Hello everyone! I had a crazy weekend thus I could not update! Do not worry! Here it is! Though it's a bit short, it's still pretty good! :D I hope you like it! We are a chapter away from the big reveal! :D I want it to be great! Until then, enjoy!

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

Chapter 11: Smiles

The very fact that Hitsugaya-San hadn't shown up at school yesterday or today confirmed Kira's suspicions and it made her a bit wary. Maybe THAT was the reason he barely interacted with her…To him she was just a mere mortal…Perhaps a target.

These thoughts and more were starting to get on her nerves to the point where anger was beginning to take hold. The black shadow HAD to be a shinigami but it definitely wasn't Hitsugaya-san that practically hounded her sights everywhere outside of school, Kira was sure of it. These days though, the shadow was usually far away, atop the building or in a tree…Far enough away to give her SOME privacy. In fact, ever since the incident at that tournament, the shadow had kept its distance.

"Kira-Chan?" Blinking Hinamori came into view. "You okay?"

"Yeah…Sorry…Just…Lost in thought." Kira sighed. Did they know about Hitsugaya-San? Hinamori-San was going to be heartbroken!

She and her three friends were outside during lunch break, enjoying the breeze. Above Kira noticed a form standing atop the school roof and she knew it to be Piccolo. He was determined to observe the only place the shadow dared not to show, even after she gave him, in full detail, Hitsugaya-san's description.

"Hey…I got an idea!" Rukia-San jumped to her feet. "It's perfect I tell you! PERFECT!"

"Ack! Kuchiki-San! Everyone's staring…" Hanataro-San pouted.

Rukia-San grinned. "I have the grandest idea for Kira-chan's birthday! We can talk to your brother about it and I think it's a great idea! Two birds with one stone!" She plopped down and motioned the three close. "We have Kira-chan's party at Capsule Corporations."

Kira froze. "Um…" Would that even be allowed? Sure Briefs-San had paid for her education…But…Her family wasn't all that…Normal…

"We'll just ask your bro…And if it's not possible we can just do something else." Rukia shrugged.

Kira frowned at her. "How…did you know I'm connected with Capsule Corporations?"

"Are you kidding?" Rukia-san gapped at her. "EVERYONE knows the Sons and the Briefs are like THIS!" She connected her palms together. "Besides, I'm sure your family is planning something BIG anyway! Let's tell your brother what we thought!"

After school, Kira's friends practically bombarded Gohan with their idea. He was actually all for it and even called Bulma Briefs standing there. When he gave a thumbs up, Rukia and Hinamori-San squealed. The friends parted and Gohan and Kira headed home.

"Don't worry," Gohan smiled at her. "We'll make sure your friends don't get a whiff of…Family things…"

"…Thanks…" Kira sighed. "Can this really be happening? Am I actually having a birthday party?"

"Looks like it." Gohan chuckled. "Oh…What would you like for your birthday anyway?" She stopped in her strides and stared at him. "I've been meaning to ask you but…"

"I'm…Not sure really…" She blurted out. "No one's really asked me that before…My grandpa always just gave me a drawing notebook and a cake. Birthdays were usually subdued…And I don't think it was because he didn't want to celebrate…I think…It was because, maybe he didn't know how. Or maybe they were just…painful…" She looked at the sidewalk. "You know…Now that I really think about it…Every time my birthday came around, my grandfather was…a bit distant…I think…I think my birthday made him a little sad."

Gohan frowned. "Kira-Chan…"

"It's okay…" She shook her head. "What I want for my birthday…" She paused. "I want…Smiles…" She blushed in embarrassment. "That sounded so stupid…Sorry, forget I said that."

"It doesn't sound stupid." Gohan came closer. "You want people to be happy…People that are smiling, happy to celebrate you on your special day." He quirked a light grin. "That…we can definitely do."

Arriving at home, Piccolo was the first to greet them, making Kira groan. Ever since Monday's discoveries, he had become a slave driver. Every day, after school, he would practically drag her into the garden and force her to do…Whatever training he decided to do that day. Meditation, light defense, even trying to create small ki balls in her hand. He had told her it was all to help her develop her natural ki in other ways than drawing.

"This is just light stuff." He would grunt. "This weekend prepare for hell on earth."

He had said those words when Gohan informed him the family gathering had been moved to Friday. Piccolo seemed almost delighted by the fact that Kira would be free all weekend. Gohan had promised he would be there as well for Kira's support. She had a feeling Gohan was going to make sure Piccolo didn't go overboard. Somehow or another, Gohan felt quite protective of her. Maybe because he sympathized with her situation? Who knew really…

Thursday twined Wednesday with Kira's school, training, and other family things. Thursday night, Kira nearly slammed into her bed.

Moon was out that night, and from her bedroom window, she could see its glow. Something inside of her told her that Friday was going to be a good day.

Turning over and closing her eyes, Kira welcomed dreams of the smiles Gohan had promised her.

Next Time: Apology