The three shinigami sat around Keiko's kitchen table in what seemed to Renji as the most painful silence he had ever experienced. Which was saying a lot since he was the vice captain to one Byakuya Kuchiki. No one could do silence like Byakuya Kuchiki. No one.

He watched with amusement as Rukia seemingly bounced in her chair from holding back the thousand questions he was sure she was going to ask Keiko. Of course Kurosaki had an equal amount of things he longed to tease Renji about, but for the time being was keeping his silence on the subject. They all seemed to be waiting for Keiko for join them before the group started on what Renji was sure to be a long evening of questions on both sides. He tried not to think of what he could be doing if not for the two people sitting across from him.

After the initial shock shared by both Rukia and Ichigo had worn off it was clear they were both curious about Keiko. She was a human who could see shinigami and the last person they encountered who could do that ended up storming the Soul Society. It was obvious to Ichigo and Rukia that something was going on between the two of them and Keiko's bed head and bare legs beneath his robe jacket was shocking to say the least. It was a toss up to the twosome what was more interesting a human who could see them or that Renji had a sweetie.

Renji wanted to do nothing more than get rid of them so he could continue what he had been fantasizing about for two months. However with even more evidence that her ability to see soul reapers and hollows was rare coupled with the potential to get more answers Keiko happily invited them inside. Keiko turned on her heels with zero shame and reentered her home. Renji had sighed as he stepped to the side to let Rukia and Ichigo enter the house. He remained shirtless and Keiko was wearing nothing but his clothing. How they planed on rectifying that without embarrassment Renji hadn't a clue.

Keiko breezed through the living room picking up items of clothing and went down the hall into her room. If she noticed the two death gods staring at her she didn't let it show.

Not wanting to be anywhere near the memories of a willing and lusty eyed Keiko wiggling in his lap he steered them into the kitchen. Within a few minutes Kuma sauntered into the kitchen with the jacket of Renji's robes in his mouth.

"That," Ichigo murmured wide eyed as the big white dog placed the black jacket in Renjis lap and nosed his hand for a head pat. "Is the smartest dog I have ever seen."

"You have no idea." Renji rolled his eyes as Kuma flopped to the floor by his feet. The times he watched Keiko he never seemed to be amazed at how intelligent and helpful Kuma was to his mistress. He half expected the dog to start doing laundry or something. He scratched the dog behind the ears and was rewarded with happy tail thumps.

More than delighted to become fully dressed he stood up to put on his uniform jacket. He could tell Ichigo was in physical physical pain from not making a smart-ass comment.

"Kurosaki don't you dare say a fucking word." Renji growled as he tied the obi in a haphazard knot around his waist and plunked back down in his seat. Ichigo just smirked and shook his head. Renji's urge to punch him in the nose was growing stronger by the second.

"So." All heads turned to see Keiko entering the kitchen. She had replaced Renji's robe with blue jeans and a ivory colored sweater. With her scent still clinging to his clothing Renji tried not to be visibly disappointed at seeing her all covered up.

"I suppose I should put on some tea. Anyone hungry?" Keiko had turned he back to dig in her cabinets so she missed Rukia elbow Ichigo in the side for even considering saying his was hungry.

"We are fine. You do not have to go to any trouble for us."

"Ever the noble Kuchiki." Renji snorted.

He received an icy glare from Rukia who continued to address the honey eyed women. "However would you mind if I ask you some questions Keiko?"

"Of course not, as long as you let me ask some as well." She smiled walked over to begin setting the table for tea.

"Have you ever seen shinigami or spirits before you um-" Rukia coughed a bit as she searched for the right word. "Encountered Renji?"

"Well yes and no. I have seen things but never as definite as when I first met Renji."

"What sort of things?"

"I could sense something there and sometimes see almost a haze but never anything solid. Does that make sense?"

"Like Yuzu." Ichigo chimed in, seeing the confusion shared between Renji and Keiko he explained. "My sisters can both sense ghosts, but while Karin can see them as plain as day and even talk to them Yuzu can really only sense them or see a very faint shape of something."

Keiko raised a brow. "Wait. Ichigo you're human?"

"Yeah I am human. My whole life a had a strong connection with spirts and after meeting Rukia I kinda sorta accidently feel into the whole substitute shinigami thing." Ichigo smirked at Rukia who returned his look with a smirk of her own. "She helped me save my family."

"And he saved me."

Renji noticed Keiko looking warmly at the two seated across from him. She sent a meaningful look his way and spoke as she went to fetch the whistling kettle. "You two are adorable."

Renji tried not to laugh as Ichigo and Rukia broke their eye contact and scooted away from one another. Never had he known two people so awkward about having their relationship pointed out.

As she poured hot water onto the tea bags in the blue tea cups Keiko asked about how Ichigo saved Rukia. Renji listened to them retell the story and also argue over how it went down. He occasionally had to interject his own words after all he was not beaten quite as quickly as Ichigo liked to say he was. He watched Keiko's face in fascination. Her face was so animated and expressive. Every so often she would touch is leg or graze his hand with her fingers. It was nice and he tried not to blush. It was bizarre that she seemed to accept all she was told as fact. He was waiting for her to call them crazy and boot all three of them out of her house. He suspected having seen a hollow and watch him fight said hollow helped her belief along.

"So Karakura Town is like a hot bed for spiritual activity?" She asked as she got up to clear the table.

"It seems so. It was widely desired by our enemies for that reason. After all many of the residents who are human like Ichigo ended up affected by the amount of spiritual activity. Just like Chad and Orihime who helped Ichigo in the Soul Society." Rukia explained.

"Well that explains a lot then. I just moved back here about 4 months ago and the hazy appearance has become more and more visable."

Renji's brow wrinkled. "Move back? I though you just moved here I did not know you lived here before."

For the first time he saw sadness in her golden eyes. "I moved back here because this is where I was abandoned as a baby. I was discovered in the Mitsumiya neighborhood. Someone maybe even my real parents left me in front of a shrine. I was found and adopted by my current family. They moved us away almost immediately. I don't know who left me or why. I came back here to see if I could find answers." Keiko placed the dishes in the sink with a clatter and stared out the window. Renji moved from his spot at the table to go to her as she leaned over the sink. Not caring what Kurosaki would say to him later he placed an arm around her waist and pulled her towards his chest. She nuzzled his collarbone and thanked him quietly. Renji chanced a look at Rukia and Ichigo and was surprised to see them looking at him with not amusement, but understanding. Keiko moved out of his embrace but reached for his hand as she headed back to the table.

"Sorry to bring up bad memories Keiko." Ichigo said solemnly.

"No worries Ichigo, it is what it is." Renji tried not to cringe when she sighed. "I really feel like the answers are here, but we can talk about his another time." She reached over and gave Ichigo's arm a squeeze. "I want to know more about me being able to see you. The past is going no where, but being able to see you all is what matters at the moment. I have so much to ask you guys."

"Did you say you were left in Mitsumiya neighborhood?" Rukia questioned.

"Yup. Right on the steps of the Kuroi Neko Shrine"

"Renji. Ichigo. Does that area not ring a bell for you two?"

Renji looked down and watched as Keiko wrapped their hands together. Knowing he should know what Rukia was talking about. Then it dawned on him why that area was familiar.

"Holy shit. That shrine is one block away from Urahara Shoten!"

Rukia smiled and turned to Keiko. "We know someone who might be able to answer all your questions." Keiko smiled brightly at the raven haired shinigami and Renji fought the wave of uneasiness that washed over him.

---

Kisuke Urahara was a brilliant man, almost too smart for his own good. At least that is what he had been told. When he felt the spiritual pressure of Ichigo, Rukia and Renji heading his way he looked forward to whatever mess these three has gotten themselves into. If nothing they were good for a laugh.

Almost as an afterthought he felt the fourth person in their group. The reitesu off of them was barely a flicker. A small candle next to the bonfire of spiritual pressure the other three emitted. He called for Jinta to put some tea on because he could feel this was going to be an interesting night. He heard the bells tinkle when they opened the door to the shop. Ichigo had long ago quit knocking even at hours as late as this.

"Hey! Hat and Clogs! You up?" Ichigo bellowed from the shop floor.

Urahara smiled and walked to the front of the store his getas click-clacking on the floor. He took note of the group before him. Rukia was serious as ever, Ichigo was as always hovering over her and Renji looked wary. He had his hand on the small of the new additions back. Urahara raised an eyebrow and took in the appearance the women whose face was turned up to the tattooed shinigami. She turned her head slightly and smiled at him. Only a century of being enigmatic helped him hide the surprise on his face.

With a mind as sharp as Urahara's it was natural for him to have a great memory. So there was little doubt of a gigai he had created with his own hands. He also knew the color and shape of Yoruichi's eyes would forever be burned into his brain. Seeing the young women whose body was turned to Renji Abari he knew he was looking at a women who possessed both.

Long night indeed.

---

the fine print: don't own bleach!

the not so fine print: Oh. Me. Gee. I have had a hell of a time of late. I had to move to a new state for school, my hard drive died and just a slew of other random crap. However all is settled now so let's hope I can keep some regular updates coming. Big ol' thanks to Renji's Girl. You are a peach and I hope this chapter was to your liking.

read! review! enjoy!