Ichigo Kurosaki… I couldn't understand the fascination everyone found with him. He wasn't anything special really. He was a human; the son of a shinigami, who was turned into a shinigami himself and through what would seem like dumb luck his hollow was released. The only truly interesting thing about him was his ridiculous amount of reiatsu. However, with that said, it wasn't as though he could truly control it, it was mostly base animal reaction.

Though be that as it may, Hiyori seemed to believe that it was of the utmost importance that he be brought back to us. I was rather hoping that he was being brought back for me to study him a while. Her only mission was to see if he could become a Vizard and if he failed, kill him. Not much fun involved for me.

You see I'm a researcher. I suppose I should have begun by introducing myself. My name is Umiko Yamamoto. I won't relay the story of my life to you as it is of no consequence at this moment. We shall simply say that Kisuke Urahara isn't exactly correct when he states that he built the first research and development facility in Soul Society. But it was long gone before he had come along and all records of my existence were sealed or destroyed so in fairness to him, it wasn't as though he would have known.

At any rate, back to Kurosaki, he had recently returned to Karakura. Shinji had the task of making contact and convincing Ichigo to come to us. While Shinji is a bit of a sarcastic fellow who most see as flippant, which I rather enjoy, he is an incredible judge of character and very persuasive. If anyone could find a way to convince this boy, it would be Shinji.

Of course at first it wasn't going as quickly as Hiyori would have liked. She's always in a terrible rush; I believe it makes her sloppy. She has a great deal of potential but a very large chip on her shoulder. She is still young though so I have hope that she shall mature, though I doubt it. I suppose that is part of her "charm".

One of the evenings Shinji had actually come to me to discuss the situation with me. Or rather to vent at me about how stubborn this Kurosaki kid was. I sat at my desk writing up some potential subjects of research that I wanted to look into; unfortunately most of them required consulting Kisuke, which I was always more than a little leery on doing. I tapped my pen on my temple only half listening to Shinji's rant.

"You are listening to me, right?" Shinji said getting close enough for me to know that he had recently consumed a few onigiri. I glanced up at him nodding slightly and then began to write again. Truthfully it amuses me when he gets upset, honestly upset. The fact is you only know he's upset when he's acting perfectly calm. Most people find that unnerving. I simply enjoy eliciting reactions. I can't help it. Cause and effect are my play things.

"It seems Kisuke didn't have a difficult time getting Ichigo to follow his instructions, maybe you should talk to him for advice," I said yawning as I stretched back in my chair. He gave me a look as though he were going to be sick. Clearly, taking advice from someone such as Kisuke was not an option.

"You must be out of your mind. Getting Urahara to help is like signing a contract so that he can pop up at any moment and ask for 'a small favor'," Shinji said sitting down and sighing. He had a very good point. Kisuke had a certain talent for steering a conversation in such a way to get people to do something he needed. This is not a bad trait it is simply a matter of fact. As a former captain of the Gotei 13 I would hope he would be able to command people in one way or another.

"However, to that end, he did give all of you those lovely gigai to escape into the real world from Soul Society, I suppose in theory you still owe him. It would be rather rude to run up such a large tab with him," I replied. To which Shinji gritted his teeth, he didn't like the idea that he owed anyone anything.

"You know, I didn't come here to have you tell me all the ways I can't get assistance on getting Ichigo to come here. Oh, and don't talk to me about those gigai, it wasn't as if I had a father who would let me escape from soul society like some people I know," he told me leaning back in his chair and grinning like a cat. I hate when Shinji brings that up. It wasn't as though I was just free to walk out of the soul society skipping happily through the senkaimon over to the real world.

Unfortunately thoughts of my father are a double edged sword. He would have killed me if he caught me, but I would have been caught if I hadn't been trained so thoroughly by him. The only person who really could be said to have let me escape would be Shunsui. He provided a bit of calculated misdirection to the Kido Corps buying me enough time to limp through the senkaimon.

Well it seems that I've done what I said I wouldn't. But now that I've gone a bit down memory lane I will confirm for you the conclusion that you have most likely come to. Yes, Captain Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto is indeed my father. And yes, he was disappointed that I wanted to be a researcher rather than follow in his footsteps as the next captain of squad 1. I have never had any interest in leading people.

I'm actually slightly surprised he still allows a research and development facility in the seireitei since it was my own fault that I came to be a Vizard. But my guess is that after I left he went on as though I had never existed. And surely, no one else would make the same mistake I had. No, it wouldn't be a mistake. It was a clearly calculated move by Aizen, though he hadn't calculated for Shinji and the others to actually be able to control their hollows. He should have known better.

My apologies; let us return to Shinji's dilemma. Tangents are unfortunately a sort of habit for me, so please bear with me.

"So what exactly is it that you want Shinji?" I asked wondering if the smile on his face was more than simple taunting about my father. That was confirmed as his smile widened and he spun in his chair laughing. I knew this meant nothing good for me. I was not going to be left to my research.

"I want you to come with me to Ichigo's school," Shinji told me as he stopped spinning and smiled still scanning my face which was surely revealing my frustration at the idea.

"You can't be serious. You should take Hiyori. I really wouldn't pass as a high school student as well as the two of you kids. Besides, she's the one that seems to be thoroughly fascinated with him," I replied knowing that he would devise some sort of scheme so I would go.

"I don't want to scary Ichigo off! Hiyori doesn't exactly have any social skills," Shinji said to which I grinned. Of course Shinji simply thought that I found this statement amusing, until he felt the sandal slam against the back of his head.

"I heard you, asshole!" Hiyori yelled from the doorway of my lab. I sighed standing up knowing that this little exchange would not end any time soon. They fought like five year olds, they always do. I've come to the conclusion that they're actually in love.

"It's true, stupid. You have no people skills! You're a little troll!" Shinji yelled back making faces at her. I let them go on a little while because I dislike having to step in on their constant bickering. However, I dislike them trashing my lab more.

Hiyori picked up a book off of one of my tables taking aim at Shinji's head. So I used shunpo and quickly took the book from her hand as she was leaning in ready to release her throw. She fell flat on her face and got up quickly sending an angry glare my way. I sighed setting the book back on to the table.

"You know, I have very few rules Hiyori… I couldn't care less if you and Shinji want to have your little quarrels. But they will not occur in my lab. Do you understand? And Shinji, stop making faces at her from behind me," I said firmly then glanced back at Shinji whose tongue was sticking out of his mouth.

"You can't tell me what to do, who the hell do you think you are anyways?!" Hiyori yelled looking me square in the eyes. While her attitude can be amusing at times this confrontational personality grated on my nerves. I still don't understand what she is trying to prove by acting this way.

"Who am I? Why, I'm no one of consequence…" I said quietly finally having had enough I began to release my reiatsu. I hate having to overpower her like that. There's always that moment, the fearful look in her eyes almost makes me regret doing it. Shinji put a hand on my shoulder letting me know that it was enough and in his own way it was an apology.

"What's going on in here?" a gentle voice called from the hallway. It was Hachi, he looked in checking on us. He never liked confrontation and tried to defuse these situations in a softer manner. He didn't have the heart to hurt others or see them hurt.

"Everything is fine Hachi. No need to worry," I replied apologetically. I always felt more regret when he was present in these situations knowing that it disappointed him. Of our group he was the only one older than me. I had known him as a child and always considered him like an uncle.

"I had just wanted to let all of you know that dinner was ready. So you should get moving before Love and Lisa eat everything," Hachi told us with a smile. To which I simply nodded in response and walked out of the room following him.

"Come on you two, let's go," I said waving Shinji and Hiyori to follow. Hiyori quickly passed by us. Shinji strode slowly behind us.

"I still need to speak with you though Umiko," Shinji said. Apparently he was not giving up on getting my help with Ichigo. His tone was more serious than it had been earlier, which made me curious as to why it was so important that I assist him. I wasn't going to force this boy to come. So what did Shinji want from me?

"Couldn't we at least eat first Shinji, really I may be more easily convinced with a full stomach," I told him with a slight grin. He rolled his eyes nodding giving an annoyed look as though to say that this was more important than food. To which I told him that if he wanted the greatest probability of my cooperation then he should not complain.

"Whatever, I know you'll agree to it anyways once I get the chance to explain it to you without some little troll barging in on the conversation," Shinji said. And so it began again. Somehow Hiyori has some type of supersonic hearing when it comes to anything Shinji says about her. She's always just around the corner with a sandal ready to strike. Like I said, it must be love…

I sat picking at my food as long as I possibly could, eating very slowly. I wasn't at all looking forward to whatever Shinji had planned. Eventually he was tired of the delay and took my plate giving it to Aikawa. Then he grabbed my arm taking me off to the underground training area of our facility.

"What are we doing down here?" I asked wondering what he was up to.

"When was the last time you sparred with anyone?" he replied with a smile.

"I don't enjoy it so I don't do it," I replied sitting on a rock hoping he would just get to the point and not try to get me to fight.

"Oh come now. Don't be that way, you'll turn into a rusty old maid if you never practice you know," he said grinning.

"Why can't we just talk? I don't feel like playing this game," I told him.

"But surely Suijin would enjoy the exercise. He has to be quite bored…" Shinji said speaking of my zanpakutou.

"Suijin is perfectly content," I replied. It wasn't that I didn't practice; it was that I didn't enjoy sparring with the others. I knew that my years gave me an unfair advantage over them. Suijin and I were closer than anyone would know. There has been a great deal of times in my life where he has saved me.

Shinji took his stance and I knew he wouldn't take no for an answer. But I was not about to give in so easily. I used the binding bakudo 1 to restrain him. Knowing it would bide me a bit of time. "So tell me, what is it that you want?" I asked still sitting on the rock.

"Umi… Why won't you fight? Do you honestly think we're all that weak?" he said and here it came, that calm. The binding kido wouldn't last very long with his rising reiatsu.

"In short, yes… To go further, I know that you are a great fighter. You have amazing talent… Why do you want to fight me so badly?" I asked.

"Because there is always more to learn, and I won't stop trying to get you to teach me," he said breaking the kido.

"Very well Shinji Hirako… Get ready," I said then used shunpo and got directly in front of him throwing the first punch. I saw him smile as I hit him. I still didn't know what this was teaching him. We used our shunpo a great deal back and forth through the training area. I had gotten a few punches in on him but he had yet to hit me.

"Umiko, please give this some effort," Shinji said finally getting in a shot as he kicked me in the ribs. I coughed a bit and gave it another go. He had clearly been getting much better with his shunpo. He had always been the fastest of the group when we met but he was getting closer to my speed in this fight.

"Sorry about that Shinji, I'll try harder," I replied. I suppose that a part of me begins to enjoy sparring after a little while, knowing that he had gotten faster and stronger since the last time. It was good to see. Part of me hoped he would beat me some day.

I finally unsheathed Suijin. Suijin is a water type zanpakutou, I would call him beautiful but he would be rather displeased with that statement; he likes to think of himself more as a protector of the innocent... The beauty of his power is that he can battle and heal. The hilt has blue green woven cloth around it that flows off the end about two feet. The hamon of the blade has a notare or "wave" style. It reminds me of the amazing craftsmanship of Goro Masamune. Sometimes I wonder if he had something to do with the creation of zanpakutous. But that is matter for another day.

"Suijin Takimaru," I said calling the full name of my zanpakutou, my best friend… Reishi swirled around the blade as I took my stance. Suijin was looking forward to testing Shinji apparently, much to my surprise. Or rather much to my unease, out of the two of us Suijin is definitely a better teacher, sometimes I wish that he could bring out his physical form into the real world. I think Shinji would enjoy learning from him directly.

"Finally, this should be good," Shinji said before pulling his hollow mask over his face. At this point we fought more seriously. I knew that at the point he put on that mask he would be going all out. His speed and strength increased even more with the mask on so I steadily released a bit more reiatsu over the course of the fight.

I know you may be thinking that this was rude of me, not to go all out and fighting Shinji with all of my power. That is not my intent. I have never been a good teacher. Let us simply say while Suijin can heal someone he can't bring them back from the dead.

It was interesting to notice the difference in Shinji when he was hollowfied. He still remained calm but he made more direct attacks, seemingly having more confidence in this form. He came head on, without fear.

"Stop underestimating him, we should truly test his power. Trust me, he will probably get injured but we will not kill him," Suijin's voice was firm. We both knew that one day Shinji would surpass me. Suijin told me that what I was doing was slowing the process for Shinji and that it was unfair. I sighed, I really didn't like this idea.

"I don't want to hollowfy Suijin, that is my one condition," I replied to him. So with that I released my reiatsu. Surprisingly the sparring match didn't end as quickly as I had anticipated. We charged at each other exchanging hard hits back and forth both drawing blood from the other. His form was amazing but I could see him starting to wear down. Though I was as well, on the last move we charged at each other grabbing each other's throats. We would attempt a strike and the other would block back and forth. Until I saw the opening a split second when he would be starting a new attack his shoulder would drop and his hand that was on my throat would loosen. So as he began the new attack I released his throat pulling his hand from my own and turned in toward him launching my elbow into the side of his head.

He dropped to the ground breathing heavily and I kneeled down extending my hand. "I think this is enough Shinji," I told him. He pulled off his hollow mask and smiled.

"Thank you," he said taking my hand and I pulled him to a sitting position and then sat next to him.

"Now, let's get back to our previous discussion. Why in the world would you want me to go with you to see this Kurosaki boy?" I asked.

"Well, you are for all intents and purposes the first Vizard… I think you may be able to convince him better," Shinji told me.

"And what makes you think something so preposterous? I don't even care if he does come. You know you should be going with Hiyori. She is the one that is so intent on this matter," I replied. Truth be told I had no idea what I would say to Ichigo, let alone that I doubted I would sway his decision at all.

"Stop lying, I know you're at least curious. And I think that what you need to say will come to you when you meet him. Besides it'll be good for you to actually get out, you've turned into a real hermit over the past few years," Shinji said giving a bored sort of look.

"I have all I need here. I just want to do my research. I don't want to be involved," I told him. I knew that if I were I would probably get caught up in whatever was stirring with the Aizen situation. And if that happened the probability of seeing everyone from my past was that much more likely. I just wanted to move forward.

"Just shut up will you… If you keep this up you're going to end up like that creepy Mayuri Kurotsuchi…" Shinji said making a disgusted sort of face. I scanned my memory for the name but it didn't sound familiar. I found out later that he had become the captain of squad 12 after Kisuke. Shinji noticed my pondering look. "Just trust me; the guy is a complete freak, brilliant, but a head case".

"Well I suppose if it will get you to stop nagging me, I'll do it. Now how exactly are you going to get me to pass for a student?" I asked. Granted I didn't look that much older but old enough that I wouldn't exactly 'fit in' as it were.

"You won't be a student. You're going in as a substitute teacher," Shinji said grinning. The more he explained the more I didn't like this whole plan. But I must say Shinji is extremely thorough. He had thought of this from every angle. Any question or doubt that I had he had some sort of solution, even if I didn't like it, he did have all situations covered. "So, you'll do it, right?" he said more telling me than really asking me.

"Fine… But don't expect some earth shattering results when he blows us off," I replied sighing.

"Don't be so negative… It's depressing," Shinji said frowning at me. I just shrugged in response, what could I say? This wasn't exactly my expertise.

"Alright, well I need to get back to the lab before the night is over so I'll meet you in the morning," I told him getting up to leave.

"Bright and early, school starts at 7, it'll look bad if the teacher is late," he said in a taunting tone.

"Time is relative. I try not to think about it very much," I replied walking out. I walked to my lab sitting back down in my chair sighing. I tried to think of the last time I had actually gone out anywhere. Apparently it had been more than a little while. I really hadn't needed to go outside of these walls very often. Generally it was to get or exchange information with Kisuke.

I was fairly tired at this point after sparring with Shinji so rather than getting any work done I decided to take a bath and get to bed. Every night before settling in to bed I go to my "inner world" and talk with Suijin.

He stood in front of my at least a head taller than I am. He has long dark blue hair in a braid all the way down his back and gentle greenish blue eyes. He's always wearing a white robe; it reminds me of Shinto priests. He smiled at me motioning for me to sit.

"Today was a good day Umiko," he started as we sat. I wasn't sure why he said that. I didn't know what was so much better about today than any other day aside from the sparring match.

"Why is that Suijin?" I asked in reply.

"Well, every day is a good day but I'm glad that we got to challenge Shinji a bit. He has a great deal of potential. Plus he is getting you out of that laboratory of yours. You know the sun will do you some good, look how pale you've become," Suijin said laughing.

"But I'm not confident about this whole thing… What am I going to say to this boy that will make any difference?" I asked already feeling defeated by the situation.

"Have a bit more faith in yourself. Speak from your heart, I'm sure the boy will come around," Suijin said still smiling. He was always encouraging me, trying to get me to do things that were outside my comfort zone. Saying I needed to expand my horizons and not limit myself.

"Speak from my heart? Not exactly a trait I possess…" I told him.

"What are you talking about? Whenever we talk you tell me what's truly on your mind. Are you sure everything is quite alright aside from this? It seems like this really isn't the only thing you are upset about," Suijin asked. He was always very perceptive.

"I'm sorry Suijin… It's just… Today I started thinking about the old days again… Sometimes it's so difficult. I wish I could forget. It hurts to remember how easy it was for everyone to abandon me and act as though I were the enemy…" I told him staring at the ground.

"Forget, everything? But there were fond memories from that time as well. Would you give up those pleasant memories to avoid the painful ones?" he asked his lips beginning to turn down, after all this would mean forgetting all of our time when we first met.

"Not everything, just most things. All I need are the memories of us. Because you were the only one who stayed by my side and never let me down," I told him.

"What about Shunsui? He didn't let you down," Suijin asked looking at me curiously.

"I don't want to talk about him, please… If I could forget him most of all, I would be fine…" I replied as a tear welled out of my eye down my cheek. Suijin put an arm around me pulling me close to him.

"Don't be so hasty to throw away memories of love Umiko… He was a good man, he defied the law so that you could live on. You know, if that Urahara fellow could arrange it I think that you should try to see Shunsui," Suijin said.

"No! There's no chance! I don't want to see him Suijin! EVER!" I said crying. This was of course a complete lie. There was no one I wanted to see more. But the pain was too great, the fact that our lives had led us so far apart made my heart ache.

"Now, surely you don't mean that…" Suijin said softly wiping my tears. I buried my head in his chest, somehow I couldn't stop sobbing. It was so long, yet all those emotions remained so powerful. I still loved Shunsui… And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"It just hurts so much… I miss him, terribly," I said finally stopping myself from crying.

"But there were so many fun memories… For instance when he stole your kimono," Suijin said laughing loudly at the memory.

"Oh that was terrible! I thought father was going to kill him! Until of course I found out that he was in on it," I replied laughing at the thought and then thinking back to that time.

It was right after Shunsui and Jushiro had graduated from the academy. They were set to become captains. Father was very excited and proud of his two pupils. I had never seen him so happy.

"Umiko, the kimono I bought you for your birthday, please wear that to the ceremony," Father requested with a gentle smile. I nodded returning the smile. It was a beautiful kimono, perfect for the lovely spring weather. It was pink with beautiful flower patterns. I went directly to find it so that I could ready it for the afternoon ceremony.

I looked through my entire closet pulling all my outfits from their place. It wasn't anywhere to be found. I kept searching finally enlisting help from the maids to see if it had possibly been stored it away somewhere else.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no…" I mumbled as I ran around the house. I searched every room, every closet. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't think of another place that I would have left it. Just as I was running through the halls I spotted Jushiro. I practically tackled him telling him the nervous story about losing my kimono. He listened with that usual thoughtful look he had and offered to help me search for it.

We looked again throughout the house and then went to the various laundry shops to see if the maids had possibly taken it there. Something seemed off though. It felt like Jushiro were leading me circles, as though he were biding time until the ceremony. Which was very unusual, he was never the type to lie or play games. But he would do almost anything for his best friend, Shunsui…

"Did he put you up to this?" I asked stopping Jushiro mid-step.

"Who put me up to what?" he said with an innocent tone.

"You know who, Shunsui… Did he do something to my kimono? I am going to be in so much trouble!" I told him.

"Everything will be fine, besides, you have that lovely blue kimono, it goes so nicely with your eyes," Jushiro said with a smile and that confirmed that Shunsui was up to something.

"You guys are going to be the death of me, you know that?" I told him and he simply shrugged and kept smiling. There wasn't enough time to try to hunt down Shunsui to negotiate getting my kimono back so I went back home. I stomped furiously up the stairs to my room.

"Umiko, what's wrong?" my father asked as I started turning the handle to my door.

"Shunsui is totally immature…" I told him still angry about my kimono having gone missing.

"He's a good boy, whatever he's done, I'm sure it wasn't with any intention of harm. He cares a great deal about you, you know," my father told me.

"I know… But I really wanted to wear my pink kimono…" I said my voice getting quieter as I kept talking.

"What? Did he do something to that kimono?" my father asked beginning to get a little angry, I thought since it was a present he had given me. But I learned later he had just been playing along as well.

"I don't know… Apparently he took it. At least that's what it seemed like when I talked to Jushiro," I said in a pouting tone. I believe the term that humans use for this now would be "throwing them under the bus".

"I'll deal with him after the ceremony. For now get ready, the ceremony will be starting soon," father said and walked off. Little did I know that he was also in on their little gag. I went into my room and got ready getting out the blue kimono that Jushiro suggested. I gave myself one last look in the mirror and went down the stairs. As I got to the bottom of the stairs there was suddenly someone behind me covering my eyes. The light scent of ume sake hit my nose and I knew it was Shunsui.

"You jerk, of all the nerve! Did you bring my kimono back?" I said as I angrily shoved my elbow into his stomach.

"Don't be mad my sweet Umiko… There is a reason behind this, and I apologize for upsetting you… That said, I do love this blue kimono on you," he said softly, I could hear his smile in his voice.

"Shunsui…" I said quietly and he turned me toward him. I opened my eyes to see my kimono draped over his shoulders. "Are you crazy? My father bought that for me, he'll kill you if he sees this!" I said pulling him quickly into a room out of sight.

"I'm not as crazy as some might think sweet Umi… I love you, Umiko Yamamoto. The look in your eyes when you're furious at me, the way your cheeks get a rose color when you've had too much sake, the determination that courses through your entire spirit when we spar, every bit of you… And I wanted to have something with me forever that every moment I can be reminded of that beauty no matter where I am or what I am doing. So, while I am sorry for stealing your kimono, I'm afraid I won't return it," he said pulling me close to him one hand against the small of my back and the other behind my neck as he pressed his lips to mine.

My heart raced at his word and his touch. There was nowhere else I wanted to be. No place else would bring me more joy than being there in his arms. As we shared that embrace I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. It startled me because I recognized it in an instant, it was my father. Shunsui turned toward him, perfectly calm.

"Hello old man," Shunsui said smiling. I couldn't believe that he was so calm while calling my father so informally, especially when the look on my father's face was so serious. I stepped in front of Shunsui, not certain what my father's reaction would be. But then, he smiled at us.

"It's time, go now Umiko, I need to speak with Shunsui," my father told me in a soft voice. I looked back to Shunsui wondering what was going on.

"It's alright sweet Umi, I'll be along soon," Shunsui said still smiling as he ran his hand gently down the side of my face. I simply smiled nodding telling him that I'd be waiting for him.

I didn't know what the two were going to talk about at the time. I know I am very naïve at times. I learned later that Shunsui was asking my father's permission for my hand, one of the very few things that Shunsui ever did in a traditional manner.

It wasn't that many years after that when my accident occurred, so we never were actually married, one of many regrets in my life. I sighed realizing that it was now just a memory that would never come to fruition.

"So, after you finish the day with Shinji, why not go speak with Urahara?" Suijin said.

"I don't know if I can do it… Even if by some strange miracle Kisuke does get Shunsui to come… What on earth would I say to him? We can never be together now… So what is the point anymore?" I asked as I pulled my knees toward myself cradling my arms around my legs.

"What do I always say?" Suijin said with a coaxing look.

"Tell the truth; speak from your heart…" I said sighing.

"You know, I can't make you do anything you don't want to. I am only trying to help. You never know, something wonderful could come of this," Suijin told me with a smile. I doubted it but gave a sheepish smile in return. "Now you should get to sleep, you've got an early start tomorrow," Suijin said seeming to look forward to the next day.