~Crush the world down~

A sneer at an enemy--no matter how she tried to convince herself otherwise--was not a smile. Life the way she had lived the decades out, had taught her the disappointments and joys it could bring. A simple sweet saucer of milk and a warm spot on a sunny day could be Heaven. She didn't want Heaven.

Eyes of green, within the deep depths, the true meaning of despair, all that made him what he was, lay. Pitiless, they stared, challenging as she dared match his stare with a challenge of her own. Sardonic tones overlaid the symphonic resonance of his reply. A simple quirk of charcoal black lips, a tiny slip of the stoic facade he'd worn while observing his comrade's battle, struck a chord deep inside her, whether those present knew it or not.

Kisuke didn't.

His relief and slight sagging of shoulders when the Arrancars in white disappeared, spoke volumes for how low he'd sunk. Mentor, he played at now, not fighter as in their younger days; she thought wryly. Her eyes caught the last, faint glimpse of black against white, straining even then not to miss even the slightest hint of the pale creature's presence. The portal sealed and they were gone.

Well, curiosity hadn't killed the cat, Yoruichi reminded herself.

~~~*~~~

AN: don't own Bleach.