A/N: This chapter is written by PhoenixChase.
Italics = Yoruichi's thoughts
Bold Italics = Zanpakuto spirit "talking" to Yoruichi


Soi looked at the house in front of her in bewilderment. It looked preposterous. There were two giant arms on either side, holding up a banner with a name on it: Shiba Kuukaku. "Kuukaku lives in that?" she asked, incredulous. Somehow, it reminded her of the hideous couch back at home that Kuukaku usually slept on. She made a face.

Yoruichi laughed at her reaction. "Yes, this is where Kuukaku, Ganju, and Kisuke live."

"I should have known. It seems her taste is just as strange as it is in my world," Soi said with a chuckle. "You should see the kind of furniture she has. It's about as ugly as this is." She shook her head thinking about it.

Yoruichi grinned. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. But don't let her hear you say that!" She motioned for Soi to follow her, and stepped into the house. Inside, the first thing Soi noticed was a set of stairs, indicating that the rooms were in fact underground. Yoruichi led Soi down the stairs and through a long hallway before stopping at door near the end. "This is Kisuke's lab," she explained, knocking on the door. A muffled sound that could have been anything came from the other side. Yoruichi took it as an invitation and opened the door. "Kisuke, I have a problem for you," she announced.

A shaggy blond head popped up from behind a pile of papers that were on a desk. "I might have an answer," Kisuke replied lightly. His eyes moved to Soi and he grinned knowingly. "You don't need my help for that, Yoruichi-san. Love bite marks are easily disguised by make-up or turtleneck sweaters. No need for a gigai there."

Soi's hand went to her neck automatically, while Yoruichi stared at Kisuke in confusion until she realized what he meant. Then she blushed. "I didn't do that!" she protested. "And that's not why I came here. I mean it is, but not like that. Let me explain."

Kisuke raised an eyebrow, noting that Yoruichi was unusually flustered while Soi was surprisingly unembarrassed. "You didn't do it? But how would anyone else get close enough and live to tell about it?" He scratched his head, puzzled. He knew Soi well enough to know that she had no interest in anyone except Yoruichi. "Ok, you've got my curiosity piqued. Let's hear it." He looked at Yoruichi expectantly.

"This might seem crazy, but this isn't our Soi. I think she may be from an alternate universe," Yoruichi stated.

"The bite mark is from Yoru-chan," Soi explained. "That's what I call my Yoruichi," she added, seeing Kisuke make a surprised face.

"Yoru-chan," Kisuke repeated slowly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "There's no way Soi would call you that, Yoruichi-san."

"See? That's what tipped me off," Yoruichi said.

"Is there anything else of note that I should know about?" Kisuke asked. He was talking to Yoruichi, but kept his eyes on Soi, his curiosity more intent than it had been previously. He was starting to go into scientist mode, Yoruichi could tell.

"She didn't know who Suzumebachi belonged to. And Shishi no Tsume told me he couldn't sense Suzumebachi."

Soi wasn't sure what they were talking about, but from Kisuke's expression, she gathered it was rather shocking. He seemed about to say something, but Yoruichi cut him off as she remembered something else.

"Hold that thought for a moment. I should really go check in on the squad, and then tell Yama-jii about this," she said.

"What are you going to tell him?" Kisuke asked curiously.

Yoruichi shrugged. "The truth for now, I guess. I'm sure you can figure this out." She gave him a mock stern look. "Don't do anything before I come back." Then she disappeared.

"Was that…shunpo?" Soi asked, recalling what Yoruichi had said earlier. "Can all of you do that?" she questioned curiously.

Kisuke grinned. "Well, yes and no. Most of us can use shunpo, but not to the same degree as Yoruichi. She's known as the Shunshin. Even carrying someone, she can't be caught if she doesn't want to be. I imagine that's how you got here, right?" He studied Soi in benign fascination. "There's nothing like that in your world?"

Soi shook her head. "Not in real life. In science fiction novels and TV shows, it seems like it would be similar to teleportation. Or it might be comparable to superhuman speed associated with vampires and other mythical creatures."

Kisuke brightened. "Oh, so there is something else similar in our worlds! When I was in the world of the living, there were a lot of shows like that."

"World of the living? What's that?" Soi asked.

Kisuke looked surprised. "Yoruichi-san didn't tell you about it?" he asked. Then he shook his head. "Well, no, I guess she wouldn't have had the time." He motioned for Soi to take a seat, and started explaining. "This world is made up of two co-existing dimensions. One is Soul Society, which is where we are now. The other dimension is more similar to your world, and is usually referred to as the world of the living. The Soul Society exists to protect those in the world of the living."

"Yoruichi said something about protecting people from monsters earlier. Is that what she meant?" Soi asked.

Kisuke raised an eyebrow. "Monsters? That's one way of putting it." He thought about the best way to explain it. "In the world of the living, when people die, sometimes they are unable to cross over for one reason or another and remain in the world of the living as ghosts. In such cases, Shinigami are sent from Soul Society to escort them by performing konso. But sometimes, when a Shinigami is unable to reach a ghost in time, the ghosts are overcome by some emotion; sometimes anger, sometimes sorrow; sometimes regret; and they turn into beings known as Hollows. Hollows are monsters that prey on human souls. It is a Shinigami's duty to eliminate Hollows."

"So that's why you carry swords?" Soi asked.

"Zanpakutos," Yoruichi corrected, reappearing suddenly and hearing the tail end of the conversation.

Kisuke couldn't help but jump a little. "That was fast. What did the old man say?" he asked after he recovered.

"He wants you to work on finding a solution, and for us to update him with any findings," Yoruichi stated cheerfully. "So, why don't we get started?" she suggested.

Kisuke noticed that despite her mood, she avoided looking at Soi, and wondered if there was more that she wasn't saying. There was an emotion in her eyes that reminded him of something he couldn't quite put a finger on. Maybe he would ask her about it later. He frowned and turned his attention back to Soi.

"Yes, that is why we carry zanpakutos," he answered, continuing their previous conversation. "They aren't ordinary swords, however. A zanpakuto is an extension of one's soul; therefore, each Shinigami's zanpakuto is unique. Now, Yoruichi-san told me earlier that her zanpakuto spirit could not sense Soi's. So I am going to see if my zanpakuto spirit, Benihime, has the same problem."

Yoruichi tuned them out. When she'd lied and told Omaeda that Soi was simply not feeling well, he'd asked if she would be back the next day. It seemed like such a simple question at the time, and she'd easily lied again and said yes. But now she had time to think about it. What if it really was a lie? This wasn't like a hundred years ago; back then, she'd at least had the comfort of knowing she would be able to see Soi again someday, and it had dulled the pain to something manageable. But what if Soi wasn't able to come back this time? What if she got stuck in the alternate universe? All of Yoruichi's old regrets came rushing back, and the pain was nearly unbearable. A sharp pain flared in her palms, and she almost hissed as she realized her nails were biting into her skin from clenching her fists so hard. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to focus on what was going on in front of her. Luckily, neither Kisuke nor Soi had noticed Yoruichi's actions, so she didn't have to explain herself.

Benihime had confirmed for Kisuke that Suzumebachi was not present, so he was moving onto the next step. "I hope you're not squeamish," Kisuke said. "I'm going to have to take a blood sample to have something for testing." He waved a q-tip in front of Soi. "Also, I need to wipe that bite, if you don't mind. If I can get some of Yoru-chan's tissue from that, it might help to locate her in your world and use her as a beacon."

"Oh, it's like an episode of CSI!" Soi said enthusiastically. "No, go ahead, I'm not squeamish." As if to prove her point, she tilted her head so that Kisuke could access her neck better.

Kisuke grinned, thrilled to have someone so cooperative. He wiped the bite mark and then placed the q-tip into a container and sealed it. Next, he grabbed a large syringe and drew a vial of blood from Soi's arm. Yoruichi didn't look, torn between an urge to be mad at Kisuke for using this Soi as an experiment, and the knowledge that it might be the only way to get her own Soi back.

In her head, Shishi no Tsume laughed quietly.

What are you laughing about? she asked in mild irritation.

It's just really cute how possessive you are of "your" Soi, even though you two don't have that kind of relationship. Well, not yet, anyway. He added the last part as an afterthought. I don't understand why you don't just get together.

Yoruichi frowned. I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I thought I would have more time to be sure that it would work out. I just thought she'd always be there. But maybe I took her for granted…like I did before. The regret washed over her once more.

Shishi no Tsume was quiet for a moment, giving her time to herself. Then he spoke up again. Don't get carried away, Yoruichi. If anyone can find an answer, it's Kisuke. When–not if—she comes back, you'll have the chance to say the things you need to say. It's only a matter of time. Until then, keep faith.

Shishi no Tsume's reassurance made her feel a little better. You're right. Besides, I'm not the only one who is in this situation. I shouldn't react so selfishly. For the first time, she thought of what it must be like for the Yoruichi in the other world. Then she found herself wondering what her other self was like.

"Well, I think that's all I need from you for now," Kisuke said with a sigh, breaking Yoruichi out of her thoughts. "Now I just have to run some tests." He looked at Yoruichi. "Why don't you give Soifon-san here a tour of the Seireitei? I'll have Kuukaku-san fetch you if I need you for anything else."

Soi started at Kisuke's words. "Actually, my name is Fong Shaolin. Soi is just a nickname."

Yoruichi and Kisuke both stared at her.

"Oh. What would you prefer to be called while you're here?" Yoruichi asked belatedly.

Shaolin shrugged. "Either name is fine. But if it's easier, you can call me Shaolin."

Yoruichi hesitated. "I think I can handle Soi," she said finally. She smiled at Shaolin. "Come on. I'll show you around the Seireitei."