Chapter 3- A New Life Begins

I arrived in this new world. This place known as Soul Society. I've been wandering around for quite a while now with nowhere to go. Where's some help when you need it? And I found myself wearing a white kimono with a black sash. This works out perfectly for me because these are my two favorite colors.

Later that day I started to realize that I was getting hungry. But the soul reaper I met earlier told me that you only get hungry when you have a lot of spiritual energy. But, where can I find food? I don't even have a clue about how I'm supposed to get around this place.

After about another 30 minutes of walking around whatever district I was sent to, I believe it was Rukon District 64 someone told me, I smelt some food nearby and decided to take a look. I went around a couple corners until I finally reached the source of the smell. There were some stands with some people standing around them. Some were selling food; others were selling other types of items.

I wish I could have some of that food. It smelled so delicious. I went up to the nearest food stand and picked up a roll and stared at it. It was tempting just to take one bite out of it. But I don't have any money to pay for it.

"Put that roll down!" the man selling the food snapped as he slapped the roll out of my hand. "Little twerps like you don't need food. Enless you have money like the rest of my customers, you can't have any of my food!" He turned me around and gave me a light shove. I walked a couple feet away and started to think of a plan. It was useless to go back, but I couldn't just let myself starve. I knew it was a bad thing to do, and I was taught better, but it left me one choice. I had to steal food.

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I kept running away holding the rolls in my arms trying to escape the man I had made angry. Stealing wasn't the worst of it, but the crowd of angry salesmen and customers was. I didn't think I was going to make it this far so I don't really have a plan on how I'm going to escape. I ducked around corners and made a bunch of shortcuts until I finally lost the mob. I sighed and plopped myself into a sitting position on the ground and started to dig in. The rolls were delicious, but I feel guilty for having to steal them. But it has to be done, because it's for survival right?

That night I had no clue where I was supposed to stay. Was there a shelter of some kind? Or did I have to make one myself? I was too tired and exhausted of the days events and fell asleep on the spot. I dreamed of a better life with friends and food. There was no stealing or anything bad. It was peaceful.

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In the morning I woke up, stretched, and remembered that there was no one to say good morning to, or anyone to make me breakfast. And I was still hungry from the night before. I decided I had to give stealing food another shot. Hopefully today would be better.

I strolled back through the district, scavenging for good food. There wasn't much to choose from. I saw more rolls, some onigiri, and some fruits and veggies. I considered trying to get all three, but it was too risky. So I took my chances at getting the onigiri, which was probably the best choice I've made ever since I got here. I ate as I ran, trying not to let eating slow me down. When I finished eating, I was still being chased, so it was time I made my escape. I ran on and on, taking shortcuts, dodging fists, getting called bad names, and then after a while I didn't notice that they stopped chasing me, so I kept on running. I reached a three-way intersection and then the shock of my life happened.

Right when I got to the middle of the intersection, a boy about my age, maybe older, ran into me, probably after stealing some food too. But that's not the shocking part. What happened was that right before he ran into me I looked at him. After our clash we hit the ground, him on top of me…his lips touching mine. (Yeah I know I'm only three years old) It was an accident so I don't think it meant anything, but there was one thing that was caught in my mind. I felt this spark, like a connection between the two of us. It made me think of fate, it felt like we were meant to meet each other.

He scrambled up off of me, back up to his feet, and offered me his hand to help me up. I gladly accepted, but after I was back on my feet he turned around and tried running away. I saw right through him and grabbed his wrist on his right hand.

"Wait!" I yelled. "I want to ask you something!" I turned him around and saw his face clearly for the first time.

"I'm so sorry!" he blurted, "It was an accident! I swear!" I saw him blush a little as he broke eye contact with me.

"No, don't worry, it's okay. I promise." I said in the calmest, least embarrassed way. I blushed a little like he did. "I just wanted to ask you what your name was." His face…I've seen him before around here.

"My name? It's Shuhei. Shuhei Hisagi'" he answered. "Now tell me your name." He looked back up into my eyes as if he finally found a friend. I'm sure I looked the same way.

"Izume. Izume Shiba," I replied. "Would you like to be friends with me?" I looked at him with a gentle smile like my mom used to do when she met someone for the first time.

"Like what do you mean by friends? You know, after what just happened?" Shuhei said in a shy tone. "You mean like boyfriend and girlfriend?"

I almost laughed at his question but held it back. "No, silly! We're way too young for that!" I started to tease him, "But when we grow up if you're still willing to do that we can!" I giggled.

"Oh shut up!" he yelled defensively, "It's not gonna ever happen…" he yanked his wrist from my grasp. "But we can be friends though."

He smiled a cheerful smile at me, and I smiled for the first time since I got to the Soul Society. A new path unfolds ahead of me. And I know my life will get a whole lot better starting today.