*Peaks out from behind a bush searching for signs of torches and pitchforks*
GOMENASAI MINNA-SANN! Sorry i havent been up dating for like, *checks calender* six months, but I'm back and ready to rock your world with my amazing writing skillz
*pop and a puff of smoke*
Sakura: VampKnightlvr would like to remind you that, no matter how much she wishes she did, she does not own Naruto or Bleach
VampKnightlvr94: NOW, ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter 4: Shinigami Interrogation
"You!" the young woman said in annoyance, though her face didn't show it.
"Me, "he said emotionlessly," do I know you?"
"I don't know Mr. I-Won't-Give-You-My-Name-Because-You-Won't-Remember-It-Anyway, do you?" the lack of emotion in her voice made her statement that much more menacing.
"Brother?" Rukia asked obviously confused.
Byakuya studied the woman. She did seem vaguely familiar. In his mind he saw flashes of a large stone in the middle of a cemetery, a group of blank faced people; a woman with rose colored hair, watching them; Byakuya's eyes widened slightly in recognition.
"You're that shinobi girl. You remember that?"he asked calmly, though on the inside he was completely astounded.
"Uh, I'll take Dumb-Ass questions for five-hundred," she said, sarcasm dripping off every word.
"Brother, how can she remember?" Rukia asked.
"I'm not sure; we should bring her to see Yammamoto Sou-Taichou." He said.
"Whoa! Wait a minute," a forgotten Ichigo exclaimed," I thought that once a soul passes on, the forget everything they knew from when they were alive."
"They do, or, at least I thought they did," Rukia said, confused.
Byakuya turned to face the woman," If you want your answers, then I suggest you come with me."
Sakura narrowed her eyes, but didn't say a word as she followed him through Soul Society. As they walked she started to think of her home in Konohagakure,' I wonder how everyone is doing there' she thought.
After almost an hour, the group came to a large gate, where they were promptly let in. Byakuya lead them through a maze of hallways and corridors until they eventually came to a large doorway. Just as Byakuya was about to knock, someone called out to him. And they all turned to face the newcomer.
"Well, Byakuya," said a man wearing a pink flowered kimono over his white haori," Who is this?"he gestured toward Sakura with a smirk. He was about a head taller than her and looked kind of scruffy. Sakura could smell the sake on his breath and it reminded her of Tsunade. He was walking with another man who had long white hair and donned the same white haori that Byakuya and the other one had. He was very pale, like he'd been sick for a long time, though he had a bright smile on his face.
"It's not what you are insinuating Captain Kyouraku, I assure you. She claims to remember her life from the world of the living."Byakuya stated, and the other two men's eyes widened."I'm taking her to Yammamoto Sou-Taichou to find out what is to be done with her."
"Captain Ukitake," Rukia asked," have you ever heard of this happening before?"
"No I haven't, have you Shunsui?" the one with the white hair answered
"No, but it might be possible," the scruffy one in the pink kimono said. Sakura made a mental note of these captains' identities.
"Ahem," she coughed, "you know, I'm still here."
"My apologies, Miss, how rude of us," Ukitake said. "We should go inside," he said and lead the way through the door into a large room. It seemed they interrupted something, since there were two lines of people in white haoris and a very old man at the head of the room. Captains Kyouraku and Ukitake filled two of the six empty spaces in the lines and Byakuya knelt on one knee and addressed the elder.
"Captain Kuchiki," the man said in a condescending tone," what is the meaning of this?" The room was absolutely silent as he eyed Sakura. "And who is this you've brought with you?"
"Sir, this girl, though I have no knowledge about how possible this might be, claims that she can remember her life from before she passed on." Byakuya stated, though slightly hesitant.
The room was quiet. Sakura stood tall under the scrutinizing gaze of the head captain, her emotions and expressions expertly hidden under a mask of calm indifference.
"How do you know she is not lying to you, captain?" he finally asked.
"I was the one who helped her move on," he answered truthfully," she recognized me when she ran into my imouto and the Substitute Shinigami in the Rukon District." Sakura snorted.
"Yah, a lot of sympathy you have for the dead," she said, words drenched in sarcasm, some of the other captains cracked a smile but quickly sobered when Yammamoto began to speak again.
"Can you prove it onna? Give me your name and where you came from," he demanded. Her brows furrowed as she thought. She wasn't sure how much information about her home she should divulge. 'The bare minimum should suffice,' she thought to herself.
"My name is Sakura Haruno and I come from Konohagakure," she said simply.
There were whispers among the captains as Yammamoto ordered a strange man with raccoon eyes and a sinister smile to retrieve her file. When he returned a few minutes later and told the head captain that what she said was true, the interrogation continued.
"What is Konohagakure?" he asked her.
"Konohagakure is a shinobi village in the Land of Fire. It is known for the strength and integrity of its shinobi as well as its civilian people." She answered carefully. Yammamoto looked to 'Coon man and he nodded.
"Who were you there? I'm assuming but the way you are dressed and how you hold yourself that you were a shinobi. What was your rank?"He continued, all eyes were on her as he waited for her response.
"In order for you to understand my rank, you would have to, first learn how we rank our shinobi," she said and waited for Yammamoto to signal her to go on.
"The ranking ranges from Gennin to ANBU ranks, in order to reach the next rank a shinobi must pass a series of tests that get increasingly difficult and are often life-threatening. Gennin are our rookies fresh out of the academy, next is Chunnin, then Jounnin, ANBU or Special Assassination and Tactical Squad, and finally our village leader, the Hokage. As for my rank; I am an ANBU Captain, Taijutsu master, top medic, and apprentice under our Hokage," Sakura answered.
The captains all grew silent; they all had knowledge of the Elemental Continent, but had never met any of the shinobi that resided there.
Yammamoto P.o.V.
'An ANBU?' the Head Captain thought, she looks so young, and she recollects everything, too. She is a very strong young woman and could be a very powerful ally.
"How old are you, Haruno-san?" he inquired.
"I'm sixteen," she said as if it were the most normal thing in the world for a sixteen-year-old to be a skilled and accomplished assassin.
"Oh! So young, and a top rank as well?" Ukitake gasped.
Sakura nodded and the captains just stared."Any other questions?" she asked.
Captain Hitsuguya stepped forward, "Tell me, Haruno-san, how did you die?"
Sakura P.o.V.
Sakura watched as a short captain with white hair and ice green eyes stepped forward. 'He's a captain?' she thought to herself, 'He doesn't look much older than Konohamaru.'
"Tell me, Haruno-san," he said coldly, "how did you die?"
Sakura's eyes narrowed the pain of leaving her friends and family so soon still fresh in her mind. She felt her lips harden into a thin line and her calm mask became more forced.
"I died, Chibi-Taichou, protecting my team mate and helping my country defend itself against a terrorist threat." Her voice quivered slightly as she spoke.
The room was silent yet again as Sakura gathered herself. She then looked to Yammamoto expectantly. He then turned to the Coon Man yet again. "Well Captain Kurotsuchi?"
"She is telling the truth. Amazing! She actually does remember everything. What a fine specimen she is," he said in a raspy voice that made chills run down Sakura's spine.
Everyone stood quietly for awhile. Yammamoto was thinking
"You know Haruno-san; I've only ever met one other person like you," he said.
"Really?" she said, intrigued, "who?"
"Why don't you come out," He said to, seemingly, no one. All of sudden in a puff of smoke, a very familiar form appeared.
Sakura gasped, wide-eyed, "No way!
Otaku Dictionary
Imouto- Little Sister
Chibi-Taichou - Little Captain
Sou-Taichou - Head Captain
Onna- woman or wench
OOHHHH, Cliffy. Don't ya just love those? Anyone wanna take a stab at guessing who i brought back? Here's a hint, he died in the Shippuden series.
Anyway, as always I appreciate you putting up with my lack of updates, I'll be working to correct that in the future.
~Ja ne
VampKnightlvr94
Now please press the pretty blue reveiw button so I'm motivated to get chapter up more quickly. ;P