Chapter Three: Welcome to the Soul Society

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or Naruto!

Sakura opened her eyes, feeling disoriented but not in the way that made her panic. No, instead she felt a longing to see a face...anyone's face...

"Sakura."

She turned to see Yoruichi standing by the door of the living quarters.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you." She replied, sitting up and brushing her grimy hair away from her face.

"Let's find you a shower and a hot meal." The shape-shifter replied.

Yoruichi closed the screen of the bathroom behind her.

"So, what do you think?" She said, not bothering to face Urahara.

"She seems to be doing well. Some fresh air and some food will only serve to improve her condition." Kisuke replied.

"That't not what I meant." Yoruichi said with a slight pitch in her voice--the only indication she was anxious.

"I know." He smiled, "And I don't know anymore than you do."

"Very well." She sighed.

"Yoruichi, find her some breakfast. I have an errand to run." He said suddenly as he swept out of the room.

She was confused, but did as she was asked. Glancing back at the bathroom for a moment, she leapt onto the railing and faded into the air.

Sakura wrapped a towel around her bare breasts and pulled her underwear on. Letting the towel drop, she slid into her shirt and skirt-short combo. Lacing her boots up her legs, she slid her gloves back into her hip holster and stepped lightly out of the room.

Closing the door behind her to prevent steam from leaking into the adjacent rooms, she took a seat at a nearby table and waited.

A short time later, Yoruichi appeared with a bowl of rice and vegatables. Setting it down, she motioned for Sakura to eat.

"Urahara wanted you to have these." She added, smiling as she pushed an wrapped parcel at the kunoichi.

Sakura hesitated.

"Go on. Open it." The princess replied.

Nodding, Sakura undid the tie and spread the brown paper flaps back. Lifting the garment from its paper, she was suprised to find it was an outfit nearly identical to the kind that the majority of the soul reapers wore. But her's was different: The bodice piece was comprised of alternating layers of rushed fabric and the sides nipped in gently at the waist before flairing out at the waist and the edging was blue, as was the sash that accompanied it.

Standing, Yoruichi said, "It's time we see what you can do. Meet me at the training grounds in an hour."

"Please! Wait a moment!" Sakura called, running up behind Uryu.

"Hello." He replied, turning to face her.

Sakura took a moment to catch her breath before standing fully erect and saying, "My name is Haruno Sakura and I just wanted to thank you."

Taking her hand, he replied, "My name is Ishida Uryu."

"If you don't mind my asking, I noticed you don't carry a katana like the other reapers, a zanpaktu I think it was called..." She trailed off.

"That's because I'm a Quincy." He chuckled.

Sakura glanced at a clock.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed, "I'm sorry, I have to go!"

She waved as she ran in the opposite direction, realizing how late she was.

Uryu waved back, smiling to himself.

"I'm so sorry!" Sakura cried, bowing as she found Yoruichi.

"It's fine," The Reaper assured her, "I just got here myself."

"But now," She added, standing from her recline on a tree branch, "I want you to fight these three Academy students. A simple exhibition match for you, training for them."

Sakura nodded, eager to prove herself. Taking the place Yoruichi directed, she wasted no time when the signal was given: Charging the inexperienced trio, she drilled her fist into the ground.

Thrown by the unfamiliar attack, they were quickly scattered, losing each other in the dusty haze that Sakura's attacks so often caused.

"Pull it together!" The girl screamed, aiming her fingers at Sakura, "Kido Thirty-four, Red Light Cannon!"

Sakura jumped as she evaded the glowing orb, tossing several shuriken as she twisted to avoid the attack.

"Behind you!"

Looking up, she thought quickly: Pushing off against the air, she spun--letting the attack fall away harmlessly, she arched her back, sending her spiraling head first at the ground.

'Art of the Vortex Vengeance.'

Releasing several weapons, she formed the seals for their shadow clone counterparts.

"Watch out!" The third student called as the weapons tore at them.

Reacting, he shouted, "Kido Four: Repulsion Reflection."

Based on the name, Sakura knew her attack was about to be channeled back. But rather than fight it, she let her hands slip into a familiar set of seals.

Kawamiri no Jutsu.

"She disappeared!" The girl cried as Sakura's clone was destroyed.

"Not quite."

They spun as Sakura pulled her arm back...but seconds before the finishing attack could be landed her keirakukei fluttered and her chakra control faltered. Falling to one knee, she realized she was spent.

"Enough." Yoruichi said, intervening to prevent the battle from escalating any further.

She pulled the students aside and praised them as she advised them in areas they needed to work on.

"What happened?" Sakura asked as the goddess approached her.

"You're new to this world. Give your body time to adjust." She replied as she helped the kunoichi to her feet.

"We have much to discuss, Haruno Sakura." She added.

TBC