As Shinya returned to his corporeal existence he heard a vaguely familiar voice calling his name. He opened his eyes,

"Huh? Mayuri-fukutaicho?"

"The Captain would like a word with you, Shinya-san."

"Hai."

He rose to his feet, finding the effort much less taxing than before, and motioned for the Twelfth Squad Lieutenant to lead the way. Upon exiting the infirmary complex the two took a hard left. Shinya looked back over his shoulder toward the barracks.

"We're heading to a much less disclosed location."

After several minutes and innumerable twists and turns they came to a massive wooden gate. Shinya cocked his head, significantly confused.

"This is the gate to the East Rukongai…what're we doing here?"

The Lieutenant looked over his shoulder and gave Shinya a knowing, and almost creepy, grin. Shinya heard footfalls, nearly silent almost cat-like, to his left and turned to face the source. It was a woman dressed in the garb of the Gotei Stealth Force. She looked a bit taken aback.

"Wha…you heard me? Hm, I must be getting rusty…"

"This is the one the Captain was so eager to see."

"I can see why."

She threw Shinya a flirtatious wink.

"Careful, Yorouichi-taicho. I think Shinya-san is spoken for."

The Second Squad captain threw on an exaggerated pout,

"Well, thank you, Mayuri-san. I'll take him from here."

With a curt nod the lieutenant departed. Yorouichi was still staring at Shinya with a quizzical expression.

"So…how did you know where I was?"

Shinya slowly strode past the captain and placed his full weight on one particular paving stone. It shifted slightly and clicked against the next stone. Yorouichi threw him a sultry look, her voice almost seductive.

"Oh…you're good."

She strode away, her hips rolling back and forth. Shinya, too late, caught himself staring dumbly at her retreating backside. She stopped and looked over her shoulder,

"Well? Are you coming or not?"

Shinya shook his head and, under his breath, repeated the captain's earlier sentiment.

"You're good…"

After passing through the gate, not forgetting a polite wave to Jidanbou, and several more minutes of seemingly aimless meandering the two arrived at a rundown looking storefront. Yorouichi rapped thrice on the flimsy door.

"Go away, we're closed."

The voice was sluggish and almost sounded…hungover.

"Sounds like you boys had fun last night."

A few shuffling footsteps and a moment of fumbling fingers had the door creaking open. A man in nothing but his undergarments and an odd looking green and white striped hat stood just to the side of the door.

"I didn't expect to see you here this early in the morning."

"It's three o'clock in the afternoon, Kisuke."

Yorouichi looked quite displeased with the Twelfth Squad captain.

"C'mon in."

Urahara said, using his hat to shield his eyes from the sun, and Yorouichi's searing gaze.

"I'll make us some tea."

He shuffled back inside and began to fill a cast iron kettle. He placed it on the stove and began rummaging through the collection of tins on the shelf above. After replacing five or six tins he found the one he was looking for.

"Ah! Just what the doctor ordered."

Urahara set the small tarnished container on the table motioning for Shinya and Yorouichi to sit. The kettle began to whistle and another sluggish voice came from within the shadows cast by the late afternoon sun.

"Hey…would you mind keepin' it down? Oh, my head…"

"I should've known you'd be here too, Shunsui."

"Hm? Ohaiou, Yorouichi-taicho. Ah! Tea, perfect."

Kyoraku, joined the two at the large round table. Urahara had just placed the steaming kettle in the centre and was now attempting to pry open the lid of the tea tin. When at last it was coaxed open a musty bitter smell instantly filled the room. The two drunkards inhaled deeply, savoring the pungent aroma, Shinya's face remained impassive, while Yorouichi's nose visibly curled at the stench.

Urahara placed a thick wad of dark-colored leaves into a pewter strainer and dipped it into the kettle. After a few minutes of patient silence and much temple-rubbing by the two older gentlemen, the tea was poured. The three men drank deeply of the bitter liquid. Shinya hated to admit, but he had been feeling a bit…hazy since Mayuri had roused him.

"Ugh! How can you guys drink this crap?"

Shinya was the quickest to reply, barely lifting his lips from the rim of the cup.

"Bitter herbs are an age-old hangover cure. And I, personally, find the taste quite…invigorating."

"It's nice to find someone who enjoys the finer things in life!"

Urahara threw in his two cents.

"We aren't all like Zaraki-taicho…"

Urahara touched his hand to his right eye.

"Obviously."

"Kisuke!"

"Relax. We don't need to worry about him."

The three looked to Kyoraku who had once again fallen to the floor and was snoring uproariously.

"I've been desperately wanting to perform some experiments, but the laws of Seireitei prevent me from running most, but not all, of them. You could be my 'missing link' Shinya. You exhibit all of the effects of the first battery yet you have not been exposed to foreign or artificial stimuli."

But…Urahara-taicho, if you've been asleep all morning, then did you know about…"

Shinya moved his hand to his face,

"This."

Now it was Kisuke's turn to look confused.

"It's been…three days since you were admitted to the surgical ward, Shinya-san."

"What?"

Yorouichi's voice was low and a bit distant,

"Self-reflection sure can pass the time, eh?"

The room fell silent save Kyoraku's snoring, which had quieted to a dull rumble.

"Well? What do you say, Shinya-san?"

"If it will help me to control Shuya; count me in."

"Oh! It has a name? This may prove tricky."

He motioned for Shinya and Yorouichi to follow him. In the rear of the room he lifted a large trap door and beckoned the in. Once they were out of sight Urahara turned to Kyoraku who had ceased his false snoring and was eyeing Kisuke coolly.

"No one hears of this, Shunsui."

"Hai…Taicho."