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I hope you like this chapter, I was a little nervous about it but I think it turned out alright!

Chapter 19: Cat Out Of The Bag

Another few eventful weeks passed by, which had been just as eventful as the last. The soul inside Chad's bird finally passed on, and things just kept getting stranger.

"Finally...we're done," Kirara sighed in exhaustion as they walked out of the school building and stretched. A cool breeze greeted them, a much needed change to the heat that the summer was already bringing. Now that summer was officially there, their uniforms had changed, and Kirara now wore a short sleeved shirt with the collar open, with a green vest underneath that just about concealed her long scar.

"That was brutal," Tatsuki groaned, shielding her eyes from the bright sun overhead.

"Really? I didn't think it was that hard," Orihime smiled. "What about you, Ichigo?" she glanced to the boy walking with them.

"Huh? Oh, I dunno. I guess it wasn't that tough," he shrugged.

"Don't let Keigo and Mizuiro hear you," Kirara grinned at him. "They called me a nerd for a week straight when I mentioned studying," she told them. She didn't add in that the other Vizards had more or less done the same when they'd caught her. She'd never live it down.

"Good point..." Ichigo muttered.

"What about you Rukia? What did you think of the exams?" Orihime smiled to the quiet girl walking on Ichigo's other side.

"Some of it seemed pretty tough, but the rest was easy," Rukia smiled back at her. Kirara watched her out of the corner of her eye. She was confusing Kirara more and more every day. Not only were her already faint powers dwindling, from what she could tell, but there was something about Rukia that made her uneasy, and not just because she was a Shinigami.

"Anyone wanna go celebrate?" Tatsuki asked.

"Oh, me! I'm starving!" Orihime smiled.

"Yeah I could go for some food," Ichigo nodded. Kirara didn't answer straight away, not willing to go if Rukia was going. She knew people were going to start commenting on her avoiding Rukia, but she didn't care. She put up with the Shinigami in school because she was monitoring Ichigo, but she wouldn't spend any longer than she had to with her.

"Hey Kuchiki, you coming too?" Tatsuki glanced to the violet eyed girl.

"Oh? Sure, sounds great!" Rukia put on her fake smile again, which never failed to exasperate Ichigo.

"Kirara?" Orihime looked at her expectantly. She usually didn't turn down offers to join them for food.

"I uh-" before Kirara could give them an excuse, a hand wrapped around her wrist and she was yanked away. "Hey, what are you doing? Let me go!" she yelled as she was pulled away from the group faster than anyone could react.

Finally managing to move her legs properly, Kirara looked around and frowned at Shinji as he pulled her back towards the warehouse. "Hirako? What the hell is your problem?! Let me go!" she shouted at him, struggling in his grasp. When he didn't speak, alarm bells went off in her head, and he used Shunpo, dragging her back much faster.

When they finally reached the warehouse, Shinji yanked her inside, and shoved her in front of him. Stumbling, Kirara whirled around with a scowl. "Okay, what the hell is your problem?" she demanded.

"What's my problem?" Shinji's voice was low, and Kirara's eyes widened as he took a step towards her. "How about you explain why you've been hanging out with a damn Shinigami?" he demanded, walking towards her. Kirara's heart pounded painfully as she matched him stride for stride, backing away until her back pressed against the cold stone wall. She lashed out instinctively, and he caught her wrists, slamming them against the wall and holding them there.

"I told you Ichigo-"

"I don't mean Ichigo," Shinji kept his voice even. "I mean the other Shinigami, who has been enrolled in your class, I'm guessing, since Ichigo became one," Kirara stared at him, trying to control her breathing.

"How did you..."

"Love and Lisa saw her," he growled.

"Shinji, don't be so rough," Rose spoke up, making Kirara aware of the presence of the others.

"How many times do you have to get yourself into these situations before you realise you can't take everything on by yourself?" Shinji ignored the man as he glared down at Kirara. "You could have given us away at any second. She's a damn Kuchiki, for crying out loud," Kirara heard the sharp inhalation at the name from the others.

"What the hell do you take me for? You think I just waltzed right up to her and told her everything?" Kirara scowled back at him, flinching slightly as his grip tightened, but she didn't stop. "I wanted to collect all the information before-"

"You're not a damn Corps Commander anymore!" Shinji interrupted as his voice rose, and she stopped, her glare dropping as her eyes went wide. That had been a low blow. "You take on everything by yourself, but it'll end up like the last time, when I had to save your sorry ass," Shinji went quiet again as he managed to compose himself a little. Kirara had gone limp in his grip, her head dropping at his words.

"I..."

"You risked all of us in your stupid quest to prove something," Shinji didn't let go of her wrists, not seeming to notice her reaction. Even her voice was soft and lacked the fight she normally gave.

"Stop..."

"If she'd realised, and contacted the Soul Society, what then?" he continued. "We're hiding out for a reason, idiot!" his grip was tightening, and his rising Reiatsu made her breathing grow erratic as her panic rose.

"Hirako..."

"Did you even think about the rest of us? Or were you too busy being caught up in yourself to care?" Shinji kept going, until a hand gripped his shoulder tightly, snapping him out of the haze he had fallen into.

"That's enough," Rose spoke softly as Shinji blinked. "Stop," the leader realised that the others had gone on full alert, holding onto their Zanpakuto. Not that he blamed them. He'd completely lost control of his anger. Realising how hard he was holding onto Kirara's wrists, he quickly let go and stepped back. Kirara's arms dropped to her sides as she kept her head lowered, taking deep breaths. When Shinji went to speak, Kirara's hand came at him fast, slapping him hard across the face, enough to make the sound echo through the warehouse. His head knocked to the side, Shinji's eyes were wide. In all the time he'd known her, Kirara had never hesitated to punch or kick, but she'd never struck him in such a way.

"I'm the idiot?" she demanded, lifting her head to reveal tears running down her face. "I'm the one who needs saving? What about you, Hirako? Or has what happened at the Academy gone from your memory? I seem to recall having to save your 'sorry ass' when you were stupid enough to almost get yourself killed by a Hollow! And I never said a word to anyone. I took the damn fall for you!" she yelled as his head remained tilted away from her, a hand over his cheek. Without another word, she dropped her bag and sprinted out of the warehouse.

"Christ, you really are an asshole," Kensei spoke as everyone relaxed, lowering their Zanpakuto.

"Shut up," Shinji growled as they all dispersed. His eyes moved to Hiyori as she didn't move for a moment. He waited for her to hit him, or start yelling as well, but instead she turned away, shoving her hands into her pockets.

"You really need to apologise this time, dickhead," she told him quietly, before following the others as he watched her leave.

Sitting in a secluded spot by the river, Kirara glared out at it, her breathing still coming erratically.

"He had no right to take to me like that. I know it was stupid...but..." she bit her lip as more tears stung at her eyes. "I know what I am. I know what I'm not..." Kirara mumbled, pressing her face into her arms. She sat like that for some time, before sighing heavily. "What the hell am I doing?" she wondered, lifting her head. "Why am I sitting here crying like a stupid schoolgirl? Just because I wear the uniform doesn't mean I should act like one," she grumbled.

'I'm glad...finally...senses,' Kokoro no Kage spoke. '...should not...moping...a warrior,' he told her, and Kirara gave a small laugh.

"Thanks, old man. You're right," she nodded, before hearing someone approach. Looking around, she was surprised to see Tatsuki approach.

"It is you. I thought I recognised your hair," Tatsuki smiled, but it faded once she got close enough to see Kirara's face, which was streaked with tears. "Hey, what happened?" she asked, crouching beside her. Kirara blinked at her in surprise. "Who do I need to beat up?" the short haired girl demanded.

"Tatsuki..." Kirara stared at her. "We've not known each other that long...why are you..."

"You idiot. We're friends, right?" Tatsuki rolled her eyes. Kirara looked down to the river, and gave a small laugh.

"I guess we are," she agreed. "I'm fine. Just some issues I was working out," Kirara told her.

"And you're sure that there's nobody I need to give hell to?" Tatsuki asked, making her laugh again.

"I'm sure. But thank you for the offer. I just needed to get out for a bit. And get it out of my system," Kirara stretched out, letting her legs out in front of her instead of pulled close. "What are you doing here?" she asked curiously as Tatsuki sat down beside her.

"Just felt like a walk before I went home," she shrugged, and Kirara raised an eyebrow.

"Uhuh..." she didn't sound convinced. "What's on your mind?" she asked.

"We've not known each other that long, so don't you think that's a bit forward to ask?" Tatsuki asked in a teasing tone that made Kirara's smile grow.

"Funny," she said in a flat tone, but didn't look away from the girl on the grass beside her. After a moment, Tatsuki sighed.

"Don't you think that things have been pretty weird lately?" she asked.

"They have?" Kirara feigned ignorance.

"Well yeah. I mean first there was that truck that crashed into Ichigo's house, then Orihime got hurt...then Chad was hurt in a car accident..." Tatsuki listed off. "Plus, Ichigo's been acting really weird lately. And he's always with Rukia too," she added.

"Ichigo's always acting weird to me," Kirara chuckled. She wasn't surprised that Tatsuki had picked up on the strange happenings. "But I guess you're right. He's always with Rukia. Reckon they're dating?" she waggled her eyebrows at Tatsuki.

"Nah, I don't think Ichigo even considers that sorta thing," Tatsuki shook her head.

"Sounds nice..." Kirara murmured without realising. When Tatsuki frowned at her, Kirara went red. "Uh, never mind!" she laughed weakly. Tatsuki turned her attention back to the river, pulling her legs in close.

"But even Orihime has starting acting a little strange...I feel like I'm being left behind..." she admitted.

"Hey," she looked up in surprise as Kirara touched her arm. "Orihime is your best friend, and she'd never leave you behind," Kirara told her firmly. "Sometimes you might end up on different paths, but it doesn't mean...it doesn't mean you're not thinking of each other," she told her softly, looking at the water running by them. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Kirara told her.

"Hey...what about you?" Tatsuki asked suddenly, and Kirara frowned. "That kinda sounds like you're talking about yourself as well. Who is your best friend?" Tatsuki asked her curiously.

"I..." Kirara started, and sighed, smiling sadly. "Her name is Natsuki. I lost her a long time ago...and I'll probably never see her again. Such is the path I walk now," she murmured. "I miss Natsuki so much...but can I even trust her any more? If she knew the truth about what I've become...she'd see me like a monster, just like all other Shinigami," she thought to herself.

"I'm sorry..." Tatsuki stared at her, and Kirara shook her head.

"What is with all this sad talk? We just finished our exams! There's only a few weeks until summer break!" she smiled brightly, throwing her arms up.

"You're right! And it's even sooner until the Martial Arts Championship!" Tatsuki grinned eagerly. "I should get training," she realised, and got to her feet. "You sure you're alright?" she asked, looking down.

"I'm fine now. Much better after talking to you. Thanks Tatsuki," Kirara smiled at her. Tatsuki blushed slightly.

"I didn't do much, just complain," she muttered, embarrassed.

"That was all I needed," Kirara told her, and stretched. "I think I'll take a nap here for a bit," she decided, lying back.

"Uh...here? You sure it's safe?" Tatsuki found that almost every time she spoke with Kirara, she was baffled in one way or another.

"Of course. It'll only be for a little while. I'm not quite ready to go home yet," Kirara replied, using her arms as a pillow as she closed her eyes. "Good luck with the training. I'll be rooting for you," she told Tatsuki, who grinned again.

"Thanks," Kirara gave her a thumbs up as Tatsuki jogged off.

'Friends...human...are...strange person,' Kokoro no Kage commented.

"And you're a strange spirit, old man. Do other Zanpakuto talk so much?" Kirara asked with a smirk, not opening her eyes. She was rewarded with a hum, and grinned as she stretched and dozed off.

Rose was idly playing his guitar, staring into space. It had been a few hours since the events that had Shinji sulking and Kirara missing. He considered going out to find her, but knew that she would be back eventually. They were a family, and they stuck together.

He sighed heavily. He just couldn't focus on a good melody at all. The fight had severely thrown him for a loop and messed with his inner symphony. No wonder Kinshara was grumbling so much.

Looking up, he smiled softly as Kirara walked back into the warehouse, yawning widely. She smiled back, looking tired as she walked over.

"And just where were you?" Rose asked, trying and failing to sound stern. Kirara just smirked at his attempt.

"Went for a walk," she shrugged.

"Went for a nap seems more like it," Rose arched a delicate eyebrow. "You have grass in your hair," he told her. Kirara's smirk faded instantly, and she sifted through her hair, pulling out several blades of grass.

"I got comfortable," she muttered.

"So you're okay?" he asked, and she paused.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kirara smiled at him, making Rose's faint smile grow.

"Good. Perhaps now my music will flow smoothly," he commented, strumming a note on his guitar as he looked down. Kirara's smile widened.

"Oh Rose, were you perhaps, worried?" she suggested. He frowned at her, but didn't stop playing.

"Of course not. You can handle yourself, now shoo, I have a melody rattling around my head," he told her, and Kirara giggled.

"Sure thing Rose. And thanks," she spoke quietly. Before he could say anything, she turned and walked off. He sighed, and continued to play. Kirara smiled as his music grew louder and, somehow, more peaceful. She walked towards the stairs, before stiffening. Without stopping, she broke into a run, sprinting up the stairs. She'd just made it to the top, and was turning the corner to go to her room, when a hand slammed the wall in front of her. She turned, only for another hand to slam on that side as well, trapping her. With wide eyes, she looked up at Shinji, who was expressionless as he towered over her.

"Running from me now?" he asked in a low growl. Kirara pressed her back against the wall as if she could pass through it, hand to her chest as her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.

"Can you really blame me?" she demanded, recovering from her surprise.

"No," his blunt honesty took the fight out of Kirara, and she frowned at him. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have lost it back there," Shinji apologised.

"You're right, you shouldn't have," Kirara replied, just as blunt as he scowled at her.

"I'm trying to apologise here you know..." he muttered.

"I know. And like hell I'm going to make that easy for you," Kirara smirked, and folded her arms. Her heart was still pounding, but now more from his close proximity as he didn't move.

"You never make anything easy for me Princess," Shinji told her.

"Well when you're an asshole, why should I?" Kirara retorted.

"Like you were any better! If you hadn't been an idiot-"

"If you weren't a prick about everything-"

"This wouldn't have happened!" they both shouted at the same time. "I get it, okay? I messed up and I'm sorry! I shouldn't have kept the Kuchiki girl a secret!" Kirara groaned, putting a hand to her face.

"Huh. That's gotta be the second time you've ever apologised," Shinji commented, and Kirara paused. Her hand lowered slightly, and she peered over it at him as he smirked at her. It disappeared when her hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar. For a split second, he thought she was going to hit him again, but with a low growl, Kirara pulled him down as she pushed herself up, kissing him. Without missing a beat, Shinji's hands moved from the wall and yanked her closer. Years of pushing aside how he really felt for his stubborn, childish, unbelievable Princess overwhelmed him; his hands tangling in her hair as Kirara's grip on his collar didn't loosen until they finally broke apart for air.

"You have got to be the most infuriating person I have ever met," Kirara hissed at him, still not letting him go.

"That's my line," Shinji retorted, leaning in again.

"That's our line," the pair froze at Love's voice, and they slowly looked around to see Lisa, Rose and Love peering out at them from around the corner.

"How...how long..." Kirara felt her face getting steadily redder as she stammered.

"Since you two idiots started shouting at each other," Lisa replied with a slight shrug, not looking the least bit guilty for spying.

"Don't you have anything better to do than spy on people?" Shinji sighed.

"Not really," all three chimed together. "So Kirara...I thought one of your rules was that you never made the first move?" Rose smiled at her, and Kirara went even redder.

"Well that wasn't the first time that's happened," Lisa told them. Love and Rose looked at her sharply. "You two weren't subtle at that festival. I saw everything," she told them. Kirara buried her face in her hands as Shinji groaned.

"Why'd you never tell us?" Love asked, baffled.

"I was waiting for it to happen again," Lisa shrugged, not looking the least bit apologetic. "Oh, and that reminds me. Hey, Kensei!" she yelled suddenly. "Looks like I win!" she shouted.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kensei's voice echoed from down the stairs.

"I'm talking about Shinji and Kirara making out in the hallway!" Lisa announced loudly.

"What?!" Mashiro's voice echoed up in alarm.

"I think I'm going to die of humiliation now," Kirara decided in a mumble, not lifting her face from her hands. There was a loud crash, and Kensei appeared behind the others, followed by Mashiro.

"I never thought it would actually happen," Kensei pressed several notes into Lisa's outstretched hand.

"Enough of this," Shinji's hand clasped Kirara by the wrist, and he pulled her past the others.

"Where are you going?" Rose called after them as they watched.

"Somewhere where we can get a little damn privacy," Shinji told them irritably, and Kirara couldn't help but laugh as she allowed him to lead her away from their ground and out of the warehouse.

They weren't very far away from the warehouse when Shinji suddenly stopped, turning and kissing Kirara before she realised it. "You once asked what this is," he breathed as he pulled away slightly, his grip on her shirt keeping her close. "This is me being done with arguing with you. No more. We've spent too long fighting each other," he told her quietly.

"Good," Kirara replied. "Because I was fed up with it 100 years ago," she opened her eyes to frown at him. "Don't get me wrong, you're still a dumbass-"

"And you're still a stuck up Princess," Shinji retorted. With a roll of her eyes, Kirara kissed him again.

"But you're my dumbass, and I'm done hiding how I really feel," she told him.

"Huh. You're pretty possessive, aren't you?" Shinji smirked at her. Pulling away, Kirara frowned, and flicked his cheek, making him flinch. It was still red from her earlier hit.

"So much for being done arguing," Kirara arched her eyebrow, and he caught her hand, linking his fingers with his. Kirara tried not to react, but her stomach flipped at his touch.

"I suppose it's a bad habit I'm going to have to break," Shinji pushed her back against a wall, and kissed her again, not letting go of her hand as he deepened the kiss. After a moment, Kirara pulled away, her eyes opening as she frowned, confused.

"What the hell is that?" she asked in a flat tone.

"What's what?" Shinji asked, but his devious smirk betrayed him. "This?" he stuck out his tongue, and Kirara tried not to react, but her eyes widened slightly as the ringed piercing glinted in the fading sunlight.

"That's...creepy," Kirara told him, looking away from it.

"You're more innocent than I thought," Shinji chuckled as she avoided his gaze, her cheeks mottling pink.

"Am not..." she muttered, and her blush grew as he used his free hand to angle her head and make her look at him again. "I..." her voice failed as he leaned in close, only for her to turn her head so his lips brushed her cheek. "No way. That thing is creepy," Kirara said firmly, but there was mischief in her eyes.

"Oh...really?" Shinji raised an eyebrow at her.

"Really," Kirara nodded, trying to look defiant. It was wiped away when Shinji snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into him. "That...that won't work," she swallowed, but even she didn't believe her words. After fighting her feelings for so long, it was very hard to resist.

"Uhuh..." Shinji's smirk was growing as Kirara went even redder. He could see her resolve fading quickly as he let go of her hand to run his fingers down her jawline. She shivered at the soft touch that stopped at her chin, tilting it up. "Are you sure about that now?" his voice was quiet as Kirara swallowed, neither looking away from the other.

"Oh, shut the hell up and kiss me already," she groaned, making him chuckle with his victory.

"My my, so demanding," he breathed, finally closing the gap between them.

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