Fate's Twisted Whims

a Bleach fanfiction

Written by: Sakura Onna

Chapter 5: Squad 8 and of Avoiding Ones Captain

Sakura learned quickly to stay aware of her surroundings when doing anything around the squad's barracks. Why? Because she also learned quickly that she didn't really like Captain Kyoraku and had little respect for him. He drank frequently, tried to hit on practically every female squad member that got near him, took naps when he was supposed to be working, put off doing paperwork until almost the last minute. Sakura had to wonder sometimes what kept the squad functional. Often times it got to be that when Sakura felt Captain Kyoraku's spiritual pressure coming close to where ever she was, she would stop what she was doing and shunpo away from there. Some of the senior members found this amusing as can be and started a betting pool on how long it would take for the newest member to request a transfer. They also started a betting pool on how long she could avoid the captain.

If only they would have known Sakura had a great deal more respect for Nanao. From the moment the two women had met they had a strong mutual respect for each other and became friends. How could Sakura not have respect for the one person bold enough to yell at and scold their lazy captain on a daily basis? Nanao treated Captain Kyoraku like an overgrown child, and that's what his way of acting reminded Sakura of (besides a pig). Nanao gave Sakura the benefit of the doubt, giving her a chance to show who she was for herself instead of going by what her captain had said, and as far as Nanao was concerned she was just a person who had a hard life so far that was trying to put it behind them. It also came to be that due to Sakura's refusal after the first few days she was in the squad to be anywhere near Captain Kyoraku's presence that Nanao gave Sakura all her assignments for the day and few missions now and then.

Kyoraku found all this annoying more than anything. Sakura was the daughter of one of his best friends for crying out loud! He couldn't understand how Head captain Yamamoto expected him to be able to get the girl under control if he couldn't even get close to her, or even why Yamamoto had put him on that job instead of Ukitake. Kyoraku was pretty sure for a while that Ukitake would have been able to get through to her better. He remained in that opinion until Ukitake spilled the beans to Kyoraku that she was the adopted sister of his late lieutenant Kaien Shiba, and that she probably wanted to kill one of the Squad 13 members for his death. Ukitake also mentioning that to his knowledge that he and Sakura weren't even on speaking terms anymore after she screamed at him after Kaien's funeral. Then it made more sense that Yamamoto had stuck the girl in his care instead. Ukitake had probably told Yamamoto when he approached him with the idea.

"Hey, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura looked up from tying her sandals to Nanao. "Yes, Nanao-san?"

"I was wondering if you've ever thought of joining the Benevolent Society of Female Shinigami? Some of the members are a little eccentric but they grow on you." Nanao tentatively asked the younger woman unsure of how she would react.

"Benevolent Society of Female Shinigami? I've never heard of that before. What do they do?" Sakura asked as she finished with her sandal and straightened. Her head was tilted to the side a bit in curiosity and her eyebrows were drawn together in mild confusion by the name of the group.

"The Benevolent Society of Female Shinigami are advocates of equal opportunity and treatment for all Shinigami, women as well as the men. We do what we can to have our voices heard and to improve the state of the Soul Society as a whole. Many of the female captains as well as lieutenants are involved in our work and it would be nice if you were involved too, Sakura-chan. I'm sure you would be able to bring alot of attention to our efforts if anyone can." Nanao said her eyes shining brightly with pride and conviction as well as hope that Sakura would give a positive reply.

"Hmmm. . ." What say you, Yuki Hana? Should we join them?Sakura asked her Zanpakuto the fingers of her left hand lightly touching the soft blue fabric that wrapped around her hilt fondly. If Yuki Hana didn't think it would be a good idea than she wouldn't join. Yes, Sakura, we should. You need to make some friends, Girl, and not treat them like shit later. Some connections with members of other squads won't hurt you either, especially when that Kyoraku finally pushes enough of your buttons to make you leave Squad 8. Yuki Hana replied giving Sakura a piercing look in her mind's eye. Some social interaction isn't going to kill you, you know. Alright, alright! I get your point! "Sure, I might join. Would it be possible for me to at least sit in on a meeting before I decide?"

"Of course it's possible! I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting everyone!" Nanao said with an uncharacteristic excitement to her that caused Sakura to momentarily rethink putting so much faith in Yuki Hana's choice. "The next meeting is three days from now in Squad 4's conference room, and if you want I can bring you there."

"Um. . . Alright. I suppose I should get to work on my tasks, so I'll see you later, Nanao-san." Sakura said as she waved good bye and headed out of the barracks to the section of the Seireitei she was assigned to cleaning duty of.

It still chafed her a bit that she was stuck sweeping most of the time but at least she didn't have to deal with Captain Kyoraku all that often when compared the first days when she was assigned the section almost right outside the Captain's office. Sakura sighed as she swept the broom to and fro across the street and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She had to wonder like the rest of the Squad how long it would be until she got too sick of Kyoraku or he of her and she transferred to a new squad. What squad would she be put in if she did transfer anyways? She hoped greatly that it wouldn't be Squad 12, most of what she heard about them creeped her out too much to want to work there. And knowing that Shoin was a member of Squad 11 took away any possible fun she might have had there. Squad 4 wasn't her forte so that would never happen. She doubted Ukitake would be willing to take her in to Squad 13, she knew with a pang of guilt, because of her way of behaving toward him, and she didn't want to be in the same squad as the one who killed Kaien.

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"Oh my god! She's so adorable!" Rangiku Matsumoto squealed the moment her eyes landed on Sakura and she instantly caught her in a squishing hug lifting the thin young woman off the floor. Sakura tried to break free of the slightly shorter woman's grasp to no avail.

"Help!" Sakura squeaked as Rangiku hugged her tighter robbing her of breath, and she turned pleading eyes to the other women in the room.

"Rangiku-chan, you're crushing her. Please let her go before you do some serious damage to her." A woman with kind eyes and dark hair pulled into a braid in front of her said gently coming to Sakura's rescue. Rangiku released Sakura with a pout, and Sakura instantly fell to the floor on her butt. "I'm sorry Rangiku had to greet you like that and I hope you don't hold it against the rest of us."

"But she's so cute. . ." Rangiku whined little a small child denied a toy.

"That doesn't give you the right to squish her like a bug, you know." stated a woman over a foot shorter than Sakura with most of her hair pulled into two braids behind her and the rest cut short enough to barely cover her ears with a shake of her head at the big breasted strawberry blonde. Then looked at Sakura. "Name's Soi Fon. Captain of Squad 2."

Introductions then went around the room as Sakura regained her feet until things came back around to her. "Sakura Yori of Squad 8." She finally said with a sheepish smile. "Thank you, Captain Unohana, for your help."

"No problem." Unohana replied with a gentle smile, "I've been hearing some things about you from one of my squad members and I have to say it's nice to finally see the object of such adoration."

Ryuku-kun! Sakura mentally groaned knowing he had to be the one talking about her.

"Ahem!" Nanao said and cleared her throat. "Shouldn't we be getting to today's business?"

Everyone reluctantly let the subject of Sakura drop for now, but she was sure to return to conversation at some point in the near future. Beyond a doubt she was the tallest person in the room with Rangiku close behind by an inch and her hair was tied back in to a pony tail by a light green ribbon that day. How she got to be such a gaint compared to the others was definitely going to be a mystery some of them were going to try to figure out later. Sakura took a seat in a corner after everyone else had settled with some relief even though she could see some of the gears turning in some of the other women's heads.

She listened intently as each issue was brought forth by Nanao and the group discussed it at length. By the end of the meeting she decided it wouldn't be quite so bad to join the group as long as Rangiku didn't squash her anymore.

A/N: Well, here's one of the filler chapters. Sorry it took so long but one of the reviews I got the other day gave me the kick in the pants to finish this. I just couldn't resist having Sakura get squished by Rangiku the moment the two meet XD. I now have a new poll on my profile where you guys can tell me who your favorites are of my OCs and feel free to tell me one you like even if it's not on my list. Believe it or not, you, the reader, hold a great deal of power over us writers. So please give me your reviews, character appearance requests, or just plain comments. If you think something is utterly rediculous or is off key let me know. I will accapt any critizisms as a constructive means to improve.

Hope to update again soon

~Sakura-Hime