Hello all! I swear I wrote this chapter ten different ways! Ack! I eventually came up with this one. I might change some aspects later but I might not…It all depends how I want the next chapter to proceed. I like how this chapter begins and ends, I just really struggled with HOW to get to the ending I want. Ack! (rips hair out).

Disclaimer: The Dragonball Franchise and Bleach, their characters, settings, etc., belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc. belong to ME.

Chapter 12: Apology

Kira was excited, truly excited when she woke up Friday morning. She had never been excited for a birthday before. It felt nice…

Ready for school she entered the hallway, heading to the kitchen for breakfast. The plan was for Videl and Pan to meet Kira and her three friends at the academy's gates and it was a ten minute car ride to Capsule Corporations, where Gohan would meet them along with anyone else invited. Kira had a feeling it would only be the Sons and Bulma as the other members of the…Group, didn't seem all that inclined to do something as wild as celebrating a birthday. Piccolo hadn't said anything about it but Kira knew he would come, mostly to watch over his goddaughter Pan.

Kira expected school to drag on…That wasn't the case. Everyone wished her a grand birthday; even her whole class sang the birthday song to her. It was hard for Kira to not break down and shed a tear. Was all of this Gohan's doing? She doubted it. Still though, it felt nice to be celebrated with gusto.

As planned, Videl was at the gate in the family car. Rukia-San and Hinamori-San cooed over little Pan who loved the attention she was getting. Hanataro-San was his usual worried self, though he was more jumpier than usual, his eyes darting around every five seconds.

The party was being held in the main garden area, of which had been decorated for a party. Bulma pulled out all the stops for this one, including adding a huge buffet where Kira's godfather, Goku, was already stuffing his face. Gohan waved them down as he saw them approach.

"Hey!" He came over and grabbed Pan from his wife. "Welcome!" He smiled at Kira's friends who gave audible thanks for being invited. As Kira predicted, only the Son family was here, along with Piccolo. It was surprising to see Bulma's husband there in a corner, away from everyone. Present but distant as always.

Kira was immediately bombarded by Goten and Trunks, the two each gripping an arm and practically dragging her to the cake table. There a three tier cake with all the trimmings was on display, sixteen candles scattered about.

"Gohan told me you never had a true birthday." Bulma came up to Kira, also smiling. "We had to pull out the stops!"

In a bit of a stunned voice, Kira said,"This is…"

"A bit much? This is far from a bit much." Bulma grinned. "Enjoy yourself now!"

The afternoon was spent with light games and opening presents, something Kira wasn't expecting in the least. Already she was getting what she asked for…smiles…Everyone was smiling all around, even Piccolo had a slight smirk on his face.

Kira excused herself for a minute, took a deep breath away from the small crowd.

"You okay, Kira-Chan?" It was Rukia-san that approached her, concern clearly written on her face.

"Yeah…Just a bit…Overwhelmed." Kira watched Trunks and Goten play their official favorite game, trying to get Hanataro-San to scream. "I've…Never really had a birthday like this…"

Rukia-san smiled. "I hope it is the best one…" She grabbed Kira's hand. "Now come on birthday girl, it's time to blow out the candles!"

Kira stood before the three tiered cake while everyone sang her happy birthday. Kira closed her eyes, making a wish. Yet, it wasn't truly a wish that invaded her mind, more of a gratitude statement.

Grandpa…Thank you….

The candles blown out, everyone clapped.

That…Is when she saw him…Standing a bit away from the crowd. Ignoring the stares, Kira rushed through the crowd…Running towards the figure in the distance. She was sure no one could see him, but she could…Clear as day.

Hitsugaya Toushirou.

He looked like he had come from some old period drama, wearing a long white haori over a black hakayama; across his chest was the strap that held a long sheath horizontally from his back. He looked like a samurai, only shorter and more…annoyed. Nearly attached to his right ear was a phone…

The short stature male stared at her, "Sighting confirmed…" A pause and a sigh. "That is not—" He practically tore the phone from his ear, light screaming coming from the receiver. He gave a glare. "You are an idiot…" He practically slammed the phone into his pocket.

"You're…The shadow…" The words came out of her mouth, making the air grow still. It had been him all along…Hitsugaya-San…Had been the shadow that lurked in her drawings…

"Only after the incident occurred." He answered matter of factly. "Your previous guard had not followed protocol…And with your family as it is…It was determined you needed someone stronger with more respect for boundaries."

"Kira-Chan…" Gohan approached.

"Oi!" Goku approached as well. "The heck is going on?"

Kira wasn't listening to them, instead solely Hitsugaya-San was within her focus.

"Why…?" She whispered. "Why…"

He put his hands in his sleeves. "That is something you must ask another." He glanced behind her. "There is more…"

"Kira…" Whipping around, Kira froze. There, standing behind her Gohan and Goku, was Rukia-San, Hinamori-San, and Hanataro-San.

They too, wore black, sans the white jacket.

"Oi! What the hell is going on?" Piccolo's barked order had Kira shake the shock out.

"They…All of them…All of them…They're…"

"Shinigami." Rukia-San approached her. "You can tell them, that we are shinigami."

Kira shook. "There's…Four of them…Shinigami…"

The air became thick.

"Let me make a guess…" Piccolo approached, his eyes only on Kira. "Those friends of yours…correct?"

Goku blinked. "Eh!?"

Kira slowly nodded.

Hitsugaya-San huffed. "This is getting ridiculous…" He looked over Kira's shoulder. "Oi…Take down your shield."

Hinamori blinked. "But—"

"His orders." Hitsugaya-San grumbled then tugged at the sleeve of his white overcoat. Kira watched the other three do the same to their black robes.

An audible gasp hit the garden. Kira looked around and noticed the stares…Everyone was staring, wide eyed…at the four shinigami.

They could see them.

"Whoa…Eh…?" Goku gapped.

"This was a bad idea…" Rukia-san shook her head, sighed and ignored all. "I'm gonna kill him."

"You can't blame him, really…" Hinamori-San frowned.

"Oi! Oi! The hell are you?" Vegeta finally came into the scene, barreling through the light gathering crowd.

Rukia-san raised an eye at him. "None of your business, Vegeta of the Sayajins."

Pause.

"Uh…Wait…" Gohan stammered.

"Enough." Hitsugaya-San ordered with a glare. "He approaches."

All of a sudden, Rukia-San, Hinamori-San, and Hanataro-San joined Hitsugaya-San in small straight lines.

That was the moment…When he came onto the scene.

He was a tall male, lanky but with muscle underneath. He strolled onto the scene in his dark pants and button down shirt like he owned everything in the world. His long orange pony tailed hair swayed behind him in an unnatural wind. Eyes hid behind thick, dark sunglasses. A sheathed sword was at his hip.

Kira gripped onto Gohan who reacted instantly.

"Kira-Chan?" He looked to Kira's shaking form. The girl looked scared and…bewildered?

"Oi…" Gohan looked over at his father. Goku's thin brows formed a line, his eyes set in stone. Gohan knew all too well what that look meant. He took Kira's hand and planned to escort her away when Kira's wavering voice broke the skies.

"Grand…Pa?"

Breath left everyone. Did she just…?

"Hai…" Rukia-San spoke but kept her back towards Kira. "He is your grandfather…Son Kira…" She shook her head then finally turned around, staring at Kira with a stern look. "No…That is not your true name…isn't it, Kurosaki Kira?"

Kira could barely stand, she was holding onto Gohan as if her life depended on it.

Like a procession the male walked through the two lines of shinigami towards Kira. Hard, brown eyes were revealed behind dark sunglasses.

Those eyes soften for a brief moment, grief laced there before it was replaced with the hardness again.

"Kira…" He spoke, the grandfather. "I am sorry."

Before another word could be said, or a breath could be made…

The man stabbed Kira right through the chest, with his katana blade.

Next Time: Shinigami