Chapter One

"You've done well, Kiyomi," Yoruichi-sama said patting my head.

"Thank you, sensei," I whispered.

I looked at the training field. It was now a barren waste land now. Sensei hadn't held back in our fight today and I was starting to feel the bruises.

"It's time for lunch," She said stretching.

I walked behind her as we went back to the cabin. I have always wondered who Yoruichi-sama was. She had a walk of royalty and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. I only knew her as my sensei. She had taken me in as a small child and taught me about the shinigami and the Soul Society. She had even helped me achieve bankai not so long ago. Sometimes she scared me. However, I was more scared of myself.

I didn't like my zanpaktou. He was a good partner and all but he was powerful. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control him. Sensei-sama had told me not to worry too much about it. I only hoped she was right. It would be a nightmare if my zanpaktou went out of control. The power of mirrors was a dangerous weapon.

"Hurry up, Koneko," Sensei said for I had slowed in my step. "Last one there is a rotten onigri."

Sensei-sama took off. "W-wait," I called. Leaving me with no other option, I ran after her. I was tempted to use flash step but sensei-sama would still beat me. She was the fastest woman around. Yoruichi-sama was at the cabin by the time I got there.

"Slow pock," she teased.

"My apologies, sensei," I said starring at the ground.

"Don't be so uptight," she said. "We're friends. Stop calling me sensei and sama. You make me feel old."

"Yes, sen-, I mean, Yoruichi-san?"

"Was that so hard?" she asked.

"No, Yoruichi-san."

"Good," she said. "Let's eat."

The onion soup had cooled down by the time I served us lunch. We sat around the small table in the living room. The breeze coming in from the open windows pulled at the onion soup's aroma. I took my time eating. I got a stomach ache every time I ate too fast. Unfortunately, I had to learn that the hard way. I had had a stomach ache when I was fighting a Hollow three days ago. Yoruichi-sama had to save me. It was the most embarrassing thing ever.

"By the way," Sensei said finishing her rice. "I'll be gone for a few days. You'll be staying here alone and training. Don't burn the town to the ground. If any Hollow appears you know what to do."

"Okay, Yoruichi-san," I said. I bit my lip. I hated being alone. Yoruichi-sama was the only person I had ever been around with.

"I have a surprised for you," Sensei said.

I looked at her surprised. Her surprises were not always a good thing. Sensei stood up and so did I.

"Follow me," She said with a smile.

"Yes, sensei," I said. Yoruichi-sama led me to the back door. She moved behind me and covered my eyes.

"Sensei," I protested.

"No, peaking," she said. Her breath tickled my ear. I head the door open. "Watch your step."

I held my hands out in front of me and slowly, descended down the three steps. Yoruichi-sama made me stop at the bottom.

"Do you have your eyes closed?" she asked.

"Yes," I said. She removed her hands and I placed my hands over my eyes. I only hopped she didn't leave me standing here like she had done before. This time, however, I heard her come back. She stopped in front of me.

"You can open your eyes," she said. I could hear a smile in her voice.

I removed my hands and opened my eyes. Yoruichi-sama was holding a brown dog in her arms.

"Say hello to Isao," she told me. She let Isao down. The dog walked toward me. He barked at me, wagging his tail. I was speechless. This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done to me or given to me. I rushed at Yoruichi-sama and hugged her.

"K-Kiyomi," Sensei said surprised.

"Thank you," I sobbed.

She patted my head. "You're ruining my outfit," she said.

I immediately let go of her and stepped back. "My apologies," I mumbled wiping my tears away.

She laughed. " I was just kidding."

"Thank you," I repeated.

"I didn't want you to get lonely," she said. "Isao is going to accompany you today." Sensei turned to the dog. "Take good care of her." Isao barked.

Isao looked at me with those dark eyes of his. I knelt down and petted him. His fur was soft and warm. He placed his forepaws on my knees and licked my face. I laughed wiping my cheek. When I looked up, Yoruichi-sama was nowhere in sight. I stood up and went back into the house. Isao followed me as happy as any dog could be. He patiently waited for me to do the dishes and clean up. I knew he wanted me to play with him.

I took Isao into town after lunch. He was really excited to be with me. He ran around me and played hide-and seek. As he neared the town he stayed closer to me. I leaped up onto a tree branch and sensed the area. There were no Hollow. Karakura town was silent. However, I could sense something; a Quincy, three shinigami and three unfamiliar auras that I couldn't quite place. Yoruichi-sama had told me to stay away from those people or whatever they were. She always acted weird when I mentioned them to her.

I jumped down and went into town. I stayed hidden for the most part. Not many people could see me but I wasn't going to take any chances. Isao followed me to Karakura High. I liked watching people in school. It was fascinating. I always wondered how students could like to come to a building for the most of the day. I wanted to have that experience; fat chance of that ever happening. I wanted to speak to people and interact with them. I knew I wasn't any good but I could at least try.

Isao and I hide in a tree on the school grounds. A bell rang and students same out of the building. A group of girls came out and sat underneath our hiding space. Isao had trouble keeping quiet. He wanted to play with them but he didn't give away our hiding place. I saw the Quincy look up at the tree and I immediately hide. My heart was racing. I didn't even want to peak to see if he was still looking. When I thought it was enough time, I peaked. The Quincy was nowhere in sight.

I sighed in relief. That was close, I thought. I should be more careful.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" an unfamiliar voice down below said.

I looked down and saw a black-haired, school, girl. She was one of the shinigami that I had sensed. I grabbed Isao and fled. "Wait," she called.

The shinigami ran after me using flash step. Even she couldn't catch up to me; I had been taught by the "flash goddess", at least that's what sensei-sama had told me she was sometimes called. I left the shinigami and headed back to the cabin. I was sure that girl could handle the Hollow that appeared. The sun was setting and Yoruichi-sama wasn't home yet. I put Isao down and made dinner. I ended up burning half the meal. The only thing that came our good was the rice.

"Is something wrong?" Yoruichi-sama asked that night at dinner.

I didn't look up from my meal. "I disobeyed you," I told her. "The shinigami saw me. I should have sensed her." I shook my head. "It will never happen again." My eyes stung with unshed tears.

Sensei-sama didn't say anything. I could feel her gaze on me. "You would have met her sooner or later," she said.

Surprised, I looked at her. "You're not mad?" I asked.

"Disappointed," she said. "Not mad. I do however want you to to stop being scared. Trust in your power and the power of your Zanpaktou. Let him help you out. I helped you achieve bankai but you'll be unstable if you two aren't together as one."

She has a point, Kesshno akuma said. Trust in me.

"I'll try harder," I promised both of them.

"Now, where is Isao?" she asked.

"He's outside," I answered. "I already fed him. He stayed out sniffing the flowers. He is very happy."

"Yes," she said with a smile. "He does look happy."

We continued to eat. I ate with more feeling than before. I was ravenous. At the back of my mind, the part that wasn't interested in food, I really wanted to ask Yoruichi-sama about the shinigami that I saw.

"Do you hear a bumble bee," Sensei suddenly ask.

I frowned. "No," I said. "I don't hear a thing."

Yoruichi-sama stood up, searching for the bumble bee. She stopped in front of me and knelt. I sat absolutely still. I dared not breath nor move. Sensei placed a hand on my head. I looked her in the eye.

"Stop thinking too much," she said. Her expression suddenly sadden. She stood up. "I'm going to bed." She walked out of the room.

"Who are you missing, Yoruichi?" I asked the empty room.