Sixth chapter! Here we go.

P.S. Thank you to Miss. Fai for being my 400th Review! Thank you! AND HOLY SHIT! YOU'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I FIRST STARTED THE ORIGINAL?! YOU, MISS, ARE AMAZING.

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Edited as of: September 24th, 2014

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Two days seemed like a surprisingly long time to a person. But really, it wasn't. Time seemed to fly by at a fast pace after that first day. A lot had happened that day, too. I had terrorized Vera for quite a while, I had faced Unohana's disguised wrath, met Mashiro, the green-haired wonder, and learned a lot about this new world that I had somehow landed in. It didn't seem like a lot, but it really was. To me, at least.

After that first day, everything flowed on by smoothly. After Mashiro left that night, Vera and I had retired to our seperate rooms and that was the end of it. I spent the entirety of the second day either in my room sleeping or cleaning the med room that I had stayed in when I woke up since it seemed so disorganized to my critical eye. And when the third day rolled around, at exactly eight in the morning, Unohana knocked on my door to escort me to the meeting with the Head-Captain.

I absently wondered if Unohana could hear how loudly my heart was thumping in my chest. I was nervous as all hell and I knew that it was visible to the eye. The way my hands twitched at my sides, my sudden jumpiness at every little sound, and the cold sweat that had started breaking out across my forehead were mainly what gave away my nervousness. There were other signs, but those were the more obvious ones.

To calm my frazzled nerves, I took to looking around and taking note of everything around me.

I was quick to observe that almost everything here was made entirely out of white granite. Either that or polished wood. But the wood seemed to only be for decoration. It was pretty neat, regardless. All the buildings were all sharp edges and smooth surfaces. They looked durable. Built for attacks.

There were a bunch of Soul Reapers meandering around, too. More men than women, though. All carrying swords. This bunch didn't look too suspicious of me like Unohana's group was. They weren't at least keeping their hands on the hilts of their swords. They passed us by like we were just another group of people instead of a supposed intruder and an assumed high-ranking Captain.

We also happened to pass by a few of the other Company's Barracks as we walked. It was only the Second and Third, though. They both looked the same, but when I asked Unohana about this, she assured me that while the outsides were plain and boring, it was the insides that really set apart the Companies. I was curious to see what was inside them now, but I knew that it would have to wait.

When we finally reached the First Company's Barracks, I could admit out loud that I was impressed with everything that I had seen. Unohana found my awe and interest slightly amusing and laughed quietly to herself under her breath whenever I made awed noises at everything. Inside the Barracks, however, was a completely different story. And it captured my attention in a way the outside couldn't even compare to.

Everything was all smooth and polished wood and clean white walls with wooden beams, just like it was at the Fourth Company, but here, it just seemed more refined. More...I can't even find the word to describe it. It was like walking into an important someone's office and unconsciously pointing out the difference between the room before you to your bedroom. There was just so many differences. They were just incredibly hard to describe.

Another different thing about this Company was the atmosphere. It was...thick. It wasn't tension that sent shivers of aprehension tingle down my spine. It was more like...power. Energy. The air practically thrummed with it. It wasn't suffocating, but it was still noticeable to the point that any idiot would sense it and shut them up instantly.

"There's a reason this is the strongest Company out of all the other twelve," Unohana commented, noticing my expression.

I nodded my head slowly. "I can see that now. It's understandable now that I've actually seen it in person."

Unohana managed a tiny smile in my direction. We continued our silent trek through the compound, taking so many turns and going through so many doors and going through so many outside porches that I gave up trying to memorize the compound's layout and just let Unohana lead the way. My gut was telling me she was doing this on purpose just so I couldn't run if I even had the thought.

I rolled my eyes. Now that I've seen where I was and just what kind of people I was soon going to be surrounded by, I knew such an action would get me killed for sure here. Hell, I was starting to bet the people here were more ruthless than the Akatsuki when it came to keeping the peace.

Stopping before a towering door, Unohana said, "Wait here, please. I must go inside and wait for the other Captains to get here." She gave me a stern look and my heart jumped painfully at the almost mothering look in her eyes. "Behave." She slipped through the doors quietly and left me standing in the hallway by myself.

Grumbling, I crossed my arms childishly and leaned back against a wall, glaring at the door. Petulant child. She was silently called me a petulant child from the safety of her mind. I childishly stuck my tongue out at the door and huffed.

Time dragged on and on from that point on. Numerous men in white Haori cloaks passed me by as they went into the supposed meeting room. All gave me weird and curious looks. There was one woman with purple-black hair that gave me a Cheshire-like grin before she went through the door. Oh sure. Let's just stare at the weird girl with pink hair as she sits by her lonesome self outside of the meeting room like a child that had just got caught hitting the shit out of a bully.

After about fifteen minutes of staring at the door aimlessly when an old man with a graying beard walked inside without even looking in my general direction, I was in the middle of changing positions so I could rest my back on the floor and prop my feet against the well when a pair of socked feet tapped lightly by my feet. Looking up, I was met with a pair of grey-blue eyes and a smiling face framed by long white hair that was tied back at the base of his neck.

He reminds me of Lord Jiraiya. Except he doesn't look as perverted.

The rather tall man crouched down beside my head. "Are you a new recruit?" He inquired curiously, never losing that kind spark in his eyes. He seemed nice enough and he certainly sounded like he was genuinely curious. Surely he couldn't be dangerous? My mind came to a screeching halt when Unohana's face popped up. Yea, no. Not making that mistake again.

"I'm not a recruit," I said as nicely as I could without sounding sarcastic and mean. "I'm the intruding soul." I didn't know what else to call myself. Foreigner just seemed to much and just saying intruder could lead to a whole bunch of misunderstandings. He took it to a whole new level of craziness.

His smile widened and an almost child-like happiness appeared in his eyes. "You're the girl who ruined Captain Kuchiki's garden!"

I didn't know who this Captain Kuchiki person was, but whoever it was, I should probably apologize for destroying his property. I know from experience how some people despise teenagers that destroy their hard work in one go.

"I guess," I said, unsure. "Though I don't know who he is." I was only assuming Captain Kuchiki was a he. For all I know, he could actually be a she! And knowing my luck, I would make that fatal mistake.

The man laughed, a soft, tenor-like sound that completely contrasted with his slightly deep voice. "No worries!" He said. "Captain Kuchiki can be quite a stickler sometimes, so this will be a good change for him! He needs to learn how to relax, anyway."

He's too carefree, my mind instantly picked out before I discarded the thought. He was just trying to be nice and here I was nit-picking at all his flaws like a bitch. I perked up when the sound of another set of footsteps came down the hallway. Peering around the Captain before me, I was surprised by what I saw. And apparently, my new friend was, too.

"Kyoraku!" He exclaimed in disbelief. "Are you drunk?!"

Indeed, the man coming down the hall and wearing the undoubtedly feminine kimono was teetering and swaying on his feet like any normal drunk. I covered my nose, being able to smell the heavy scent of Sake on him all the way from my position on the other side of the hall. He waved away the man's accusation, grinning stupidly. Half-lidded brown eyes acknowledged my presence by just barely swiveling in my direction before going back up.

"Kyoraku, you can't go into a Captain's Meeting drunk," The Captain before me said as he got back to his feet. "You know the Head-Captain doesn't approve of you drinking and coming to meetings like this!"

Kyoraku laughed a deliciously deep laugh, mirth evident in his cloudy eyes. Was it just me or did the drunken haze just lessen considerably?

"Mah, calm down, Ukitake," He said good-naturedly. "I've only had a few cups. No harm done! Besides," His eyes captured mine again, "I'm not too far gone to miss the young lady sitting in the middle of the hall."

My cheeks flared red before I could stop them. This man was a flirt. That much was so obvious. He was like a female Ino with completely different physical attributes. It was flattering to my feminine side, but it made that tomboy side of me flare up in indignation for completely stupid reasons.

Brown eyes didn't miss my scarlet blush and he laughed charmingly. I turned my head away from him with a sniff, my face still feeling oddly warm. "Aw, don't be offended," He said, scratching lightly at the scruff on his chin. "I wasn't looking to insult you, miss. I was trying to be sincere."

"Is that the alcohol talking or is that your honest opinion?" I asked before my mind could process what my mouth was saying. I slapped a hand over my lips in shock, eyes widening in surprise. How could I say something like that so quickly?! Kyoraku didn't seem offended by my words. He took them in stride, loudly laughing off my snide remark as he wiped away the little tears that had gathered in the corner of his eyes.

Ukitake dragged a hand down his face, sighing heavily and looking like he had come to a realization. "Kyoraku, please," He pleaded wearily. Kyoraku understood the hidden message and gave the white-haired man a gentle slap on the back, the drunken look on his face gone and replaced with a playful grin. Son of a bitch. He was faking it! He wasn't even drunk from the start. He was acting the entire time!

Genius. This man is a complete genius.

I gave Kyoraku an appreciative look. He was like a breath of fresh air that I had been craving since I've been banned to the Fourth Company. Playful, mischievous, and flirtatious. This was the type of person that I was used to. Being around Ino and Naruto all the time, I wasn't used to such serious environments like the Fourth Company. There was always that one person that could lighten up a tense atmosphere with just a few correctly placed words. It wasn't the same here, so it felt wonderful to finally interact with someone who's personality I felt like I could handle well.

"Come on, Ukitake," Kyoraku joked. "It was a funny joke! Have some fun!"

I didn't like how pale Ukitake was looking all of a sudden. One of his hands reached up to massage his forehead as he breathed a sigh. "I honestly thought you were drunk, Kyoraku. I was this close to forcing you back to the Eighth Company's barracks!" An inch of space was between his thumb and finger as he showed Kyoraku how close he was. "You should know by now that you can fool anyone with your acting skills."

Kyoraku's face twisted in disgruntlement and he turned his head away, pouting slightly. "Lisa-chan certainly isn't being fooled." WHY did he sound so disappointed when he said that?

A sudden bout of coughing from Ukitake had me rushing to his side as he hunched over. I grimaced at the wet coughs he was making and forced him to stand up straight to give his lungs more room to breath properly. I could easily feel his erratic heartbeat through the hand that was on his chest and felt my stomach drop. This man was sick. Terribly sick.

"Hey, hey, Ukitake," Kyoraku said, concern evident in his voice. "Did you take your meds today?"

The man in question gave a shaky nod before he thanked me gently and brushed my hands away from his chest. He cleared his throat and wiped off the bit of perspiration that had gathered on his forehead. "I did," He reassured. "I've been feeling under the weather even when I take them, though."

"Then that is some cheap medicine your taking," I snapped. Ukitake recoiled from the sudden venom in my voice and gazed at me in surprised. "You're sick. Deathly sick. You shouldn't even be here, let alone walking around! You should be on bedrest because you're so sick!"

Ukitake's lips parted, closing a second later and repeating the process a few times. I glared at him from underneath my messy bangs, resisting the urge to cross my arms like I would when dealing with a particularly annoying patient. When he still didn't say anything, I growled under my breath and was about to demand what Company he was from so I could drag his sick ass back when a large hand rested on my shoulder.

Kyoraku's brown eyes shone down at me as he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and led Ukitake to the door. "I wouldn't worry about Ukitake here, young lady," He said confidently. "He's been sick for a while and compared to his other fits, this is a relatively light attack. He'll be fine." He cocked his head to the side as if he were listening for something. "Besides, I think it's time that you come in and meet the rest of us."

He beckoned me to follow him and I reluctantly trailed after the flamboyant man as he opened the door and supported a still pale Ukitake as he motioned me to go first. I nodded my head at him and stepped past him.

All talk that had been going on in the room immediately stopped when I walked in. Two lines of Captains were stationed in the very middle of the room, five on one side after Kyoraku and Ukitake had taken their spots in line and four on another. Strange. Were the lines supposed to be uneven like this? Or was a Captain missing?

A loud slamming noise had me reaching instinctually towards my hip to grab a kunai at the unexpected noise, but was met with air. I mentally cursed my lack of weapons. A Captain or two tensed at my offensive move, but stayed in position. The purple-haired woman that had grinned at me earlier closed her eyes with a smirk clear as day on her face., finding my reaction amusing.

"Step forward, intruder."

Scowling, I planted myself in the very middle of the two lines of Captains and glared at the old man sitting on a tall red chair like he was some high-and-mighty king. Even though it was plainly obvious that he was way older than your average living man, he sat tall in his chair with his shoulders slouched forward just slightly. His long white beard was combed and tucked neatly into his belt. Scars criss-crossed over his forehead, the edge of one scar stopping just to the side of his eye.

"The hell?" A blonde-haired Captain muttered. "This is the intruder? A pink-haired boy?"

My eye gave a violent twitch and a snarl made its way up my throat and about made itself known before I chomped down on my bottom lip fiercely to quell the animalistic noise. Seriously? I know I didn't have much in the chest area, but any sane idiot should be able to tell that I was 100% female. Honestly, the hair should've given it away. And not to be vain, but I'm pretty sure guys don't have the rounded hips that I knew I possessed.

"Please don't be so insulting, Captain Hirako," The brown-haired man with rectangular glasses chastised from his position behind the Captain. "It's very rude."

He snorted softly, muttering a "Shut up, Sosuke" under his breath. A shorter girl on the opposite side of the room with blonde pigtails sneered at Hirako, earning her a glare from the Captain. The Captain with the afro seemed to roll his eyes from behind his sunglasses and bopped the girl upside the head for her rudeness. A foul curse left her lips as she cradled her head and glared daggers at the afro Captain.

"What do ya think ya doin', Love?!" She growled lowly to him, trying to keep quiet to keep from being disruptive, but failing spectacularly. "You can't go 'round hittin' other Company's Lieutenants!"

He seemed to give her a stern look behind his shades. "Your Captain's not around, so somebody has to look after you."

Captain Hirako only further antagonized the shorter girl, pulling his eyelid down with a finger and sticking his tongue out at her. Her eyes blazed angrily and I could practically hear the harsh sound her teeth were making as they grinded together. She made an obscene hand gesture at him and received another harder hit for it. How are these people Captains when they can't even act their ages?

SLAM.

Both blondes' spines snapped up straight, the teasing and rude gestures and faces being wiped clean and replaced with a blank expression. The air seemed to get colder as the tense atmosphere became tenser. From his sitting position on the red throne, the bald Head Captain slowly opened his eyes to scrutinize everyone in the room, more so me than the bickering Captain and subordinate.

"There are more important matters needing to be solved here," He said slowly in a majorly deep and rough voice. It sounded as if he had spent a majority of his life smoking his lungs away and it was only recently that he stopped, leaving behind the after effects. "Save your bickering for after the meeting, Captain Hirako, Lieutenant Sarugaki." The Captain bowed his head while the Lieutenant bowed from the waist in apology. Both looked like they had swallowed something sour while doing so.

By some unspoken demand, Unohana stepped forward to place herself in front of her line and in clear sight of the other line. "Two Seated Officers of the Sixth Company came in with Haruno-san two days ago and reported that she had fallen into the estate's pond. Both claimed that she had fallen from the sky, but confirmed that she was indeed a regular Plus and not a new species of Hollow."

What the hell was a Hollow? Another type of Plus? I didn't remember Vera ever mentioning something like that. Wait. Unohana's words replayed in my mind and a feeling of violation coursed through me. Did these people experiment on my while I was unconscious?!

"Pluses don't just fall from the sky, Captain Unohana," Hirako said, obviously struggling to keep his distrust out of his words. "We've never had something like this happen before. What if the kid really is a Hollow?"

"I can assure you that I am a human, Captain," I said snidely, unable to stop myself from speaking up and putting on a sarcastic and snobbish front towards the irritating man. "I think I should know what species I am since it's my body." He didn't appreciate my cheek all that much. The glare he threw at me could possibly melt iron if it was just a bit hotter.

"It might've just been a mistake that she landed here," Ukitake said thoughtfully, cocking his head to the side. I noticed how his breathing had evened out and he wasn't struggling for air anymore and grudgingly accepted that Kyoraku had been right about the frail-looking man being alright. "Accidents do happen."

"But what's the chance of a Plus showing up in Seireitei now out of all times?" A white-haired Captain inquired, crossing his muscled arms across his chest. A head of green peeked out from behind him and I blinked when Mashiro waved at me. I didn't even see her when I came in...

My ears perked at the sound of pounding feet against wooden floor and I curiously turned towards the door even as all the Captains fell silent. The purple-haired Captain looked about ready to sigh in exasperation. Golden-yellow eyes locked with mine before she grinned in a cat-like way and closed her eyes. The rushing feet came to a sliding stop in front of the door and I was almost positive whoever it was had somehow managed to hit their head on the door while doing so as there was a loud crash that reached my ears. A muffled curse later and the doors were pushed open slowly.

I arched an eyebrow at the newcomer's somewhat disheveled appearance. He looked like he had just finished running the marathon of his life. A silly smile was on his face and he was running a hand through messy blond hair sheepishly as a single bead of sweat trailed down the side of his face. I noted the Captain's haori that he was wearing and immediately decided that I wasn't very impressed with this man.

"You're late, Urahara Kisuke," The Head-Captain grumbled, his forehead wrinkling as he gave the man, Kisuke, a disapproving look. The man in question released a nervous laugh, but was cut off when he was tugged off to the side by the white-haired Captain, who grumbled under his breath to the man and placed him in front of the Lieutenant that had been arguing with Hirako. She didn't seem pleased with the placement as she glowered at Kisuke's back fiercely. I gave him some credit for remaining immune to the glares he was getting from the shorter girl.

"So, what did I miss?" He asked, keeping that carefree smile on his face and maintaining the lethargic and slow aura that he was exerting. How the hell was this man a Captain? He was even more of a contradictory than Ukitake and Kyoraku, one being sickly and the other an apparent drunk. This place is run by idiots, I swear.

"They're trying to decide what to do with me," I said sarcastically, crossing my arms. No. That's not a good idea. They'd see it as a defensive move of some sort. I kinda liked my head where it was, so I slowly uncrossed my arms and fought kept them down by my sides.

Kisuke gazed at me in surprise. "We're going to dispose of you?" He cast the Head Captain an incredulous glance. "That'd be such a waste, though, considering Spiritual Pressure!"

"I don't see the harm in letting her stay, to be honest," The purple-haired woman suddenly piped in. I blinked at her in surprise. "Like Kisuke hinted at, her Spiritual Pressure is pretty thick and condensed and most importantly, trained. Keeping her here could be a nice benefit for all of us. Especially if she was trained correctly. We'd save ourselves the hassle of getting rid of her and having to waste time and energy fighting to get her under control as I have no doubt that she will put up a nice fight and getting her taken care of."

Holy sweet mother of God. This woman was insane. She was actually suggesting that they keep some strange, pink-haired girl in there home. Worst of all, she was insinuating that I was going to be trained if I did stay. Something like this would've been a common occurrence back home. Tsunade was too much of a softie to people that she didn't deem dangerous and she was pretty good at reading people. She'd easily have her way after winning her daily argument with the Elders and that would be that. But here? I couldn't see it happening often. Everyone here was just too wary, too watchful. They obviously didn't like strangers and I had my doubts that they wouldn't appreciate me just waltzing in and taking up space.

Kyoraku hummed, scratching at his stubble with a thoughtful expression. "Are you suggesting that she become a Seated Officer?"

Golden eyes shone viciously. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

"She has incredible medical knowledge," Unohana added, speaking for the first time since I came in. "She's almost on par with my Lieutenant if what I've seen so far is anything to go by. And she has above normal reflexes and fighting abilities. To let such potential go to waste would be a waste indeed."

Hirako seemed to sigh in dismay, glancing up at the ceiling in exasperation. "This is such a mistake," He muttered before scowling at the purple-haired woman. "Anything she does will be on your head, Shihoin."

"Captain," The brown-haired man behind Hirako scolded, frowning.

Umm, hello? Do I get a say in this? I had half a mind to start whistling and making motions at my face to get my point across that I wanted a say in this decision, too, damn it. I know I'm unimportant, but holy shit, pretending I'm not standing in the middle of the room looking highly offended is considered seriously rude.

A chorus of other voices murmured their agreement with her suggestion. They all turned to the Head Captain for approval. For the longest periods of time, he didn't move. He was as motionless as a freaking statue. Now, I had the patience of a rock, so I was quickly irritated that he was taking so long. His hand twitched, as if he could sense my irritation. I wouldn't put it past him if he did know how impatient I was for his answer right now.

Frankly, I hoped he would try killing me off. At least then, I'd go out with a fight and with my pride still intact. Staying here just meant re-doing everything that I had originally learned and being placed under a different leader. But I wasn't going to be picky. I may have died once, but I was starting to value this second chance a little more than I should. I'd take whatever I was given.

His eyes slowly opened, pinning me with the vast knowledge that was there and the strength that lay dormant behind those dark orbs. "You are willing to vouch for this girl to enter the Soul Reaper Academy just so she could become one of our own. Is that what you are asking, Captain Shihoin?"

She nodded firmly, golden eyes cat-like determined and resolute and, dare I say, dancing with laughter and excitement. "Yes, Head-Captain."

He closed his eyes again and slouched even further into his seat. "Shihoin Yoruichi, I hereby place Haruno Sakura in your care. I expect you to guide her throughout her days at the Academy and to teach her our ways as she goes about learning our laws and our way of living. Failing to do so will not be tolerated."

Her eyes darkened and a feral grin spread across her lips. My eyes zeroed in on her particularly sharp canines and a involuntary shiver danced across my spine. "I understand, sir."

Good God, what have I gotten myself into this time?

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This chapter is mocking me. I swear to God, it just didn't want to work out. I've been cursed with bad luck lately. I fell up and down the stairs the other day, I wacked myself in the face with my plastic Rifle while practicing show work yesterday, and dropped my closure flag on my head today after catching my double wrong at the end of a run-through. I'm in so much pain right now...

So I get to sleep in a little tomorrow because I have no school tomorrow or Friday, so I'll get started on the next chapter! I'm more motivated now, so I pray I won't take so long again. I'm sorry about that. I'm sick as hell right now and I've been going to practice all week and it's slowly making me worse. But finals are next week and I can't afford to miss anything...

Thank you for reading!

-KalafinaJ