Sakura stepped from the gate and into the human world, her feet landing softly on the hard pavement of Karakura Town. Clothed in black jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a red leather jacket, she carried a large rucksack over one shoulder. Her eyes fell on the figure of a young man leaning against the road railings, appearing to be no more than ten or eleven, with a shock of spiky white hair and striking aquamarine eyes.
Sakura approached him and bowed formally.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
He nodded at her. They'd met before due to Sakura's friendship with his vice-captain, Rangiku Matsumoto, an exuberant woman who was often a foil for the young Captain's serious and stern nature.
"You didn't have to meet me, sir. I know my way around Karakura Town very well."
Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of the 10th division, fixed those icy eyes on her face.
"I've been instructed to keep an eye on you, Takahashi."
Sakura smiled wryly. "By my father or old man Yamamato?"
"Both." He turned and started walking down the quiet street. Sakura followed, matching his fast stride easily with her long legs.
She looked down at the short Shinigami.
"Where are you staying?"
"With Orihime Inoue."
Sakura cocked a pale eyebrow.
"All of you? Even Yumichika and Ikkaku?"
"No. They've been staying with one of Kurosaki's friends; Keigo."
Sakura blinked, recognising the name. He had been the teenager they'd rescued during a Bount attack. She glanced at the sky and smiled to hear he had survived.
The two quickly reached their destination, and Matsumato was already leaning out of the front door as they approached the small apartment.
"Sakura!" The tall, strawberry-blonde vice-captain called, huge breasts bouncing beneath an obscenely tight t-shirt that rose up to flash a swath of pale stomach.
The two women embraced.
"How are you enjoying the human world, Rangiku?"
The older woman's beautiful face lit up.
"Oh, it's wonderful! The clothes here are so adorable and everything is so cheap! We must go shopping together before you return!"
Sakura laughed and waved a hand.
"I think I'll pass. I don't need any more human clothes."
She cast a critical eye over her friend who was wearing a long, flowing skirt and bolero over the tight t-shirt.
"You certainly seem to have an uncanny knack for the fashions here, anyway. Where's Orihime?"
"I'm here, Sakura." The young, orange-haired teenager called from her place behind Matsumoto. She held her hands before her shyly, looking youthful and beautiful in a simple skirt and t-shirt.
"Orihime, it's such a pleasure to see you again!" Sakura embraced the smaller woman with a warmth that surprised her. "How have you been?"
"Oh, fine. Thank you." The teenager blushed a little, her eyes clouded as if she were hiding something. Sakura decided not to push the subject but made a note to stop by sometime when Orihime would be alone.
Sakura quickly forgot about Orihime's sad eyes, however, when Ikakku and Yumichika entered the room. The tall woman stared at them for a moment and then burst out laughing. Ikkaku scowled angrily.
"What the hell are you wearing?" She managed to choke out, one wavering finger pointing at the pink, crazily patterned top that seemed a size too small for the muscular Ikkaku.
"And, Yumichika, you're wearing faded jeans? Really? Who dressed you guys?"
Yumichika sniffed, looking regal and unimpressed.
"The crazy woman who has allowed us to stay in her domicile."
"Crazy woman?" Sakura frowned. "Keigo's mother?"
"His sister." Ikkaku said, rubbing at his bald head and looking irritated. "It would be rude to argue with her when she's taken us in."
"Hmm." Sakura hid her smile with one long-fingered hand, her eyes on Ikkaku's face.
"Well, you guys can't stay there. If anyone had bothered to ask me, I could have given you these ages ago."
She threw a small set of keys towards Ikkaku, who snatched them from the air with an easy grace. He raised one eyebrow at her.
"I have a place on the other side of town. Urahara has been maintaining it for me." Yumichika glanced at Sakura from the corner of his eyes. He knew that she'd kept the apartment in the human world in case she'd felt the need to leave Soul Society in a hurry. He refrained from saying such out loud, however.
Sakura bowed once more before Captain Hitsugaya.
"I'll get these two out of your hair, Captain."
He nodded at her.
"You've got two days, Takahashi, and then you will be expected to return to your duties."
Her smile faltered slightly.
"Yes, sir."
The three 11th Division Shinigami left, walking out into the quiet street. Sakura snaked an arm through each of her friends'. They scowled at her and she beamed.
"How have you two been? It's been dull as hell back at Seireitei."
"It hasn't exactly been enthralling here." Yumichika sniffed. "What with Ikkaku claiming all the fights for himself."
"What are the Arrancar like?" Excitement laced Sakura's voice. If she couldn't fight them herself, she could at least live vicariously through her closest friends.
"Nothing special." Ikkaku spoke in a bored voice.
"Oh, then why exactly do you need new molars?" Her voice was gently mocking.
"You have them?"
"Sure. I'll give them to you once we get there. Not long now."
She glanced at Yumichika, whose handsome face seemed cold and reserved in the afternoon light. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him with all her might in a huge bear hug, whilst one hand ruffled his perfectly groomed hair.
"Cheer up, darling! I'm here now."
He pushed her off and snapped at her.
"How many times have I told you not to touch my hair?!"
The two started their usual bickering as they walked onwards. Ikkaku watched with a small smile on his usually fierce face.
Finally, the group came to a small, shabby street filled with rundown and abandoned apartments. Sakura climbed a short flight of stairs and unlocked the door leading into a surprisingly spacious apartment. It was barely furnished, making it seem lonely and forlorn. She threw her rucksack onto a nearby sofa covered with a large white sheet and went to the electrical box located at the back of the far closet.
"Let's see if you kept your word, Urahara." She muttered beneath her breath before throwing the main switch. Lights flooded the apartment, and she smiled.
She'd just returned to the main room when strong arms grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into a kiss that took her breath away. Her arms snaked around Ikkaku's neck, one hand stroking his smooth head as she pressed close, deepening the kiss as months of pent up emotions finally found a release.
A small, dainty cough made them pull apart.
"Don't mind me, by all means." Yumichika said snootily, making Sakura laugh.
"I like your gigais." She said, referring to the artificial bodies Shinigamis donned in order to have a physical presence in the human world, one hand running up Ikkaku's strong chest.
"Yours isn't so bad, either." He muttered, breath hot against her face.
"Oh, this isn't a gigai."
"What?" Both men looked at her in surprise.
Sakura did a little twirl.
"This is the real thing. One of the many quirks of my unusual birth is that I have a physical presence both here and in Soul Society." She shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Well, the real thing is damn good."
Ikkaku snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Yumichika sighed.
"I think I shall go out for a while. I noticed one of those convenience stores on the way here, and will purchase those strange boxed meals. And some of this juice Ikkaku likes so much."
Sakura smiled and winked at her elegant friend.
"You're a doll, Yumi."
"Don't call me that," he sighed.
Ikkaku kissed her again and Sakura laughed, feeling happier than she had in months.
Her violet eyes lit up suddenly.
"Hey, I just had a thought. . . Why don't you pop out of that gigai and we'll ask the mod soul to join us?"
It was worth it to see the look of shock on Ikkaku's face, a man who was not easy to surprise. Yumichika's face creased into an expression of disgust.
"You are twisted, Takahashi." And with that he walked out, the door closing behind him as Sakura howled with laughter.