Rukia's POV

"Oh, Rukia, I can't wait for you meet these two. I know that they're probable not the people you'd think would be good, reliable friends, but trust me. When you need them to be there, they will be. They're good people."

"Matsumoto, who are we meeting? They sound like nice people."

"They are! I bet you guys will get close in no time!"

"I'm glad you think so. But, who are they?"

"You'll see. I want it to be a surprise!"

I decided to take her word on it and waited until she stopped dragging me. When she did, I looked at where she took me. We were… at a bar?! Oh, I think I know who she was talking about. I thought of the two I thought she was talking about. Were they really the people I want as friends? I mean, they do seem like nice people and everything. But… can I trust them. I know they have a serious side to them. But there's also a… lose side to them. Nii-sama would disapprove.

"Come on, Rukia," Matsumoto said. "I just know you'll love there two!"

She took me into the bar and led me to a table. At the table were two drunken people. They were Lieutenants Hisagi and Kira. Does she really think the three of us would make good friends? Despite the fact that they're drunk and don't look very reliable at the moment, she could have a point.

I looked at them. They were chugging down bottles of sake. When Lieutenant Hisagi finished his bottle, he set it down on the table and took in a deep breath. "Ha, Kira, I beat you!" He then burped, grabbed another bottle and started to chug that one down.

Ok, maybe Matsumoto has no idea what she's doing.

"Izuru, Hisagi, I want you guys to meet someone." She stepped back and pushed me forward. "This is Rukia Kuchiki."

They both spit out the sake they had been chugging and tried, but failed, to compose themselves. They didn't pay attention to who I was. They only noticed the Kuchiki name. They started to "explain" the reason they were drunk during the day.

"Guys, calm down! She's not gonna tell anyone you guys were drinking during the day! Geez," she said. "You guys should have paid attention to her instead of her name. You guys should know that she doesn't act all noble-y!"

They stopped panicking and looked at me.

"Hey, I know you!" It was Lieutenant Hisagi. "You were that girl that fought off that doll thing that was controlling you! That was amazing!"

His complements made me blush. No one had ever told me they were impressed by my power. But… he's drunk. I'm sure it's just the sake speaking.

"Kira, this girl is amazing! You remember those doll things we fought a while back?" Lieutenant Kira nodded. "Well, this one doll got to her and it was controlling her. She attacked me and tried to kill one of her friends. I was about to kill her. But then, she started fighting back. It was amazing! She ended up defeating that thing!"

Did he really remember all that? I didn't think he would bother to remember anything about me.

This seemed to make Lieutenant Kira interested in me. He asked me about what happened and I told him about it. After that, we started talking about… just about anything. It was so much fun. We all got along so well. Matsumoto was right. They do seem like people I'd be able to trust and rely on.

The time we spent talking seemed small. I hadn't noticed all the bottles of sake Matsumoto, Hisagi, and Kira drank. I hadn't noticed that the sun went down. I hadn't noticed that the moon came out either. I was too busy having… fun.

But, I had to notice eventually. I finally saw how late it had gotten.

I got up. "Matsumoto, it's late. I have to head home now. Good night, Hisagi, Kira."

"Do you really have to leave, Rukia," Kira asked.

"Yeah, I do. Nii-sama doesn't like it when I stay out late."

"Aw, come on. I'm sure Captain Kuchiki won't notice this once," Hisagi said.

"No. I really should go."

"No! Rukia, stay with us! Come on! Here, drink a little! It'll loosen you up!" Matsumoto said, her voice slurred.

I smiled. She is a good person despite this. She only wants me to have fun. "No, I can't. Sorry. I'll see you guys later."

They disappointedly waved good bye. I left the bar and I made my way to the Kuchiki Manor. As I walked, I started to think.

Tomorrow is the day I start to train with Captain Hitsugaya. I wonder how it'll be like. Will he be strict and scary? Or, will he be compassionate and supportive. From what the rumors say, I feel like he'll be scary. But, from what Matsumoto said, I feel like he'll be compassionate. I hope he'll like me. I mean, I hope he thinks well of me. But… what if he doesn't? He already saw me cry. What if he thinks I'm weak?

Geez, why am I so caught up in this? What does it matter if he thinks of me as weak? I'll show him I'm not! I'll prove to everyone that's doubted me that they were wrong. Whether they were enemies that underestimated me, or other shinigami. I'll show them they were wrong to think of me as weak.

The thought of proving them all wrong made me smile. They'll finally see I'm not as fragile as I look! And, maybe, just maybe, Nii-sama will let me take the Lieutenant's exam. I'll show him that he doesn't have to protect me from the dangers. I can take care of myself. He'll see! I know he only has my best interest in mind. But, I want to try. I want to see what I'm capable of. I'm sure Nii-sama would understand. Wouldn't he?

I snapped out of my thoughts and saw I was standing in front of the Kuchiki Manor. I really need to pay more attention to what's going on outside of my head.

I entered and rushed to my room. Hopefully, Nii-sama is asleep. If he is, maybe he won't notice I was so late coming home. When I got to my room, I quickly and quietly closed the door and went to my futon. As usual, my room was a mess. My Chappies and other stuffed animals were scattered across my room. I'm glad Nii-sama doesn't come to my room. If he did, he would get really angry at the mess that is my room. I laughed to myself at the thought of him seeing my room.

My laughter was interrupted by a yawn. My eyes suddenly felt heavy and I felt exhausted. I went to my futon and lied down. I closed my eyes and let myself go to sleep.