Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the Bleach characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo: the genius behind the captivating manga that started it all. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.

Chapter 7: Conflict

A/N: This is really enjoyable for me. I can only hope that the rest of you are having as much fun as I am.

A day out of the apartment, and away from Mayuri, was exactly what she'd needed. Even with the rainclouds hanging over the city, pouring down over her head in buckets, it was a time to push all cares to the back of her mind, and to enjoy what there was around her. She didn't know much about the layout of the city, so, the day before, after being coerced into skipping classes, Orihime had taken the time to show her where all the shops of importance were, much to Retsu's pleasure. Although she had intended to spend the day alone, while out at the grocery store for some much-needed shopping, Retsu had run into the most unlikely person imaginable, allowing the smiling man to carry her bags as they took a leisurely walk about the water-logged city.

Children, free for the weekend, darted about in their raincoats and rubber boots, some throwing rocks into puddles while others jumped in or rode bicycles through them, spraying one another. It was a tender, heartwarming sight that brought back gentle memories of her own days at that age, creating mischief and romping about the fields of the Rukongai in the warm summer sun. Their laughter was symphonic, like a chorus of little angels on a cool spring morning, darting in and out of blooming trees and bushes as if the greenery were part of a playground.

"So, how are things? Is he giving you hell?"

Although it had only been about a week since she'd last seen him, it had felt like far longer. But now, after having run into him, she felt that things were closer to being the way they were before. Retsu turned, giving her friend a playful warning glance, ignoring his failed attempt to hide his laughter behind a hand. When, at first, she'd proposed that she take matters into her own hands and teach Mayuri what a vacation was like, he had laughed himself right into a fit of heavy coughing. Now that she had, somewhat, succeeded, it didn't bother her so much anymore. In fact, she'd grown quite used to his sense of humor over the years, which had granted her immunity to his special brand of fun.

"Of course not," she smiled, hands trembling within her coat pockets. "What in the world would prompt you to ask such a thing?"

White hair still hung in his eyes, despite the fact that he'd tied it back. His grin grew wider and he looked away, shoulders trembling with laughter as he struggled to maintain his grip on the grocery bag. "Well," he said, staring into the rain, "he's not the most... reasonable character I've met."

His words were straight and to the point, but it didn't make him right. Were they back in the Soul Society, then he would have been correct, as Mayuri wasn't exactly well-known for complying with requests and the like.

"You're right," Retsu said quietly, casting her eyes to the wet ground below, "he is... But we actually had fun yesterday..."

Although she hadn't mentioned it to him, she'd found it... cute that he'd go so far as to chase her through town just for a if she voiced such a thing, especially to Jushiro, he'd lecture her as if she were a child.

Jushiro's brown eyes widened slightly as he turned to stare at her, unwilling to believe what she'd just said. "You... what?"

A smile spread as she laughed at the look on his face. "Oh, don't be that way, Jushiro," she scolded, shaking her head at him, trying to convince herself that her feelings meant nothing. "I hate to say it, but you're starting to sound just like Shunsui. Always assuming the worst and, in this case, most perverse things."

"Don't compare me to him," Jushiro chuckled, taking a couple steps back. "You caught me off guard with that comment." He smiled gently, placing a hand on her arm. "I'm just worried about you. That's all..."

As he turned away, she stopped, allowing him to move forward without her as he laughed and chatted on. Even Jushiro, who always noticed everything, was missing the pained gleam in her eye as he spoke in such a way. She didn't want them to be true, her feelings, but they were. Her consent, and gradual sense of comfort, was all that had been needed for everything she knew to change. It hadn't taken long. Just a few days short of a week. It was this that made her question her own judgment, curious as to whether or not she was still thinking clearly. But, more than anything, she wanted to know...

Did she really love him?

"Retsu?" A flash of white hair and those gentle eyes appeared within her field of vision. As her eyes met his, he shrunk back a bit, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you... all right...?"

Fearing that he would learn the truth, she straightened up with a melancholy smile, staring up at the angry sky above. "I am," she replied, enjoying the feel of the rain on her skin. "I just wish... it hadn't rained today..."

# - # - #

The previous night had been long, dark, even torturous. It was fitting for the light to be trapped behind the mass of dark thunderheads, as there was little at the moment that merited positive thinking, let alone the irritation of sunlight in one's face. Everything had become irrelevant, having given way to uncharacteristic thoughts and ideas that had so easily pervaded his head. Trying to shut them away was like trying to capture water in a basket: It was pointless, impossible, and maddening. It had all been a mistake, getting sucked into her delusional get-away plan, and, as a repercussion, his stupidity was all coming back to torture him.

It seemed that everything was closing in, pushing those unusual ideas closer by the minute. It was like a bullet train, nearly impossible to stop. With each passing second, it drew nearer, proclaiming its presence in the dead of night. He wanted nothing to do with these damned illusions, but they had planted their roots deep, unwilling to set him free.

It was distasteful, this damned confusion. It was pitiful.

He'd never wanted this. It was far simpler to remain closed off from the world, immune to, and safe from, all the hellfire and brimstone that fell from the skies. Relations, of any kind, had never been his strong suite. It was just how he operated. And then, she'd come along with her stupid ideas, dragging him into the fire with pretty words and false promises. Why, of all people, had she been the one to do this to him? He would have been perfectly content with being nagged by Nemu or Akon about a vacation, as he could have easily dismissed and ignored them.

But this one, this woman, was relentless. She'd somehow managed to worm her way through his shell to make the change that she'd desired. And it had worked. She was now the poison coursing through his veins. All that was left was to decide... Was she worth it, or not?

"Well, well. Never thought I'd see you down here."

Mayuri flinched, grimacing as he pushed himself off the floor to turn and face the window. He'd been an idiot to leave it open on such a horrid day, as it had clearly soaked the carpet, and now he had an unwanted visitor preying on his uncharacteristic insecurities. Golden eyes met a familiar face, further souring his mood. He wanted nothing to do with the man he saw smirking at him, and had every reason to want to kill him, based on the moment.

The man, on the other hand, simply smiled, ignoring the glares Mayuri shot his way. Obviously, he found the whole thing to be pretty damn funny.

"Oh, don't look at me that way," he chided, waving a hand as he climbed through the window. "I'm only here to help."

Mayuri rolled his eyes, collapsing on the floor again. People like Kisuke Urahara didn't help situations like this; they made them significantly worse. And, of anyone he'd ever met, Kisuke was by far the worst at resolving problems. The man created more and managed to get into the worst kind of trouble. Those tendencies alone easily explained how he'd been framed for the events that had quickly cost him his captaincy. Even if the idiot wasn't at fault.

He glanced back to the window, sighing loudly as Kisuke continued his idiotic staring. "You're irritating," Mayuri huffed, staring boredly at the ceiling. "What do you want...?"

The shopkeeper shrugged, his grin fading almost instantly. "I'd heard from a reliable source that you were in town," he replied, leaning against the wall below the window, "and I thought I'd come and say hello. Is that so wrong?"

Mayuri nodded, wishing that there was something within reach that he could throw at the man. But it was useless. Frankly, he was miserable this way; being eaten alive by the turmoil that bubbled beneath the surface. The last thing he wanted was to talk about it, especially with an imbecile like Kisuke. Problems of the past had always been solved sooner, and with much more certainty, when he'd kept them to himself. So, what was the difference with this one? Did it have something to do with the fact that it wasn't scientific?

It seemed that everything that made sense was gone, having shattered before he could solve the puzzle. He lived for that which couldn't be explained. So, why was this suddenly so damned hard? He'd never even liked the woman, let alone paid any attention to her. They'd always had a bit of a bitter rivalry going between them, but that had been the extent of their contact with one another. It had been strictly professional.

But now, everything was changing for the worse.

He didn't know what to think anymore. The only thing he knew for certain was that he'd been a fool to play along with her charade. His idea of playing a game with her had been a fatal mistake, and it had backfired in the worst possible way.

"Why are you still here?" Mayuri tilted his head back, staring at the shopkeeper, who was now upside down. "I've got nothing to say to you..."

Much to his chagrin, the man smirked again, laughing this time. "You always were the difficult one," he chuckled, leaning his chin into his hands. "Even more than Hiyori. She was the firework of the lot, and you were the impossible one. I'm glad to see that much hasn't changed. But..." Kisuke said, sliding out the window, "since you're so reluctant, I'll leave you to your thoughts."

The gentle click of the closing window was like pulling the trigger. As soon as he was sure the man was gone, Mayuri slammed a fist into the floor, seething. He was losing his mind. Something that even he couldn't have forseen.

What was it about this woman that drove him utterly mad...?

The characters aren't the only ones being tortured. I'm dying, too.