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Chapter Four: The Noble House of Kuchiki

Training ended early, as Renji was quite exhausted and exasperated with his charges and was determined to dump the task on someone else. The ninja, unsure of what to do in the boring city, dispersed. Naruto and Chouji went to find a good restaurant while most of the others trained, as there was nothing else to do. Sasuke, however, had something else in mind.

When he was certain no one was looking, he snuck away from the group and started walking around the city. He wanted to find Rukia, yet he had no idea where to start, and he didn't want to ask anyone for fear of being ridiculed. So the result was that he was wandering, lost, around Soul Society.

"What did I get myself into?" muttered Sasuke. Looking around, he said to himself, "I'm pretty sure I saw that wall six times already!" Glancing at the sun, he said, "I might as well ask directions back." As he walked around a corner, he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry!"

The familiar songlike voice caused Sasuke's ears to perk up. Indeed, Rukia, the very Soul Reaper he had been looking for, was standing right in front of him. He fumbled for words. "Er, excuse me, but I'm lost. Could you show me where the training grounds are?"

Rukia looked at him, tilting her head. "I remember you. You're one of the newcomers, right?" She held out her hand. "I'm Rukia Kuchiki. Thirteenth Division. Pleased to meet you."

He shook her hand. "Sasuke Uchiha." He couldn't think of anything else that was witty enough to say, so he just followed her as she led him through the streets.

"I suppose you've heard of my brother?" she asked him.

Sasuke racked his brains, trying to remember any mention of the name Kuchiki. "No, sorry, I haven't."

"He's the captain of the Sixth Division."

"Really?" Sasuke's interest was piqued. "He must be a strong Soul Reaper, then."

"Yes, he is," Rukia said, somewhat distantly.

Seizing upon the moment to make conversation, Sasuke said, "I had an older brother, too. But he wasn't as noble as your brother sounds."

Rukia looked at him curiously. As much as it pained Sasuke to talk about Itachi in such a civil way, he was determined to do it for the sake of this conversation. "He was…rather aloof, dark, mysterious, and powerful." Powerful enough to be a world-class criminal, but I guess I can't say that.

"Really?" Rukia's large eyes grew even wider. "So is Byakuya!"

Sasuke was surprised. "What a coincidence," he said, and almost smacked himself on the forehead. What kind of thing to say was THAT? Inner Sasuke yelled.

Rukia smiled. "I didn't know we had so much in common."

Sasuke felt the heat creep up his neck. "Yeah," he muttered. Inner Sasuke was still shouting at him. Say something, you dork!

"The training grounds are straight ahead." Rukia pointed in front of her.

"Thanks. Sorry for being a hassle."

"No problem!" Sasuke was struck by Rukia's dazzling smile. "Farewell, Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke waved. "See you later…Rukia!"

"Wait!" Rukia was blushing. "Um, I was wondering…are you free tomorrow?"

Sasuke knew he was supposed to be training, but he said, "Yes. Why?"

"Well…um…tomorrow, if you have time, I can give you a tour of Soul Society. I know Renji's been focusing on training and stuff, but there's really a lot more to Soul Society than he said."

Sasuke's heart lifted. "That would be great!"

"Okay. Let's meet at seven o'clock at the training grounds."

Sasuke smiled—genuinely, for the first time in a long time. "Thanks a lot, Rukia."

"See you tomorrow!" Rukia waved and dashed off, barely concealing her blushing face.

Inner Sasuke screamed, CHA! She totally fell for me! LOVE WINS!