuki who grinned approvingly. None of them wanted to get on her bad side now that they saw her kick someone down the hallway. That was both very impressive and very violent. They hurried back to class, stepping past the boy quickly, who was foaming at the mouth slightly.
Hoshi's bad mood continued for the rest of the day, an aura of anger surrounding her. Everyone noticed and kept a safe distance from her. Ichigo and Rukia were a slight bit concerned about the girls mood now that they knew she was in Kenpachi's division. Rukia watched Hoshi for any sudden movements, and Ichigo kept his hand near his substitute soul reaper badge. By the end of the day the both of them were having nervous break downs.
Everyone gave a huge sigh of relief when the final bell rang and let them out for the weekend. Keigo as usual was trying to get Ichigo, Mizuiro, and Chad to hang out with him, but was turned down. Things seemed to be normal but Ishida, who normally packed up his bag and left without saying a word to anyone, walked over to Hoshi, how was shoving her things into her bag. When she sensed him she looked up angrily, death in her eyes.
"Is there something I can help you with Ishida?" she asked in a threatening tone.
"You seemed to have dropped something last night," Ishida replied, holding out her Memory Chikan.
Hoshi's eyes widened and she snatched it from his hand. She didn't remember dropping it but it must have slipping out of her pocket when Ryuken grabbed her. She put it into her pocket roughly and stood. Hoshi made a move to walk out of the nearly empty classroom but Ishida took hold of her shoulder.
"I would suggest you be more careful if you intend to report anything to Soul Society," he said evenly. He paused to push up his glasses. "It looks like you're a novice so I'll give you some advice. Watching a person who can sense spiritual pressure from a tree outside their bedroom isn't going to do you any good."
With that Ishida let go of Hoshi and strode out of the class. Hoshi stood there silently for a moment, rage building up inside of her. Every fibre of her being wanted to destroy something. She somehow kept it together until she got back to the apartment. She slammed the door closed and then let out a loud animalistic yell.
Panting with rage she swung and punched a sizable hole into the wall. She was about to make another hole but someone grabbed her hand before she could. Someone with incredibly large hands, that completely encompassed hers.
"What do ya think you're doing kid?" Kenpachi asked, looking down at her with one eye.
Hoshi's face was contorted into a snarl and she struggled but couldn't escape her captain's grip. "Nothing," she replied harshly. "What are you here for Captain?"
"Your report is late and Ikkaku wont come back here."
"Oh... yeah..." Hoshi bowed her head in embarrassment. She had really flown off the handle. "But in my defence you don't just go barging into a girls home like that, he's lucky I didn't kill him."
"Whatever," Kenpachi said, letting go of her hand, though part of him was reluctant to do so for some reason. "Where's the report?"
"There's nothing to report." Shrugged Hoshi. "These kids are boring as all hell. All Orihime does is cook something disgusting, and hang around with her friends. Ishida just does homework and sews stuff. Chad basically just studies and works out.. The only person worth talking about is that Strawberry. Ya know that little Rukia chick is living in his closet and they go out and fight hollows together, but Soul Society already knows that... Why am I here anyway?"
As Hoshi rambled on Kenpachi took a seat on the couch and put his feet up on the table. "No idea kid, but if that's all there is I'm leaving."
"That's it? No 'ok Hoshi you can go back to your regular duties'? I just have to stay here and watch these kids?" Hoshi was really getting irritated now. "Screw that!"
"Look kid," Kenpachi sighed. "Captain Yamamoto ordered you to be here, that means you gotta stay until he says you can leave... Oh yeah, I'm supposed to punish you for what you did to Ikkaku by the way. But that can wait until you get back."
The only response Hoshi gave him was the middle finger and a look that said 'get the fuck out'. Kenpachi complied and opened the gate back to Soul Society. This only furthered Hoshi's frustration. All she wanted to do was rip the man's head clean off his shoulders. She vowed that if she ever got the chance she would do just that.
"Damnit," she swore for the thousandth time that minute. "if I'm stuck here I may as well do my job... fuck you Yamamoto ya senile old fart!"
awwe, ain't Hoshi just a gem? bwahahahah! ok... review my mind slaves! review! BWA HA HA HA! (and if you have any questions ask!)