Surviving the Soul Society

Chapter one – Unusual Happenings

If there were no cherry blossoms in the world,
My mind would be peaceful.

"Earth to Sakura! Are you alive in there?"

Sakura's head jerked up off the desk and she looked around wildly for a moment, before noticing her friend Hana standing in front of her. She sighed in annoyance and laid her head back on the desk. "Go away... I'm tired."

Hana slammed the books she was carrying down onto the wood, adjusted her glasses, placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath.

"Well if you didn't realise, we have a history report due next week, and we haven't even started. On top of that you said that 'you were going to do research in the library'; and here I find you asleep! Again!"

"S'not my fault. Don't be so uptight. I've been busy."

"Doing what?"

"Homework"

Hana's eyes narrowed. "I see. So you were rushed for time because you were spending your afternoons watching anime, instead of doing work, weren't you? Well, which one was it this time?"

Sakura grinned despite herself. "Bleach."

Hana sighed and ran her hand through her long black hair, "and how many times have you watched that?"

"Dunno, lost count."

"Sakura, you are fifteen years old, and we are going to start year 12 before you know it. So now is the time to start setting goals for yourself and working hard. If you put your mind to it, you could actually do well at school." Hana sat down, "You can't keep relying on me for your midnight cram sessions. And although I do like Anime, I prioritize my studies beforehand."

"Speaking of which, are you going to the anime festival tonight?"

Hana glared at her, "Don't try and change the subject."

Sakura chuckled at her friend's sudden anger. Hana was always trying to get her on track with her work. It never seemed to process thoroughly though.

Hana started sorting through her algebra notes. "Fine then; if that's how you want to be. Is Ryuu coming?"

"If you're talking about my idiot kid brother; then no, definitely not."

"Honestly; If Ichigo Kurosaki came over to ask for my hand in marriage, he would slam the door in his face and tell him to 'rack off'. The only thing he does nowadays is make constant remarks about how short I am."

"Ouch..."

"Yeah, he's starting to remind me of Ulquiorra."

"What, the Espada?"

"Yeah," Sakura sighed, "Anyway, what time do we meet up at the festival?"

Hana twirled a lock of her black hair around her fingers, "Uh, How about...Sixish?"

"Awesome."

The bell suddenly began to peal out its annoying, repetitive notes, and all around them people around them began to jostle each other as they tried to crowd between the shelves.

"Hey! Sakura! Hana!"

They both spun around and saw Masato waving. He flicked his tousled blonde hair out of his eyes and grinned, "Yo, Sakura. Did you get my E-mail last night?"

Sakura lifted her head far enough of the desk to affix him with a piercing glare, "If you're referring to the 'pictures' then yes, I got them. And I must say, you, Masato Takeo have no respect for anime."

He shrugged, his ever – present smile annoying her to the point of extreme.

"So what class do we have next Masato?" This was from peace-maker Hana.

"Trigonometry."

Sakura groaned inwardly, but picked up her books and followed them both outside.

Sakura closed and locked the door behind her, the dead bolt slipping through with a loud click.

"I'm Home!"

The silence that enveloped her statement was stifling.

"Gee, don't I feel loved…"

She yawned and clomped upstairs to her room. She opened the door and dropped her bag on the floor with a muted thud. Then, after kicking off her shoes, she flopped on her bed and picked up her kon plushie, hugging it to her chest.

Ryuu has started ignoring me to the extreme, and mums always working… It's a good thing there's an anime festival being held in the square with a 'traditional samurai-sorta' theme tonight. I really need to have some fun.

She sighed and hugged Kon tighter. A movement by the door caught her eye, and she noticed Ryuu leaning against the door frame, staring at her.

Sakura glared at him, "What's your problem?"

Ryuu shrugged and blinked, "Aren't you a little old for teddy bears, midget?"

Idiot, pain in the bum twelve year old… "For your information, he's a lion. And don't you have somewhere better to be?"

Ryuu snickered and rolled his eyes, "Whatever." He disappeared from her sights and she heard him walk down the stairs, back into the living room, switching on the T.V and turning up the volume.

A high pitched beeping sound disrupted her thoughts and she leapt off her bed. Her laptop's screen was flashing and when she clicked her mouse, an E-mail icon popped up. Grinning she opened it.

Soz bout 2day – I waz jus tryin 2 push ur buttonz! Lol. Anywayz I will c u 2nite da Anime Festival! (Yes I am cumin) MST0 3

Sakura shook her head in annoyance. Masato confused her sometimes. They had been friends since kinder garden and he always seemed to know the best way to cheer her up. She'd only met Hana in year 6, but had become close friends quickly.

She closed her laptop and went over to her closet.

Hana idly munched on an onigiri as Masato and Sakura argued.

"Byakuya is a jerk! He tried to kill Rukia; I don't see how you like him!"

"But he's so cool, and his Bankai is awesome! Plus everyone knows about the promise he made..."

Masato sighed, "You used to hate him too. I mean, he's so cold and unemotional."

"Well, he's not my favourite character."

"Well then, who is?"

Sakura thought for a moment, "Okay... my top five are... Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Grimmjow and Byakuya. Although not necessarily in that order."

"Hey Sakura! Over here!"

Turning around they both realised that Hana was no longer behind them. They then saw that she was standing at one of the stalls to their far right. She was engrossed in a conversation with the sales guy.

Sakura walked over and looked at the wares. She almost fan girl squealed as she realised most of it was Bleach related. Urahara's hat was there, as well as Chappy items, key rings, necklaces and an assortment of other merchandise.

Sakura immediately went over to and sighted a Chappy plush and a silver bracelet. She glanced over at her friends and saw they were in a heated debate. She chuckled and yanked out her wallet, forking out some notes to pay for the two items.

"I'll just have these two."

The stall owner smiled at her and nodded, taking the money and handing the items over.

"That bracelet is the first and only one I've sold, it's very rare."

He smiled again and picked up a newspaper, turning to the headline on the front page.

That guy's starting to remind me of Urahara...

"Thanks."

She clipped the bracelet around her wrist and stuffed chappy in her pocket. She turned it around and looked at it properly.

There were seven silver charms dangling off it. A bright silver Zangetsu twirled along with Ichigo's hollow mask, the number 6, Sodeno Shiriyuki, a small hell butterfly, a substitute soul reaper badge and a character in kanji.

"Awesome..."

She pocketed her change and turned to ask what the others had brought, when suddenly her phone buzzed in her pocket, screeching out the first verse of asterisk. Masato and Hana turned and stared at her as she whisked her mobile out of her pocket and checked the screen.

Mum

She sighed, "I'll just go and take this call outside, and then I'll come back. It's too loud in here. Wait for me."

They nodded and both turned back to the 'Mr Urahara guy'.

Sakura sprinted outside from the convention centre in the middle of the square, and found herself standing in the rain. She hissed in annoyance as a drop of water hit her in the eye. Her phone rang again and she answered it.

"Hi, Mum. How are you?"

Static

She closed her phone and glanced at the flashing words on the glowing screen.

No Signal

That's strange... I was sure it was working before. Maybe the battery's running out...

Suddenly the rain increased and she turned to go back inside. Only to see there was nothing behind her anymore. There was just a long stretch of path, surrounded by walls on either side. Sakura froze in the middle of the pathway as panic welled up inside her.

Okay...relax. Don't start running around like a gibbering idiot. This place looks familiar... so I can't be that lost. I probably just ran a bit further than I thought. I just need to find someone to tell me where I am...

She slowly began to jog in the general direction of where she thought the convention was. By now the rain was bucketing down so hard, that she could barely see where she was going. Which is why she ended up running into whoever was standing in front of her. They were about the same height, so she ended up bashing her forehead against the other person's skull.

She yelped and rubbed her forehead as she apologised and whoever she had hit turned to look at her in surprise.

"Ah, I'm sorry! Do you by any chance happen to know the wa-"

"Who are you?"

Sakura bristled inwardly at the surprised/wary/angry tone of the stranger.

"Hey! That's rude! You should at least an-"

She froze as she heard a metallic rasp and felt cold steel press against her throat.

"Again I ask; who are you?" The voice was deadly serious this time.

"M-m-my name is S-sakura and I-I-I think I'm lost. Can you help me?"

Lightning flashed overhead and illuminated the strangers face. Her blood ran cold.

Either I'm dreaming, or that is someone wearing a really good costume...

Her mouth felt dry, but she swallowed anyway and continued, "A-a-and may I ask what your n-name is?"

The person smirked, "I am Toshiro Hitsugaya, 10th Captain of the 13 court guard squads." He pressed his zanpakto harder against her throat, "and you, lowly Ryoka, are coming with me."

Yes, this is my new fanfic. My other one kinda...died. But this one will definitely continue.

I will try to update every week if I get a chance.

Anyways, have fun reading!

Fullmetalshadowolf