Beta-reader: Terror-Of-The-Crimson-Night

Chapter: Two – Soul Society

Type: Story – Incomplete

Word Count: 1,071

Disclaimer: If you've heard of it before, then it's obviously not mine.

..:Xx0o0xX:..

I couldn't believe my eyes. Soul Society is huge.

Matsumoto (who insists I call her Rangiku or Ran) had mostly explained what her captain didn't. Ice Cube (who I learned is actually Hitsugaya, Toushiro) only interjected when Rangiku exaggerated or said something that wasn't true. I also learned that Ran loves getting under Hitsugaya's skin, but I don't blame her. It's quite fun.

I never really picked and poked at Sasuke, so I never learned how fun it could be. Actually, I think Hitsugaya is different than Sasuke.. Sure I still love Sasuke like family, but Hitsugaya is different, there is a different feeling that swells when he is around. Nothing like the feeling that swelled around Sasuke. Hitsugaya also is most definitely more tolerant than Sasuke.

Alright, enough comparisons. Wait, just one more, Soul Society has to be at least twice as big as Konoha.

Konoha…

No! I made the right choice. I'll be happier…but I didn't even leave a note. I just…left. So did Sasuke. Dang it! ENOUGH!!

"So, uh…what happens now?" I asked, done with standing around gapping like a fish out of water and wanting desperately to occupy my thoughts.

"Now, Cherry," She insists I need a nickname of some sort, but she didn't finish, she let Hitsugaya do that for her.

"We are going to take you to Yamamoto Captain-Commander to see where he wants you to start off." And he did.

I nodded understandingly. Yamamoto Captain-Commander is the first captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Captains or the Gotei Thirteen. The Gotei thirteen, as the name says, is made up of thirteen captains. Every Shinigami, or Death God, is part of one of those Squads. Ran and Hitsugaya are part of the 10th squad, or as they call it division. It's really different form the three man cells I'm used to. Hitsugaya is actually the captain and Ran is his lieutenant. Which means no matter how they look or act, they are strong.

Hitsugaya seems like a teenager though. While Rangiku is so optimistic and rambunctious. It just doesn't seem possible, but being a Kunoichi has taught me to look underneath the underneath and not to underestimate people's abilities just because of age or demeanor. I'm a prime example.

So I padded silently behind them, simply wanting to get a good look around my new home.

And I suppose I should get all these thoughts out of my head. Like how I simply left my home village, even though I wasn't even allowed to try and help it. How I'll probably never see my comrades or friends again. Neither Sasuke nor Naruto will ever get to see how I've grown. Most of the rules are going to change, but on the other hand. This is a whole new world, and with it, a whole new start for me. A new chance for comrades and friends. The ability to become even stronger.

They say the hardest part of holding on is learning to let go. I wonder if that means the hardest part of letting go is holding on.

"Hey, Cherry." Ran stated, snapping me out of my reviere.

"Yeah?"

"Where did you learn to be so silent?"

"Oh, I'm a jonin, it's habit to be silent."

"I see, so then you're pretty strong." Strong? If I'm so strong, why are both my teammates gone. Why can't I get them back? Why can't I endure even two months of solitude? I'm not strong at all

Still I answered, "I suppose…"

"Then you'll make seat in no time." Make seat? What does that mean? I didn't get to ask though, Ran just kept going "Oh, maybe you'll be in the 10th division with us! Wouldn't that be great?!"

Ow. She's as loud as Naruto, and Shishou, and Ino, too come to think of it. Is there a big sign on my forehead saying, 'I love loud people! Talk to me!' or what? "Yeah, that'd be swell. "What's a seat by the way?"

"Oh right," Ran started, but again Hitsugaya finished for her.

"A seated officer is one of the eight seats below lieutenant. So technically Captain is 1st seat, lieutenant is 2nd seat and from there it goes to 10th seat. All other shinigami are unseated officers."

Oh, so she thinks I'm strong enough to be in the top ten in a division. That's really optimistic of her, considering I'm not to great with a sword. I found myself nodding in understanding. "I see, that makes sense. Thank you for the explanation." He nodded his acknowledgement. I swear it's like I'm finding my closest friends in all new people.. But they're not my closest friends, they're different and I shouldn't see them that way. It's not fair to them at all. "And Ran, I'm flattered that you think I'd be able to accomplish that type of rank, but I'm no good with a sword or anything. I like using my hands or knives."

But the strawberry haired woman just smiled and shook her head, "Oh no, trust me, I've seen some of your jonins, that's what we expect of our seated officers. And have you tried using a sword?"

I though for a moment, "Well, not really…"

"Then I'll practice with you. And just because we have swords doesn't mean we don't use other means of weaponry."

Hitsugaya nodded. "She's right. She may be loud, but she's sharp when it comes to capability."

I glanced in between the two, still uncertain. I nodded anyway, "If you say so…"

"I do sa–"

"We're here."

"Captain, cutting people off is rude."

"Starting arguments that have no point to them is a waste of time.."

I raised an eyebrow and I couldn't help but laugh at Ran's pouting face and Hitsugaya's frowning one, not to mention they're pointless argument. They both turned to me, "What's funny?"

"You two remind of my best friends. They used to bicker like the two of you are right now."

Hitsugaya blinked, "I see." He obviously didn't know how to respond to me now.

"Really? Then I bet we are going to be best friends, too."

Yeah, if I can ever stop comparing Soul Society to Konoha.

I nodded, "but of course." I smiled as bright as I could.

My sincerest apologies. I know it's been forever since I updated. And it's a short chapter too.... But if I didn't post something it would have taken a lot longer. I'm already working on the next one. Again sorry for the long wait for a short chapter, the next one will be a whole lot longer. Promise. Review please. Criticism is forever welcome.