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There's an important note at the bottom!

Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Upset

Kirara put a hand to her head as a wave of vertigo hit her. She questioned her sanity, going drinking the night before she was in school. She had been tempted just to skip, but knew that she'd never hear the end of it from the others if she did. Shinji had already been annoyed at her, Lisa and Rose when they'd returned drunk during the night. They'd have probably gotten away with it, had Rose not insisted on playing his violin.

While she wasn't as hungover as she had been in the past, Kirara was more tired than anything, and uneasy. She could still feel the presence of the Shinigami lurking around, and it put her on edge. She spun her pencil around her fingers, staring down at the blank page in front of her. She was supposed to be taking notes, but couldn't focus in the slightest.

Hearing a huff, Kirara looked up, her eyes moving two seats to her left. Ichigo sat with his head in his hand, looking just as distracted as she did. She quirked an eyebrow, wondering just what was on his mind. She was so preoccupied, she didn't hear the teacher clear her throat.

"Miss Yamada," Kirara jolted and looked up at the teacher, who was raising an eyebrow of her own. "I know you have some talent in history, but that doesn't mean you can just watch the other students who aren't paying attention either," Kirara looked down quickly as embarrassment coloured her cheeks. A couple of the other students snickered, and Kirara pretended to scribble down some notes as the teacher continued.

When lunchtime finally hit, Kirara was one of the first to leave the classroom. She made her way up to the roof, where she pulled her lunch from her bag. It wasn't fancy; just a store-bought bento. Most of the food that she and her friends ate was store-bought, mostly out of convenience.

"I could really go for something fried right now," Kirara muttered as she began to eat.

'Perhaps if you didn't drink as much, you would not suffer so much?' Kokoro no Kage suggested.

"Oh shut up old man," Kirara grumbled. He hummed, but fell silent.

"Kirara!" she looked up as Keigo and Mizuiro approached her, and she smiled.

"Hey, you up here for lunch as well?" she asked, sounding amused.

"Mr. Asano here hoped you'd be up here," Mizuiro smiled at her, and Kirara gave a small chuckle as the brown haired boy looked alarmed.

"Why are you calling me Mr.?!" he demanded. Kirara couldn't help but laugh at his expression. While she had hoped for some time to herself, she couldn't deny that the two amused her.

"Well, you're welcome to join me," she invited them.

"Kirara..." Keigo sniffed, touched by her friendly attitude. The two had been the first to greet her when she had started school, with Mizuiro accusing her of being older than a high school student – he was probably one of the most observant people she had ever met – and Keigo was delighted that she didn't seem to care about school, and was nice to him – for the most part. "I can't believe it's only lunchtime," Keigo complained as they sat down.

"Me neither, it's so dull," Kirara yawned, leaning against the fencing behind her.

"What are you talking about? You just sleep after lunch everyday," Mizuiro told her, and she gave him an innocent smile in return.

"Yeah, you suck," Keigo complained. "You sleep every afternoon and get away with it," he grumbled. Kirara smirked at him. "And you still get better test results than me," he added.

"That's not very hard, is it?" Kirara smirked back at him. Keigo went red, and glared at her.

"She has a point," Mizuiro nodded, smirking as well. Keigo began to wail about the unfairness of it all, and about how they ganged up on him far too often. Kirara just looked up at the sky, wondering if Ichigo's distracted behaviour had anything to do with the Shinigami in town. Kirara had felt the Reiatsu flare in a fight against a Hollow that morning, and it made her even more uneasy. "Hey, you alright?" Kirara snapped back to attention as Mizuiro spoke.

"Huh? Why wouldn't I be?" Kirara blinked, looking back at the guarded boy.

"You look a little...sick," he shrugged. Kirara tried not to react.

"Gee, thanks," she gave a small laugh. "I'm fine, just a little tired," she shrugged.

"Uhuh..." the dark haired boy didn't seem convinced. "You've been acting as oddly as Ichigo has today," he commented. Kirara quirked an eyebrow. He really was very perceptive, especially for a human. Instead of responding, she just shovelled more food into her mouth. "You know, eating like that is definitely not going to get you a boyfriend," Kirara paused, her mouth open and the food hovering just in front of it as she thought of the last time something like that had been said to her.

"You're never going to attract a man with the way you eat, Kirara," Natsuki chided impatiently, watching Kirara shovelling sushi into her mouth.

"Oh no," Kirara spoke sarcastically through a mouthful of food. She then swallowed what was in her mouth, looking expressionless. "Whatever shall I do. All I've ever wanted is a man who judges me for my eating habits. My parents will be devastated. My mother will never stop crying. My father shall be so angry," she said in a completely monotone voice. Hiyori smirked from beside her, eating her food with as much elegance as Kirara. Natsuki rolled her eyes.

"Who cares about that shit?" Hiyori asked through a mouthful of food.

"She's right," Kirio smiled as she took a sip of sake from her cup. "You two need to work on your table manners," Hiyori frowned as she was brought into it. She glanced to Kirara, and the pair just shrugged. "How else are you going to attract men someday?" she teased, tossing her purple hair over her shoulder.

Feeling a twinge of pain, Kirara lowered her chopsticks and sighed.

"Kirara?" Keigo edged closer as she put the lid on what was left of her lunch. She put it into her bag, before standing up.

"I'll see you guys later," she spoke quietly, walking past them.

"Dude, you upset her!" she heard Keigo hiss as she opened the door to the stairway.

"What? I've joked about her not having a boyfriend before and she's just laughed it off! How was I supposed to know it would have a completely different reaction this time?" Mizuiro defended himself as Kirara walked down the stairs. She hesitated on the floor where her classroom was located, before continuing down the stairs.

"The others aren't going to like me skipping class..." Kirara mused to herself as she slipped away from the school unnoticed. But instead of returning, she just made her way through town.

Kirara hated getting like this. She didn't want to mope and think of the past. It was the past, and there was no way they'd be able to return to it. The Soul Society had turned their backs on them when they needed help, instead sentencing them to death because of what Aizen had done to them.

But Kirara still found herself missing it. She missed her best friend, who probably thought her dead. Or worse, she knew exactly what Kirara had become. She missed her job, her life, as a Lieutenant and Corps Commander. She even missed her family. Her uptight younger brother, her worried parents, even the sibling she'd never had the chance to meet. She just hoped they hadn't been dragged into the mess.

"Kirara?" she looked up in surprise when she heard Love's voice. "What are you doing here?" he asked, and Kirara realised she was passing the comic book store where Love and Rose often went to.

"I..." Kirara started, before shaking her head. "I just didn't want to stay there for the rest of the day," she muttered, looking at her feet. When Love clapped her shoulder, she looked up with a raised eyebrow.

"Fair enough," he nodded. He recognised the look on her face. They all got it sometimes, usually when they didn't think anyone else was watching. "I don't know how you stand it there most of the time," he grinned at her, and Kirara smiled back, already feeling better. "Come on, I'm supposed to be doing the lunch run," he admitted as he held up the bags that contained the lunch of the rest of their group. Kirara's smile grew.

"Humans really confuse me," she admitted as they walked back to the warehouse.

"Everyone confuses you, Yamada," Love retorted, and she frowned at him.

"Kokoro no Kage always says that to. I understand...enough," Kirara shrugged, going red as Love chuckled. "Urgh, why was it me who had to go to school?" she sighed.

"Well, could you imagine Hiyori in a classroom? In that uniform?" he pointed out, and Kirara started to laugh.

"Forget Hiyori, can you imagine Kensei trying to pass as a high school student?" both laughed even harder at the thought. "Or better yet, Hachi?" Kirara and Love were laughing hard by the time they got back.

"We send you out for food, and you come back with a delinquent school girl instead?" Shinji was first to comment as they all looked around. Kirara and Love just looked at each other, and dissolved into more laughter.

"Kirara...I've been wondering," Hachi spoke cautiously as Kirara frowned down at the board in front of her. She and Hachi had been played checkers for some time now.

"Yes, Hachi?" the black haired woman responded patiently. Hachi was the most soft spoken of the group – not that that was difficult, considering the brash natures of everyone else – and often hesitated before making comments. Kirara liked that about him, and while the others usually grew impatient with him, she was a little more patient with him.

"You know that this is a game of strategy, right?" he asked her carefully. Hearing a snicker, Kirara turned a glare on Shinji, who was lying across the sofa reading.

"I do, Hachi," she confirmed, turning her attention back to the board. She moved one of her pieces up a space. "I just don't really care for planning ahead or strategy. I'm just playing because I'm bored," Kirara admitted with a guilty smile, which made Hachi smile slightly in amusement. "Plus, I don't want to do my homework yet," she added.

"The Princess putting off work...so surprising..." Kirara's smile dropped.

"Excuse me for a moment Hachi," she stood up, and Hachi watched with a worried look as she walked over to the sofa. A moment later, there was a cry of pain, and Hachi sighed heavily.

"And he wonders why she gets so mad at him," Kensei muttered as he took a seat in front of Hachi and the board. "Man. Kirara really does suck at this," he commented as he saw the scattered pieces that remained. As the two fought it out behind him, yelling abuse at each other, Kensei pushed one of Kirara's pieces forwards. "You would think after 100 years living together they would have just accepted how they really feel," he grumbled.

"Hmm..." Hachi nodded, looking up as the yelling grew louder. He saw as Kirara's hand shot out, tangling in his hair in a painful grasp. He yelped in pain, grabbing her wrist and pulling her onto the sofa with him, causing her to trip and land on top of him. When her grip didn't lessen, he caught a fistful of her own hair when it fell loose.

"They're like a pair of toddlers...it's so damn annoying," Kensei complained when he glanced over his shoulder to see the two, who rolled off the sofa in their fight.

"Will you two keep it down? I can't even hear my music over you," Rose complained as he appeared, carrying a violin in his hand. "How on earth am I meant to keep a pleasant harmony going around here?" he sighed.

"She started it!" Shinji yelled, and narrowly avoided a punch. He caught her wrist and easily held it down as he pinned Kirara to the ground. She glared back up at him, going red as he smirked down at her, smug as he had her at his mercy. Her face went even redder as he looked back up and purposely ran his thumbs in circles on her wrists, making her heart-rate skyrocket as he purposely ignored her reaction, keeping his eyes on Rose.

"That may be, but I'm going to finish it," the man who was normally quiet and gentle was surprisingly firm. Shinji rolled his eyes, looking down at Kirara, who wrists were pinned over her head as he sat perched on her stomach, with Kirara completely unable to move.

"Geez Rose, what's gotten into you?" Kirara asked, looking at the man who was upside down to her. She shot Shinji a glare as he released her without a word, standing up.

"Caught up in the music I suppose," the blond replied to her, his usual dreamy smile returning. They all froze, however, as a heavy Reiatsu fell over them.

"What the hell?" Kensei growled. Kirara's eyes widened, and she jumped to her feet.

"It's Ichigo!" she recognised the Reiatsu that was rising in power, before fading. She went to run out of the warehouse, but as she got to the doorway, a hand caught her by the wrist, and an arm snaked around her waist.

"I let you go out yesterday, but not this time," Shinji hissed as he held her back.

"Let me go Hirako!" Kirara flailed in his grip, but to her frustration, he was far stronger than her, and his grip didn't falter. "Dammit, you told me to keep an eye on him, something weird is happening!" she shouted, continuing to struggle.

"That Shinigami is with him, and a Hollow too. It's too risky," he told her firmly. Kirara growled, but stopped struggling, knowing that it was a waste of time.

"I hate it..." her voice was almost too quiet for him to hear. "Everything is too risky, everything is too dangerous. I hate how careful we have to be..." Kirara's voice was a whisper as she closed her eyes.

"I know," Shinji's voice was equally as quiet. His grip on her tightened very slightly, and Kirara struggled not to react, her heart pounding hard against her chest as she realised how close he had her to him. Despite her best efforts, he still had such an effect on her, and that was what drove Kirara crazy the most. After what seemed like forever, but in reality was only a few seconds, Shinji released her, his fingers ghosting over her exposed skin as he dropped his arms to his sides. Without another word from either, they walked off in separate directions, with Kirara going up the stairs as Kensei raised an eyebrow, looking over to Rose, who looked just as baffled.

Shinji scowled down at the black haired young woman who was staring back up at him defiantly. A far cry from yesterday, her arms were folded across her chest as she argued against him. The stubborn look he had long since grown used to was spread across her face. She wore her school uniform again, having been about to leave when he had caught her, and told her not to go in.

"What part of 'no' don't you understand?" he demanded, very close to Kirara, who, to her credit, only blushed very slightly as she felt his arms brush against hers when he folded them, mirroring her stance.

"What part of 'don't care' do you not understand?" she replied coolly, and Shinji felt a tic work his jaw. Gods, her stubborn streak pissed him off beyond belief. It was times like this that helped him clamp down on his feelings towards her.

"Yamada..."

"Hirako," she mimicked, and was rewarded with a small growl. "You were the one who decided one of us should keep an eye on Ichigo and see what happens," Kirara reminded him calmly. "So that's what I'm doing. Something happened last night, and this is the best way to find out what," she told their de facto leader. Shinji didn't respond immediately, keeping quiet as they stared each other down, trying to will the other into giving in.

"And what about the other Shinigami?" Shinji finally spoke. "They'll more than likely be watching him too," he pointed out.

"Exactly," Shinji's frown grew at Kirara's nod and confirmation. He moved even closer, and when his arms bumped her, he looked down. Kirara's arms tightened around her chest and her stubborn expression faltered very slightly as she went red.

"You..." Shinji cleared his throat, moving his eyes back to hers. "Dammit..." he groaned, putting a hand to his face as he felt his resolve slipping. Kirara's mouth twitched, knowing it too. "Just be careful for once, okay?" Shinji turned before he had to see her victorious grin.

"Me? Be careful? I'm always careful," she spoke dismissively, and Shinji snorted, turning to argue that, but she was already gone. Closing his eyes, Shinji breathed deeply, clenching and unclenching his fists. Kirara always managed to rile him up, especially when she acted like she wasn't the most reckless person he'd ever met.

"She's going to be the death of me," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Hey. Where'd you go yesterday?" Tatsuki asked as she stood in front of Kirara's desk. "Keigo said Mizuiro upset you. Is that true?" she asked as Kirara looked up from pulling her things from her bag. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a few of the other girls watching them warily. Of course, this wasn't new to Kirara, who was used to them being nervous of her. She had been branded a delinquent, and nobody wanted to associate with that label. It didn't help that she was now skipping class.

"Nah," Kirara shook her head quickly, smiling. "I just wasn't feeling very well. I think it was something I ate," she shrugged. Her stomach clenched painfully as she remembered what the black haired boy had said the day before. A harmless comment to most, but a painful memory for Kirara. Tatsuki didn't look very convinced, but before she could say anything, the teacher arrived.

"Alright everyone, get to your seats," Miss. Ochi called to them, and everyone quickly moved to their seats. "Oh? Ichigo isn't in yet? Oh well, he'll be here eventually," she decided as she took attendance, much to the frustration of a few other students, who claimed that it was unfair. However, they were completely disregarded. "Class, we have a new student joining us today," Miss. Ochi announced, and Kirara quirked an eyebrow, watching as the teacher walked over to the door. Everyone murmured quietly to one another. "Okay, you can come in now," she called, and a petite girl with black hair and violet eyes walked in.

"Good morning, my name is Rukia Kuchiki," the dainty-looking girl stood in front of the classroom, bowing to the class. Kirara stiffened, her eyes going wide.

"Oh, oh I am dead," she whispered. "Of all the damn Shinigami in the Soul Society, it's a fucking Kuchiki?" she mumbled under her breath, putting her hands to her head. Everyone mumbled a greeting, and Rukia scanned the classroom, making it appear as if she was taking in everyone's faces. However, as Kirara looked up, she saw Rukia's eyes linger on Ichigo's empty seat for a moment longer, it was apparent that she was wondering where the orange haired boy was too. When her eyes met Kirara's, the ex-Shinigami just smiled at her, and Rukia quickly looked on. When Rukia took the seat beside her and the class began, Kirara lifted her book, but didn't even bother trying to pay attention. School was definitely becoming interesting, but she was going to be in a lot of trouble.

"Hi there," lunch had finally arrived, and Kirara was in the middle of putting her things back into her bag, when she heard a greeting. Turning around to see the Shinigami who was a good bit smaller than her, Kirara smiled pleasantly. "I thought I should say hi, since we're neighbours and all," Rukia told her. Kirara hid her smirk. She could sense the falseness behind Rukia's smile a mile off.

"Hi. I'm Kirara Yamada," she introduced herself, standing up. "It's nice to met you," she said, trying to sound genuine.

"I guess you're not the new girl any more," they looked around as Keigo and Mizuiro stood nearby.

"Oh, you're new too?" Rukia asked, looking mildly surprised. Her eyes lingered on Kirara's scar, before moving to her hair as Kirara twirled it around her finger.

"I've been here a few months," Kirara nodded. "If you'll excuse me, I'm starving," she hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, and without waiting for a response from Rukia, Kirara turned and walked away.

"Don't mind Kirara, she's a bit weird," Keigo told Rukia, who was watching her go.

"I heard that, Mr. Asano. Find someone else to eat lunch with today," Kirara called over her shoulder, and heard him cry out as Mizuiro smirked at him. As she left the classroom, she bumped into Ichigo.

"Oh...sorry Kirara," he blinked down at her.

"No worries," Kirara waved it off and moved around him. "You realise that school starts in the morning, right Ichigo?" she commented as she walked away.

"Oh shut up, I don't need that from Queen Delinquent," Ichigo told her, making her laugh. She turned to look at him again, and her laughter died as he walked into the classroom, and a flicker of red caught her attention.

"A red...ribbon?" Kirara breathed. "Please tell me you're joking," she whispered, going back over to the door and peering in. As she focused, ribbons appeared all around the room as she used Reiraku. Two red ribbons floated amongst a sea of white, and Kirara groaned, turning and running down the corridor. Pulling out her phone, she called one of the least used numbers on it, ducking outside and into a secluded area as it rang.

"Well well, what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me?" Shinji answered, sounding slightly amused.

"Ichigo has a red ribbon," Kirara told him.

"And you have a green one. You match. I don't see how this affects me,' Shinji replied, sounding bored, and she rolled her eyes.

"Asshat. You realise what I just said?" Kirara growled, and there was silence on the other end for a moment.

'Wait, you can't mean-"

"A red Spirit Ribbon, yes," Kirara rolled her eyes. "And you know what that means. I think...I think the other Shinigami gave Ichigo powers," she told him softly.

'But that would mean...'

"Ichigo's a Shinigami now."

So I'm torn between two ideas for a side-story of sorts for this, so I thought I'd see which you would prefer!

The first is from Natsuki's point of view from the beginning of the 2nd Arc, when Rukia returns to the Soul Society and Ichigo goes to rescue her. Most of what happens in it that's important will be covered in this story, but if you'd like to see more about Natsuki and what she's been up to earlier than when it'll be shown in this, then just say!

The other idea would be an AU, where instead of Rukia, Kirara gives Ichigo Shinigami powers. This wouldn't be linked to Shadowed Heart, and would be its own story in a way, but would make a massive difference to the overall story.

Let me know which you'd prefer!

Please review!