Chapter 3: Dwelling on the Past
Kirara lay on the couch of her office, staring at the ceiling with bloodshot eyes, the Lieutenant of Squad 2 was considering her life choices.
"Note to self. Sake is evil. Past Kirara is evil," she mumbled, rolling onto her side and curled up in a ball as she closed her eyes, trying to hide from the bright light.
'You have only yourself to blame for your current state,' Kokoro no Kage told her firmly.
"Stop shouting at me," Kirara mumbled weakly, and heard a heavy sigh in response. She never knew a Zanpakuto Spirit could be so exasperated. "The Captain had to leave me a bunch of paperwork today, didn't she?" she whined to herself. When Kirara had finally managed to get to work – ignoring the glower from Soi Fon – she had been horrified to find that Yoruichi was going on a mission, and had left her a stack of paperwork. She had a large suspicion that the noble had been waiting for a mission to come up to dump her duties on the hungover Lieutenant.
'Perhaps you should not drink as much when you go out?' the Zanpakuto suggested.
"The last thing I need is for you to be all Mr Hindsight, old man," Kirara groaned, and heard the low 'hmm' that was the displeased noise that the spirit of her Zanpakuto made often when she called him an old man, or just when she was hungover or in a bad mood.
'You know Kirara, if you started working now, instead of complaining, you would get most, if not all of it done by the time Captain Shihoin returned,' Kokoro no Kage spoke again. Kirara pushed herself up enough to peer over to her desk, where the stack stood. She pulled a face, and lay back down carefully so not to aggravate her hangover.
"I could do that...or I could take a nap instead," she considered.
'You avoid paperwork as much as you dwell on the past Kirara,' she frowned at the quiet comment.
"I don't dwell on the past. You're getting as bad as the Captain. Drop it, Kokoro no Kage," Kirara warned irritably. He just hummed in response in his usual irritated way. "The past is the past...and it's his fault," she mumbled as she drifted off to sleep.
The clash of metal meeting metal echoed through the air as the class practised Zanjutsu. Those who had not yet gained their Zanpakuto used the ones provided, and mastered their sword-fighting skills that they had honed over six years.
"Oi, Yamada," Kirara glanced over her shoulder to her Sensei, who was standing nearby, his arms folded. "Do you feel like getting in some practise today? Or are you going to talk through another class?" he asked her, and she turned to him properly, flashing a smile at the teacher.
"I wouldn't mind either option Sensei," she grinned, but left the three young men she had been speaking with, and brushed off her white and red uniform as her teacher rolled his eyes. "But I suppose I can practise," she decided.
"Just because you're one of my best students doesn't mean you can slack off Yamada. Or you, Hirako," the Zanjutsu Sensei called over to the sleeping student who was sprawled in the grass. He woke with a snort, and rolled over to scowl at him. "Spar against Yamada," he instructed as he sighed and got up, running his hand through his blond hair.
"If ya insist," Shinji walked over to where Kirara was standing, looking a little amused. While the two were some of the only ones who had learned the names of their Zanpakuto and had been in the same classes for most of their time in the Academy, they had rarely spoken, except to swap barbs while sparring.
"I wonder Hirako, do you actually sleep at night, or do you wait until you're here?" Kirara asked as she drew her Zanpakuto and pointed it at him.
"And I wonder if ya actually know how to use that, considering ya just flirt instead of actually practisin'," Shinji replied as he wrapped his long fingers around the handle of his blade and tensed, leaning forwards. After a moment, Kirara seemed to flicker out of sight, and Shinji raised his blade to block hers as it came very close to his face.
"Careful there Hirako, you don't want to lose your pretty hair, do you?" Kirara taunted as she jumped back.
"Sounds like you're jealous Yamada, do you like my hair better than yours?" Shinji asked as he lowered his blade a little. Kirara laughed under her breath, still pointing her Zanpakuto at him.
"Would you two stop insulting each other and just practise already?" their Sensei groaned, putting a hand to his face as Shinji moved this time, going on the offensive.
Kirara was snapped from her dream as she became aware of someone in her office. She didn't move, nor did she open her eyes, but her irritation grew as she recognised the faint reiatsu they gave off naturally.
"Hirako, what the hell are you doing in my office?" she demanded, attempting to sound cold, but she just sounded sleepy instead.
"Y'know, Yamada, you almost looked cute when you were asleep, even if you were drooling," Kirara's eyes opened immediately and she sat up, rubbing at her mouth. Her hand came away dry, and she glared up at the smirking Captain.
"I'll ask again, what are you doing in my office?" she asked as her hangover reminded her of its presence, and she put a hand to her head. She got to her feet, trying to hide the wave of dizziness that she was punished with for moving.
"I was looking for Captain Shihoin," Shinji shrugged as he watched her move around the sofa, putting distance between them. "Instead, I found you sleeping off a nasty hangover," he smirked. Kirara frowned, trying to fight off her blushing.
"She rarely comes to my office Hirako, and anyway, she's off on a mission," she told him, leaning against her desk as she folded her arms. Her body language was becoming more defensive as she slowly woke up. "You can leave a message for her with one of the Messenger Corp," Kirara then told him snidely.
"Yeah yeah," Shinji rolled his eyes. "I won't bother with leaving it with Princess Passive Aggressive," he moved his head to avoid the cup that flew past.
"I swear to god Hirako, stop calling me that," Kirara growled, but winced as it hurt her head.
"I'll stop when you stop acting like a stuck up-" before the blond Captain could finish his sentence, something slammed into him, and he went flying across the room with a loud shriek. Kirara barely dodged before he slammed into the wall. Kirara glanced to the doorway, and a grin made its way onto her face as she saw the Lieutenant of Squad 12 standing there with her foot raised and an unimpressed look on her face. "Who the hell-" Shinji immediately stopped when he saw the look on Hiyori's face.
"Hiyori, what brings you here?" Kirara smiled to the short blonde.
"Lieutenant's meeting," Hiyori replied as she stopped glaring at Shinji to look to Kirara. The dark haired young woman groaned loudly. "And yes, it's mandatory. Come on," Hiyori told her as Kirara went to speak again.
"Fine...but I'm going to fall asleep," she warned.
"I don't give a rat's ass, I was just told to bring you here by your whiny brother," Hiyori shrugged. Kirara grinned again, before glancing over her shoulder.
"Hirako, get out of my office. And I swear, if there's a dent in that wall, you're paying for it," she threatened, before walking out with Hiyori.
"But she's the one-urgh!" the Captain groaned when he realised they were already gone.
"Hollow sightings have been reported on the outskirts of the Rukon District," Lieutenant Sasakibe of Squad 1 read out the reportings that were to be discussed by the Lieutenants. He didn't look up when he heard a giggle from the Lieutenant of Squad 11, who was standing beside Kirara. She stood with her arms folded, and her head leaning forwards as she slept on, despite standing up.
"You know, it's almost impressive that she does that standing up," Sojun Kuchiki of Squad 6 commented with an amused smile as he noticed.
"Years of practice at this point," Jin'emon grinned. Hearing Lieutenant Sasakibe clear his throat, they fell silent again, listening to him and trying not to laugh at Kirara.
"Oi, Kirara," she was jolted awake by a loud hiss as the Squad 1 Lieutenant finally finished. Kirara opened her eyes and looked up sleepily at her brother, who was frowning at her. "If you're quite done sleeping, maybe you could join in on our meeting?" the Squad 4 Lieutenant asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What if I'm not quite done sleeping?" Kirara yawned, and heard a couple of snickers from the other Lieutenants. Seinosuke glared at them. When she saw his frown deepen, Kirara grinned. "Relax little bro, I'm listening," she told him. He rolled his eyes, and walked over to the front of the room to begin reading out his own report.
"If your brother doesn't make this quick, I may puke on him," Natsuki warned, just as hungover as her best friend. Kirara's blue gaze moved to her, and her own grin widened. Her curly hair stuck up, looking as if she had just rolled out of bed, and her brown eyes were bloodshot.
"Me too," Jin'emon muttered.
"Why am I here?" Lisa mumbled, adjusting her glasses.
"This is the worst," Natsuki whined quietly, putting her hands to her face. Kirara was attempting to listen to Seinosuke's droning, but her head felt like it had been filled with ants. Her eyelids were growing heavier by the moment. The Squad 4 Lieutenant shot at glare at the four, hearing their whispers, but as soon as he looked away, Kirara's eyes closed again.
"Oh dear," Sojun sighed as he noticed the sleeping Lieutenant. Some snickered, and others rolled their eyes, all of them used to Kirara's antics.
"Captain Hirako was in your office?" Natsuki repeated what Kirara had said as they lay in the grass in the sun of the Squad 2 barracks. They both wore sunglasses, blocking out as much sun as possible from their eyes. "Why? To watch you sleep?" she asked with a giggle.
"I've already threatened to leave Kokoro no Kage in the Koi Pond in Squad 6, I will do exactly the same to you," Kirara warned irritably.
"Urgh, you know I hate Koi," Natsuki shuddered.
"He was looking for my Captain. Typical that it's the one day she's away," Kirara sighed, her headache still pounding away.
"So you really don't like Captain Hirako?" Natsuki asked curiously as she slowly sat up to look at Kirara.
"Natsuki..." Kirara growled in response.
"Hey, I'm just saying," Natsuki held up her hands in defence, smiling softly. "It's odd, you get on with pretty much everyone, except Captain Hirako," Natsuki grinned. "You're even friends with Lieutenant Sarugaki, and she hates Squad 2. And people in general," she giggled, but winced as it hurt. Kirara sighed heavily, and rolled onto her side.
"I have my reasons," her voice was quiet. She jumped when Natsuki suddenly lay down beside her, wrapping her arms around her. "Hey, get off me," Kirara struggled weakly.
"Nope," Natsuki smiled back. Kirara sighed, but relaxed, closing her eyes to get some sleep. Natsuki watched her for another moment, wondering just what had created such animosity between the two that would make her best friend so closed off about it.
After her nap, which lasted much longer than she initially intended, Kirara was starving. She had said goodbye to Natsuki, who had gone to collect some reports for her Captain, who was once again skipped out on his paperwork, and was now heading home to eat.
"Ah, Lieutenant Yamada," she stopped and looked up to see Captain Ukitake walking towards her with a smile.
"Captain Ukitake," Kirara smiled, and bowed respectfully to the white haired man.
"It's been a while, how are you?" he asked as she straightened up. "Still creating mischief?" there was a teasing gleam in his eyes as Kirara grinned back.
"Captain, I am offended by your words. I am very well behaved," she told him, trying to sound offended, but she giggled while saying it.
"Of course. How is Squad 2 doing?" Ukitake asked with his kind smile. Kirara liked Ukitake, while he was usually quite serious, he was always very friendly and spoke to everyone, asking how they were and how their Squad was doing. Kirara could understand why half the Seireitei had some semblance of a crush on him.
'Does that hold for you, then?' Kokoro no Kage asked, hearing her thoughts. Kirara resisted rolling her eyes.
"Of course not. He's cute, but I'm not interested," Kirara retorted.
"Busy, as always. Captain Shihoin is off on another mission so I'm holding up the fort," Kirara explained as she snapped back to attention. "How have you been? I heard from Captain Kyoraku that you haven't been well?" Kirara asked as she tilted her head.
"Just a small cold, Captain Unohana insisted I spent a few nights in the Squad 4 barracks," Ukitake shrugged, trying to brush it off, but Kirara knew it was only because he didn't like making a fuss.
"Good to hear you're feeling better now," Kirara told him, and her grin returned. "I've missed seeing you and Captain Kyoraku on night's out," she said, making the white haired Captain chuckle.
"I'm sure you have, but I doubt it's impacted your enjoyment of drinking," Kirara blushed slightly at his teasing.
"Was it a good night last night?" he smiled knowingly, and Kirara's blush grew.
"It always is, but can always be improved," she smiled back. "I hope next time we'll see you and Captain Kyoraku too," she winked, moving around him. Ukitake chuckled. Kirara's flirting always amused him, as he knew that it was in good humour. She was playful and frequently teased both him and Kyoraku, while still maintaining a level of respect in her attitude towards them.
"Perhaps you will," he nodded, turning to glance over his shoulder at her. Kirara laughed, and walked on as her stomach began to growl again impatiently.
Let me know what you think so far, reviews are really appreciated and help me make this as good as I can!