Kia's First day

I walked through the long halls on the Squad barracks until I reached the patio outside. All the other Squad Members were talking with each other and I just made my way to a corner. I lay there against the wall, waiting to be ignored. But that didn't happen.

- Hey you... You're that girl from the academy... - He chucked. - I wonder how did you made your way out of it. You were one of the weakest ones.

All the other squad members laughed. I just ignored every single one of them, closing my eyes in displeasure.

- But taking a closer look at you... I think I know how you got out. - He chuckled once more, moving his hand towards my arm. - We should hang out.

In a quick movement, I opened my eyes, slapping his hand away in the process.

- Don't you dare to touch me... - I said, my voice showing anger.

- Like you could do something about it. - He attempted to grab my arm once more by force.

- I said... - I started to release my reiatsu, as a cold aura like ice started to form around my body. - Don't touch me! - I slapped him in the face, my hand so cold that he got the feeling his skin was burned by the contact.

All of the squad members that were around watching backed off, as did the guy I slapped. His left cheek was somewhat burned and he was holding it in pain.

Great... This was such a good start...

I sighed as I decided to move away from the place I was, walking silently to the squad's garden. There, I sat near the lake. I was beginning to froze from the sudden reiatsu release so I just closed my eyes and waited till Kurohane accepted my request and allowed my bracelet to work as a small blood heater. The sun was out in the sky and helped my skin return to the right temperature. As soon as I began to feel more warm I took a deep breath.

How can I return to the patio? How can I face the other squad members now? What a mess.

- Are you okay? I saw what happened back there...

I looked back only to find a fellow squad member holding two papers and looking at me. He was tall, well built, with warm brown eyes and a brown hair, showing a few shades of orange. He didn't looked scared at all like the others squad members were.

Don't tell me he is pitting me...

I gave him a look. He just laughed.

I clinched my fist and I got up.

- Now you listen Mr., you have no right to come here and -

I couldn't finish my sentence. He just moved his hand towards my head and patted me lightly.

- No need to go all violent on me. I was just joking with you.- He smiled and handed me a paper. - I took the liberty of bringing you the paper with your first squad duties.

- Oh... Thank you. - I smiled lightly and took the paper off his hand.

I studied the paper carefully and I frowned.

- What kind of squad duties is this?! "You are invited to proudly take care of all the cleaning duties of our squad", are they kidding me? I'm not going to wash man's clothes! That's so yucky!

He laughed again and smiled.

- You're really funny Hansha. Don't worry, I won't let you clean other man's clothes...

- You won't? May I ask you how? - I crossed my arms over my chest.

- I'm your partner on this assignment. And I'll gladly take care of the man's clothes for you with one condition...

- What condition?

- You have to clean my clothes. - He winked.

Oh boy...

- You have to be kidding... I'm not going to clean your clothes! When I said "man's clothes", I was including yours too!

- Well, it's your own choice... If you accept my deal, you'll only have to clean my clothes. If you refuse, you'll have to clean all of the man's clothes... I noticed a few here are like pigs...

- Argh! Fine! We have a deal then...

He put a victorious smirk on this face and I frowned again. He showed me his hand and I shake it to close the deal. And that when I noticed something odd...

We looked at each other for a few minutes and then we both pulled our hands away.

- How rude of me... I didn't even introduce myself. - He said, smiling. - My name is Hatsu, Hatsu Nikkō.

- Why does your name sound so familiar to me? - I asked him. - From where I know you?

- Maybe from your dreams, Kia.

- Why did you called me that? Only my closest friends or my Captain call me that...

- To be honest... I have no clue. - He scratched his head. - I had the feeling I should call you that.

- I see...

God, I'm so confused...

- I would like to call you Kia, if that's okay for you. It's way shorter... Like you. - He smirked.

Good way to ruin the mood you idiot...

- I'm warning you, one more joke about my height and I'm kill you dead! Understood? - I glared at him with my deadly look.

- Sorry, sorry. It's just too funny to see you mad. Your face makes me laugh.

- Insert smack noise here -

- Oie! That hurt!

- I warned you pretty boy. Now let's go, we have work to do.

I made my way towards him and inside the squad barracks. He stayed outside for a bit holding his cheek and then came inside.

God, she's dangerous...

-----

Note:
Violet colored talks / thoughts (italic) - Kia
Orange colored talks / thoughts (italic) - Hatsu
Blue colored italic lines - Shirohane (Hatsu zanpakuto)
Red colored italic lines - Kurohane (Kia's zanpakuto)

We got all the equipment we needed to start cleaning the Squad barracks. Our first task was cleaning the floor that leads to the garden. So here we are on our knees, rubbing the floor...

- Man this is tough... This floor is so dirty.

- Don't tell me you were expecting this floor to be "slightly" dirty...

- I kinda was... - He smirked.

- You're such a lazy, aren't you?

- I'm certainly not.

- Right...

Like I would believe that...

The day came to an end pretty fast. Hatsu and I manage to finish all the tasks that were required in record time, so we got some free time before dinner. We sat down on the Squad's garden, near the lake, in total silence.

- Are you cold Kia? It's getting pretty chilly.

- I'm never cold. I AM the cold. - I chuckled.

- I know if it wasn't that bracelet of yours, you would freeze to death... - He smirked. - So don't act all tough. I have this too. - He showed me his necklace. - Once in a while I get way too hot. This helps keeping me in the right temperature.

- Our zanpakutos are opposites. I never heard about such things... We must really had some sort of connection in the past hum? - I said, looking into the beautiful full moon.

- I guess. Too bad I don't remember anything from my past life, besides have this really awful father who left me and my mother behind.

- Oh, I'm sorry to hear about it... My father was not that good as well. He gave me for adoption.

- He did that? And your mother? She didn't protect you?

- My mother died after giving birth to me...

A awkward silence remain between us. He knew he touched a frail and painful subject and he had no clue how to approach it. I had no clue what should I say, so we remain silent.

I think I hit a painful memory of her past... Who am I to simply walk into her life, take a few steps in her heart and hit a past's wound? I shouldn't be able to do something like that. I shouldn't be able, not without her telling me I am able.

Why is he so quiet? Why is this silence consuming me? Why...? I don't know what to say, what to do... Shall I just excuse myself and leave? No, he would mentally blame himself for hurting me. What should I do... It hurts. This silence hurts more than words...

I took a deep breath and looked at him.

- Hatsu...

- Listen Kia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't had touch on the subject.

- You had no clue about it. Don't go blame yourself. Besides... It's all in the past right? I have this new life now, and I'm happy with it.

I smiled at him and he smiled back. After that we randomly talked about things we liked and things we disliked. He laughed every time he knew he was hitting my nerves and I couldn't help it but smile.

Such a baka...

A squad member appeared and told us to join the Squad's welcome dinner. Hatsu got up all excited and helped me up. I was really not in the mood to join the other members, so I stayed at the same place while Hatsu walked happily towards the barracks. He stopped when he felt I was not following him, and turned to face me.

- What's wrong Kia? Aren't you hungry? If you're not, I can keep you company. I'm not in a urge to eat.

- I AM hungry. I just...- I turned my eyes away from him. - I can't face the other squad member, not after what happened...

- I see... Oh, I got it. Wait here, okay?

I nodded and he left, running inside the barracks.

I stayed quiet at the same place for a few minutes, wondering where he went. Shaking my head, I sat down again near the lake, playing with the water. When I heard footsteps, I turned my head to see who was it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing... Hatsu had brought some sort of towel, food, water and even plates. He placed the towel on the floor and started to set things up.

- You didn't have to do that...

- Of course I had. I couldn't let my partner starve to death or I would have to clean it all on my own... Including my clothes.

He smirked, I just raised my eyebrows and twitched.

Dinner went quiet. I was wondering what excuse he had given to everyone to be able to bring all the things outside. I stared at his face for a few minutes, trying to figure out something that would gave me a hint.

- Why are you staring at me like that... midget? - He lifted his eyes to meet mine and pronounced the last word with satisfaction written all over his face.

- First of all, don't call me midget again or I'll beat you up. Second... What excuse you gave to the squad members to bring the food outside?

- Oh that... It was easy. I told them I liked you and I wanted to treat you with a romantic dinner... And I think I mentioned I wanted you drunk enough to...

I spit my drink on him and move my cold hand towards his face. He grabbed my hand quickly and hold the my other one, just in case.

- Calm down Kia! I was just joking I swear!

- That was not a nice joke you pervert!

- I know, please calm down. I swear I was only joking. I told them you were not feeling that good and you needed to stay outside, to get some fresh hair. I'm sorry I was really only joking...

I sighed and calmed myself. Hatsu spent all night saying sorry for his "joke" and I couldn't stop wondering why guys could be so... rude. At 9 pm, I said goodbye to Hatsu and started making my way home.

First day was a total blast...