Chapter 2: Meeting Death
Sakura sat up and looked behind her. She saw herself, pale and lifeless. Realization hit her, "I'm dead," she whispered as she stood up. When she moved, she heard a chain rattle and she looked down, square in the middle of her chest a chain was connected to her sternum, a few links were still attached. She looked back to Naruto. She watched as he picked up her lifeless body and headed east, back toward Konohagakure.
Two days later, her funeral was held. She hid in the trees and watched as her friends and family bid their last farewells. She watched as her name was carved into the black memorial stone. Eventually each of her friends left one by one leaving a red rose at the base of the stone until only Naruto was left. She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them again, there was a man standing behind Naruto.
It was odd because she'd never met him before so she couldn't fathom why he would attend her funeral. He was wearing a black kimono and a white haori with the kanji for "six" on his back. He had long black hair that was pinned up with some sort of clip. A blue scarf was wrapped around his neck and an ornate but worn katana was at his side. He was headed directly toward Sakura.
"Who are you?" she asked showing no hint of emotion.
"I am a shinigami," he said in an arrogant, yet emotionless voice, "my name however, is none of your concern. You won't remember any of this in the Soul Society anyway."
'CHAAAA! WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS?' her inner roared in her mind.
"Shinigami? You mean a death god?" she asked, trying not to sound too skeptical, and what's a Soul Society?"
"You'll find out soon enough," he said as he raised his sword so that the hilt was level with her forehead.
"Wait!"She said quickly, looking toward Naruto, "at least let me say goodbye."
Sakura crept up behind Naruto and fell to her knees. She wrapped her arms lightly around his neck and shoulders.
"Remember, I'll always believe in you," she whispered onto his ear, as a single tear slid down her cheek. She wiped at it furiously as she stood up. She ran back to the safety of the trees before she could completely break down.
"All right, shinigami-sama," she said, wondering if the arrogant bastard really deserved her respect," I'm ready."
He said nothing as he once again raised his arm and touched the hilt of his sword to her forehead and her world went dark.