Death Is Only The Beginning

Chapter 4: Little Lost Lamb

Kagome had returned home and told the children about accepting a position as a shinigami, and they all seemed to be shocked silent for a moment before a chorus of cheers erupted from the young group. They clamored around her, tugging on her sleeves and looking up at her with their bright eyes, as they asked question after question like what squad she was in and if she’d met anyone famous yet. They told her how proud they were of her and ran to the neighbors houses with the good news. Of course everyone else wanted to come congratulate her after they heard. Even though she didn’t feel like talking to everyone, Kagome put on the best smile she could muster and humbly accepted their praise.

When she had tucked the children into bed and knew that they were all asleep she slipped away to the door and stood outside in the cool night air. With a deep breath she began walking down the silent, deserted streets until she came to an open field. It was her place to just think and watch the moon that she had watched with her friends and the man that she had loved so long ago. Being that she was in another world, Kagome wasn’t even positive that it was the same moon but she wasn’t going to ask anyone and break her illusion of still being connected to her living loved ones…whether they were alive now or somewhere five centuries prior. The moon here was always so large and bright no matter what phase it happened to be in. The soft light always gave her a sense of calm.

Kagome had realized upon coming here that her friends, the human ones at least, were very likely here too. She had thought about trying to track them down, but decided against it after learning of how expansive Soul Society was. She was needed in one place and that was where she would stay. ‘Until tomorrow that is…’ she thought. She could only hope that one day she happened upon Sango or Miroku or Sesshoumaru’s companion Rin. But even then she knew that the outcome could be bitter-sweet. She’d talked to many people in the districts and found that most of their memories of their time alive were fuzzy at best. Some could remember what year they died or the general location of where they lived, but it usually ended there. She had only found one other person who had retained their memories from when they were alive and that was little Aya that lived with her. But even if her friends miraculously remembered their living years, she had known them 500 years ago and there was no guarantee that they would even recognize her anymore.

As Kagome lay quiet in the grass, she pulled her sword from her side to hold it up and look at it. The moonlight caught the smooth surface making it almost glow with a silver light. “Aren’t you supposed to tell me your name or something?? I’m going to be a shinigami after all and I think knowing who you are would make that a lot easier.” Kagome waited to see if there would be any response. Time to try a different approach. “Hi, I’m Kagome. And you are…??” She introduced. After several long moments of silence she sat up with in a huff and said, “You’re very rude, did you know that? When someone introduces themselves you’re supposed to do the same.” With her mild scolding done, she got up and started heading back to her home completely unaware of the pair of lavender eyes that watched her retreating back.

~*~*~*~

When Kagome awoke the next morning she found several sets of eyes watching her eagerly. “Good morning??” She said cautiously.

“Get up, Kagome!” Aya said as she tugged at the older woman’s arm. “Renji’s already here to take you back. And he even brought you some new clothes!”

A few moments later Kagome emerged from the house dressed in a uniform similar to what Renji wore. She glared up at the red-head as her small entourage followed her out the door. “What are you doing here anyway?” She asked him.

“Orders.” Came his curt answer. And with that he began walking down the street from the direction he had come.

Kagome told the children to behave for Yui, the oldest girl, and that she would come see them the first chance that she got. As her small family waved her off and wished her luck she ran to catch up to the current thorn in her side. “Why are you always such a jerk??”

“Why are you always such a shrew?” But Renji regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth as he caught her glance and his blood ran cold. Before he knew it he was nursing the large knot on the back of his head and muttering curses under his breath. “I can’t believe you hit me! I wouldn’t have thought it at first, but you might do just fine in the eleventh division…”

Kagome wasn’t going to answer him because she particularly want to be civil right now, but her natural curiosity got the better of her and her mouth betrayed her. “And why is that?”

“They’re all violent as hell! I used to be in that division before they transferred me and trust me…it’s big group of sociopaths. They’re fun to be around if you like to fight, but someone like you might want to steer clear.”

“And what does that mean??” She questioned as they walked into the first division building.

“It means a little girl like you might get hurt!”

Kagome gasped as she stopped outside the open doors to Captain Yamamoto’s office, pointing at Renji as he walked past her and into the room. “I take it back, you’re not just any jerk…you’re a SEXIST JERK! Oh, I hope I’m in your squad so I can beat some manners into that big head of yours…” she seethed.

Yamamoto watched and listened as the two rowdy youngsters entered his office. “Good morning, Kagome,” he greeted. “Are you ready for your assignments?”

“Yes, Captain Yamamoto.” She answered respectfully as she bowed in greeting.

“As for your Academy level, you will be in the advanced classes and will be exempt from certain classes that you demonstrated your proficiency in yesterday. Now as for your division…I was going to have you join Division Six under Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai,” he informed.

Renji tensed at hearing this and caught the devilish smirk that crossed her face, sending a shiver down his spine.

“But,” Yamamoto continued. “Both Captains Kyouraku and Unohana here have requested that you join their squads.” He said as he looked to the two Captains that were also in attendance for the meeting. “I think you would do very well under either Captain, so that being said, I will give you the chance to choose. You may either join the Fourth Division and further your healing ability or join the Eighth Division and learn combat and kidou techniques.”

Thinking on it for several minutes, Kagome looked to her two possible Captains and said, “I would very much like to learn more about combat so that I may protect people, so I would be honored to join the Eighth Division. But at the same time, Captain Unohana, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble and I wouldn’t be in the way I would like to spend extra time or days off at your division to strengthen my control over my healing abilities.”

“You will always have an open door to you at my division, Miss Higurashi. I would be delighted to have someone of your natural talents to mentor.” Unohana responded.

“Then it’s settled,” Yamamoto spoke. “While you will be allowed to practice in the Fourth Division and visit the Rukongai, I want to remind you that your obligations to the Eighth Division and the Academy come first. Is that understood Kagome?”

“Yes, Captain Yamamoto. I’ll do my best.”

“See that you do, child. It’s not every day that someone is given the opportunity you’ve been presented. You will leave with Captain Kyouraku now, Kagome. Now back to work, you’re all dismissed.”

~*~*~*~

A few minutes later found Kagome standing outside in the sunlight with her new commanding officer. “So then Kagome, how about I give you a tour of the Court and then w can get something to eat?” Shunsui asked with a gentle smile.

“But…shouldn’t we be doing some kind of work? Or training??” She questioned. However she almost jumped out of her skin when a woman suddenly appeared next to her new Captain.

“Yes, as a matter of fact. You SHOULD be working, Captain.” The woman said as she glared at the cheerful man.

“Ah, Nanao-chan, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our squad and the newest prodigy to arrive in the Court, Miss Higurashi Kagome.”

Nanao’s glare hardened for a moment before she turned to Kagome with much softer eyes and said, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lieutenant Ise Nanao. Welcome to the division, Higurashi.” Kagome noticed that the Lieutenant seemed to be a very professional and serious woman, but she could hear the kindness in her voice. She looked up to Kyouraku and saw him looking at Nanao with a soft smile and a distant, longing look. They seemed so different but they complimented each other perfectly.

‘They would be great together,’ she thought absently to herself. “It’s very nice to meet you as well, Lieutenant Ise. I look forward to working with you.” Kagome responded with a bow.

“Now that my girls have met, let’s get something to eat!” Kyouraku said as he began ushering them down the walkway with Nanao protesting the entire way.

~*~*~*~

Later that night Kagome was in her new home within the Court. Cold was the first adjective that came to Kagome’s mind. The walls and shelves were bare and everything was a neutral color. She didn’t have many things other than some clothes and her sword so it would probably be impersonal for a long while to come. “This is just depressing…” Kagome said to herself as she sat on her new bed. “I have to get out of here.” And with that she got up and walked out her front door.

This night was slightly cooler than the previous, but not enough to deter her from taking a walk. Kagome looked around her at the tall, smooth white walls of the buildings of the Court of Pure Souls. It was beautiful, but she missed the raw, natural feeling of the Rukongai. She continued to walk and look at the buildings, occasionally reaching out to touch some of them and see if they were really as smooth as they looked. She wasn’t quite sure how far she’d gone or how long she’d been exploring, but at some point Kagome realized that she was lost. “Great job, Kagome…you were paying so much attention to the texture of the buildings you forgot to look for landmarks!” She chastised herself. “Well, I don’t think I can get anymore lost…I might as well just walk around and hope I see something familiar.”

And so she walked…and walked…and walked some more. It got later in the evening and the night only got colder. Eventually Kagome had to sit down to rest and pulled her knees up to her chest as she propped her back against a wall. “Everything looks the same here,” she groused. “How is anyone supposed to find their way around this place??”

“By having an experienced guide, of course.” Came a deep voice from beside her. She looked up to see Captain Kyouraku looking down at her with the same smile she always saw him wearing. He had just rounded a corner when he saw the newest addition to his division sitting against a wall saying that everything looked the same. “What are you doing out at this hour, Kagome?” He asked.

“I wasn’t really tired and my apartment was a little depressing. I guess I’m just not used to sleeping alone yet…” She answered.

It took a good deal of will power for Shunsui to keep his comment on sleeping alone to himself, but once he had extinguished the urge to tease the small woman in front of him, he held out a hand to help her to her feet. “I was just on my way to take something to a friend and check up on him. You’re more than welcome to tag along and I’ll show you back to our division apartments when we leave, okay?”

“That sounds great, thank you! I don’t want you to go out of your way though.” She said as she reached up to take his offered hand.

“It’s no trouble at all. You’ve actually managed to get yourself pretty far from the division compound. We’re outside the Twelfth Division now, and I would make it a point not to stay in one spot outside this particular division for very long. I’d hate for you to go missing and then reappear a few weeks later missing an arm and having something implanted in your skull.” He chuckled at the look of horror and confusion she sent his way and when she was on her feet again he took off his outer haori and draped it over her shoulders. At the questioning look she gave him he explained, “Your hands were freezing, you must be cold. That should keep you warm though. Now come on, let’s get moving.”

Kagome realized that he was right and the body heat that the haori had absorbed from him wearing it all day did the job. She followed him as they walked and he told her of the different divisions and the quirks that some of them had. She struggled slightly with the haori as it was too long for her and she didn’t want it to drag on the ground, but the sleeves that extended far past her hands weren’t making things any easier. They soon reached their destination however and Shunsui laughed at her as she finally let the fabric drop out of frustration as the stood in front of the door to his friend’s home.

Shunsui knocked and waited for the door to be opened or to be told to just come inside. To his surprise and relief the door was opened for him by a healthier looking Juushiro. “I see you’re getting some of your color back. I thought I’d bring this book back to you. How are you feeling?” He asked as he handed Ukitake the book and stepped inside.

Turning the book over in his hand, the white-haired man looked at his friend and said, “Shunsui…I let you borrow this book over a year ago.” He was just about to shut the door when he noticed another figure standing in his doorway. Looking down at the extra presence, he saw that it was a young woman. The fact that she was wrapped up in his friend’s oversized pink and white haori and that she was about a foot shorter than himself made her look absolutely tiny. Remembering his manners, he looked into her large blue eyes and smiled. “I’m sorry I almost didn’t see you there. Please excuse the lack of manners of my friend and I. Apparently he forgot to introduce us.”

“That’s right, you two still haven’t met,” Shunsui said as he reappeared beside his friend. “Kagome, this is Captain of the Thirteenth Division Ukitake Juushiro. He’s a close friend of mine and I like to check up on him from time to time. ‘Shiro, this is Higurashi Kagome. She’s the newest addition to my division.”

Recognition sparked in Ukitake’s eyes as he extended his hand in greeting. “Yes, you recently had an evaluation and are now in the Academy as well as a squad. I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to make it to your testing; I heard you were very impressive. Please accept my congratulations and apologies.”

‘He’s so polite…’ Kagome thought before smiling and saying, “Of course, Captain. I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well. I’ve been healing the sick of the Rukongai for a while now, is there anything I can do to help?”

She watched as Ukitake’s smile became a little saddened before Shunsui spoke up. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Kagome. But why don’t you come in while we talk? It’s much warmer in here.”

And so Kagome sat and listened as the two men made small talk. At some point she laid her head down on the table they were sitting at and drifted to sleep. When the two noticed this they decided to call it a night and Shunsui gently picked the girl up and carried her back to the door. As they said their goodbyes, Shunsui gave his best friend a mischievous look and said, “I told you she had the biggest blue eyes I’ve ever seen on someone her size.”

Ukitake just shook his head at his long time friend and said, “Good night, Shunsui.”

~*~*~*~

Kagome awoke the next morning and stretched before she realized that she was back in her own bed. Sitting upright she surmised that it must have been her Captain that brought her home because she couldn’t remember anything past listening to the two Captains talking. Looking over to a small clock that came with her apartment her eyes widened and she jumped out of bed shouting, “Oh crap! I’m gonna be late!!”

She quickly got dressed in the school uniform provided for her and ran out of her new home with at least a tiny idea of where she was heading this time. That didn’t meant that she didn’t have to stop and ask for directions here or there, but she finally made it to the Academy. The only problem now was that the classes had already begun and there was nobody in the halls. Quietly, she made her way down one hall after another looking for some kind of sign that she was on the right track to finding where she belonged. Finally she saw a figure at the far end of one of the halls and ran that direction to ask for directions again.

Byakuya had come to the Academy for a meeting and was about to head home when he saw a young woman in a student’s uniform coming towards him. He was slightly shocked when she came to a stop in front of him a looked up to lock eyes.

Kagome looked up at the dark haired man as she thought, ‘A white coat…he must be a Captain. Okay, best behavior!’ She smiled at him and asked, “Excuse me, Captain, but today is my first day here and I was wondering if you could point me towards kidou training field number five.”

This girl had startling blue-grey eyes, much like those his late wife had possessed. They were kind and full of laughter. She had a kind smile and her cheeks were touched with a light rose color. He noticed the way the sun streaming in through the windows caught her hair and gave it an almost dark blue sheen. Her soft features reminded him of the way Hisana had looked when he first met her. Hearing her destination he came to his senses and turned to walk the opposite direction saying, “This way. Follow me.” He was silently glad that his back was to her so that she couldn’t see the soft look in his eyes as he thought about how she reminded him of a happier time in his life.