Authoress Note: Thanks so much for the reviews minna-san! XD I love you all! I've kind of noticed that most girls go on instead of boys. Kind of pitiful if you ask me. Oh well, GAH! I've gotten addicted AGAIN to Three Days Grace, Flyleaf and Evanescence AGAIN!! . Especially Three Days Grace… It's just like you hear this awesome song, then you get addicted for a couple weeks and you start hearing a better song, you abandon that old one and move on. But, I swear, it's like the songs are going coming back to haunt me!! Oh yeah! I saw The Grudge last night. I nearly laughed my head off when on the shower part! It kept reminding me of… Scary Movie 4 or 3…?
"SHANNARO!!" – Inner Sakura (Bold)
SHANNARO!! – Flashback (Italics)
The Love of Hate
Poem of the Day
Fighting Pain-
Let
me bleed away my pain,
Melt away from all my fears.
These
wounds get deeper as I go,
I've chocked back all my tears.
The
hurt inside my darkest dreams,
Shows
through my stone cold eyes.
To open them would tear my soul,
For
half the night I waste in sighs.
Suicide
is my only friend,
To help me through my tasks.
Suicide is the
only friend,
To let me forget my past.
I
do not ask for many things,
So of you I ask this;
Will suicide
be my only friend?
Or will you save me from this misery cause I
can't?
Written By: Anonymous
Chapter 5 – The Love of Pain and Fights
Recap:
With Sakura
Her room was not big, nor small; she didn't care anymore unlike her old twelve-year old self. She was more mature and could handle herself… Her breaths were deeper and heavier as the moonlight shined down on her face from her open window. Now, you may ask why in the world would you want the window open when you are right next to it, completely off guard? Right? Well, this is Sakura we're talking about. She was an experienced kunoichi, maybe even the last Konohagakure kunoichi ever to live. The group soon grew attached to her and wanted to protect her with their life, although she refuses to be treated like property. She took one last look at the moon as she drifted off to sleep… She doesn't know why, but something about the moon makes her feel more… alive, powerful, and unstoppable… Little did she know, that the next day would reveal an even more powerful skill than she has ever created. Her Zanpaktou sat near her bed, just leaning against the bed's little table, glowed dark lavender purple as the moon's brightness hit its handle.
End Recap…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEE—How unfortunate for the small digital alarm clock… Now, it lay dead under the cherry blossom's terrifying fists of strength. 'I knew I never should have brought along my alarm clock…' Sakura opened groggily got off her bed and trudged over to the small decent bathroom. As she shuffled her bare feet against the wooden floors, she grabbed random pieces of clothing, a toothbrush, squirting some toothpaste onto the toothbrush, a face towel and finally a comb to brush out some knotted hair.
Sakura miserably sighed as she saw Ririn flipping through some magazines Orihime brought for Sakura. "Ohayo Sakura-san!" Ririn chirped happily. But of course, Ririn resembled a stuffed bird. Why else would she wake up so early? (To get worms? Not likely.)
The pinkette cracked an eye open slightly, "Ohayo Ririn-san… Mind if you get out? I have to change… You can read the magazines on my bed if you wish to." Ririn happily pranced out the bathroom door and hopped on Sakura's white pillow. The cherry blossom slammed the door shut as she looked at the clothing she picked out randomly… 'A Shinigami uniform…?' Sakura shrugged and got changed. "Man, it's been a hell of a long time since we worn this, huh!?" Inner Sakura appeared out of nowhere and started bothering the poor sleeping beauty. 'Where have you been when I've needed you?!' Sakura scolded her Inner. Inner placed an index finger on her chin, "There is a thing called vacation you know…?" puppy eyes soon formed, just begging for forgiveness. Sakura chose to ignore Inner as she opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed the pills Ulquiorra gave her.
She ignored the appalling lemon-like flavor that stung her tongue and quickly splashed her face with cold water, just to get her awake and going. Sakura used the towel to wipe off the rest of the water droplets that ran down to her chin. Soon, the part she desperately loathed most… Brushing your teeth. After what Urahara told her that back in her time, or even further behind, they made the bristles of the toothbrush from the hairs on a boars neck… Yes, very disturbing and repulsive actually. Even though they now have toothbrushes made from nylon or synthetic fiber, she still had the image of her old toothbrush.
Once the blossom finally got over the fact, she headed out the door and noticed Ririn opening the door. Piles of Sakura's medical books were right under the modified soul as the same man Sakura was operating on yesterday came into view. It was very unfortunately for the all the books to fall right over the poor Ririn. The man realized what he had done and started helping Ririn free of the book's deathly grasp. "Kon, Ichigo, Rukia and Matsumoto are waiting for you for breakfast in the 10th Division's Office." His voice was pretty deep, though not super deep like those macho men.
"What do you want?" Sakura started picking up the books and didn't notice the rude way she asked him in that tone.
The man got a little nervous. At first, he thought that she would be very friendly by the looks of it. Though, he was underestimating her completely, "I-I'm Shisui… I've come to thank you for removing that tumor…" he bowed in respect.
Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed as she put the books back in its proper place, "Do me a favor and quit the sake and alcohol please. Your liver seems to be getting worse by the second now."
Shisui laughed nervously and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "Gomen nasai… Would you like to join the group for breakfast in Hitsugaya-taichou's office?" he leaned in closer to which Sakura flinched. "He doesn't know a thing about it!"
"Gomen, but I'll have to decline this offer… I have… Issues to take care of." Sakura attached on her Zanpaktou and was out the door before Shisui could even make another word.
He sighed and shook his head, "I guess she's a loner… Heh, at least Hitsugaya-taichou has a friend now I suppose." He shoved his hands into his pocket and walked out the door…
With Sakura
The poor cherry blossom was sort of lost you could say… She didn't know where in the world she was, not the time, nor the division area. All she knew was that she regretted refusing the offer Shisui so kindly offered. Inner Sakura wagged her finger and 'tsk,' "Such a shame… He kind of looked hot!" she started drooling like a fan-girl she was. "Besides, this is what I call KARMA!!" a screech soon gave the blossom another headache. 'Urasai… I think I know where—Oof!' Sakura was interrupted by a small figure below her height.
"Eh?" Sakura looked down to see a curious hot pink haired little girl; though, she had brown eyes. "Who are you…?"
Sakura stared oddly at the mini girl, "Sakura, Haruno Sakura…"
She smiled sweetly, "Ohayo nee-chan! Saku-chan has pink hair just like me!" her voice sounded somewhat like Mini-Mouse to Sakura's ears.
The cherry blossom laughed nervously, "Uh… What's your name little girl?"
The girl crossed her arms in disappointment, "Don't call me a little girl!" she pointed an accusing finger at the freaked out Sakura. "I'm the fuku-taichou of the 11th Division. Watashi wa Kusajishi Yachiru."
Soon appeared a large shadow that covered Sakura's own shadow from the sun's rays. This earned her an inaudible gulp.
A deep and hoarse voice came into her eardrums, "Is this brat bothering you Yachiru?" Sakura saw the girl smile and jump onto the large man's shoulders.
She pointed an accusing finger at Sakura, "She called me 'little girl.' Plus, her name is Haruno Sa-ku-ra!" Yachiru pronounced the syllables of her first name to the Captain according to his sleeveless haori he was the Captain of the 11th Division.
"She looks weak Yachiru… Let's just leave her in the dust. She doesn't deserve our perspective." He spoke. Those terrible words stung Sakura hard. It brought back memories of her Genin years and even Chuunin years… Sakura couldn't help Sasuke from Orochimaru. She couldn't even defeat Ino. She got in the way of many missions. She was called weak yet again… Although, this time, she was going to prove to this bastard (according to Inner Sakura) that she will stand her grounds!
'Make us proud Sakura-chan…' many voices of the blossom's friends spoke softly in her thoughts. Soon, she got the image of Tsunade and Shizune in her head… They just had to end their lives in the worst way possible…
Flashback
Crack! Crunch! Splat! Thump… Those were the noise of Tsunade's final death… They were currently in war with Otogakure: Tsunade vs. Orochimaru. The battle was like during the Chuunin Exam's Preliminaries… The sounds of battle cries rang through everyone's aching eardrums and the sight of blood made Sakura feel sick. She was a medical ninja, yes, but she saw it nearly everywhere. Whereas she saw fewer blood in the hospital.
Orochimaru escaped to join Sasuke with the fight against the Kyuubi. Sakura ran towards Tsunade and Shizune's dying bodies. Tears streamed down the cherry blossom's face as they hit both of their noses.
"S-Sakura…" Tsunade's voice croaked. Sakura looked up to see a bloody Tsunade. Unfortunately, Shizune has passed away rather quickly because of the poison Kabuto set on her. "Please, remember me and Konohagakure…"
Sakura stuttered, "N-No! Konohagakure will not f-fall! Konoha will win this war if it takes my life and happiness!"
"Also stubborn child…" Tsunade started coughing up blood. "Sakura, please fulfill my dying wish… My first wish is to see your happy smile when I pass away… My second is for you to always stand up for yourself. My final wish is… to be strong… emotionally and physically. Sayonara."
Sakura had a hard time smiling for her shishou, she never thought it would be this hard… Though, she gave Tsunade's icy cold corpse one last hug and a true genuine smile. Sakura then took a look at Shizune's pale face. In nearly one week would be her birthday… The blossom took out a necklace that had half of a butterfly on it that said, "Sisters." While Sakura's said, "Forever."
As Sakura placed it on Shizune's dying body, she gave her a smile and one last hug…
(A/N: Oh Kami-sama… I'm about to cry… TT)
End Flashback…
Fwish! The sound of her Zanpaktou unsheathed itself and headed for the man. Soon, just as Sakura was nearly about five inches towards his head, the sounds of katanas clashed together as she saw his sadistic grin.
Sakura's eyes held hate, "Give me your name… At leasts when either you or I die, we will both know the person of who killed who."
The Captain smirked, "Zaraki Kenpachi." Sakura eyed his Zanpaktou, not knowing what to do at all… She saw how his Zanpaktou was pretty dull but could see some sharper points here and there. If she has it touching against her delicate skin, which would definitely hurt like Hell, she would be considered to lose this "spar" of theirs.
"Let's get this over with." Sakura started off by charging towards the smirking Kenpachi.
"So desperate…" he sighed as he used his Zanpaktou and gracefully swished it to his right as Sakura passed him with wide eyes.
"This is going to be harder than I thought it would be…" Sakura looked at her cut and bleeding shoulder.
15 Minutes Later…
Kenpachi had a couple of minor scratches while Sakura looked like a punching bag that had been taken several hard hits with man scratches all over her skin. 'I refuse to use my Bankai against this old man!' Sakura screamed in her thoughts as Inner Sakura replied with a victorious shout, "Shannaro! We'll kick his scrawny ass! Come on! Keep on going!!"
It was useless… Sakura knew, "Tch, you will win…" Sakura enclosed her katana back into her guard.
Kenpachi's sadistic smirk was soon gone, "Nani…?"
The cherry blossom lifted her head up with an evil smile on her façade, "If I can't beat you using my Zanpaktou, than I'll have to defeat you another way!" With that, her body started taking fire… The flames then disappeared with the wind.
Kenpachi then looked amused, "N-Nande…?" He does know quite a lot about Shinobis, though, never expected her to be one. He had absolutely no experience against one at the least… For now, you could actually feel a bit pity for the poor man. Sakura appeared behind him in a quick motion and soon landed a chakra-enhanced fist onto his back.
Soon, the color Sakura so longed to see came spilling out of his mouth as his torso hit the ground violently. A tiny earthquake soon erupted that attracted quite a few attentions. Just as soon as Sakura was about to knock him out, an old man with a white haori came into view, stopping Sakura.
Everyone gasped while some bowed in respect. Sakura glared, "Who the Hell are you?!"
The old man understood the child's misunderstanding of who he was as he answered, "The Captains of the First Division… You may call me Yamamoto child." Sakura's eyes widened, though, only for a split second before she glared at the ground. Yamamoto continued, "Now, tell me… Why did you start a fight?"
Sakura kept on glaring at the ground, "Tch, he insulted me." She felt like a child as she pointed an accusing finger towards the furious Kenpachi.
Yamamoto raised a long eyebrow, "How so?"
"…" She kept silent. "I refuse to talk about it. I will stay away from him, as long as he stays far away from me as possible." Before Sakura could leave, an old and wrinkly was placed on top of her shoulder and everything went silent… She flinched ever so slightly at this motion.
"You are a kunoichi I have heard from Kuchiki Byakuya… And, the daughter of Urahara Kisuke as well." He rubbed his chin in amazement at the mix and the advantage they have of against the Arrancars and probably has a chance against Aizen himself if trained correctly and proficiently. "I have heard as well that you are a very skilled medical-nin from Retsu Unohana, the Captain of the Fourth Division." Sakura tried her best not to give a glare at the smiling woman. She very much reminded her of the shy Hyuuga heiress.
"Hinata…" Sakura whispered to herself so no one but she could hear. 'How I've missed those evening herbal tea we used to have every week…' Sakura's emerald eyes glistened in the sunlight's rays, though never would shed a single tear of sorrow, anger, jealousy not even happiness because she felt none.
"I think I should put you in a Division if you are going to stay here." He stomped his foot down as if he commanded the earth. "I shall reside you in… the Fourth Division as 4th Seat."
Sakura glared harder at the ground, 'I do appreciate saving lives, but I want to protect the people I love as well as heal…' she thought to herself.
The cherry blossom was soon about to object until Yamamoto also spoke first, "But, since your kunoichi skills are extremely rare (the only one actually), this will be a great advantage against the Arrancars." This brought the image of Ulquiorra in her mind as she slightly flinched. "So, you shall be put in the Fourth Division only when needed or instructed to by… Hitsugaya-taichou." Her eyes widened.
"N-Nani…?" She couldn't believe it; she had to be stuck with this jackass! (A/N: Just wait… .) She admits defeat and sighed, "Which seat?"
"Actually…" Yamamoto looked at Matsumoto with a sad expression. "I am sorry Rangiku-san… Demo, Sakura will be taking your place for now on." Sakura's eyes widened from shock.
"N-Nande…?" Sakura's bright tea green eyes widened slight. "No! Rangiku-san can stay in her position… I do not want to get in the way for her… I don't want to be a replacement for someone who is already there."
He raised his long white eyebrows, "You will have to deal with it. I'm truly sorry Rangiku-san… Gomen nasai." With that, he disappeared immediately by giving a small tap with his wooden cane.
Matsumoto looked a bit upset, but seemed to be glad that she didn't have to fill out the paperwork anymore for her taichou. The orange haired girl came up to the kunoichi and did something very unexpected. She hugged her… Sakura flinched ever so slightly at the contact.
"Be sure to take care of the paperwork!" Rangiku waved and disappeared to go and tell her friends the happy and sad news.
Sakura kept looking down as some stayed to watch while the rest had other business to do. Hitsugaya soon came up to her and tapped her shoulder, "Ahem, since you are the new Lieutenant, there are some paperwork for you up in my office now. Once you are done with that, I need you to fill out a registration sheet so we can file it in the computer system."
The cherry blossom did something so unexpected that made everyone gasp. She gave him a chakra-enhanced punch that sent him through several walls! Blood trickled down his lip while he glared at her… He could tell they would never get along… (A/N: Not for long!)
To Be Continued…
Authoress Note: I'm sorry I've been updating later and later… It's just that something came up and it has made so upset… That I now enjoy the feeling of… cutting myself… Not so hard though. Just a little blood. I'm very sorry. I'll try my best to update…