"How long have you been sitting here?" Both Yoruichi's purr and spiritual pressure arrived behind Kisuke at the same time. He was relaxed, sitting on a hill, watching a town move lazily below.

His clothing didn't match what he had left Soul Society with. These clothes hung off his frame, obviously too large for him. Everything was dusty with neglect. The folds were worn, from sitting unattended for so long. The only thing clean was his hat, and it covered his eyes so completely that Yoruichi wasn't able to see his expression.

"Oh, just awhile," Kisuke's voice finally bubbled out from under his hat. He pushed it up, and Yoruichi finally saw what he was trying to hide. The dark stubble on his chin only accentuated the even darker circles under his eyes. "No bother at all, Lady Yoruichi," he intoned her name and title after a quick sweep of his eyes took in her Shinigami form. His smile was as bright as his voice, but it never reached his eyes.

Yoruichi signed heavily and examined the town below her. She sat down gracefully, just an arms reach away from Kisuke. "Streets of stone," she announced, starting a methodical list. "An obvious market place. No pesky lord's manor, yet a day or two travel to the capital." She felt Kisuke's eyes on her. He was almost holding his breath, waiting for her approval. "And, very weak borders between the worlds here."

Kisuke finally looked away, chuckling so softly she wasn't sure that it was there at all. "Oh, Lady Yoruichi, you don't give this place enough credit."

"Wait, Kisuke," Yoruichi finally stopped him, interrupting him. "Why so formal?"

Kisuke pulled his knees up to his chest and pushed his hat back. For the first time since he had entered the Academy, she recognized her Kisuke from childhood. For the first time in a long time, he almost looked relaxed and his eyes were amused. It lasted a mere second before all emotion was gone and he was Captain Urahara again.

"You didn't have to come, Lady Yoruichi." His voice was pure seriousness, gone was any mirth at his situation or even true humor from his youth. "I waited here for you because I was keeping our promise. I didn't expect you to come." His steel eyes met her own surprised amber eyes. His own expression held only determination.

Almost unthinking, Yoruichi reached out and touched his cheek. The insubstantiality of her form prevented her from feeling his skin, but his eyes flashed surprise for a second. His muscles tensed as he chose not to lean into her touch.

"I came for you, Kisuke," her voice was soft and serious, a match to his own. "After you left, I had to tie up some loose ends. I had to appoint a new family head. I had to liquidate my own assets, and what I couldn't liquidate, I had to find a way to leave behind." Her eyes hadn't left his. She was trying to convey the gravity of this to him through look and touch alone. "I had to wait for a portal to open, so I could slip through. And with so little time, I had to leave without a gigai." At this, Kisuke's eyes widened, and he cupped her hand with his own. "But I am here, with you, keeping our promise."

"Oh, Yoruichi." Kisuke leaned into her hand, finally, appreciating her touch and her presence as more than a fulfilled promise. He set the lightest kiss at the shimmering air of her forehead.

Their eyes locked for a moment longer as Kisuke poured all the emotion he'd been holding back into caressing Yoruichi's concern. Finally, it was too much and she turned back to town, removing her hand from his cheek.

Kisuke settled more comfortably on the grass, content with enjoying their silence.

"Have you made plans?" she asked him, finally breaking the silence that suddenly seemed too heavy.

"It will be as we discussed." Kisuke's confident captain voice was back, in sharp contrast to his insecurities of earlier. Just that reassurance was all he needed. "I've been watching this town, and there is a storefront that no one has gone in to or out of." He paused, tilting his head in thought, causing his hat to slip back over his eyes. "I have a mind to check it out before robbing traveling merchants. If the owner has abandoned it, I can pretend I'm family easy enough."

Yoruichi searched the short wooden buildings, looking for the one with an unopened storefront. Before she could find it, Kisuke pointed it out. "That one, there. It's washed in green and has the marks of a confectionary."

Yoruichi's eyes were finally drawn to it. The wash was starting to fade in places and the joints to the storefront looked old.

"I know it's a fixer-upper," Kisuke was saying, his voice again light and airy. "But I think it should be in a good location." Her eyes traced the main roads in and out of town near the store as he continued. "Before I even open the store again, though, I intend on making a lab."

"How will you eat?" Yoruichi gave him a sharp look, turning away from the store.

"I don't care," he said with a stubborn set to his eyes. "The first order of business is making you a gigai, so you can really be here."

They both knew the unspoken end to that sentence. "With me."