Twenty years had passed since that day, and the girl had grown into a woman. Even if her body didn't change at all her maturity was clearly visible.

She didn't got taller, nor her breast grew bigger, on the contrary, she got thinner and she paler. Soul society didn't let her body age, but it had to endure such strenuous condition, it would have been impossible for it to stay the same.

However, in soul society, physical appearance was a bluff. Everybody knew it. So they didn't give a damn if you looked like an ten years old or fifty. Yes, they could tease or pick on you about that, but in the end, it didn't matter. Souls recognized the others' age but their eyes.

The rookies, had always those hopeful, slight terrified eyes. They were scared, but their hope enlightened their eyes. They thought they could escape. They thought everything was going to be alright.

Then there were the ones who thought they had no hope. Who thought that that was their life and they had to deal with it. They made sure the world keep spinning. They worked, they fought, they bought food and tried to get stronger or more important, so they could survive longer.

Finally, there were the veterans. The ones who knew that there was nothing to do. That it was useless keep struggling. They were already dead. They got nothing to loose. And they just had to live until they died again. No work, no fight, no food. They were death inside.

Of course, this is true for the district which were furthest from Seiretei.

Our woman lived there. She managed to move to a lower district years ago, and she had to admit it was a lot better there. But it wasn't an easy task. Moving had taken a lot of persuading... and with persuading, she meant money and... stuff. Nothing she was proud about. Her days there, made it impossible for her to look at her reflection in the mirror. But there, in the highest districts in Rukongai, it counted as nothing.

When she moved, she found a man willing to take her in. If her after-life hadn't teach her to be always distrustful, she could have been almost happy. He was a kind man and they talked together while crossing the boundary of a district, to go through the other. In reality, the girl hadn't speak at all, but the man seemed to be ok with his monologue. He told her about his hobbies, his passion and his "bad habit" (how his wife and friend called it) to make sure as much people as possible were moved in better district and how he was married and had two daughters. He asked a lot of rhetorical question, without never expecting her to answer. It was like he knew her difficulty to open up.

But fate was cruel with her once again. After he let her in his house, he was killed. That "bad habit" of his got him killed. She got him killed. People from the 68th didn't want some beast from the 84 in their district. How could she blame them?

However, his family took her in, saying she had to repay her debt, because the money she gave to the father of their family were stolen by his killer. She became her maid, and she was glad. Because she didn't have to sell her body or committing homicide. She was ok with that.

At the moment, she was doing the laundry while her "sisters" (if you want to call her so) were dressing up. Today, the shinigami academy opened its doors to the shinigami wanna be. People from all the district gathered in Seireitei. She knew her sisters didn't have a high spiritual power, seeing as little they eat, but their mother wanted them to become shinigami, so they were following her wish.

"Hey, girl." the mother yelled, "come here! There's a stain on Drizella dress!"

The girl sighed, knowing full well that the dress was clean just two minutes ago. Probably, the girl stained it eating practically on it. "I'm coming!" she shouted in reply.

She didn't remember what happened. In a moment, she was waving at her supposed family and the next, she was listening to a woman ranting about possibility and potentiality.

"Understood?" the woman asked her.

She just frowned.

"So... let me get it right... you think I should go to Seireitei and become a shinigami because I have an high reiatsu?"

"Well..." she replied, "It's not exactily high. But it's higher than most of people here. So you should try."

"No, no... I have to stay here. I have to work, I need more money..."

"The hell are you talking about? You can earn more being a shinigami!" reasoned the older woman.

"No, I have to repay my debt. That's it, stop."

"You can repay it later, girl."

"No. I have to go, now." she said, standing up.

"Take this shoes. They'll make you faster, you can go, pass the exam, and come back. Nobody will know it. Try... please." the woman tried again, taking out of her purse a strange pair of trainers.

"I won't."

"Take this. Make this old woman happy. Don't refuse my little present."

So, here she was, her mousy brown hair she usually gathered in a ponytail were down, wearing a pair of sunglasses, hoping to be concealed from her "family" eyes. She didn't know what possessed her, but soon after the strange woman had left, she started thinking about her words. And decided that she could give it a try.

"I'm proud to announce the opening of Seireitei doors for whoever wants to become a shinigami. First test, in the 12th squad building. We will measure your reiatsu. Second test, you will asked to perform a simple kidou, third test the hand to hand combat, fourth test, the history of Soul Society. Everybody able to call a shikai, will pass, but will have to do only the first three tests, just so we can be sure of his level and put him in the right class. Good luck." Yamamoto sou-taicho announced. After his short short speech, everybody rushed to the building she assumed was the 12th squad's. It was useless.

It would take hours before the first wave of applicant could be tested, so she thought of making a brieft tour... maybe she could gain something... shinigamiwere rich, right? So, she began walking, the magic trainer at her feet made her faster. She remember her trip. Such a speed she thought she would collide with herself, if she just stopped... she was surprised in finding out she still had her shadow behind her.

She keep running, until she was in front of a great manor. Wow, she observed, it's... enormous.

Break in the manor was quite simple, and she found herself quite taken aback about that. She didn't waste time. She started mooching a lot of things, things she could sell, and then, she was almost out when...

"What do you think you're doing here?"

She stopped in track. Fuck. "Just passing by." she answered, without losing her cool.

The man in front of her remained impassible, even if in reality, he was trying hard to not lift an eyebrow. "This is my propriety. I don't recall asking you to pass by."

"Oh." she replied with an expression that matched his. "Then I'm in the wrong house."

"Very wrong indeed. You're in the Kuchiki manor... and I don't think a punk with sunglasses like you fits in a place like this."

She shrugged. "Maybe not. But the door was open."

The man almost snorted. Almost. "There's a reason for that. Nobody would every dream to break in the Kuchiki propriety."

"Ah..." she nodded. "And who's this Kuchiki guy, exactely?"

"Me."

"Well, got to go, Kuchiki-san. See ya around." she said, waving at him before leaping out the window. The man blinked before running after her. Hell, this girl is fast!he thought in awe. She could be a hard match for him. Who knows, maybe even Yourichi.

The girl smiled to herself. No way in hell people could catch her. Then, a figure appeared, blocking her race. Well... she should have stopped herself, but it was like she was used to this speed. So she just crashed again his body. "What the heck!" she yelled, after she fell with a thump.

The man didn't move an inch, and looked down at her. "What made you think you could outrun a Taicho?"

"Dunno, Kuchiki-san."

"Give me what is mine."

"Or... else?"

"Or else."

"I can outrun you. However... I'm not thief. If you need your stuff, here..." she said putting down her plunder. "Take them back. But don't say you can outrun me, Taicho." Then, she did something very unlike her. She leaned closer to him and whispered coldly. "Catch me."

The girl ran off and soon the noble had to accept something that hurt his pride and tickle his curiosity... A smile threatened to appear on his lips. He wasn't able to catch her... yet.

Sorry for the wait! My life has been hectic. Since the last chapter, I celebrated my 18th birthday, found out I'm having a baby girl and my fianceé proposed me. Isn't mine such a perfect life? XD